Leading takes courage: how Working Talent uses technology to keep it personal

Marlies Wardenier has been with Working Talent for over seven years. She started as a recruiter and is now Project Manager and Salesforce Administrator, responsible for digitalization, automation and AI. Her focus is clear: eliminate repetitive work, reduce errors and give colleagues full control and visibility. And just as important, make the work more enjoyable along the way.

When growth became a bottleneck

Before Byner, Working Talent relied on multiple disconnected systems. Information was scattered across Excel sheets, processes did not align and there was no single source of truth. Marlies explains: “Knowledge lived in people’s heads. If someone was absent, you were basically stuck. Teams operated in silos. On top of that, we had to enter the same information in multiple systems. That is not only inefficient, it also increases the risk of mistakes. Our hours approval and invoicing process alone took two full weeks every month.” It was clear: this setup was holding them back.

Not just software, but a real partner

Choosing Byner was not just about functionality. “Of course we saw the advantage of Byner running on Salesforce,” says Marlies. “But what truly stood out was the partnership. Quick communication, strategic input and honest feedback. That aligns with how we work.”

And that partnership continued beyond implementation: Byner and Working Talent have now been working together for four years. “Support is fast and to the point. I usually receive a response within a day. Even when something doesn’t work immediately, they stay on it until it does.” The automation of hours and invoicing is a good example. It required time and determination. “It wasn’t a simple process,” Marlies admits. “But now it runs exactly the way it should.”

Choosing to lead, not follow

Working Talent does not wait for change. They initiate it. New functionalities are tested early. Updates are introduced with internal kick offs so colleagues understand what changes and why. That approach requires courage. Being ahead means you are also first to encounter challenges. But Working Talent deliberately chooses to fully master the system. They handle implementations and optimizations themselves.

That proactive mindset has turned them into a valuable sparring partner for other Byner clients. During admin and community events, they exchange experiences and insights. Marlies: “I genuinely enjoy sharing knowledge. When you’re just starting with Byner, sparring with others makes a huge difference. Being able to support others in that stage makes it even more worthwhile.”

Change takes commitment

The transition to one structured way of working did not happen overnight. Marlies remembers her old Excel overview as her “holy grail.” Everyone had their own way of working and personal methods. Letting go of that took time. Adoption required focus and, above all, repetition. Colleagues were actively involved and feedback was taken seriously. Gradually,the benefits became undeniable. “After a weekend, you no longer have to figure out where you left off. Everything is documented in the system,” Marlies explains. Step by step, Byner became the standard way of working rather than an additional tool. With success: “For me, the job is done when even the most critical colleague becomes enthusiastic. And the fact that it actually happened is truly the cherry on top.”

One way of working changes everything

Today, Working Talent operates from one centralized platform. Information is complete, accessible where it’s needed and easy to transfer. “The biggest gain is having everything in one system,” says Marlies. “It gives us transparency, insight and stronger collaboration. And it makes us far more efficient: a structure that supports growth.”

AI: faster and better matching with complete profiles

That efficiency is largely driven by automation. Working Talent uses Byner Search & Match, a smart AI driven assistant that helps teams work faster and smarter while staying fully in control. Marlies explains: “Search & Match helps us unlock the full value of our own database. Finding the right match becomes faster and more effective. Thanks to the OpenAI integration, profiles are enriched overnight with information from newly uploaded CVs. Our colleagues don’t have to do anything extra, and our database is always complete and up to date.”

Top level efficiency through automation

The monthly hours and invoicing process that once took two weeks? Today, the total turnaround time can be reduced to six days, with only two days requiring active involvement. Hours are approved automatically and invoices are generated and sent automatically. Only exceptions require manual follow up.

Integrations drive the efficiency even further. After applying, candidates are screened by AI, while the Selection Lab integration automatically sends and processes assessments. Through the Aircall integration, phone calls also run directly through Byner and are automatically summarized and logged. “We’re currently working on enabling this for Teams meetings as well,” Marlies adds.

More space for what truly matters

For Working Talent, the biggest gain is not one specific feature. It is the combination of collaboration, clarity, insight and efficiency. One system. One way of working. That solid foundation creates space for colleagues to focus on what truly matters and where they add the most value. Marlies explains: “By automating repetitive tasks, we create room for genuine personal attention. And that is exactly what defines Working Talent.” This is what leading looks like. Not just adopting technology. But using it to raise the standard.

Key benefits

• One centralized system for all operations
• Automation where it delivers impact
• Fewer errors and a top efficiency
• Collaboration driven by full transparency
•  A partner who thinks ahead and follows through