Radinck van Vollenhoven is the Managing Director AUNZ at RTB House, a global company that provides state-of-the-art marketing technologies for top brands and agencies worldwide.

Let’s start with your background! Can you share with us your career journey and what you’re currently up to?

Absolutely, I started my career in technology and digital media almost 20 years ago in the Netherlands working for what was then the largest social network at the time! From there, I went on to work with some great leaders and amazing people at companies like MySpace, Spotify, Criteo, Apple and Stocard (now Klarna Group).

I’ve always had a passion for digital innovation and helping bring new products to market that make people’s lives easier and better. I’ve also been an angel investor in the Aussie startup scene for almost 10 years now and love supporting the next generation of young founders as they come up and build amazing companies.

I recently started as the regional Managing Director in ANZ for RTB House, a leading deep learning powered performance marketing platform and am excited to be partnering with some great clients and collaborating with a great local team.

We’d love to know what a typical day is like for you. Could you describe a recent workday?

A typical workday for me involves a mix of strategic planning, meetings with key stakeholders and collaboration with different teams and reviewing the performance and progress of ongoing campaigns and projects. As an MD, I often engage in client meetings, seeking feedback and understanding their unique needs to ensure we’re providing the best possible solutions for our customers.

Additionally, staying informed about industry trends, attending key events, technology advancements and staying abreast of regulatory changes is crucial to our success. Most importantly, I try to make myself available to support my team and our customers to ensure everything runs smoothly!

An example of a recent workday started by having an interesting discussion over breakfast with one of our tech partners, attending inspirational keynote presentations and roundtables on industry topics at iMedia and then meeting with a customer to discuss their challenges around the imminent 3rd party cookie changes in Google’s Chrome browser. This was followed by several recruitment calls with our talent acquisition team and promising candidates for an open position we’re hoping to close in the next few weeks. 

Can you define work-life balance for yourself and share with us your approach in maintaining it?

Sure, defining work-life balance is essential for maintaining both personal well-being and professional effectiveness. For me it means allocating time & energy to various aspects of life, including family & friends, personal growth and hobbies.

To maintain this balance, I try to prioritise setting boundaries between work and personal time. While I’m very committed to my professional responsibilities as an MD, I also make sure to dedicate time for relaxation, exercise and spending quality time with my friends and loved ones.

Change is constant, and it’s essential for growth. Have you made any lifestyle changes in the past year to improve your work-life balance?

Over the last 12 months, I would say I’ve made several lifestyle changes to improve my work-life balance. RTB House is a remote-first company and we have embraced remote work and flexible schedules, but also come together in person in the office several times a week.

This hybrid way of working has allowed me to manage my time more efficiently, avoiding long daily commutes and gaining more control over my daily routine. Additionally, I’ve been encouraging my team to adopt a similar approach, providing them with the flexibility they need to maintain their own work-life balance.

We also have a rule at home that we don’t allow devices anywhere near the dinner table or when we spend time together as a family, ensuring we are fully present. A few other tools that have proved effective for me to improve balance are cold water therapy (Check out the Wim Hof Method!) and regular meditation sessions to start off the day!

We’re always on the lookout for new resources! Can you recommend any books, podcasts, or newsletters that have helped you in your journey towards balance?

Yes, for sure! 

Books

• The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. This book delves into the science of habits and how they shape our lives, offering insights into how we can create positive changes in our routines.
• Deep Work by Cal Newport. This book explores the importance of focussed and undistracted work, helping people achieve more in less time and creating space for personal life.
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey. This book is one of my favourites and presents a holistic approach to personal and interpersonal effectiveness and offers techniques on how to live a more fulfilling and successful life. 

Podcasts – there are so many, but I love Fear & Greed which is a homegrown daily Aussie business podcast. Also a regular listener and fan of The Tim Ferriss Show, The Huberman Podcast and the All-in Podcast with Jason Calacanis and his VC mates. 

Newsletters – I enjoy reading The Daily Stoic. This daily update explores ancient Stoic philosophy and how its principles can help us navigate challenges and achieve balance in life. I’ve also subscribed to the Harvard Business Review Management Tip of the Day, and they offer concise and actionable management tips to improve leadership skills and workplace efficiency. 

Before we wrap up, do you have any final words of wisdom or insights on work, life, or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?

In closing, I’d like to share the importance of maintaining a holistic approach to work & life. Remember that achieving balance is an ongoing journey, and it’s okay to adapt and make changes along the way.

Prioritise self-care, seek support from colleagues and loved ones and continuously strive for growth and improvement in both personal and professional aspects of your life.

Finding harmony between work & life will not only benefit you but also contribute to your success as a leader and a well-rounded individual. Always stay curious and ask critical questions when you can, but be fair to the people around you.

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