Marcel van Marrewijk's Blog, page 163
April 11, 2016
A way to organize #SerendipityMoments? The serendipity pod.
Maybe the next passage is recognizable: you are on a meeting and you meet someone who shares your passion. Till that moment you don’t know that person, but there’s a click straight away. Before you know, you talk nineteen to the dozen about your passion, challenges, successes and new discoveries. You inspire each other and he or her has something you’re just looking for. The meeting is successful!
That’s serendipity! Ronald van den Hoff calls it unexpected relevant meetings between people who don’t know each other, but do have much to offer. His Seats2meet grew out of it.
Research shows that there’s an increasing need to meet each other in real life, thanks to the booming of social media. Other research shows that the chance two people will start a talk declines in proportion as the distance between their both office is more than 30 metres.
Fore those reasons it’s an illusion to assume that a great number of teachers will connect, and share ideas, with teachers from other schools by existing ICT applications. The distance between them is too big for personal contact and a planned Hangout chat eliminates serendipity in advance.
But we won’t give up too soon. Because, despite of my doubt, it would be so great when teachers really could share ideas and learn from each other worldwide. After all, there’s more knowledge outside than inside schools these days.
In a few months we’ll start an experiment with researchers of the Open University in Heerlen (NL). An experiment with the so-called serendipity pod. We all know we start talks the most easily at the coffee machine. It’s easy and most of the time serendipitous. Therefor we are going to put a new coffee machine in my school. It’s a peculiarly machine, because it will take longer to fill our cup with delicious coffee than we used to. Next to the coffee machine there’s a huge screen provided with possibilities for speaking. Exactly the same coffee machine and screen will be placed in a school 150 km beyond.
From that moment on teachers in my school will meet their own colleague’s at the coffee machine ánd their colleague’s from the school 150 km beyond. We are very curious about what will happen then. Will they enter into a conversation? It seems likely. I expect even more than that. We will see!
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April 8, 2016
Seats2Meet is coming to New York!
A marketing student who is always looking for innovative ideas that will change the world, ideas that no one would ever think of. When I came across the Seats2Meet internship, I knew there was something important in front of me.
New York City is a capital for business, which makes it perfect for S2M, this is the place where everyone is constantly looking to make connections, get in touch with the industry, and to be part of the crème de la crème. Seats2Meet will give this opportunity to many New Yorkers, because the software is expected to gain fast recognition among millennials, and other entrepreneurs who understand that the real meaning of a company is the human value over the physical establishment of it.
My job is to promote Seats2Meat in every possible place in the City in order to gain the proper insight of the market. Starting with Brooklyn and moving up to Manhattan, here is when contacts become crucial, so if any readers are interested in joining me in this adventure, you are more than welcome. The next step is to start this journey, exploring the concrete jungle where dreams are made of, so let’s hear it for New York!
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April 7, 2016
Leren werken en ondernemen in Society3.0 bij Peer Academy
Vorige week is de website live gegaan en we hebben veel leuke reacties gehad. De eerste filmpjes zijn al geüpload door mensen die een training willen winnen. De eerste training heeft plaatsgevonden met acht deelnemers die enthousiast reageerden. De eerstvolgende training is ‘Ondernemen in de netwerksamenleving, Society3.0’, die Yvonne Hogt geeft namens Seats2meet. Of ‘Creatief ondernemen, van idee naar concept’, door Herman Dummer. In dit blog lees je wat we met de Peer Academy neerzetten.
Erop inspelen of overbodig worden?
Bij de Peer Academy leer je als ondernemer en/of professional te werken en ondernemen in Society3.0 en Economy4.0. Je bent er nog niet als je weet wat Internet of Things of robotisering is. Wat betekent dit voor de economie: welke ontwikkelingen zullen in jouw sector zorgen dat bepaalde producten of diensten overbodig worden? Hoe kun je hierop inspelen met jouw bedrijf? Hoe kun je als bedrijf of professional in verbinding met je omgeving blijven? Tenslotte heb je als ondernemer ook hard te werken aan jezelf, dat je kennis bij blijft, dat je je tijd goed indeelt en of alles nog in balans is.
