E&M Scope Special
E&M Infosessions | 3 - 6 June 2024 | Hangar 14
TonTalk
Dear colleagues,
This week the E&M employee infosessions took place from 3 to 6 June in Hangar 14 @ Schiphol-Oost, the annual event for E&M employees about our 5-year strategy, our plan for 2024, with important topics such as Operations, People and Customers, where safety and sustainability are essential.
It was great to see and speak to approximately 2,000 colleagues during the 8 sessions spread over 4 days. The theme 'We are E&M' created a sense of solidarity and pride. With our various Business Units, Aiframe, Component Services, Engine Services, Engineering and Finance, there was room for questions and answers to our E&M-management teams (EMT). A panel discussion with various executives from KLM and AFI KLM E&M also offered interesting perspectives and dynamics on strategy and current topics. Of course, there was also room for activities and stands that were connected to our strategic pillars and our customers. We have shown that we are strong as a team and can achieve anything together with our E&M colleagues.
"I have no secret of success. Just do your best, enjoy something and gather good people around you. Because you can't do anything alone. Together you can do anything.” - Johan Cruijff
I felt it was very important that our colleagues from operations should be present at the E&M Infosessions that's why we once again chose to roster operational colleagues, where the operation allowed. I am aware that this had an impact on operations as well as those who could not attend. Thanks to everyone who stepped up!
To complement the E&M Infosessions, you will receive the E&M Infomagazine on your doormat. It's a wonderful magazine in which you can read about our E&M strategy, annual plans and focus areas from the units, facts & figures about 2023, and E&M stories linked to our strategic pillars.
The survey completed by many of you showed that, just like me, you were very enthusiastic. The average mark you have given so far is an 8. I am happy with that, because at the end of the day, we're doing it for you. If you attended the E&M Infosessions and have not yet completed the survey, please do so. That way we can take this feedback on board for future employee events.
In this Scope Special, we take a look back at this fantastic event including a report, aftermovie, photos, and more. Only together can we ensure that E&M moves forward, We are E&M, thanks again!
In this Scope Special we look back on this fantastic event with a report, aftermovie, photos and more. We are ALL E&M, with our strong connection to Flight ops, Inflight, Cargo, Network, OCC, GS, FS, CX, all other divisions and together with all our AFKL E&M colleagues. Only together can we ensure that E&M moves forward, thank you again!
Kind regards,
Aftermath
Looking back at E&M Infosessions 2024
During the E&M Infosessions 2024 last week, we had a well-filled programme with the theme 'We are E&M'. Like last year, we were able to get all colleagues from the different units together which created a unique sense of togetherness, with all Business Units together, we are E&M!
Panel Discussion The E&M Infosessions were kicked off by our EVP Ton Dortmans. During the walk-in, he shook hands with as many colleagues as possible. There was a brief reflection on the sad event at Schiphol Airport the week before the E&M Infosessions. It was good to see that, in a rapidly changing world, there is still an eye for the human aspect. Before we started the programme, a beautiful video of the new KLM branding was shown - Travel Well. Ton went on to talk about the current situation within E&M, E&M's 3 Must-Win-Battles and what kind of vision E&M has in mind. Because we were able to welcome a different guest each session, there was always a different perspective and dynamic. We are proud that Steven Zaat, Anne Brachet, Bas Brouns, Zita Schellekens, Eimerd Bult, Maarten Stienen, Marjan Rintel, and Barry ter Voert all attended our E&M Infosessions and contributed to the Panel Discussion. Via the huge media screen, questions could be asked by anyone, completely anonymously, and were answered by Ton or by the panel member of the particular session. Quiz The panel discussion was followed by a quiz. The winner of the quiz went home with a dinner for two. Each session featured a new set of quiz questions, keeping things exciting right up to and including the last session. It was great to see a lot of colleagues fanatically participating in the quiz, and how much knowledge there was in the room.
