Anyone who has already had a meeting with M18 will not be surprised when we want to talk about the AJAX model. Vivian often cites it when describing her the team.
No, M18 has not established its own soccer club, nor are there plans to do so in the near future (never say never). This is about the team within M18, and how we try to apply the system of AJAX youth training.
A word of explanation: The AJAX youth training program is one of the most famous in the world of soccer. The program consists of 13 youth teams and has produced many great soccer players, both nationally and internationally. The program has been named Best Youth Training in the Netherlands several times, and in 2010 it received the award for Best Youth Training in Europe.
M18 is all about young, ambitious team members who want to grow with the company. Bringing in people just out of school or even still in school, it pays off. Here’s an overview, why it’s smart to hire these talents early:
- They are grateful, eager to learn and excited to get started, and will often give themselves 110%.
- Startups are malleable and thus can be shaped by their manager; they often start with a clean slate and are eager to learn.
- Let’s face it, they are cheaper than people with several years of work experience.
- They bring a new (creative) perspective to the organization and come up with out-of-the-box ideas.
- You can actually think of an internship as a free trial period in which you can immediately see what someone’s potential is and whether they fit in with the team. It is also a kind of on-boarding period that allows them to just continue working and not require a “settling-in period.”
- As a first employer, you will always have a special place in the memories of these young talents. They may also speak positively about the company to future employers which in turn can bring opportunities and partnerships.
- As an employer, it is nice to see young talents grow and develop.
At some point the talents outgrow AJAX and are then sold to big international clubs à la FC Barcelona, Juventus, Chelsea…. This makes Ajax, financially, a very healthy company. Such “resale” is of course irrelevant in our context, but today a lifetime career with one company is also out of date. The contacts we keep with M18 alumni are long term and do not stop at the official farewell. And who knows, at Ajax certain “ancients” have returned later in their careers, we don’t rule out that option either!
Unfortunately, it is still too common for companies to still choose people with experience. We hope the above explanation will give you other ideas.
As a company, do you still have doubts? Just try it! Sign up with a number of schools for a partnership so they know your organization is open as an internship site. That way, you can think of the internship as a trial period for both yourself and the student.
Do you have a great story as a starter who was hired or have you just hired a starter? If so, be sure to share your experience with us on Linkedin!
