Marcel van Marrewijk's Blog, page 122
July 17, 2017
S2M Presents Serendipitous Talks
Last month we started testing a new format on how to bring you the best stories in our ecosystem. Those are the Serendipitous Talks. Seats2meet and the Serendipity Machine come together weekly on Facebook Live to bring you information about different themes. And don’t worry, if you missed the live session you can hear the whole conversation on the format of podcast later. You can get reminders of the live sessions on the Seats2meet and Serendipity Machine pages.
We already spoke about the story of S2M and the Serendipity Machine app, B Corporations and had a special on Sharing Economy in Paris during the OuiShare Fest. Every week we invite someone to participate in the live session and podcast. Here are the themes of the next months.
Remote July
July 13, 2017
Action Academy Presents Nomads Camp
Article by Action Academy
Remote Working Meets Adventure Sport In This New Event Series; Allowing Digital Professionals To Escape The City Without Leaving The Office.
Action Academy is proud to present their newest edition of Nomads Camp. This adventure-focused workcation allows digital nomads, entrepreneurs and remote workers alike to discover how co-working and adventure sport can meet to create a healthier, happier and more productive work-life balance, whilst networking with other like-minded members of the business community.
Nomads Camp Morzine kicks off on August 20th with 6 & 13-night options. Action Academy have teamed up with Mountain Mavericks to offer Nomads Camp attendees luxury accommodation at one of Morzine’s favorite Hotels; L’Aubergade, in the heart of town.
Adventure sports have proven physiological and psychological benefits, and alongside business and marketing talks, group workshops and co-working spaces, the ‘Adventrepreneurs’ are encouraged to seize every opportunity to make the most of the stunning playground the Alps become in the summer. Included in their package participants will have access to a range of activities such as outdoor yoga, mountain biking, hiking, wakeboarding, paddleboarding and much more.
“Our Nomads Camps offer a sense of belonging to adventurous, nomadic entrepreneurs – and those wanting to be – by bringing them together in the most exciting places in the world. We provide business coaching, seminars and networking opportunities alongside work sessions and adventurous escapes to those who wish to dive into a new way of working. In a world where we can work anywhere, a like- minded community can help you to remain connected and inspired – and that’s what we’re here for.”
– Doug Stidolph, Action Academy co-founder.
“THIS is the place to be inspired and I urge as many entrepreneurs and freelancers to base themselves in places where you can really maximize the opportunities of the world, where perhaps in a city you can’t.
If I could persuade every single person in the world to come and do this kind of lifestyle, I would.”
– Ben Constanduros // Motorsports Journalist & Previous Nomads Camp Attendee
About Action Academy:
Action Academy is a community of entrepreneurs, athletes and innovators, connected by a drive to disrupt and a love for adventure. Our events bring together those who choose to work differently; to inspire, learn and discover remote working.
To learn more visit www.theactionacademy.com or call us on +44 (0) 208 144 9372
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July 12, 2017
SIFUtrecht meets social enterprise BYARBICYCLE
Article by SIFUtrecht Magazine
Renier Meuwissen van BYARBICYCLE stond met zijn prachtige e-bikes op de SocialEnterpriseDays2017. Zoals bij veel sociale ondernemingen is het verhaal achter het product ook prachtig.
We vroegen hem om dit verhaal met ons te delen via het social impact magazine zodat we met dit verhaal andere sociaal ondernemers inspireren om op hun beurt hun dromen waar te maken. De fietsen zijn te koop via onder andere de website van BYARBICYCLE. De foto’s van de fiets tijdens de socialenterprisedays zijn gemaakt door Michiel Ton.
ER WAS EENS….
In 2012 heb ik moeten besluiten om, na 10 jaar, mijn meubelwinkel en ontwerpstudio te sluiten. De omzet en verdiensten waren door de crisis zo terug gelopen dat ons werk meer op een hobby was gaan lijken. Daar betaal je geen hypotheek van of koop je schoolboeken mee voor de kinderen. Het roer moest om en ging om. De volgende stap in mijn carrière werd een hele onverwachte. Gedreven door noodzaak en nieuwsgierigheid nam ik een baan aan op de dagbesteding van een organisatie die zich inzet voor een groep jong volwassenen met een psychiatrische achtergrond.
