CONTRAST puts people first with the help of Empowr.

“People come first.” This statement forms the core of the strategy at CONTRAST, an organization that sees the well-being and resilience of employees as a priority. Lisanne Hanneman, one of the partners at CONTRAST, enthusiastically shares how they are bringing this vision to life with Empowr:

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“We work with people, for people. But to do that really well, we also need to take good care of our own people. We deliberately put that at number one.”

CONTRAST started collaborating with Empowr in 2024 and continued to do so in 2025. “We were looking for a way to make wellbeing not only negotiable, but also concrete and personal. Empowr offers exactly that balance: employees stay in control, but also get access to support that really meets what they need.”

A culture where wellbeing is key

At CONTRAST, well-being is not just an abstract concept, but an integral part of the company culture. “We are very aware of the impact of exemplary behavior,” explains Lisanne.

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“As managers, but also as colleagues, we show how important it is to take good care of yourself.”

An important time of the day is the joint lunch. “Every day, we set the table together and invite everyone to sit down. It's a bit of an Italian model: taking some time to really make contact. If someone does not come, we ask three times if everything is okay. Small gestures like that make a big difference.”

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CONTRAST also regularly organises activities such as walking meetings, paddle tournaments and joint dinners. They also celebrate successes with the entire team. “As a consultant, you work for various clients and projects. This means that one working week is fuller than the other. We're keen on the overall balance - you can't always peak.

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“The weekend isn't for recovering from work; it's meant to be enjoyed. We say that out loud here, and we act accordingly.”

Why Empower?

CONTRAST chose Empowr because of the platform's flexibility and personal approach. “We always had a personal budget for well-being, but that had to go through the organization. That didn't feel anonymous enough. With Empower, employees have full control. They can choose what they need without us as an organization understanding it.”

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This approach has already produced great results:

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“A colleague now feels much more energetic since she aligned her work and daily schedule with her energy plan. At CONTRAST, we work where and when it suits us best, so that everyone can perform optimally and feel good.”

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Lisanne also shares her own experience with a coaching session via Empowr. “Fortunately, it wasn't a long session. In just 3 hours, I got to the point that I couldn't get to grips with before. I didn't expect that at all. The session showed me how often I automatically fall into old patterns. What I learned is that you always have a choice: do you stay in that pattern, or do you choose a new path? That insight was worth its weight in gold.”

Enthusiasm and flow as a goal

For CONTRAST, investing in well-being is about stimulating enthusiasm. “What do you want out of it? That people start their day with enthusiasm. Enthusiastic employees are not only happier, but also more productive. They identify opportunities, contribute to a positive working atmosphere and bring energy to the organization. When employees are enthusiastic, flow occurs. And in that flow, everything is just that little bit easier.

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” To achieve this, CONTRAST has formulated three priorities for 2025:

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1. Increasing resilience: “We want our employees to be stronger so that they can better deal with stress and challenges. This not only makes them happier, but also more involved in their work.”
2. Keep learning: “Every year, we reserve 2% of our turnover for training and personal development. Employees are challenged to keep stimulating themselves, develop their skills and gain new knowledge.”
3. Positive role models: “You can wait for someone else to move, but we believe the movement starts with you. This year, as partners, we are taking the lead in that.”

Making an impact together

CONTRAST sees Empowr not only as a platform, but as a partner in their mission to increase well-being within the organization.

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“Empowr helps us make our vision a reality. It's not just about activities or programs, but about the awareness that you always have a choice. This applies to our employees, but also to us as an organization.

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“We're proud of what we've achieved together and look forward to what's to come.”

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