Van Verre 287 ENG

NYENRODE ALUMNI VCV MAGAZINE ISSUE 287 | DECEMBER 2020

THREE MONKEYS ABOUT PRO BONO CONSULTANCY: ‘EVERY ORGANIZATION DESERVES ACCESS TO KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE’ JACQUELINE VOORTHUIZEN:

‘Strive for moral and ethical investing’

YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS:

THEME WECONOMY

‘Plastic is more sustainable than wood’

VANESSA BUISMAN:

‘This community is capable of great things’

EDITORIAL

Contents

THEME WECONOMY

SIMONE DANIËLS

(19960021) IDP at Nyenrode, director of the VCV Alumni Office and Editor-in-Chief of Van Verre Magazine

7

STRONGER TOGETHER

16 FEATURES

INTERVIEWS

07 ART IN MY HEART

18 YOU PAY PEANUTS, YOU GET….?

"To my surprise, I suddenly saw a painting of Nyenrode Castle there." During a visit to her in-laws, Carolyn Reyes Huybrechs (19900607) discovered a painting by Jacobus Storck, which brought back fond memories of her exchange year in Breukelen.

8

08 FOR OWN ACCOUNT AND RISK

12

Meetings. We can all think of something better to do. Rik Nijkamp (19950109) wrote a book about it, because it really can be done differently. "The solution is not another team building session or vitality training, especially when people lose energy at the weekly meetings."

26

10 CHATTING WITH ...

ISSUE 287 | DECEMBER 2020 COLUMNS 03 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF 04 FROM THE BOARD 11 JOEP STASSEN 33 KAPÉ BREUKELAAR

NEWS 04 NYENRODE ALUMNI VCV NEWS 06 NEWS@NYENRODE 31 FROM THE CAMPUS

FEATURES 05 NYENRODE VCV ALUMNI BENEFITS 34 TUMTUM 39 PRIVATE 39 JOPPING 39 COLOPHON

Adri Simamora (20110402) is perfect for the motto "Van Verre". Born Indonesian, now with a Dutch passport. "I like the Dutch openness and directness, combined with egalitarian thinking."

At the moment, all eyes are on his sector: pharmaceuticals. "We have investigated a drug against Covid-19."

12 PASSION AND BUSINESS

"You used to have a job and you also did something for a good cause, eventually with a ribbon from the queen for the services rendered.

I think it makes much more sense to combine the two, "says Kris Rote (19910304).

38 THEN & NOW

A long-gone tradition at Nyenrode: All Ranks Party.

“Once a year, a lot of students would suddenly arrive at the castle square in their military attire, made from different colors and cuts and then show the civilian staff what, for example, 'dribbling to the right' was. Frederik Schönau (19640102) recollects.

Nothing in life comes for free, does it? Not if it is up to Daan van der Zanden (476436 EMBA15), Martijn van Zwieten (476107 EMBA15) and Sjoerd de Bruin (476658 EMBA15). “We believe that every organization deserves access to knowledge and experience. Innovation should not be held back by lack of money.”

22 THE KEY TO SUCCESS

Innovative technology plays a dominant role in the Weconomy. "The Internet makes the whole world accessible and more transparent for almost everyone." Mark van Rijmenam (20070103) explains why this is a precondition.

24 A LICENSE TO OPERATE

"The social pressure on investors and companies is unbelievable." Jacqueline van Voorthuizen (19790138) would know, being an investor for PGB. "Activist investor organizations also have significant influence on companies like Shell to do more for the energy transition."

26 SUSTAINABILITY IS INNOVATIVE Not even graduated yet, and already entrepreneurs. Nyenrode students Max Hamm (20180841) and Alex Dingemans (20180834) about the circular production of their plastic road plates. "Our raw materials are infinitely reusable."

28 FORWARD FOR GOOD

If the Nyenrode community were to join forces for a better world, what would be possible? Vanessa Buisman (19910203) asked herself that question aloud. A sensitive chord appeared to have been struck with many Nyenrodeans. "This community has enormous potential."

COVER PHOTO MINISTERIE VAN BEELD

I

'm proud to present this issue with the theme Weconomy. Without trying to brag, I do think we've managed to put together an excellent issue in a very short time frame. Together with the VCV Alumni Office team, Roos Jonker-Ter Kuile, Tirza van Hengstum-Louwe and our new Community Manager Hester van Beeck Calkoen, we learnt by doing and we pulled it off. Really fantastic!

We came up with the theme of weconomy a year ago with our former Editor-in-Chief Annemieke Wortel, Cynthia Schalkwijk, Marjolein Houweling and the editorial team.

Why Weconomy? Organizations that only produce in a linear sense are outdated.

There is an increasing number of circular business models, organizations that aim to create real value and a sense of community together. In this issue, we've chosen to highlight a few different approaches. There is a great array of interviews with alumni (or even soon-to-be alumni) who have stories full of energy. There are wonderful initiatives that will inspire, that break the mold of the traditional economy but are also forced to think differently due to Covid-19; alumni who have to, or dare to, take risks, out of necessity or thanks to opportunity.

It's no different at the Alumni Office, where we've welcomed three new colleagues in the last year. All three have been trained remotely! Working online requires a whole new approach for a F2F organization with live events, circle meetings, and homecomings. We couldn't even have alumni and students visit the office anymore. Fortunately, thanks to technology and everyone's flexibility, we were able to work well from home and we even managed to organize a few corona-proof live events this year!

Working online has separated us, but it's also brought us closer together.

We listen closely to what others have to say, and communicate with our members, online, on the phone, via text, or sending a card. We've tried to keep that personal contact going. The circle board members also took part in this.

They organized several online events. It's great to see how flexible the board members are, that they take time to keep organizing circle meetings in this corona time. That's when the Nyenrode experience comes to the front, we're stronger united and WE go for it together, it's in all our DNA. That's WEconomy!

I'll never forget that at the end of my degree a few classmates and I were invited to apply for an ICT position in Paris. The trip and the accommodation was paid for so it was a real treat. Two days in Paris to apply for a job! We had to do a test in a classroom and we were called in one by one to have an interview with a series of questions. Of course, we shared those questions with each other the moment we returned to the classroom. Why compete against each other? We'd know more if we shared information. There was only one position available and that had to be a Nyenrodean, not a student from the Erasmus University or the VU, who had visited a week before us. At the end of the day we received the feedback that they couldn't believe that we helped each other while other applicants were only looking out for themselves. In the end, one of us got the job! Now that's a collaborative economy. ♦

WOULD YOU LIKE TO RESPOND?

2 | VAN VERRE 287

s.daniels@nyenrode.nl

VAN VERRE 287| 3

NYENRODE ALUMNI VCV BENEFITS - NEWS

FROM THE BOARD JAN BERNARD NOLST TRENITÉ

REFRESHMENTDAY

(19760059), JB for short, is the chairman of the Nyenrode Alumni VCV Main Board.

He did the BBA at Nyenrode, an MBA at Thunderbird and is entrepreneur and owner of various companies.

Like so many events this year, The Refreshmentday 2020 went completely digital, which by the way fitted perfectly with the theme of the evening: The Future of Work.

W

Last Wednesday, November 25, the NA VCV Executive Board, together with all Nyenrode student boards, Nieuwe Compagnie van Verre, Jongste Compagnie van Verre, Vereniging Accountants had a pleasant introduction evening with Koen Becking and the other University Board member Remmelt Vetkamp.

Despite COVID-19, an alternative online cocktail party with Nyenrode beer (Harvey, thank you) and appetizers was a great success. Led by our NAVCV commissioner Stijn van der Vat, the boards could introduce themselves and there was an interview with Koen. The boards had the opportunity to question the hell out of the rector and they were really happy about this evening. It was the start of a tradition that we should honor.

It is great to see that Nyenrode is so close to all of our hearts and that

everyone is willing to collaborate with each other, with the university, alumni, and students.

We also got that feeling after the online Refreshment Day. The high quality of the speakers' line-up was most likely the reason that such a large number of participants registered, over 150. The evening was a success and was rated as exceptionally good. This year, the VCV tried to anticipate the new online situation in many ways, and we could do this together with all volunteers, circle directors and annual representatives. The world has changed, and everyone has had to cope with it. Fortunately, some things have remained the same, including the publication of the magazine. This edition, which is now before you, is the fruit of the diligent work of a new editorial team, whose members are partly working from the Alumni Office.

With an impressive line-up, this edition was certainly not inferior to other years. The subject was addressed from different perspectives.

Bas Kodden kicked off with the bold statement that organizations almost structurally hire the wrong people. “Talent is good, character is everything,” says Kodden. Jeroen Schaling revealed Deliveroo's BHAG: “We want to become the Google of the food sector”, that’s no picnic!

The duo of moderators, or “team Stassen” (Joep and his niece Domenique) hosted the evening and had their hands full managing the active live chat with questions from enthusiastic attendees.

Jeroen Busscher was up next, and stated "If something characterizes contemporary managers, it is chronic self-overestimation."

With a lot of humor he explained how to avoid this pitfall.

The musical intermezzo revived old times: two members of The Booze performed “Oh at the castle” to loud digital applause. Ben Tiggelaar closed the evening with a touching anecdote about his daughter during her first day of high school, where she didn’t find a familiar face: "Sometimes it just takes 20 seconds of insane courage" is what she told herself before walking up to a complete stranger.

She counted, it took her only eight.

Unfortunately, the Christmas party will not survive all the Corona measures, but all of you are on our minds and you can expect our Christmas message!

The Booze

We wish you a particularly good 2021 with less Corona and renewed fun and optimism! ♦ Van Verre!

JB Ben Tiggelaar

4 | VAN VERRE 287

special offers. From Nyenrodeans for Nyenrodeans. If you have a benefit for Nyenrode Alumni VCV members contact Nyenrode Alumni VCV Office, info@nyenrodealumni.nl.

A WARM WELCOME TO KOEN BECKING!

e are very happy with the arrival of the new rector Koen Becking, who excels in clear and warm communication.

He has been at Nyenrode since October and thanked and waved goodbye to Miša Džoljić at the Dies Natalis on November 20. We look forward to a very fruitful cooperation with Koen in the coming years and thank Miša Džoljić for his commitment as Rector over the past years.

VCV Benefits simplify and enrich the lives of Nyenrode Alumni VCV members: extra attraction, discounts and

How meetings can make you happy It's one of the biggest pet peeves of the Dutch workforce: meetings. And at the moment we spend most of our days in meetings on Zoom, Teams or Meet, which is definitely not an improvement. 45% percent of people experience stress during meetings and 73% spend them doing other things. 47% also thinks that they're a waste of time. How meetings can make you happy will help you enjoy attending meetings again.

When should you take part in a meeting, and when shouldn't you? How can you decide if a meeting will be useful or a waste of time? How can meetings make you feel happy again? How meetings can make you happy provides practical tips and entertaining tricks to conquer your fear of meetings. This book is written by Bart Groenwoud, Ernst van Dam en Rik Nijkamp (19950109) and published by Stella de Jager (19950071).

