Wed, 06 May 2026 15:16:21 +0200 Wed, 06 May 2026 15:16:21 +0200 ContentFeeder 2.0 The Do’s and Don’ts of Social Recruitment

According to the Arberdeen group, 73% of millennials found their last job through a social media site. The use of social platforms as a talent database or advertising platform is a shift in the employment landscape that takes advantage of online engagement to actively seek out top talent through building company brand awareness and online reputation. Having a company with a large online presence that clearly communicates its values significantly reduces the time it takes to fill in vacancies.

With 75% of potential hires not actively searching for a new role, it is up...]]> Tue, 19 Mar 2019 15:46:44 +0100   Europe is in panic since the British majority voted for leaving the European Union. What does this means for the Netherlands and the Dutch economy?
According to new figures from the national statistics office CBS, the Netherlands earned €20.5bn last year exporting goods and services to Britain, the equivalent of 3% of GDP. This makes the UK the Netherlands’ second most important export market after Germany. Belgium is in third place, followed by the US and France, the CBS said.

A British withdrawal from the EU will cost the Dutch economy €10bn in lost income by 2030, according to calculations...]]> Mon, 27 Jun 2016 13:04:24 +0200
Starting a Business in The Netherlands – How Do You Employ

Starting your own business gives a strong feeling of freedom and independence concerning the decisions you make; however, it may also have risks. It requires a lot of thinking through and it takes a lot of time. Start-up businesses tend to have a disadvantage statistically. According to the Entrepreneur, 55% of start-up businesses “tend to no longer be operational by the 5th year”. It goes to show that creating a business is but the first step, while sustaining and keeping it functional is a different step to overcome.

Businesses are no...]]> Fri, 10 Jun 2016 08:38:21 +0200
According to BBC news, the growth in the economy of the 19 nation bloc has doubled from the 0,3% rate recorded in the previous quarter, and was above analysts’ expectations of 0,4%. With this growth, the data from Eurostat showed that the unemployment rate of 10,2% is at its lowest in the last four-and-a-half years, and the economy is bigger than it was before the financial crisis, eight years ago.
Howard Archer, economist at IHS Global Insight, said that Eurozone should be able to sustain growth of about 0,4% quarter-to-quarter, but he warned that several factors can influence it like...]]> Mon, 02 May 2016 21:29:13 +0200 Shell Offers Well-Paid Office Staff Redundancy, Hundreds of Jobs to Go   According to the DutchNews.nl, Shell cuts operating costs by offering office personnel earning more than €75,000 a voluntary package to leave the company. The company made an offer to staff at Shell’s training and R&D centres in Rijswijk and Amsterdam, as well as at the Shell HQ in The Hague and at NAM, Shell’s natural gas joint venture with ExxonMobil. Because of shortage of skilled staff, the staff at the Pernis petrochemicals plant is not included. The workforce in Shell in the Netherlands is approximately 10,000 and between 15-20% is expected...]]> Fri, 22 Apr 2016 08:38:12 +0200 The American Starwood Hotels & Resorts Monday agreed an increased takeover bid from rival Mariott International. Marriott declared earlier in the day a total of $ 13.6 billion (12.1 billion euros) to put on the table for Starwood. This brings the famous hotel chain Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, Sheraton and Le Meridien under one roof. The companies reached in November already agreed on a merger. Marriott would initially pay $ 12.2 billion for the ownership of Hotel Des Indes in The Hague and the Sheraton at Schiphol.

Last week, a group of investors led by the Chinese insurer Anbang raised the stakes with a counter...]]> Tue, 22 Mar 2016 09:29:44 +0100 Investments in the Netherlands increased in January, but at a weaker pace than in previous months, reports CBS.

Capital expenditure in the first month of this year went up by 4.2 percent in January 2015. This followed a double-digit growth in the last two months of last year.
The strong growth was primarily caused by the surge in car sales by companies in anticipation of new tax rules applicable since 1st January.
The investments which grew this year include residential, freight, infrastructure, and equipment investments. According to CBS, the conditions for investment in March are now less favourable than in...]]> Mon, 21 Mar 2016 09:10:40 +0100 The FNV wants to see money from former directors and supervisors of Meavita. The union is preparing a claim for over 700,000 euros.
“The health care workers, despite the financial chaos always worked as normal at Meavita. Thanks to them, there was good care. Now it's time to settle. It is important that the damage they caused due to their bankruptcy being fixed in 2009, '' said FNV director Gijs van Dijk.

Meavita fell prey to mismanagement of the summit and the supervisory board. This makes it clear that once and for controlling and monitoring are not just part-time jobs,...]]> Thu, 17 Mar 2016 10:29:33 +0100 Employment figures for the EU began to see growth in the last quarter of 2015. The number of persons in employment increased by 0.3 percent compared to the previous quarter.
This was made apparent this Tuesday from Eurostat. The growth rate is the same as in the third quarter of 2015.

On an annual basis, employment increased by 1.2 percent in the euro area. Late last year, 151.9 million people had jobs in the eurozone.

Across the European Union, employment increased by 0.1 percent on a quarterly basis. Compared with a year earlier increased the number of jobs by 1...]]> Wed, 16 Mar 2016 10:15:31 +0100 Supermarket chain Plus is making financial progress this year. Over the previous year, the grocer took more sales, seeingrising profits and also an increase to its market share.
''It's been an exceptionally good year,” concluded CEO Jan Brouwer Tuesday at the announcement of the annual results.

Plus saw its consumer sales grow by just 9 percent to 2.2 billion euros last year. Excluding 53rd week, sales growth was 6.5 percent. Towards the end of 2015, Plus had 262 stores. That's seven more than a year earlier.

The result of this expansion in market share meant it saw its operating profits...]]> Tue, 15 Mar 2016 10:05:54 +0100 Workers now have less energy than two years ago. This has been caused by increased pressure, feeling the need to work harder, and the performance bar being raised.

There's a growing group of employees that are increasingly under pressure. These people, some 40 percent of the workers, are mainly engaged in meeting short-term goals and solving immediate problems. Self-interest goes beyond cooperation and tensions and frustrations regularly flare up. The number of employees that feel 'laid back' in their work, has now declined, probably due tov the increasing pressure from an improving economy and the threat of mass layoffs.

Productivity...]]> Wed, 09 Mar 2016 13:30:33 +0100 More women start their own business, according to new figures from the Central Bureau for Statistics (CBS). While the number of women in senior positions remaining in business with the efforts of the government, the number of female entrepreneurs is clearly on the rise, according to the statistics bureau.

In 2014, 37 percent of all entrepreneurs were female, and it was 31 percent in 2007. Women tend to start businesses in retail, as outsourced management or organisers, or in the hairdressing and beauty sector.

Also, many women are self-employed in the care or home care sector. In all companies, entrepreneurial...]]> Tue, 08 Mar 2016 13:33:32 +0100 According to FNV chairmain Ton Heerts, the Prime Minister Mark Rutte needs to address the abuse of EU rules on migrant workers during the Dutch presidency of the European Union. In particular Heerts referred to a case in dutch shipbuilding, where Romanian welders worked for below minimum wage.

Workers from an EU country who work in another Member State are subject to contribute to the rules of the country where they work. But there is an exception to the workers by the company from their own country to another EU country are posted.

However, legally this can be exploited and...]]> Mon, 07 Mar 2016 08:45:48 +0100 The First Chamber has adopted the 'House for Whistleblowers Bill.' This will probably become effective on July 1, 2016. The law should make it easier to expose wrongdoing, but lawyers are not yet convinced that this is going to work.

The establishment of the House for Whistleblowers is one of the elements of the law. The objective is that the House will operate as an independent administrative institute which aims to provide advice to whistleblowers and protect their claim, and investigate potential business misconduct.

This should make it easier to bring abuses out into the public, but not everyone is...]]> Thu, 03 Mar 2016 10:41:55 +0100 The Dutch population bought a total of 449 thousand new cars last year, 16 percent more than in 2014. Vehicle sales grew faster than the average in the European Union.
Across the EU 9 percent more cars were sold. According to CBS, Dutch sales growth figures for vehicles are one of the highest in Europe.

In Ireland car sales rose most, by nearly 30 percent. In Cyprus and Portugal, sales were a quarter ahead. The Dutch percentage grew faster than Germany, Britain, and France. Estonia and Luxembourg are the only countries where sales shrank.

The increase in the Netherlands is...]]> Wed, 02 Mar 2016 09:32:07 +0100 The growing amount of cargo traffic to the Port of Rotterdam helped bring more sales throughout last year. Despite this, the amount of profit was somewhat lower than a year earlier. This is due to the redemption of a long-term loan that was contracted for the construction of the Second Maasvlakte.

CFO Paul Smits spoke of favourable developments this Tuesday. A positive cash flow was achieved for the second year in a row, which made it possible to continue investing in the port while also reducing the amount of debt.

Sales increased by 2.6 percent to 677 million euros, mainly...]]> Tue, 01 Mar 2016 12:38:49 +0100 Asscher, the Minister of Social Affairs and Employment, wants to replaced the current training and development funds with individual training rights and duties for all. This would be for freelancers, fixed, and flexible workers, and should make it easier for them to engage in retraining or further training.

It is important for employers to focus on additional training, because there are many changes happening in the labour market through digitisation. It is often the case that training fundsn are only used within their own sector. According to Asscher, this approach is too old-fashioned. “Take the dramatic resignation of 8 thousand...]]> Mon, 29 Feb 2016 09:42:13 +0100 Less and less people want to work for very large companies. Their popularity has been greatly reduced, according to research by Intelligence Group, who undertook a study among 14,000 persons from the Dutch workforce.

Intelligence Group regularly examines what employers are the favourites in The Netherlands. This year, it appears that there is still a top 10 to be made, but they all lost popularity. Geert-Jan Waasdorp, Director of Intelligence Group, states that this trend has already been recognizable for na while, “but it has never been more evident. As many as eight of the ten best slipped in popularity....]]> Tue, 23 Feb 2016 09:40:24 +0100 Many Dutch people hold education and training alongside their work, a total of 1.6 million people aged 25 to 65 years, according to figures from CBS.

In addition to this, around 40 percent of professionals are currently busy with training.

These are mainly people from around thirty years old who attend courses. That's because they often need to be incorporated for a first job. People with higher education often learn more at a higher speed than people with less education. This varies from workshops, to learning Spanish or art history to a complete course in higher education.

Within the European...]]> Mon, 22 Feb 2016 09:27:48 +0100 The Tweede Kamer (House of Representitives) has called for more verifification on whether package deliverers are self employed. The Kamer is concerned about the self-employed labourers who act as if theyhave been employed normally because they have to comply with many rules and PostNL obligations. Ultimately, the Kamer did not agree.

VVD MP Bas van 't Wout indicated this position, which caused frowns in Parliament. Coalition partner PvdA wondered if this kind of work has to be done by the self-employed. Parliamentarian Mei Li Vos fears “cut-throat competition on working conditions.”

Minister Asscher pointed out the limited role of labour...]]> Thu, 18 Feb 2016 09:33:53 +0100 Multinational company Unilever intends to move much of its IT moved abroad. Because of this, two hundred redundancies will be made in the Netherlands, as declared by the laundry and food manufacturer, last Wednesday. In addition, about forty temporary workers will also lose their jobs.

The FNV trade union spoke of a “massive migration of positions at Unilever to low-wage countries.” The functions will not expire, but will be transferred to locations such as Mexico, Bangalore, Manila, and Katowice.

Unilever said their commitment is still focused on guiding the supernumeraries for new work. This move is designed to further centralise...]]> Wed, 17 Feb 2016 09:59:06 +0100 Invoices from Dutch companies were quickly met in 2015. A bill was paid after an average of 42.3 days. That is about 4 percent faster than the previous year.
“In the last quarter of 2015, we even hit a record of 40.9 days, down nearly 7 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2014,” said Graydon research agency. “Invoices have never before been so quickly fulfilled.”

This improvement is evident in all sectors, but the business services sector runs with an average of 36.8 days in the last quarter of 2015.
“Thanks to better payment behaviour, entrepreneurs have more space...]]> Tue, 16 Feb 2016 10:24:06 +0100 The American manufacturer of electric vehicles, Tesla Motors, has put a loss on the books for the eleventh quarter in a row. Although there was an increase in the number of Teslas' Model S sold, this was not sufficient to compensate for rising costs.

Tesla realised a loss of $114 million (100.77 million euros) in the fourth quarter. That was a year before a negative result of 16.2 million dollars. Tesla had a total revenue of $ 1.8 billion, almost 60 percent more than a year earlier.

The company of Elon Musk thinks that it must sell at least 90...]]> Sat, 13 Feb 2016 09:45:29 +0100 State Secretary of finance Eric Wiebes admits that there are mistakes in the model contracts for freelancers who have also checked the tax authorities.

Wiebes gave permission to concerned trade associations to publish model contracts that have been officially assessed for tax-relevant provisions. However, Wiebes now regrets this earlier commitment. In certain provisions, indemnities for clients have been included which do not comply with their legal liability.

indemnities

Belangenorganisatie ZZP Nederland (Advocates for Dutch Freelancers) found such disclaimers in contracts for tennis teachers and music teachers among others. The contract states that contractors must give their clients a safeguard if...]]> Thu, 11 Feb 2016 09:50:13 +0100 Japanese brewer Asahi has reportedly reached an agreement with company SABMiller over the acquisition of Grolsch and the italian Peroni. The merger alledgely amounted to 400 billion yen (3.1 billion euros), though Asahi would not confirm the report made by the Nikkei this Wednesday.

Asahi is Japan's largest brewer with a market share of 38 percent. The company would like to have more activities outside Japan as beer sales remain in the Asian country. The population is aging and wine is slowly becoming a more popular option.

Even larger acquisitions afoot
The reasoning for Asahi not confirming the mergers is...]]> Wed, 10 Feb 2016 09:54:08 +0100

More than 300 foreign companies like Yara and easyJet jointly invested € 1.87 billion in the Netherlands last year. Together these companies created an additional 9,300 jobs. The Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) and its regional partners, like the WestHolland Foreign Investment Agency (WFIA), assisted in the attraction of these investment projects. In the past year they joined forces under the Invest in Holland label.

WestHolland
The WFIA helped a record number of 44 foreign companies last year to establish new offices or relocate within the region. These companies account for a total of 350 new jobs. In addition to...]]> Tue, 09 Feb 2016 11:09:51 +0100 In 2014, one third of employees in the public service sector had to deal with violence and aggression. The government will continue efforts to reduce aggression and violence against public servants, as Minister Plasterk of the Interior stated.

While working in public tasks, suffering from aggression and violence is not just annoying for these employees. “It provides a significant cost for society,” says Plasterk.

Victims of aggression and violence are more prone to health problems, fail more often, and are less satisfied with their work and working conditions.

healthcare
The healthcare sector is where most employees have to deal with...]]> Wed, 03 Feb 2016 17:44:38 +0100 In the Netherlands, more than 700 thousand workers have a delay in their language use, which creates adverse effects in the workplace. Minister Asscher signed a Language Agreement with 35 employers from this data, last December. Recently, Randstad, Adecco, MatchHQ, SWA In-Person, and Driessen HRM also joined the agreement.

Around 700 thousand employees in The Netherlands have difficulty with reading, writing, and communicating in Dutch. The effects are clearly visible in the workplace. The reading of care records or safety instructions could, for example, leads to difficulties. The Language Agreement should have an effect on employers, making them give a...]]> Wed, 03 Feb 2016 17:39:00 +0100 Employers have little regard for complaints of menopausal women. The European Menopause and Andropause Society (EMAS) has therefore made recommendations on how companies can deal with it.

As more women participate in the workforce and also work longer, symptoms of menopause at work are coming up more often. Employers should take this into account in determining their working conditions so that they avoid worsening symptoms.

Menopause

Women go through menopause usually when they are between 45 and 55 years when they stop menstruating. This can cause symptoms such as insomnia and mood swings, though not every woman in menopause are...]]> Wed, 27 Jan 2016 17:36:17 +0100 PostNL has signed a definitive agreement on the working conditions of postal workers.
The members of the relevant trade unions have agreed on the principle agreement reached in December, the postal company announced Wednesday.

In the collective agreement, there are agreements on a wage increase. The deliverers will, as of 1 January, earn 0.9 percent more and as of July 1, they will receive a further 0.5 percent. In January and July 2017 there will be two salary increases also with 0.9 and 0.5 percent respectively.

Mail deliverers will henceforth receive an expense allowance ranging from 70 to 105 euros...]]> Wed, 27 Jan 2016 17:56:47 +0100 One in ten Dutch companies with ten or more employees is a 'fast grower'. At these companies, the number of workers have increase by an average annual rate of 21 percent between 2011 and 2014. In total, almost six thousand companies in this category, reports the Central Bureau of Statistics (Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek, CBS).

The number of fast-growing companies has decreased compared to 2010 by about 8 percent, although the proportion in relation to the number of surviving firms remained the same. The number of employees at fast growing companies increased by more than 286 thousand, between 2011...]]> Wed, 27 Jan 2016 17:48:54 +0100 Energy Companies in The Netherlands are not generating nearly enough green power to meet the demands from their own country. Unless consumers specifically ask for Dutch green power, they often get their green electricity generated from the power outlet from abroad.

This is according to figures from Certiq, the subsidiary electricity transmission operator which issues certificates for energy generated from solar, wind, water and biomass.

Green energy is managed by Certificates of Origin (Certificaten van Oorsprong, CVOs) issued by energy companies, which show where it is generated. More and more people want to know where their green power comes from....]]> Wed, 27 Jan 2016 17:44:37 +0100 Smart HBO students are back in demand on the Dutch labour market. This means that graduates will be able to more easily start a career and will increase the demand for HR professionals. This is evident from the annual Global Salary Survey conducted by the recruitment consultancy Robert Walters.

Graduates are looking towards other opportunities, among which are jobs in logistics and IT, marketing, finance, sales and marketing. The main reason for the shift is the space on the labour market. The number of jobs has increased by 13 percent and there is more confidence among employees in their own...]]> Wed, 27 Jan 2016 17:40:53 +0100 In this particular case, the employee wanted to terminate their employment contract while being granted a transitional allowance and an additional fair compensation because of seriously culpable conduct by the employer.

The case

The 63-year-old worker has been a notarial assistant employed by a notary office since 1993. From the moment the worker was affected by a partial disability, meaning they had to work fewer hours, the employer began to act inappropriatly and in an unacceptable manner towards her. This behaviour consisted of unacceptable language, swearing, cursing, ranting, and statements such as 'I'll harass you out of this job,' 'Hey,...]]> Sun, 24 Jan 2016 18:36:56 +0100 With the envisaged Wet Deregulering Arbeidsrelaties (Deregulation of Labour Relations Act, DBA), acting as the replacement of the Verklaring arbeidsrelatie (Declaration of Independent Contractor Status, VAR), many companies are now afraid that the freelancers they hired can hold greater sway in their dismissal, rather than based upon the limits of their contract. Businesses are working hard to shift the risks.

If the Senate agrees with the DBA, it will come into force by April 1, 2016. The Minister of Finance Weibe first wanted the law to take effect on January 1, 2016, but delayed it after objections from the Senate....]]> Wed, 20 Jan 2016 15:04:02 +0100 There has never been a single best way to recruit new members into a company or organisation. Most companies follow the same basic set of rules. However, one start-up has decided to try a different method. This company is Automattic, ran by Matt Mullenweg, the creator of WordPress. Automattic employs around 4 hundred people. While they do have a headquarters, almost all of their employees work from home. When they get accepted for their position within the company, they're given 2.5 thousand dollars to buy themselves the much needed technology to develop for their business. If this is not enough of...]]> Thu, 14 Jan 2016 14:10:30 +0100 Something as simple as getting a bag of sweets is already sufficient to stimulate the memory. Indeed, anything which tickles your funny bone also ensures an improvement on memory and makes decision-making smoother.

One study has demonstrated this effect on older adults for the first time. Professor Ellen Peters, who co-conducted the study on this: “There have been many studies showing that young adults are more creative and have greater cognitive flexibility if they are in a good mood. However, the cognitive decline as a result of ageing meant that scientists were not sure whether this effect also applies to...]]> Fri, 08 Jan 2016 13:14:18 +0100 Due to a higher than expected number of passengers between 2014 and 2015, as well as the results of an effective cost cutting program, Schiphol airport are now in a position to decrease their airport fees substantially for the second consecutive year, in 2016.

As per April 1, 2015, the airport already announced an average decrease of their fees by 6.8 percent. After consultations with the airlines, today Schiphol announces an average decrease of 11.6 percent. By doing this, Schiphol will be able to maintain a strong international competitive position. The lower fees will be in effect as of April 1, 2016.

The substantial growth in...]]> Fri, 08 Jan 2016 14:23:26 +0100 Most Dutch workers will be able to spend a little more this year. This is thanks to the cuts in taation made by the Government. This means almost all Dutch employees will see an improvement in the condition of their wages. In addition, employers' costs are also falling this year higher.

Minimum wage earners receive will recieve a net increase of 76 euros per month. Those who earn the dutch average income, 2816 euros per month will benefit by an extra 69 euros per month. However, those who earn around one and a half times the average income will miss...]]> Fri, 08 Jan 2016 13:05:06 +0100 The term 'groupthink' tends to have a negative connotation. Team Thinking, however, is something positive. Leadership Expert Kevin Eikenberry explains the difference between group thinking and team thinking and shows how to avoid groupthink.

Groupthink

The concept of groupthink was introduced in the 70s in a book by Yale professor Irving Janis. Wikipedia gives the following definition: "Groupthink is a psychosocial phenomenon, in which a group of very skilled people so influenced by group, the quality diminishes group acts It occurs when group members pay attention primarily on maintaining consensus and unanimity when. decision-making process instead of a critical consideration...]]> Mon, 04 Jan 2016 15:44:17 +0100 The government does not intend to restrict the encryption of data, for example by requiring backdoors in software.
This comes from a statement from Minister Van der Steur (Justice and Security) to parliament.

The Minister pointed out that data encryption is important for the protection of personal data and confidential information. At the same time, encryption complicates the work of the intelligence services, because it also offers criminals the ability to encrypt their communications and their data.

However, according to the minister, there are no possibilities to limit the encryption of data without thereby compromised the security of digital systems....]]> Mon, 04 Jan 2016 15:42:09 +0100 The sale of used cars grew by 2 percent in The Netherlands, last year.
Especially car companies sold more used cars, sales between consumers decreased, reports voertuiginformatie en -documentatie (Vehicle information and documentation, VWE).

Dealerships sold nearly 1.1 million used cars to consumers in 2015. There were 5 percent more than the year before. Sales from consumers increased by 2 percent, to 667 104.

All the major brands were more popular than in 2014. Skoda recorded an increase in revenue of 19.5 percent, the strongest growth.

Volkswagen remained the most popular brand in the used car market, with 114 468...]]> Mon, 04 Jan 2016 15:34:29 +0100 The boundaries of what the European Central Bank (ECB) can achieve with its loose monetary policy, could well be in sight.
Previously chief economist Willem Buiter of US bank Citigroup warned of this eventuality.

The ECB tries, with extremely low interest rates and with tens of billions of debt each month, to boost the eurozone by indicating slow economic growth and low inflation. The sharp fall in prices of oil and other commodity price levels, however, remain under pressure.

ECB President Mario Draghi said earlier last month that the central bank would take further measures to increase inflation to the...]]> Fri, 01 Jan 2016 17:28:01 +0100 Through the Ondernemingsraad (work councils, OR) employees have more influence on their pension scheme. The OR management will be entitled to disagree or agree with a change of a pension plan.