Daarom is het aanbod van de Peer Academy onderverdeeld in drie pijlers:
De netwerksamenleving en economie (macro)
De onderneming (Meso)
Persoonlijke ontwikkeling (Micro).
Gratis training
Je kunt nog steeds aanspraak maken op een gratis training: om te vieren dat we vorige week live zijn gegaan, geven we van elke training één plaats weg. Deze plaats kun je winnen, door uiterlijk één week voor de training op onze Facebook-pagina een filmpje of tekst te plaatsen waarin jij vertelt waarom jij die betreffende training wilt volgen. Een week voor de training verloten we de plek. Dus kies je training, pak je mobiel, film jezelf en plaats het filmpje of tekst snel op onze Facebook-pagina!
Kodak-momentje
De Peer Academy helpt professionals te werken en ondernemen in Society3.0 en Economy4.0. Veel bedrijven beleven een ‘Kodak-momentje’, omdat ze ingehaald worden door een disruptieve concurrent. Wat kun je hiertegen doen? Hoe kun je voorbereid zijn op Economy4.0 en je business zeker stellen? Maar ook: wat vraagt het van je ondernemersvaardigheden om in deze economie je bedrijf te runnen? In de trainingen ligt de nadruk op interactie, toepassen en van elkaar leren.
Kijk op www.peeracademy.nl voor meer informatie en het trainingsaanbod en volg ons op Facebook en Linkedin om verbonden te blijven met je peers (je studiegenoten dus).
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Share your #SerendipityMoment
Nowadays it isn’t so much about how much money you make, or where you’re from. Society is rather about the people you meet, the places you see and the developments you go through. And every once in a while this little thing we like to call ‘magic’ happens: Putting a smile on someone’s face, having an inspirational talk, meeting a person that transforms you or your business. Perhaps ‘magic’ is a bit too far-fetched, instead let’s refer to it as ‘Serendipity’. Serendipity truly is something magical, but it also has a different connotation for every individual.
At S2M we pride ourselves in facilitating serendipity, to help unexpected, relevant meetings happen as often and inspirational as possible.
And so when we tell people our core business is facilitating serendipity they always ask; but, what is serendipity?
There you have it: Se-ren-di-pi-ty. It’s quite a mouthful, and it’s difficult to fully understand without experiencing it for yourself. That’s why we want you to share your story with us. When was the last time that you met someone that gave your life a whole new twist?
So here’s a challenge for all you serendipity-lovers out there: Go to some amazing place and share your most awesome serendipity moment. Let’s start this challenge & make serendipity visible!
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How to summarize a 54-minute Hangout: The first S2M Hangout
After getting off to a rocky start (there were a lot of buttons….and wires….I was very, very confused), we had our first S2M Hosts & Ambassador Hangout on Tuesday! We hope the ambassadors present during the Hangout learned something, because we sure did (first of all: do not underestimate the difficulty of starting up a Hangout session..).
So what did we discuss?
Firstly, Mirjam started off with some general information about Seats2meet.com, what we do and how we do it. Really the general and practical information, for some of you this might be new and for others you just need a refresher; either way might be smart to watch!
A small catch-up on what we’re doing at S2M International, namely our S2M for Events and S2M for Locals project.
Nynke, our amazing intern working in Lisbon, shared her new project with us; the S2M Serendipity video! (more on this coming up soon)
Something came up that we’ve realized a lot over the past couple of months; how can you, as an ambassador, explain things to new locations if you haven’t been through the process yourself? For example, how do you know how a host can board his/her location or how they can adjust their opening times? Apart from looking around in the Ambassador Club (a tab in your S2M menu) you will soon be able to watch some simple Jing video manuals, I’ll be sure to send you a message when they’re available.
Also, what do you, as an ambassador, get out of being an S2M Ambassador? Be sure to check out this page.