Rik Nijkamp has a special and unique offer for alumni: purchase a minimum of 25 copies of How meetings can make you happy and he will come to give your team an inspiring presentation about the joy of meetings. Send an email to info@nyenrodealumni before the 1st of January with ‘Rik Nijkamp’ as the subject.

THE ANALOGUES LIVE IN LIVERPOOL A number of sold-out theater tours. A packed Ziggo Dome, three times over. It was all brought to an abrupt halt by the corona crisis: The Analogues' international tour has been postponed to 2021.

It all started in 2014 as an ambitious project by Fred Gehring (19730020) and music-industry veteran and producer Bart van Poppel. They decided to play The Beatles' last five studio albums live. They managed to achieve just that perfectly. And it was a unique experience, because The Beatles never played these albums live themselves. From Revolver to Abbey Road.

What started as a small-scale performance in a club in Amsterdam grew to become an internationally renowned success. If you'd like to visit a concert (when that's possible again) or want to buy a live registration, visit www.theanalogues.net. And for those who cannot wait until live performances return again, Van Verre is able to give away five DVD sets that include 1) the documentary about -, and 2) the registration of, the 'The White Album Live in Liverpool' concert. Send an email to info@ nyenrodealumni.nl before December 31st and the winners of the DVDs will be drawn out of the respondents.

Please cite ‘Analogues’ as the email subject.

ANDY WARHOL AT NYENRODE The 15th art exhibition organized by the Art Fund Nyenrode in the Dr. Albert Heijn building at Nyenrode opened in September – a few months later than planned – despite Covid-19. Following the RIVM's (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment) guidelines, the usually busy and festive opening was cancelled this year and the options to view the exhibition have been adapted.

This exhibition includes some highlights from the pop art collection belonging to alumnus Lodewijk den Hengst (NOIB 1964), better known to many as Lex Harding. Thirtythree colorful silk screens are on display on the ground floor and the 1st floor of the AH building until the end of May. Marilyn Monroe and Queen Beatrix are included in the colorful prints, but the walls are also adorned with some unique works of Mick Jagger, Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, and Jane Fonda. The exhibitor is also political, with images of Mao and Lenin.

With this collection the Art Fund Nyenrode has once again organized a spectacular exhibition at Nyenrode. Which fits in the motto ‘Nyenrode and art belong together’. A guided tour in small corona-proof groups can be arranged, but only when invited by Art Fund Nyenrode. www.artfundnyenrode.nl There is a catalogue with 88 colorful pages for sale at the Servicepoint at Nyenrode, but you can also order one by transferring € 17,50 (incl. postage) to NL21 RABO 0305 97 15 30 of the Stichting Art Fund Nyenrode, citing Warhol catalogue + your postal address. Because there is a limited print run of this catalogue, this catalogue is currently only available to members of the Nyenrode community.

The alumni association VCV has free copies of this catalogue available for the first people to respond. Email info@nyenrodealumni.nl and cite ‘Warhol’ as the subject.

VAN VERRE 287| 5

NEWS@NYENRODE

ART IN MY HEART

"WE WANT TO CREATE THAT 'WOW' EXPERIENCE" In August, 70 students started their BSc in Business Administration in Breukelen. For the first time, this program is also offered in Amsterdam. Despite the corona pandemic, the program there began with 35 students. Programme advisors Anne-Marie Houten and Monica Winkel share how they attempt to give new students the real 'Nyenrode experience' as much as possible in this time of lockdowns and online meetings.

I

n normal times, the program advisors meet students during open days, orientation weekends, and at study fairs in the Netherlands and abroad. When the Netherlands first went into lockdown in the spring, Anne-Marie Houten and Monica Winkel had to come up with new ways to share the Nyenrode story. "We had planned an open day for March in Amsterdam," Monica says, "but that was cancelled. That’s why we put together an online open day via YouTube Live for April. During such online events we tell people about the programs and they can ask questions via the chat function. We can't give them the exact same experience, but we've learnt that many parents, who often also watch the online presentation, find such an information session really useful."

personal connections. 'Who are you and why do you think Nyenrode will suit you?' That way we can also gauge if you'll fit in at Nyenrode. But that's a bit trickier online."

Monica: "Prospective students really want to see and experience life on campus. And a real challenge was that we didn't have any BSc students in Amsterdam yet and that its campus was closed during the spring of 2020. To give them a sense of what it's like to study at the Amsterdam campus, we recorded a video of BSc students who share why they chose Nyenrode in Amsterdam and what it's like to study there in the current situation. In this video, the chairperson of the JVC also shares what the association does and which committees there are."

TRICKIER ONLINE Anne-Marie: “Besides providing information about the academic program we also want to show young people that Nyenrode is a cool place with cool people. That's why we introduce them to current students and alumni. We try to create the wow experience and form

FULL OF CONFIDENCE Monica: "We try to reach our target audience using the channels they actively use themselves, such as WhatsApp and Instagram. That's why we started Instagram Live sessions where students and alumni answer questions. This personal contact with Nyenrodeans is really meaningful to our target audience."

Anne-Marie: "For generation Z, Instagram is the ultimate platform. Of course we want to show off our campuses, but in this time when there are no lectures on campus, conversations become a touch more personal because you get to see into people's bedrooms or living rooms."

Anne-Marie: 'We had already met lots of potential students in person in late 2019 during live events. We stayed in touch using WhatsApp, Instagram Live sessions, and by making lots of phone calls. The number of people enrolling was starting to reach capacity, so we really had to remind people that the course was almost full up. That was partly because lots of young people decided not to take a gap year and others decided to stay in the Netherlands instead of studying in the US, for example. This past year clearly isn't a good indication of how the coming year will be. But despite everything that's going on around the world, we're full of confidence that many prospective students will enroll in this great program." ♦ Would you like to know more about the BSc in Business Administration?

Please contact Anne-Marie en Monica via: bscba@nyenrode.nl.

6 | VAN VERRE 287

New Storck Surprise by accident CAROLYN REYES HUYBRECHS (19900607) Carolyn Reyes Huybrechs has worked extensively in print, web, and package design as well as art direction for photoshoots. Focusing on fashion, beauty, and gourmet food, past clients include Aveda Cosmetics, Neutrogena Cosmetics, Target, Napoleon Perdis Cosmetics, Oprah.com, Victoria’s Secret, Los Angeles Times, LA Magazine, Bloomingdales, Westfields US, and Nestle USA. Some highlights of her work include working on international ad campaigns with prestigious photographers featured in Vogue, Elle, Marie-Claire and Harper’s Bazaar.

Most recently, she enjoys photographing and writing about interior design for Houzz.com as well as owning and managing real estate in Los Angeles.

S

erendipity brought me to this painting when I traveled to Antwerp with my fiancé to meet my future in-laws. In their dining room hung an exquisite painting of a winding river with commercial and leisure boats sailing under a mostly gray but tranquil sky. A veiled sun somehow highlights a grand castle sitting to the left, punctuating its white trim with golden hues. To my amazement, I recognized this as none other than Nijenrode castle – the place where I spent my third year of Georgetown University studying as a foreign exchange student. The painting has been in my husband’s family for generations and is special to me not only because it reminds me of a memorable year spent in Holland but also because of the calmness it depicts. The reflective water suggests a quiet still lake rather than the busy trading route that the Vecht River was at the time.

Birds glide serenely over the water and in the distance. It all portrays a time when nature and commerce existed peacefully together and in balance – a time to which I hope we can soon return.” ♦

VAN VERRE 287| 7

FOR OWN ACCOUNT AND RISK

In ‘For own account and risk’ we talk to Nyenrodeans who are independent businessmen. From one man bands to major shareholders. What do they do and what drives them? Text Stella de Jager (19950071), stella@s2uitgevers.nl.

RIK NIJKAMP: ‘Short-term gains ruin job satisfaction’

WHO IS

RIK NIJKAMP (19900607) IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH Elleke CHILDREN A son Nout (16) and a daughter Zara (13) LIVES IN Vriezenveen PROGRAMME AT NYENRODE IDP 4 (1995)

We're getting square eyes from all the Zoom meetings and Teams sessions. But are we really achieving anything doing that and is there any real benefit? Rik Nijkamp (19950109) is a former Nyrodean and co-owner of How meetings can make you happy. He feels that there's a lot to be improved in the way we have meetings.

8 | VAN VERRE 287

COMPANY www.vergaderjezelfgelukkig.nl SINCE 2020 PRIOR TO THIS EMPLOYED AT Raps schaatsen, Care Group, mkbasics.nl, Smart Group rik@vergaderjezelfgelukkig.nl

RIK NIJKAMP

A

re you a true entrepreneur?

"That depends on how you define it. If your definition of a good entrepreneur is that it's someone who consciously takes risks, then no, that's not me. If I enjoy something, it's easy to convince me to do something even if that's not always the smartest decision. If you define it as someone who is willing to take the fall when taking a risk, then yes, that's me. I know what it's like to feel the pain. To have one year where you don't know how to pay your team's wages, when the next year the money is coming in left, right, and center. In that sense I'm a true entrepreneur, though perhaps a slightly reckless one."

What is something that you would never do again in your business?

"I've learnt through trial and error that I myself am not always the solution to every problem. I used to want to be the one who knew everything best, but that slows down the process and ruins the team's enthusiasm. I've also learnt that focusing on short-term gains can harm your team's job satisfaction. I'm convinced that if your team members enjoy their jobs, the gains will be higher in the long run. You lose less staff and, subsequently, their knowledge that way, there's less hassle and more productivity, plus it's a lot more fun. This insight has given me the drive to do something about meetings. 47% of people have said that they think meetings are the biggest waste of time. On top of that many of them spend more than 50% of their time in meetings. Many companies are trying to improve job satisfaction by offering yet another vitality training or a workshop on how to be 'creative with cork'. I'm not saying those things don't have merit, but it doesn't do much if people still end up in meetings all day and hate it. But there's no need for that, organizations can have enjoyable meetings."

What makes you happy?

"People who take responsibility and contribute to a pleasant working environment that way make me happy, it doesn't matter what their job description is. But cooking and eating also make me happy, you can see that on my Instagram."

What was the added value you gained at Nyenrode?

"Working in groups was an absolute must for me to get to the adaptation stage.

I needed a little push. I still prefer to work that way."

How do you use the alumni network?

"I approach people if I think doing business could be mutually beneficial. For example I approached people for my latest book How meetings can make you happy to help with ideas or to give me a quote. I often attend the meetings of my old fraternity Ten Langen Leste and of course Msc 4, the best student year, there's a party practically every year!"

What are your ambitions?

"I want to keep making work fun for everybody, for myself as well.

I'm currently doing that with our book How Meetings Can Make You Happy and the training sessions related to it. This way, we touch on each organization’s culture, and we take real steps when it comes to job satisfaction.

And personally, I want to reach 100 healthily. I'm fit and I expect to win a place in a triathlon in my age group. After the 2nd of November that became more likely, because I turned 50 then." ♦

VAN VERRE 287| 9

Since the foundation of the NOIB in 1946 Nyenrodeans have headed abroad, carrying the Netherlands’ name and fame around the world. Madeleine Kemna (19850036), madeleinekemna@hotmail.com, interviews a Nyenrodean living abroad.

