Anne Willeboordse is managing director for secondment agency Maandag®  and they recently joined the Dutch Chamber as a corporate member. So we asked Anne Willeboordse to tell us more about this Dutch company.

Can you tell us more about the Dutch company Maandag® and your plans for the Swedish market?
Maandag® is founded 30 years ago and is one of the largest secondment agencies in the Netherlands with also offices in Belgium, Poland and Dubai. Very recently we opened an office in Sweden. Maandag® provides specialists in sectors such as education, healthcare, government, engineering, IT, finance and HR. We do this not only by helping people find jobs, but also by connecting them to a future that matches their values, desires and ambitions. Our extensive knowledge of different markets, combined with our wide network, enables us to make perfect matches quickly.
 
In Sweden, our focus is greater Stockholm area where we will offer two services. The first service is staffing. We provide junior and medior IT and finance specialists to clients who can be taken over by the client after a year. The second service is the intermediation of senior IT specialists for clients with specialist needs or immediate added value in their team or project. We do this independently, which means that we get a clear picture of the client's demand and match it with the supply in the market. This can be a freelancer, but it can also be an employee candidate at one of our suppliers, which we call partners. 
In 2025 we will explore the possibilities for a 2nd branch in the North of Sweden at "the Greenhub". Besides the fact that there is enormous growth in this region due to the establishment of companies with a focus on sustainability, this region also fits well with Maandag®’s ambition to be a CO2 positive company by 2030.
 
What is your personal connection with Sweden (Stockholm)?
For Maandag® and myself, Sweden is new ground. I explored opportunities within Europe for starting a secondment company with a focus on IT profiles. This showed that Sweden and Stockholm scored very high. Compared to Europe, Sweden has the highest percentage of ICT professionals in the workforce. As a former entrepreneur I have a passion for setting up and running an IT organisation, so this combination is perfect. Besides that, I am also charmed by the international education system, which I would like my children to participate in.

What can our members expect from Maandag®?
If Dutch Chamber members need IT and/or finance specialists, we are happy to engage with them. After all, it is our expertise in finding the right people. In addition, we are happy to think along without any obligation when it comes to drawing up vacancies that are difficult to fill.

/M.N.

For those who don't know me yet, I'm Dorian Pluimers, and I'm responsible for the Swedish office of Blue Billywig. This is a Dutch video tech company with its own Online Video Platform. We've had an office in Stockholm for the past four years, from which we serve the entire Nordic region.
Together with my colleagues, we help organisations solve issues around online video publishing. This could be for a corporate website, video ads, or interactive instructional videos to support customer service.
I moved to Stockholm three years ago, and for the past year, I've been splitting my time between Stockholm and Amsterdam. It's a very unique situation, but it works very well for me.


​Board member communications
​Since the beginning of this year, I've been a board member within the Dutch Chamber and am responsible for communications. Together with a young, talented designer, we refreshed the newsletter and all event communication, and we have many more plans for all our digital expressions. In addition to communications, I also deal with business development, where we try to make new connections between new and existing members.
I'm really looking forward to the upcoming period and all the great projects and events I can do together with the other board members, regional directors, and members.

Dutch Chamber’s member Innerstaden Göteborg unveiled a historic sign project highlighting Gothenburg's history. Their CEO Lena Dalerup and cityguide Pether Ribbefors led 26 participants on a journey through the city’s development on 17 June. Part of the tour was enjoyed on electric boats from Let’s Boat; a Dutch concept called Sloepdelen. Recommendation: the route is also walkable via an online map along the twelve signs.
 
Before the tour, member STAR Specialists hosted a light meal at their new office on Kvarnbergsgatan, offering a fantastic view of the Göta River from their rooftop terrace.

Departing Honorary Consul in Western Sweden Håkan Friberg attended our pre-summer event. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors. 

This was Dutch Chamber’s last event before the summer break. We extend our warmest summer greetings and look forward to welcoming you back to Region West’s sailing event on Friday, August 30th. Registration is now open!

/V.P.
 

Background screening is an essential tool for hiring the right people and fostering integrity within teams in your company. By implementing thorough background checks, organisations can ensure that they hire candidates who not only possess the necessary skills and qualifications but also align with the company's values and culture. This process helps in building a trustworthy and cohesive workforce, which is vital for long-term success.



​Why is it so important to implement a background screening program? 

1. Ensuring Quality and Competence: Background screening verifies the educational qualifications and work history. This ensures that only individuals with the requisite skills and experience are hired, thereby maintaining a high standard of quality within the company.

2. Enhancing Reputation: A robust screening process signals to potential employees that the company values integrity and excellence. This can attract high-caliber candidates who are confident in their qualifications and have a strong ethical foundation.

3. Reducing Turnover: By hiring the right people from the start, companies can reduce the likelihood of turnover. Candidates who are thoroughly vetted are more likely to be a good fit for the role and the company culture, leading to higher job satisfaction and better retention rates.

Knowing this, how does background screening create high integrity Teams?

1. Promoting a Safe Work Environment: Background checks often include criminal record screenings, which help to ensure the safety of all employees. Knowing that colleagues have been vetted for any potential risks fosters a secure and comfortable workplace.

2. Fostering Trust and Integrity: When team members know that everyone has undergone a rigorous screening process, it builds trust within the team. This shared sense of integrity encourages open communication, collaboration, and a positive work culture.

3. Mitigating Risks: Screening for financial history, such as credit checks for roles involving financial responsibility, helps in identifying candidates who are reliable and less likely to engage in fraudulent activities. This protects the company's assets and maintains financial integrity.

4. Ensuring Compliance: Comprehensive background checks help companies comply with industry regulations and legal requirements. This not only protects the company from potential legal issues but also demonstrates a commitment to ethical business practices.

Conclusion

Incorporating background screening into your hiring process is crucial for attracting the right people and creating teams that embody integrity and trust. By verifying qualifications, promoting safety, and ensuring compliance, companies can build a workforce that is not only skilled but also aligned with their core values. This, in turn, leads to a more harmonious, productive, and successful organisation.

/Robbert Remmers,
​Validata Group

On the warm evening of Thursday, May 16, a diverse group of 16 old and new members, along with some guests, enjoyed a captivating performance by Dutch violinist Janine Jansen, a beloved and frequent guest at the Stockholm Concert Hall. This time, she premiered a new violin concerto by Britta Byström with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Byström described the concerto as alternating between "day music" and "night music," inspired by Jansen's expressive playing. 

During the intermission, attendees enjoyed drinks, snacks, and plenty of networking. Spanish conductor Jaime Martín, now principal conductor of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, led the orchestra in Brahms' Serenade No. 1, showcasing the young Brahms' growing orchestral mastery after the intermission. 

We look forward to organising more musical events in the future.

​/P.S.F