Polygon – where crises are seen as opportunities to innovate and serve

The worldwide coronavirus situation is taking a huge toll on people and businesses. We are facing a major challenge, but are also seeing opportunities to innovate, do things differently and in more sustainable ways.

Nobody knows what the future will look like, but Marlies van der Meulen, Country President of Polygon Netherlands, is always fully committed to innovation; in terms of technology as well as sustainable recovery and social innovation, and she has a clear message:

“Polygon has always been innovative. Ever since it was founded by inventor Carl Munters, 60 years ago, we have been ready to help with a solution oriented approach consisting of the optimal use of people, knowledge and technology. We know what needs to be done. We not only put a team to work but provide project customisation, in consultation with the claims handler, from minor daily damages to major calamities” says Marlies.

At Polygon, people always come first. Our key resources are people, knowledge and technology – in that order. We are skillful and professional; ready 24/7 to solve fire and water damage or to carry out disinfection services, which is why knowledge and empathy are basic pillars.

“People buy from people,” Marlies says. “As a service provider, the business of Polygon stands or falls with its employees. Knowledge, experience, perseverance and creativity are also decisive within our line of work. Just like communicating well and openly with clients, insurance experts or property managers.

But let’s not forget dealing with victims in stressful situations. Reassuring a family with young children who are struggling with water damage, offering a listening ear to the volunteers who find fire damage in their association house or who, together with a hardworking entrepreneur, draw up a realistic plan of action after a damage, so that they can continue as soon as possible with entrepreneurship.

This personal contact, together with providing solutions, means that the Polygon team, together with the damage experts of our clients, still experience many impactful and special moments. As long as we can help, that is our drive every day and that makes this industry so beautiful.”

Marlies continues and expands on sustainable working:
“In order to properly perform our work in good condition and health – both mentally and physically – we look for socially innovative solutions. As an employee of a reconditioning company, you are part of a 24/7 business. After all, we must be available seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day and 365 days a year. In a society in which employees often also have a working partner and, therefore, flexibility is required in the home situation with regard to childcare, we want to think along with our people and look for solutions. Can this 24/7 availability also be organised in a four-day working week, for example? We call this sustainable working.”

When it comes to digital innovation, Polygon is also at the forefront, which the Spark portal is a testimony of. Spark is a digital solution for property managers and their residents that feature updates and information about the damage process, and when asked about it Marlies replies:

“The Spark portal – an online communication platform for both the insurer and policyholders, and Polygon itself – is a good example of digital innovation, which we, as Polygon, focus on. Elsewhere, we are also taking into account the arrival of smart home systems and anticipating this with our services.

Additionally, we are investing in new equipment for drying techniques, with which you can measure the stage of the drying process remotely. All of these are examples of technological development within Polygon. A development that is also innovative, but less technical in nature, is sustainable recovery. Sustainable recovery is on the agenda for our customers and we think corporate social responsibility is very important – as is clear from the fact that Polygon is climate neutral – so that goes well together. In short, Polygon does not stand still but continues, even in times of crisis.”