CHATTING WITH

Adri Simamora

Financial economist Adri Simamora (20110402) came to the Netherlands when he was 27 years old to obtain his MBA at Nyenrode. He expected to stay for 12 months, but ten years later he still lives here, and he's even become a naturalized Dutchman. From his base in Denmark, where he is now the CFO Nordics at Sandoz, he tells us in fluent Dutch that he's made friends for life in Breukelen.

“I CHOSE DUTCH CITIZENSHIP TO SHOW MY GRATITUDE”

W

hy did you choose Nyenrode?

WHO IS

ADRI SIMAMORA (20110402) BORN Jakarta, 8 September 1983

"To be honest, it happened by accident. I had no idea that the Netherlands had such good business schools. The senior partner at KPMG, my employer in Jakarta, had great contacts with Gopal Ramanathan, who provided support with acquisitions and mergers worldwide from his office in Amstelveen. This Dutch KPMG partner was on Nyenrode's International Board and that's how the connection was made. Nyenrode gave me a scholarship and helped me finance my studies. I'm incredibly grateful for all the opportunities I was given.

The Netherlands, and Breukelen in particular, will always have a special place in my heart."

Why did you apply for a Dutch passport?

LIVES IN Denmark MARRIED WITH Adri has a Dutch partner who lives in Utrecht.

PROGRAM IMBA

"I love the Dutch directness and openness combined with the egalitarian way of thinking. Dutch citizenship also offered some practical benefits: it's easier for international companies such as Novartis (which owns Sandoz) to send Dutch citizens to work in other countries. But the biggest reason for me to apply for a Dutch passport was above everything the gratitude I feel for the Dutch advice that got me to where I am now. One person who gave me such advice was professor Désirée van Gorp at Nyenrode, for example, but also at Philips where I worked in the Medical Devices division for three years. I am determined to give back to the Dutch society."

What are the differences between Indonesia, the Netherlands, and Denmark?

WORK CFO Nordics for Sandoz

10 | VAN VERRE 287

"Leadership is from the top down in Indonesia. There is a lot of social control. People are constantly worried about what their families, neighbors, and employers expect from them.

They desperately want to meet those expectations. People are always trying to avoid ruffling any feathers. This lack of friction helps provide a pleasant atmosphere. In Northern Europe, people sometimes clash. The Dutch and the Danes are all about equal relationships and are very direct. For someone from Indonesia, there isn't too much difference between these two nationalities. If I had to pick a point of difference, I would say the Danes prefer consensus and the Dutch are a touch more stubborn. I experienced a situation in the Netherlands where in a group of 10 people, one person stuck to his point of view when the other 9 didn't agree with that. That wouldn't happen very often in Denmark."

COLUMN JOEP STASSEN (19850083),

Did you consciously choose to go into the pharmaceutical sector?

"I've wanted to help heal people since I was a child.

I didn't end up being a doctor – which I had once wanted to do – but working for a company such as Sandoz/ Novartis does allow me to achieve that dream. I am one of the people within the organization in talks with the different stakeholders about the fact that Europe outsources a lot of our pharmaceutical activities to countries such as China and India. About 80% of the ingredients are from those countries and even the humble paracetamol comes from the far east.

That makes us much too vulnerable, if you ask me."

How did the corona crisis influence your work?

"Within Novartis, Sandoz concentrates on generic medicines of which the patent has expired.

We took part in the research into the effectiveness of Hydroxychloroquine to combat the coronavirus.

Initially the results seemed promising, but we stopped that study because it became apparent that Hydroxychloroquine is not effective against Covid-19.

The Novartis department that develops new medicine is working on a vaccine that will halt the coronavirus.

It won't be the first vaccine available, but that's ok. Just like with other vaccines, new generations of vaccines will be developed and Novartis wants to be one of those."

As CFO, did you have to reallocate resources away from investing in the development of other medicines?

"Our budgets aren't infinite, of course. It's a pity, but we had to stop a few projects for the time being. At Sandoz, the focus remains on medicines of which the patent has expired but that are still effective in treating illnesses such as multiple sclerosis or certain kinds of cancer.

This enables healthcare institutions to treat more patients with the same budget."

What are your plans for the future?

"I expect that Novartis will send me to different places so I can build an international career in pharmaceuticals.

But I'd like to end up living back in the Netherlands, and I'd love to play a part in developing the pharmaceutical industry here."

Are you in touch with other Nyenrodeans?

"Definitely. I'm a member of the Nyenrode International Board. We meet twice a year to discuss how to best promote Nyenrode internationally and to give our input to those who are responsible for that in Breukelen. I've already caught up with other Nyenrodeans a few times here in Copenhagen and we'll have our first Danish Nyenrode alumni gathering in November. I have a very strong emotional bond with Nyenrode and I like to stay involved in different ways." ♦

L

BBA at Nyenrode, is Corporate Comedian: he holds a mirror in front of organizations as a moderator, facilitator and comedian.

aWanting to live longer isn't a sustainable idea, but wanting to be healthy as you grow older, is. That's why I'm interested in getting an infrared sauna: heat that's beneficial for your muscles and joints. Of course I could buy a new one, but it's more sustainable to buy a second-hand one. There are plenty of options on Marktplaats (Dutch equivalent of eBay or Craigslist). An infrared sauna is one of those things that people end up not using. Well, maybe to store the cushions for their outdoor furniture.

The sauna I end up choosing is in Geldrop, a 140-kilometre drive away.

Not exactly around the corner. It's made of Canadian red cedar wood. Canada is even further away. And it makes me wonder: how big is that circle within the circle economy really? The seller, someone called Fredo, has advertised his sauna as being clean, complete, and as good as new. He's barely used it.

"Why not, Fredo?" I ask in my text to him.

"My wife doesn't like it," is the reply. He claims it was used five times a year at the most. The sauna is ten years old, so that's still fifty uses, my wife has calculated.

She's not just calculating the times it's been used, she's also imagining what that might have included.

"He was in there by himself." I try to paint a slightly rosier picture. So no sex in there, I imply, but now I think that that has happened. I now understand why some people insist on buying a new one.

Fredo has recommended I come with a van because the panels are very big.

I find a Fiat van belonging to Suus on a car-sharing platform. The van is really banged up. "I don't mind if it gets a scratch," Suus says while she walks around the van. There are too many scratches to count anyway. "The tank's full but the gauge is broken so the fuel indicator says it's empty," she tells me over her shoulder. She passes me the key. "Buying a new one is a waste." I nod. Just to be on the safe side, I fill up at the first gas station I see. The van takes 60 liters.

When I press the bell at the address in Geldrop, a circle of bright LED lights illuminates and a camera extends like a swan neck. A few moments later, the camera retracts and the lights go out. The door opens and a man in his sixties with a yellow-brownish face looks at me. So this is the guy who's jerked off fifty times in that sauna, I can't help but think it.

He leads me to the basement where he's stored the sauna. The house is full of cameras. Wherever I look, a shiny glass eye looks back at me. The only one not paying attention is his wife. She's reading a book in a nook.

When I get home that night, I inspect the sauna closely. While my wife is looking for semen stains, I'm on the hunt for cameras and suspicious wires. I take a saw to the panels and investigate what's between the walls. I remove the halogen lights and I smash the remote that came with it with a hammer.

What's left is a pile of cedar wood. As good as new. ♦

VAN VERRE 287| 11

TEXT HESTER VAN BEECK CALKOEN

Kris Rote (19910304) has returned to the campus where he once was a student himself. A student full of ambition, a good sense for commerce, but who also had an idealistic side. Looking back on his career until now there isn't much that he would do differently, but it took a serious accident to get him on the right track. We spoke to Kris: can commerce and inspiration even go together? “Absolutely, and what's more: those two things need each other to make a structural improvement in the world.”

DO PASSION AND COMMERCE GO TOGETHER? 12 | VAN VERRE 287

PASSION & BUSINESS KRIS ROTE Tekst: Hester van Beeck Calkoen

O

n campus “I would send my kids to Nyenrode in a heartbeat, but the most important thing is that they follow their hearts.” Kris is sitting at his table, relaxed, on a chair that's decorated with the words "Daddy, we love you very much!".

“That was for my birthday”, he says with a smile, “and I thought I'd leave it.” Nyenrode has given him a lot, he says.

Friends for life, valuable social skills, and a good foundation for doing business. “Living on campus is very different to students who live in the city. You're in such close proximity that you can't really pretend to be something you're not, because you'll be found out right away. At Nyenrode, if you're all talk at the bar but then don't come to lectures and fail your exams, people will notice. You'll get the furthest here on campus by being authentic, being yourself, and it's really no different anywhere else in life. I have found that to be a really valuable life lesson and I would like the same for my children.”

Sri Lanka Kris grew up in Sri Lanka for a few years, where his father worked for the UN among other things. “I was confronted up close with reality, with the fact that many people live in extreme poverty. It really made me realize what a privilege it is to grow up in a family in the Netherlands. Things like that have a significant influence on the opportunities you're given in life.” It made him, in his own words, an idealist.

“The importance of development and education really became clear to me over there. My parents started a center in one of the slums, Bloemendhal, where kids could go to school and adults could learn a trade. They were given the opportunity to provide for themselves. It made a real impression on me to see what that did for their self-esteem and personal growth. I still carry those images with me.”

Commerce and idealism The combination of commerce and idealism often returns on his resume: “After Nyenrode, I did a Masters in business economics at the UvA, but I also studied political science at the same time. This came from my desire to broaden my horizons, to find perspective, and to have discussions about improving the world around us. I learned to look at management from different perspectives, not just in a commercial context, and I found that really valuable." Yet the commercial side of him with a sense of speed and ambition kept calling his name. “After my degree I ended in a large FMCG business, where many of my wishes were met. Great colleagues, a competitive culture, we worked hard but we also went out for drinks after work. From the outside it seemed like an ideal job.”

Accident But that work hard, play hard life came to a sudden stop after a few years. While on a business trip to Poland, Kris was involved in an accident and ended up with a concussion. That meant he had to stay home for two months. “I couldn't do anything, I couldn't watch TV, I couldn't read, it was all too much. For weeks, all I could do was stare at the ceiling. That's when I started having doubts.

‘I have a good job, a good salary, I get challenged. But in the end, my job is about selling diapers and shampoo. Does that do anything to improve the world?’ And I realized that at the core, it didn't inspire me. To inspire means "to ignite" and that's just not how it felt. Some days I didn't feel like going to work because that spark just wasn't there. That's what started my search to find out what I really wanted to do.”

Leadership program Kris gained some insight when he took part in a leadership program. “All around me I saw people developing, making challenging decisions after having doubts for a long time, taking steps that had a big impact. It was fantastic to see what such a program can do, it really filled me with energy.

That's when I knew: this is what I want to keep doing.”

Once again, the combination of commerce and idealism returns. “It's such an important combination. I'm convinced that the impact is biggest, on both the individual participant as the world around us, when you highlight both those aspects in a program. If you go and meditate on a mountain top, does that make the world a better place?

No, right? And measuring your success in business by your profits is also way too superficial. Both of those things need attention.” ➜

VAN VERRE 287| 13

PASSION & BUSINESS KRIS ROTE ➜

The Lounge Jacket Comfortable, Easy, Sustainable 100% Made in Utrecht & Amsterdam

Inspiration That goes for every organization, according to Kris.

