Mariëtta Robbé Groskamp is one of the most exemplary and aspiring businesswoman making a difference through her life and lifestyle. In an interview with CIO Look she shares her astonishing journey and her contribution through Velti and her life. She is Country Director at Velti. As a Country Director at Velti, she provides hands-on insights on how she successfully manages to balance her work life with her family and her everyday hobbies such as reading books and listening to podcasts.
Mariëtta has been nominated in The Netherlands for several awards highlighting successful women in business, such as the VIVA 400 Tech & Innovation 2020; The Next Women 100; and The Next Women To Watch 2020.
Below are the highlights of the interview between Mariëtta Robbé Groskamp and CIO Look:
Give a brief overview of your background and your role as a business woman.
I’m a proud mother of two energetic and entrepreneurial sons, Yasin (11) and Soufian (10). In my daily life I find it important to have a good balance between time for my family, health, business and enjoying the little things in life. I have an international Sales and Marketing background, having worked for Microsoft, Dell, Orange, T-Mobile and various international start-ups. I work as a Country Director at Velti, who provides innovative, mobile-focused Marketing and Loyalty solutions trusted worldwide by hundreds of companies such as Pepsi, Deutsche Telekom and Etisalat. Furthermore I’m the founder of Younikorn, where I act as a connector for international organizations. Next to that I’m extremely passionate about sharing knowledge online through my personal blog and speaking at webinars, events and guest lectures.
How do you diversify your organization’s offerings to entice the target audience?
In the 20 years Velti has been offering cutting edge mobile marketing solutions, many things have changed. Technology constantly advances rapidly, new generations of mobile devices and networks raise the bar and consumer expectations. We use our know-how, experience and worldwide presence to customise and personalise our services offered. It’s all about new cutting-edge technology that can provide new experiences like gamification and campaign automation, driven by consumer insights that are delivered through artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. Our Marketing Automation solution have been recently recognized, as we have won 3 EMMA’s, including the GRAND PRIX award for Velti’s Artificial Intelligence-driven campaign automation and optimization together with one of our clients T-Mobile Netherlands.
What people, what books, what life factors have influenced and impacted you?
The beauty of humankind is that everyone face struggles in life, it can make you or break you. I see it as a journey, to become a better, wiser and stronger person. All the struggles I face inspire me to be competitive, to win, to be the best version of myself and to be good and kind for each other. People, books and podcasts that I love and that have shaped me include: Jack Welch, Elon Musk, Tony Robbins, Jim Rohn, Dr. Joe Dispenza, Jay Shetty, Rowen Aida and many more. I love to read biographies and subjects about: neuroscience, health and technology. I always stay hungry to do more, serve more, grow more, be more and most important stay grateful.
What is your vision for the company for the next five years?
Five years is a long time when talking about cutting edge technology and the mobile market. 5G and new mobile devices will create significant change to how we use our devices and what we can do on them, their connectivity with other devices in our home – both in our professional and social life. Data is now, and will continue to be, the new gold. The ability and willingness of our customers to take full advantage of using all the data they have has increased.
Five years ago customers found AI a bit scary. Marketers were asking what does this mean for my future or job? Now we see IT and Marketing has shifted and are more open to go ahead with using artificial intelligence to improve the quality and the relevance of what is offered to consumers. Velti must evolve and continue innovating to help its customers (mobile operators, but also banks, insurance companies and consumer brands) to take advantage of the possibilities that the technology and use of data provide. The vision is to keep providing the latest technology for our customers in an easy, simple and efficient way. Velti’s personalized service is key to the mutual success. We are one family.
As a keynote business woman, what are some of the vital attributes that every leader should possess?
Perseverance, positivity and empowerment. Work hard and smart regardless of any obstacles that may exist. Get things done and never give up! Stay true to yourself and have fun along the way. If you love the things you do in work, your passion and dedication will shine through. Empower your employees with the resources, authority, opportunity and motivation to do their work, as well as holding them accountable for their actions, this will make them happier and more proficient. And of course, you need to have a vision – knowing where you are heading to.
How do you maintain balance between your professional & personal life?
Discipline is the key. I wake up early around 4:30 AM, and then it’s just “me-time”. I start with a meditation and then a 30-45 min workout and some yoga to prime my body, mind and spirit. I take a quick shower and at 6:30 AM I wake up my kids. We have breakfast and some time together. I drop them off at school and then my working day starts. Weekends are really precious for me because then it’s mostly dedicated to my two sons. I’m gifted with a lovely family around me, who are very supportive with my career and helping me with my children when I’m for example on a business trip abroad. I’ve noticed that I need to have “me-time” to stay clear and focussed. I’m not willing to sacrifice time with my children, nor with my business. Therefore I sacrifice sleep.
How do you sustain your creative leadership spirit in this changing technological era?
Creativity is about solving problems. I’m a flexible person and that stands out in my daily approach. I’m always learning and love to try out new things. I think in solutions rather than difficulties. There are no problems, there are just solutions waiting to be found. Meditation and exercise help to disconnect from everything and refresh your mind.
What are your future endeavours/objectives and where do you see yourself in near future?
One of the things I would love to try is living abroad with my kids, learning a new language, new culture, new food, coping with a new lifestyle. I always love to challenge myself – recently I cycled on a wooden bike trip, 525km through Europe in just 4 days. But I also set myself up to smaller challenges. Being comfortable with the uncomfortable. So, living abroad, starting a new team and office in a new region/country is something I would love to do. I’m always striving to do more and give more to the world. One of my dreams is to give back to society – I would love to engage more in the philanthropy era, donating more time and money to charities or start my own charity.
What advice would you like to give to the emerging business women?
Start from within and ask yourself what do you really want in life? What is your biggest dream? Where do you see yourself? Write them down and make them big, yes BIG! Don’t think small and don’t be scared! Visualize your goals daily; see them in front of you with every detail possible. How do you feel? What clothes do you wear? Yes you will face setbacks, yes you will face push back, including from people you didn’t expect. Just face them and never stop. Go after your dreams. Follow your passion and never give up! Don’t forget to surround yourself with like-minded people, ask for feedback and stay open to learn. Stay authentically because actions speak louder than words.
Check out the magazine interview here
