Gisteren berichtte Wilbert Geijtenbeek al over een interview met Ben Noteboom (CEO Randstad). In datzelfde interview doet Noteboom echter een uitspraak die me van mijn stoel heeft doen vallen. Op basis van de vraag of Randstad het Internet als een kans of bedreiging ziet, geeft Noteboom namelijk het volgende antwoord:

De ontwikkeling van het internet zien wij als een kans. De werving van kandidaten wordt er door vergemakkelijkt en veel administratieve processen verlopen eveneens via internet.  Dit kan leiden tot een compacter vestigingennet en een hogere productiviteit. Wij blijven ons echter onderscheiden  door het contact dat wij hebben met en de kennis die wij hebben over onze klanten en onze flexwerkers.  Daardoor zijn wij beter in staat zijn ‘een perfecte match’ te maken.  Internet op zichzelf kan dat niet bieden. Kortom, wij denken dat onze dienstverlening niet vervangen zal kunnen worden door internet.

Meent hij dit nou?

Wilbert Geijtenbeek already reported about an interview with Ben Noteboom (CEO Randstad) yesterday. In that same interview however, Noteboom makes a statement which made me fall off my chair. In reply to the question of whether Randstad sees the Internet as an opportunity or threat, Noteboom gives the following reply:

We see the development of the Internet as an opportunity. The recruitment of candidates is facilitated by it and many administrative processes also run through the Internet. This may lead to a cutback in locations and a higher productivity. However we have a distinction from it by the contact and the knowledge we have about our customers and our flexible workers. Therefore we are better suited to make “a perfect match.” The Internet itself can not offer this. In short, we believe our services can not be replaced by the Internet.

Is he serious?

Is it possible Noteboom is really totally without vision to the point that he believes that technological developments can only facilitate the recruitment of candidates and the administrative procedure? And is this the same man who stood at the cradle of the very ambitious and technological masterpiece that was called Hedson?

Some psudopsychology could indicate why Noteboom made a 180 and in the meantime just wants to use technological developments for improving productivity. The scars he has accumulated under the Hedson debacle, whether or not caused by Internet hater and Randstad founder Goldschmeding, must have contributed to this.

But it is still shocking to read his response. The target group that Randstad claims to serve has taken the social media, mobile applications, online gaming, virtual worlds, etc. to heart in recent years. And it will continue to do so in the coming years.

And that is the very same target audience that Noteboom is completely ignoring with his statement. A higher productivity is his aim. Important, no doubt about that. But as ‘vision’ on the Internet it is far too limited. The man has become a bean counter. And with this gives a guarantee that Randstad will not reach a number one position at the expense of Adecco. Because for that a little more is needed than what Noteboom seems to have in the house.

But would an old fox lose his tricks? Is Noteboom just saying this for the cameras? Does he have a secret hideout where many innovative projects are being realized? I can only hope… (meer…)