“These days it's quite normal to make money by doing something that improves the world. In the olden days you had your job and you'd do something for a charity or something on the side, and you'd get a ribbon from the queen for your services. A little old-fashioned, don't you think?

Making money doing the right thing makes it interesting for everyone, not just for those people who are explicitly idealistic. If there's no business in it, it will die a clean but quick death. Great initiatives must be able to support themselves in order to have a real long-term impact.

And a business that solely exists to make money, that's not very inspiring. So I would argue that commerce and inspiration are definitely connected.”

Life lessons In his current position as Director Executive Programs at Nyenrode, Kris has a similar conviction. “Stewardship definitely has a place in our programs. We discuss ethics, for example, and what you as an individual contribute to a team." Kris believes that business developments also influence the other roles participants play in their lives. “Positive experiences, or the lessons you learn as a professional, there's no doubt you carry those into other aspects of your life. As a colleague, but also in your friendships or your family. Things like that have a bigger impact than just on your business."

WHO IS…

KRIS ROTE (19910304) AGE 49 NYENRODE EDUCATION BBA 19910304 (last batch) DEAREST "POSSESSION" Yasemin (12) and Can (9) BEST PART OF NYENRODE? The most valuable thing is friendship and the combination of study, responsibilities in functions and social life in the Bar

NEW TAILOR EST.1997 AMSTERDAM

14 | VAN VERRE 287

SPECIAL Baptized in Bloemendaal (NL), grew up partly near Bloemendhal (Sri Lanka)

Authenticity There's no doubt that the current situation creates challenges for Kris and his team. How does he manage to ensure his team stays inspired? “By checking in with everyone more often. I speak to my team members more often now they're working from home, I want to know how they are and how they're experiencing this time. But the non-verbal communication that I notice at work, naturally I don't get that now everyone is working from home. You can tell a lot from how someone enters a room. This situation is no small thing, everyone has had to adapt in a very short time. That's why we now do a check-in at every team meeting, in which everyone shares what's on their mind. Is there something that keeps you up at night, something that frustrates you, or something that makes you really happy? It's a great way to start a conversation, and often we end up discussing three quarters of the agenda already. I could just follow my own list of bullet points, but frustrations can be left untouched that way and that's not ideal when you see each other so little.

In this format there's much more space for everyone as an individual, than when you only discuss the team's tasks.

This is also a challenging time for me as a leader. There are a lot of things we're doing for the first time, such as offering hybrid- and online programs, and often I don't know exactly what's going on. I'm not going to pretend that I do.

Sometimes showing my vulnerability and saying that I just don't know can have a bigger impact.” Once again, the key word is authenticity. “Yes, as a leader, you have to be authentic. It doesn't matter if I present a great story, if I am being fake people will see through me, they won't engage.”

Balance “When I look back at my career until now, I think I have stayed close to who I am. There are only very few things I would have done differently. It has taken being in a major accident and getting a concussion to find the balance between my head and my heart, between commerce and inspiration, but I've really found that balance now. I'm still really happy that I did. ♦

LIGHTS A FIRE Taking on challenges, such as completing the alternative Elfstedentocht a few years ago (with various Nyenrode friends) VAN VERRE 287| 15

THEME The traditional economic structures are increasingly being

questioned; the classic incentive of growing a profit is losing its appeal.

New business models contribute to a better world and money is no longer the only way to exchange value. WEconomy, as Professor Jan Jonker calls it, is all about cooperation, shared interests and social issues. The economy is part of the solution instead of the problem.

PHOTO FRANS LEMMENS (19710024)

16 | VAN VERRE 287

Weconomy

VAN VERRE 287| 17

WECONOMY THREE MONKEYS Three brilliant minds, with each their own area of expertise. And each of them has an impressive portfolio.

Daan van der Zanden (20170504), Martijn van Zwieten (20170505), and Sjoerd de Bruin (20170507) have come together as Three Monkeys. Their goal: to offer pro bono consultancy. These gentlemen use their varied backgrounds, passions, and knowledge to selflessly provide organizations with advice.

TEXT JAN MEERTENS

T

rinity Their idea was born at Nyenrode, where the three received their education. Sjoerd: “We clicked right away; we had the same motives but each had their own approach. My weaknesses were compensated by Daan's and Martijn's strengths.” Sjoerd was all about being practical, Daan has a background as a designer, and Martijn already had a Masters in New Media and Digital Culture. They believe that this is what makes their trinity so strong. Daan: “Having entirely different backgrounds brought new perspective to things.”

Martijn, who is an Innovation Consultant at Global Talk, emphasizes the trio's synergy: "Right from the start, and still, we're like a pressure cooker full of solutions. It was a way to keep learning and challenging yourself at a higher speed. It's the stimulation, having a beer together, that connection.” Sjoerd adds: “Brothers in arms, that's how I see it. Back when we were at Nyenrode and now once again as the Three Monkeys.”

Scotch Whisky The idea for the company name came to them early, during a particularly long night studying for an assignment for a Nyenrode module. A bottle of Scotch with the brand name 'Monkey Shoulder' had ended up on the table that night. After a few rounds, they recognized themselves in the logo that contained three monkeys, and the name stuck. When they realized they wanted to offer pro ➜ 18

VAN VERRE 287 | 19

WECONOMY THREE MONKEYS

PRO BONO CONSULTING

‘Every organization should have access to knowledge and experience’

WHO IS…

MARTIJN VAN ZWIETEN (20170505) FAMILY Michal Vader, and daughter Maya (2) EDUCATION EMBA Nyenrode Master, New Media & Digital Culture BSc, Beta Gamma

WORK Innovation Consultant, Global Talk INTERESTS Travel, Japan, playing the guitar, video games

WHO IS…

DAAN VAN DER ZANDEN (20170504) FAMILY Roos van der Zanden EDUCATION EMBA Nyenrode Design Academy Eindhoven

WORK Management Consultant, Entrepreneur INTERESSES Hiking, architecture, chess, video games

WHO IS…

SJOERD DE BRUIN (20170507) FAMILY Married to Leontine.

Kids: Noëlle, Max & Tom

WORK Sales Manager Asia Pacific

EDUCATION EMBA Nyenrode Marketing Management

INTERESSES Culture, international relations, crossfit, triathlons, my family

20 | VAN VERRE 287

➜ bono consulting together in the same configuration, the saying “if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys” was the final piece that brought it all together.

“It actually means that if you pay very little, you should expect a poor result, but for Three Monkeys it means the exact opposite”, Martijn says with a smile. Three Monkeys was born.

Open and honest “We share our knowledge for free”, Daan says. “We believe that every organization should have access to knowledge and experience. It leads to innovation and adds value.” It wasn't an entirely altruistic motive because it was their own need to collaborate to come to creative solutions that drove them. On the other hand: when you work pro bono there is no financial barrier. Sjoerd: “We can share our knowledge without holding anything back. We can be open and honest. There's no annoying framework of terms and conditions. And we always disclose the hours we worked on it at the end of the project. That way, the client knows how much he's saved."

"What counts the most is the value we've added", Daan points out.

“We take each other out of our comfort zones and come to a quality solution, that clearly benefits the organization whose query we've taken on. At a certain point, everything always comes together. We don't simply provide consultancy, but the satisfaction of a shared experience, for the client and for ourselves . That leads to very different conversations.”

Transition The Three Monkeys fondly remember a wonderful project they worked on for Pieter Smit, a logistics company that specializes in theater, sports, and music events. The company was in a transitional period in which the founder and owner of the business wanted to hand it over to the next generation. Then the corona crisis hit and all plans had to be changed. The business ended up approaching Three Monkeys through Sjoerd's network.

The question was: How can you best organize the sale of a business in the time of corona? It soon became clear there was a much larger challenge at hand, taking into account succession, structure, culture, and the future. Sjoerd created a project for Three Monkeys in which each one of them took responsibility for a different aspect. He himself focused on the structure of the organization and its identity, Daan focused on the running of the business and the next generation, and Martijn focused on the core of the business.

“Pieter Smit is a flat company with relatively little structure”, Martijn says.

Out of the three, he's the one who ponders how systems work. “I looked at the following things: what is the system at the core of the business? Are the core elements, and the core structure in particular, working well; how is the management team working and how do its members function; what are the core processes, are they clear for everyone and is everyone on the same page? How do you bring all these elements together so you can tweak things to keep coming to better results? We wanted to document those pathways."

Daan brought his attention to the succession by the next generation.

"I once ran a company that operated in a sector I didn't know much about.

I was also managing people who were often a lot older than I was and who also had a lot more specialized knowledge. I learnt a lot from that experience and used that experience to help advise the successor at Pieter Smit."

Daan also has experience in the transition of ownership. "As the new owner, you might want to head in a different direction. Where will you find there's some resistance, how to you deal with that, how do you bring your entire team on board? It's really about small-scale management."

Not a long and expensive consultancy process why did Pieter Smit choose to approach Three Monkeys?

Sjoerd: “Pieter Smit could have paid to engage a consultancy firm.

It's a well-known transportation business in the entertainment industry, but that industry has been hit hard by the corona crisis, as we all know. And leadership transition, which could result in a change of business culture, company vision and strategy, is not a small undertaking. On one hand the business has to watch their pennies and lead conservatively because the future is uncertain, but on the other hand such a transition involves a lot of serious commitment. So that's what it came to: a business that really needed advice, but didn't have the motivation to finance a process that traditionally is quite long and expensive. That's where we came in."

A free alternative The trio isn't worried that current consultancy firms might think that they're ruining the market. Martijn mentions the advice that McKinsey gave the US government about how to manage the corona crisis as an example. “That consultancy project cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. But it cannot be executed anymore. There are a lot of critical questions one could ask about that. But we are the other extreme: pro bono advice, we get to the point and generally offer a feasible project because we operate based on experience."

Three Monkeys only accepts a handful of clients per year.

The kind of projects that you wonder if they would be able to be executed in any other way. “We started Three Monkeys to be able to offer a free alternative for existing, and often expensive, consultancy firms”, Sjoerd says. “We do this alongside our fulltime jobs. By being selective about the projects we take on, we're able to afford to provide short-term consultancy projects free of charge.”

Sustainable development goals The trio aims to eventually have completed a project on every continent.

“Including Antarctica”, Sjoerd says. This international drive runs in the Three Monkeys' blood. Sjoerd often travels the world for Damen Shipyards, Daan studied in an ‘incredibly multicultural’ environment at the globally renowned Design Academy, and Martijn has acquired a lot of international experienced in the entertainment industry, particularly as the founder of Rangemu which functioned as a bridge between the Dutch and Japanese gaming industries. Until now the trio hasn't been very selective when it came to accepting projects, but they'd like to make the shift to sustainability. It's not that the businesses they've helped until now were not sustainable, but they're of the opinion that pro bono could be connected to social relevance. “We want to agree with the goals of our clients, of course.

The businesses should contribute to society”, Daan says. “There has to be a connection with sustainable development goals (SDGs),” adds Sjoerd.