As it stands now, the OR of a company pension fund can only consent if the employer intends to establish a pension plan or withdraw, but not if the employer wishes to change the pension scheme. Secretary Klijnsma has sent a bill to the House of Representatives on this subject.

Secretary Klijnsma: 'Employers and employees are jointly responsible for the content of the conditions of employment retirement. It is,...]]> Sat, 26 Dec 2015 18:49:51 +0100 A number of new laws will come into effect on January 1, 2016. The following laws are those which will be relevant for human resources.

Wet flexibel werken (Flexible work law, WFW)

This new law will replace the Wet aanpassing arbeidsduur (Working Hours Amendment Act, WAA). The law should give employees more flexible working opportunities for teleworking and to work at more favourable times. Employees can submit a request to adjust their working hours to suit their work, such as working at home. In addition, employees can request to modify their contractual working hours.

Wet aanpak schijnconstructies (Law on approaching...]]> Sat, 26 Dec 2015 18:37:34 +0100 The average purchasing power is expected to increase by 1.8 percent in 2016. That's 0.4 percent more than the predicted amount by the Budget Memorandum. Next year, more than 90 percent will be better off financially.

The average purchasing power is increasing in 2016 by 1.8 percent. That's 0.4 percent more than was predicted on Budget Day. Next year most people, more than 90 percent, are financially better off.

This means that next year, a househol will have 8 hundred euros more, on average. Employees receive an average of almost 1,200 euros more next year. Their purchasing power rose by...]]> Sat, 26 Dec 2015 18:17:26 +0100 Lately, many have come to the assumption that their has been a decrease in the number of jobs available due to increased automation and robotics. According to McKinsey, however, these jobs do not disappear. Rather, functions and tasks of jobs are now functioning differently.

The McKinsey consultants Michael Chui, James Manyika, and Mehdi Miremadi have argued that robotics and artificial intelligence are omnipresent. For example, if you take a plane from an airport, the commercial pilot flies an average of seven minutes. The rest of the time the aircraft is managed by the autopilot.

Will robotics lead to an increase...]]> Sun, 20 Dec 2015 18:18:46 +0100 The Dutch economy grew by 0.1 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) in the third quarter of 2015.
This was reported by the Central Bureau of Statistics after checking its own findings with a second calculation last Friday.

The growth rate has not changed compared to the previous estimate. The picture of the economy remains the same. Exports, investment, and consumption are still expected to make a positive contribution.

Growth

It is the sixth consecutive quarter that the economy grows. In previous quarters, growth seemed to be growing slightly. However, over the last two quarters, the growth rate has...]]> Sat, 26 Dec 2015 17:33:03 +0100 HRM must, once again, start seeing human needs as a starting point for developing their strategies. It is essential to create a culture of respect and trust, says Professor Dirk van Dierendonck of Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University.

"By creating such a culture, people are less afraid and take away feelings of stress within an organisation. Workers are willing to take more risks, be innovative, to share information and feel recognised. Then people start to come into their own," says the professor. He explains that organisations can generate trust and respect in many different ways. "Some organisations, for example, change...]]> Sun, 20 Dec 2015 18:01:52 +0100 Do you want employees that are more motivated and more involved? A simple way to do this is to give them more autonomy.

This means that your employees will be given more space to make their own decisions, to think for themselves about the design of their own function. Employees must think and act as independenst, says consultant David Lee. He cites a study made by Daniel Pink in his book 'Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Really Motivates Us'.

More autonomy = Faster growth + Higher retention

In this study, conducted by Cornell University, half of the 320 companies...]]> Wed, 23 Dec 2015 22:17:55 +0100 Slowly but surely, The Netherlands is experiencing a shift in the right direction, when low income earners are involved. Their number is no longer increasing and it appears that their may even be a small decline.
This was predict by the Centraal Planbureau (Central Planning Bureau, CPB) using statistics from the Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (Central Bureau for Statistics, CBS).

How low income is defined, depends on the circumstances. For a single person, this is an income to 1,020 euros net per month. For a couple with three children, the maximum 2,100 euros net. They have, according to the...]]> Sun, 20 Dec 2015 17:20:10 +0100 New research from Bain & Company, in cooperation with the Economist Intelligence Unit, highlighted the importance of inspiration for employees. Inspired employees are more than two times as productive as just satisfied employees.

The needs of employees can be displayed according to Maslow's pyramid. First, certain basic needs such as safe working conditions and the availability of the appropriate tools, need to be fulfilled. This produces satisfied employees. Then comes the need for autonomy and taking part of a fun and effective team. This provides a situation to involve your employees to a higher degree.

Employees who, thorugh this, can...]]> Sun, 20 Dec 2015 18:12:23 +0100 Retailers expect record salesthis Christmas period. Detailhandel Nederland (Retail Netherlands) has estimated that consumers have spent 815 million euros on Christmas shopping.
Last year, the Christmas trade went from an additional revenue of 800 million euros. It came to a sum comparable to the previous year.

The recovery of the economy continues and that is also noticeable in the shopping, retailers say. The consumer has voted on average more positively about retail and industry, and also show an increased willingness to buy.

This includes money spent on gifts, the Christmas dinner, and new outfits that are purchased specially for Christmas....]]> Sun, 20 Dec 2015 05:18:50 +0100 Retailers are very optimistic about 2016, according to research by the Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (Central Bureau of Statistics, CBS). Especially supermarket and department store operators expect their sales to be increasing over the next year: more than 60 percent foresee an increase in sales. Consumers believe that more than 40 percent of the retailers it will increase the number of sales made.

Retailers are a thing of the most optimistic entrepreneurs, says the CBS. On average, about 37 percent of retailers believe there will be higher sales next year.

Lately things are picking up within the retail industry....]]> Sat, 05 Dec 2015 16:45:18 +0100 In November, more businesses have started compared to over a year earlier, mainly in business services. More entrepreneurs have also stopped, while the total number of bankruptcies have declined.

This comes from figures published by the Chamber of Commerce.

Last month, more than fourteen thousand start-ups were begun, 4 percent more than in October last year. In 60 percent of cases, they were self-employed, while Small-to-medium entreprenuers grew to nearly sixteen establishments.

However, this was not the case for places such as Groningen and Overijssel, at odds with the national trend. These two places saw a decrease in the number of...]]> Sat, 05 Dec 2015 16:40:17 +0100 The government wants to the NGO Sociaal Economische Raad (Social and Economic Council of the Netherlands, SER) to include advice on the flexible deployment of people within organisations this coming year. In addition, it is important for the government to know what gives this flexibility and the consequences this may carry with them.

The government not only wants to submit a request for advice on flexibility but also on practical learning in secondary vocational education, social enterprises, and people from the labour market, in terms of the effects of regulations on the scale and growth of businesses.

The Cabinet has...]]> Sat, 05 Dec 2015 16:28:51 +0100 The US rating agency S&P holds a positive outlook on the prospects of a number of Dutch banks. The outlook for ABN Amro and Rabobank were increased from negative to stable. The outlook for the rating of SNS was raised from negative to positive.

The ratings have not been changed by S&P. ABN Amro still holds A, A + rating, while Rabobank and SNS Bank hold a BBB rating.

Both the outlook and ratings of ING and Kas Bank have not been adjusted.

Across Europe, S&P have kept a close eye on 45 banks in thirteen countries. Two ratings were...]]> Sat, 05 Dec 2015 16:35:07 +0100 Refugees with a residence permit should join our society as soon as possible. Learning the Dutch language and values, and finding employment are crucial. Therefore, refugees may stay here earlier and receive more language courses. They are also screened directly to get a picture of their qualifications, work experience and language skills. A participation certificate is a compulsory part of the integration. Minister Asscher of Social Affairs and Employment writes in a letter to the Lower House on the integration and participation of refugees. The letter is an elaboration of the administrative agreement that the government signed with the municipalities...]]> Sat, 05 Dec 2015 16:06:55 +0100 The Dutch economy is becoming greener. Businesses have more opportunities to make money with sustainability. Moreover, the employment in the environment sector is rising faster than the overall economy. Within Europe, it remains true that The Netherlands is in the lower half of the rankings. This is because the other European countries are also advancing.

Compared to other countries we emit much nitrogen. This is mainly because of the intensive agricultural industry. Moreover, most energy still comes from fossil fuels: oil, coal and gas, reported the Central Bureau of Statistics.

In other areas, it goes well. The Dutch produce the...]]> Sat, 05 Dec 2015 15:28:26 +0100 Since the economic crisis, companies are paying less tax and individual taxpayers are footing the rest of the bill. This was reported by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) based on its own research.

According to the think tank, the average tax payments made by companies have decreased between 2007 and 2014 from 3.6 percent to 2.8 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). On the other hand, the proceeds from income taxes from citizens have increased from 8.8 to 8.9 percent, and VAT revenues increased from 6.5 to 6.8 percent.

''Companies continue to find ways to pay less, while...]]> Sat, 05 Dec 2015 15:57:58 +0100 The House has rejected the European deposit guarantee scheme as presented down by the European Commission. A proposal by the VVD and SP calls for the Dutch government to speak out in Brussels against the proposal was supported by the CDA, PVV, Christian Union, and SGP, the PvdD, and 50Plus. The parties envision a European deposit guarantee scheme as the cornerstone of the banking union. Until all its parts are completely finished, they reject the Commission proposal.

Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem (Minstry of Finance) said earlier this week in the House that such a guarantee scheme are, to him, handy if...]]> Sat, 05 Dec 2015 15:48:26 +0100 Unemployment in France has risen further. The third quarter saw an average 10.6 percent of the French workforce without a job, compared with 10.4 percent in the previous three months. This is evident from figures published december 3, by the statistics office Insee.

Unemployment increased in all age groups, but most strongly among young people. Within the agerange of 15-24 year-olds, almost a quarter are unemployed at home. There are a quarter more people who work fewer hours than they would like. That was true for 6.7 percent of the workforce.

There has not been such a big part of...]]> Sat, 05 Dec 2015 15:35:47 +0100 The implementation of the participation Act has been adjusted in certain parts. State Secretary Jetta Klijnsma of Social Affairs and Employment reached an agreement with the Association of Dutch Municipalities, social partners, and the UWV.

Former students who come from secondary special education without review by the UWV are to be admitted directly to the target group for new jobs that will become available for people with an occupational disability. There will also be a simpler design of salary valuation in the workplace, especially where employers and municipalities have urged. These measures make it easier for people who do not...]]> Fri, 04 Dec 2015 19:54:07 +0100 Flexible working hours are the main benefit for Dutch employees, according to the research firm Intelligence Group. The 6800 respondents were divided into five categories: male, female, employed, student and unemployed. Those in the categories women and students found that flexible working hours were a key precondition of employment, while men were more interested in pension schemes, and the unemployed more interested in travel allowances.

"Men go for money, women for flexible working hours and reconciling work and private life," the researchers said. The over all results show a marked drop in the importance of travel allowances and pension scheme...]]> Fri, 27 Nov 2015 20:44:43 +0100 People like to think that they have a good intuition. However, when it comes to selecting employees, they do no better than a computer. Often, recruiters will select worse candidates than the predictions of algorithms, as a new study by the US National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) shows.

Primary and secondary graduates

The NBER relies on 300 thousand candidates adopted by fifteen companies. These candidates all work as lower and middle-skilled workers, such as being employed in data entry or call center work. NBER-investigators compared the time someone remained in service after this was adopted by a human being...]]> Fri, 27 Nov 2015 20:35:34 +0100 Around April 2016, it is expected that the Whistleblowers Act will come into force. All employers who have at least fifty persons, will be legally obliged to have an internal reporting scheme for whistleblowers.

In recent years, there have been many cases where whistleblowing leads to a great deal of publicity of the workers faced through the work of doing wrong in the eyes of the public interest. Often they were in trouble because they brought out the abuse made by companies. This prompted the House of Representatives to come to an agreement on a new act for whistleblowers, which...]]> Fri, 27 Nov 2015 20:30:03 +0100 A new report from ADP showed that job-hopping pays off, at least in the United States,. ADP has done research among US workers in relation to wage developments for the third quarter of 2015. For employees in the same job, working for the same employer as last year, wages rose 3.5 percent. For Employees who switched employers, their pay rise increased by 6.5 percent.

However, this largely depends on the sector in which employees work. In the education and health care sectors, employees changing jobs only saw a 0.4 percent increase in their salary. In construction, job hoppers went ahead...]]> Fri, 27 Nov 2015 19:59:58 +0100 Professionals with a flexible form of employment are more positive about their work than colleagues employed on a strict work schedule. This has been suggested by Yacht, who researched this topic. Professionals who work on a flexible basis have the feeling that they are being challenged, and are positive about their networking opportunities. They also find that they can add more value to their field:

Among permanent staff, fifty eight percent think that it is sufficiently challenged in his work, among persioners this applies to sixty four percent. When asked if someone feels they can add value to their field,...]]> Fri, 27 Nov 2015 19:52:59 +0100 The World Economic Forum (WEF) publishes the Global Gender Gap Index. The Global Gender Gap Index provides insight into the disparity between men and women for more than ninety percent of the world population. The Netherlands rises this year from fourteenth to thirteenth place.

The inequality between men and women over the past ten years decreased by 4 percent. Women now earn about what men earned in 2006. If we continue at this slow pace the WEF is expecting the gap to close entirely in about 118 years. This means that by the year 2133, the disparity between men and...]]> Fri, 27 Nov 2015 19:48:56 +0100 Despite the growing economy, continued investment in technological innovation in The Netherlands has decreased. The positive of this is that companies have begun to pay more attention to social innovation. This enables a better return on investment. The success rate of technological innovation is largely determined by 'soft' social innovation.

This is evident from the research presented on Thursday by the Erasmus Competition and Innovation Monitor 2014-2015, which annually assesses the state of Dutch innovation. The amount of new products and services has surged by 3.5 percent and the amount of improved products and services increased by 5.2 percent. However,...]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2015 11:15:16 +0100 Nearly 150 thousand people have already benefited from special assistance programs from the government, employers, and employee organisations.

Approximately 19 thousand people have been helped to find work, including 17 thousand apprenticeships. This shows a balance between the so-called sector plans, which aim to improve the labour market. Minister Lodewijk Asscher (Social Affairs and Employment) announced these results last Tuesday.

Around 86 thousand employees have been converted or retrained to continue work since mid last year. 12 thousand employees received support in finding another job.

More than 27 thousand employees are helping to create more healthy work environments. They work in sectors...]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2015 10:38:06 +0100 Labour Lawyer Maarten van Gelderen has watched the first fifty dismissal rulings by the Wet werk en zekerheid (work and security act, WWZ). His observations have confirmed that ithas now become more difficult to fire an employee after July 1.

About 40 percent of all dismissal requests are rejected by the court. That means that the majority are allocated and go through unhindered. However, before 1 July the acceptance rate was still between 70 and 90 percent. This highlights an essential difference in the ruling and its effect on the legal proceedings. Judges have become more critical, where they require...]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2015 10:49:24 +0100 More business last year spent the night in a hotel for their work. The number of overnight stays rose by 3.1 percent, leading figures to rise to over 16 million.
This appears evident from the Trend Report on tourism, recreation and leisure in 2015 undertaken by the Centraal Bureau voor de statistiek (Central Bureau of Statistics, CBS) and the tourism office.

The first half of 2015 saw a continuation in this growth, with the number of commercial overnight stays increasing by 2.8 percent. Business tourists are responsible for two of the five nights in Dutch hotels. Most foreign business travelers who stayed in...]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2015 11:08:56 +0100 The unions continued their planned demonstration at the Jaarbeurs in Utrecht on Monday. More than two thousand metal workers marched around noon for a better collective agreement. As everywhere else in the country, was there at 12.00 hours one minute silence was observed for the victims of the attacks in Paris.

There have already been strikes in the metal sector in the previous months. ''We have come here to make it clear to large employers that an agreement needs to be quickly reach,'' said FNV chairman Ton Heerts. "They are mistaken if they think that we give up this fight....]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2015 10:22:44 +0100 About 14 percent of Dutch employees had symptoms relating to burn out in 2014. According to figures from the Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (Central Bureau for statistics, CBS) examples of these complaints can range from being exhausted at the end of the workday to being emotionally exhausted.

The study shows that the education sector has had the most complaints of employees suffering from burn out. In this sector, many employees have given complaints of burn out due to the high workload and the high degree of emotional involvement in their work. In second and third place are the information...]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2015 10:16:24 +0100 In The Netherlands, often the average hours worked per week is higher than the global average. Most Dutch workaholics work eight to twelve hours a week extra. This equates to an additional workday per week, according to research undertaken by Regus.

The average number of hours worked overtime is at seven hours per week globally, in which the most overtime in on Monday. In the Netherlands, 26 percent of employees work overtime on Tuesday or Thursday. On Friday, the least extra hours are made.

In The Netherlands we're used to working over these limits. Only 13 percent of respondents work...]]> Thu, 12 Nov 2015 13:17:00 +0100 According to research, the vitality of Dutch employees is low, 29 percent scored even low to very low. Only 12 percent of the respondents scored highly, according to research by Schouten & Nelissen. In total, 57 percent of employees experience lower vitality due to an excessive workload. This group is also 3.5 times as likely to get sick.

Having a higher vitality in your life makes you feel more energetic, and also means you're having fun by taking part in your work. If you are feeling particularly vital, you perform better, and also make a better impression. And this does not only happen at the time, but for a longer period of time.

Jessica van Wingerden,...]]> Wed, 11 Nov 2015 14:15:48 +0100 Work stress is a major problem in the Netherlands. One in seven people suffer from it in The Netherlands, alone, which equates to more than one million people. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour has organised a week in order to combat work stress together with TNO and Focal Point Week. This will be taking place from 16 to 19 November.

Each company can contribute its own way towards the Week of Work stress. More than one hundred companies have organised different activities to help against stress to raise awareness. For example, there are discussion seminars, various interviews, but also yoga workshops, stress test and lunch time exercise....]]> Wed, 11 Nov 2015 14:06:06 +0100 The private equity firms Apax and CVC are interested in an acquisition of T-Mobile Netherlands, a subsidiary of Deutsche Telecom. This was reported by Reuters based on insider information.

According to the sources, both venture capitalists are busy putting the last finishing touches on their rival bids for T-Mobile Netherlands. The value of the Dutch subsidiary of Deutsche Telecom could reach up to 3 billion euros.

Credit Suisse has reportedly been hired to guide the sale. According to insider information, the preliminary bids must be received by November 16.

Other private equity firms, such as Bain Capital and Providence, could...]]> Thu, 12 Nov 2015 13:25:27 +0100 Employers see the number of jobs over the next two years barely grow, despite the recovery of the economy. The shift from fixed to flexible personnel has made this possible, as companies can continually shift their staff. This was concluded by the employers association Algemene Werkgeversvereniging Nederland (Union of Dutch Employers, AWVN), which was based on its own survey taken by a variety of Dutch companies.

The survey revealed that 28 percent of companies expect a decline in the number of permanent employees, while 21 percent predicted a rise in the number of employees with a permanent contract. When asked...]]> Tue, 10 Nov 2015 14:56:08 +0100 The Dutch Senate has not gained a majority agreement for the tax plan for next year. The Opposition parties CDA, SGP, CU and SP have submitted a proposal to Secretary of State Eric Wiebes, that single earners must be given a higher tax benefit. The minister does not agree with this however, as he fears that the plans will cost too many jobs. Employment growth remains a constraint, Wiebe said earlier during the debate.

The government wants to ensure 5 billion euro is used to implement tax cuts, while also being accompanied by 35 thousand extra jobs for next year. In the search...]]> Thu, 12 Nov 2015 13:13:55 +0100 In order to prevent discrimination in the recruitment of personnel, it has long been a consideration to remove birth dates and names from CVs in The Netherlands. Although this has not yet happened within The Netherlands, this is already something more concrete in England, as more and more companies hide the names of candidates in order to avoid discrimination and to build a more diverse workforce.

The British Prime Minister David Cameron recently announced that universities should remove the names of students on registration forms to avoid unconscious discrimination against minorities from 2017. He also called on employers to follow this...]]> Wed, 11 Nov 2015 13:50:48 +0100

The average daily output of the Dutch manufacturing industry was 0.7 percent higher than a year earlier in September. This was especially prevalent in the pharmaceutical and electrical apparatus industries.

This was reported by the Centraal Bureau voor de Statistics (Central Bureau of Statistics, CBS) on Monday.

The production of the pharmaceutical industry was more than 9 percent higher than it was in September of last year. The electrical-equipment industry produced more than 4 percent. In addition to this, the production of transport equipment, metal products, and food products was also higher than the previous year.

In contrast, the chemical...]]> Mon, 09 Nov 2015 12:57:14 +0100 From June 18 2016 onwards, The Netherlands will be allowed more room to enforce the 'Posted Worker Directive,' by introducing a duty to report on foreign workers. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment will be able to check if employees from EU member states are getting the pay they are entitled to.

For example, if a Belgian engineering company wants to build a bridge in The Netherlands, they will need to report which workers are coming to work on the bridge, as well as how long they are working. The cabinet agreed to follow the proposal from Minister Asscher...]]> Wed, 14 Oct 2015 12:20:46 +0200 Offices, homes, and hanging gardens. By the Zuidas, a rapidly developing business district in Amsterdam, plans have been made to erect a huge complex opposite the ABN Amro headquarters. The designs for this complex have come from the architect bureau MVRDV.

The project, developed by property developers Rotterdam OVG, has won the prize for the so-called Ravel P-15 plot on Beethovenstraat.

The basis of the complex is fairly traditional – overlooking office space on top of a selection of apartments. “The properties have large windows, with beautiful views and large balconies with lots of vegetation,” says architect Winy Maas from...]]> Mon, 12 Oct 2015 11:00:36 +0200 The Netherlands has risen through the ranks of Global Competitiveness to place fifth, regaining the position it lost in 2013. This is a significant boost from last year, where the Netherlands placed eighth, proving it to be the fastest grower in terms of global competitiveness out of the top ten economies. This statement has been decided from the latest edition from the World Economic Forums (WEF) Global Competitiveness Report.

The report, presented on 30 September, ranks a total of 140 countries on a wide range of criteria, which include but is not limited to research and development, the financial state,...]]> Thu, 01 Oct 2015 15:50:17 +0200 Economic growth 0.2 percent in second quarter of 2015

According to the second estimate of economic growth conducted by Statistics Netherlands (CBS), the Dutch economy grew 0.2 percent in Q2 2015 relative to Q1 2015. The first estimate, published on 14 August, anticipated a growth rate of 0.1 percent. The overall picture of the economy has not changed. Growth is widely supported: investments, consumption and exports all contributed to economic growth.
Investment in fixed capital formation was revised upwards. New supplementary data regarding the construction sector suggest that investments in non-residential property are higher than initially estimated. The same applies...]]> Thu, 24 Sep 2015 10:29:50 +0200 The Dutch economy has seen an increase in the growth rate in its second quarter of 2015 by 0.2% in comparison to the first quarter of this year. This comes from the second calculation of economic growth from the CBS, the Central Bureau of Statistics. The first calculation showed a growth of 0.1%, published by the CBS on 14th August. These statistics seem to indicate that the state of the economy has not changed much. Taken on a wide scale, both investments, consumption, and exports show a positive contribution.
In relation to the first calculation, fixed investments were adjusted. Through...]]> Wed, 23 Sep 2015 15:13:43 +0200 The volume of exports of goods in July was 5.4% higher than in July 2014. CBS reports, that the increase is larger than in the previous five months. In July grew mainly exports of transport equipment machinery and equipment. Besides, the exports of Dutch products and re-exports increased further. The volume of imports in July was 0.5% higher than a year earlier.

