Thanks to a close cooperation with Business Region Gothenburg guests of Dutch Chambers’ event were welcomed at the International House Gothenburg on 18 February.  For the 3rd year in a row we hosted a networking event in this modern and centrally located venue. 
 
Intercultural communication and ’Aha-moments’
Speaker and communication expert Arjan Verdooren explained in an interactive and fun way on how Swedes and Dutch interact socially and businesswise. All participants agreed on one thing and that is that Arjans lecture could have lasted much longer. The insights he shared and the practical examples led to many ’aha-moments’ amongst the group of almost thirty participants. If you want to know more about Arjan and his work, visit www.arjanverdooren.com
 
Upcoming events
In March two events are organised in Region Gothenburg. All the more possibilities to broaden your network. Registration is open to join Connect & Create at Piens Ceramics or enjoying a nice lunch in good company at the Gothenburg Opera. 

/V.P. 

'Otherside at Work' is an intriguing company name. What is it about and who are your customers?

At Otherside at Work, we empower organisations to take a truly data-driven approach to Employee Sustainability & Wellbeing (ESW). Our unique digital platform consolidates data from five key HR domains—absenteeism, prevention, vitality, job fit, and engagement—into a comprehensive and actionable overview. This enables managers, HR professionals, and occupational health service providers to truly understand how employees are doing and what they need to stay engaged, healthy, and productive.
In today’s tight labour market, employee wellbeing is no longer just an HR concern—it’s a business-critical factor. Organisations that proactively support their employees’ sustainability and wellbeing perform better, experience less absenteeism, and retain top talent. Our platform provides the tools to identify risks early, support employees effectively, and build a thriving workforce.
Our customers include organisations that prioritize long-term performance by investing in their people—from large enterprises to fast-growing scale-ups.

Otherside at Work is a Dutch company, but you are expanding to Sweden. Why is that?

Sweden is a natural fit for Otherside at Work. The country is already known for its progressive approach to employee wellbeing and sustainability, but many companies still face challenges in making these efforts truly measurable and actionable.
Our platform enables Swedish companies to take the next step by turning scattered HR data into a clear, strategic approach to Employee Sustainability & Wellbeing.
Additionally, Sweden has a strong culture of innovation and is open to technology-driven solutions. With our proven track record in the Netherlands, we see great potential to help Swedish organisations optimise their approach to employee performance, retention, and engagement.

Do you have a personal connection with Sweden?
​
Yes! Sweden’s culture of sustainability, innovation, and work-life balance closely aligns with the mission of Otherside at Work. But beyond that, I also feel a personal connection to Sweden on a deeper level.
As a person, I am both energetic and ambitious, always striving for growth and impact. At the same time, I deeply value calmness, integrity, and a thoughtful approach—qualities that I see reflected in Swedish culture. The balance between high ambition and a strong sense of wellbeing is something I admire and resonate with. That’s why expanding to Sweden feels not just like a strategic step, but also a natural fit for me personally.

What can our members expect from Otherside at Work?

We’re excited to introduce Swedish businesses to a new way of thinking about Employee Sustainability & Wellbeing—one that is holistic, data-driven, and action-oriented.
To kick off our expansion, we’re hosting a networking lunch on 10 April where we will share insights on how companies can move beyond traditional wellbeing programs to a fully integrated, strategic approach. Attendees can expect valuable discussions on how to:

• Identify hidden risks through HR data integration
• Proactively support employees before issues escalate
• Drive long-term business performance through sustainable workforce management

We look forward to engaging with forward-thinking leaders who want to make a real difference in their organisation’s approach to employee wellbeing and performance.

What inspires Otherside at Work to continuously innovate in the field of Employee Sustainability & Wellbeing?

The workplace is evolving rapidly, but many companies still struggle to connect the dots between employee wellbeing and business success. At Otherside at Work, we are driven by the belief that organisations perform at their best when their people do.
Traditional HR systems often fail to provide a complete picture of employee wellbeing. We innovate by:

• Integrating key HR data points (absenteeism, vitality, engagement, job fit, and prevention)
• Providing real-time, actionable insights to support employees effectively
• Using AI and predictive analytics to identify trends before they lead to major issues

Our goal is to bridge the gap between HR intuition and hard data, ensuring that employee wellbeing is not just a feel-good initiative but a measurable business strategy.

