magazine #2. july/august 2012 www.hellozuidas.com
Douglas Grobbe
“Zuidas is moving towards The City and La Defense” Pieter Riemer
Trading in RMB benefits Chinese and European companies
Kirsten van den hul ‘More briefcases than handbags on Zuidas’ Better accessibility of Zuidas Eye-catching cool cars are the solution Some spare time? Check our Zuidas agenda
Frauscher Benelux BV www.frauscher.nl info@frauscher.nl +31 30 670 09 34 Amsterdam | Loosdrecht | Cannes
Editorial
Lidy klein Gunnewiek Director Grachtenfestival
Goosebumps on the Zuidas! If you’re spending the summer in Amsterdam,
wonderful performance of the Viooltrio with
make sure you don’t miss the Grachtenfestival in
Rosanne Philippens. The combination of the music
August! From 10 through 19 August 2012, the old
with the amazing panoramic views is something I’ll
city centre, the Northern district of the city and the
not forget for a very long time; the Zuidas from a
South of Amsterdam will be the unique backdrops
completely different perspective. And the
for a 10-day festival of classical music in numerous
performance of Else Sterk on the ‘Vliegende
remarkable locations.
Vleugel’ (or ‘flying grand piano’) also left a lasting
The theme of the 15th edition of the Grachtenfesti-
impression. The passionate pianist playing on
val, or ‘canal festival’, is love in its many forms.
the grand piano on wheels amidst the high-rise
This year’s festival offers a varied and extensive
buildings gave me goosebumps on that early
musical programme, including a number of jubilee
Monday morning last summer. Unfortunately,
activities, such as a special opera performance in
there were no amplifiers for the music last year,
the gardens of the Amsterdam Hilton hotel. In
but that’s all set to change this year. And I have no
addition to special locations and unique produc-
doubt at all that virtuoso pianist Marton Oei will
tions and programmes, the Grachtenfestival also
give us fresh goosebumps this year! You can find
traditionally provides a stage for young talented
the full programme for the festival on our website:
artistes, giving them the opportunity to take the
www.grachtenfestival.nl
next step in their musical careers. I would like to thank our partners in the Zuidas In 2011, the Grachtenfestival presented its first
area for their generous contributions. Together we
performances in the Zuidas district. And it was a
have the perfect ingredients for a great summer at
big success, both for us and for our audiences.
the Zuidas. All we need now is the right weather…..
Concert performances in model apartments in various residential projects and in other striking locations showed that the Zuidas is about a lot
We hope to see you in August.
p.s. The next issue of Hello Zuidas is scheduled for September 4th.
more than work! I distinctly remember the
5.
Private Banking Pur Sang. Would you like a good, confidential talk about your assets and your wishes? Make an appointment with Sander Koetzier, Director Private Banking, tel. 06 53 73 10 72. Visit our Amsterdam office in the Beethovenstraat 300 and find out for yourself just how private private banking can be. Private Banking Pur Sang.
www.vanlanschot.nl
Index 08. Douglas Grobbe Farewell to an inspirational Zuidas man 12. Property 15. Column: Kirsten van den Hul Suits and stilettos 16. Finance 19. Trending Topics 20. Agenda Zuidas 24. Hello YOU 26. Karlijn van Lammeren (Accenture) Incorporating customer experience
28. RenĂŠ Witzel (JCDecaux) Eye-catching cool cars are the solution 30. Pieter Riemer (Linklaters) Trading in RMB benefits Chinese and European companies 32. Behind the scenes 34. Recruitment 36. Behind the Scenes 37. Memo Board Short messages from Zuidas 38. Colophon & Overview participants Hello Zuidas
With an excellent business climate, world-renowned educational institutions within reach, and leading companies in many sectors from many countries, the Zuidas has huge potential. The foundation Hello Zuidas contributes to the Zuidas by realizing a well functioning area. The goal is to promote a district that has international appeal, and high quality working and living conditions. www.hellozuidas.com, www.facebook.com/hellozuidas, www.twitter.com/hellozuidas, www.linkedin.com/hellozuidas
7.
