Major Product/SVS:
Business language programs
Education Degrees:
Coursework to Teach Education, University in Amsterdam (1990)
Career Achievements:
Development and rollout of Blended Business English (2010); Development and rollout of LexicOn Line Learning (2001)
Throughout the duration of your career, what was the one highlight that stood out the most?:
The most gratifying aspect of her career is having been an innovative, successful and important player in the language training field for 18 years. She is still full of energy and actively developing new products. She considers Blended Business English, which was introduced in 2010, to be among her greatest accomplishments. In addition, Ms. van Blerkom developed an interactive grammar method in 2001. LexicOn Line Learning is used in the company's courses in Dutch for foreigners and remains popular today.
Number Of Years In Profession:
25
Number Of Years In Current Position:
17
What Does He/She Attribute Success To:
She attributes her success to doing what she likes and having a passion for creating the magic match between the client and instructor.
Why did you become involved in your profession or industry?:
She became involved in her profession because of her experience as an instructor of Dutch as a foreign language and a project leader for several business and government companies. When she was in her mid-twenties, a friend proposed that she work with him as a language trainer for his company, and suggested that she start her own business. Independent by nature, and fond of organizing, teaching, and meeting people, Ms. van Blerkom decided to give it a try. She set out to create a company with a flexible and organized back office and to develop good relationships with both instructors and clients. She started getting clients within a month's time, and was soon working with several trainers throughout the Netherlands. Her business has taken off from there. Ms. van Blerkom continues to do business in her own way, treating her instructors as professionals and making sure the courses she offers are truly tailor-made to fit the needs of her clients.
Extended Bio Profile:
Ms. van Blerkom is proud that Lexicon is still an independent language institute in a market where there are large players. One reason for the company's success is its continuing innovation. In 2010, she introduced Blended Business English. The program is one of the first in Holland to offer blended learning—a mix of face-to-face and e-learning sessions with an e-coach—and follows the same philosophy as Lexicon's "classic" courses in that each client's program is tailor-made to fit particular needs. In addition, the program uses support from the workplace so that students really learn what they come across during their workday. Ms. van Blerkom believes that doing business is mainly about getting, having and maintaining relationships, and that because of Lexicon's moderate size (she has a team of 20 to 25 native instructors), the company can be flexible and really listen to its clients' questions. The account managers and instructors make sure that courses are really tailor-made. They offer in-company business language courses in English, French, German, Spanish and Dutch. In addition, they organize management courses for managers and board members. While they have focused in the technical commercial area, they also aim to perform in the financial and administration markets. Ms. van Blerkom is fluent in French, Dutch and English and speaks some Italian and German. On a voluntary basis, she mentors young people 15 or 16 years of age who are looking for a career path. She states that when you know what you would like people to say at your funeral, you have your own definition of success. She also agrees with Mark Twain that "Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn't matter."
Position Responsibilities and Duties:
Handling sales; Meeting with clients; Overseeing 35 people
Education Certifications:
NLP for Management
Awards/Honors:
Award, Most Innovative Company with Digisupport (24/7 Online Text Support) (2007)
Where Will You Be In 5 Years:
In five years, Ms. van Blerkom intends to continue to grow.