| | On the 6th of May The Dutch Chamber (region west) took a (Dutch) boat tour across the Malmö canals and a (Dutch) windmill. We even went into open waters for 50 meters! No swan or wave was too tough for our crew on the boat tour. We had nerdy talks about CRM, AI and life in general. Thanks for joining us: Rene, Wouter, Alexis, Amanda and Noa. Our next event in Malmö will on 27 May. /A. T. |
 We’re looking back on a great first Tour & Talk on 23 April! After work, we all gathered at the impressive Göteborgs Konstmuseum. An inspiring guide led us on a tour and told us all about the Dutch and Flemish art in the museum. There was a lot to discover! We explored Rembrandt, Van Gogh and Rubens but also many lesser-known Dutch artists. After the tour, we wandered through the museum and wrapped up with a drink at the museum café. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about Dutch and Flemish art while strengthening our Dutch (and Flemish) connections. /W.G. Last Thursday on 3 April, the Dutch Chamber visited Kungliga Dramatiska Teatern for an exclusive backstage tour, followed by a delightful mingle with sunshine and breathtaking views over Stockholm’s city center. We immersed ourselves in the fascinating world of drama, wigs, cultural and technical tidbits, and a brief history lesson about the theatre itself. Did you know they house over 10,000 costumes, and that every wig, mustache, and eyebrow is handmade? After a captivating walk through the theatre’s various public and backstage areas, it was time to say goodbye to our guide, Irene, and treat ourselves to refreshing drinks on the theatre's balcony. As the last rays of sunlight bathed us, we took a moment to reflect on the experience, enjoying the perfect blend of business and pleasure. /A.S. Our Walk & Talk in Malmö on 25 April brought together a diverse group of participants. Some had been part of the Dutch Chamber network for close to 20 years, and some came for the first time. Whatever their prior experience, they were happy that they came to the walking tour. The rain forecast did not stop us from having a good time. We had an active program that combined walking with different low-intensity functional training exercises. We learned about stationary training techniques and discovered that one can effectively exercise even while standing still. Many more events are coming in the South of Sweden, like a company visit to Great IT, and a tour around the wonderful canals. Are you signed up yet? /A.T. D Stories of a Dutch CEO in Sweden. Company visit Great IT on 24 April. Discover Malmö’s canals by electric boat on 6 May. A sunny day in Gothenburg marked the arrival of spring, setting the perfect scenery for a lovely lunch at the Opera House. Surrounded by great company—members and guests of the Dutch Chamber—we enjoyed a delicious meal and, more importantly, inspiring conversations. The best part of these gatherings has always been, and always will be, the connections we make and the ideas we share. Who would have thought we might get the chance to visit a penthouse in the famous landmark, the Karla Tower? Or that we’d receive a fantastic suggestion for a special guest speaker at a company visit to Borealis in Stenungsund this autumn? Every idea is welcome, and our goal is to bring them to life this year. Exciting news—our event calendar for the year is shaping up beautifully! Many events are already listed on our website, so be sure to check them out and register. Next up, we can’t wait to see you at the Tour & Talk at the Göteborgs Konstmuseum on Wednesday, April 23. Join us for an after-work gathering at the museum, where a tour guide will share fascinating insights into Dutch and Belgian masters. We look forward to seeing you there! /V.P. Last week on 14 March, we had the pleasure of hosting a truly inspiring event: Connect & Create at Pien Ceramics. The event kicked off with a warm welcome from Pien, who gave us a glimpse into the world of ceramics while we could enjoy some drinks and snacks. The highlight of the evening was, of course, the ceramic experience. Three participants created a beautiful piece with handbuilding techniques, while the others sat behind a wheel and learned to throw some cups or small bowls. Everyone was able to explore their creative side in a fun and supportive atmosphere. A very relaxed way of networking! And one of the participants even signed up for a course at Piens studio! Pien will be finishing the pieces in the coming weeks, and participants will be able to pick up their creations afterwards. /W.G. On March 11 we gathered at Restaurang Ruben for the Corporate Lunch on Digital Transformation, hosted by Anderson MacGyver. A warm thank you to Patrik Hermansson, Nordics Director, for his clear and engaging presentation. Patrik introduced the Digital Enterprise Model, based on five essential building blocks: customer experience, operational backbone, digital infrastructure, shared data, and digital smartness. He explained how these elements are interconnected to enable agility, efficiency, and a strong position in a rapidly changing digital landscape. The Digital Enterprise Model is discussed in Anderson MacGyvers white paper “How to become a Digital Enterprise? Discover the 5 essential building blocks”, sharing practical examples and insights from leading organisations and discussing how companies can move beyond catch-up strategies and become digital frontrunners. Download your copy here: https://www.andersonmacgyver.com/digital-enterprise-whitepaper-download/ Thank you to all who participated and contributed to an inspiring lunch. We look forward to seeing you at one of our upcoming events! /M.H. On Wednesday March 5th, we took our members in Stockholm to an exciting ice hockey game at the Hovet Arena, where Djurgården faced off against Oskarshamn. The atmosphere was electric, as we were sitting directly next to the home supporters! Together, we cheered on the teams and enjoyed an unforgettable night of fast-paced action. The game started slow and the first period ended in 0-0, but during the 2nd half both teams increased the heat, Oskarshamn put the needed pressure on the home team by scoring the first point. Not long after Djurgården showed why they were on top of the league and scored several goals. By working together everyone can achieve great things. This doesn’t apply only to sports teams, but also to our own companies. We left the arena feeling energized and connected, with everyone agreeing that this was an experience worth repeating. The event reminded us of the power of sports to bring people together, and we can't wait for our next event. Let’s keep the momentum going! Thank you to all who joined us for this fantastic evening! /L.M. 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 recently joined the Dutch Chamber as corporate member. Diederik Benders is their CEO and we asked him to introduce the company to our members:  '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:
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:
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:
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:
/M.N.  |
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