"Thank you, it was delicious again" and "...here they really do make the best lunch in Delft". These are characteristic statements, assisted by an infectious smile, from entrepreneur Ronald van der Gaag. In the name of his Delft-rooted company, with a vast range of marketing materials and an international supplier network, lies the word 'attentive' for a reason. This is attentive: Attentives.
Corporate gifts, merchandise, printing, packaging, shop displays, hospitality materials, gadgets. If we wanted to list Attentives' offering completely, we could go on and on. But in summary; Attentives is the party where you use marketing support materials to increase your brand awareness, create brand perception, boost sales and value loyalty. For Ronald, that means in two words: touching people.
Your unique story
But why not order corporate gifts, gadgets, gift boxes or premiums from a major online player? Two words again; attention and quality. "For many parties, it's elbow work, for us it's customisation. I can sell you 10,000 pens that are of no use to you, but I want you to leave exactly the right impression with your customer. With products that fit your story. That's where your profit lies. My satisfaction," says Ronald enthusiastically. What is the most unique product Attentives offers to that end? Experience and creativity. Because; "No product is really completely unique. But the way you present it is. It's about the combination of product, message, communication and packaging. In that creative process, we think along enthusiastically."
"With 20 years of international experience in this business, I know how to quickly turn the what-can't- be done into a what-can- be done. That energises everyone!"
At home in the Half-timbered house
That the lunches at the Vakwerkhuis are good we know by now. But that is certainly not the only reason Attentives finds a home here. Ronald: "The atmosphere is lovely. The spaces give a good feeling. And I have super interesting entrepreneurs around me." One of those entrepreneurs is Babs Muljadi of The Marketing Ninja, Attentives' equally energetic strategic sparring partner. "Together with Babs and Renske from The Marketing Ninja, I am now working on a top marketing plan and a strategy to grow further in a targeted way," Ronald explains with motivation. Which makes sense, as that growth has already begun in earnest.
"The industry could do with a big boost in creativity"
Local business, international network
Rooted in Delft soil and already borderless. That's how you could describe Attentives. Because a branch was also recently opened in Lummen, from where the Belgian market is attentively served. Just as attentively, they operate from Berkhamsted in England.
"Because of this beautiful growth, I sometimes have to let smaller assignments go, with pain in my heart. Because really, I just always want to help everyone. That's in my nature."
That statement underpins Ronald's sincerity, attentiveness and drive. Three qualities he wants to use for new goals in the coming period: "I also think it would be cool to work even more with Delft parties. Your heart will always remain Delft, won't it?" To add: "In our market, we also really need to work more on sustainability. So do we. But we really want to roll it out in a well-founded and researched way. Sustainability is not a marketing stunt for us."
Source: Chainels (Entrepreneurs' fund Delft), written by Tim van den Eijk (Outspoken Guests)