Farewell to an inspirational Zuidas man Douglas Grobbe is every inch a Zuidas man. He’s a director at ABN AMRO and has countless secondary positions in the area, including the chairmanship of the Hello Zuidas Foundation. On the 1st August, Grobbe is leaving ABN AMRO after 37 years with the bank and he can finally enjoy his retirement. Oddly enough, he’s not as enthusiastic as you might think. “I’m good at building things up, but winding down is not really my thing.” we were suddenly confronted with the global credit crisis and the Dutch property fraud affair hit
Thirty-seven years with the bank
the headlines. This area obviously felt the effects
After spending a year studying landscape
of that, and everything ground to a halt. A lot of
architecture and completing his two-year stint of
prospective shareholders withdrew from the
military service, Grobbe decided it was time to
Zuidas Dok project (a combination of urban
make some money. “I applied for a job with
development and improvements to the total
AMRO Bank 37 years ago and that was that, really.
infrastructure of Amsterdam’s Zuidas area and the
I ended up in the dealing room and stayed there
northern part of the Randstad urban conurbation),
for the next 20 years. The dealing room is actually
which created a kind of vacuum. That made public
a huge marketplace, with 550 people sitting in
players think the entire project was heading for
one big space. It’s the beating heart of the
disaster. In the end, Dirk Jan van den Berg,
organisation, where all the money and securities
Chairman of the Board of Directors at technical
trading takes place. If anything happens around
university TU Delft, got things rolling again, and
the world, the dealers know about it first and that’s
the politicians in The Hague began to appreciate
pretty exciting.”
the potential of this project again. Then of course we had a high-profile crisis at ABN AMRO. It’s
The next step forward
great to see that the bank has found itself again in
Grobbe has been involved in the Zuidas district
a new role. I find it very encouraging to see
since day one. When he looks around today,
positive things happening here again and Hello
he sees that the area has become much more
Zuidas is a great example of that. At a certain
cohesive in recent years. “Of course we’ve had
point, we simply put our shoulders to the wheel
quiet periods during the development of the area.
and got things moving again.”
For instance, we were in a very positive phase and everyone was moving along nicely, when in 2007
An identity all of its own Lots of people see the Zuidas district as a village with its own separate identity, an identity that’s far from Dutch. When Grobbe walks between the
8.
Text: Romy Lange • Photography: Wouter van Ierssel
office buildings on dark winter evenings, it can feel
The Zuidas district is moving in the same
a bit like Manhattan. “It is not really Amsterdam-
direction.”
like, but as far as the city itself is concerned it’s supposed to be. I ask myself if that’s really
Zuidas dome
necessary. It can also have its own identity and
It was decided last year that the Zuidas district
simply be what it is. We don’t necessarily need
had to be bigger, livelier and more attractive and
all the fringe elements of Amsterdam here.
everybody involved has gone all out to achieve
More and more people will eventually live in the
that. Grobbe sees a lot of very clear improvements.
Zuidas and that will be very important for the
“It’s become a lot more lively and fun here
area. You can see that in the City of London and
recently. All there was here at first of course was
La Defense in Paris. La Defense was an area
lots of concrete, steel and glass, and there wasn’t
where nobody lived at one point. It was horrible.
an awful lot to enjoy. Now we have restaurants
If you walked around there at night, it felt
and terraces where people can meet. In June we
completely dead. Now they’ve built apartment
will have the VU open-air concert and Zuidas
complexes and the area now feels very grand.
Culinair and we’ve already had the Zuidas Run.
9.
“It’s heartening to see positive things happening here again and Hello Zuidas is a great example of that. At a certain point, we simply put our shoulders to the wheel and got things moving again.”
We have lots of fun events now, but we could do
Saying farewell
with even more. One of my ideas was a Zuidas
At the end of July, Grobbe’s working life at ABN
dome on the Gustav Mahler square. The idea was
AMRO will draw to an end and he’ll finally be able
to have a giant glass dome that could be used to
to his retirement. Or will he? “I’m good at building
hold all kinds of events. It’s not much fun on the
things up, but winding down is not really my thing.
Zuidas if it’s very windy. But if we had that dome,
Obviously, my alarm will still go off on the 1st of
we could organise markets, for instance, or host
August, but rather than getting up and going to
lectures. We’ve already talked to architects about
work this time I’ll turn it off and turn over. Of
this idea, so you never know, it might still happen
course, I’ll be doing other things. For instance,
at some point.”
I’ll be travelling, playing sports and developing projects for young people. I think Hello Zuidas is
The problem of liveability
an amazing initiative, so maybe I’ll stay involved
Grobbe believes there is still a lot of room for
in that. It’s become a successful business,
improvement at the Zuidas. One thing he can get
involving more than 100 companies, and
very wound up about is the way bikes and mopeds
the local city council.”
are left scattered all over the place. “For one reason another, we’ve simply been unable to solve
Creating a legacy
this problem. We’ve held extensive talks with the
“It has been wonderful to help develop this area.
local council and we were supposed to get a major
I’ll be able to show my grandchildren something
bike parking facility. Now, apparently we’re
concrete that I’ve worked on. That’s why I’ve
supposed to solve the problem by enforcing the
always envied architects. They create something
rules, and that’s not likely to make anybody happy.
tangible. I don’t have an uncontrollable urge to
The infrastructure is not as good as it could be yet,
create a legacy, but it’s nice to be able to say
either, but that’s the Dutch way. First we build
you have.”
something and then we start to think about how people are supposed to get there.
