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Staff members together in the ball pool? Daily fare at Lighthouse.
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In the heart of Ghent, nestled among historic buildings and modern architecture, lies the Lighthouse office. This dynamic software company focuses on the hospitality sector and collaborates with hotels and hotel chains worldwide to set the right room prices and advertise effectively. But what makes Lighthouse so unique? Let's take a look behind the scenes and discover why a ball pit is the norm here.
An office that breathes creativity and innovation
The Lighthouse office is anything but conventional. Besides the usual meeting rooms and workstations, you'll find swings, VR rooms, and even a music room. The most striking addition is the ball pit. At first glance, it might seem like a quirk, but according to office manager Pieter-Jan Van Der Burgt, these unconventional elements boost the team's productivity and creativity. The ball pit is used for informal get-togethers and more formal online meetings, where employees can brainstorm freely and share new ideas without the constraints of a traditional office environment.
The essence of team fit
At Lighthouse, team fit is paramount during the hiring process. Qualifications and experience are important, but if someone doesn't fit the team, they won't be hired. It's about fostering a positive atmosphere and maintaining group dynamics, which are crucial to Lighthouse's culture.
Flexibility, trust and commitment. Office experience as the icing on the cake.
The pandemic has changed the way we work. Now, employees are expected to decide, in consultation with their managers, where and when they work. This flexibility fosters a high level of trust and responsibility, which contributes to the team's motivation and productivity. The office environment at Lighthouse is designed to feel like home. Coming to the office isn't mandatory, but when employees are there, they should feel comfortable and welcome. This sense of belonging contributes to employee motivation and well-being. This feeling also permeates among colleagues. Employees feel like comrades and care for each other. Team-building activities, such as a weekend with a campfire and boat trips in Ghent, strengthen this bond. Pieter-Jan sees his colleagues as "my guests" and ensures they feel valued and cared for. More challenging activities such as the Fiertel walk and the Dodentocht (Death March) are also organized here. Participation is never mandatory, ensuring that everyone can participate at their own pace. This creates an inclusive atmosphere in which everyone feels comfortable. Employees are given considerable freedom and ownership over their work and time. As long as the results are good, it is less important when and where the work is done.
Support and understanding
The flexible and supportive work environment ensures low absenteeism and high retention. Employees feel valued and supported, which strengthens their loyalty to the company. This is precisely what makes Lighthouse unique: the genuine care and attention it provides to its employees. A good office manager is crucial, someone who safeguards the soul of the company and strengthens the community. This ensures that the culture remains authentic and vibrant, even in a growing international context.
We believe they've landed a truly excellent office manager with Pieter-Jan. With his vision and approach at Lighthouse, he demonstrates how a company can maintain and strengthen a close-knit and motivated team culture through genuine care and flexibility, even during significant international growth. Lighthouse is a vibrant and dynamic environment where creativity and innovation are encouraged, and where employees have the freedom to work in their own way. This is the key to their success.
Grow, even internationally!
The company's growth brings challenges, especially internationally. While maintaining the culture is important, responsibility doesn't lie solely with managers. It's essential that the culture stems from the employees themselves. People like Pieter-Jan Van Der Burgt are appointed to support the organization, but ultimately, the enthusiasm must come from the team itself. And that's certainly the case at Lighthouse.
International growth involves keeping the community heavily involved. Regular all-hands calls and executive visits to the international offices ensure that the connection and corporate culture are maintained, regardless of location. In other words, a true community.
Listen to our podcast with Pieter-Jan to step inside Lighthouse and feel the energy of a place where creativity and community are central. Here, every day is an opportunity to be inspired.
In the heart of Ghent, nestled among historic buildings and modern architecture, lies the Lighthouse office. This dynamic software company focuses on the hospitality sector and collaborates with hotels and hotel chains worldwide to set the right room prices and advertise effectively. But what makes Lighthouse so unique? Let's take a look behind the scenes and discover why a ball pit is the norm here.
An office that breathes creativity and innovation
The Lighthouse office is anything but conventional. Besides the usual meeting rooms and workstations, you'll find swings, VR rooms, and even a music room. The most striking addition is the ball pit. At first glance, it might seem like a quirk, but according to office manager Pieter-Jan Van Der Burgt, these unconventional elements boost the team's productivity and creativity. The ball pit is used for informal get-togethers and more formal online meetings, where employees can brainstorm freely and share new ideas without the constraints of a traditional office environment.
The essence of team fit
At Lighthouse, team fit is paramount during the hiring process. Qualifications and experience are important, but if someone doesn't fit the team, they won't be hired. It's about fostering a positive atmosphere and maintaining group dynamics, which are crucial to Lighthouse's culture.
Flexibility, trust and commitment. Office experience as the icing on the cake.
The pandemic has changed the way we work. Now, employees are expected to decide, in consultation with their managers, where and when they work. This flexibility fosters a high level of trust and responsibility, which contributes to the team's motivation and productivity. The office environment at Lighthouse is designed to feel like home. Coming to the office isn't mandatory, but when employees are there, they should feel comfortable and welcome. This sense of belonging contributes to employee motivation and well-being. This feeling also permeates among colleagues. Employees feel like comrades and care for each other. Team-building activities, such as a weekend with a campfire and boat trips in Ghent, strengthen this bond. Pieter-Jan sees his colleagues as "my guests" and ensures they feel valued and cared for. More challenging activities such as the Fiertel walk and the Dodentocht (Death March) are also organized here. Participation is never mandatory, ensuring that everyone can participate at their own pace. This creates an inclusive atmosphere in which everyone feels comfortable. Employees are given considerable freedom and ownership over their work and time. As long as the results are good, it is less important when and where the work is done.
Support and understanding
The flexible and supportive work environment ensures low absenteeism and high retention. Employees feel valued and supported, which strengthens their loyalty to the company. This is precisely what makes Lighthouse unique: the genuine care and attention it provides to its employees. A good office manager is crucial, someone who safeguards the soul of the company and strengthens the community. This ensures that the culture remains authentic and vibrant, even in a growing international context.
We believe they've landed a truly excellent office manager with Pieter-Jan. With his vision and approach at Lighthouse, he demonstrates how a company can maintain and strengthen a close-knit and motivated team culture through genuine care and flexibility, even during significant international growth. Lighthouse is a vibrant and dynamic environment where creativity and innovation are encouraged, and where employees have the freedom to work in their own way. This is the key to their success.
Grow, even internationally!
The company's growth brings challenges, especially internationally. While maintaining the culture is important, responsibility doesn't lie solely with managers. It's essential that the culture stems from the employees themselves. People like Pieter-Jan Van Der Burgt are appointed to support the organization, but ultimately, the enthusiasm must come from the team itself. And that's certainly the case at Lighthouse.
International growth involves keeping the community heavily involved. Regular all-hands calls and executive visits to the international offices ensure that the connection and corporate culture are maintained, regardless of location. In other words, a true community.
Listen to our podcast with Pieter-Jan to step inside Lighthouse and feel the energy of a place where creativity and community are central. Here, every day is an opportunity to be inspired.
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