Interview with
Gert Bresseleers
Celebrating 25 years of Ormit Talent: the perfect moment to look back on the journey with our alumni. In this interview, we dive into the story of Gert Bresseleers, now the CEO of BOMA, an exciting growth company in cleaning and hygiene. Expect an inspiring story about embracing the unknown and looking beyond first impressions. How does he reflect on his traineeship 23 years later? Read on to find out!
What is the biggest lesson Ormit Talent taught you?
In my pool (read: the group of trainees I trained with), there were people with diverse educations, backgrounds, and personalities. Based on first impressions, there were people I wouldn’t have considered as friends, but over two years, we got to know each other really well. You learn to truly appreciate those differences.
The same happened with the companies I worked for. During my traineeship, I had the chance to work in various departments like finance, HR, and sales, across different sectors such as pharma, banking, and the steel industry. I worked in companies that didn’t seem interesting to me at first, but I soon discovered they had many valuable and enjoyable aspects. All those experiences taught me to look beyond first impressions and not to judge too quickly. Take the time to experience and analyze – this became my motto: ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’.
How did Ormit Talent influence your career?
Ormit Talent influenced my career in many ways. Firstly, my projects at companies like Dexia, GlaxoSmithKline, and ArcelorMittal taught me that I’m not really suited for large multinationals with a hierarchical structure. This insight led me to my current position at BOMA, a family business, where I started as a sales director and eventually became CEO. I also ensure that my company maintains an open and transparent culture, free from excessive internal politics.
Aside from that, the variety of projects and roles at Ormit Talent helped me quickly discover what I did and didn’t want to do.
Can you describe Ormit Talent in one word?
A rollercoaster. So much happens in those two years. You get different projects and a wide range of experiences, both professionally and personally. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, experiences, and ideas.
It’s also an accelerator, speeding up your development process. I worked in four different companies, in four different sectors, and in various roles. These projects often weren’t close to home, meaning I had to travel a lot, both within Belgium and to the Netherlands. The variety and speed at which you go through these experiences make it a real rollercoaster full of emotions, insights, and growth. I realized that in just 26 months, I learned more than many of my peers did in several years.
How do you look back on the coaching and training at Ormit Talent?
Are there any specific moments that stand out?
The coaching and training at Ormit Talent were invaluable. One training that really stuck with me was “The Seven Habits training”. It was not only educational but also enjoyable. During that training, I learned a lot about myself and my goals. I also remember a fellow trainee who, after an intensive training, decided to completely change his career to follow his passion for photography. It shows how powerful the discovery journey at Ormit Talent can be.
At one point, I started making mind maps of all the trainings I attended. It was important for me to remember and apply all that information. There was so much to learn. I experienced the same in the trainings I attended after Ormit Talent: you get an abundance of information, but if you don’t apply it, much is lost. That’s why I decided to write everything down, thinking it might not be useful tomorrow, but maybe in a year. Then you can quickly look back and think, “I want to see that.” This helped me take important takeaways to the jobs I had afterward. That training book is still with me, full of key points, post-its, and mind maps.
Would you choose Ormit Talent again?
Absolutely. Ormit Talent was exactly what I needed at that time. It’s really the bridge between your studies and the working world. The program fills an important gap for young talents by helping them discover what they want and don’t want in a well-supported environment.
What is your advice for new starters at Ormit Talent?
Absorb and embrace the experience fully. Don’t say no too quickly because you get the chance to try a lot within a well-guided framework. Be open to new experiences and also be vulnerable. Active feedback from colleagues is immensely important. Use the network you build, as it will help you a lot later in your career. And don’t forget to enjoy it; it’s a unique and fun period.
Voilà, the story of Gert Bresseleers. Or at least part of it, because Gert couldn’t stop talking. Honestly, we barely had to ask questions. He enthusiastically shared his experiences, talking about his journey and how he looks back on it. It was amazing to see that 23 years later, he still opens his notebook with great curiosity. A passion we hope to ignite in every trainee who is willing to embrace this rollercoaster of experiences.