In July 2015 Dutch firms especially exported more transport. There were carried out, in particular, more vessels. Also the export of machinery and equipment grew significantly. All these goods were mainly of Dutch origin.

Conditions for export in...]]> Tue, 15 Sep 2015 09:50:09 +0200 The Chinese pharmaceutical company Tong Ren Tang, global leader in traditional Chinese medicine, opened its European headquarters in The Hague on 27 August. Later this year Tong Ren Tang (TRT) will also open a flagship store in The Hague where customers will be introduced to treatments such as acupuncture, massages and traditional Chinese medicine according to the company’s ancient principles dating back 2,000 years.

The Chinese company decided in favour of The Hague after contact with the WestHolland Foreign Investment Agency (WFIA) and the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA). The intention to invest in The Hague was confirmed in a...]]> Tue, 08 Sep 2015 09:26:48 +0200 GIA Jiahe Shengde – Are you in the automotive industry? Are you doing the trading business on auto parts or truck parts in the automotive aftermarket in Europe? Are you interested in doing business with Chinese companies? Please visit our 1st China Auto Parts and After-sales (The Netherlands) Exhibition in September in The Hague. There will be lots of manufacturers of auto parts and truck parts during the Exhibition. In addition, we prepare some seminars and networking opportunities for different entrepreneurs.

GIA

Time: 14 – 16 September 2015

Venue: De Werf 11, 2544 EH, The Hague

Opening Hours: 9 am...]]> Mon, 17 Aug 2015 11:05:29 +0200 Amsterdam office officially opened Aug. 1, 2015, joining overseas Heritage expansion in Hong Kong heritage auctions

DALLAS — Heritage Auctions has announced that it has joined forces with the Dutch auction house MPO Auctions to form Heritage Auctions Europe, based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, officially operating and offering full service in numismatics and across all 40 Heritage auction categories as of Aug. 1, 2015. The Amsterdam expansion joins Heritage’s recently announced Hong Kong expansion.

“Heritage is a growing global brand,” said Cristiano Bierrenbach, Vice President of Heritage Auctions. “We’re all excited by the opportunities this office represents. Based just outside of...]]> Mon, 17 Aug 2015 11:01:57 +0200 Growing demand in Europe prompted the software firm’s first international office
Indiana-based Blue Horseshoe, a global software firm specializing in supply chain and logistics solutions, will open an office in Amsterdam this month. The office will be Blue Horseshoe’s first international location, allowing the firm to serve and support partners and customers on a global scale.

“We are growing very quickly on an international level, currently supporting customers in more than 15 different countries,” said Chris Cason, President of Blue Horseshoe.

Blue Horseshoe’s expansion to Amsterdam was prompted by growing demand in Europe for software solutions and expertise in logistics...]]> Mon, 17 Aug 2015 10:57:20 +0200 According to the CBS, the number of bankruptcies, was approximately the same in July 2015 as in June. Besides, in the last two months, the number of bankruptcies has been at the lowest level since January 2009 and the downward trend continues.

In July 2015, 412 businesses and institutions (excluding one-man businesses) were declared bankrupt. While the total number of bankruptcies over the first 7 months of this year was 3,325, which is 19% less than during the same period of 2014.

With a total of 97, most bankruptcies of July were in the trade sector; 69 financial institutions were...]]> Wed, 12 Aug 2015 15:18:47 +0200 Chinese investment overseas set to climb to record level

The growth of outbound direct investment from China is remaining steady this year, leaving the world’s second-largest economy on track to exceed last year’s record figure, officials said on Thursday.

Investment in the nonfinancial sector rose to $56 billion in the first half, an increase of 29.2 percent compared with the same period last year, thanks in part to the development of new trade routes and free trade zones.

The country became a net capital exporter last year as the ODI figure of $116 billion exceeded capital inflows for the first...]]> Tue, 04 Aug 2015 16:20:29 +0200 Multinational companies play prominent part in Dutch economy

Multinational companies account for 40 percent of jobs in the Dutch private sector ,for two-thirds of total private sector turnover and for over 80 percent of international goods trade, as Statistics Netherlands (CBS) announced today in the Internationalisation Monitor.On the basis of these facts, the small league of internationally operating companies is of vital importance for the Dutch economy.
Importance foreign and Dutch multinationals in the Netherlands, 2013Dutch multinationalsForeign multinationalsNon-multinationalsValue exported goodsValue imported goodsTurnoverJobsNumber of companies%

Multinationals provide nearly 2 million jobs
Multinational companies are important for the Dutch labour market. In...]]> Mon, 03 Aug 2015 12:40:01 +0200 According to CBS, multinational companies account for 40% of jobs in the Dutch private sector. The report released on 23 July 2015 highlights that multinational companies provide nearly 2 million jobs in the Dutch labour market.

Multinationals also make an important contribution to the total turnover generated by the Dutch private sector. In this sense, foreign multinationals generate 40%, Dutch multinationals 25%. In 2013, foreign multinationals accounted for approximately half of Dutch imports and exports of goods. As opposed, Dutch multinationals made for one-third of exports and 30% of imports.

By: C. Maiko Schnelle
...]]> Thu, 30 Jul 2015 13:10:58 +0200 The Dutch government is looking for ways to stimulate further development in “sharing economy” businesses like Airbnb and Uber within the legislation.

The Financieele Dagblad reports that according to a letter that Minister Henk Kamp of Economic Affairs sent to the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) on Monday 20 July 2015. Companies such as Uber and Airbnb have encountered opposition from higher-cost competitors, which complain about their unfair competition.

Kamp sees dated regulations as a hurdle for innovative companies to grow. “If we in the Netherlands want to profit first from the advantages of innovation, then we need to make...]]> Wed, 22 Jul 2015 11:09:40 +0200 PostNL is offering all its freelance parcel staff to become company employees. Alternatively, if they choose to remain independent, they will receive a salary increase of about 10%.

“By making this offer, PostNL is taking an important step towards a social and competitive delivery model. The offer is also groundbreaking in the parcels market. And it creates clarity for all our parcel deliverers,” said Yme Pasma, the company’s director for packages, in their official press statement released on Monday 13 July 2015. This offer, agreed with the FNV union, was voted by the freelance parcel staff in favour of the...]]> Wed, 15 Jul 2015 11:54:05 +0200 The Amsterdam-based menswear retail chain Suitsupply opened its first store in Shanghai, China on Saturday, marking the start of its expansion in China.

“Menswear is important in China’s big cities.” CEO Fokke de Jong told NU.nl on Saturday. “There, men want to look good. But there is a big gap between big and smaller cities.” He plans to open 10 to 14 stores in the near future.

Suitsupply opened locations in the US and South Africa in recent years, and may continue growing in South Korea and Australia. De Jong yet remarks that the international expansion needs to be manageable....]]> Tue, 14 Jul 2015 11:04:11 +0200 The Flemish cinema chain Kinepolis Group has reached an agreement in principle to takeover Utopolis Group (Utopia SA), including five in the Netherlands.

According to Euroinvestor’s report on Friday 10 July, Utopolis has 13 cinema complexes in four countries, i.e. Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium and France. It welcomed 3, 4 million visitors and achieved a turnover of €41 million.

The takeover is part of Kinepolis expansion strategy as it reinforces its position in the Netherlands and France and adds a new market with Luxembourg. Relevant stakeholders will continue their efforts to comply with the associated conditions in the near term....]]> Mon, 13 Jul 2015 10:32:31 +0200 The Dutch grocery chain Ahold and Belgium’s Delhaize agreed to a merger, creating one of the biggest supermarket operators in both Europe and the US.

Both companies announced their fusion on Wednesday 24 June 2015. The combined group, Ahold Delhaize, will operate 6,500 stores with 375,000 associates. Mats Jansson, the current Chairman of Delhaize, will become Chairman of the new firm, with current Ahold Chief Executive Dick Boer as CEO, who said: “The proposed merger with Delhaize is an exciting opportunity to create an even stronger and more innovative retail leader for our customers, associates and shareholders worldwide.”

According to...]]> Thu, 25 Jun 2015 13:49:11 +0200 The cash-in-transit company Brink’s Nederland will be taken over by the German firm Wincor Nixdorf.

According to their press release on Tuesday 16 June 2015, Wincor Nixdorf wants to merge Brink’s Nederland with their subsidiary SecurCash. “Our activities can complement and reinforce one another”, said both companies in their joint statement. Brink’s Nederland has been struggling with the increased competition, especially from Geldservice Nederland (GSN), a joint venture of ABN Amro, ING and Rabobank.

Despite of a re-organization of the firm, the competition has been so fierce that it led to hundreds of job losses. With the merger, only 550...]]> Fri, 19 Jun 2015 11:53:30 +0200 The Dutch exports in April nearly saw a 4,7% rise compared to the exports in the same month during the previous season. The total volume of imports increased by 1,4%.

CBS released these figures on Monday 15 June 2015. The report attributes the export increase to the growing output of transport equipment, machinery as well as rubber- and plastic materials.

The conditions for exports in May and June were slightly less favourable in April due to adverse effects of the real exchange rate.

By: C. Maiko Schnelle ...]]> Mon, 15 Jun 2015 15:14:21 +0200 The Dutch companies NXP and MammaPrint won the European Patent Office’s (EPO) annual European Inventor Award, which is awarded to inventors who have made an outstanding contribution to social development, technological progress and economic growth.

The winners were announced on Thursday 11 June 2015. The Eindhoven-based NXP received the award for their ground-breaking work in Near Field Communication (NFC). NXP contributed to a secure technology for data transfer between mobile devices.

Laura van ‘t Veer invented MammaPrint, which is a breast cancer test based on genetic research. NU.nl says that thanks to this technology, there is less need for chemotherapy...]]> Fri, 12 Jun 2015 11:08:22 +0200 The Dutch telecommunications company KPN dedicates 35 million euros to invest in start-ups to promote innovation and to speed up further developments in the IT sector.

“It is more important than ever to partner with agile and innovative players to be part of new developments, “ said KPN’s CFO Jan Kees de Jager in a press release on Monday 08 June 2015. The venture fund, called KPN Ventures, will offer potential partners access to KPN’s networks and knowledge.
By: C. Maiko Schnelle...]]> Tue, 09 Jun 2015 10:50:25 +0200 Business bankruptcy files in the Netherlands dropped in May 2015 to their lowest level since November 2008. A total of 370 organizations shut their doors last month, 84 less than in April.

These figures were reported by CBS on Friday 05 June 2015. Most bankruptcies were filed by the financial institutions, namely 88. In trade, the number of bankruptcies dropped by 46 to 59. Trade and financial services are also sectors with the most companies. Considering the number of firms engaged in the fields, transport and storage make for sectors with a relatively large amount of business failures.

The three-month...]]> Mon, 08 Jun 2015 12:26:37 +0200 The application deadline has been extended by more than three months to the 15 September 2015. Now unions and employers get more time to submit a job plan to Lodewijk Asscher from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment.

NU.nl reports that several regions and sectors requested more time to devise the measures, which will hopefully help people find work. The government recently provided 600 million euros for job plans, distributed over three periods. The proposals of the first two periods with a volume of 450 million euros have already been allocated. The final period with 150 million euros has just been...]]> Thu, 04 Jun 2015 12:03:22 +0200 In cooperation with partners in China, Dutch engineering companies Royal HaskoningDHV and Ecofys devised a plan to boost the use of bicycles in Beijing once again.

According to NU.nl, the Asian Development Bank reached out to the Dutch firms last year. The Dutch firms presented their plan to the city of Beijing officials on Monday 25 May 2015. Car emissions are mainly responsibly for smog in the Chinese capital, hence it is necessary to create decent bike paths to combat the smog and related health issues.

The purpose of the Dutch-Chinese cooperation is to make Beijing a cycle-friendly capital, since...]]> Thu, 28 May 2015 10:44:26 +0200 The “Do-it-yourself” chain Hornbach expands its workforce in the Netherlands by more than a quarter this year. The German hardware company will open two new branches in Geelen and Best as well as a customer service centre.

This was published in Hornbach press release on Thursday 21 May 2015. Accordingly, 350 new employees will be hired over the course of the year, making the overall number of workers exceed to 1,600 in the Netherlands.

The company has been established for about 18 years in the Netherlands and currently have nine branches. In Europe, Hornbach has almost 150 stores, which almost a hundred...]]> Tue, 26 May 2015 11:19:39 +0200 International retail chains, particularly those engaged in the fashion industry, increasingly got a foothold in the Netherlands. 18 chains broke into the Dutch market last year, 15 of which in Amsterdam.

According to the research by CBRE released on Tuesday, 35% of all international retailers are established in the Dutch capital. CBRE claims to be the largest worldwide consulting firm in the field of commercial real estate. The research highlights that foreign retail chains tend to prefer so-called A1 locations with a high level of footfall to establish new branches, particurlarly seen last year when Stone Island and La Perla settled...]]> Wed, 20 May 2015 12:15:29 +0200 Alongside large companies, smaller companies benefit from the economic growth as well. The total revenues of small- and medium-sized enterprises climbed by 4%, while the operating profit rose by a quarter in the previous year.

These figures were reported by SRA, a network of accounting firms, based on examining accounts of more than 3,200 companies. Accordingly, last year’s average earnings rose by 32% compared to 2013. Companies located in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and in northern provinces performed better in terms of turnover than other places in the Netherlands. The main cause of this rising profits seems to be the...]]> Mon, 18 May 2015 13:41:27 +0200 Due to higher investments, exports and more consumption contribution, the Dutch economy grew in the first quarter of 2015 by 0.4% compared to the previous one.

Based on primary calculations, Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (CBS) reported that the Dutch economy is growing on a quarterly basis for the fourth time.

The economy is recovering even though this quarter growth is lower than the final quarter of 2014. Economist also forecasted a lower growth, which was also slightly weaker than predicted (0.5%). However, in comparison with the first quarter of 2014, the Dutch economy grew by 2.4% and the unemployment...]]> Wed, 13 May 2015 14:31:32 +0200 The Dutch staffing company Randstad reports first-quarter results of 2015, which highlights significant revenue growth as a result of the positive currency effect. In total, it booked revenues of 4,4 billion euros, which was 12% higher than last year.

According to Reuters, Europe’s second-largest staffing company reported that revenues and earnings were particularly high in Britain, Luxembourg and Belgium. “The gradual recovery in Europe is reflected in our results, while we have also closed the market gap in both the Netherlands and France," said Chief Executive Jacques van den Broek in a statement on Thursday 30 April 2015.

In the...]]> Fri, 01 May 2015 11:31:32 +0200 The sporting goods retailer Telstar filed some of its chain stores in Amersfoort, Wooden, Coevorden, Almelo for bankruptcy.

This reports deStentor on 22 April 2015. The retailer known for its larger “megastores” has a total of twelve branches in the Netherlands. Accordingly, the company has suffered from unfavourable economic conditions that have led to this situation.
...]]> Fri, 24 Apr 2015 15:50:17 +0200 A Vrije Universiteit student, Steinar Henskes, has won the Entrepreneurs’ Organization’s (EO) Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) with his company that provides animal friendly-lasers to keep birds at a safe distance from dangerous areas.

The organisation said that he competed against 2,000 students from 38 countries in a series of national and international contests. On Saturday 18 April 2015, Henskes was awarded the $20,000 prize to support his entrepreneurial journey. “What an unbelievable journey to not only start a business as a student, but to win the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards, it’s a dream come true,” commented the CEO of...]]> Wed, 22 Apr 2015 09:20:44 +0200 In 2014, music streaming as well as download services achieved higher sales than selling physical music. This is the very first time that digital music offsets CDs or other physical media.

This was announced on IFPI on 14 April 2015. The figures indicate the global music industry to be in a constant transition. Consumers show a trend in embracing streaming and subscription services. Leading global players are Spotify and Deezer. IFPI’s chief executive, Frances Moore, says: “The recorded music business has always led the way for creative industries in the digital world. That leadership continues today as the music industry’s digital...]]> Mon, 20 Apr 2015 13:33:53 +0200 There are almost 1,5 million companies based in the Netherlands, which marks a new all time record. This is almost solely due to increase in number of one-man businesses.

CBS delivered these figures on Wednesday 15 April 2015. Accordingly, the number of small businesses with a workforce of one to 50 people has been increasing since 2010. Particularly the amount of one-man companies has risen by almost 25% ever since. Conversely, the number of middle-sized or large companies has overall decreased.

Most of these establishments are based in business services, healthcare as well as in the education industry.
...]]> Fri, 17 Apr 2015 15:17:27 +0200 More than 60% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), that make use of the Research and Development Promotion Act (Wet Bevordering Speur- en Ontwikkelingswerk; WBSO), invest or trade in the international commodity market.

This was announced by Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (CBS) on Monday 13th April 2015. WBSO seeks to stimulate entrepreneurs to raise their investments in research. Therefore, with the aid of the program; companies can lower the wage costs for R&D.

CBS highlights that more than 80% of the SMEs that made use of WBSO in the manufacturing as well as in the retail industry, trade in...]]> Thu, 16 Apr 2015 11:38:17 +0200 FedEx Corporation (FedEx) is to take over Dutch package delivery firm, TNT Express N.V. (TNT Express). The €4.4 billion deal is meant to help boost the US-based delivery company’s presence in Europe.

This was released in a joint statement by both companies last week. FedEx already operates an air-express delivery service in Europe but lags behind in the ground-delivery business. According to the statement, acquiring TNT will give FedEx direct access to the vast road network in Europe. FedEx Chief Executive, Fred Smith, said: “Europe, despite the fact that there has been low growth, is still an enormous market both...]]> Tue, 14 Apr 2015 09:07:00 +0200 The merger between cable operators UPC and Ziggo has led to the loss of 450 permanent positions. Several hundred temporary and external contracts will not renewed.

Ziggo reported that these jobs will disappear in the following three years. “Merging these two companies will lead to a more efficient cooperation,” said the company in a press release. This particularly applies to product development, innovation as well as infrastructure departments. Also, layers in the management department will be reduced.

According to the trade union CNV, Ziggo’s mass layoff is not unexpected, but its degree is “shocking”. CNV’s spokesperson, Albert Spieseke said to...]]> Wed, 08 Apr 2015 14:32:41 +0200
On Wednesday 25 March 2015, the Dutch retail chain Hema announced a series of price reductions by means of asking customers what they consider as “the most indispensable” products.

It is possible to take one’s choice on the products directly on Hema’s website. In the upcoming weeks, the retailer will greatly cut prices of hundreds of the selected products.

Hema claims that this step of giving customers such direct impact on price reductions is unprecedented and is part of their strategy initiated last year.

Luring customers
According to RTL Z, Hema’s sales director Heesen said: “The price cuts will be...]]> Tue, 31 Mar 2015 18:32:22 +0200
In 2014, average hourly labour costs were estimated to be €24.6 in the European Union (EU). This was released by the statistical office of the European Union, Eurostat, on Monday 30th March 2015. 

According to Eurostat, this average in labour costs masks a significant gap between EU Member States. The lowest hourly labour costs were recorded in Bulgaria (€3.8) and Romania (€ 4.6) while the highest were found in Denmark (€40.3) and Belgium (€39.1). In The Netherlands, the hourly costs rose by €0.5 to €24.6 in 2014.

Labour costs consist of wages and salaries as well as non-wage costs such as the employers’ social contribution. Within...]]> Tue, 31 Mar 2015 14:49:22 +0200 Great Place to Work yearly event held on 24th March 2015 in Amsterdam announced the Top 42 Best Workplaces of 2015. All 42 companies collectively celebrated their great achievement; nonetheless an extra congratulation was given to the top 3 organizations of each category. The categories were divided as followed; Large & Multinational companies, Medium sized enterprises and Small & Young enterprises.

In the Large & Multinational Company category shown on greatplacetowork.nl, Novo Nordisk won First place followed by first runner up SAS Nederland and second runner up Kindergarden. 

Medium sized enterprise was won by &Samhoud Consultancy followed by ICM Opleiding en training and Incentro.

Lastly, Lean Consultancy...]]> Fri, 27 Mar 2015 16:09:17 +0100 Currently, about 300,000 employees in the metal industry work without a collective labour agreement. Negotiations between the trade union Federatie Nederlandse Vakbeweging (FNV) and employers were broken off after five rounds.

On 20 March 2015, HRbase.nl reported that the FNV refused employers’ calculations. The negotiators demand a wage increase of 3% in a year. However, according to union representative Jacqie van Stigt, employers do not want to go beyond two small salary raises within two years. Furthermore, she claims that they are not willing to raise the low youth wages.

The collective labour agreement procedure only affects small metal companies,...]]> Thu, 26 Mar 2015 12:39:39 +0100 The municipality of The Hague injects 68 million euros into the economy with the purpose of stimulating and tackling the unemployment rate of more than 17% of the city.

According to telegraaf.nl, 25 million of the total amount goes to small and medium sized enterprises and 12 million are used for youth unemployment. The mayor and aldermen announced this on Monday 23 March 2015.

The council claims: “Renewal is needed as The Hague’s labour market does not benefit sufficiently from the nation-wide, slight economic rebound.” The aim of this is to make more people capable of living without welfare benefits...]]> Wed, 25 Mar 2015 15:14:16 +0100 Retail is the most important economic sector in the Netherlands. By reaching an agreement in the Retail agenda, signatories aim to future-proof this entire sector.

The Retail agenda is a reached agreement between market parties and the government by the initiative of Henk Kamp from the Ministry of Economic Affairs (Ministerie van Economische Zaken, EZ). This was released on 17 March 2015 on rijksoverheid.nl.

Involved parties aim to accomplish less vacancy by rendering store rents in line with the market, facilitating more room for shops to offer catering services, as well as offering additional training courses for staff. Minister Kamp...]]> Mon, 23 Mar 2015 15:26:09 +0100 The volume of exporting goods has risen approximately 10, 2% in January 2015, which shows a great increase in comparison to the previous year. This marks the strongest growth since 2011.

According to the reports of Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (CBS) on 16 March 2015, exports of petroleum and machines have particularly been booming. Exporting food, transport equipment and chemicals grew as well, albeit less significantly.

Moreover, CBS claims that the conditions for exporting goods in March have improved. Thus, current developments concerning exchange rates are more favourable than last year. Also, Dutch entrepreneurs are more positive about foreign...]]> Wed, 18 Mar 2015 11:26:54 +0100 In 2013, 13 billion euros of bonuses were paid in the Netherlands, which indicates an increase of 14% compared to the previous year. This increase applied to all industries, of which the hospitality sector experienced the lowest, and the oil and gas industry the most significant rise of bonus payments.

This was reported by Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (CBS) on 13 March 2015. Accordingly, for the working year of 2013, employees were paid an average remuneration of 2,260 euros.