See some examples of the quiz questions below:
· How many nationalities will we have within E&M in 2024 (excl. outstations)? (HR)
· How many defects are reported on average per day worldwide by cockpit crew, cabin crew and technicians in May 2024? (Air frame)
· How many parts does a Boeing 777 consist of? (Technical)
· How often should you weigh an airplane? (Engineering)
· Which of these 3 initiatives does not contribute to reducing KLM CO2 emissions into the air? (Sustainability)
· What was the total turnover of KLM E&M (including subsidiaries) in 2023 (Finance)
· How many seats are there on board the Airbus A330-300? (Technical) Operations & Finance Focus During the Operations session, Perwien Meriwani (SVP Airframe/Operations), Martijn de Vries (VP Engine Services), Dominik Wiener-Silva (VP Component Services) and Benoît Rollier (VP Engineering) joined in. They all discussed what challenges they face within operations and what the plans are for this year within their Business Unit. Our VP Finance, Gijsbert Woelders, also took everyone through the current financial situation and what path we have to take with regard to Funding our journey. Here, too, the audience had the opportunity to ask questions to all of the VPs, and these were answered in detail. Break During the walk-in and the break, there was room for something fun and interactive. You could win a lunch with Ton at Ton's Ton and have your picture taken at the 'We are E&M' wall. You could also win fun goodies at the life-size dartboard and visit various stands, covering the topics Diversity & Inclusion, Learning & Development, Crossfit, Health, and generating an audio clip through AI.
People Focus The People focus focused on a very important aspect: our people. What are we at E&M doing to brand ourselves as an attractive employer in the technical sector? It's not just about a good story, there is work to be done. There was a great video about the number of nationalities working at E&M. Topics such as the E&M TechCenter, canteens and assortment of food, personal health, how do we retain our colleagues, and perspective & personal development were also discussed. Catering Food unites us. Therefore, depending on the session start time, a delicious breakfast, lunch (to go), or dinner was available for all colleagues. We all enjoyed the roti, poke bowls, sandwiches or hot chicken sandwiches. The coffee served by the baristas was also enjoyed by most colleagues. Closure To complete the Infosessions, each session ended with a spectacular final musical closure with the 'WE ARE E&M Band' on the songs: "Daddy Cool" by Boney M and the song "Happy" by Pharrell Williams. Appropriate, as almost all visitors left very 'happy' with a 'We are E&M' polo shirt in hand, heading for work or home. The 'We Are E&M' polo will also be available to colleagues who were unable to attend.
Aftermovie
Would you like to watch the aftermovie?
A video sometimes says more than words. With a lot of effort and dedication our E&M Videopool managed to capture the most beautiful moments last week. After the necessary research and editing, they managed to make a stunning aftermovie. We'd like to take you to last week's Infosessions one last time. Will you join us?
Flotske
We ALL are E&M
This year, E&M's Infosessions were in Hangar 14, where the BVU (777-300) looked down benevolently on the crowd that came to listen to everything the MT, HR and a flock of crows had to say. Hangar 14 is SO big that birds can fly in and out and this time a flock of crows had decided to attend the session.
There were magnificent screens on a big stage, (Surinamese) food and drink and games. More games than last time. Complicated games. Waste sorting, for instance. I can't even do that properly at home, let alone try it in a life-size technical environment. I also skipped weightlifting; I was already exhausted after walking from the car park to Bay 1.
I did, however, write a masterful hit using AI. Guided by a collaborator of Spanish origin, I entered intelligent and creative prompts ("tough technical men who make the planes fly on heavy rock") from which something fantastic came out. Unfortunately, the system (I always have that) faltered when listening back, but the kind colleague promised to send the result to my email address. Unfortunately, AI has so far proved unable to do that.
E&M's MT is always sympathetic and diligent in sharing information. I even understood the financial picture this time. Because of non-performance, new collective labour agreements and higher Schiphol rates, everything is becoming more expensive. Profit should come from better processes that are more efficient. ("Good ops, better finance"). Reliability in maintenance, both in time and in quality is paramount in this respect.
On the big screen was the impressive picture showing KLM E&M's ranking worldwide in APU maintenance (1st on 787), Engine (1st, after OEMs), Component (2nd) and Line Maintenance International (2nd). Equally impressive is the announcement that E&M employs more than 40 different nationalities. I'd already noticed this upon entering, having been foolish enough to strike up a conversation in French with a French colleague. Unfortunately, he started talking back a lot and very quickly! After that I quickly sat down on a three-seater sofa next to a friendly colleague from the Slides Shop in Hangar 14.
He (and his colleagues) were delighted that the 50 euros for a team outing was available again this year. And that there will be new toilets on the first floor in Hangar 14. He also giggled about appearing in the video about diversity and nationality in E&M.
