I owe a lot to Barco and my colleagues for the opportunities and coaching I received. 21 years ago, I couldn’t have imagined this path.
Traseira
4 de dez de 2024
Evelien: 21 years of innovation and growth at Barco
3 minutos de leitura
Evelien De Smet’s journey with Barco began in March 2003, when she took a train from Wetteren to Kortrijk, ready to start her scholarship at a company she barely knew. She spent three months in the service center, working on displays for the color imaging market. Initially planning to continue her studies, Evelien’s path took a turn when Barco offered her a contract. “I couldn’t resist,” she recalls with a smile.
Her official start date was July 4, 2003, a day she still remembers clearly. “Someone asked me how I was, in a thick West Flemish accent,” she laughs. “It felt like the start of something special.” Over the years, Evelien has seen Barco grow and evolve. While the company has changed in many ways, its core culture remains the same. “You still have to work hard, but there’s an energy here—especially when we win a deal together as a team. That feeling never gets old.”
Throughout her 21-year career at Barco, Evelien has navigated various roles across all three divisions: Enterprise, Entertainment, and Healthcare, with most of her time spent in Healthcare. The COVID-19 pandemic marked a turning point, leading to a surge in remote reading for healthcare imaging and a growing demand for solutions as a service. “We had to adapt quickly, and we did,” she explains.
Like many companies, Barco faced challenges, particularly with component shortages and rising costs, which forced some innovations to be put on hold. However, things have turned around really quickly. Evelien is proud of the new developments, like the Coronis OneLook—a product she believes will make a significant difference in breast screening. “Working at Barco also means helping to save lives,” she adds. “Even in digital pathology, Barco remains the only FDA-approved display after four years. We’re leading the way,” she says, confident about the future. “We’re the market leader in Healthcare visualization, and I trust our management team completely. We’re rocking.”
Evelien’s career is a testament to growth and perseverance. She began in the service department, thinking she’d spend her days repairing displays. But after just six months, she was promoted to support engineer. “I’ve always set new goals, worked hard, and learned from my colleagues. That helped me grow into roles like BDR, Sales Manager, Key Account Manager, and now, Global Partner Director for Healthcare DI,” she reflects.
Looking ahead, Evelien is excited about the innovations Barco is bringing to the market. “Our products truly make a difference in people’s lives. The shift towards managed services and software solutions is key to maintaining our market position,” she explains. If she could give advice to her younger self, she’d keep it simple: “Enjoy the little moments with colleagues, appreciate the learning curve, and never forget to thank those who helped you along the way.”
For Evelien, pride in Barco comes naturally. “We’re a Belgian company making a global impact, and many people don’t realize how much Barco is a part of their daily lives. That’s something to be proud of.” Evelien’s ability to adapt to different cultures and environments has been a strength throughout her career.
She recalls a memorable moment during her time in Singapore with the APAC sales team.
“No one really said much at first, so I booked a karaoke room. The local team started dressing up, and before I knew it, I was singing my heart out. It was well past midnight when we left, but the next morning, everyone came over, and the ice was broken.” Moments like these have shown Evelien how embracing diverse experiences can help build connections, no matter where she is.