9.09.09: "Who Are We: Reflections on Dutch Leadership & Society"

On 9 September 2009 De Baak held "Who Are We: Reflections on Dutch Leadership & Society" at Amsterdam Bright City. It was a lively discussion with many comments, ideas, and opinions about what makes "Dutch Leadership." (see www.whoarewe.nl for more about this evening). There were a number of sub-topics raised during this exchange, some of which would be good to discuss further. Some of these topics I'll post here.

The Art of Leading in China: Entrepreneurship and Corporate Social Responsibility

• Does doing business in China interest you?
• How about Corporate Social Responsbility?

If so, next Tuesday evening, 2 June, 2009, at Pakhuis de Zwijger in Amsterdam might be interesting for you.

De Baak has engaged Mr. Jochum Haakma, the former Consul General of Shanghai, among many other illustrious posts, to speak at our “The Art of Leading in China” series. He is also associated with the NFIA and the NCH, as well as the private sector, and has a good insight into both public and private ventures in China.

See www.debaak.com/theartof for more information.

Dutch bicycles "in" in New York

The latest fashion accessory, especially amongst "recessionistas," is the Dutch bicycle. Another "hype" as reported by the myopic Dutch press? Nope, this time by none other than the authoritative New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/16/fashion/16CODES.html?_r=1&em

Foreigners Still Desired Despite Recession

This article in yesterday's "Financiele Dagblad" (p. 12):

Highly educated personnel from outside the country are still being actively recruited and handsomely rewarded by companies around the world, despite the recession. Under pressure from globalization, improved communication, and inexpensive travel possibilities, the hiring practices for foreign talent are changing. This according to a study by KPMG, which looked at 260 multinationals in 11 different countries.

Roughly 80% of the companies in question said they are seeing an improved labor mobility and can choose from a greater offering of talent. 73% of the companies polled say that the overall quality of their personnel improves as a result.

Three-quarters of the companies is of the opinion that the availiabity of foreign employees helps to create a global attitude within the company.

"The economic turmoil can create the short term possibility of the government calling a hiatus in immigration policy," said Luydert Smit from KPMG Meijburg. The international availability of labor remains an important part of a business' strategic planning.

“Challenge and opportunity always come together . . .

. . . under certain conditions, one could be transformed into the other.”
- Hu Jintao, President, People's Republic of China

China is positioning itself to come back stronger than ever after the crisis:
"The country is using its nearly $600 billion economic stimulus package to make its companies better able to compete in markets at home and abroad, to retrain migrant workers on an immense scale and to rapidly expand subsidies for research and development."

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/17/business/worldbusiness/17compete.html

I Dream of . . . Amsterdam?

This op-ed piece by David Brooks in today's NY Times:

The time has finally come, some writers are predicting, when Americans will finally repent. They’ll move back to the urban core. They will ride more bicycles, have smaller homes and tinier fridges and rediscover the joys of dense community — and maybe even superior beer.
America will, in short, finally begin to look a little more like Amsterdam.

What did he say?!!! America looking more like Amsterdam?! Or . . . maybe not. Brooks, rightly so, goes on to explain that Amsterdam does not fit with the cultural values of most Americans: ease and convenience, always moving (outwards), "restless against limits." No, indeed, these are not Dutch values, but that is not to say that Americans couldn't learn a thing or two.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/17/opinion/17brooks.html?_r=1

So much for the ME market . . .

This article in yesterday's paper:

Laid-Off Foreigners Flee as Dubai Spirals Down
With Dubai’s economy in free fall, newspapers have reported that more than 3,000 cars sit abandoned in the parking lot at the Dubai Airport, left by fleeing, debt-ridden foreigners (who could in fact be imprisoned if they failed to pay their bills). Some are said to have maxed-out credit cards inside and notes of apology taped to the windshield.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/12/world/middleeast/12dubai.html?em