“Give Me Ten Yusufs and Saids” – Motivation That Inspires

Background and Hiring Journey

Sander Vriesman has worked at Albron for over fourteen years and knows exactly what it takes to guide talent in technical roles. “At Albron, things move fast and innovation is constant,” Sander says. “Yusuf Kazan and Said Emre Alcin joined our team as Mendix Developers through Motopp, and their motivation is something truly unique within our organization.”

Although Sander wasn’t involved in their initial hiring, he immediately recognized their extraordinary drive. “They come from very different backgrounds—Said was even a criminal defense lawyer. Switching to IT was a major adjustment, but their determination helped them pick things up incredibly quickly.”

Said explains: “I had no prior IT experience, but Motopp taught me the fundamentals. They also provided Mendix and Squadapps training, which gave me the foundation I needed. Conversations with my People Development Manager, Stefan van der Munnik, really encouraged me to keep pushing forward. My legal background also helped—I learned how to present and communicate clearly in court, which now serves me well at Albron.”

Trust From Day One

For Sander, trust is the cornerstone of a successful team. “When I bring someone on board, I give them 300% trust from the start. That’s the basis for any strong working relationship,” he emphasizes.

That trust gave Yusuf and Said the space to quickly onboard and start working independently. Despite language barriers—Dutch is the primary language at Albron—they adapted quickly and found their place in the team. “Creating an open and direct work culture is crucial,” says Sander. “Transparent communication and clear expectations make a big difference.”

Integration and Team Diversity

One initial challenge was integrating into the team quickly. Most team members are Dutch-speaking, which made communication in group settings occasionally difficult. “Language can be a barrier,” Sander acknowledges. “Especially during fast-paced discussions, it can be hard for them to fully participate. To support them, we’re offering extra help, including language courses.”

But Sander is also quick to highlight the benefits of diversity: “Diversity brings new perspectives and strengthens team collaboration. It’s not just about culture—it’s about people who see things differently and challenge the status quo in positive ways.”

He’s impressed by the openness of the Motoppers: “They’re always eager to learn and open to feedback. That kind of mindset makes working with them a real pleasure.”

Said adds: “In the beginning, you make mistakes, but that’s how you learn. Over time, I’ve become more confident in my work. The environment at Albron is very supportive. Language is still a challenge sometimes, but I’m learning more every day by asking questions and embracing those challenges.”

Technical Growth and Project Work

From a technical standpoint, Yusuf and Said have made remarkable progress in a short time. Thanks to their training at Motopp, they were ready to start working with Mendix from day one. “Their foundation was solid, and their learning curve has only accelerated since,” says Sander.

“Their drive to improve and grow is an inspiration to the whole team.”

In their first few months, they worked on several projects, including developing an application for reporting system issues. Yusuf built the initial version, and Said later took over and refined it. This hands-on experience helped them better understand their own skills and strengths. “It was their project,” Sander says. “I gave them the freedom to explore and figure things out on their own. What really impressed me was how they not only implemented new features but also identified and fixed bugs without needing my help.”

Areas for Growth and Future Potential

Sander sees strong potential in both. “Yusuf is fast and proactive, which is great to see. Said has a calmer approach, but he’s making steady progress.” Sander is confident about their future in the company: “Mendix plays a critical role at Albron, and I see Yusuf and Said continuing to make valuable contributions to our digital solutions.”

What stands out most to him is their resilience and curiosity. “They genuinely want to understand things, they want to solve problems. Despite their different styles and backgrounds, both bring real value to the team.”

Yusuf agrees: “Without the training from Motopp, I wouldn’t have been able to jump straight into a company. The guidance from a former colleague and from Sander helped a lot too. I’ve pushed myself to get better at working with Mendix, and it’s paying off.”

The Partnership with Motopp

For Sander, the collaboration with Motopp has been extremely rewarding. He values the fresh perspectives and energy that Yusuf and Said bring. “It depends on the person, of course,” he says, “but I’ve been lucky to have two fantastic team members with incredible drive. For companies considering a similar path, I say: go for it. Give these professionals a fair shot.”

He also praises Motopp’s approach to coaching and long-term support: “Motopp doesn’t just teach technical skills—they also teach their trainees how to communicate effectively and thrive within a team. That’s something we clearly see in the way Yusuf and Said contribute here.”

With a smile, he adds: “They’ve made a real impact on our team and on what we’re trying to achieve.”