10.
We care about your business Ernst & Young has provided services to companies and institutions for many years. Whether our services involve compiling, reviewing or auditing financial statements, providing assistance during a complex acquisition process or offering customised advice, they are provided by expert professionals who care about your business. Locally and regionally, nationally and internationally, we help you achieve your organisation’s potential. Together with you, we seek solutions that provide immediate added value for you as an entrepreneur. That’s how Ernst & Young makes a difference. More information Yvonne Jansen 0800 407 1000 www.ey.nl
Property Source: PropertyNL.com
Every edition of Hello Zuidas magazine will feature the latest Zuidas-related property news. Send your property news to redactie@propertyNL.com
Hotel chains expand in Zuidas ZUIDAS – The Amsterdam market is attracting a lot of interest from the hotel sector, according to the latest Amsterdam Hotel Market View published by property
Deka outsources property management of Viñoly to DTZ
consultancy CBRE during the recent Provada real estate
ZUIDAS – German property investor Deka Immobilien
growth in expansion projects from major hotel chains.
has outsourced the management of the Viñoly office
Recent contracts included the redevelopment of two
building in the Zuidas district to DTZ Zadelhoff Property
office buildings in the southern Amsterdam area of
Management. The office building on Gustav Mahlerplein
Buitenveldert and in the city’s western Sloterdijk area into
has some 30,000 m2 of office space and is part of the
a Holiday Inn Express and a Golden Tulip hotel respec-
Amsterdam Zuidas district’s Mahler 4 complex.
tively. Developer COD is currently working on plans for a
conference. The first months of 2012 showed continued
Motel One hotel in Kop Zuidas, the most easterly part of The Viñoly was the first building in Europe designed by
the Zuidas district
South American architect Rafael Viñoly. The building’s most striking features include the staircases carved into mullions. At 95 metres, it is also one of the tallest
AM to develop 250 homes in Amsterdam’s Kop Zuidas area
buildings in the Zuidas district, with tenants ranging from
ZUIDAS – Property developer AM has signed a contact
Dutch law firm Boekel de Nerée to Google, Mitsubishi
with Amsterdam city council’s Zuidas office to develop
and Savills.
around 250 homes in Kop Zuidas, the most easterly
the façade and the prominent vertical aluminium
section of the Zuidas district. The contract, signed at the Provada property trade fair in Amsterdam in June, includes the phased development of the area across from the RAI conference centre. At the Provada trade fair, AM and Bouwfonds Property Development also announced the launch of the construction of the OPZUID residential project, also in the Zuidas district. This involves the development of 46 terraced homes with a view of the Boelegracht canal. The apartments went on sale at the end of last year and have been sold in sufficient numbers for construction to begin.
12.
Schroder Investment signs lease for WTC Amsterdam office ZUIDAS – The World Trade Center Amsterdam has signed a multi-year lease contract with Schroder Investment Management Benelux (Schroders) for around 660 m2 of office and archive space in Tower A of the World Trade Center (WTC) at Strawinskylaan 521 in Amsterdam. Schroders is taking over office space currently occupied by the WTC Amsterdam management company, which is moving to new offices in Tower D. The new lease has reduced the vacant space in the Amsterdam World Trade Center to 2.25%, which means the WTC currently has some 2,600 m2 of space still available. Schroder Investment Management Benelux is an asset management company which has had offices in Amsterdam for several years and is now moving its main office to the Zuidas from the Amsterdam Zuid-Oost area in the south-eastern part of the city.
Zuidas launches innovation in building tenders ZUIDAS – In the glory days of the property boom, project tenders could be remarkably vague affairs. But local councils are now demonstrating unknown levels of openness in an effort to get projects off the ground in today’s difficult economic conditions. And they have little choice as they search for market players still able and willing to make investments. Even the Netherlands’ top location , the Zuidas, is faced with this dilemma and launched a new innovative approach at this year’s Provada property trade fair at Amsterdam’s RAI conference centre in June. As part of this novel approach, the Zuidas department of the Amsterdam city council invited market players to contribute their ideas for the development of a 10,000 m2 multi-tenant building in Kop Zuidas, the most easterly part of the Zuidas area, across from the RAI conference centre, even before the actual tender process is launched. In the good old days, the market would have jumped at the chance to participate in this development (right next to the motorway and adjacent to the RAI railway and metro station), but in the current climate Zuidas has pulled out all the stops and produced full-colour brochures for the project. The city council is keen to gauge market interest in a multi-tenant building in the Kop Zuidas location and assess whether the proposed land price of € 1,250 per square metre is feasible. The council is reportedly in talks with leading developers such as G & S Vastgoed, Bouwfonds MAB, COD and OVG. One key issue in these talks is likely to be whether the proposed start of construction in late 2013 or early 2014 is realistic.