Furthermore, CBS determined that employees with high annual revenue are more often provided with monetary gifts based on their achievements....]]> Tue, 17 Mar 2015 15:19:29 +0100 The American donut company and coffee chain, Dunkin’ Donuts expects to open its first store in The Netherlands in 2016.
According to NU.nl, Jeremy Vitaro, Vice President of Development at parent company Dunkin’ Brands, claimed, said: “It takes a lot of time, but I count on the first store to be opened in 2016.”
In April last year, Dunkin’ Donuts announced plans to establish new stores in The Netherlands after 14 years of absence. Although no specific timeframe was mentioned, Vitaro said that the chain was aiming for branches in city centres, train stations and airports.
Schiphol Group and NS...]]> Fri, 06 Mar 2015 13:03:11 +0100 In 2014, Triodos Bank saw a net profit of 17 percent, resulting in an increase up to 30.1 million euros. The Netherlands-based bank, which aims to be distinguished from competitors by sustainable and transparent banking, published this news on Tuesday, 3 March 2015.
According to Nu.nl, the profit was depressed by 8.3 million euros due to the mandatory contribution that banks must provide to the rescue of SNS bank.
Triodos managed to gain more customers last year, and now counts more than 530,000. Compared to 2013, this makes an increase of 13 percent. The total assets entrusted to the bank, including...]]> Wed, 04 Mar 2015 13:20:23 +0100 On Wednesday, February 25th, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte unveiled the millionth Eindhoven-produced DAF truck.
DAF is one of the most successful truck manufacturers in Europe and is a market leader in The Netherlands, Great Britain and Hungary. The first DAF truck was sold on September 1, 1949 and that year a total of 150 trucks left the factory in Eindhoven. A year later there were more than a thousand. Eighty-five years later, the manufacturing company has sold its millionth truck.
"We are very honoured that Prime Minister Rutte has officially unveiled the millionth DAF truck manufactured in Eindhoven ," said...]]> Thu, 26 Feb 2015 11:57:48 +0100
Marleen Zuijderhoudt (Executive Director WFIA) presenting the annual results of 2014

In 2014, China accounted for the largest share of the 40 foreign investment projects acquired and assisted by WestHolland Foreign Investment Agency (WFIA). A total of 16 Chinese companies opted for The Hague region as their base for entering the European market last year. This is a continuation of the upward trend in business start-ups from China, which began in 2009.

WFIA is responsible for attracting new foreign investments and companies to The Hague region on behalf of the municipalities. Its annual results also demonstrate an increase in the number...]]> Wed, 18 Feb 2015 13:23:30 +0100 The number of international organisations that set up offices in Amsterdam was 139 in 2014 and have increased the number of jobs in the region.
The press release by I Amsterdam stated that these new organisations have brought a total of 1,308 jobs to the region and indicated that this would increase to 2,359 jobs within three years. In addition, international companies that had already established a presence in the region reported creating an additional 1,611 jobs in 2014.
Alderperson, Kajsa Ollongren for Economic Affairs, said: “In our experience, companies usually start off small when entering the European market, but...]]> Fri, 13 Feb 2015 14:05:18 +0100 ICL, global manufacturer of products based on specialty minerals in agriculture, processed food and engineered materials, announced on 5 February its inauguration of its European headquarters and Shared Services Center in Amsterdam.

The 5,500 square meter building, located in the Prinsenhof building adjacent to Amsterdam's Koningin Wilhelminaplein square, will also serve as the home of ICL's Global Procurement organisation. The offices will eventually house around 300 ICL employees, including 250 new hires.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte joined ICL President & CEO Stefan Borgas, and Idan Ofer, representing ICL's main shareholder (Israel Corporation) to inaugurate the new regional headquarters. They...]]> Wed, 11 Feb 2015 14:43:53 +0100 Siemens confirms the mass dismissal of 7,800 employees worldwide. In Germany, about 3,300 jobs will disappear..
It is about 2 percent of the total workforce. In late September a total of approximately 357,000 people worked in the corporation.

A spokesman for Siemens Netherlands can not say whether layoffs are going to fall in the Netherlands , where about 2,800 people work for the company.

The mass resignation should yield savings of 1 billion euros. Siemens wants to invest the savings in innovation, productivity and growth.

The management is consulting with the representatives of the employees in Germany. Siemens aims to...]]> Fri, 06 Feb 2015 11:11:29 +0100 Eternal Sun announced in a press statement that it had closed a €2 Million ($2.5 Million) financing from Belgian investment firm Vermec N.V.
The Delft based high‐tech company that specialises in solar simulation technology will use the investment to expand international sales and service operations.
Leading research institutions, solar module manufacturers and certification authorities rely on Eternal Sun’s solar simulation systems for testing the quality of solar modules and materials. Chokri Mousaoui, co‐founder and CEO of Eternal Sun, said: “In an era of continuous improvement of solar modules, our solar simulation systems are in high demand with customers that aim...]]> Wed, 03 Dec 2014 12:16:20 +0100 Twitter is according to Glassdoor’s 2014 survey the best company for culture and values, with a 4.5 rating.
An employee comments enthusiastically:
“The people are just the best. Amazing culture. Always learning something new at Twitter University.”

Google and Facebookmade it to the Top 5 with employers commenting on the welcoming environment, continuous challenges and great rewards. All three are also listed among the best companies to work for.

The evaluation was made by the companies’ employees directly and promises a straightforward assessment of the vital core values. Core values that correspond to the company culture can keep the team together,...]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2014 12:01:44 +0100 Facebook wants to win users the office world. Therefore, the company is working on a business social network to compete among others with LinkedIn.
This was explained by the Financial Times Monday based upon anonymous sources.

"Facebook at Work would make it possible to chat with colleagues and friends as well as professional acquaintances. The business network would more or less look the same as the current Facebook site, but the personal photos and status updates of users would remain invisible to business contacts.

Facebook would also work on a way to edit documents together. This would be the social network...]]> Mon, 17 Nov 2014 12:33:22 +0100 Aztec Group has announced the launch of its sixth operational office in another major funds location, Amsterdam. This is following the opening of an office in Stockholm earlier this year.
The funds service provider’s new office gives clients the opportunity to utilise Aztec’s comprehensive range of fund and corporate services from the Netherlands region. The Amsterdam office will add to the Groups onshore presence in the UK, Luxembourg and Sweden and its offshore offices in Guernsey and Jersey.
The new office has been launched with the support of a longstanding client and is headed up by a senior member of...]]> Fri, 24 Oct 2014 14:47:30 +0200 Speakeasy, a 40-year-old executive communication consultancy has announced the opening of a permanent office and learning environment in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The facility is scheduled to begin full-time operations in the first quarter of 2015.
The company announced in a press release that Speakeasy Amsterdam will offer a full suite of Speakeasy’s communication development programs.
“We launched programmes in Amsterdam two years ago to serve business leaders across the world who recognized the value of communicating in multiple global theaters,” said Scott Weiss, CEO, Speakeasy. “Speakeasy Amsterdam is the product of the overwhelming response we received as we continue our...]]> Fri, 24 Oct 2014 14:29:40 +0200 Dutch steel producer, Staalconcern Nedstaal was declaredbankrupt by the District Court of Rotterdam today. On Wednesday the company requested a deferral, which is commonly followed by the application for bankruptcy.
The steel producer, based in Alblasserdam has 280 employees. The company has annual sales of €100 million but it has been making losses since 2009.
The company stated a combination of factors led to the bankruptcy – high prices of raw materials but a low price on the final product, tough competition from South Korea and China, reported Nuzakelijk.nl. In addition, the company has many customers in Germany, Italy and France,...]]> Fri, 17 Oct 2014 16:19:42 +0200 Companies that operate internationally, proved better able to cope with economic crisis in terms of employment

Fewer job losses in export business

Since the beginning of the recession in 2008Dutch companies operating internationally have lost significantly less jobs lost compared with other companies operating on the inner market. This reports the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) on Friday.

Between 2008 and 2009, the crisis had relatively little impact on Dutch employment market and the companies focused on the inner were in an equal situation as the companies performing internationally. However already between 2011 and 2012 the number of jobs has...]]> Fri, 17 Oct 2014 16:04:13 +0200  NuVasive, Inc., a medical device company focused on developing minimally disruptive surgical products and procedures for the spine, is opening an office in Amsterdam.
As part of NuVasive’s strategic expansion throughout the EMEA market, it is opening its European Center of Excellence (COE) office in Amsterdam. The Center will serve as NuVasive’s European commercial headquarters and function as the commercial hub for the European executive leadership and departments across marketing, surgeon education, sales, human resources, legal and other support functions, stated the company's press release.
The International Operations Center in Ireland, which was established in June, will remain the Company’s international...]]> Fri, 17 Oct 2014 15:20:30 +0200 NUVASIVE®  announces opening of new European Center of Excellence in Amsterdam. The Center will serve as NuVasive’s European commercial headquarters and function as the commercial hub for the European executive leadership and departments across marketing, surgeon education, sales, human resources, legal and other support functions. Meanwhile, the International Operations Center in Ireland, which was established in June, will remain the Company’s international operational headquarters.

Russell Powers, Executive Vice President of International for NuVasive said, “Region specific events such as Eurospine are essential to our expansion efforts in Europe. The COE, along with the recently opened International Operations Center in Ireland, provide...]]> Fri, 17 Oct 2014 14:49:13 +0200 Job hunting is challenging and can be quite stressful at times, especially when it involves a career change. Together Abroad has the expertise and experience to offer you advice and guidance on potential Dutch job prospects through a number of individual sessions with a career advisor. Through these sessions we examine the opportunities available to you, taking into account your skills, work experience, strengths, weaknesses and potential barriers.

We will examine your current situation and look into your expectations for your new professional direction. Our advisors will guide you through different strategies and planning for your new career and take...]]> Tue, 15 Oct 2013 16:17:10 +0200 MapR Technologies has opened its first office in The Netherlands, a strategic plan to extend the company’s presence in the EMEA region.

The data technology company announced in a press release that it has entered into a signed partnership agreement with Anchormen, a Dutch software development specialist, to broaden their consulting and training services in the region.

MapR has hired Hugo Karelse, who has worked in senior roles within several big data technology groups at Oracle, to lead the expansion in the Benelux region.

"MapR is excited to expand our commitment to customers and partners in the region and help...]]> Fri, 10 Oct 2014 11:26:08 +0200 Henk Kamp, Minister of Economic Affairs of The Netherlands, opened the Dutch Innovation Factory in Zoetermeer on September 22.
The mayer of Zoetermeer, Charlie Aptroot, called it the beginning of a Dutch Innovation Parc, a place where education, business and research can meet.

...]]> Thu, 02 Oct 2014 18:20:23 +0200 Dler Law Office, a full service business and litigation law firm headquartered in Erbil Kurdistan in northern Iraq, has established a European law firm in WTC The Hague. Due to increasing investment and trade between Iraq/Kurdistan and Europe, Mr. Dler Saber, the managing partner of Dler Law Office, decided it was time to incorporate a law office in Europe- Dler Law Office Europe BV.


As Mr. Dler Saber explained, “We carefully considered various possible locations in Europe, and we concluded that Holland would be the best option. The assistance that the West-Holland Foreign Investment Agency gave us in setting up...]]> Thu, 02 Oct 2014 18:07:20 +0200 Technology and innovation giant, Philips has announced its split into two separate companies -- Lighting solutions and HealthTech, which will combine Healthcare and Consumer Lifestyle.

Frans van Houten, CEO of Philips announced this in London with a meeting of investors and analysts. “I do appreciate the magnitude of the decision we are taking, but the time is right to take the next strategic step for Philips, as we continue on our transformation,” he said. Van Houten also said that the spitting might come as a surprise for many people, however the company going in this direction for a long time...]]> Tue, 30 Sep 2014 23:42:00 +0200 The budget released by the Dutch government will be help to expand SMEs, boost innovation and strengthen the growth of several sectors such as sustainable energy, agriculture and environment.

A ‘Special Envoy’ has been set up to help start-ups and growing businesses. This Envoy will strengthen the international position of Dutch start-ups and growing businesses and will encourage entrepreneurs from other countries to set up business in the Netherlands.
The financial scope for SMEs will also be widened by a range of measures that can generate additional financing of €2.5 billion. Campaigns focusing on alternative forms of financing will also...]]> Tue, 30 Sep 2014 11:03:17 +0200
According to Google: Europe Blog, Google will be announcing a new EUR600 million investment to build a new data centre in Eemshaven, the Netherlands. The investment will be spread out over the next four years to build a new data centre in Eemshaven, the Netherlands.

At a time of high unemployment throughout Europe, the project promises a welcome infusion of jobs. Construction will provide work for more than 1000 workers. We expect to start initial operations in the first half of 2016 and to be fully operational by the end of 2017. By then, the centre will create employment for...]]> Thu, 25 Sep 2014 17:51:29 +0200 The iconic French fashion house Chanel has purchased a new office in Amsterdam. The building, which is currently still under construction, is expected to open in spring 2015, when Chanel International will establish its new international headquarters in Amsterdam.


Amsterdam’s popular business district
According to several Dutch media outlets (eg Het Parool), Chanel has spent almost 45 million on the new office space, which is located at the Zuidas, one of the most popular business districts of Amsterdam. While in many areas of the country businesses have had to cancel construction plans, the appetite of investors for Zuidas office space...]]> Mon, 15 Sep 2014 18:48:33 +0200 Calvin Klein, the famous lifestyle apparel brand, is building a new European head office in Amsterdam. The aim is to officially open the new office in early 2016.

Amsterdam as gateway to Europe
The news was picked up by several Dutch media outlets. From the new office in Amsterdam, Calvin Klein aims to further strengthen its presence in Europe. Calvin Klein is a subsidiary of the PVH Corporation, which also owns Tommy Hilfiger – another American brand to have moved its head office to Amsterdam.

Fashion hub Amsterdam
The move illustrates the popularity of Amsterdam for fashion and apparel brands....]]> Mon, 04 Aug 2014 11:43:32 +0200
New! Topic-Based Summer Courses. Now 15% summer discount!

Summer has arrived again. A time to relax, enjoy and more importantly some time for yourself. Summer is a great opportunity to improve your skills in order to increase your opportunities. For these reasons, Berlitz is pleased to present a special summer offer:

Improve your speaking skills in a particular field of interest:

Summer offer: 15% discount off the regular price: now at €995 All-In! • 6 x 2h15 Face-to-Face lessons
• 1 month e-learning
• The price includes material, enrolment fee, assessment– and endtest, report and certificate.
• Available Languages: French,...]]> Wed, 23 Jul 2014 14:40:46 +0200
Vivace Magazine is located at WTC The Hague since early June. Vivace is a lively luxury lifestyle magazine that combines "Business and Pleasure".

With a passionate team of professionals Vivace wants to entertain readers from the higher segment with topics such as fashion, housing, interior, cosmetics, cars, boats, culture and travel. Also financial and legal topics are highlighted, as well as real estate.

Vivace is the first glossy magazine that is distributed house to house and spread into the heart of the target audience in Wassenaar and The Hague. Furthermore, the magazine will be distributed to hotels, restaurants and shops...]]> Wed, 23 Jul 2014 13:00:48 +0200
Muntajat holds the exclusive rights to market, sell and distribute Qatar's chemical and petrochemical products to the global market.

Qatar produces 10 million tonnes per annum of chemicals, polymers and fertilisers, supplying and supporting the growth of a large number of industries around the world. Qatar’s output is planned to reach 23 million tonnes by 2020 due the continuous investments in the sector. The government is investing $25 billion to expand the industry and build a sustainable and diversified economy. The next decade is set to be the ‘Chemical and Petrochemical Decade’ for Qatar.

Aligned with the goal of Qatar...]]> Wed, 23 Jul 2014 12:59:19 +0200
Nowadays, improving team’s performance is a challenge for management. Employees are not seen as individuals anymore. Now they are part of a team and the company’s success is closely related to how well they can create a high-performance team. In its simplest terms, the concept focuses its efforts in the development of teamwork skills and team communication as well as a good understanding of team dynamics and improvement of team performance to reach company’s goals. Teambuilding can vary from complex role-playings to simple bonding exercises. Most activities include exercises about brainstorming, creativity, collaboration and feedback. The target areas for these...]]> Fri, 11 Jul 2014 11:46:04 +0200 Image: Vice Mayor of The Hague Henk Kool

With the installation of the city’s new administration, The Hague deputy Mayor Henk Kool leaves the City Hall and steps down as alderman for Social Affairs, Employment and Economy. During his two political terms Henk’s ambition, vision and expertise led to many international companies locating new offices in The Hague and the WestHolland region. In the last 8 years we have seen an increasingly pro-active business approach by the City’s staff managed by Henk. Despite his busy schedule, Henk was always personally willing to meet potential new companies and enthusiastically promoting The...]]> Thu, 03 Jul 2014 13:24:44 +0200
Leading Chinese automotive enterprise Guangzhou Jiahe Shengde Auto Parts Market Management, part of the Shenzhen listed Guangxi Softto Co.,Ltd, is a trading platform for both European and Chinese auto parts- and accessories manufacturers and distributors. The first exhibition in The Hague is planned later this year.

A growing demand in the global automotive aftermarket combined with a boost in car sales brings Jiahe Shengde to expand their business globally. Apart from the new premises in The Hague another Trade and Exhibition Centre will be opened in the United Arab Emirates. Jiahe Shengde also plans to open Centre’s in Russia, United...]]> Thu, 03 Jul 2014 13:20:52 +0200 It is not a secret that the importance of coaching is growing sharply in the business environment. This increase is visible in many sectors and professions. Blue chip companies like Coca Cola or Google know the advantages of coaching and its effective way to improve employees’ performance. Coaching is a type of Human Resources Development. It deals with employees in a supportive and positive way to enhance their personal effectiveness within the business. There are three types of coaching within the business environment: executive coaching, corporate coaching and leadership coaching. Coaching enhance motivation, leadership skills, management skills, interpersonal skills, personal...]]> Thu, 26 Jun 2014 10:30:34 +0200 Humble business leaders are more effective
A new research shows how modesty is the key to become a successful leader. Mighty humble leaders benefit from a more open mind and culture.
This conclusion emerges from the PhD research of Milton Sousa from Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM). He defends his thesis "Servant Leadership to the test: new perspectives and insights' on Thursday, June 12th, 2014 at the Erasmus University Rotterdam.
Often, modesty is associated with iconic spiritual or political leaders, not so much with leaders in the business world. In his thesis, Sousa shows that modesty is one of...]]> Wed, 11 Jun 2014 20:00:40 +0200 Employees prefer pension security

When asked, most employees who are saving for a pension via their employer reported that they wanted financial security when they retire. The majority preferred not to make do with less pension, even if this means working to an older age and/or having to paying higher premiums. A surprisingly large group, on the other hand, do not have any opinion at all about the pension issues addressed in the survey.

Later retirement to maintain pension scheme
On the basis of four pension dilemmas, Statistics Netherlands has conducted a survey among employees saving for a pension via...]]> Sat, 07 Jun 2014 09:42:13 +0200 The Amsterdam-based DE Master Blenders and Mondelez International are blending their coffee portfolios into a new company. With combined revenue of more than €5 billion, the new company will be the world’s largest pure coffee company.

Amsterdam: a home to headquarters
The entire deal is expected to be completed in 2015 and the new company will operate from the headquarters of DE Master Blenders in Amsterdam. This decision illustrates that Amsterdam has solidly established itself as a leading location for European headquarters. Especially when large multinationals merge, they are increasingly choosing the Netherlands as a location for their new (legal)...]]> Wed, 21 May 2014 18:39:57 +0200 Only 8% of the HR managers believe that their team have the right knowledge and skills to face all the challenges related to human resource management and strategic planning, and that they are an added value for the company.

Tim Gould distils from Deloitte's report "Global Human Capital Trends 2014" that human resources management is not ready for the challenges of the future. The comprehensive report shows the opinion of 2.500 (HR) leaders about HR-related topics. Seen as the greatest challenge, HR leaders try to maintain and keep relevant staff and ' reinvent ' the HR function. Most organizations do not...]]> Mon, 19 May 2014 10:03:07 +0200 ICP survey: Quality of your Professional Life

The International Community Platform* (ICP) aims at increasing the attractiveness of the working and living environment for international talent. In 2013 over 1000 internationals in NL participated in the ICP survey on “The perceived Quality of Professional Life in NL”. In 2014 the employers of the ICP would like to learn more about this topic. We will extend the survey to other 'expat'-locations in NL and abroad.

Are you an employee, entrepreneur, volunteer, student, or job seeker living outside your country of origin?
Please fill out this survey and share it with your...]]> Tue, 06 May 2014 16:55:58 +0200 TAQA Gas Storage Bergermeer starts partial commercial operations in the Netherlands

Project milestone achieved safely, on schedule and within budget

TAQA, the international energy and water company from Abu Dhabi, today announced the start of preliminary commercial operations at its Gas Storage Bergermeer facility in the Netherlands. Compressors are injecting gas into five wells drilled into the previously depleted Bergermeer reservoir. This milestone marks the completion of the first phase of the project.

Jan Willem van Hoogstraten, Managing Director of TAQA in the Netherlands said, “Gas Storage Bergermeer is one of the biggest, independent investments made in the Netherlands at...]]> Thu, 17 Apr 2014 18:10:17 +0200 Arnott® Air Suspension opens European Union location in Holland

MERRITT ISLAND, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Arnott® Air Suspension – the leader in aftermarket automotive air suspension products – announced the opening of a European Union office and distribution center. The EU facility, located in the Netherlands, provides local sales and support, faster shipping, payment in Euros, and an easier way for customers to return and sell cores to Arnott.

“Opening the European Union facility is the logical result of Arnott’s significant and growing worldwide product popularity”

Arnott, with worldwide headquarters in Florida, U.S.A. makes air suspension replacement products for many European, Japanese, and...]]> Thu, 17 Apr 2014 18:07:40 +0200
Exports account for one third of employment in the Netherlands

In 2012, exports of goods and services generated the equivalent of 2.2 million full-time jobs in the Netherlands. This accounts for one third of total employment in the country. Some 62 percent of these jobs are in the export sector itself, while 38 percent are in the sectors supplying the export sector.

Export sector provides jobs for exporters and suppliers
Most export-related employment is generated by exporting companies themselves. These companies account for employment totalling over 1.3 million full-time equivalents. If, for example, a dairy company produces half of its...]]> Thu, 17 Apr 2014 18:05:17 +0200
Kevin Tao, Huawei President West Europe; Dirk Jan van den Berg, President of the Executive Board of Delft University of Technology
Huawei and Delft University of Technology jointly work on talent development

Voorburg / Delft, 2 April, 2014 - Huawei, a leading global ICT solutions provider, signed an agreement with the Delft University of Technology to start the Huawei Authorized Network Academy (“HANA”). The agreement was signed in the presence of President Xi Jinping from the People’s Republic of China and Willem Alexander, the King of the Kingdom of The Netherlands. Huawei and the university aim to upgrade the skills of...]]> Thu, 17 Apr 2014 18:02:46 +0200
Fewer businesses and institutions bankrupt

In March this year, 521 businesses and institutions (excluding one-man businesses) were declared bankrupt, i.e. nearly 100 down from February 2014. The number of bankruptcies was reduced by more than one quarter relative to March 2013.

Many businesses and institutions declared bankrupt in March were active in the sectors trade (127), financial services (78) and construction (77).In most sectors, the number of bankruptcies was below the level of the preceding month.

As the number of businesses declared bankrupt in a particular month is closely related to the number of days courts are in session, it...]]> Mon, 14 Apr 2014 14:20:12 +0200
A good resume is very important in finding a job . However, there are some mistakes that even continue . Most experienced candidates Below are ten of the biggest mistakes that you absolutely must try to avoid displayed .

1. A 'funny ' email address
" chickenwing@provider.com 'or' nice-party@provider.com " are definitely not suitable for e-mail addresses turn . on your resume Indeed, if a recruiter a resume and cover letter with a similar email address receiving , it is often deleted immediately , if the e - mail already come through the...]]> Mon, 07 Apr 2014 13:56:54 +0200
Campus of Delft University of Technology

TU Delft has risen to 42nd place in the global reputation ranking list of universities, the World Reputation Rankings of Times Higher Education magazine. Last year, the university stood at a shared 51st-60th place. With the new ranking, TU Delft is now the highest ranked Dutch university and the third highest European university of technology. Three other Dutch universities are ranked in this top 100.Services
Competition
TU Delft President Dirk Jan van den Berg is delighted with this new ranking: "A great reputation is important for staying attractive to talented students and researchers from...]]> Thu, 27 Mar 2014 15:34:06 +0100 Impression of the new Biotech Training Facility

On February 25th the design- and build contract was signed. The contract value is approximately € 5 million. The Biotech Training Facility will be a unique international GMP training facility for employees in the (bio)pharmaceutical industry that will meet the urgent need for highly qualified personnel in the sector. BAM Utiliteitsbouw will construct the Biotech Training Facility at Leiden Bio Science Park.