“Even more so than circularity, which has become a bit of an umbrella term. The SDGs offer concrete goals." It's all about good stewardship, all three of them want to stress. “It's about taking responsibility and taking into account the needs of others as well as those of future generations.”

Daan: “We can only spend our time once, so we prefer to do it working on projects where we can really have a big impact. We'd rather opt for social impact than the big bucks.” ♦

VAN VERRE 287| 21

WECONOMY MARK VAN RIJMENAM TEXT THEO PRINS

How innovative technology enables transformation, but should also be reined in.

To get an idea of what innovative technology means to the transformation from possession to utilization, we asked Mark van Rijmenam (20070103) for his opinion.

Innovative technology is the driving force and often a requirement for transformation Dr. Mark van Rijmenam is an international speaker, a strategic advisor in the field of big data and blockchain. His third book is 'The Organization of Tomorrow' (2019) and covers how AI, blockchain, and analytics are turning businesses into data organizations. Mark obtained his PhD at the Technical University of Sydney with the topic: Sociomateriality in the era of emerging information technologies: how big data analytics, blockchain, and artificial intelligence influence organizations. www.mavin.org

The Weconomy can only be profitable with a wide reach.

The internet provides that.

22 | VAN VERRE 287

H

e is clearly a Nyenrodean who's well aware of what's happening in the field of innovative technology. He's very clear when answering the question of what influence innovative technology has on the transformation from ownership to utilization and the six parts of the Weconomy. In every aspect, innovative technology plays an important, and maybe even dominant, role. Many changes that have taken place in economic processes have only become possible thanks to innovative technology.

An important driving force for the transformation from ownership to utilization is due to the internet that has practically made the entire world available to everyone, and it has brought a lot of transparency to many areas. Combine this with smartphones, and we now have apps that allow us to find the right information and complete transactions anytime and anywhere.

This has become the foundation that enables the creation of a Weconomy.

A collaborative and sharing economy needs to have some scale to be profitable and therefore it's necessary to cast a wide net. The internet provides the necessary reach.

To achieve a functional economy, one of the requirements is being able to keep an eye on things and activate features remotely. The internet, and the Internet of Things (IoT) in particular, plays an important role in this. To use car-sharing, you need an app to unlock the car, to drive the car, and to pay for using it.

The new social order: Digitalism The increasing influence of innovation technology on every aspect of our lives, both at work and in our personal lives, has a huge influence on how we are managed as a society. Mark says we are moving into a new social order called digitalism. After nationalism, communism, and liberalism, digitalism indicates that all aspects of life are determined by technology. In this case it's digital technology, in which data plays a major role. Just like technology can be used for both good and bad, so the exact same goes for digital technology.

Since the exponential growth of the internet and the unlimited data that corporations and the government collect, we are slowly becoming a 'monitored society' in which businesses and governments keep track of people by collecting data about them. Digitalism is the first globally accepted political doctrine, accepted and supported by all governments and all businesses and increasingly feared by most average citizens. Digitalism envisions a world in which data is the most important resource in society.

Capitalism will be the main driver in such a society and governments will determine whether corporations (big tech) control this data or governments (as is already happening in China), or whether individual citizens will be empowered. This means that governments must really consider the impact of digital technology and create the right policies to protect their citizens against misuse of data and the power of the big tech companies.

Thankfully, the first initiatives in this field already exist. Taiwan has a minister of digital affairs and the United Arab Emirates is the first country to have a minister of artificial intelligence. Governments will have to decide who has control over the data: the government, businesses, or individual citizens themselves. If they don't, corporations will make those decisions. Governments will also have made decisions about how technology is used to avoid unemployment and to keep people from feeling like they no longer matter.

How algorithms can disrupt and improve society One of the negative uses of innovative technology is recommendation algorithms that ensure that people no longer receive a broad range of information, rather these algorithms give information based on people's profiles. This means people end up in a filter bubble, or as Dutch television presenter Arjan Lubach colorfully puts it, a 'fairytale funnel'. It narrows people's view on the world, with all sorts of social disruption as a consequence. Unfortunately, platforms such as Facebook benefit from the fairytale funnel because it keeps people on their platform for longer, resulting in bigger revenue from advertisers.

Mark isn't just attracted to the different kinds of new technology and its impact on society, he's also involved in using new technology to compensate for its negative aspects. That's why he founded a company called Mavin to combat misinformation, bad bots, and online trolls. Mavin was created to restore people's trust

THE TECHNOLOGY EXPLAINED BIG DATA: this means a large amount of data – both structured and unstructured – that comes into an organization on a daily basis.

BLOCKCHAIN: A digital ledger that records transactions chronologically. The cryptography (encryption) that forms the basis of the blockchain ensures a reliable system without the need for intermediaries to manage the risk, in which the data in a blockchain is immutable, traceable, and verifiable. In other words, in contrast to a traditional database in which you can read, record, and change data, a blockchain is a decentralized database that several stakeholders have access to, they can read and record data in it, but they cannot change it.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI): the process of creating an intelligent artefact with the purpose of imitating human behavior or even performing better. AI is made up of three domains:

• Cognitive systems that relate to the human world. A good example is chat bots that companies use for customer service.

• Robotics relates to the physical world and can interact with humans. Robots can be used to improve our work in different areas, for example the automated production lines with robots in the car industry.

• Machine Learning relates to the world of information. Machines (computers) use data to learn, and machine learning aims to make sense of all that data. Machine learning uses statistical methods to use machines to improve machines. A subset of machine learning is deep learning, which enables multi-layer neural networks.

Artificial intelligence is made up of the seamless integration of cognitive systems, robotics, and machine learning.

in (online) media, because that has reached a very deep low. After all, the goal of the media has always been to hold governments and corporations accountable. But who holds the media accountable?

At Mavin, they're trying to make us realize that it's us: the crowd.

Mavin is going to be an ecosystem of crowd-sourced, reputable tools for reviewing, and commentating on articles. It will enable internet users to immediately see if an article or social media post that they read or share is trustworthy. Recent research has shown that crowd-sourced content moderation is just as effective as moderation performed by experts. Mavin uses this method. ♦ VAN VERRE 287| 23

WECONOMY JACQUELINE VOORTHUIZEN

TEXT JAN MEERTENS

A LICENSE T O OPERATE Superannuation fund PGB has decided to opt for more impact investments with a return.

These are investments that aim to have a positive effect on society. Financial returns are still the main goal, but not at just any cost. We spoke to Jacqueline van Voorthuizen (19790138), a portfolio manager at PBG who specializes in socially responsible investments.

N

ot long after leaving Nyenrode, you went into finance. Did your interest in it start at Nyenrode?

"Yes, and especially in prof. Schep's classes. I was particularly interested in his classes on international cash flow, things such as trade agreements and global organizations."

In the eighties and nineties when you worked at Mees Pierson, it was all about the Wolfs and Gekkos on Wall Street. Were you already aware of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability back then?

"In the 80s, sustainable investments only existed at banks such as Trados and ASN. At the big banks there was no such thing and so we invested without considering sustainability. They were indeed the wild 80s and 90s. It wasn't until the late 90s that I started with sustainability. That's when changes were starting to happen and we could no longer make our investment decisions in a moral and ethical vacuum. In those days, we started managing more and more funds of charity organizations, which were naturally already more aware of moral and ethical investments."

"In my final two years at Mees Pierson, my team and I put together the entire offer of sustainable investment options. At the time we were the first 'mainstream' bank, together with ING, that did such a thing.

I realized I wanted to do that for other banks too, and that there was a market for it. I was happy to work as an independent consultant, but Insinger de Beaufort wanted me on their books and they offered a very attractive financial package."

At that bank, 'Developing a Socially Responsible Investment proposition’ was one of your main points.

"At the time we wanted to find a solution for those investors that would enable them to invest in something that didn't just offer an attractive return, but that also offered a clear social benefit. These were all still quite new ideas back at the start of the millennium. We called it social venturing or venture philanthropy. This concept has really taken off since then and is now known as 'impact investing'."

24 | VAN VERRE 287

You ran your own consultancy agency (Zyllian) for ten years.

Why did you switch to working for PGB? What were the most important lessons learned from that time?

"After three years at Insinger, I still wanted to be able to do things for other banks so I started my own business, and Insinger remained one of my clients for a while.

I started in 2006 and business went well for a long time, but then the GFC hit and we felt the consequences for quite some time after. But I still had some great projects and it became clear that it's very important to have a good network. People need to know who you are, they need to know your expertise, and they need to want to give you their projects. My favorite project was in 2014. Triodos Investment Management approached and asked if I could help them create a listed multi-impact fund, this was after I filled in there for someone who had had a burnout. When I was about to finish that project, a headhunter approached me for my current position with PGB. Because of the substantial time I spent at Triodos, I had learned that I really enjoy working in a team towards a concrete goal at one organization for an extended amount of time, so I was open to a permanent contract. Plus, there was talk of 'Wiebes DBA Act'. I can't quite remember what it all meant, but it seemed like things were going to get complicated for freelancers and that didn't appeal to me at all."

What is a higher level of integrated sustainability policy?

"The PGB super fund has a balance of 30 billion. The CSR policy is now incorporated in our balance management. This means that with every investment decision, sustainability is taken into account. We call that integral ex ante analysis. At the same time, impact investments are also becoming part of balance management. This means that we investigate in which asset classes they can be integrated."

How do you assess that?

"We're going to join the SDI Asset Owners Platform for those assessments.

It's an initiative of APG and PGGM superannuation providers to be able to measure the impact against the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

There are 17 sustainability goals and these have 200 sub-indicators.

WHO IS…

JACQUELINE VOORTHUIZEN (19790138)

PGB SUPERANNUATION FUNDS Portfolio Manager Balance Sheet Management Responsible Investments July 2016 - Present ZYLLIAN CONSULTANCY SERVICES Founder and owner June 2006 - June 2016 INSINGER DE BEAUFORT. Director Charity Office January 2003 - June 2006 MEESPIERSON Director MeesPierson Private Wealth Management June 1984 - December 2002

We use artificial intelligence (AI) to measure which of those sub-indicators the products of listed companies in our portfolio satisfy. Once that is clear, we apply that to the non-listed part of the portfolio. Because large investors place such emphasis on showing that they're after products and services that meet the UN goals, they become more noticeable in the corporate world. That's important because shareholders and investors generally give you a 'license to operate'."

So a pursuit of moral and ethical investments across the board.

"Yes, the social pressure on investors and businesses is incredible. The SDI Asset Owners Platform is supported by a few large funds. We have also joined the UNPRI. This acronym stands for the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investing. They were brought to life by the late secretary general Kofi Annan back in the day. The organization believes that a sustainable financial system with responsible investment practices will contribute to a better world in the long term. More than 80 trillion in invested capital is part of the UNPRI, a substantial percentage of the worldwide invested capital."

Does Shell, which often still gets some criticism, fit into your portfolio?

"We definitely still invest in Shell. Their climate-change strategy is a leading example.