Last but not least; how do you, as an ambassador or host, connect to people that are relevant to you and your business? Sharwari, our host and ambassador from Bangalore, came across this issue because she is one of the first locations in India. If nobody else knows about it, then how are you able to use the platform to connect to others? Luckily there are numerous platforms, for example the S2M virtual HQ, the S2M Magazine and the HQ Facebook group, where you are able to reach out to other hosts and ambassadors. They have probably gone through similar situations and might be able to give you some tips and tricks on how to deal with this!
Curious to know what else we discussed? You can watch the video here. Don’t worry; it starts off in Dutch but after a minute or so we switch to English.
Hope to see you all Tuesday May 3rd for the second S2M Host & Ambassador Hangout! Fill in this short form to sign up an let us know you’re coming!
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April 6, 2016
Schrap ‘pensioen regelen’ eindelijk van je to do lijst
Heb jij ‘pensioen regelen’ ook op je to-do-lijst staan en is het ieder jaar weer je goede voornemen om er eindelijk iets aan te doen? Tijd om het nu echt van je lijstje te schrappen!
Pensioen regelen is voor veel mensen een complexe taak. Hoe maak je een keuze uit de verschillende mogelijkheden van pensioenopbouw? Bovendien gaat pensioen over een periode van je leven waar je liever nog niet aan denkt. Allemaal redenen om het voor je uit te schuiven. Dat is nu verleden tijd. We maken pensioen zo simpel dat je het zelf kunt regelen!
In 4 stappen ben jij klaar voor je pensioen
We hebben een aantal handige tools ontwikkeld zodat je geen reden meer hebt om je pensioen uit te stellen. Bovendien zul je merken dat het makkelijker is dan je dacht!
Het Stappenplan
Stap 1. Maak een overzicht
Zorg ervoor dat je weet hoe je pensioen ervoor staat. Via Mijn Pensioenoverzicht kun je eenvoudig zien hoeveel je bij verschillende werkgevers hebt opgebouwd en wat je aan AOW kunt verwachten.
Stap 2. Maak een inschatting hoeveel pensioen je nodig hebt
Nu je weet hoeveel je van je reeds opgebouwde pensioen kunt verwachten, is het tijd om een schatting te maken van hoeveel pensioen je nodig hebt. Hou hierbij rekening met het volgende:
Je vaste lasten kunnen anders zijn dan nu. Heb je bijvoorbeeld je hypotheek geheel of gedeeltelijk afgelost tegen de tijd dat je met pensioen gaat, dan zijn je vaste lasten lager.
Met welke leeftijd wil je met pensioen? Als je langer blijft werken blijf je actief in de maatschappij en heb je minder pensioen nodig.
Stap 3. Bereken hoe je dit bedrag bij elkaar krijgt
Als je een schatting hebt gemaakt van hoeveel pensioen je nodig hebt, kun je met de pensioenindicator berekenen hoeveel geld je hiervoor opzij moet zetten.
Let op: Er is een wettelijk maximum bedrag dat je jaarlijks opzij mag zetten. Dit heet de jaarruimte. Gebruik de jaarruimtetool om te berekenen hoe hoog dit bedrag voor jou is.
Stap 4. Kies een aanbieder die bij je past
Je weet nu hoeveel vermogen je bij elkaar wilt sparen en hoeveel je hiervoor maandelijks opzij moet zetten. Het is tijd om te kiezen hoe en bij wie je dat doet. Lees in dit blog waar je allemaal op moet letten bij het kiezen van een aanbieder.
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Ronald van den Hoff – Introducing a new era
Seats2Meet is the place to be if you want to meet new people, get a coffee, and do some work all at the same time. As long as you’re contributing social capital, your coffee is free and you all have lunch together. There are excellent meeting rooms available for collaboration. As a freelancer, I can often be found here, and I’m curious about how S2M came to be. At the time of writing S2M consisted of 75 locations all over the world– an international success. Who better to speak with about the early days of the company and the ideas behind it than Ronald van den Hoff, founder of S2M? We won’t stick to these topics alone– Ronald is happy to share his vision of the future of work, education and technology. Armed with piping hot coffee we relocate to a quieter space in S2M Utrecht Central Station.
