Accelerate your Career: Insights from Business Developers Hugo & Lasse

At BrightAnalytics, you get the chance to develop quickly in an ambitious and financially healthy scale-up.
- Hugo & Lasse, Business Developers

Expertise

  • Sales

At BrightAnalytics, you have the opportunity to grow quickly within an ambitious and financially sound scale-up.

We spoke with Hugo and Lasse, both active in Rotterdam, about their backgrounds, their choice of BrightAnalytics and their initial steps in a business context.

What is your background and in which sector where you active before joining BrightAnalytics?

Lasse: “I obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Business Economics, followed by a Master’s in Strategy Economics.”

Hugo: “My journey began with a bachelor in business administration. After that, i took a gap year during which I engaged in extracurricular activities, followed by a Masters’s in Marketing Management and a second Master’s in Management of Innovation, both at the Rotterdam School of Management (RSM).”

You both studied in Rotterdam. How obvious was it to start your professional careers there?

Lasse:For me, it was quite a logical choice. I’m from Rotterdam and I live here as well, so the decision was made quite quickly.“

Hugo: “I’m originally from Tilburg, but after my studies, I wanted to stay in Rotterdam. Last year, when I was looking for my first job, BrightAnalytics came my way, and it was the ideal opportunity to stay working in Rotterdam. An added bonus was that it was only a 15-minute bike ride away.”

The transition to a more commercial role for someone without experience is not always straightforward. How did you experience this?

Lasse: “I never really thought I would go into sales, but the work we do at BrightAnalytics doesn’t feel like ‘typical’ sales jobs. We don’t sell physical products over the phone; it’s more about building relationships. Many graduates often don’t know exactly what they want to do, and I was no different.”

Hugo: “I can relate to that. I also didn’t have the ambition to pursue pure sales, especially since salespeople often have a typical profile or are pigeonholed. However, I had a commercial interest due to my marketing background. During my interviews at BrightAnalytics, I realised that the people I spoke with were genuine business professionals with extensive knowledge of marketing and commercial strategies. I immediately felt that there was a lot to learn and that the company was very well organised, which made the role of business developer much more appealing to me.”

You both gained experience at large corporates during your internships. Why then choose a (Belgian) scale-up?

Lasse: “Although I interned at Unilever and gained experience at other companies as a student, I noticed that in a large corporate, you often follow a set script. You do what your predecessor did and try to do it just a bit better. At BrightAnalytics, however, I had the opportunity to really be in the “driver’s seat” and contribute to the growth of the company in the Netherlands. I found that much more appealing, especially because there are many opportunities here for rapid progression. What also attracted me to BrightAnalytics was the personal approach during the recruitment process. They invested a lot of time in me and showed genuine interest, which gave me a good feeling. Additionally, I was given the chance to play an active role in the growth of the office, something that is often difficult to achieve in a large corporate.”

Hugo: “For me, the initial choice of consultancy in a corporate felt like the safe step. A scale-up can often seem a bit unclear, but when BrightAnalytics approached me and I learned more about the company—such as its strong financial health and rapid growth—I realised that I would have much more freedom and opportunities to develop myself in a scale-up. That was the deciding factor for me to choose Bright over a corporate.”

What triggered you during the interviews to start working here? Was there a specific moment when you made the connection?

Lasse: “The connection came for me when I realised that I would have much more freedom to shape my role and truly make an impact. The combination of that and the growth opportunities swayed my decision to choose Bright.”

Hugo: “During the interviews with Emiel and Jonathan, I began to see how robust the company is: financially healthy, an impressive growth curve, and little churn. That gave me confidence, despite my initial doubts about a scale-up. The conversations made me increasingly enthusiastic, I noticed that I kept talking about BrightAnalytics with my friends and family. That was the moment I made the connection and decided to go for Bright.”

How did you find the first few months? What steps have you taken personally?

Lasse: “The first few months went well; you naturally get better at your job. Every day, you speak to many different people, which helps you learn more about our tool, competitors, and clients. Through practical experience, your skills improve. I also find it valuable that we learn a lot through the learning sessions. Additionally, we receive personal guidance from Emiel and have regular meetings with colleagues from Belgium. In a smaller company, it’s much easier to help each other and grow together. It’s an ongoing learning proces. ”

Hugo: “The first week when I started here was intense due to the amount of information that came our way. Each week focused on a new theme and new lessons, but this allowed us to progress each time. You’re genuinely challenged to grow as a person, and that feeling is still there. I think I’ve made huge strides in the past few months. Every day as a business developer, we are essentially creating opportunities from scratch, which is one of the most critical aspects of my job. When you schedule meetings with big-name companies, the kind everyone knows, those are precisely the moments when I see how much I’ve grown and what I can still achieve.”

What are you most proud of so far?

Lasse: “I’m quite proud of the solid foundation we’ve established in the Netherlands and the bond we’ve formed both professionally and personally. This was one of my major concerns at the start. We’re here with a small team, and you never know in advance how the chemistry will be with your colleagues. One aspect that may deter many people is working in a small team. However, I believe that in such a setting, you can build much more personal connections, which leads to quicker and easier learning from one another, and consequently, more opportunities for growth.”

Hugo: “You feel that your work is appreciated within the company; you can see that BrightAnalytics is growing in Rotterdam and that we are making progress in various areas. I joined in April 2024, and I believe that April 2025 will bring a very different situation.”

How is the interaction with the other offices?

Lasse: “There is certainly a lot of contact with the team in Belgium. Especially in the first weeks, there is a considerable amount of knowledge sharing. Regular meetings are held to discuss your personal progress. If something isn’t going well, we look together at what the cause is. Based on those analyses, sessions are then scheduled to share best practices or address other specific questions.”