The life sciences sector is struggling to find sufficient well trained staff. With many promising products

in the pipeline, it is expected that the need for staff will only increase in...]]> Thu, 27 Mar 2014 13:55:21 +0100 Chinese and Dutch Ministers officially open new Huawei office in Voorburg

[Voorburg, 25 March, 2014] Huawei, a leading global ICT solutions provider, today celebrated the opening of a new office in Voorburg. The Chinese Minister of Commerce, Gao Hucheng, and the Dutch Minister of Foreign Trade, Lilianne Ploumen, officially opened the office by cutting the ribbon. The new office reflects the rapid growth of the company in The Netherlands. Almost 250 employees will be employed at the Voorhaghe building in Voorburg.


Official opening
A distinguished group of national and local government officials, key customers and other stakeholders were able to...]]> Wed, 26 Mar 2014 21:14:21 +0100
Record number of jobs thanks to foreign investments

United States remains most important source for FDI projects

In 2013 the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) was actively involved in supporting 193 foreign investment projects that landed in the Netherlands. These projects are good for a total investment of € 1.7 billion in the Dutch economy and a record number of nearly 8,500 jobs. Additionally, a recent survey amongst foreign investors in the Netherlands also showed an increase in their appreciation of the Dutch investment climate.

Attractive business climate
‘The attraction of the Dutch business climate for foreign investors is a...]]> Mon, 24 Mar 2014 14:39:35 +0100
Reed Business Media is proud to announce that is has received the certification " Top Employer Netherlands 2014” together with a number of other selected organisations. This is an official recognition for excellent HR policy .
Excellent benefits
An examination of the Top Employers Institute found that Reed Business Media offers its employees excellent working conditions. Thus, the organization scored high on career opportunities, working conditions, training and opportunities for flexible working. The company is praised for the wide ' range ' of benefits and networking opportunities .
A clear recognition
Renee van der Laan , Director of Human Resources...]]> Wed, 19 Mar 2014 11:31:33 +0100 Acquisition Creates $3 Billion Global Customer Management Services Company

(Cincinnati; March 3, 2014) – Convergys Corporation (“Convergys”) (NYSE: CVG), a global leader in customer management, today announced that it has completed its acquisition of Stream Global Services, Inc. (“Stream”).

The addition of Stream will strengthen Convergys’ position as the leading U.S. provider in the $55 billion outsourced customer management services industry. It expands the company’s geographic footprint and capabilities. Convergys now has 125,000 employees working out of more than 150 locations in 31 countries, speaking 47 languages. Stream’s complementary client portfolio will also diversify Convergys’ client base through the addition...]]> Mon, 17 Mar 2014 13:22:40 +0100
606 businesses and institutions bankrupt in February

In February this year, 606 businesses and institutions (excluding one-man businesses) were declared bankrupt, i.e. 11 more than in January. Many businesses and institutions declared bankrupt were active in the sectors trade (145), financial services (88) and manufacturing industry (75).
As the number of businesses declared bankrupt in a particular month is closely related to the number of days courts are in session, it may vary considerably from one month to the next. Therefore, the three-month moving average is a more reliable indicator.
With 599 versus 591, the three-month moving average was marginally...]]> Thu, 13 Mar 2014 23:46:36 +0100 Popularity temporary contracts increased
Employers in the Netherlands see more and more the benefits of temporary contracts for strategic personnel . The demand for temporary workers is also expected to increase this year. It is a worldwide trend.
According to research by Page Personnel among more than 13 thousand employers and professionals on temporary work and interim management the popularity of temporary contracts has tremendously increased.

Testing newcomers
Dutch employers indicate that see as the main benefits for temporary labor 2 things: the flexibility ( 91 percent ) and responding to the short term needs ( 85 percent ). Another reason...]]> Wed, 12 Mar 2014 09:57:24 +0100 Education should be a hotbed for innovative and ambitious enterprise. All too often entrepreneurs who are still in college or students who want to branch out into enterprise are frustrated by practical restrictions. The government wishes to remove these restrictions and close the gap between education and enterprise.

Linking education to the needs of enterprise
Until a few decades ago, pupils and students trained to work for a company. Now 1 in 8 people working in the Netherlands is an entrepreneur. The government aims to link education to the needs of enterprise:

Incorporating entrepreneurship in the curriculum;
Removing practical restrictions...]]> Tue, 11 Mar 2014 13:31:20 +0100 Mirantis Expands in Europe to Help Accelerate OpenStack Adoption
Mirantis, the number one pure-play OpenStack vendor, is expanding its European operations to help support increasing global demand for OpenStack solutions, and to drive further market growth for its flexible, commercially-supported OpenStack distribution and professional services.

The company, headquartered in Mountain View, California, has opened an office in Amsterdam to supplement its existing centres in Poland, Ukraine and Russia. This will enable Mirantis to capitalise on the fast-growing interest in vendor-agnostic OpenStack environments in Europe, and to further enhance support for partners and customers.

Adrian Ionel, CEO of Mirantis, said “Enterprises...]]> Tue, 11 Mar 2014 12:39:18 +0100

Medline’s new international headquarters in Arnhem to provide healthcare customers with exceptional value worldwide

Arnhem, the Netherlands-- February 28, 2014 – Medline Industries, Inc., a leading U.S.-based provider of medical and surgical supplies, officially opened its new international headquarters with the Alderman of the City of Arnhem, Michiel van Wessem on Wednesday in Arnhem’s World Trade Center. One hundred select guests, Medline employees and representatives of the Development Agency East Netherlands and the Province of Gelderland joined the formal opening event.

Based just outside of Chicago, Ill., Medline is the largest privately held...]]> Tue, 04 Mar 2014 22:16:30 +0100 Slight economic recovery and EMU balance under 3 per cent according to Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis

The Dutch economy is slowly on the path to recovery, in the slipstream of the euro zone, with a projected ¾% growth this year and 1¼% for 2015. For the current year, unemployment is expected to increase further up to 650,000 people, but will decline again next year as a result of improving employment opportunities.

Inflation for both years is projected at 1½%. This year, the government deficit will be 2.9%, decreasing to 2.1% in 2015.

Improvement in both the global and...]]> Tue, 04 Mar 2014 22:01:26 +0100
Employment Market trends have appeared first period

In period 1 (weeks 1-4), the number of hours worked increased by 3% and increased by 4% compared to the same period last year sales. This period had an equal number of working days compared to the same period last year, there is no correction.

The hours in the administrative sector increased by 9% compared to the same period last year and the sales increased by 9%.
The hours in the industrial sector showed a decrease of 1% compared to the same period last year, sales increased by 1%.
The number of hours...]]> Fri, 21 Feb 2014 20:25:36 +0100
The Nyenrode Talent Archive (International MBA 2014 CV book) exemplifies the authentic talents of our International MBA participants. Reflecting the personal leadership development journey that Nyenrode walks with each and every one of our students, the Talent Archive is designed to connect our participants with the international business community.

For more information and/or request for a copy, contact Willem van Donge at +31 (0)346 291 723 or email w.vdonge@nyenrode.nl...]]> Tue, 18 Feb 2014 11:12:15 +0100 HLH Consulting, a Chinese firm that specialises in executive recruitment for globalising Chinese companies, has chosen to set up in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area. The company recently opened its new Amsterdam office.

Chinese success and growth in Amsterdam
With more than 70 Chinese companies already present in the Amsterdam Area, HLH will find that many customers are located just around the corner. For example, Huawei, one of their biggest clients, has established their European headquarters in the Amsterdam Area. And according to HLH Consulting, the international attraction of the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area automatically appeals to other foreign companies and candidates...]]> Mon, 17 Feb 2014 11:34:11 +0100 Expedia, a major international online travel company from the United States, has chosen to expand its existing operations in Amsterdam. In turn, this will create approximately 120 new full time jobs in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area.

Amsterdam’s attractive labour pool
Expedia announced the news in a press statement. To facilitate the expansion, Expedia Group has leased a new office in a canal-side property in the historic city centre of Amsterdam. When Expedia first set up their business in Amsterdam, the company experienced first hand that the area acts as a magnet to talented people from across the globe.

“The impressive...]]> Mon, 17 Feb 2014 11:21:36 +0100 Recruitment in the Netherland / Dutch Recruiters

If you are an international candidate looking to get a job in the Netherlands the best way to do this is to inform about  Recruitment in the Netherland / Dutch Recruiters. There are three main ways to do this.

Go to an international job board in the Netherlands for recruitment in the Netherland / Dutch Recruiters

The first way is too simply search on any international jobs board relating to the Netherlands and you will find that many of the job postings are being handled by recruitment agencies in the Netherlands on behalf of a...]]> Fri, 07 Feb 2014 22:23:09 +0100 Budding optimism among manufacturers in the Netherlands

The mood among Dutch manufacturers improved further in January. The producer confidence indicator climbed from 0.1 in December to 0.7 inJanuary. After a period of two and a half years in which pessimism prevailed, manufacturers are now cautiously optimistic.

Producer confidence consists of three component indicators: manufacturers’ opinions on their order positions, their opinions on their stocks of finished products and the projected output over the next three months. Manufacturers were more optimistic about their future output in January than in December. They were also less negative about their order positions, but more...]]> Thu, 06 Feb 2014 20:18:53 +0100 Dyadic International expands its Dutch Research Centre

Expansion includes new state-of-the art fermentation lab, significantly increased floor space and additional scientific staff

JUPITER, Fla., January 29, 2014 - Dyadic International, Inc. (OTC Pink: DYAI), a global biotechnology company focused on the discovery, development, manufacture and sale of enzymes and other proteins for the bioenergy, bio-based chemical, biopharmaceutical and industrial enzyme industries, announced today that the expansion of its research laboratory in The Netherlands is now complete.

Dyadic’s Chief Operating Officer, Danai Brooks, stated, “Commercial interest in Dyadic’s C1 expression technology has increased with new end markets, such as biopharmaceuticals, and...]]> Thu, 06 Feb 2014 20:17:16 +0100 Coveo establishes European headquarters in Amsterdam

Company opens EMEA headquarters in Amsterdam to support global growth and increasing demand for search & relevance technology

San Mateo, CA and Quebec, Canada – January 29, 2014 – Today Coveo announced the opening of a new European headquarters office in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, to support the company’s expansion into key European markets and provide on-the-ground sales support for enterprise customers and partners in the region.

Coveo’s decision to expand operations in Europe was based on increasing global demand for and adoption of its Search & Relevance Technology. The investment is yet another milestone...]]> Thu, 06 Feb 2014 20:15:10 +0100 Were you confronted with a drop in your net wages this year? Chances are that it will be on the up for 2014. Compared to 2013, you will be better off by a small percentage on all gross incomes up to € 4350.

If you are on a fulltime minimum income (€ 1500 a month), you will be € 50 (net) better off each month. This large diverge continues up to € 1750, from there on up it dwindles. For instance, an average income of € 2500 will see a net increase of € 35. People working part-time earning approximately...]]> Wed, 29 Jan 2014 18:24:32 +0100 In 2013, 115 new international companies established offices in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area, collectively creating direct employment for a total of 1,727 people. These new figures were presented today by amsterdam inbusiness, the organisation responsible for acquisition in the region. The majority of these jobs were created in the Creative industry and the ICT sector, while the increase in the number of new companies in the Life Sciences sector is also particularly striking. The Amsterdam Metropolitan Area is currently home to 2,500 international companies, employing 140,000 people.

Amsterdam Alderperson Carolien Gehrels (Economic Affairs) commented on developments, saying: “In recent years,...]]> Wed, 29 Jan 2014 14:01:17 +0100 Amendments 2014

Pay slip
If your wages dropped last year, chances are your wages will grow in 2014. All gross wages under € 4350 will People earning a higher income will see a decline in their net wages. There are several reasons for this. The tariff of tax bracket one has gone up which means you will pay less tax on the first part of your salary. Besides this, general tax exemption will become income dependable. Labour credit will grow for everyone earning up to approximately € 3350 a month. In the coming year it will grow with € 374 to...]]> Mon, 27 Jan 2014 11:11:22 +0100 Unemployment up in the Netherlands Unemployed labour force 15 thousand up in December Number of unemployed persons increased by nearly 100 thousand last year Number of unemployment benefits up by 19 thousand in December 245 thousand benefits terminated due to work resumption in 2013 According to the most recent figures released by Statistics Netherlands, seasonally adjusted unemployment increased by 15 thousand in December 2013 to reach 668 thousand, i.e. 8.5 percent of the employed labour force.
Figures published by the Institute for Implementation of Employees’ Insurances (UWV) show that the number of unemployment (WW) benefits was 438 thousand in December, an...]]> Fri, 24 Jan 2014 20:29:49 +0100 Economic situation in the Netherlands more favourable than one year ago

By the end of last year, the Dutch economy was in the recovery stage. The situation was very different from the end of 2012, when the economy was in deep recession. In the first six months of 2013, the economic situation worsened to reach the lowest point in April and May. Subsequently, the economic climate gradually improved, as the Business Cycle Tracer, published by Statistics Netherlands shows. The Business Cycle Tracer provides a picture of the economic situation by means of 15 indicators.

6 indicators still in the red...]]> Wed, 22 Jan 2014 22:02:28 +0100 ADIDAS CUSTOMER SUPPORT ADVISOR Teleperformance is looking for a fulltime or part-time Customer Support Advisor for the site in Maastricht who will support the Adidas online shop with both customer care as commercial activities in business to customer.

Your duties as Customer Support Advisor for Adidas
The Adidas Group is global leader in the sporting goods industry and offers a broad portfolio of products. Products from the Adidas Group are available in virtually every country of the world. As Customer Support Advisor it is your daily task to support the Adidas online shop. This means that your main activities are answering...]]> Fri, 17 Jan 2014 10:45:55 +0100 Nyenrode International MBA Scholarship Challenge 2014, win 1 of 5 sholarships!

Nyenrode International MBA Sholarship Challenge 2014, powered by IamExpat, is an online competition for global minds that are ready to enroll in a journey of personal and professional development.

Assess your business and analytical skills, participate in a discussion on a business case and get the chance to win one of five tuition-fee revolving scholarships for Nyenrode’s International MBA program starting in October 2014.

Prizes:

1 full-tuition revolving scholarship (worth €32,500)

2 partial tuition revolving scholarships (worth €20,000 each)

2 partial tuition revolving scholarships (worth €10,000 each)

Participate here...]]> Thu, 16 Jan 2014 11:50:12 +0100 Nyenrode Business Universiteit welcomes talented professionals to visit our university and discover our MBA programs. We think it is important for you to experience our university for yourself before you decide to apply for an MBA at Nyenrode. During the MBA Weekends, Nyenrode Business University opens its doors, allowing you to experience our university and the Executive MBA program first-hand.

Register here and get the chance to visit us as our guest all-inclusive.

Next MBA Weekend event date:
February 7th - 9th, 2014

Register here and get the chance to visit us as our guest all-inclusive.

Nyenrode EMBA Weekend: 7-9...]]> Wed, 15 Jan 2014 14:06:42 +0100 Self Employment in the Netherlands

More and more people in the Netherlands work as self-employed. The synomyns for being self-employed in the Netherlands are Freelance or ZZP (zelfstandig zonder personeel or self-employed without staff).
You made a decision to work for yourself. What do you need to know about starting up your own company?
When you set up your own business you have to deal with a number of issues which are relevant for every new starter.
Dutch Legal forms
There are various legal structures in the Netherlands you can choose from. For instance for an independent consultant a sole...]]> Mon, 13 Jan 2014 22:59:51 +0100
Consumer confidence in the Netherlands growing further

Dutch consumers were slightly less pessimistic in December than in the preceding month. The consumer confidence index climbed 2 points to -16. The mood among consumers has improved considerably over the past few months, although pessimism still prevails.

Consumers were less negative about the economic climate than in November. The component indicator economic climate improved 4 points in December to reach -12. Consumers’ opinions about the economic situation over the past 12 months improved, but their opinions on the economic climate in the next 12 months remained unchanged.

The component indicator reflecting consumers’...]]> Mon, 13 Jan 2014 22:49:46 +0100
The number of unemployment (WW) benefits has risen in recent years to over 400 thousand by the end of September 2013. Inflow and outflow are increasing. The amount of short-term WW benefits has grown dramatically.
More unemployment benefits claimed and terminated
In the first nine months of 2013, an average of 50 thousand new unemployment benefits were registered each month versus about 20 thousand five years ago. More new benefits were granted and more benefits were terminated. With an average of 43 thousand, the number of benefits terminated each month in 2013 was nearly...]]> Mon, 13 Jan 2014 22:45:27 +0100
If you want to come and work in Twente, you probably have many questions. What are the legal criteria to be able to work in Twente? How do you do get a visa? Are you allowed to work in Twente? Together Abroad Jobboard informs about all these career questions in Twente.

Check all career | Job opportunaties in Twente

So, if you are looking to get a language career | job  in Twente which languages will make you most employable? This is a difficult question, but most experts believe that the world's most influential languages at...]]> Mon, 06 Jan 2014 21:48:09 +0100 Ducth Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands

When you have decided to start up your own business in The Netherlands you first step is to register your company at the Chamber of Commerce. The main taks of the Chamber of Commerce is to provide entrepreneurs with up to date information and advice.
Many municipalities offer a startes subsidy which you can use for trainings and coachingsessions from Chamber of Commerce (KVK). For more information if your municipality participates in starters subsidy program please contact KVK in your region.

Dutch Chamber of Commerce registration
Chamber of...]]> Mon, 06 Jan 2014 21:41:39 +0100
Queen Máxima launches new Regional Development Agency for South-Holland

Delft, December 12th 2013: This afternoon Lijm & Cultuur hosted the spectacular public presentation of the new Regional Development Agency for South-Holland. Her Majesty the Queen Máxima – featured in a hologram presentation - unveiled the new name: Innovation Quarter

Investment and Innovation in South-Holland
The mission of Innovation Quarter is to strengthen the competitiveness of South-Holland by supporting and financing innovative business. Opportunities for innovation are greatest in key sectors such as Clean Tech, Life Sciences & Health, Safety & Security, High Tech and HortiTech. Entrepreneurs in the region may...]]> Mon, 06 Jan 2014 16:45:01 +0100 \International School Delft, The Netherlands, opens

International School Delft, The Netherlands, opens!
On 1 March 2014, the International School Delft (ISD) will open its doors. Initially, the school will move into an existing school building on Nassaulaan in Delft. Later, the ISD is expected to be permanently based on the TU Delft campus. The ISD’s mission is ‘Inspiring learning for bright futures’, a mission which is inspired by the city of Delft, home to a unique mix of science, art, history and technology.

The ISD focuses on children whose foreign parents live or work in the Netherlands, children of Dutch...]]> Mon, 06 Jan 2014 16:41:07 +0100 Turkish Airlines will set up base in Rotterdam

Turkish Airlines will open their second base in the Netherlands at ‘Rotterdam The Hague Airport’. As of 4 March seven Turkish Airlines employees will be stationed in Rotterdam to handle the new regular services between Rotterdam and home base Istanbul and to staff an additional Marketing & Sales office for the region.

Turkish Airlines has taken a well-advised decision to set up a base in Rotterdam. General Manager Ferhat Yerli: “Rotterdam is the trading capital of the Netherlands and the city boasts the largest port in Europe. Rotterdam is an important potential...]]> Mon, 06 Jan 2014 16:37:07 +0100 Unemployment Netherlands down

Unemployed labour force reduced by 21 thousand in November
Number of current WW benefits up by 11 thousand

Increase WW benefits mainly in sectors easily affected by seasonal variation
According to the most recent figures released by Statistics Netherlands (CBS), seasonally adjusted unemployment was reduced by 21 thousand to 653 thousand in November 2013, i.e. 8.2 percent in the labour force.
Figures released by the Institute for Implementation of Employees’ Insurances (UWV) illustrate that the number of unemployment (WW) benefits increased by 11 thousand to 419 thousand in November.

Unemployment further down

In November, 8.2 percent in...]]> Mon, 06 Jan 2014 16:34:27 +0100 Welch Allyn Establishes New Regional Headquarters in Leiden

Skaneateles Falls, N.Y., USA, November 6, 2013—Welch Allyn, a leading medical diagnostic device company that specializes in helping clinicians improve patient safety and outcomes, today announced the official establishment of its Europe, Middle East & Indian Sub-Continent (EMEI) headquarters and a consolidated Operations Center in the Netherlands. Both sites are part of the company‘s current realignment strategy aimed at positioning Welch Allyn for future growth throughout the region.
"In order to achieve our full potential in this part of the world, we made the tactical decision to realign our resources to best...]]> Sun, 15 Dec 2013 20:04:38 +0100 Number of bankruptcies down in November

In November this year, 576 businesses and institutions (excluding one-man businesses) were declared bankrupt, the lowest level so far in 2013. The reduction by 168 relative to October was mainly due to the number of day courts were in session. October had an extra session day. Most businesses and institutions declared bankrupt in November 2013 were active in the sector trade (158).
As the number of businesses declared bankrupt in a particular month is closely related to the number of days courts are in session, it may vary considerably from one month to the...]]> Fri, 13 Dec 2013 07:58:41 +0100 Last year, the number of second job holders included in the employed labour force has risen marginally to 544 thousand.
On average, people holding two jobs work two hours more each week than those with one job.

Number of second job holders marginally higher in 2012
The number of second job holders (Second jobholders A person who has a second job as an employee or self-employed next to his primary job. The primary job is defined as the most demanding job in terms of working hours. Self-employed with two jobs, for example work for two businesses they own.) in the...]]> Tue, 10 Dec 2013 11:44:08 +0100 Two of Holland's biggest cities will deny tax or social security numbers to Romanians or Bulgarians who fail to pass housing and employment checks Rotterdam and The Hague are ready to defy the European Union by denying immigrants a national registration number unless they meet stringent checks amid fears of an influx of Romanian and Bulgarians next year.

The municipal authorities in the two cities have warned that they will defy central government by carrying out inspections to make sure EU migrants have honest employment and are not living in overcrowded accommodation.

Those that are living at unsuitable addresses, or do...]]> Tue, 10 Dec 2013 11:23:01 +0100
Interview James Bluemink CEOpener and founder of Bottlocase

Bottlocase has been set up since 2013and designs and develops IPhone bottle opener cases.
Your company has been tipped as one of Amsterdam’s most exiting start up’s, can you explain why?
Yeah sure.

We initially tested our products with a cross sectional target market that included students, bar staff, breweries and beer lovers worldwide. This was the typical reaction we received from testers.