I thought it was lovely; E&M has a wonderful technical team, but they are always so terribly modest. And how great to see all those people back on a big screen, in the spotlight, under the watchful eye of the BVU.
EVP Ton Dortmans perhaps put it best. When a member of the audience asked what he was most proud of in E&M, he looked around at all the colleagues who were listening to him.
"Of you guys," he then said. "Of all of you."
Even the crows were silent for a moment.
Flotske
E&M Song AI
Winner of the E&M AI song contest
Last week, during the Infosessions, E&M students took part in an AI-powered song contest. A competition set up by Big Data and the E&M Technology Hub to explore the world of AI. Participants got hands-on experience in writing effective prompts and immediately experienced the creative potential of AI. The goal? To produce the next E&M anthem.
Of the 33 enthusiastic participants, three outstanding songs were nominated based on three criteria: how catchy the song was (we were dancing while we listened), whether the lyrics reflect the work at E&M, and the quality of the prompt used to generate the song. The company band then acted as judges and evaluated the top three songs to finally choose the winner, which they announced on stage.
The genres represented in the contest were as diverse as E&M, ranging from salsa and rock to electronic and reggae. The winning songs not only captured the essence of their genres, but also reflected themes relevant to our business, making them true winners.
Congratulations to the winner Prashant Jiawon, who gets to enjoy his KLM Monopoly board game! The song, Connecting the Future, was generated by AI with the short and effective prompt "The future base of connecting the world, hip hop genre, Engine Services at KLM".
Listen to the songs here by clicking the links below:
2. Grit & Grind
3. We are E&M
Thank you all for participating, everyone has received their respective numbers by email. Play the songs as you work and enjoy the power of AI technology! The Big Data team
Photo's
E&M Infosessions 2024 photo album
You may have seen our E&M photographers, with their professional cameras and huge lenses. These colleagues, with a heart for both E&M and photography, passionately captured this year's E&M Infosessions.
Are you curious about the results?
See the best photos bundled in an album below.
What our colleagues thought
A lot of colleagues took the trouble to fill in the accompanying survey about the E&M info sessions. Thank you for doing this. The overall trend was incredibly positive; the catering, atmosphere and location were highly valued. You were also enthusiastic about the content. The average mark you gave was an 8. We're very proud of this! Not only all the positive feedback, but also all the points for improvement will be taken into account for the next event. If you haven't yet completed the survey, do so now! Below you can read about what some of our colleagues liked about this year's E&M Infosessions: "Professionally set up, clear story about the current status and future of E&M, nice to meet colleagues and get a broader view of what is going on within E&M."
"Speaking to each other. Talking about the confidence we have in each other. Ton as a connector on all subjects. Attention to the person. I was seen as an individual, not as 'anonymous hands'."
"I loved the atmosphere in the Hangar, and I enjoyed feeling that the distance between employees and management is small."
"It's the wake-up call which reminds you that you're part of a blue family again. And that you really need each other in this company."
"Inspiring and connecting. Great videos and good to see EMT together like this. There's a strong team there and that gives me confidence."
E&M Infosession projectteam
Let's not forget the people behind the scenes!
The E&M Infosessions don't just happen; over the past few months, the E&M Infosessions project team has been working very hard behind the scenes to create an unforgettable event for all our colleagues. Even during the sessions, everyone from the project team was busy making sure everything went smoothly.
Your presence not only during the event itself, but also during the preparations, has been invaluable. All the creative ideas, suggestions and input have contributed to making 8 great sessions.
Also thanks to Ton Dortmans, the driving force behind the event, the EMT colleagues and the other speakers!
Not only the project team, but also all the people who volunteered, were ready to make the event a success. Your help was incredibly welcome and very much appreciated.
To everyone; the project team, Ton Dortmans, the EMT colleagues, the other speakers and all volunteers: Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you, to everyone who attended!
Your presence made the 2024 E&M Infosessions a great success. Without you, the E&M Infosessions wouldn’t exist. It was great to see how enthusiastic and motivated everyone was throughout the sessions. The activities were well attended, questions were asked, and people participated enthusiastically in the quiz.
Finally, of course, our gratitude for your dedication to KLM E&M, for your continuous efforts in helping us grow and be successful.
Once again, many thanks to everyone who attended the event. You made it a memorable few days, see you next year!
We are E&M!