Ex-Google. Author. Founder of Recharge360
Hidde de Vries helps organizations work smarter instead of harder. His personal journey, from threat of bankruptcy and predatory energy, through Google in Dublin, to a proven method to increase productivity and well-being, is the basis for the platform Recharge360.
Work smarter, have more impact. Less hassle.
What if your team structurally get more done with more energy? Hidde developed it Recharge model after a harsh reality check: a media company gone awry, a friend in burnout and the choice to literally destroy himself rechargen. Those insights grew into trainings for >30,000 professionals and the digital platform Recharge360 Built for HR teams who want results, not just another loose intervention.
The story behind the method
Google, Dublin (2010+): After an intensive application process, Hidde moved to Ireland. In 2014 He belonged to the top 25% performers worldwide at Google, not by working harder, but by focus on what gives energy.
The cover: After the financial crisis, long days and a near bankruptcy followed a wake-up call: a friend with burnout. Hidde radically chose recovery and research into work smarter.
Recharging & research: travel, reflection and fieldwork led to two key insights: we get busier and we deal with it worse, unless you have the method of operation changes.
Impact projects: With the Recharge model, Hidde was able to create a undercover documentary run about sexual exploitation and human trafficking; this made it through >€100.000 on for charity and liberated 25 girls.
The Recharge Company: the method was training programs; during lockdowns, the team made a rapid business model pivot and grew from 2 to 11 employees.
Today: These same principles are at the heart of Recharge360: the well-being & activation platform that behavior at scale changes.
"The pace of change today is the slowest any of us will experience for the rest of our lives. We'll need to work smarter."
Matt Brittin (ex-VP Google Europe), an observation that underscores Hidde's mission.
Why Recharge360 exists (and works)
The problem in the Netherlands (and the Randstad): fragmented wellness offerings, low activation, few measurable outcomes, high mental workload. HR teams have overview, activation and dates needed, sans additional workload.
Hidde's approach → Recharge360
- Realization → Activation → Pay it forward: Three steps from Hidde's Recharge model that behavior really land.
- From training to platform: What worked in halls and boardrooms has been translated into a digital environment that bundles your existing offerings, participation triggers and results measurable makes.
- Built for NL organizations: focus on Netherlands (in particular Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam, The Hague), multilingual, AVG-proof, scalable for 50-5,000+ employees.
What organizations notice
- More activation: from loose good intentions to daily mini-actions (notifications, challenges, RechargeTalks).
- Less HR hassle: one portal, own design, click dates, quarterly highlights and reports.
- Measurable progression: from PMO insights to benchmarking per team/location.
- ROI on well-being: involvement ↑, errors ↓, energy ↑, absentee drivers down.
Who is Hidde relevant to?
HR managers, executives and team leads in the Randstad and beyond those noticeable behavioural change want, not just campaigns or posters.
Bio in brief
Name: Hidde de Vries
Background: ex-Google (Dublin); entrepreneur, author, keynote.
Known from: Recharge Model, The Recharge Company, Recharge360.
Impact: >30,000 people trained; documentary project with >€100.000 fundraising; 25 girls freed.
Mission: helping people and teams work smarter and extract energy.
Timeline of Hidde de Vries
2010-2011
Crisis & wake-up call: near failure, burnout signals in the environment, choice to recharge and explore how to work smarter.
2011-2014
Google Dublin: focus on energy management and effectiveness; rated in the top 25% worldwide in 2014.
2014-2020
Recharge Model & The Recharge Company: trainings, >€100,000 raised with India documentary (25 girls freed), method refined in practice.
2020-present
From training to platform: lockdown pivot, team growth 2 → 11, launch Recharge360 for scalable activation, data & ROI.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Hidde de Vries?
A Dutch ex-Google professional, author and founder of Recharge360, specializing in productivity, mental energy and behavior change.
What is the Recharge model?
A practical three-step method (Realization → Activation → Pay it forward) to help teams work smarter and embed habits.
What is Recharge360?
A well-being & activation platform that bundles existing offerings, employees daily activates and results measurable makes for HR.
Does Recharge360 work for Dutch organizations?
Yes. The platform was developed with Dutch organizations in mind, including Randstad focus and multilingualism.
What does it provide?
More activation and engagement, better focus, fewer errors, better mental energy, dashboarding and ROI insights.
Can I book Hidde as a speaker?
Yes, for keynotes or internal RechargeTalks. Useful to have a demo plan so that the content perfectly matches your goals.
Schedule a demo with Hidde's team
Experience in 20 minutes how Recharge360 overview, activation and measurable impact combines, specifically for your organization in Netherlands.
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