Photography: William Maanders
13.
Entrepreneurship at Zuidas Zuidas is developing at a fast pace. Already there are many hotspots. As an entrepreneur, you now have a fine chance for joining in. Open a shop, a restaurant or a café on Amsterdam’s number one location. You’ll have plenty of opportunities in your entrepreneurship to rent out a premium quality shop premises on the up and coming George Gershwinplein. On this location, offices, hotels and housing are well represented.
For more information, see www.bsretail.nl or call +31 (0) 20 8202393
Suits and stilettos “Zuidas, isn’t that where all the guys in suits go?”,
boosting American gross domestic product (GDP)
a friend asked me the other day. “Yes”, I replied.
by as much as 9%, Eurozone GDP by 13% and
“There are plenty of guys in suits. There are girls in
Japanese GDP by 16%.
suits too, by the way. And students in sneakers, senior citizens with walkers, fashion designers,
It’s a fact: diversity works. Companies with women
K1 fighters and tourists. There are construction
on their boards and in senior management
workers, teachers, dentists, doctors, public
positions perform better. Not surprising, in a world
servants and even a few artists. Zuidas has it all!”
where women account for 85% of all consumer
But come to think of it, my friend did have a point.
purchases. Diversity is the key to a real win-win
A random lunch break in the Zuidas area reveals
situation: more equal participation and better
more ties than heels, more trousers than skirts,
results. Who wouldn’t sign up for that?
more briefcases than handbags.
But rest assured, change is on its way. Over the past two decades, girls have been catching up.
Quite a shame, really. Not that I have anything
A recent study by The Hague Center for Strategic
against guys in suits (quite the contrary, I have to
Studies even labelled the situation “alarming”:
say). But a few more women would not hurt. After
only 10 % of all working men under 25 have an
all, there is a direct link between increased female
academic degree, while more than half of all
participation and economic growth. Research by
university graduates are female. So who knows?
Goldman Sachs found that closing the gap
A lunch break in the Zuidas area 20 years from
between male and female employment rates
now may reveal more stilettos than suits.
would have a huge impact on the global economy,
‘More ties than heels, more trousers than skirts’
Kirsten van den Hul speaks, writes and works on the crossroads of culture, communication and change. She works as an independent change agent for Dienst Zuidas, and writes a weekly column for Dutch daily AD. In 2011 she was appointed as UN Women’s Representative. Her motto: “Without change no butterflies”. For more information, visit www.thechangeagent.nl or follow @thechangeagent on Twitter.
Text: Kirsten van den Hul • Photography: William Maanders
15.
Finance Source: Holland Financial Centre
Every edition of Hello Zuidas magazine features financial news related to the Zuidas district, Amsterdam or the Netherlands. Send your financial news to hellozuidas@asega.nl.
Amsterdam drops to 57th in Mercer Cost of Living Survey 2012
March 2012
March 2011
City
Country
1
2
Tokyo
Japan
2
1
Luanda
Angola
3
6
Osaka
Japan
accommodation. The Japanese capital Tokyo is now the
4
4
Moscow
Russia
world’s most expensive city for expatriates, while Karachi
5
5
Geneva
Switzerland
is the cheapest. At number four in the global ranking,
6
7
Zurich
Switzerland
Moscow remains the most expensive city in Europe for
7
8
Singapore
Singapore
expatriates. Geneva is next in fifth and Zurich is sixth, up
8
3
N’djamena
Chad
one place from last year. The next European city in the
9
9
Hong kong
Hong kong
ranking, Bern, rose two places from last year to 14,
10
11
Nagoya
Japan
14
16
Bern
Switzerland
18
15
Oslo
Norway
21
17
Copenhagen
Denmark
25
18
London
United kingdom
28
29
St. Petersburg
Russia
37
27
Paris
France
Top 60 cities: Cost of living ranking
38
25
Milan
Italy
The Mercer international basket compares the cost of
42
34
Rome
Italy
over 200 items, including rental accommodation.
46
39
Stockholm
Stockholm
Base City: New York, US
57
50
Amsterdam
Netherlands
Amsterdam dropped seven places to 57th in the Mercer’s 2012 Worldwide Cost of Living survey, based on the comparison of over 200 items, including the cost of rental
following the strengthening of the Swiss franc against the US dollar.