Wow… did that actually happen?Seriously….. Where can I get one on?
This was enough evidence to validate the market so we pushed forward with our designs and built the...]]> Sat, 07 Dec 2013 19:41:34 +0100 As soon as you know when your company plans to start business in the Netherlands, you should notify the Dutch tax authorities (Belastingdienst). When starting your activities in the Netherlands as a sole trader, a partnership, a limited partnership or a partnership under common firm, your company can be registered with both the Dutch tax authorities and the Dutch Chamber of Commerce at the same time. When starting your activities in the Netherlands under another legal form (such as a limited liability company, a BV), you will still have to notify the Dutch tax authorities and the Dutch Chamber of...]]> Tue, 03 Dec 2013 10:58:26 +0100 Dutch energy company Essent offers its employees the best working environment in the Netherlands and has won the Winning Workplace award for most progressive office.
The headquarters of Essent in Den Bosch showed in the final of this election with competitor Eneco, in Rotterdam and wholesaler Makro in Amsterdam coming in behind.
Innovative culture
Essent reached the top three of the election thanks to a public vote on the internet combined with a jury verdict. The jury looked at factors such as the companies building, the location, the workplaces and the way the participating organizations created an open and innovative...]]> Tue, 12 Nov 2013 10:39:19 +0100 Appical, a Dutch cloud software company in the field of HR won the 2013 iHR Award last week at a ceremony that took place during the HR Tech Europe conference. The company has developed a mobile platform for employees to work faster.

The jury consisted of experts from various fields of Accel Partners, Deloitte, Oracle, Randstad, SuccessFactors and Tincup & Co. Appical was unanimously elected as the winner due to the apps focus simplicity and impact on the HR community.

Amongst companies from Israel, Hong Kong, United Kingdom and the United States, Appical was the only Dutch company that was...]]> Fri, 01 Nov 2013 09:52:15 +0100 Fewer defence jobs will be lost Friday

Changes to the government’s 2014 spending plans mean 1,400 fewer defence jobs are set to be cut than first thought. While 1,000 jobs will still be cut, the number of compulsory redundancies will be ‘substantially fewer’ than the 2,400 first envisaged, the revised figures show. Defence has already cut 12,000 jobs in an effort to find €1.33bn in savings demanded by the government at an earlier stage
Source: Dutchnews.nl ...]]> Thu, 31 Oct 2013 15:19:52 +0100 Dutch employers have written to parliament to protest at tax increases on industry which are included in the recent budget agreement. In particular, the increase in tax on mains water will have an ‘unintentional and disproportionate impact’ on companies, especially those in the chemicals and metal sectors, the VNO-NCW employers' organisation says.

The tax means some firms which currently pay €50 a year for mains water may have to pay €10m in water taxes a year, the organisation's research shows. Hospitals and other public sector organisations which use a lot of water will also be hard hit, according to the...]]> Wed, 30 Oct 2013 18:23:57 +0100 Building group Ballast Nedam on Friday issued a profit warning and said it will cut 250 jobs. Rather than an operating profit of €15m, the company now expects to book an operational loss, Ballast Nedam said in a trading update.

‘The third-quarter results were disappointing. Unfavourable results were achieved on a major project and several regional infrastructure projects,’ the statement said. The jobs will go in the fourth quarter at regional building firms, specialists and the headquarters operation. The reorganisation will cost some €7m.

‘We refrain from further quantification of the forecast in view of the persistent uncertainty surrounding substantial...]]> Wed, 30 Oct 2013 15:38:28 +0100 A recent study has shown that within organizations the right freelancer is not always hired for the correct job. This is mainly due to little input and influence from the HR team during the selection of the freelancer.

That is at least a quarter (26 percent) of ZZP (zelfstandig zonder personeel), according to the research on 617 freelancers, done by Fast Flex. Two-thirds of freelancers in practice encounter that job descriptions do not match the reality. In addition, 58 percent noted that no account is taken of the corporate culture and often times the freelancer is matched correctly to the...]]> Wed, 30 Oct 2013 15:24:53 +0100 Brewing group Heineken saw net profit fall 15% in the third quarter of this year but turnover was up slightly.

Net profit fell to €483m, partly due to declining sales in eastern and central Europe, the company said. Disappointing economic growth also had an impact in other countries. In total, volume sales were down 2%.

Group turnover rose 1% to €5.7bn

‘Underlying trading conditions across Europe remain challenging, as evidenced by a weak consumer environment in central and eastern Europe in the quarter,’ chief executive Jean-François van Boxmeer said in a statement.

‘As a consequence, we are accelerating efforts to...]]> Thu, 24 Oct 2013 10:29:02 +0200 The number of women in higher management grades has risen slightly over the past year, from 20% to 21%, the Volkskrant reports on Tuesday.

The Volkskrant, which carried out the research among 35 of the top Dutch companies, says this is encouraging because higher management forms a pool of women who can move up into the top echelons.

This year saw the introduction of a 'legally desirable target' for female board members of 30% by 2016.

However, there is a long way to go, says the paper. Another report earlier this year said of the 213 board members of the...]]> Thu, 24 Oct 2013 10:25:21 +0200 Rail union FNV wants public transport, the police and the department of justice to take action in ending violence against public transport staff.

"We must make a joint statement. Get your hands off of our staff!" this was the statement made by union director Roel Berghuis following the beating of a railway conductor at Amsterdam Central Station.

The guard was injured in the scuffle with travellers, which eventually ended with the NS employee, one of the thugs and a bystander on the tracks where a train was about to leave.

The trade unionist calls the recent incident 'rock bottom’ in...]]> Thu, 24 Oct 2013 10:23:49 +0200 Three quarters of one-man businesses launched in 2009 were still active in 2012. Their chances of survival were higher than for one-man businesses launched in 2007. Profit margins of one-man businesses started up in 2007 and still active in 2012 have diminished.

More likely to survive
In 2012, 75 percent of one-man businesses launched in 2009 were still active, whereas only 63 percent of one-man businesses launched in 2007 had survived three years later. Surprisingly, one-man businesses started up during the recession in 2008 or 2009 appear to have a better chance of survival than those started up in 2007....]]> Thu, 24 Oct 2013 10:22:19 +0200
Dutch pension funds are in a better financial position but not all of them can guarantee they won’t have to make cuts in payouts next year, according to figures released on Thursday. Only building sector pension bpfBouw can say with certainty pensions don’t have to be cut next year.
It has increased its coverage ratio to nearly 110%, well over the legal minimum of 105%. Civil service pension fund ABP, one of the biggest funds in the world, has increased its coverage ratio to 103.%, well up on the 97.1% in the second quarter. But the danger of cuts has...]]> Tue, 22 Oct 2013 14:38:46 +0200
The two companies scored highest in overall satisfaction in the awards hosted by Effectory.

Dutch airline KLM won the category of companies with more than 1000 employees and nuclear fuel company Urenco was the best among companies with fewer than 1,000 employees .

Scania and Nedmag Industries scored highest in the category ‘largest contributor to overall satisfaction.’

The score is determined by the overall satisfaction of the employees of the organization. Both KLM and Urenco achieved a 8.9. The average in the Netherlands is 7.5.

Job security

For the awards a total of 316 companies were surveyed and confidence and...]]> Tue, 22 Oct 2013 14:09:21 +0200 In September this year, 595 businesses and institutions (excluding one-man businesses) were declared bankrupt, fewer than in August and the lowest number of bankruptcies so far in 2013, although still 7 percent up from September 2012. Many businesses and institutions declared bankrupt in September were active in the sectors trade (146) and construction (100).
As the number of businesses declared bankrupt in a particular month is closely related to the number of days courts are in session, it may vary considerably from one month to the next. Therefore, the three-month moving average is a more reliable indicator. In September, the...]]> Tue, 22 Oct 2013 14:07:56 +0200
Minister of Social Affairs and employment, Lodewijk Asscher has announced that government will invest 120-million Euros over the next two years into the labour market to fight unemployment in the construction sector.

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment announced that the parties have prepared a sector plan for this purpose.

The plan does not create additional employment but instead, better divides the available work. For instance guiding employees to other work, retraining skills and providing apprenticeships using wage subsidy.

The plan was signed in mid-October by the construction industry including; FNV, CNV Professionals, The Building Contractors Federation of the...]]> Fri, 18 Oct 2013 08:51:24 +0200 Don’t miss Expatica’s10th annual “i am not a tourist” Expat Fair on Sunday 3 November. It’s all an expat needs to make the most of life in the Netherlands, and it’s free to join!

Whether you have lived here for days, months or years, make sure you keep Sunday 3 November free on your calendars for this once-a-year opportunity.

“i am not a tourist” Expat Fair 2013 will be an interactive extravaganza of experts and companies specialising in expatriate life, with presentations, workshops, networking and live entertainment on offer.

We’ve invited over 100 exhibitors to offer you a helping hand...]]> Thu, 17 Oct 2013 16:39:43 +0200 Mobiquity Opens New European Headquarters in Amsterdam


Mobiquity Expands to Europe, Establishing Global Presence as Mobile Engagement Provider. Acquires Netherlands-based Full-service Web and Mobile Development Firm to Drive European Growth.
Mobiquity, a mobile engagement provider creating innovative solutions that drive business value, has selected the Netherlands for its expansion into Europe and has acquired Xaton, a full-service Web and mobile development company based in Amsterdam. Xaton’s clients include Ziggo, DTG, Superdirect and KPN. The opening of Mobiquity’s first European office, headquartered in Amsterdam, is driven by the company’s significant growth in the U.S., as well as increasing global demand for...]]> Mon, 14 Oct 2013 22:12:24 +0200 Working in the Southeast Netherlands

The Southeast Netherlands provides more than 100.000 jobs in the high-tech, automotive, and manufacturing industry and in high tech services. This portal connects you to international organizations with vacancies. Or your employment route may take you to one of the well-known international top technology companies or to one of the many much smaller innovation companies in the region. Both large and small, the prospects of a dynamic and rewarding working environment in Brainport are considerable.

Egalitarian approach in the Southeast Netherlands
The apparent egalitarian approach in the Netherlands fits very well with Dutch company structures,...]]> Tue, 08 Oct 2013 12:13:32 +0200 International Interest for HighTech Twente

The Italian company SEKO, producer of pumps and dosing systems, is looking for a location in the Netherlands. They want to be able to better serve their current customers, and to attract new customers, in the Benelux. The original plan was to open a location in the middle of the country.

SEKO is a good fit in the cluster of HighTech companies in the region of Twente. The company has since opened a sales office in Enschede at the Euregio business park. Oost NV played a role in helping the company establish its Dutch location....]]> Tue, 08 Oct 2013 12:03:52 +0200 Fresh foods and your role as a responsible consumer

Reshaping trade in fresh foods conference

Date: October 31st, 2013
Place: Nyenrode Business Universiteit, the Netherlands
Register before 24.10.2013

Registrations: Reshaping Trade in Fresh Food

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT!

Nyenrode Business Universiteit believes that global talents need to be aware of what happens behind the scenes in the international food value chains. The products you buy in the supermarket and eat everyday have their own stories. You, as a responsible consumer, should listen to those stories cautiously because you are what you eat and you hold the power to change.

Nyenrode and...]]> Mon, 07 Oct 2013 09:57:20 +0200
The HAN Language Centre also prides itself in being able to offer tailor-made courses. We can bring a course to your business address or run it at our HAN campus in Nijmegen or Arnhem. As part of the...]]> Fri, 04 Oct 2013 18:39:32 +0200 Excellent mobility (High-Speed train, RandstadRail), a central location in the inner city and a mix of multinationals, local businesses and housing, results in a fantastic city entrance to Rotterdam as well as to the Randstad conurbation. Rotterdam Central District. An area, where Rotterdam and Europe meet.

The combination of the new ultra-modern Rotterdam central station and its diverse array of public transport modalities, which will be completed in March 2014, its location and the opportunities for real estate developments make Rotterdam Central District a unique location in Europe. A international oriented business district within the vibrant heart this world renowned...]]> Wed, 02 Oct 2013 12:48:24 +0200 Canon Europe and Nippon Express strengthen cooperation in Rotterdam

Canon Europe, world-leader in imaging solutions consolidates its central warehouse operations for Western Europe in Rotterdam. The consolidation is part of a comprehensive review of Canon’s supply chain network to optimize efficiency in anticipation of future business requirements. As a result of a tender, Nippon Express has been appointed as the logistics service provider for the new central warehouse operation. Together with the existing facilities, a new 70,000 m2 distribution center will become the beating heart of Canon's European supply chain.

The location for the consolidated central warehouse operation will be...]]> Wed, 02 Oct 2013 12:43:05 +0200
Therefore, this study deserves to be taken very seriously by international...]]> Thu, 26 Sep 2013 15:55:21 +0200
Therefore, this study deserves to be taken very seriously by...]]> Thu, 26 Sep 2013 15:24:24 +0200

Starting your own business in the Netherlands

Following a successfull networking contact with the Chamber of Commerce The Hague Together Abroad endorses the seminar Starting your own business. It is a seminar for people who are thinking about starting their own business in the Netherlands. It is English Spoken. You can ask questions and during and after the seminar you can increase your network. For fulltime or parttime starting entrepreneurs, whether your idea is a (web)shop, to provide a service or you want to go international you are very welcome.

What can you expect:
Understanding the essential qualities of an entrepreneur
The...]]> Fri, 10 May 2013 16:19:44 +0200 Starting your own business in the Netherlands

Following a successfull networking contact with the Chamber of Commerce The Hague Together Abroad endorses the seminar Starting your own business. It is a seminar for people who are thinking about starting their own business in the Netherlands. It is English Spoken. You can ask questions and during and after the seminar you can increase your network. For fulltime or parttime starting entrepreneurs, whether your idea is a (web)shop, to provide a service or you want to go international you are very welcome.

What can you expect:
Understanding the essential qualities of an...]]> Tue, 24 Sep 2013 09:42:21 +0200
For more information about the In-company workshops and trainings contact us; info@togetherabroad.nl  

...]]> Tue, 24 Sep 2013 08:57:53 +0200
Energy Group Twente on Together Abroad
The Energy Group Twente consists of nearly 20 companies from the Twente region and the German border area.

Mission and vision 
Putting the Energy Cluster Twente on the map. 
Due to the distinctive character of its innovative products and services the cluster generates more business, increases the quality of turnover and contributes to a greater degree to a more sustainable world.

Cluster Composition
The cluster consists of nearly 20 companies from the Twente region and the German border area. A hallmark of the participating companies is that they are all end-user and internationally oriented, as well as complementary...]]> Mon, 26 Aug 2013 22:27:36 +0200 The MBA is a significant financial investment for a business professional, but the rewards can be very worthwhile, as your career chances after an MBA are likely to be greatly enhanced.
In fact, the MBA Career market has been improving in recent times. Figures from GMAT show that 75% of employers from around the world plan to hire recent MBAs in 2013, compared to just 71% in 2012. Of course an MBA is not a guarantee of a job; it can just help to open doors. And the GMAT survey shows that 56% of employers still consider prior experience to...]]> Tue, 13 Aug 2013 12:08:21 +0200 As of 1 August 2013, the Ministry of Economic Affairs has eased the regulations for entrepreneurs from outside of the European Union looking to work in the Netherlands. In doing so, it hopes to attract innovative self-employed people that will make a special contribution to the Dutch economy due to their specialist expertise.

Self-employed knowledge migrants in Amsterdam
The Dutch government announced the new changes in a press statement on 1 August. The key revision is that upon applying to the Immigration and Naturalisation Service, the knowledge workers have to file an additional request to be allowed to establish a...]]> Mon, 12 Aug 2013 14:25:07 +0200
London, 4 July 2013 – Canon Europe, world-leader in imaging solutions, announced plans today to consolidate its central warehouse operations for Western Europe based in the Netherlands, as part of a comprehensive review of Canon’s supply chain network to optimise efficiency in anticipation of future business requirements.

As a result of a tender, Nippon Express has been appointed as the logistics service provider for the new central warehouse operation. The location for the consolidated central warehouse operation will be in the Maasvlakte area of Rotterdam.

The new consolidated warehouse will become operational in the second half of 2015, following a...]]> Wed, 24 Jul 2013 22:36:06 +0200
Photo Claire Droppert
Unilever shifts European marketing to Rotterdam

Leading FMCG-manufacturer Unilever brings regional brand developers from 11 different European locations to Rotterdam – the home of its new European Marketing and Innovation Powerhouse.

All of Unilever’s European marketing activities, worth an impressive €13bn, will be managed out of the company’s new marketing and innovation HQ, located at Unilever’s Weena office in central Rotterdam.

The new facility will see Unilever’s top regional brand development talents move from many different locations around Europe, to Rotterdam. This represents approximately 400 high level jobs, seeing several hundred highly qualified professionals relocating to the city.

In...]]> Wed, 24 Jul 2013 22:32:42 +0200
Perfect Group
Relocating anywhere can be a very trying and difficult experience. That's why we're here - to help you find a house, settle in, and make your move and stay as pleasant as possible.

The Perfect Group is a full-service rental agency listing a large, screened portfolio of rental properties from partner providers.We offer you the following benefits:

* A licensed and professional agency
* Member of the Amsterdam Association of Housing Bureaus
* A wide selection of rental apartments
* Access to all broker's properties
* International, service-minded agents
* No registration costs

Why the Perfect Group?
We closely with...]]> Wed, 17 Jul 2013 17:08:46 +0200
Why this Job fair?

Although hard to imagine in the current economic climate, particularly with the growing unemployment rate in the Netherlands, the shortage in the skilled and highly-educated workforces is expected to grow in the coming year(s). With this in mind, Expatica and Together Abroad introduce the International Job Fair, the event for pursuing an international career in the Netherlands.
This is what the experts say about the situation:

www.government.nl
The shortage of skilled workforce in healthcare is confirmed by the Dutch government on their website: ‘1.3 million people work in the healthcare and social welfare sector...]]> Wed, 17 Jul 2013 17:03:03 +0200
If you want to come and work in the Netherlands, you probably have many questions. What are the legal criteria to be able to work in the Netherlands? How do you do get a visa? Are you allowed to work in the Netherlands?
Together Abroad Jobboard  informs about all these questions.

Check all vacancies in Twente
Today's job seekers are more internationally mobile than they have ever been. A recent survey from the Intelligence Group has revealed that a massive 68% of the global labour force is willing to work abroad, which is a 7% increase over 2006. This...]]> Wed, 17 Jul 2013 13:19:52 +0200 IDIS has announced the opening of a distributor network based out of Dongen in the Netherlands providing regional business operations to support next generation DirectIP™ high definition (HD) surveillance solutions.

IDIS Benelux BV offers customers a direct and local operation for DirectIP™ sales, service and technical support across Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. “By expanding our European presence and broadening our inventory, we improve efficiencies while providing local and tailored operations and programs that directly benefit our Benelux customers,” commented, Dr Young Dal Kim, CEO, IDIS Group of Korea.

Carlo A. Kuijer, CEO, IDIS Benelux, noted, ““We are building on...]]> Tue, 07 May 2013 10:54:17 +0200 Company Joins Thriving Dutch Gaming Scene


Chartboost, a San-Francisco based company that develops platforms for mobile games, has opened its first international office in Amsterdam.

The new location enables the company to provide real-time support to the one-third of Chartboost developers who are already based in Europe.

“We have always admired European developers and find their creativity and leadership inspiring. We are excited to now be even closer to that thriving game ecosystem,” said Maria Alegre, co-founder and CEO, Chartboost.

The Amsterdam area is currently home to more than 50 gaming companies, and the Dutch gaming market is expected to...]]> Tue, 07 May 2013 10:47:04 +0200

The stunning facility will be dedicated to driving innovation and new products that will excite consumers and customers in The Netherlands and across Europe, a key market for Heinz, a global leader in the packaged foods industry.

In total 160 chefs, food-scientists, quality engineers and researchers will drive innovation across Europe in this...]]> Thu, 18 Apr 2013 21:32:47 +0200 Dutch Employment Law | Netherlands

There are several areas of legal advice that may be important to you when you are an expat in the Netherlands and it is important to ensure that you know your rights and the laws of the land and the work-place before taking up assignment.

One of the first areas that you must be fully aware of when in the Netherlands is your immigration status. You must be absolutely clear on the terms of your residency permit and work permit and be careful not to breach them. If you have come from outside the EU you...]]> Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:15:57 +0200

Shell attracts ex-military staff

Shell will start hiring redundant military staff from next month onwards
On Wednesday afternoon, the energy group and Ministry of Defence will sign a covenant on the matter which will run from 2 April 2013 until 31 March 2014. The agreements made may be extended each time by a period of one year, should both parties be in agreement. Shell is specifically looking for staff for logistic posts, maintenance workers, operators and staff for the contracts & procurement department. “We know that military workers have useful competences and qualities to work for Shell”.

Cooperation

“Cooperation, flexibility,...]]> Tue, 02 Apr 2013 10:41:28 +0200 eG Innovations Focuses on Continental Europe, Opens Office in the Netherlands

Growing Demand for Performance Management Solutions in Europe, Record Customer Adoption and Strong Partner Growth Fueling Expansion
Iselin, N.J., March 26, 2013 eG Innovations, the award-winning provider of automated performance management solutions for virtual, cloud and physical IT infrastructures, today announced that it has opened an office in The Hague, the Netherlands. This new location will allow eG Innovations to better meet the needs of European customers as they seek to gain greater visibility into the performance of applications and IT infrastructures. Headquartered in Singapore, eG Innovations has offices...]]> Tue, 02 Apr 2013 08:35:28 +0200
The Innovation Union Scoreboard shows that the Netherlands has risen to the fifth place this year of most innovative economies in the European Union. 'This great score shows that the Dutch economy is very strong. The Netherlands belongs in the top five.' says minister Kamp of Economic Affairs.

Innovation performance in the EU has improved year on year in spite of the continuing economic crisis, but the innovation divide between Member States is widening. Drivers of innovation growth in the EU include SMEs and the commercialisation of innovations, together with excellent...]]> Thu, 28 Mar 2013 15:32:58 +0100 “Nyenrode Programs for Professionals & Entrepreneurs”

Nyenrode Business Universiteit is offering breakthrough international programs for experienced professionals and entrepreneurs to enhance their business skills and knowledge with insights than can immediately be put into practice in their current businesses. These programs are MBA level courses with an international focus and a practical orientation.

Nyenrode programs allow professionals and entrepreneurs to experience the most up-to-date academic know-how and the best business practices in topics such as entrepreneurship, international business, sustainability and finance. All our programs for professionals and entrepreneurs are English-taught. These programs last from 5 to 10 days.

Find more...]]> Mon, 25 Mar 2013 18:57:06 +0100 Positive results for NFIA in 2012 despite continuing difficult economic times

THE HAGUE, 14 February 2013 - The Netherlands continues to be very attractive for foreign companies. In 2012, the NFIA (Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency) supported 170 foreign investment projects, with a total value of more than 930 million Euros. These projects will result in 5,166 jobs, of which 1,795 relate to job retention. The share of job retention in 2012 has nearly doubled in comparison to 2011, according to the latest annual results for the NFIA.

Bas Pulles,...]]> Wed, 20 Mar 2013 13:53:49 +0100
China State Key chose the Netherlands due to the advanced innovative-ecosystems and for Delft in particular because of the successful partnering in Beijing, by exchanging knowledge and expertise . It is the first...]]> Wed, 20 Mar 2013 13:11:48 +0100
Since 11 January the new European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) is up and running to help protect European citizens and businesses from cyber-crime. EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström articipated in the official opening of the Centre established at the European Police Office, Europol in the Hague (the Netherlands).

"The Cybercrime Centre will give a strong boost to the EU‘s capacity to fight cybercrime and defend an internet that is free, open and secure. Cybercriminals are smart and quick in using new technologies for criminal purposes; the EC3...]]> Wed, 20 Mar 2013 13:16:03 +0100
The projects reported on in 2012 reflected a significantly higher growth expectation: 889 new jobs in 3 years....]]> Wed, 20 Mar 2013 13:08:00 +0100
In February this year, 755 businesses and institutions (excluding one-man businesses) in the Netherlands were declared bankrupt. This is the highest monthly number ever recorded. In January, the number of bankruptcies was also high (734).

