Albert Heijn Dillenburgplein

"The difference between before and now is huge. The speed with which shift changes and messages can be sent to everyone makes all the difference. 97.2% of our users are active in Oneteam every week."
- Remco Heeren, Entrepreneur at Albert Heijn Dillenburgplein

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About Albert Heijn Dillenburgplein

Albert Heijn Dillenburgplein is located in Ridderkerk, the Netherlands. As part of one of the country’s largest supermarket chains, this store sets itself apart with exceptional customer service.

For entrepreneur Remco Heeren, employee happiness is key: if colleagues enjoy their work and feel involved, customers notice the difference. That philosophy has paid off. The store has been recognized as both “the most delicious” and “best supermarket” in Ridderkerk.

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The challenge

Before implementing Oneteam, internal communication was fragmented and not effective.

A big issue was the blurred line between work and personal life. WhatsApp groups were used for updates, but they created constant noise. Important messages were easily overlooked, and employees felt overwhelmed. “By using WhatsApp, our employees did not have the right work-life balance. They couldn’t see what was important and what wasn’t,” Remco explains.

The other tools in place weren’t much better. Bulletin boards in the canteen and weekly newsletters were rarely read, which meant crucial updates didn’t reach employees. This frustrated both managers and staff.

On top of that, Remco noticed that communication often depended too heavily on him. “Very often, I felt that employees only took messaging seriously if I was the messenger. This shouldn’t be the way it works though, that’s why I have team leaders.”

It became clear they needed one central platform that made communication easier, faster, and more engaging. “Before we used Oneteam, we were always questioning: ‘Who am I trying to reach? How am I going to accomplish this?’”

The solution

In 2016, Albert Heijn Dillenburgplein decided to introduce Oneteam, and the results were immediate. The roll-out went smoothly: within just two weeks, every employee was using the app. Because the platform is so intuitive, colleagues quickly embraced it. “The platform is so simple that everyone likes using it. They’ve really become Oneteam fans,” says Remco.

What also made a difference was the strong partnership. Whenever questions arise, the team can rely on Oneteam’s support. “The response time is absurdly fast,” Remco adds. Webinars and tailored advice have helped them make the most out of the app, keeping employees engaged and communication sharp.

Another important factor was the integration with PMT, their workforce management system. This gave employees access to real-time schedules and made exchanging shifts incredibly easy. Any approved changes are automatically updated in the system, which saves both managers and staff a lot of time and hassle.

For Remco, the biggest value lies in the platform’s focus on employees. “The essential difference between Oneteam and other tools is the focus on employee engagement. Oneteam always has the end-user in mind.”

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The approach

The transition to Oneteam was quick and painless. Within two weeks, all employees were onboard, and the app became the central place for communication and planning.

Remco explains how it changed the dynamics: “With the help of Oneteam, we created a community within our supermarket. Connecting with each other is so easy now. Everyone knows the latest news, and employees are more involved thanks to features like high fives and the number of messages shared.”

This shift gave employees a stronger sense of belonging and made it easier for team leaders to communicate without depending on Remco as the main messenger.

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The results

Since adopting Oneteam, the impact has been clear and measurable.

Employees are now consistently informed and engaged, with 97.2% using the app weekly. This has strengthened the internal culture and made communication far more effective. “Now they are always up to date,” says Remco.

The improved employee engagement has also translated directly to customer satisfaction. Happier, better-informed colleagues deliver better service on the shop floor. “Customers are aware of the engagement amongst our employees. Our employees make the difference,” Remco explains.

That difference did not go unnoticed: shortly after introducing Oneteam, industry platform Distrifood nominated Albert Heijn Dillenburgplein for both “most delicious” and “best supermarket” of Ridderkerk. A recognition that underlines the positive impact engaged employees have on customers.