Why 3 Chief EAs have chosen Myreas
May 2020
When 3 Chief EAs simultaneously decide to move to Myreas, we are obviously intrigued. What is it about our story that appeals to them? What is it that they are still looking for - given their extensive experience in enterprise architecture? What do they expect from an employer anyway? And what made them so sure they will find that at Myreas?
A lot of questions and high time to get the answers. The current situation (#stayhome) meant agreeing to meet in the nearest Google Hangout, to drink a digital coffee with Erwin Glassée (ex SD Worx), Virginie Héloire (ex Thomas Cook) and Frank Lemmens (ex VRT). It was a unique gathering; we're talking about decades of experience in enterprise architecture.
It’s a small world after all
There are relatively few experienced enterprise architects in Belgium. "If you've been operating in enterprise architecture in Belgium for a number of years, you will hear the name Colruyt Group referred to as a shining beacon frequently", says Erwin. And also, Jef Colruyt as Chief Architect. It's nice to be able to work like that and at the same time have the CEO convey both a clear image of an organisation with 30,000 employees and the vision on enterprise architecture. Add to that an unambiguous and inspiring mission and you have a clear reason for all 3 Chief Architects to choose Myreas.
"I just recognise myself in the organisation's values", Virginie concludes. "And that's something I find hugely important." For example, it's great to see how unpretentiously and respectfully everyone behaves in working together towards a common end result. In other organisations, the values might not go further than a list on the wall, here you actually see them in the way people behave in the workplace. Obviously, that's where you find the real strength of a company.
Human component
"In actual fact, enterprise architecture is a soft discipline", Erwin continues. Even though at the end of the day, it often comes down to how to tell the leadership, kindly yet courageously, what they need to hear, rather than what they may want to hear. Process, technology and modelling, all the analysis and design craft needed, are not easy to learn, but practice makes perfect. They all affirm: practice makes perfect, or almost perfect. But instigating a system of people who work well together is not always simple.
Frank: "If you look at a company in an abstract way, you have four components: processes, people, information and technology. People are irrefutably the most important of those components. And I'm pretty sure I'm not the only person here who believes that. If the people are not on your side, the theoretical framework of your architecture means nothing."
Healthy ambition
At present, the counter at Myreas is on 31. Being a part of a group of like-minded people is above all energising. And the team is also really diverse. The differences in seniority, expertise and personality complement each other. That offers prospects, because it means there are many opportunities for learning from each other and coaching each other. This is something which gives Virginie her drive. “Helping people to reveal themselves”, as she so eloquently puts it. That team will be growing more and more in the coming months and all three wanted to be on that train. No, not so much FOMO as a once in a lifetime opportunity. Wherever the journey takes them, it promises to be an interesting ride.