Het groepje mensen waarmee ik te maken kreeg deed een groot appel op mijn vaderlijke instincten en vanuit die beleving begon ik de dagbesteding voor hen vorm te geven. In plaats van hele dagen door te brengen hangend achter een computerscherm of koffiedrinkend en rokend nam ik ze mee in mijn belangstellingen.
We maakten tijd voor sport en spel, bezoek aan musea, bos en strand. We lazen kranten en deden klussen in huis of tuin en ik besteedde tijd aan het onderhoud van hun fietsen. Dat laatste was een noodzaak:
Beschikten deze mensen over een functionerende fiets, dan waren ze in staat hun dagen efficiënt in te richten, op tijd op hun afspraken te komen of niet te veel tijd kwijt te zijn aan zaken zoals (lopend) boodschappen doen. Geld voor reparatie was er niet en zelf een band plakken of een ketting ‘erop leggen’ behoorden niet tot hun mogelijkheden. Was een fiets stuk, dan werd deze zonder pardon ter plekke achtergelaten en begon de voettocht weer.
Wat ik leerde van onze activiteiten tijdens de dagbesteding is dat dit groepje mensen best bereid was om zich in te zetten, waarbij smerige klusjes niet geschuwd werden. Ik leerde ook dat het leuk was om met ze op pad en avontuur te gaan. Ze leken behoefte te hebben aan uitdagingen en een andere vorm van begeleiding. Ze droomden allen van een toekomst waarin werk, huiselijk geluk en vakanties de basis vormden. Werk als basis voor deze toekomst. Hoe herkenbaar!
HET BEGIN VAN DE SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
Met dit besef ben ik gaan nadenken over werk in plaats van dagbesteding en omdat banen voor deze groep van mensen niet voor het oprapen liggen moesten we zelf werk gaan creëren. Iets gaan maken wat we zouden kunnen verkopen. En een werknemer/werkgever relatie in plaats van een verplichte dagbesteding met een begeleider.
Als eerste was er het idee om kastjes te gaan maken van sloophout. Dit experiment heeft een half uur geduurd en toen was duidelijk dat we iets zouden moeten assembleren. Iets in elkaar zetten dat uit een paar vaste componenten zou bestaan. Zonder dat er ingewikkelde dingen aan zitten die moeten worden afgesteld. Iets maken waar ze trots op zouden kunnen zijn. Iets dat ze zelf ook heel graag zouden willen hebben. Iets dat ze nog wel een tegen zouden kunnen komen waar ze trots op zouden kunnen wijzen en vertellen dat ze dat gemaakt hadden. En al bandenplakkend en kettingen smerend ontstond het idee voor het maken van een fiets.
BYARBICYCLE
In maart 2013 ben ik voorzichtig begonnen met het schetsen van een fiets. Een fiets waar niets te veel op zou zitten en wat zo geconstrueerd zou zijn dat ik dit met mijn groepje in elkaar zou kunnen zetten. Geen ingewikkelde constructies met tandwielen en kettingen die gespannen en in lijn gezet moesten worden. Of nokjes die met schroefjes vastgezet moesten worden waarop dan een slot of kettingkast met nog meer nokjes en schroefjes gemonteerd zouden moeten worden. Iets dat zou uitblinken door z’n eenvoud en logische opzet. Waar een bagagerekje een accessoire zou zijn die je op het frame klikt als je ‘m nodig hebt en er weer af haalt als je er klaar mee bent. Geen schroefjes. Maar natuurlijk wel elektrisch! Alleen zou je dat dan niet moeten hoeven zien.