Seats2Meet has become a household name, even internationally. Where did it all start?
The idea of combining meetings, both work and social, came to me and my business partner Marielle Sijgers in 2000. We set up Meeting Plaza & Lounge because we noticed a change in society that our concept was supposed to help adapt people to. Unfortunately we were too early– the market wasn’t ready and we closed our business. In 2007 we were courageous enough to try again. This time around we did a more thorough and disruptive job; the beginning of Seats2Meet. The market was ready, and so were we.
What was your vision behind Seats2Meet?
My partner and I both had a background in the meeting and congress world. We wanted to create a space where we could offer these facilities, but also be accessible to the growing number of freelancers. The central space for S2M would be the room where freelancers could work for free. The spaces round the center would be rented out to companies, or could be used to give workshops and the like. We were hoping to seat about five to ten freelancers every day, but then suddenly we were overrun by them.
At S2M you ‘pay’ with social capital, what does that mean?
Your workplace at S2M won’t cost you any money, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have to pay. Social capital is our currency: when you come here to do your work, you increase your visibility by signing up online. This way you’re telling the community what you have to share, and what your expertise is. Using that information you’ll be matched, meaning you’ll have unexpected meetings with people who could be relevant to your interests. This generates worth and that becomes the total added value of S2M. The online system is a big help, but it’s noticeable that people will start a conversation during lunch, when sharing a desk or over a coffee. There’s an atmosphere of openness that makes initiating contact easy.
A changing society
There’s an online knowledge sharing development (Google), a social contact development (Facebook) and the next step seems to be online organization of work. How long do you think it will take for all of us to get used to that?
I give it five to ten years maximum before all of this is completely integrated. We’re further into this phase than you might think. We’ve been exchanging online services and products for a while now and are moving towards an autonomous world. Our environments will become more automatized and algorithms will start to make more choices for us.
An example: you’re here in this building. In a few years this building will know you’re here and will start to adapt to your needs. When you walk outside you’ll get advice on how to travel to your next meeting on your phone, for example. All your schedules, contacts, locations etc. will communicate with each other. It won’t be long until a number of these applications, data and networks are coupled to one another. That’s where it all starts.
We’re not familiar with worth generation in any other form than an organization in a large building. That image will disappear in the coming few years.
I can imagine that if someone checks in for the third time here at S2M there’s a big chance they’ve already met someone they would like to work with. It would be convenient for people to be alerted of the existence of Part-up when they walk in the door for the third time, so they can start working together with the people they’ve met and invite others. On your first visit you’re too preoccupied by other things, so the third visit would be best. We would also use Part-up to notify people when their fellow team members are in.
The future of work and education
How is the way we perceive work changing?
All we know is one way of generating worth: organizations in a big building. This image will disappear in the coming years. It has nothing to do with today’s dynamics. We will be able to use collaboration software such asPart-up, and this new software and way of thinking will help the pieces fall into place. We’ll be taking a step in the direction of a new kind of worth generation, with each other as a society.
Without this image of working in offices how will our image of ‘working’ look?
Organization without hierarchy or a separate building. What could that possibly add? Take banks for example, they’re being replaced by much cleverer applications, algorithms and data systems. The fact that a few things aren’t allowed legally or impeded by politicians and multinationals is a problem. The establishment trying to stop new developments: absolutely counterproductive.
Uber doesn’t own any cars, AirBnB doesn’t own any buildings, Thuisbezorgd doesn’t own any kitchens but they are the largest players in their own sector. And if any of the aforementioned aspects try to stop them a local alternative will pop up soon. There’s no stopping this. You cannot discount the value of these services– they are already here. This exact thing will happen in the case of work. You won’t own any employees, you’ll work together, you won’t have to have an office to work in. That will all change completely.
If our way of working will be so different, what will schools look like in 10 years?