It includes the goal for Shell to be climate neutral by 2050. To achieve this, they've taken several policy measures that are also incorporated into their remuneration policy. This adds credibility to their decision-making. It's important to absorb CO2, and the fact that Shell is investing in planting forests to achieve that CO2 absorption in a natural way is also a positive step. It's a solution that is often overlooked and dismissed, so it's extra important that such a large corporation commits to it. You can also see it in their reward structure at the top. Achieving those goals also determines the amount of their rewards. And don't underestimate the influence an activist investment organization such as Follow This can have on a business like Shell."

Do these indicators and guidelines give you a good framework for your investments?

“We track the MSCI ACWI World Index, we are a passive investor. We remove businesses that don't meet the sub-indicators. There are more than 2,800 businesses in that index. So our policy is very much shaped by national and international regulations, and by guidelines such as those of the UN and the OECD. The latter matters because those are worldwide goals. This means action is coordinated and there are lots of international discussions. This gives the movement power and purpose. And a lot of thought has gone into it and the countries themselves have signed agreements on them. Nearly every country in the world has signed the Paris Climate Agreement and the UN Development Goals. The Dutch Bank really supports this policy and we have wonderful examples of how large companies can really shape corporate social responsibility in the Netherlands." ♦

VAN VERRE 287| 25

WECONOMY KZN TEXT HESTER VAN BEECK CALKOEN

'What sets us apart from other entrepreneurs is that we know that we can't do everything ourselves' WHO IS…

They have not yet completed their bachelor in Business Administration, and yet they're already running a company. Fate made Alex Dingemans (20) and Max Hamm (20) roommates on the Nyenrode campus and together, they entered the plastics industry.

It's not the sexiest choice you can make, especially if you're part of 'generation Instagram'. All the more reason for an interview!

W

hat does your company do? It's hard to comprehend for your average passer-by...

"It's not so much about the product but the essence is in the way you approach it. How do you place it in the market, what's your logistic situation, do you have a middle man, or do you go straight to the end user?

If you've covered the basics, there are tons of options. We have always said to each other 'the beginning is never the end'. We're full of ideas and we're flexible enough to get started on those ideas. We once started 'Waffles on Wheels' but the corona crisis among other things made that hard to realize. Then we jumped straight into selling disinfectants, which of course is going great."

How did you end up at Nyenrode?

Alex: "I saw an ad on Facebook with a bunch of students in suits in front of a castle. It draws your attention, at the very least," he says with a laugh. "In Belgium, where I'm from, business education tends not to be at university level, that's why I chose to come to the Netherlands." Max has Dutch roots, but also grew up in Belgium. “I was meant to go to the TU in 26 | VAN VERRE 287

WHO IS…

MAX HAMM (20180841)

ALEX DINGEMANS (20180834)

LIVES IN Lanaken, Belgium

LIVES IN Schilde, Belgium

info@kzn.nu

info@kzn.nu

Delft, but I followed my father's advice and chose to pursue a business degree. My family is business-minded, so this seemed like a logical choice."

What sets you apart from other companies?

"We know that we can't do everything ourselves. Instead, we like to work together with others who have earned their stripes in other fields. For example, we work together with a large distributor who has a huge international network for our plastic ground panels. This gives us a huge market compared to if we were to try and reinvent the wheel. We're also constantly working on our product. We have a base material that the ground panels are made of, but it has many other applications. For these, we work together with our Dutch producer. One of the things we enjoy the most is that there are constantly new requests for our products, and we like to find solutions for those. Often those questions are about weight, life span, capacities, or price. We get together with the client and investigate all the options, and we ignore any limitations. We also often get the question: 'What is the standard size?' but for us, there is no such thing. So we smile and say: 'Whatever size you need.' It's important to us to really be on the same page as our clients."

Is your company sustainable?

"If the plastic ends up in the soil, is that bad? Many people think it is. The thing is, plastic is made up of petroleum, which takes around 200 years to break down. That's a very long time, but while it's in the soil, it forms no threat to the environment. It starts becoming harmful if it ends up in water and is consumed by animals, or if micro plastics end up in the food chain. Many people think that plastic isn't sustainable, but wood as a resource is a lot less sustainable because of its limited lifespan. As a resource, you might be able to use it twice, then it ends up as fuel for the furnace. Our recyclable plastic products can be reused indefinitely,

because we can use the materials again for the same application without compromising the quality. So it's one hundred percent circular."

Green guys “It's really obvious now, of course it's important, you can't really deny that anymore. The market is heading in that direction, clients ask for it. Our real personal challenge is the chance of breaking the stigmas, to be innovative in an area where many people don't see any potential. Sustainability is often hugely important, and that's what makes it exciting for us."

Reusable "We do everything we can to convince those hesitant clients, because the material we use is more expensive than wood, you can't really compete with that price-wise. But the advantage is that when you buy one of our products, such as a ground panel, and use it, you can then return it to us once it's worn and buy a new one at a reduced price. We make new panels out of the old ones. And we can keep doing that indefinitely. That's what appeals to many clients."

Are you planning to do a Master's at NBU? "That depends on the success of their company. The combination Nyenrode and running a business practically takes up all of our time. We asked for exemption or if we could attend certain classes at other times, but that wasn't possible. It's a pity, but we're not falling behind in our studies so our results aren't suffering, but it does require some careful planning. We would have loved to see the agility that we have in our company, at NBU." You're doing completely different things to your peers.

How does that show?

"Our peers are often active in very different fields. It's currently very cool to start a career in IT, tech, or visual industries, there aren't that many young business owners in our field. Our clients and partners are sometimes a bit surprised when they see us walk in. They'll ask, 'So how old are you guys actually?'" But the guys are not afraid that they won't be taken seriously. "We know what we're talking about and we have a great product, these things speak for themselves. The people we talk to can see that too. And when it comes to running a business, I think our age is a great advantage because we have so much less to lose," says Alex. "We both still live at home, we don't have our own families, and there is little foreign capital in our company. Our aim is to grow at a natural pace and to avoid wanting to do too much too quickly."

People start new businesses because they believe they can offer something better than what's currently on the market. What sets you apart from other companies?

They humbly respond: "What we do isn't rocket science. Could someone else have done the same thing? Yes, but nobody else did, we did." According to Max and Alex, it's simply a matter of taking action. "Everybody can make plans, but then getting on with it and actually doing something is when things often stop."

Has the Corona crisis affected your business?

"We're currently investing in making new contacts. For example, in the event industry nobody is spending any money at the moment, but they do have time to think about innovations. At festivals, for example, they're very conscious of recycling rubbish, using sustainable plastic cups, et cetera. Stage builders are looking for lightweight materials that are strong and durable. We can see lots of potential, so we're having extensive conversations with these people."

What are your hopes for the future?

"We're currently still looking for partners in the plastics industry that we can collaborate with when it comes to distribution. And we're always looking for people with queries to which our material might be the answer. There are so many potential applications that we don't know about, and ideas often pop up in situations where we don't expect it."

And what are your dreams?

"We'd love it if our company could get really big, but it would operate mostly in the background. Other entrepreneurs our age put everything on Instagram, they have to share every little detail with the entire world and most of all, they crave recognition for all that." Alex: " To me, the charm lies in being extremely successful, but doing it in a humble way. I don't really need to be on display." ♦

'Many people think that plastic isn't sustainable, but wood as a resource is a lot less sustainable because of its limited lifespan' VAN VERRE 287| 27

CALL TO ACTION FOR NYENRODE COMMUNITY: CONTRIBUTE TO A BIGGER GOAL

If the Nyenrode community, that powerful network of people who have something to offer, joined forces for a better world, what would be possible? Vanessa Buisman wondered this aloud in the presence of other Nyenrodeans. They thought and felt the same. The urgency is there, the ambition is there, all we need is action. The result is the start of a movement. Forward for Good already has over a hundred supporters who have committed themselves to a greater cause. VCV community manager Hester van Beeck Calkoen spoke with the four initiators.

TEXT JOEP STASSEN

W

hy are you standing up for a better world?

VANESSA: “The world order is tilting, repairing and adjusting is no longer enough. We are asked to rise above ourselves and contribute to a greater cause, everyone for themselves simply doesn’t work anymore. And I thought to myself: where do I stand? I am part of the Nyenrode community. I called Simone (Daniëls, director of the Alumni Office, ed.) and asked her, how big is this community anyway? She said 27,000. I thought come on!

So many Nyenrodeans with their network and their power: they should be able to achieve something, right? I talked about this with others and I found myself striking a chord, that I was not alone in thinking this. People are eager to tackle the great challenges of our time.

They really want to contribute to a better world, but it must become practical. We started small, thought about a seminar at Nyenrode, but soon we knew we had to think bigger.

This network has so much potential that it naturally elicits great ambitions.”

JOEP: “The name of our app group was and still is ‘grand and compelling’. Our dream is that the Nyenrode community will work together for the good cause. We want to initiate a movement from within that really works at Stewardship.”

PIETER BAS: “Stewardship is one of Nyenrode's three core values. Much attention is paid to the other two, Entrepreneurship and Leadership. But it is precisely the combination of the three that puts Nyenrode in a position to make a difference. The Nyenrodeans I know, entrepreneurs and leaders, also look beyond their own company or project. They also see an opportunity to use their vigor and leadership for what is no longer the domain of policymakers and politicians. The ball is in our court now. And by us I mean entrepreneurs.”

"The ball is in our court" 28 | VAN VERRE 287

VANESSA: “There is a system change going on at a global scale. The business community is increasingly moving into areas that previously belonged to the government: healthcare, security, science, environment, defense, education. Business has become political.

Companies can no longer afford to stand at the side lines, take care of themselves and ignore the outside world. They have a responsibility. You now see how we are in transition and that the new positions are being explored. There is a lot of hassle about compliance and good governance. Governments cannot do it alone, the business community is needed to achieve this transformation.” ➜

The initiaters of Forwards for Good, left to right: Marjolein Baghuis (19860005), Vanessa Buisman (19910203), Joep Stassen (19850083), Pieter Bas Boertje (19820013).

VAN VERRE 287| 29

Forward for Good!

CALL TO ACTION FOR NYENRODE COMMUNITY: CONTRIBUTE TO A BIGGER GOAL

Nyenrode will celebrate her 75th birthday in 2021. For these Nyenrodeans this was the reason to start a new initiative called Forward for Good.

THE REASON 'We forge a close bond here with our ideals and dreams.'

In 1946 Albert Plesman, together with 7 other captains of industry, started trade institute Nyenrode. To rebuild the Netherlands after the war. 75 years later, again in turbulent times, we come together as a Nyenrode community with a mission: to encourage each other to do the right thing in a new reality. The reality that the world's resources are finite, and we have a responsibility to our children to leave a livable world behind.

There are now 27,000 Nyenrodeans. 27,000 leaders who, under the motto of Nyenrode ('Serving Society'), and inspired by the 3 Nyenrode values Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Stewardship, are building a new reality.

An enormous group of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial leaders who have been trained for 75 years to carry out challenging assignments.

➜ You are talking about the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN, isn't that too abstract for many people?

MARJOLEIN: “We use the SDGs as a framework for our movement.

Nowadays there is more perspective for action. In contrast to the UN Millennium Goals from 2000, the SDGs have been drawn up in consultation with the business community, which makes it much more powerful. People start moving, including commercial companies, if it is relevant for their own sake. Stewardship is about much more than being green. We want to show that it also concerns social topics such as equality, poverty and education.