De tekening was snel klaar. Het idee bleek tot de verbeelding te spreken. Tijd om eens met wat mensen uit het fietsenvak te spreken over de kansen van dit project. En dat was ontmoedigend. Het frame zou de krachten niet kunnen opvangen, de ontwikkeling te duur, een cardanas te zwaar en het ontwerp te exotisch. Maar van het ene gesprek kwam het andere, ging de bal rollen en kwam ik in contact met de juiste mensen. In december 2013 besefte ik mij in eens dat ik ooit op mijn eigen ontworpen fiets zou rijden en dat is een ongelooflijk idee.
EN NU DOOR!
Een onwaarschijnlijk idee is tot ontwikkeling gekomen. Met een hele grote groep van mensen, allen gedreven door een sociaal hart en geïnteresseerd in dit avontuur hebben we een hele bijzondere fiets gemaakt.
Het resultaat is een hele mooie fiets. Heel licht, innovatief, onderhoudsvriendelijk. Een wendbare en superieure stadsfiets. Een geweldig product om met mijn doelgroep te gaan maken! Je moet niet alleen gek zijn om te denken dat je zomaar een fiets kan gaan maken, je moet ook gek zijn om ‘m in elkaar te zetten!
Ik ben enorm trots op dit resultaat en ik hoop dat we nog erg veel fietsen gaan maken en gaan verkopen.
Wilt u meer weten of de fietsen bekijken? Dat kan altijd, graag een mail via info@byarbicycle.nl
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July 11, 2017
Love the fear; 5 lessons learned from training with Wim Hof
It was a privilege to be able to spend a week training with Wim Hof, aka the Iceman. A week which literally blew my mind and let me love the fear. A week in which I met incredible people and learned a lot. Not just from Wim Hof himself, but also from the people who I met on this special journey. So I would love to share these “lessons” with you. All of them applicable on writing or publishing a book as well!
Something you should know before you start to reading is that just two weeks ago I was that girl who did not dare to jump into cold water and even in the warmest water would take an hour to get into the swimming pool or sea. Last week I sat in an ice bath, thrice! The longest was 15 minutes and the crazy thing was; it was easy and I could have stayed longer. My conviction is: you can do that too!
By being ego-less you become fear-less
You’re probably aware of the feeling when you are in a situation where you need to do something that is important to you or difficult or scary and you awaken this extra power inside of you. You put on this shield so you can perform or it protects you from what might come. You might even start to work harder instead of smarter.
My initial reaction to the ice bath and some of the other activities we did was to tense my muscles and then go for it. Except with the third and also last ice bath I just couldn’t do that because of the breathing exercises I just did. I felt completely vulnerable. No ego was left, it was just me. I could not work harder or do more. Then a miracle happened. All I did was step into the ice bath and sit down. Nothing more, nothing less. It was the easiest ice bath. I just let go and relaxed. No panic, no tension, I was just being in the moment. And I rocked it. When I started getting cold I took control of my mind and directed the warmth where it was needed and let go again.
From that moment on, I applied the same principle to all the activities and exercises we did. No tensing up, no putting on an energy shield when it got difficult, scary, needed a lot of strength or got tough. I relaxed and let go. This way I jumped of cliffs, swam in icy water, faced my inner fears and climbed a mountain. By becoming completely vulnerable and letting go of your ego you become fear-less and can climb the highest mountain and face the toughest challenge all with a smile 
Want to Change the World?
Verbeter de Wereld (Dutch for ‘Improve the world’) is thé traineeship for ambitious young professionals wanting to use their talents for a better world!
Tell me more! Verbeter de Wereld are a group of professional trainers and coaches who offer their expertise through the Traineeship for World Improvers. This program is specifically designed for idealistic Young Professionals who just want more.
The Traineeship takes four months which include two training weekends, and special a closing day and personal coaching throughout the entire Traineeship.
What will I be doing?
Execute a project: within 4 months you will execute an extraordinary world improving project, together with other trainees. The project groups are formed during the first weekend. You decide what cause you will be working on and how you want to shape your project.