Until puberty learning together and from one another is important so that will stay the same. Afterwards knowledge can be gained online, including coaching in groups. This won’t be either fully physical or fully online, there has to be a balance. There will always be people who want to study Ancient Greek until their thirties, and that’s fine. The old won’t just be gone suddenly and it’s an important part of our culture and history. I can imagine though that children, when they reach 18, will become entrepreneurs: a life of learning by doing.
Introducing a new era
You aren’t just the founding father of S2M but you also set up Society 3.0. How are these related?
Society 3.0 is the vision that forms the basis for S2M. At one time I started writing down my thoughts and visions. First in the form of blogs, then in a book and now Society 3.0 is a publisher for similar books, with similar ideas. Ultimately it’s a kind of content provider– a new wave publisher. We’re looking at what this is good for and what is necessary. Society 3.0 is the vision that provides the context within which S2M works. We need people to keep understanding why we do what we do. Someone has to provide new developments and ideas because the established power won’t.
Do you feel responsible for carrying out your vision?
Yes, I definitely feel responsible. Mostly because we cannot expect the establishment to do so, partly because I have ideas that are speaking to other people. I can contribute something, and so I do. My generation has been messed up by current views on work, so as long as we can contribute to a better future we should.
Speaking at the Part-up Event
The Part-up event on April 18 will take place at S2M Utrecht Centraal. You’ll be speaking about your vision– what can we expect?
We’ll be talking about cities. I’m demonstrating the development of a connection between local and global activity, which is creating a new type of economic collaboration which I call interdependent economy. The need for new products around us that used to only be within companies such as an HRM department, administration or management will increase. A team of three to ten people will need to have access to these resources. I will be talking about why access is essential, which is an interesting connection to Part-up.
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The Spring Rural Coliving Safari is here
Pandorahub presents the Spring Rural Coliving Safari. An opportunity to get to know this stunning rural locations during a 6-weeks coliving tour April 15th-May 29th. On the way you will be able to join courses, festivals and events on coliving, coworking and good life in nature.
The program
Here goes the detailed plan for this 6-weekend rural madness. You can simply stay in our partner accommodations for 2, 4, 8 or 15 days or also participate in the events, festivals and courses that will take place during the Safari.
Stage 1 – Coliving in an Abandoned Village with Startups
Solanell (April 15-17)
WHAT WILL HAPPEN HERE?
PANDORAHUB FUN! Startup – Cathar Weekend Part II is the 3rd startup acceleration program ofr Pandorahub. Last time we gathered 30 startups in the abandoned village Solanell. 8 will repeat the experience, this time with more intensity. We have brought together impact-driven startups on the pre-launch of a new product or first MVP. A weekend to bring your knowledge of Lean Startup to the next level and become a pitch ninja. Yes! You are still some on time to apply left :D!
RURAL COLIVING
The sun always shines on Solanell. All day long, the whole year round. The last inhabitant of Solanell abandoned the village in 1972. Did you ever slept in an abandoned village before?
MORE ABOUT SOLANELL
Stage 2 – Catch up on the good life
Can Valldaura (April 29-30)
WHAT WILL HAPPEN HERE?
Le Cool Festival, a path to a better life organized by Le Cool Magazine in partnership with Pandorahub and other good life movers and rural shakers
RURAL COLIVING
Can Valldaura is hosting Valldarura Labs, a project promoted by IaaC (Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia) for the creation of a self-sufficient habitat research centre. Located in the Collserola Natural Park, in the heart of the metropolitan area of Barcelona
Stage 3 – Rebuild your career while rebuilding an abandoned village
Solanell (May 6-8)
WHAT WILL HAPPEN HERE?
A Career Rebuilding Course (held in Spanish), the 3rd one organized by Pandorahub and the 2nd one held in the abandoned village of Solanell
RURAL COLIVING
We will come back to Solanell, the ideal location for literally starting to rebuild your professional career while volunteering in the rebuilding works.
MORE ABOUT SOLANELL
Stage 4 – We love Sharing Economy Startups
Riba-roja d’Ebre (May 13-15)
WHAT WILL HAPPEN HERE?