As the number of businesses declared bankrupt in a particular month is closely related to the number of days courts are in session, it may vary considerably from month to month. Therefore, the three-month moving average is a more reliable indicator.
The three-month moving average stood at 680 in February, i.e. the highest number since the beginning of the time series...]]> Mon, 11 Mar 2013 17:23:48 +0100
Denkt u over een carrièreswitch? U weet niet zeker welke opleiding u moet kiezen? Is het op de Nederlandse arbeidsmarkt mogelijk om gebruik te maken van uw talenten, ongeacht uw loopbaan tot nu toe?
Het is niet altijd makkelijk om een baan in het buitenland te vinden, zeker niet als je de taal niet machtig bent. Het is verbazingwekkend hoeveel mogelijkheden er zijn op de arbeidsmarkt in Nederland voor non-native speakers.
Het moeilijkste is het begin: waar zijn vacatures te vinden? Hoe presenteer je jezelf bij een sollicitatiegesprek? Wat zijn de mogelijkheden voor iemand met uw ervaring? Together Abroad geeft...]]> Mon, 04 Mar 2013 22:38:58 +0100
Fonterra and A-ware Food Group confirm European partnership with new plants in Holland

New cheese and dairy ingredients plants in Heerenveen

New Zealand-based Fonterra and Netherlands-based A-ware Food Group have given the green light to develop a new cheese plant and dairy ingredients plant in Heerenveen in the north of the Netherlands.

New Zealand-based Fonterra and Netherlands-based A-ware Food Group have given the green light to develop a new cheese plant and dairy ingredients plant in Heerenveen in the north of the Netherlands.

Fonterra CEO Theo Spierings and A-ware Food Group CEO Jan Anker have today confirmed the...]]> Mon, 04 Mar 2013 20:00:11 +0100 Perfect World, a Chinese developer of online games, has chosen to house its essential IT infrastructure in the AMS 5 data centre in Amsterdam, hosted by the TelecityGroup.

Gateway to Europe
Perfect World is a market leader in China’s online gaming market. Its most popular titles include Perfect World, Battle of the Immortals, Legend of Martial Arts and Zhu Xian. After a successful entry into the US market, the games publisher has also decided to further strengthen its European market position from its new data centre base in Amsterdam. The company’s European headquarters is also located in Amsterdam.

The decision...]]> Mon, 04 Feb 2013 11:04:16 +0100 As of January the income requirements have been revised effective as of 1 January 2013:

Highly skilled migrants from the age of 30 € 52.010,-
Highly skilled migrants younger than 30 € 38.141,-
Persons who have graduated in the Netherlands and the Highly Educated Migrants Scheme € 27.336,-
Holder of a Blue Card € 60.952,-

If the application for a Regular Provisional Residence Permit has been submitted before 1 January 2013, the income requirements of 2012 will still apply to applications for a residence permit submitted after 1 January 2013.

Employees who wish to come to work as Highly Skilled...]]> Fri, 25 Jan 2013 12:49:34 +0100
WTC Services
The key services of the WTC Twente are:
* The WTC Business Club: meeting point for international business
* Trade Information Services: matching of worldwide supply and demand with Euregional supply and demand
* Trade Education Services: practical workshops, seminars and training of international business developments
* Group Trade Missions: incoming and outgoing trade missions
* Business Services: various commercial activities such as renting of offices, conference facilities

Location World Trade Center Twente

In the next few years the WTC Twente will relocate to a new offices complex around the Central Station in Hengelo....]]> Mon, 07 Jan 2013 17:25:09 +0100
PALO ALTO, Calif. / TILBURG, Netherlands – 12 December 2012 - As a key step towards beginning worldwide distribution of Model S, Tesla Motors announced today that it will begin operations this month at its new EuropeanDistributionCenter in Tilburg, Netherlands. This new facility will serve as Tesla’s European service and parts headquarters, as well as the final assembly and distribution point for Model S vehicles sold in Europe. General production of European left-hand drive Model S is planned to begin in March 2013....]]> Sat, 15 Dec 2012 13:13:59 +0100
The World Trade Center Twente aims to stimulate international trade by bringing together institutions and companies in the EUREGIO-area and the World Trade Centers Association global network. The role of the World Trade Center Twente is to provide a comprehensive service package comprising of, amongst others, a business club, business information,...]]> Mon, 03 Dec 2012 14:10:25 +0100 Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has secured the prestigious 'International Airport of the Year 2012' award at the CAPA's Aviation awards for Excellence gala dinner, held today in Hong Kong.
CAPA (Centre for Aviation) is a highly recognized, global provider of independent market intelligence, analysis and data services for the aviation industry.

CAPA's international panel of judges recognized that Amsterdam Airport Schiphol displayed significant leadership across a wide range of key airline and passenger related issues. Through its efforts, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has taken up an exemplary role within the global aviation industry.

Maarten de Groof, Chief Commercial Officer of Schiphol Group,...]]> Thu, 29 Nov 2012 16:58:25 +0100
Why should partner employment be a key issue for international employers looking to hire overseas applicants into their business? Well, according to a unique study by the Permits Foundation, titled the International Survey of Expatriate Spouses and Partners, 60% of the global workforce would be 'unlikely to relocate to a country where it is difficult for their partner or spouse to find work'. This was a very expansive study, which took in the views of 3,300 expatriate spouses and partners from 122 nationalities working in 117 host countries.

Therefore, this study deserves to be taken very seriously by international employers...]]> Wed, 28 Nov 2012 15:43:53 +0100
The company PM-Aerotec, based in Hengelo, is the winner of the World Trade CenterTwente Export Award 2012. The prize was presented last night during Business Meets Twente by JeroenRoodenburg, the ambassador for Trade and Industry & International Business of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The jury praised the company for its export strategy and its co-engineering projects abroad.
PM-Aerotech(formerly Tecnovia van den Akker)isbased in Hengelo, it recently re-launched itself successfully as part of PM Bearings and produces metal precision components and is specialised in manufacturing high-quality technical modules, assembly products and end products in small editions for, among others, the...]]> Sat, 24 Nov 2012 17:51:10 +0100 Every year www.greatplacestwork.nl publishes a list of the best places to work in Europe. They also break this list down by country which means we are able to bring you the list of the top 10 large multinational employers in the Netherlands which means that they have great work practices and are regarded as great places to work. This should be very useful information for international workers planning to take their next career step in the Netherlands. The top great places to work in the Netherlands are:

1.Microsoft
2.Amgen
3.ebay.
4.SAS
5.McDonald's
6.Mars Nederland
7.Mars Food Europe
8.NetApp
9.Novo Nordisk...]]> Wed, 21 Nov 2012 19:12:51 +0100 Expanded operations center to support growing European customer base

Amsterdam, The Netherlands — Tangoe, Inc. (NASDAQ: TNGO), a leading global provider of Communications Lifecycle Management (CLM) software and services, today announced the relocation of its European office location in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The new and larger office, located at: La Reine, Hogehilweg 17, 1101 CB Amsterdam Zuidoost, supports a growing workforce committed to delivering global, enterprise-grade solutions to Tangoe’s expanding customer base in Europe and around the globe.

“Amsterdam’s central location and close proximity to major travel networks, in addition to its high concentration of multi-national corporations, provides a perfect...]]> Tue, 20 Nov 2012 16:31:58 +0100 California-based Jive Software, a provider of social business solutions, is expanding its operations in Europe via new services for local customers. This includes the establishment of a data centre in the Netherlands.

The company’s new data centre, located in Amsterdam, features a modular build, abundant capacity and high-power density.

Jive Software also announced more than 70 per cent employee growth in the region for 2012.

About Jive Software
Jive Software is a provider of social business solutions. The company brings social technology innovations from the consumer world into enterprises.

NFIA
Source:IPAWorld.com, 15 November 2012...]]> Tue, 20 Nov 2012 16:29:15 +0100 AMSTERDAM – According to a global survey of expatriate by the Intelligence Group 2/3 of Dutch expats wants to return in the Netherlands.
The reason that Dutch expatriates stay in other countries is mainly to gain experience.
This deviates significantly from for example French or Belgian expats, who have moved abroad because of the crisis and never want to come back to their own country.
Besides the Netherlands (62 percent), the Australian (84 percent), Brazil (74 percent) and Chinese (61 percent) expats want to ever settle in their homeland again.
Belgians, Israelis and Greeks on the contrary do not want...]]> Thu, 08 Nov 2012 10:31:18 +0100 TAQA, the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company, and EBN BV of the Netherlands, in the presence of Minister Verhagen of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation, today marked the start of construction of Gas Storage Bergermeer. Bergermeer will become Western Europe’s largest open-access gas storage facility when it is completed in 2015. Its storage capacity will be 4.1 billion cubic meters of gas, equivalent to the average annual gas consumption of 2.5 million Dutch households.

This new facility will give the Bergermeer gas field a second life, since the gas originally underground has been completely depleted. Located between Alkmaar and Bergen...]]> Mon, 05 Nov 2012 19:09:08 +0100 LEIDEN, The Netherlands ─ Oct. 30, 2012 ─ Avery Dennison Corporation (NYSE: AVY), a global leader in labeling and packaging materials and solutions, today broke ground in the Leiden Bio Science Park in Oegstgeest on a new head office for its European Materials Group. The site is located approximately 30 minutes outside of Amsterdam.

The groundbreaking ceremony was co-hosted by the company’s development partner, OVG Real Estate, and was attended by local and regional dignitaries, including Guido Landheer, director top priority sectors of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation, and Els Timmers-van Klink, mayor of Oegstgeest. It...]]> Mon, 05 Nov 2012 19:01:42 +0100
The World Trade Center Twente is currently in the process of setting up the Expat Center Twente. The pilot phase has started on July 1st 2012 and last until January 1st 2013. The aim of the Expat Center Twente is to realise a fast and smooth introduction of expats and their families and helping them to get settled in the Twente region.

Once the co-operation with the local authorities and the Dutch immigration office is arranged, the Expat Center will offer a one- or a two-stop procedure for all the documents that expats need upon their arrival. Furthermore, it will...]]> Fri, 02 Nov 2012 11:08:40 +0100
Sistema JSFC ("Sistema" or the "Company") (LSE: SSA), the largest publicly-traded diversified holding company in Russia and the CIS, today announces that it has signed a non-binding term sheet regarding the acquisition of 100% of the issued and outstanding shares in the share capital of Argos Group Holding B.V. ("Argos" and together with its subsidiaries and participations, the "Argos Group"), the largest independent group in the Western European downstream oil market, combining storage and distribution with the international trade in and sale of mineral oils and biofuels.

The contemplated transaction is subject to (i) completion of due diligence and the...]]> Thu, 01 Nov 2012 15:24:41 +0100 The Hague – Employers face restrictions on recruiting staff from outside the EU next year. A work permit will only be valid for one year. Furthermore, if the employer was ever convicted for violating labour legislation, the permit may be refused.

The government agreed to this proposal which was put forward by State Secretary for Social Affairs Paul de Krom last Friday. According to the government it is undesirable for employees from outside the European Union to be recruited while, in the Netherlands half a million workers on benefits could be doing that same job. Therefore, conditions will be adjusted...]]> Thu, 01 Nov 2012 11:02:24 +0100 BERLIN – Germany is dealing with a growing shortage in skilled workers. This number will have risen to 3.5 million in the year 2025.
The German UWV warns in the German media; In order to put a halt to this development, the influx of eastern European workers has proven to be completely insufficient, up to now. Opening the borders for eastern Europeans has not had the desired effect, according to the manager for the Bundesagentur für Arbeit, Raimund Becker. Many job-seekers opted for Great Britain instead of for Germany. Between May 2011 and May 2012, 100.000 eastern European skilled workers...]]> Fri, 26 Oct 2012 09:49:24 +0200

12 institutions in the world top 200 in the rankings

Dutch universities rank significantly high in the world according to the recently released Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2011-2012. The Netherlands has 12 institutions in the world top 200 in the rankings - the most representatives of any country other than the UK and US. And this year every single Dutch university improved its position.

The Netherlands, Germany and Belgium have emerged as strong performers in Europe. The three European countries buck a clear trend of overall decline for Western universities against rising investment in world class universities in...]]> Sat, 06 Oct 2012 00:37:34 +0200
Victims of workplace aggression more often report a poor state of health than their colleagues who do not face aggression at work. They are also more dissatisfied with their job and are more often attempt to find another job, in particular, if they have to deal with aggressive behaviour from superiors or colleagues.

One third of employees victims of aggressive behaviour in the workplace

One in three employees in the age category 15-65 became victims of aggression in the workplace last year. External aggressive behaviour by customers, patients, pupils or passengers occurred most frequently. Nearly one quarter of employees faced...]]> Wed, 03 Oct 2012 10:19:38 +0200
Following the successful opening of ICBC (Europe) S.A. Amsterdam in 2011, ICBC, the City of Amsterdam, and the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency have strengthened their cooperation to assist Chinese companies in their ongoing global strategies....]]> Mon, 24 Sep 2012 14:34:17 +0200
AMSTERDAM – New businesses start of small and usually remain that way. Even after five years, most starting entrepeneurs don’t have any staff.
This became evident from research performed by Panteia/EIM, they interviewed entrepeneurs who set up business in the first half of 2008. On commencement, only 4 per cent of these entrepeneurs had employees on their pay roll. In 2012 it rose to 13 per cent. The number of employers is not expected to grow any further because for most entrepeneurs this was never their objective. 60 per cent of these entrepeneurs have one or two employees working for...]]> Thu, 27 Sep 2012 06:57:29 +0200 Fortune Magazine:Eindhoven has what it takes to be new Silicon Valley

Listed as one of best new cities for Innovation

Eindhoven is one of the best new cities worldwide for business innovation, according to a recent article in Fortune magazine.

The magazine profiles the city’s tech region, known as “Brainport.” More than 100 companies and institutes, and 8,000 researchers, developers and entrepreneurs work in this area. Almost half of all Dutch patent applications originate there.

Eindhoven’s Brainport region also received recognition last year, when nonprofit think tank the Intelligent Community Forum named it the “World’s Smartest Region.”

San Francisco’s Silicon...]]> Mon, 24 Sep 2012 14:31:55 +0200 On Wednesday October 3, 2012 the official opening of the Expatdesk Utrecht will take place. In September 2011 the founding partners started their discussion about the setup of an Expatdesk in Utrecht. Based on the professional experiences of the Founding Partner the time was there to start a central point in the City of Utrecht for expatriates and international companies.

The mayor of Utrecht will officially open the Expat Desk Utrecht

Check the vacancies in Utrecht here

Read the article Opening Expatdesk Utrecht...]]> Wed, 19 Sep 2012 21:52:59 +0200
Global freight forwarder and logistics provider, Damco, is moving its headquarters from Copenhagen, Denmark to The Hague, Netherlands. The move, which should be completed in Q1 y 2013, brings Damco closer to the heart of the European logistics community and supports its strategy to become a Top-5 industry player in the years to come.

“In The Hague, we will be closer to many of our customers, our main air and sea carriers, Europe’s biggest transportation hubs, as well as our competition and the kind of additional international logistics experience we’ll be looking to hire as we continue to grow,” says...]]> Fri, 14 Sep 2012 12:13:59 +0200 Emerald Kalama Chemical LLC, a division of Ohio-based chemical company Emerald Performance Materials LLC, is building a site to manufacture environmentally friendly materials at its plant in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

The new site is due to become operational in the third quarter of 2012 and will be located at the plant Emerald acquired from DSM NV in 2010.

“With the acquisition of the Rotterdam facility, expansion in Europe is a logical choice for us,” said Edward Gotch, President of Emerald Kalama.

“Such expansion enables us both to address the market’s needs and to capitalize on our ability to integrate the...]]> Fri, 14 Sep 2012 12:12:26 +0200
KPN and Tech Mahindra have signed a five-year contract for development and support of over 150 applications in the operational IT systems of KPN NetCo segment.

KPN expects to make savings of at least Euro 200 million over the period of this partnership, the statement said.

"We see natural synergies between our two organisations which we believe are critical to build a lasting partnership," KPN Chief Strategy, Innovation and Technology Officer, Erik Hoving...]]> Sun, 09 Sep 2012 13:06:44 +0200
AMSTERDAM – On Monday 3 September 2012, Better Place announced that it is taking another step forward in Europe by bringing its award-winning electric car network solution, beginning with the launch of a marque electric taxi project at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. The company also announced the appointment of Paul Harms as CEO of Better Place Netherlands. Harms previously served as CEO of Athlon Netherlands and as an Executive Vice President of Athlon Car Leasing International.

“We’re thrilled that Paul has joined the Better Place team to lead and expand this...]]> Sun, 09 Sep 2012 13:10:08 +0200 KJT Group, Inc. is pleased to announce it has established its first European office, in the Netherlands. KJT Group, a market research and evidence based consulting
company headquartered in Honeoye Falls, New York conducts domestic and global research for clients in complex markets such as the healthcare and sustainability industries.

“Expanding our presence into Europe at this time is a strategic imperative,” says President Kenneth J. Tomaszewski, PhD. “It is simply part of our commitment to deliver superior insights and service to our multinational and European based clients. With a rapidly increasing proportion of our research being conducted globally, a...]]> Fri, 07 Sep 2012 12:31:03 +0200 Foreign Investments Europe
Tonalite taken over by PlantronicsThe company Tonalite in Emmen, formally a division of Ericsson and later Sony-Ericsson, has been taken over by the American multinational Plantronics. Tonalite was incorporated in 2010 by a number of employees of what was formerly Sony-Ericsson in Emmen.


The team has many years’ experience in the development of wireless products, especially in the area of miniaturized Bluetooth stereo headsets. The Bluetooth technology was invented by Jaap Haartsen, who will continue to operate in the new organization together with other Tonalite people. The takeover follows on from an ongoing and successful partnership between...]]> Fri, 17 Aug 2012 10:15:12 +0200 WILMINGTON, North Carolina - Aug. 14, 2012 - INVISTA Specialty Materials is investing several million dollars at its two Terate® aromatic polyester polyols manufacturing sites located in Wilmington, N.C., and Vlissingen, Netherlands. These investments involve upgrades to boost global production volumes of the Terate® HT polyols product line to help meet growing global demand for INVISTA’s aromatic polyester polyols.

“Our customers are choosing our innovative Terate® HT polyols because these products offer advances in ease of processing and efficiency in rigid foam manufacture, as well as improved adhesion to various substrates, including cold adhesion for spray applications,” said Bill Trowell,...]]> Wed, 22 Aug 2012 08:37:52 +0200 Taiwanese TSMC takes 5% stake in ASML and joins ASML’s Customer Co-Investment Program for Innovation
ASML Holding NV announced that TSMC has joined its Customer Co-Investment Program for innovation, committing to invest EUR 276 million in research and development of next generation lithography technologies, which include Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) lithography technology and 450-millimeter lithography tools, over the next five years as well as EUR 838 million in a 5 percent ASML equity stake.

"One of the biggest challenges facing IC scaling today is how to effectively control the escalating wafer manufacturing cost," said Shang-yi Chiang, TSMC executive vice president and...]]> Fri, 17 Aug 2012 09:41:38 +0200
In July 2012 the US Bureau of Economic Analysis published the revised direct investment positions for 2010 and the preliminary figures for 2011. Positions in the Netherlands and the UK were the largest – 14.3 percent and 13.2 percent respectively of the total. For the third consecutive year, the position in the Netherlands was the largest – at $595.1 billion. Most of the position increase and 77 percent of the position in the Netherlands was accounted for by holding companies, which likely invested the funds in other countries.

In 2011 US investment abroad, valued at historical-cost (the book value of...]]> Fri, 17 Aug 2012 09:36:29 +0200 THE HAGUE – Despite rising unemployment figures and a decline in vacancies, some sectors are still in need of tens of thousands employees.
Commerce is the definite front runner, even though the number of vacancies has fallen sharply there were still well over 20,000 employees wanted in the second trimester of this year. CBS figures show that health care is also looking for 17,000 employees, the specialized commercial business sector (including employment agencies) needs 12,500 employees and the manufacturing industry is looking for 10,500 workers.
Vacancies
The number of vacancies in these sectors have also dropped sharply over the last...]]> Tue, 21 Aug 2012 18:20:19 +0200 A new durable property will be built for German logistic service provider Rhenus Contract Logistics in Son, near Eindhoven. The company decided to choose this possibility because of the location near the A50 and A2 as well as the possibility to hire a custom built distribution center.

"A combination of commercial successes and optimizing business for our curent customers made us decide to look at the possiblities for expansion" Alphons van Erven, division director of Rhenus Contract Logistics explains.

New jobs
The new building is 55,000m2 large, and building will start after the summer. The first unit is expected to...]]> Fri, 17 Aug 2012 09:35:08 +0200
The change from decline to growth in June was mainly due to a substantial increase in investments in means of transport. In June, investments in cars were considerably up from one year previously. This is partly due to a change in tax legislation. The limits...]]> Mon, 20 Aug 2012 14:19:53 +0200 Chairman Dandy Yeh of Gigabyte Technology Inc. officially opened the new Gigabyte premises in Eindhoven during a special ribbon cutting ceremony together with Mayor Rob van Gijzel of the city of Eindhoven. Gigabyte established its first presence in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, in 2001 with assistance of BOM Foreign Investments, Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) and Brainport Development.

As a current investor BOM remained in close contact with Gigabyte, both in Eindhoven and at Corporate Headquarters in Taipei, offering assistance wherever needed. In 2005 this resulted in the expansion of their facility at Verdunplein in Eindhoven. Early 2010 Gigabyte indicated to...]]> Fri, 17 Aug 2012 09:30:37 +0200 Russian gas giant Gazprom has opened a sales office in Den Bosch with the aim of capturing 15% of the business market within five years reports "Het Financieele Dagblad" last Thursday.

After establishing sales offices in Germany, Ireland, France and UK, the Netherlands is the fifth European country where Gazprom now has a sales presence. If ambitions will be realised it's expected the office in Den Bosch will grow to 50 to 75 employees in the next 5 years.

The city of Den Bosch, in the province of Brabant, is a central location in the Netherlands. It's also home to...]]> Fri, 17 Aug 2012 09:28:54 +0200 Brabant top performer in the Netherlands: IBM GLobal Location Trends report 2012

Last Thursday IBM published the provisional results for the Netherlands in IBM's Global Locations Trends Report 2012. Annually IBM Global Services publishes their analyses of foreign investments trends in the world. The provision result for the Netherlands indicate a new record in number of projects, 342 compared to 280 in 2010. The announced investments would create 6.400 new jobs, an increase of 22% compared to 2010 with 5.200 jobs.

The provinces of North- and South-Holland attract the majority of all investments (all together 209 project), but the strongest...]]> Fri, 17 Aug 2012 09:25:17 +0200 Global orthopaedic products company Bioventus LLC (Durham, NC) has announced plans to establish its international headquarters near Amsterdam.

The company’s international operating company, Bioventus Coperatief U.A., recently signed a letter of intent to lease 7,200 square feet of office space in the South Tower (Zuidtoren), a high rise building in Hoofddorp. The office is expected to open in November. Bioventus’ International Headquarters is expected to open in November following the build-out of the facility. The office will house employees supporting finance, customer care, operations, marketing, sales and human resources

The international headquarters will house various divisions, including finance, customer care, operations,...]]> Thu, 16 Aug 2012 20:29:15 +0200

According to the first, preliminary estimate conducted by Statistics Netherlands, the economic growth in the second quarter of 2012 was 0.2 percent relative to the first quarter, but economic growth was 0.5 percent down compared to the second quarter of 2011. The number of working days was the same in both quarters.