Personal growth: you will learn about mission-based project management and communication skills. On top of this frequent feedback will be provided to you learn about yourself as team player, leader and enabler.
Practical idealism: your daily choices have a direct impact on the entire planet. Which choices do you make, and why? We inspire you to take the next step.
Unique: Apart from just focusing on implementing projects that improve the world, this program is about giving meaning to the things we do, personal growth and developing of competencies. Alumni state this is what makes the program unique: next to making a difference there is room for the big questions facing us in life. Through this Traineeship you will become a catalyst for a better world!
Which theme makes your heart beat faster?
Sustainability: future energy supplies, waste management, cradle to cradle
Poverty reduction: education, microcredit, solidarity
Peace and Safety: unity, understanding, democracy
Human equality: acknowledging each other, diversity, love, living together in peace
Something else? In this traineeship you can start making a difference!
When can I start :
First weekend: Saturday morning October 7th – Sunday afternoon October 8th 2017
Second weekend: Saturday morning December 2nd – Sunday afternoon December 3th 2017
Closing day: Saturday January 27th 2018
Apply via: www.verbeterdewereld.org
Follow us: https://www.facebook.com/verbeterdewe...
Questions & answers: Rene Sellmeijer: 06-41489289 / rene@verbeterdewereld.org
Unfortunately we currently offer this traineeship only in Dutch
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July 10, 2017
Apply for the Spindle Award for Best Innovation
The Spindle is a Dutch organization which empowers innovation formed by Partos, the association of Dutch NGOs. The Spindle is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and promotes events and awards to increase the potential of innovation and turn them into reality. They focus on fours themes: civic power, inclusion, new forms of cooperations and the innovative use of data.
On October 12th Amsterdam will host the Partos Innovation Festival, and there they will announce the winners of The Innovation Awards, which will win five thousand euros to sponsor their project. You can apply your innovative idea here; the deadline extends until August 31st.
Beyond the main price, the ten best project will be able to pitch at Accenture Awards on September 25th. And the three best ideas will have a space to speak at the Partos Innovation Festival as well.
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Djeepo is looking for a Social Media & Community Management intern
Opportunity via Djeepo
We’re looking for an awesome full-time social media and community manager intern, who can help us professionalize our social media and communication channels. If you’re excited about the sharing economy, early stage startups, community management, social media and digital communication in general, you’ll be happy to join us in our mission to put unused urban space to use.
As we’re a small team, you’ll do a lot of different things: Social media, customer development, support, events, creating the newsletter, writing blogs, marketing, analytics and we support you to come up with other useful activities. It’s a bonus if you have skills in online marketing, or graphic design.
Being an intern at Djeepo requires flexibility, taking initiative and a diverse set of skills. Speaking Dutch and English is required. We offer you heaps of experience, freedom, responsibility, fun and a chance to become part of the team in the longer run. You’ll work from the middle of the center of Amsterdam, among other international tech startups like Stripe.
Click here to apply
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Share storage space with Djeepo
You have extra space but not enough to rent out on Airbnb? How about renting it out as storage space? That is the idea of Djeepo, the new sharing economy platform that allows anyone with a small extra room to make some extra bucks per month. The platform targets anyone moving for a while and that doesn’t want to get rid of their goods, nor expanding a fortune on traditional storage spaces.
The initiative also helps on optimizing spaces and less need for big storage spaces. There are even people who live in a small bedroom and were able to store their winter clothes in an apartment nearby. Actions like that also increase the social aspect in neighborhoods. You can also choose spaces to store only your luggage or bigger ones for furniture.
So do you have extra room to share storage space with neighbors and travelers? Sign up at Djeepo.com
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Techstars is looking for a Regional Manager in Europe
Opportunity via Techstars
Techstars is a worldwide network with the mission of empowering entrepreneurs. They accomplish this through a wide range of events and with a community of mentors. They are looking for a new Regional Manager to join the team in Europe and help support the Techstars Startup Programs Community in the region. We are looking for someone with:
2-5 years of community building, operations management or customer service experience.