Sharing Startups Acceleration Weekend (TBA) will be the 4th startup acceleration program held by Pandorahub in collaboration with Ouishare, this time addressed to sharing economy startup founders, sharing economy friendly startups and big corporations.
RURAL COLIVING
In one of the meanders of the river Ebro, you will find a little village called Riba-roja d’Ebre. A strategic enclave on the trading route ofSirga Path from the times of the Roman Empire. It is now a renowned destination for catching the enormous Siluro fish.
MORE ABOUT RIBA-ROJA
Stage 5 – Rural Coliving and Coworking next to Barcelona
Can Valldaura (May 19-20)
WHAT WILL HAPPEN HERE?
Coworking Spain Conference, the yearly gathering of coworkers, space managers and coworking friends in Spain.
RURAL COLIVING
We will come back to Valldaura, our partner rural location nearest from Barcelona where Coworking Spain Conference will take place this year.
Stage 6 – Rural Pop UpCoworkation trip for digital nomads
More info coming soon..
For more information please click here.
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April 4, 2016
Syrians2Meet: The stories behind this event.
On the 25th of February Seats2meet UtrechtCS hosted an event named; Syrians2meet. During this event entrepreneurial Syrian refugees were invited to talk with local entrepreneurs about how they could reinforce each other. I wanted to do something to help the integration process of the Syrian refugees.I decided to capture some of the amazing stories these people brought with them to be able to show dutch citizens the positive side of their arrival to our country.
My name is Imad. I am from Syria and am 22 years old. I studied IT in Syria. I got in The Netherlands one year and a half ago and live in Houten. I didn’t have the opportunity to work in Syria. When I finished my studies I fled from my country. In the Netherlands I found nice and friendly people, here are a lot of chance and opportunities. In September I will start my bachelor studies in Utrecht. For the future I expect to graduate and find a nice job. After that I am thinking of opening my own software company with friends. From here I see a brilliant future. What I want people to know is that being a refugee is not a choice. There are a lot of people who look at us like we are from Mars. This is not right. We are all people. We might not have the same culture, habits and language but at the end we are all human beings.
“The children are the future!” O’don Wani Isunga is committed to mentoring and coaching children, he has worked for seven years as an mentor (?) and coach with troubled young people and (underaged ?) asylum seekers. Ten years ago O’don came to the Netherlands as a political refugee from Congo. Now O’don created his business OudNieuwsmetO’don. A service company, which focuses on the recycling of old materials, so an important part of the accumulating clutter is reduced. The materials he focuses on include cardboard, waste paper, scrap metal, wood, old electrical parts, and so on. In short, a company that deals with the future and a green way of life.
My name is Amany. I am from Syria. I am 25 years old. I was working in Syria as a nurse. I have been here for 3 months now. For the last 3 months it as been hard, we have been trying to learn dutch and study. Is boring to not having a job, be sitting. For me is very hard because I used to work in Syria, after that I went to Lebanon and also worked there, so this is the first time in my life I am not working. I hope I can continue my studies and find an internship quickly. Some people think Syrians don’t have any background. We studied, we worked, we went to universities just as people here. Some traditions are different but we are more similar than we think.
My name is Feras, I am 41. I am Syrian and have been in Holland for 10 months now. I used to be a graphic designer there. I brought my family with me; my wife, my daughters and me. So far The Netherlands had treated me really well. It Is an amazing country; amazing and friendly people. They all respect my family and me. I want to do something in return to this country because I was so welcomed. I hope to have a job and make more friends. I have 3 daughters and I want to give them the opportunity to study and have diplomas, the best future for them. I know that there are a lot of propaganda against refugees and at the same time some of them do bad things. They do not stand for all the Syrians. Our people love and life and want to do good things. If you want to help us just sit with us for a little bit, hear what was our problem, why we got here. After that make you decision of what you think of us. I really want to thank The Netherlands and dutch people for welcoming me.