Marginal growth for second consecutive quarter
The 0.2 percent growth relative to the preceding quarter was the same as in the first quarter. The marginal growth in the first half of this year was preceded by contraction in the latter half of 2011. Despite this marginal growth, the...]]> Thu, 16 Aug 2012 20:25:35 +0200 •Sales non-food sector down slightly
•Turnover growth in consumer electronics
•Higher turnover in food, drinks and tobaccAccording to the most recent figures released by Statistics Netherlands, retail sales in June 2012 were up by 1 percent on June 2011. Prices were 1.9 percent higher, while the sales volume contracted by 0.9 percent.

Turnover in the non-food sector declined very slighty in June. Turnover generated by DIY shops home furnishing shops, and textile supermarkets was lower than a year ago, as was the case in May.

Clothes stores also missed out as far as turnover was concerned. On the other hand...]]> Mon, 13 Aug 2012 16:20:17 +0200 In July, 725 businesses and institutions (excluding one-man businesses) in the Netherlands were declared bankrupt, an exceptionally high number on a monthly basis. The number of bankruptcies has soared in the first seven months of 2012: 4,475 businesses and institutions went bankrupt, nearly 30 percent more than in the first seven months of 2011.

As the number of businesses declared bankrupt in a particular month is closely related to the number of days courts are in session, it may vary considerably from month to month. Therefore, the three-month moving average is a more reliable indicator. The three-month moving average stood...]]> Mon, 13 Aug 2012 16:19:08 +0200 The volume of the exports of goods grew 4 percent in June relative to twelve months previously. In May Dutch exports had increased by nearly 9 percent.The volume of imports grew nearly 3 percent in June, which is also less than in May when imports were up by 6 percent. Volume figures have been adjusted for the number of working days.

The value of exported goods totalled 35.9 billion euro, i.e. up nearly 8 percent from twelve months previously. The value of imports rose by nearly 6 percent to 32.1 billion euro, resulting in a trade surplus of 3.7 billion...]]> Mon, 13 Aug 2012 16:17:25 +0200 Lost or stolen laptops are a growing concern to all organisations. The major issue when this occurs is ensuring the information contained on the devices is secure. There are many solutions available to encrypt data on laptops however with the growing sophistication of criminals who target this information, these solutions have proven to be ineffective.

Wave approaches the problem in a totally different way with a solution that is:
• More secure using industry standard technology
• Does not affect the performance of a laptop which many current solutions do
• Up to 40% cheaper to install and manage over...]]> Thu, 09 Aug 2012 11:08:14 +0200 Company’s First European Data Center Located in Amsterdam

Washington-based Daptiv, a provider of project portfolio management (PPM) software, has announced the opening of its first European data center located in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

The new data center will accommodate customer demand for the company's SaaS-based PPM software.

Daptiv is also expanding its presence in the United Kingdom and has opened an office in London. The office is comprised primarily of sales, support and professional services personnel and allows the company to better serve its growing customer base in the UK.

Source: www.IPAWorld.com

...]]> Wed, 08 Aug 2012 09:17:29 +0200 C.H. Robinson Europe expands to Rotterdam with temperature controlled transportation office
Rotterdam was chosen for its strategic location thanks to its harbor that plays a key role in the import and export of goods on the continent

Brussels, (June 17, 2012) - Temperature controlled transport is one of the fastest growing business segments for the company on the European continent. The new office will offer expert services in this field and is meant to facilitate future expansion of temperature controlled logistics services across the continent.

Rotterdam was chosen for its strategic location thanks to its harbor that plays a key...]]> Tue, 07 Aug 2012 13:51:10 +0200 Expansion with Holland office to lead Corum’s Tech M&A activities in the Benelux area


Washington-based Corum Group Ltd, a provider of M&A (Mergers & Acquisitions) services for software and information technology companies, has announced the opening of its office in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Working from the new office, Jon Scott, Senior Vice President, will lead Corum’s Tech M&A activities in the Benelux area.

About Corum Group Ltd
Corum Group Ltd is a provider of mergers & acquisition services, specialising in serving software and information technology companies worldwide.

Source: IPAWorld.com

...]]> Tue, 07 Aug 2012 13:49:57 +0200 The WestHolland Foreign Investment Agency and Leiden Bio Science Park proudly announce that EnVivo Pharmaceuticals will establish its European office in Leiden. The choice for Leiden Bio Science Park further underscores the international reputation of the Life Sciences cluster in Leiden.

The decision was made following an extensive analysis of potential locations for EnVivo to establish a European office for its operations. The proximity of Schiphol airport was an important advantage. The Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) in Boston and The Hague, together with the WestHolland Foreign Investment Agency (WFIA) and the Leiden Bio Science Park foundation, assisted and advised...]]> Tue, 07 Aug 2012 13:47:18 +0200  AMSTERDAM – A law which was passed not long ago may impose enormous risks on self-employed workers hiring other self-employed workers.
Freelance platform PZO warns about 36,000 euro fines for not registering properly. The Waadi law, (the law on workforce allocation by intermediary) was amended on the first of July in order to deal with mala fide employment agencies. But the PZO claims that the law is set up so that it leaves too much room, self-employed people hiring other freelancers also fall under this law, according to a spokeswoman interviewed by NUzakelijk.nl. “We were informed by an entrepreneur about...]]> Mon, 06 Aug 2012 10:07:26 +0200 The prestigious title of European Capital of Culture in 2018 will generate € 160 million for The Hague, according to an independent study by the Amsterdam-based Bureau voor Economische Argumentatie (BEA). The study was commissioned by Den Haag 2018 and the Municipality of The Hague to find out how the title would benefit the city’s economy.

In its report ‘Den Haag 2018, op waarde geschat’, the agency concludes that every euro invested by The Hague will generate 4 euros in return.


Extra visitors
If The Hague is appointed European Capital of Culture in 2018, this will draw a large number...]]> Mon, 06 Aug 2012 09:41:18 +0200 Germany is the main trading partner of 17 of the 27 EU countries. The main trading partner of Germany is the Netherlands.

Main trading partner often nearby
Germany is the main trading partner for no fewer than 17 EU countries. This is due to its central location in Europe, the enormous size of the German economy and the large number of neighbouring countries.

The EU countries for which Germany is not the main trading partner are: Portugal (main trading partner is Spain), Malta (Italy), Latvia (Lithuania), Ireland (UK), Spain (France), Estonia (Finland), Cyprus (Greece), Finland and Lithuania (both Russia). In...]]> Thu, 02 Aug 2012 23:21:12 +0200 AMSTERDAM - For the third time in a row London has been selected the most popular city to work. New York and Singapore ended on the second and third place. Global Talent Mobility Intelligence Group has questioned 162,000 people from 66 different countries. The preference of Dutch respondents who are willing to work abroad, deviates from the international choice. Dutch prove a stronger preference for European cities compared to respondents from other countries.

London and New York shared first place with Dutch. Barcelona, Brussels and Berlin share second place. Amsterdam ends at 23 position of the most popular cities to...]]> Tue, 31 Jul 2012 11:16:43 +0200 Although currently 6.3 percent of the workforce is unemployed, the research firm expects a lack of personnel in technical, medical care and transportation occupations. It involves a total of nearly 450 thousand jobs, of which about 250 thousand in SMEs.

Employment in the industry will have a limited increase. Especially the aging population creates demand for labor. In the period 2010 to 2020, about 1 million workers retire. The proportion of older people is above average in agriculture, healthcare, industrial and transport sectors.  Source: NuZakkelijk...]]> Tue, 24 Jul 2012 16:16:58 +0200 A total of 4112 businesses have been declared bankrupt in the first half of 2012. These bankruptcies affect at least 28473 employed people.
The number of bankruptcies has risen by 26% compared to the same period in the previous year. The attendant job loss has risen by 28%. This has become clear from figures from the company register of the Chamber of Commerce.

Biggest blows
Financial holdings suffer the biggest blows. 495 companies within this line of business have been declared bankrupt. Together with construction companies (230 businesses) and organization and consultancy agencies (80 businesses) it forms the top three...]]> Thu, 19 Jul 2012 17:10:34 +0200 The volume of exports of goods increased by nearly 9 percent in May relative to twelve months previously. The growth rates of Dutch exports in April and March were nearly 6 and over 3 percent respectively. The volume of imports grew by nearly 7 percent in May, just as in April. The substantial growth of imports and exports was mainly due to an increased trade in mineral fuels. Volume figures have been adjusted for the number of working days.

July’s Exports Radar mainly shows downturns. In the previous months, circumstances for Dutch exports had also deteriorated.

The value of exported...]]> Fri, 13 Jul 2012 09:23:25 +0200 THE HAGUE – An experiment in which cooperating businesses support employees who might be losing their jobs in finding new careers proves to be successful. Out of 650 employees whose jobs were hanging in the balance, 340 have started out somewhere else. It mainly concerns older workers.

Thinkstock
Minister of Social Affairs Henk Kamp communicated this to the Dutch Lower Chamber last Tuesday. The preliminary report shows the results of nine experiments which were started last year. These experiments are initiatives from trade unions and employers’ organizations. Helping companies find other work for employees in fear of losing their jobs...]]> Mon, 09 Jul 2012 19:13:04 +0200  
According to the latest figures released by Statistics Netherlands, inflation remained stable in June. Just as in May, consumer prices were on average 2.1 percent up from one year previously. •Fresh vegetables and holidays have upward effect on inflation
•Airline tickets have downward effect on inflation
•Eurozone inflation rate stable Prices of fresh vegetables and package tours abroad were respectively 2.2 and 5.8 percent higher in June than in June 2011.

Airline ticket prices, on the other hand, had a downward effect on inflation. They fell by 5.2 percent relative to June last year. On balance, the inflation rate in...]]> Fri, 06 Jul 2012 14:38:16 +0200 AMSTERDAM – In recent years, the Dutch labour market has grown due to a record number of foreign investment projects.
This was shown in a global investment climate analysis from Consultancy Company IBM published last Thursday. In 2011, The Netherlands recruited 342 investment projects, the highest number of projects ever realised in one year. According to IBM this generates 6400 jobs, an increase of 22 per cent compared to the 5200 jobs generated in 2010.
China
Most of the companies settling in the Netherlands are American, representing 104 projects and 2600 jobs. In second place we find the United Kingdom...]]> Mon, 02 Jul 2012 13:57:33 +0200 Big Nerd Ranch will grow its renowned software development, teaching and corporate consulting business from a new Amsterdam headquarters. Its offerings will be backed by the strong brand known globally for its Nerds, their technical knowledge and teaching talent, and their monastic-retreat style of training.

Reaching for European business
Big Nerd Ranch announced it is opening its first international office to serve growing demand for its technical training and consulting services. Initially, the office will be staffed by five Nerds, with current projections forecasting that the team will double in size within a year.

Big Nerd Ranch
Big Nerd Ranch...]]> Fri, 29 Jun 2012 11:36:03 +0200 THE HAGUE – More flexible dismissal regulations will increase labour productivity by 0.4 percent, or an annual 2.5 billion euro increase in affluence.
Minister Henk Kamp of Social Affairs wrote this in a letter to the Lower Chamber. Minister Kamp has sent the Chamber the details of the plans to relax dismissal regulations stated in the ‘Lenteakkoord’ (Spring Agreement) by the VVD, CDA, D66, GroenLinks and the ChristenUnie. The cabinet is in agreement. According to minister Kamp these measures will make it easier for older workers to move on to another job. Now, they are often stuck in their current...]]> Wed, 20 Jun 2012 09:51:28 +0200 AMSTERDAM – Nine out of ten Dutch businesses are not planning to hire new staff in the next three months.
This was shown by employment agency Manpower’s labour market barometer. Only a small number of businesses expects the number of employees to increase within their company. The managing director for marketing of the employment concern Haiko van der Pool stated, “After two years of slight positive to neutral employment expectations it is becoming clear that the Dutch labour market is looking at some precarious summer months”.
Source: Novum...]]> Fri, 15 Jun 2012 16:52:19 +0200 The new WTC is centrally located in the Beatrix quarter close to the A12 highway connecting The Hague with the rest of the Netherlands. The Hague central train station is also nearby connecting the WTC with Schiphol international airport within 30 minutes and Rotterdam The Hague Airport within 20 minutes

International business in The Hague...]]> Fri, 15 Jun 2012 08:09:11 +0200 CSM, Royal DSM and Delft University of Technology join forces to invest in bio-research

On May 15th The Bioprocess Pilot Facility (BPF) in Delft was officially opened. In this facility process development research can be facilitated in the entire field of biomass pre-processing, biomass pre-treatment, fermentation and downstream processing.

The BPF is an open access facility where other companies, universities, knowledge institutes etc. can execute their scale-up research on bioprocesses. The setup of this facility starts with equipment already existing on the site of DSM, which will be brought in into the Joint Venture where CSM, Royal DSM and Delft...]]> Fri, 15 Jun 2012 08:07:06 +0200 APM Terminals selects new location for The Hague Headquarters at ´De Kroon´

APM Terminals has signed a lease agreement for a new world headquarters at the De Kroon office building in The Hague. The company will lease 3,500 m² office space for an initial duration of ten years, with occupancy set for Q4 2012.

APM Terminals chose the site based on its city center location, providing employees, clients and business partners easy access to The Hague’s business district, hotel accommodations, restaurants and cultural activities. Equally important, was the ideal proximity to Central Station and frequent, direct, express train service to...]]> Fri, 15 Jun 2012 08:04:43 +0200 The Hague – The Netherlands performs well economically but in the field of competition and innovation it finds itself in Europe’s middle bracket. This became clear from a report from TNO research institute published last Friday.

Even though the Netherlands still invests in the development of the knowledge economy, the number of people working in the field of innovation has dropped below the EU average. An unfavourable development is especially seen in the technology and science labour market. Comparatively speaking, few students, and especially women, opt for science subjects. What is also remarkable, is that foreign companies foot the bill...]]> Tue, 12 Jun 2012 14:43:42 +0200
On 7 June 2012, the World Trade Centre The Hague was officially opened. The SANEC office is now part of WTC The Hague, located in office building Prinsenhof, part of The Hague New Centre. Minister under resignation Liesbeth Spies, mayor Jozias van Aartsen and chairman of WTC The Hague and SANEC Frans Engering, had the honour to officially open the WTC.

The organisation of WTC The Hague hosted a spectacular opening. After the guests of honour pushed the button, fireworks and abseiling stuntmen with green smoke ushered the opening of the WTC. A large number of representatives from the national...]]> Mon, 11 Jun 2012 16:25:26 +0200 THE HAGUE – The Council of State places critical remarks on the levies in the Budget agreement of the VVD, CDA, D66, GroenLinks and the ChristenUnie. According to the agreement, employers will have to pay a non-recurrent levy over incomes higher than 150,000 euro.
In the agreement a levy of 16 percent is taken out over the 2012 wages. It is not clear to the Council of State, the cabinet’s most important advisor, why companies should foot the bill for this levy instead of the ones receiving the high incomes. In the advice published on Monday, the Council asks the...]]> Thu, 07 Jun 2012 12:52:32 +0200
LEADING JAPANESE HELMET MANUFACTURER OGK KABUTO ENTERS EUROPEAN MARKET

OGK KABUTO, the leading Japanese helmet manufacturer, and Mr Pam de Vries, former Ducati Motor Holding Director, have established a joint venture to bring KABUTO motorcycle products into the European market. KABUTO is the number one helmet Brand in Japan.

OGK KABUTO, located in Osaka, Japan, has a long-term objective to grow into a global player in the helmet industry, with the ambition to establish as an international market leader. As the European market is of great importance the company has joined forces with automotive professional, Mr Pam de Vries.

OGK...]]> Wed, 06 Jun 2012 21:52:30 +0200
Former corn plant converted

US agricultural commodities trader Cargill has officially begun production of bioethanol in a former corn plant in Bergen op Zoom, located in the southern part of the Netherlands.

The factory will process biomass by extracting starch into ethanol. Since 1987, Cargill has been producing starch and glucose for the food industry in that plant.

According to general manager Alain Dufait, the new production is a good example of innovation that contributes to the bio-based economy.

Source: Cargill press release, 1 June 2012
...]]> Wed, 06 Jun 2012 21:48:47 +0200 Celebrating exceptional expats, employers and newly arrived headquarters in the Netherlands

June 6, Nyenrode Business University: At an event last night at Nyenrode Business University, Emmy Coffey McCarthy, eBuddy, and Kuwait Petroleum were announced as the winners of Expat of the Year, Expat Employer of the Year, and Newly Arrived HQ of the Year respectively at the Expat Awards 2012.
The event was hosted by Paul Brown of WorldwideBrokers and included speeches by Bas Pulles and Serv Wiemers of the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA). The Awards garnered over 2,500 votes from the public, on which the shortlists were based,...]]> Wed, 06 Jun 2012 13:06:02 +0200
IMD today announced the findings of its annual World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY). The WCY rankings measure how well countries manage their economic and human resources to increase their prosperity. •Top 3 are Hong Kong, US and Switzerland
•Holland moves up from 14th to 11th position
•Foreign investment, rising exports, low youth unemployment and lack of red tape have boosted Dutch position
•US competitiveness remains the key to global recovery

May 31, 2012

The most competitive of the 59 ranked economies in 2012 are Hong Kong, the US and Switzerland (see overall rankings table below). Despite all its setbacks, the US...]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2012 08:58:12 +0200
Analysis May:
The economic situation at the end of May was worse than at the end of April. This is mainly due to declining confidence among consumers and manufacturers, slumping household consumption and the poor situation on the labour market. Just as in April, the heart of the scatter in the Business Cycle Tracer is located in the recession stage. Thirteen of the fifteen indicators are currently below the level of their long-term average.

In the course of May, new data have become available for all indicators except for the number of bankruptcies. As a result, the distribution of the...]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2012 08:47:00 +0200
Within the eurozone, the Dutch goods trade surplus is by far the largest compared to other euro countries (147 billion euro in 2011). The goods trade surplus with countries beyond the eurozone is much lower.

Quarter of GDP
The total value of goods exported by the Netherlands to other euro countries amounted to 294 billion euro last year . The value of imports from these countries was 147 billion euro, resulting in a trade surplus of 147 billion euro, i.e. nearly one quarter of the GDP.

Neighbouring countries contribute most to trade surplus
The 147 billion euro trade surplus is...]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2012 08:39:47 +0200
The investment made in research and development by chemical and biotechnical company DSM is a strong impulse for the Dutch knowledge economy. The investment of one hundred million euro will yield hundreds of extra jobs.
World’s Best
‘This causes the Netherlands to remain high in global ranking when it comes to agro food, chemical industry and energy’, according to the minister Verhagen of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation. DSM’s decision shows that the Netherlands is the place for innovative business.
Tax Reduction for Innovative Businesses
DSM profits from the investment because of the tax reduction for innovating businesses at the...]]> Thu, 24 May 2012 11:26:08 +0200 Over the last ten years, the number of self-employed increased with over 200 thousand.  This growth is attributed entirely to writing self-employed without staff. Their number grew to 728 thousand persons in 2011, while the number of self-employed with staff remained stable at about 350 thousand people.

Almost 1.1 million self-employed persons

The total number of self-employed persons in the workforce to 65 years took in the period of 2002-2011 867 thousand to almost 1.1 million persons.
Also under active over-65 age group, the number of self-employed persons: 28 thousand of persons in 2002 to 47 thousand in 2011.

Especially...]]> Tue, 22 May 2012 11:26:17 +0200 There should be more focus on women in business organizations. Women make up an important part of the world economy but they are not doing well on the Dutch labour market. This appeal was made by a number of women today, the day after Mother’s Day.

The financial crisis is extra hard on women, according to initiator Annemie Schuitemaker. ‘Women are in a predicament and this is caused by a number of related reasons. The fact that childcare is becoming more and more expensive which puts pressure on women for instance. Research performed by the Commissie Gelijke Behandeling (the equal...]]> Mon, 21 May 2012 23:40:45 +0200 Consulting and research firm Great Place to Work announced for the 10th time the list of best employers in the Netherlands. More than 100 companies participated in the survey that measured and evaluated employers based on issues such as working conditions, development opportunities, rewards and leadership.

And the winner is…
The list is split into 3 categories: Large & Multinational Companies (LMNC with more than 250 employees), Medium Sized Enterprises (MSE with between 50 and 250 employees) and Small & Young Enterprises (SYE between 20 and 50 employees). Employees that participated in the survey had to answer questions like: how do the...]]> Mon, 14 May 2012 18:50:11 +0200
AMSTERDAM – Traditional collective pension funds should be replaced by compulsory individual savings accounts. The current system is far too unclear.
So stated by Lex Hoogduin, professor in monetary economics and former central banker with the Nederlandsche Bank, in an interview for NRC Handelsblad. According to Lex Hoogduin the current pension agreement should be replaced with a better alternative. According to the professor’s plans, all Dutch people will have a savings account holding all savings aimed at for instance their pension or housing. Source: NRC Handelsblad....]]> Thu, 03 May 2012 11:11:40 +0200 The German mail-order firm Neckermann is getting rid of its paper catalogue and from now on will only sell via the internet. As a consequence of this new policy, 1400 of the 2500 jobs will be axed. This was announced by the company last Friday.

“The future lies in the internet for mail-order firms. It is a development that just cannot be ignored. Too much of our funds are now being spent on paper. This is stopping us from developing our website, www.neckermann.de”, according to the company. 80 percent of all orders are already placed online. During the first quarter...]]> Wed, 02 May 2012 12:32:56 +0200
AMSTERDAM – Europe wants to put a stop to the so-called PO Box companies.
Soon, foreign companies will not be allowed to just set up business on paper in the Netherlands because of the favourable tax climate. This means the Netherlands will miss out on approximately one and a half billion euro in tax income and thousands of jobs will be lost, according to the AD of last Friday. Large companies such as Google and IKEA but also rock bands such as U2 and The Rolling Stones have these PO Boxes in the Netherlands. In total there are approximately twenty...]]> Sat, 28 Apr 2012 10:48:39 +0200 • Nearly all provinces showed economic growth in 2011
• Marginal decline in Zeeland due to downturn in chemical industry
According to the latest figures released by Statistics Netherlands, nearly all provinces achieved economic growth last year. North Brabant, Utrecht and Flevoland enjoyed the fastest economic growth, but in the province of Zeeland the economy contracted marginally.

The economy improved by 2.1 percent in North Brabant. The growth rate for Flevoland and Utrecht was 2 percent. The economic growth rates in these provinces were far beyond the nationwide average of 1.2 percent. Manufacturing industry contributed most to the economic growth...]]> Thu, 26 Apr 2012 22:25:18 +0200
Lufthansa is launching a new route to Rotterdam The Hague Airport. From 1 October 2012, the twice-daily service will be operated from Munich. “With this new service we will offer our customers convenient connections to the economic region centred around Rotterdam and The Hague. These cities will also have direct links to other destinations in Europe and worldwide via our Munich hub,” says Thomas Klühr, Member of the Lufthansa German Airlines Board, Munich & Direct Services.

Rotterdam, which has a population of 600,000, is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and is the world's third-largest port. The airport is also...]]> Thu, 26 Apr 2012 22:55:59 +0200
A survey of the world’s largest importers and exporters of 2011 shows that the Netherlands was the fourth largest exporting country, worth 660 billion dollars, preceded by China (1899 billion dollars), the USA (1481 billion dollars), Germany (1474 billion dollars) and Japan at (823 billion dollars).
The Netherlands was the seventh largest importing country (597 billion dollars). This list was headed by the USA (2265 billion dollars), followed by...]]> Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:06:17 +0200