Greet Jans
Greet has almost 20 years of experience working in design and recently moved into business leadership. As the Joint Managing Director at Future Platforms, I am passionate about leading a business where we make things people love. I have almost 20 years of experience in leadership, digital design, and design strategy, and I lead the business forward with a focus on simplicity, quality, and innovation whilst hitting the financial targets growing the business.
Before FP, I was part of the experience team (UK leadership team) at Publicis Sapient. I have experience with running teams and clients in global markets (mainly in Europe). Next to that I am actively involved in the design community: mentoring, advising, judging, teaching, and speaking at various events and platforms like D&AD & SXSW. Some of the work I have contributed to has won multiple awards, such as the Drum, Webby’s, and BIMA.
- Tell us a little bit about your business…
Future Platforms is an boutique digital agency based in London. It is independent and discipline lead by myself (designer) and Remy Brooks (strategist). UK based but Global clients (LIV Golf app, PSG, Virgin Active, …. But also some start-ups to name a few). Key focus is on creating Apps & Websites in loyalty or sport and fan engagement trying to change industries.
Design, Product management & Tech work hand in hand at FP. The 3 amigo’s were born to work together to deliver better outcomes.
- How did you get into the industry?
I graduated as an industrial / product designer and directly got a job in an innovation centre where we had some digital projects (palmtop haha) and made the transition into digital.
Worked my entire career in design roles (on global projects, mainly in Europe. At start-ups, as a freelancer, on client side or at smaller or bigger agencies / consultancies seeing all the changes that came with that.
- What are the biggest opportunities and challenges in your industry?
The sector has matured, transformations have been worded at. The role of what an agency can do is changing which is both an opportunity as a challenge. Many brands can deliver something good, but you see less great out there.
- How would you describe your leadership style?
It’s a real and authentic one although It has changed over years (when I have become more comfortable with being a leader and being myself).
We set a clear vision when we took on the role – what do we want Future Platforms to be for our people, clients and work.
I (try to) balance empathy with business needs and hope people see that. You can be kind whilst getting to the outcomes needed. The days of you do it because I say so are luckily over and it would not work for me anyways.
- How do you get the most out of the people who work for you?
Make it clear what I expect when, but also make it clear what people can expect from me. It’s a 2 way street. I try to lead by example. It is easier as I have done the job.
I happily listen to feedback. Make it clear when I do not follow it and why. When there is understanding it comes a long way.
I share my passion for the craft, the will to make the next thing better then the last and will constantly coach people (individually and in group) to push themselves to become better. You flex your style based on people’s personality, where the are and what they need to grow in and how they learn.
- What are the most crucial elements to your business running smoothly and being successful?
Trust, passion for the work / outcome whilst knowing what the clients want, great communication (something we are working on improving as we are a remote business).
- How has the past 12 months been for you?
Super interesting as it was the first year in which I transitioned from a design leadership role into co-running a business. There is definite a before and an after.
It was a proper transformation and now the building blocks are there it is focus of growth and maturing.
- What will the next 12 months look like for your business?
Spreading what we digitally can do beyond apps and web. There are interesting partnerships in place. We also do some great work for start-ups which balances nice with the bigger brands.
- What are the highlights of your career so far?
There are many but the main one is the moving to the UK in 2011 – it made me me.
Belgium was too small for me, I wanted to go abroad (had done Erasmus before and the question was not if I would move but when). Sometimes you push for things, sometimes the timing works out. I got approached for a role in London when I had just decided I would pursue to make it happen so making the call to move was easy.
But when you move on your one-way ticket you start somehow all over again. You give up on a lot, learn a lot about yourself. Become more vulnerable (friends become extended families). It taught me you can overcome everything.
On a smaller note being asked to judge D&AD was definitely a highlight – I always admired them – and when they contacted me I thought it was a mistake (haha, there are not that many Greet’s so …).
Lately playing a more purposeful role in what female leadership means is also purposeful.
- What’s the biggest business mistake that you’ve learnt from?
I could go into specific client or project things but thing the honest answer is giving too much.
I had to learn my own boundaries to ultimately be better at my work.
Saying no at the right time is better then some of the yes-es I gave early on. You can push yourself but when there is nothing to give anymore you don’t do yourself or the work any favour.
Finding that balance was needed.
The other mistakes I learned from and I moved on from. Sitting on them is pointless.
- What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve been given?
There are two:
- One I got earlier on in my career but it took me a while to follow it (from various people who managed, or mentored me and all hinted to the same): “Stop holding yourself back, sometimes you just need to jump. … Stop asking for permission to do so“. It is obviously way easier to do when you get into a leadership position but the I finally took control things did change.
- The second one is newer (from the TV series, The Bear): “Time well spend”. I try to prioritise my days & weeks by it now and it feel much more fulfilled to focus on the right things. It has helped me massively both professionally as personally. It is a bit the same as think how you want to be remembered by the key people in your life (in the diff roles you play) when you die and prioritise actions not but less lugubrious haha.