And the realization that no one can do this alone, that collaboration is essential.”

JOEP: “We also hope that with this initiative we will reconnect the network, and perhaps now at a deeper level, at the heart. The network of Nyenrodeans among themselves, anywhere in the world, and the network of Nyenrode stakeholders: faculty, students, employees, management, visitors. There is now a reason, a purpose: working together for a better and sustainable world for the generations to come. Just as there was a purpose when it was founded in 1946. This gives us a new right to exist and distinctive character. It is an opportunity ánd a responsibility.”

Where does this sense of responsibility come from?

75 YEARS OF NYENRODE Next year will be a historic year for Nyenrode. In a rapidly changing world, the 75th anniversary is being celebrated.

In the current transition to a new, more sustainable and social global economy, according to the initiators of Forward for Good, this is the perfect reason to give further substance to the Nyenrode Value Stewardship.

To start a movement, 75 stories will be brought to life from December. 75 stories of special Nyenrodeans, each contributing to society in their own way. In doing so, they inspire others to take a small or large step as well.

30 | VAN VERRE 287

PIETER BAS: “The Nyenrodeans I know are naturally committed to helping others. It's in our genes. SDGs don't interest me that much. I look at the personal aspects, in the heart. Nyenrodeans want to roll up their sleeves and do great things. That’s a particular sense of responsibility. I am proud of that.”

MARJOLEIN: Admittedly, there are hundreds of parties and organizations that are committed to a better world, so what can we add to that? The Nyenrode community has enormous potential. Look at what you have here: skilled people who know how to find each other and who dare to point out our responsibilities, who speak a common language and can be found in all kinds of positions in society. A community also fed by new students and graduates, which has a resource in the faculty, and which has a home base, the castle. Big enough to make a difference, small enough to be decisive.”

us all. No sermons but show examples. We will make it sexy. You have to make it attractive, isn't that how we learned in marketing? Nobody will be able to ignore it: you are going to want to be a part of this! ” JOEP: “We are not going to manage this movement. That’s not doable. It's about a mindset. And from that mindset, people will stand up and, in their way, in their context, will make a contribution. Forever, or for a short period of time, it doesn't matter. It will literally be carried by the network. We take each other by the hand. We are prepared that there will be waves, initiatives will take flight, and others will die a silent death. But when we look back after a while, something fundamental will have changed. ”

QUOTES FROM THOSE INVOLVED

How does this take shape?

PIETER BAS: “We are going to collect 75 stories to inspire and get each other on track. We show what other Nyenrodeans have done, tried, succeeded in and what has failed. Hopefully people will then look for and find each other and new connections and projects will emerge. We will then give them a stage at the lustrum. At least 75!”

MARJOLEIN: “The stories illustrate what stewardship means. How do we put this into practice in our own organization? What has it done for you and what are the dilemmas? How did Carola Wijdoogen get all trains in the Netherlands to be powered by wind energy? What does Michiel de Haan mean by Plantify the Future - and why is he so committed to that? And how did Niels van Buren build a company where people with autism get to do valuable work? They will tell their stories and thus make tangible what you can do. On a large and on a small scale. ” What is your call to action?

PROF. IR. ANDRÉ NIJHOF, field of Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Stewardship.

“It inspires to see that a lot of other people are working on this as well and in fact - to see how they have overcome recognizable obstacles. The Nyenrode community has always had a major impact. In the past aimed at rebuilding the economy. Now aimed at effectively tackling the sustainability issues we face and creating the new economy.”

SIMONE DANIËLS, Director VCV Alumni Office “You are a Nyenrodean for life. We know where to find each other through our close-knit community and commitment. Alumni and students are not afraid to get their hands dirty and build, these are our roots. Forward for Good is a mindset, a movement that you are proud of as a Nyenrodean, and that you want to spread among this community, but also among everyone who believes in it.”

NATACHA RODRIGUES SOARES, MBA graduate 2020

MARJOLEIN: “Do you have a special story to tell, share it with us! Join the VCV platform. Do you have a question, a specific need or are you looking for a partner? Would you like to participate, find one of us via the platform.

Everyone is welcome: not just VCV members, but all alumni, students, employees. Even Nyenrode's neighbors. When this article comes out, a number of stories will already have been shared on the platform and other socials.

From January 2021, a new story will be published every week.” ♦

How are you going to make sure this movement actually achieves something?

“I believe we can contribute with our knowledge, network and resources to make a positive impact on people and the planet. I see it as a win-win game, students have a chance to put in practice their business education to help society, government and businesses. This movement is an excellent opportunity to strengthen the Stewardship value among Nyenrode's entire community (local and international, current students and alumni) and spread this idea among the world beyond. It would be great if Nyenrode's University and community were the reference, when thinking about Stewardship.”

HELEEN VAN HALL, Head of Alumni and External Relations NBU

PIETER BAS: “A movement starts with ... A first step. So, we just started. We sat down together, exchanged ideas and dreams, we invited more and more people: VCV, teachers, Nyenrode staff, Nyenrode board, students. Just before the first lockdown, we brainstormed with fifty people in the main hall of the castle. ”

Join in and follow us!

Scan the QR-code, or visit nyenrodealumni.nl/ topics/19750/news

VANESSA: “The challenge is to make this initiative tangible. It should inspire

#Nyenrodeforward

“Nyenrode is at the heart of society and plays an important role in training and shaping business leaders. The SDGs are on everyone's plate, including ours and our graduates. Nyenrode and Nyenrodeans take their responsibility.

We can make a big difference with our drive.”

VAN VERRE 287| 31

Stijlvol overnachten aan de Vecht

FROM THE CAMPUS

Can't get enough of the Refreshmentday? Get these books and learn even more:

Ben Tiggelaar - Echt, je onderschat jezelf, 2020 www.tiggelaar.nl

Bas Kodden - The devil inside, 2020 www.baskodden.nl

Jeroen Busscher - Leidinggeven in de hybride organisatie, 2020 www.jeroenbusscher.nl

www.nyenrodealumni.nl Mooirivier | Oude Oever 10 | 7722 VE Dalfsen | 0529 478 777 | info@mooirivier.nl | mooirivier.nl

An emotional year with many lessons and disappointments OLIVIER VALKS, PRESIDENT LXXV COLLEGIE DER HEEREN VIJF

This is my final contribution to Van Verre.

From the 1st of January 2021, my successor will take over. For the last time I will share with you how things are on campus. I'll also reflect on an emotional year for the Nieuwe Compagnie Van Verre, the campus, and Nyenrode.

The Dutch is meer dan golf...het is een experience. Wilt u kennismaken met het unieke concept van The Dutch en haar faciliteiten? Meld u dan aan voor een van The Dutch Experiences. Bekijk de mogelijkheden via: www.thedutch.nl/experience

It’s no’ just a game...

32 | VAN VERRE 287

At the start of his term, Olivier Valks had big plans.

H CORONA

alfway through March the world changed forever.

The coronavirus spread across the world like an ink stain and like so many other countries, the Netherlands could not escape it. That included Nyenrode Business Universiteit, our campus, and the Nieuwe Compagnie van Verre. Nyenrode closed its doors, the campus residents went back to live with their parents and the NCV slowly ground to a halt. Such an extreme pandemic with all its consequences had never occurred before. For us as directors of the N.C.V., who had been in office since January 1st and were just starting to feel comfortable in this new role, this would turn out to be one of the many disappointments, but also one of the many lessons of our year on the board.

The coronavirus meant we couldn't really 'build' much this year and instead ended up 'putting out fires’. We had grand plans to bring the Nieuwe Compagnie van Verre and campus life to higher heights.

Alas, it was not to be.

Be part of The Dutch Family

Due to Corona, new initiatives were put on hold

But I still think our year was successful. While many student organizations in the Netherlands had to stop entirely, we managed to make the most of it, together with Nyenrode. Despite the fact that many countries around the world had to go into lockdown, this wasn't really the case on campus. Granted, not many facilities were available and there wasn't much to do, but the atmosphere was quite nice and there was a certain sense of togetherness. During the darkest corona time there were only 40 to 50 people on campus, but even this group (including yours truly) managed to entertain themselves. It was nice to see that even when there was practically nothing to do, Nyenrodeans came together and tried to make the most of it.

Eventually, the campus and N.C.V. came back to life. The bars reopened, activities could take place again and parties were organized (all of these things were done following corona guidelines, of course). Students left their parental homes to return to campus, committees got active again and life on campus slowly but surely (and with all sorts of measurements in place) returned

The next generation for 2021 is ready to makes things happen

to normal. The new normal, of course. We even managed to make some structural changes within the N.C.V. Our ties with the J.C.V. and V.C.V. became stronger, the Stuntweek became more substantive and more accessible, and we made some necessary changes behind the scenes.

THE SECOND WAVE And now we're back to where we started. The new rules have, in one fell swoop, put a stop to everything that the N.C.V and the campus worked so hard for. But we should be building again! I don't think my colleagues and I will be part of this rebuilding, at least not in our current roles as directors of our beloved N.C.V. Soon, five brand new Nyrodeans will take over. The tough but exciting challenge to bring the N.C.V. and the campus back to life falls on their shoulders. To steer the N.C.V. ship to safer waters.

I have complete faith in their success.

On behalf of the LXXV Collegie der Heeren Vijf Van Verre!

Olivier Valks President LXXV Collegie der Heeren Vijf o.valks@my.nyenrode.nl VAN VERRE 287| 33

TUMTUM

COLUMN

Editor: Amarja Niehof (20080516) vcvtum@gmail.com.

With thanks to Simone Daniëls and Metty Willemse.

KAPÉ BREUKELAAR (19860015),

STRONG CULTURE

BBA Nyenrode, is a partner of Capital Consult & Coaching and served as a columnist for De Telegraaf and FiscAlert for years. Recently he has also become a partner in Amlon Capital, a closed private equity fund

In an interview with Jolanda Jansen (20115705), director at Rotterdam Ahoy and spokesperson on behalf of the Alliance of Event Builders, the impact of the corona crisis is discussed. “Everything came to a standstill in March, so these are very intense times. As a result, we are now on the eve of a reorganization with Ahoy. That is very drastic, poignant and emotional. At the same time, we see an enormous solidarity and it becomes clear once again what a great industry and company we work in. There is no 9-to-5 mentality. It is nice to see this strong corporate culture in practice.” Source: entertainmentbusiness.nl

BETTER INVESTMENTS

PHOTO PIETER STAM DE JONGE (ANP) VIA ROTTERDAM AHOY.

TOGETHERNESS

CONSUMER BEHAVIOR IS CHANGING FOREVER? TOO SHORT-SIGHTED!

ANNEMIEK VAN MELICK (19990115), DIRECTOR AND CFO OF ASR SINCE FEBRUARY, REFLECTS ON 2020.

“This is the moment when you want to be there for customers, but at the same time we decided that our employees could no longer come to the office starting March 16.

A situation like this has taught us that as an organization with approximately four thousand employees, we are fully able to work from home overnight and still be able to serve our customers well. Customer satisfaction has even increased. The sense of community and cooperation, despite the physical distance, was really nice to see.”