Hugo: “The sessions and knowledge sharing are indeed mainly driven from the HQ in Belgium. If you have a question, you can directly talk to a colleague from Belgium to brainstorm about a specific case or delve deeper into a topic. At BrightAnalytics, there are also more experienced colleagues who have been with the company longer and have therefore gained a wealth of knowledge and experience. You can learn a lot from them. Additionally, we organise an annual team-building event where all offices (Sweden, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, and Belgium) come together for a weekend. This provides the chance to get to know not only your own team better but also the teams from other regions”

What makes BrightAnalytics different from other companies?

Lasse: “What truly sets BrightAnalytics apart from other companies is the professionalism and clear structure present in the onboarding process. Every aspect has been carefully considered; from the moment you arrive, there’s a clear plan for how you’ll be trained, who will support you, and how your progress will be measured. You also gain insight into the future plans for the office. From Belgium, you’re actively involved in the company’s narrative. During the weekly online stand-ups on Mondays for all hubs, for instance, you receive an overview of the figures, which also motivates you to perform better. Everything is well organised, which is very beneficial for your personal development”

Hugo: “For me, it’s also clear that everything has been thoughtfully planned, both for personal growth and for the development of the office. There is a clear vision regarding the direction in which the office should move and how we position ourselves in the market. The vision and structure are clear, with short lines of communication, allowing for quick decision-making. In a large corporate, it’s easy to slip through the cracks because you’re one of thousands. Here, it’s almost impossible to be overlooked. There’s constant attention for you as a person and how you can contribute to the company’s success.”

How do you see yourselves developing both professionally and personally within the organisation?

Lasse: “Professionally, I’m keen to make the transition to the Revenue Team as quickly as possible. We are constantly working to create something from nothing. We often approach companies cold, and it’s essential to communicate those needs as effectively as possible. I believe that both Hugo and I, as business developers, can only grow in this area.”

Hugo: “Within BrightAnalytics, the growth path is clear, and I want to take steps in that direction as soon as possible. What I find so attractive about working at Bright is the constant opportunity for growth, both professionally and personally. Additionally, I want to further develop my commercial skills. It’s incredibly energising when you perform well and can make a real impact. The knowledge I’m gaining now is not only valuable for my current role but will also be applicable in the future.”

At BrightAnalytics, we believe in a ‘together in the office’ culture. How do you experience this way of working, and what were your initial thoughts about it?

Lasse:  “Working from home is very common in the Netherlands these days, but I find it valuable to be in the office. On the one hand, it provides the opportunity to learn from each other, and on the other, it motivates you as well. For instance, when Hugo sits next to me, makes good calls, and books meetings, it encourages me to do the same. That learning culture was also one of the reasons I chose Bright. Many people around me said that even though we are few in the office, you learn a lot from each other and build personal connections quickly. That’s something you often have less of in large corporates, which allows for greater honesty between colleagues.”

Hugo: “The structure of being here every day contributes to my focus and gives me the chance to continuously learn. You can really feel that learning culture here, especially since we’re a small team in the Netherlands. You always pick up something from what others are doing, and you get involved in important cases, which helps you gain valuable insights. It’s also great that you can always brainstorm with others; that happens here constantly and significantly enhances the learning experience.”

You often start your first job with certain expectations. What has been fulfilled, and what aspects turned out to be (just) slightly different from what you initially thought?

Lasse: “I’ve encountered a few things I didn’t initially expect in this role. Through this work, I’ve had the chance to connect with various leading companies. I’ve spoken to companies from different sectors, which has taught me a lot about those specific industries. Now, when I travel from A to B in the Netherlands, I can say that I’ve spoken with the CFO of that company or that they are one of our clients. This often opens the door to discussing these experiences with others. That knowledge is also valuable for the future, as it gives you better insight into what drives businesses.”

Hugo: “At the beginning, I also thought my role would revolve around consultancy, focusing on a few specific cases without really contributing anything. What surprised me, however, was the fast pace and the combination of quality and quantity required. This pace is higher than I had expected, and the growth path here encourages you to move forward. You’re constantly working to create opportunities, which is essential for success as a business developer. Dealing with different sectors is also a fun aspect; you can quickly engage in conversations about specific industries. By learning so much in a short time, you can hold a conversation at a certain level with a CFO.”

What would you say to someone who is hesitant about joining BrightAnalytics?

Lasse: “Definitely give it a try, you won’t regret it. It’s a unique opportunity, especially for students looking for a first job where they can learn a lot. BrightAnalytics is a financially healthy scale-up with a good product. Here, you have the chance to develop rapidly in various areas. Many companies often say this, but at Bright, it’s genuinely true: you continuously learn new skills. Think of the combination of commercial and communication skills, as well as insights and knowledge of different sectors and companies. This makes our work particularly interesting. We have a clear growth path for everyone who starts here.”

Hugo: “You need to be a bit business-minded and enjoy engaging with different aspects of the work. You don’t necessarily have to be a typical salesperson; many people in sales here are not. It’s about consultative selling, where you combine various business elements. If you recognise yourself in this, then BrightAnalytics will meet all your expectations. We are financially sound, have a strong product-market fit, and can demonstrate growth figures. With that combination, if you’re open to it, you’ll find a fantastic first job here. That’s what I would want to convey to people.”

Become part of the bright family

Ready for a new professional adventure at a dynamic company where an open corporate culture and personal growth are key? Take a quick look at our career opportunities to find out more!

More testimonials from your future colleagues

Curious to hear what your future colleagues have to say? Dive deeper into their experiences and testimonials below. Get an inside look at the vibrant community waiting to welcome you!

  • You immediately feel part of the Bright Family.
    Cato Vanhoutte
    Business Analyst
  • No two days at the Bright Office are ever the same.
    Lucas carette
    Country Launcher Sweden