My name is Mohammed, I am 22 years old. I live near Utrecht. I have been in The Netherlands for one year and two months. I studied information management in Damascus University and also worked with IT. Here in The Netherlands I am a volunteer for the red cross so I meet a lot of people. I am preparing to do my Master here. About the Syrian they are really cool people you just have to get to know them. If you want to help us the best thing is to help teach the language. Give us a voice. In Syria the only ones that are losing are the people.ii
My name is Esther; I am 28 years old. I am working for the new dutch connections. That is an organization that is working with refugees. Their goal is to make them take the advantage of being here, even if you are isolated on a camp without access to work or study. We try to find alternative ways to get them started in their new life. As a dutch person you hear in the news that there are lots of Syrians coming over so we have to do more border control, keep them outside, do this, do that. Truth is whatever you think they are here. There is no way of keeping them out. What is happening on Syria is horrible. You should ask them what they went through. Is beyond our imagination. Now they are here what we should is ask ourselves: what are we going to do about it? You can either say you don’t them here, say that they are from a different culture, they don’t understand the language or we can say: now that you are here what can we do and can you do for us so we can integrate as a society. The fact is that those people are survivors. They took a risk to make something of their life, so for them is awful sitting around and waiting for other people to making decisions for them to get started. This should be the other way around. Let them start tor themselves, give them the opportunity. They can learn from us and we can learn from them as well. The most important thing right now is to meet them, go talk to one another and build trust, ask questions. We are curious and they are as well. In that way we can also know in what they are good at and create even more opportunities.
“New opportunities with an ancient material” Koen van Oostende is talking about hemp. The industrial variant, which was used (for a long time: dubbelop met 1000s of years) in many cultures for thousands of years. This variant can’t be smoked in order to become high. Over the past 100 years, this version of hemp has fallen out of favor, and is now making its comeback. The Hemp Collective is working with Syrian refugees to improve its website and presentation. Two talented Syrian designers also created a 3D model for Koen’s start-up company
Photographer: Michiel Ton Event Photographer
Inverviews by: Beatriz Bremer
More pictures of this event: Here
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Self-publishing a business roadstory
Veel mensen hebben wel een idee voor een betere wereld. Toch komen ze niet altijd aan de uitvoering ervan toe, en conformeren ze zich aan de dagelijkse status quo. En dat terwijl wereldwijde veranderingen juist voor een enorme opschudding van die status quo aan het zorgen zijn.
In 2015 reed ik daarom in 6 maanden m’n 40-jaar oude Moto Guzzi 17.000 km van Chili naar New York. De reis stond o.a. in VICE en in de Huffington Post. Seats2meet was een belangrijke partner van de reis, voor wie ik in Zuid-Amerika mensen en bedrijven heb bezocht die een interessante toevoeging voor het S2M-netwerk zijn.
Onderweg bezocht ik verder 37 social businesses die bewust de keuze hebben gemaakt om het anders te gaan doen en die allemaal aan een betere wereld werken.
Bijvoorbeeld Laboratoria in Lima, Peru, dat meisjes uit de sloppenwijken leert programmeren en daarmee een van de belangrijkste recruiters werd voor grote bedrijven als LinkedIn en Google.
En Crepes&Waffles, de grootste restaurantketen van Colombia, met vestigingen in 8 landen. Het bedrijf transformeert hun inkoopketen naar duurzame producten via het opzetten van lokale projecten in kwetsbare gebieden. Ook bestaat 90% van hun 4.000 werknemers uit alleenstaande moeders.
In de nazomer van 2016 verschijnt het boek over deze reis en de bedrijven. Het boek laat zien hoe iedereen een spirited en betekenisvol leven kan boosten, en introduceert winstgevende social business modellen.
Ben je geïnteresseerd en wil je hier meer over weten? Vanwege de partnership met Seats2meet bied ik jou, als gebruiker van het S2M platform, graag een voucher aan voor 15% korting op het boek. Vul daarvoor SEATS2MEET in op bit.ly/preorderCLA. Om het boek zonder uitgever te kunnen uitbrengen, is het doel om via de voorverkoop 1.000 boeken te verkopen vóór 1 juli. Met jouw preorder help je het boek dus een grote stap verder.
RIDE ON.
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