Source: amweb.nl

34 | VAN VERRE 287

According to Julian Stevense (19910360) van Brandgurus, changing habits takes time and repetition. Humans are creatures of habit. Marketers are always positive. That is their strength and it is also necessary to be successful in the field.'

Source: adformatie

HEARTS CHILD Raoul Willms (20070525) from Maastricht cycled a hundred kilometers in July to raise money for research into heart disease, an campaign of the Hartekind Foundation. It was the day his son Hidde should have turned one year.

Losing a child is the worst thing you can experience. Source: delimburger.nl

Innovative people Harjan Westerman's graduation project (20180098) at Market Response offers a good insight into the relationship between CSR and the attractiveness of employers.

The Nyenrode researcher concludes that although CSR can help attract talent, the effect mainly applies to innovative employees.

Source: duurzaam-ondernemen.nl

When it comes to investments, the tradition has always been to make decisions based on the expected returns and the risks involved. An investment can yield returns in the form of interest, dividends, or rent and ultimately – hopefully – it can become more valuable. Investment advisers ask their clients about their objectives for the assets they wish to invest. For example, would you like to live off the returns, use them to buy another property one day, or have that money so you can retire comfortably? Once the objective is clear, the portfolio can be compiled. A longer investment term will allow for a higher percentage of stocks in the portfolio. The stocks will be invested in different areas, both geographically and in a variety of sectors. If you would like to diversify stocks in a quick and simple way, you can choose to follow the MSCI World Index, which is made up of the 1647 top-listed companies worldwide.

You will need to buy an index tracker for that world index.

However, you might not want to invest in all those companies. An increasing number of investors would like to add an extra filter. They want to be assured that their money is not invested in disreputable businesses. This is how socially responsible investing came about. Not only does it yield a financial return, but it also helps create a better world. To help investors choose, companies are given a score based on their environmental, social, and governance performance, the so-called ESG score. For the lowest selection threshold, only the most undesirable industries are eliminated, such as tobacco products, bitumen companies, certain weapon manufacturers, and large polluters in the mining industry. This excludes about 7 percent of companies in the world index.

The next selection goes one step further: companies with a higher ESG score will be given preference to competing companies with a lower score in the same industry. The aim is to track the world index as closely as possible when it comes to distribution. After that selection, about 20 percent of companies have been eliminated. You can go one step further and only invest in those companies with an ESG score in the top 25 percent of each sector. That only leaves 374 companies out of the original 1647. Since the introduction of this strict MSCI World SRI index in 2007, the return is now even slightly higher than that of the parent index that the selection is made from. So the investment not only helps create a better world, but it also yields a better return. And that's not an unimportant criterion for investors: they're all for responsible investments, but it's preferable that there's a financial profit.

Kapé Breukelaar (19860015)

VAN VERRE 287| 35

Editor: Amarja Niehof (20080516) vcvtum@gmail.com.

With thanks to Simone Daniëls and Metty Willemse.

TUMTUM

TAILWIND Once again, the regional (wind) offshore interest association Ayop has caught a big fish. After energy giant Vattenfall, the promotion club has succeeded in getting Eneco on board.

Ruben Dijkstra (19970009), director of Offshore Wind Eneco: “Eneco has already worked with Ayop frequently for various offshore wind farms.

Now we want to further consolidate our Eneco’s cooperation with the region. We are now doing that with the Ayop membership”.

Source: haarlemsdagblad.nl

CIRCUL AR James Veenhoff (19900225), founder of House of Denim, together with King William Alexander,

State Secretary Stientje van Veldhoven, Sonja Boelhouwer, general manager of Albert Heijn and Kim Poldner,

lecturer Circular Business, took part in a conversation about circular textiles.

Source: dehaagsehogeschool.nl

“geniet thuis van excellent rundvlees.”

- chef-kok Evert te pas -

FORGOTTEN ASPHALT According to TLN chairman Elisabeth Post (19850131), investments in asphalt are still necessary.

A structural investment of 3 billion euros per year is needed to adapt our infrastructure, TLN said on Tuesday in the run-up to the presentation of the Budget Memorandum.

According to Post, too much attention is being paid to railway projects in relation to the Growth Fund announced last week by ministers Wiebes and Hoekstra. The road seems to have been forgotten, while it is of great importance that the position of the Netherlands as a gateway to Europe remains optimal.

www.lacarne.nl 36 | VAN VERRE 287

Vers aan huis geleverd Generaties lang échte slagers 100% Simmentaler rundvlees

NUTS

Source: nieuwsbladtransport.nl

DANNY BENIMA (20010024), CFO OF GRID OPERATOR STEDIN: “UTILITIES ARE GOOD INVESTMENT FOR MUNICIPALITIES" NETWORK COMPANY STEDIN WOULD LIKE TO HAVE EXTRA MONEY FROM THE MUNICIPAL SHAREHOLDERS FOR INVESTMENTS IN THE ENERGY TRANSITION.

source: Telegraaf

BUT THE ALDERMEN ARE TOO KEEN ON THE CFOS PLANS. THEY FEAR HAVING TO INCREASE LOCAL TAXES. VAN VERRE 287| 37

THEN & NOW

Were you on campus on September 11, 2001? Or when the first person landed on the moon? When The Beatles were in the Netherlands? Do you remember what it was like? Tell us! Send a mail to info@nyenrodealumni.nl.

THE ALL-RANKS PARTY

W

hen the draft was still around, there was a lot of 'civilian personnel' around on campus. That's what 'military personnel' called their non-militarytrained colleagues. The non-military civilian personnel didn't seem to understand much about the armed forces. If you asked what the different epaulettes meant, the civilian personnel would often falter. They had no idea how important that officer, major, or corporal was!

Once a year a bunch of students would rock up to the castle courtyard in their military outfits, in different cuts and colors, and then they would show the civilian personnel what things like 'parade, REST' meant.

The commands would echo from the walls of the keep and afterwards they would march to the coach house where all the soldiers could quench their thirst with a nice glass of beer! Later the coach house would also host the rice banquets; an all-ranks party that Nyenrode had turned into a true art form. ♦

38 | VAN VERRE 287

VAN VERRE

is the official periodical of the Nyenrode Alumni Voortgezette Compagnie van Verre (VCV), Association of former students of Nyenrode, and is published every three months in 5.900 copies.

62nd year, december 2020, issue 287

Liv Oostveen 23-08-2020 daughter of Lars Oostveen (20125415) and Sharon Lakerveld larsoostveen@yahoo.com

There used to be people walking around campus in their military costume.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Simone Daniëls (19960021 IDP)

Ivo Siero 12-09-2020 son of Sylvia Vroklage (20150527) and Jurgen Siero. sylvia.vroklage@gmail.com

FINAL EDITING Tirza van Hengstum – Louwe Hester van Beeck Calkoen DESIGN Roos Jonker - ter Kuile

MARRIED

COORDINATORS Metty Willemse Jesper de Gooijer

Jort Kooistra (20080513) and Merel Trijzelaar.

05-09-2020 jort@medea-medical.com The Army, Navy, and Air Force were all represented at Nyenrode.

CONTRIBUTORS Helm Horsten (20145407 LDP), Stella de Jager (19950071 IDP), Madeleine Kemna (19850036 BBA), Jan Meertens (19770073 BBA), Amarja Niehof (20080516 PTMBA), Pol Schevernels (19590082 NOIB), Frederik Schönau (19640102), Theo Prins (19800091 BBA), Joep Stassen (19850083 BBA), LXXVe Collegie der Heeren V, Hester van Beeck Calkoen

DECEASED

Karel Westerling (19470084) Paul van Dam (19530012) Juan Bosch (19560010) Herman Pruijmboom (19560074) Cees Blankestijn (19610004) Pieter Varekamp (19610085)

Civilian personnel had little sense of the epaulettes.

JOPPING

Jan van Houtum (19650062) Ton Schonk (19650129) Max Terwindt (19770109) Romain Helmer (20010716) Marieke Caitlin (20103125) Jan Paul Raterink (19770087)

Mail to info@nyenrodealumni.nl Coordination: Metty Willemse

COLUMNISTS Kapé Breukelaar (19860015 BBA), Joep Stassen (19850083 BBA) EDITORIAL ADDRESS Nyenrode Alumni VCV Office Nyenrode Business Universiteit Straatweg 25 3621 BG Breukelen t: (+31) 346 29 15 13 e: info@nyenrodealumni.nl w: www.nyenrodealumni.nl bank: ING Bank Breukelen IBAN: NL54 INGB 0657 3453 50, BIC: INGBNL2A The membership fee is EUR75, partner membership is EUR20 per year ADVERTISEMENTS Nyenrode Alumni VCV Office t: (+31) 346 29 15 13 e: info@nyenrodealumni.nl

After the march on the Slotplein it was closed with a cold glass of beer.

On the Slotplein students paraded in their military uniform.

COLOPHON

BORN

TEXT FREDERIK SCHÖNAU (19640102)

It is a given that the population on campus has changed noticeably over the years. We used to see them regularly on campus but these days they are hardly ever seen on the Nyenrode grounds: The military personnel of the Army (the largest group), the Navy, and the Air Force (not including the Marechaussee).

PRIVATE

We look back with pleasure on raymond.vandenbusken@gmail.com acclaimed All-Ranks Party.

KEES HOVING (19870052) took on a new challenge from 1 September: he became Co-CEO Deutsche Bank in the Middle East & Africa (including Turkey and Israel).

Place of employment is Dubai. kees.hoving@googlemail.com

JAN BOS (19970061): “After a great career at TNO within the Defense and Security division, where I was responsible for the market development of the airrelated domain, I got on board at the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Center. Within NLR, I am responsible as Marketing Manager for the civil aviation industry domain.

My main focus will be to make the aviation sector more sustainable and to further develop Urban Air Mobility concepts.”

Jan.Bos@nlr.nl

RAYMOND VAN DEN BUSKEN (20160506): “I became inspired by the EMBA (14) training to start my own business. We have been setting up a production line and importing children's and baby items, mainly because we lacked innovation in this industry.

Gradually it starts to take shape.

Check out www.kiddyme.nl. ” raymond.vandenbusken@gmail.com

SUBSCRIPTION As a member of the Nyenrode Alumni VCV you get sent Van Verre home free of charge.

ISSN 2405-626X You will find the digital and English editions of Van Verre on www.nyenrodealumni.nl. It is possible that search engines like Google index the content of the magazine. You will find the latest information on the website too. In addition to Van Verre members also get the digital newsletter eight times per year, which is complementary to this edition.

The editorial team reserves the right at all times to refuse copy, to edit it or to shorten it. Placing copy does not mean that the editorial team always subscribes to the content of an article.

All rights reserved. Nothing in this edition may be copied, stored in an automatic database or made public in any form or in any way, be it electronic, mechanical, through photocopies, recordings or in any other way, without the prior written permission of the Nyenrode Alumni VCV.

VAN VERRE 287| 39

WIJ ZOUDEN WEL EENS WILLEN WETEN

HOE VEILIG DOE JIJ ?

HEB JE ZELF EEN IT-VRAAG? TON VAN DER PLAATS (19880148) TON@MEOS.NL

WWW.MEOS.NL