Why should prioritising employee wellbeing be at the top of every Swedish company's agenda?

Because in today’s competitive labor market, employee wellbeing directly impacts business success. Companies that fail to prioritise wellbeing face:

• Higher absenteeism and burnout rates
• Increased turnover and recruitment challenges
• Lower engagement and productivity

Sweden already leads in work-life balance, but many companies lack the tools to take a truly strategic approach. Otherside at Work provides the missing piece: a data-driven, holistic platform that helps companies understand their employees not just as workers, but as people.
With Sweden’s aging workforce and ongoing labor shortages, organisations that invest in employee sustainability today will be the ones thriving tomorrow.

What is your vision for the future of Employee Sustainability & Wellbeing in the Nordics?
​
The Nordics have always been at the forefront of workplace innovation and employee wellbeing, but the future lies in making these efforts more data-driven and integrated.
I envision a future where:

• Employee Sustainability & Wellbeing (ESW) is a core business metric—not just an HR initiative
• HR leaders have full visibility into employee risks, needs, and development paths
• Organisations use predictive insights to intervene early, preventing burnout and disengagement
• Technology enhances human interaction, helping managers and HR professionals provide tailored support

Swedish companies have an incredible opportunity to lead the way in this transformation. Otherside at Work is here to support them in making employee wellbeing a measurable and strategic advantage.

/M.N.

On Tuesday the 11th of February, the Dutch Chamber hosted an insightful Corporate Lunch on Digital Brand Protection, in collaboration with CSC’s Olle Lillsebbas, European Sales Manager for CSC Digital Brand Services, Lotte van der Vaart and Anders Thorell. A big thank you for the engaging presentation and for answering our many questions.
 
Olle shared key takeaways from the CSC Domain Security Report, highlighting the latest trends in online fraud. He also provided first-hand insights into how criminals are misusing the latest technology to carry out increasingly sophisticated attacks. The discussion underscored the urgency for companies to stay ahead of these evolving threats and implement stronger protective measures.
 
We appreciate the great turnout and the lively discussions that followed. Thank you to all who joined us – we look forward to seeing you at our next event!

L.V.

Vasaloppet lives its motto, "I fäders spår för framtids segrar", both on the trail and in the DNA of its organisation. Year after year, traditions are upheld, volunteers return, and responsibilities are passed down - ensuring the race isn’t just history but a living legacy.
 
On Thursday 6 February, the Dutch Chamber had the honour to host two guest speakers from Vasaloppet at the Innovation House, at our recurring Lunch & Learn concept. The presentation was held by Olaf Rompelberg, who is Dutch and moved to Dalarna with his family and now works as Project Leader Sports at Vasaloppet, together with his colleague Rasmus Ericson, Business Coordinator. As always, the event was a nice gathering of familiar and new faces, this time specifically bringing together those with a passion for cross-country skiing and sports as well as other curious members with the ambition ever to complete the iconic Vasaloppet and learn more about the event.
 
Our guests taught us about the event’s history, and how it has grown from one cross-country race held in 1922 with 119 participants to 15 800 skiers at the famous mass start at Vasaloppet 2024. The event has grown to a full Vasaloppet Winter Week, with in total 60 000 participants in 2024 across different races. There is now even a Vasaloppet Summer Week, with cycling and running events in the same arena. All work is focused on its main goal, which is to encourage people to exercise. 
 
It was inspiring to learn more about the organisation behind Vasaloppet, which is a non-profit organisation. We were given insight into how the event is sponsored, financed, and logistically dependent on a large historic network of volunteers from the area. Most of the income goes back to funding sports clubs, enabling children, youths, and elite athletes to do sports. Also, challenges were discussed, such as how to attract more participants, while at the same time having a strong focus on sustainability and securing the future of the event. 
 
They also addressed the possibility for companies to collectively register employees for any of the races organised by Vasaloppet and their B2B campaigns. Participating with your company is a great opportunity to encourage employees to regularly exercise and improve their health, take on a challenge, and enhance team spirit, for example by dividing up the 90-kilometer Vasalopp track in a relay (Stafettvasan). Tailor-made packages are available for companies, with personal service from the organisation. Want to learn more? Contact vasaloppet.se/foretag. 
 
L.V.