About us
Where it all started
Businessgames originated in 2002 from the passion of ‘making boring things fun’ and ‘making difficult matters more comprehensible’. Over twenty years ago Gijs developed his first game in his attic room. Now, he is surrounded by a team of inspiring professionals, each with a different background. Part of our team excels in guiding groups during live and online performances. Others develop playful custom games for the most diverse issues and customers, and some work on the right ‘look and feel’ of our game material. In other words, a balanced team of go-getters, who are happy to work for you with a lot of passion and expertise.
With all our knowledge and experience we can promptly react to your questions. We believe in doing it perfectly.. or not at all! This means we get more than half of our business by word of mouth. Has this made you curious to discover more? Do not wait any longer and contact us. Call us at +31 76 515 53 49 or send an email to info@businessgames.com.
The team
Gijs van der Linden
CEOAccording to friends, my enthusiasm, creativity and entrepreneurship have made Businessgames to what it is today. My company is leading in the development and execution of Business Games and that’s something I’m proud of! My passion is to brainstorm with my colleagues and customers, develop customized games, discovering new (international) markets and facilitating our Business Games.
Gijs
van der Linden
Samara Kalakoğlu-Couwenberg
Senior Project ManagerIn addition to my duties as Senior Project Manager, I keep in touch with our foreign partners. Did you know that we also have offices in Singapore and Ireland? Aside from the pleasure I derive from communicating with these different cultures, I also like to immerse myself in developing customized games. Deep diving in the work methods and structures of our clients. You will amply encounter my creative excesses at Businessgames.
Samara
Kalakoğlu-Couwenberg
Celine Dekker
Graphic DesignerAt Businessgames I make sure that the creative mix of the lay-out, typography, color and images in every game is aesthetically pleasing, clear and on-brand. It always gives me a great feeling when a design is in its final stages and used for its intended purpose. Alongside my creative work, my vocal cords and green thumbs also regularly come into action at the office.
Celine
Dekker
Erik Boddeüs
Game Developer / TrainerWith my theatre heart and beta brain, I am actively involved with our Business Games from brainstorming to facilitating. With every new client I take on the challenge to process the learning goals into a unique experience for the participants. I see it as a puzzle to find a suitable metaphor for the wishes of a customer, so that the players acquire skills and knowledge that they can apply in their daily work.
Erik
Boddeüs
Loes de Coo
Project ManagerEvery day since 2018, I am standing with a big smile in the Businessgames workplace. I translate the customer demand to a live or online Business Game as a Project Manager. I can give free rein to my creativity and the game facilitation gives me a lot of energy. In addition, I look after the production of game material and I am the point of contact for our suppliers. Outside of work I like to seek out fun with friends and family and I call myself a real ‘Burgundian’.
Loes
de Coo
Nina van Kempen
Project Manager / TrainerIn my role as trainer, I get a lot of energy from enthusing, motivating and inspiring the participants. These traits also show when I am on the volleyball court: boosting team members, steering and having fun together! During a Business Game, I review entertaining and instructive moments with the participants. Every Game leads to new insights and experiences, because every group is different with distinct learning objectives.
Nina
van Kempen
Danielle van der Linden
Financial ManagerI have been involved in Businessgames from the beginning. A great deal of perseverance, experience and expertise have brought the company to where it is now. There is a pleasant and open-minded work environment with short communication lines. Everyone’s opinion counts. It is a great team in which everyone thinks along and continuously grows. I am responsible for the finances, which I do with great pleasure.
Danielle
van der Linden
Jesse Aben
Project Manager / TrainerOrganizing and presenting are in my genes. At Businessgames, I can develop myself and I can give the participants of our Games an educational and fun time. Working in a nice, dynamic and driven team brings out the best in everyone. Businessgames provides a true experience for its customers and it feels great to contribute to this!
Jesse
Aben
Julia Siteur
Event & Project ManagerAfter graduating as an intern at Businessgames, I was pleased to receive the opportunity to stay at Businessgames as a Project/Event Manager. With this new role I will continue to reposition the Team Building Games, as this was also my research topic. I also support and contribute to different projects, and I attend the live game facilitations. I am truly grateful for this exciting and diverse job!
Julia
Siteur
Yanniek Heijkoop
Event & Project Manager / TrainerMy role at Businessgames is a perfect fit for me. Creating memorable experiences for our customers is where I find my passion and get my energy from. I enjoy thinking along with the client about different types of value we can create through implementing a Business Game. Are you looking for a fun and educational day? Contact me for the best team building event, everything is possible! Outside of my work I love to visit events and I will never say no to a weekend getaway!
Yanniek
Heijkoop
Robbie Bos
TrainerI started working for Businessgames in 2017. It’s the best decision I could have made! It’s such a joy to inspire and motivate the participants ranging from students to management teams. The dynamics of our Business Games are unique and infectious. I am proud to be a part of that. I am a true family man and I enjoy to play golf next to my work.
Robbie
Bos
In my opinion, Serious Games are taken too seriously. You hear them say ‘the participants shouldn’t laugh; they need to learn something and not just have fun.’ That naturally depends on the context of the game. But no matter which game you play, participants should feel the joy of playing. It must be challenging and bring out the best in everyone.
Gijs van der Linden
CEO