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Stef Bal launches the Green Challenge 2022
Last year Pauwels Consulting launched the Green Challenge. During the week of World Bicycle Day (June 3rd) we encourage our consultants to leave their cars aside and travel by bike or on foot as much as possible.
To motivate our colleagues even more, we will donate to Think Pink an amount based on all registered ‘green’ journeys in that week. The more hours our consultants are active, the bigger the amount for Think Pink!
We spoke with Stef Bal, the Pauwels consultant who last year recorded the most green hours. We are curious to see whether he will defend his title this year!
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Stef, can you introduce yourself?
Stef: ‘I am Stef Bal, 29 years old and I am a Quality Engineer and Validation Expert.’
Interesting! What exactly do those jobs entail?
Stef: ‘I started at Pauwels Consulting as a Validation Expert. In that function, I set up complex analyses and performed risk analyses.
I am currently working as a Quality Engineer on my project. The first months I was lab supervisor. A very varied job in which you deal with many stakeholders and often need to be able to switch quickly.
In the meantime, since February, I have been responsible for Quality Assurance and I handle customer complaints, audits and all other tasks related to quality assurance.’
"Pauwels Consulting is a big player, and that opens the door to big companies and interesting training opportunities."
How did you end up at Pauwels Consulting?
Stef: ‘In 2020 it was time for the next step in my career. Through my professional network I came across an interesting vacancy at Pauwels Consulting. And look, now I have been working here for 2 years!’
And that makes us very happy! What are the advantages of working for us?
Stef: ‘First of all, Pauwels Consulting is a big player, which opens the door to big companies and interesting training opportunities. The internal team is always available and follows up on me, which I would like to thank them for!
Furthermore, I’ve been able to work on a lot of different projects. I could never have gathered that experience as an internal employee, and that is precisely what makes a Pauwels Consultant so valuable.’
Last year you were the winner of our Green Challenge. Are you going to defend your title in 2022?
Stef: ‘Of course I am going to defend my title. (laughs) Unfortunately I have less time this year, so it will be more difficult. But in the end, it’s all about the idea behind it. Getting out more, enjoying nature and getting to know your colleagues… Participating is already winning in the Green Challenge.’
Last year you collected 29 green hours in one week. How did you manage that?
Stef: ‘Wow, I had already forgotten that I had spent 29 hours exercising. Quite crazy actually!
I mainly walked. I didn’t have a bike at the time and if I had to run all those hours, I would never have made it to the end of the week.’ (laughs)
"The Green Challenge is the ideal initiative to bring consultants closer together."
Why did you take part in the Green Challenge?
Stef: ‘I thought it was a fun challenge and of course I also wanted to do my bit for a good cause. We all know someone who has had to deal with breast cancer, and Think Pink does wonderful things. And of course, sustainability is also important.’
Enough reasons to participate! What did you like most about the Green Challenge?
Stef: ‘The connection with my fellow consultants. We are usually so spread out that we do not always know who our colleagues are. Thanks to the Green Challenge I got to know other Pauwels Consultants via Strava, LinkedIn and other social media. So this is the ideal initiative to bring consultants closer together.’
And finally, one more question: what is your ultimate tip for colleagues who also want to participate?
Stef: ‘Everything is about planning. Last year, I worked a full-time job and had a flexi-time on Fridays and Saturdays. So I had to plan in advance on which days I had to perform more in order to move as many hours as possible.
Hence my advice: motivate yourself, make a good plan and go for it. Go crazy!’
Stef, thank you for this interview and your tips!
Will you break Stef’s record this year?
Do you, as a Pauwels Consultant, also want to raise money for Think Pink? Quickly check your mailbox, register on Strava and start warming up for the week of 30/5 to 5/6. We wish you the best of luck!
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