Experience working with a distributed team
Active in their local startup community.
This person must be eligible to work in the EU and could be located in either of our offices (Berlin, Madrid, London and Paris), managing Central and Eastern Europe.
If you are interested or know of anyone in your network that would be a great fit, you can find more information about the position here. Feel free to reach out directly in case you have any questions or recommendations.
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Time|Space – the First Co-Studying Space in the Netherlands Coming Live 17 July in Utrecht
Article by Masha Moisseyeva
We all know that student years are the perfect time to network, meet new people with different opinions, absorb knowledge, and….ultimately, in the name of education, leave your cozy yet limiting comfort zone and be open to all kinds of new experiences. You never know if a guy with a nickname Wild-Party-Crasher-Martijn will transform into a successful entrepreneur in a couple of years…so better stay open! Students are known to be one of the most dynamic and progressive segments. They stay closely in touch with the modern world, easily adopt new trends, and are full of enthusiasm and new ideas.
If we look at the biggest student city of the Netherlands – Utrecht, we can right away feel that student life is in its DNA. Utrecht is a host to more than 70.000 students, both international and Dutch, and this number keeps growing. The city perfectly reflects the nature of its inhabitants – it is energetic, vibrant and young. New places keep popping up around the city in a matter of months, and sometimes it is even hard to keep track of all the new initiatives around the town.
However, despite its overall spirit, there are a number of drawbacks that keep Utrecht from becoming the best student place you could ever imagine. There are numerous majors that Utrecht University offers to its newcomers, which are extremely diverse and multidirectional; however, each faculty remains a comfortable bubble that separates its students from the rest of the university life. A psychology student will hardly ever interact with young IT developers who study on a different campus, and students from Hogeschool Utrecht will not know anything about the events organized by Utrecht School of Arts.
By interacting only with the folks from their own major and participating in events that their own faculty offers, students stay somehow isolated from what Utrecht has to offer and their access to the world of different life views stays limited. The city center library – a unique student hub, does not encourage communication either. You have to be silent there, and the atmosphere creates a feeling of being alone in the crowd. While being in the library you will never even find out that a guy who seems to have trouble concentrating next to you is from Mexico and could help you with your Spanish assignment in 5 minutes, while you as a Ph.D. student could help him with his first year APA-style academic paper at no cost.
We know it because we have just recently studied at Utrecht University ourselves and felt like we did not take the most out of the student life Utrecht can offer. That is how the idea of creating a Time Space – a social space for students that would encourage collaboration, exchange of ideas and creative initiatives, came into our minds.
In the team of four, we have been working on this project for a while, figuring out how to bring it to life. About a month ago we went to one of the conferences at Utrecht School of Economics (of course, where else would we go as Economics graduates) and serendipitously met Ronald van de Hoff – a creator of the world most progressive co-working company Seats2Meet. And then it all came together for us – by combining already existing Seats2Meet platform for entrepreneurs and freelancers and not yet covered student segment, we could achieve something great!
As of September 2017, Time Space will be launched as a pilot project in partnership with Seats2Meet and Social Impact Factory on the premises of SIF building right in the heart of Utrecht, just minutes away from the Central Station. During the period of the pilot project, we will test, explore and experiment with the ways to make Time Space the best place for students’ studying and socializing needs. The online platform of Seats2meet.com will become available for Time Space visitors. With that system, you can book a study spot and arrange a meeting in advance, or get to know if anybody around you could help you in your study struggles.
Meanwhile, there is no better time than summer to have fun and build connections for the upcoming year. Therefore, for everyone who stays in town we are planning a number of events, workshops and activities in July and August to gather active and creative minds of all disciplines and ages.
Right now, we are happy to announce that our first Time Space event ever will be happening on July 17th in SIF. It will introduce our concept, as well as give a good introduction to Utrecht insides to the newly arrived Summer School students.
To stay updated on our events and progress you can always check out our Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/timespace.utrecht/
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