16.
The Netherlands and Turkey celebrate 400 years of diplomatic relations Holland Olympic Welcome Party
Exactly 400 years ago, in 1612, the Dutch Republic’s first
On Friday 27th July, the opening day of the 2012 Olympics,
envoy to the Ottoman Empire, Cornelis Haga, submitted
the Mayor of Amsterdam, Eberhard van der Laan, and
his letter of credence to the Ottoman Sultan Ahmed I in
representatives from Zuidas-based Holland Financial
Istanbul. This year, several activities and events have been
Centre and employment agency Randstad will host a
organised to celebrate the 400th anniversary of diplomatic
‘Holland Olympic Welcome Party’ on the clipper Stad
relations between the Netherlands and Turkey.
Amsterdam. During the London Olympics, the famous clipper will be moored at Millwall Cutting, Canary Wharf,
Turkey is becoming an increasingly important trading
close to London’s South Quay tube station.
partner for the Netherlands. Trading volumes between the two nations have doubled over the past ten years, and are
The Stad Amsterdam is a vessel with an extraordinary
expected to continue to expand. The city of Amsterdam
history and in 2009-2010 the clipper sailed the globe
and several financial services companies decided that the
recreating Charles Darwin’s famous Voyage of the Beagle.
jubilee year provided an excellent opportunity to market and promote Dutch financial services in Turkey.
The ‘Holland Olympic Welcome Party’ is a networking
From 14 to 17 October 2012, the Mayor of Amsterdam,
event and the organisers have invited senior Dutch
Eberhard van der Laan, will visit Istanbul with a commercial
executives working in London’s financial services industry.
delegation. Early plans include a Holland Financial Day that
They play an important role in marketing the Netherlands
will focus on promoting the Netherlands as a place of
as an attractive business and financial hub.
business in the areas of retirement management, finance & sustainability, financial logistics and as a trading venue. The programme will be fully geared to the location and the
Dutch expertise in China
guests expected to attend.
Seven Chinese provinces and cities have been selected for pilot projects involving carbon emission trading. Holland Financial Centre, the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment and the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation’s Agentschap NL will be looking at how Dutch expertise in the area of carbon emission trading can be exported to China.
Photography: William Maanders
17.
like and win
Like Hello Zuidas on facebook and win a stay on the trendiest hotel in Amsterdam: citizenM Amsterdam city facebook.com/hellozuidas
*The winner will be drawn on the 1st of August.
Trending topics Maaike Kouwenhoven@Sjanies Darwin Recruitment! Dus keer weer terug naar de Zuidas! Helemaal blij, haha!! de Architect@deArchitectNL Het startsein is gegeven voor de bouw van appartementencomplex OPZUID op de Zuidas in Amsterdam. Lex Boot@Lex_Boot Nog één afspraak en dan richting Zuidas voor ontmoeting @NeerhofBram over wervelingen vd Geest en ons leven Hello Zuidas@hellozuidas 25th of June @TEDxAms live on Zuidas with report from Binnenhof. 13pm - 15pm @wtc Zuidplein #zuidas #amsterdam Joris van den Berg@jorisvdberg Eten op de Zuidas, ben benieuwd wat er gecoket wordt... Joost van Kuppeveld@jvkupLeuk om weer ns op de Zuidas te zijn. 40 & Perfect@40andperfect nog even naar het tuintje van bolenius #interview #chefsmagazine #augustus #zuidas Annemerel@annemerelcom Gisteravond verrassend lekker gegeten bij #bolenius op de Amsterdamse zuidas. Leuke combinaties, goede wijn, fijne mensen Corien Wortmann@Corien_Wortmann Aangekomen op de Zuidas. Wordt hele toer om rol ECB, Eurocrisis en toekomstperspectief in een speech van 20 minuten te vatten Mirjam van der Veer@MirjamvdVeer @LMAangeenbrug Top dat je erbij bent! Ik ben erg benieuwd naar het project op de Zuidas. Kun je de laptop evt. meenemen donderdag eCommerce Partner BV@ecpnl Een #inventieve oplossing van #Nuon! #Mileu-bewust koelen.#Zuidas heeft het! Darryl Vriesde@darryldarryl laatste dag #BODYWORLDS @ Zuidas, echt indrukwekkend al die opgezette mensen Dienst Zuidas@DienstZuidas Een bezoeker krijgt uitleg bij de infoborden over de zelfbouwkavels. #Zuidas #zelfbouw kees-jan dijkstra@KeesJD Leestip: Zo Zuidas-column #FD over kantoorgedrag.Dek je preventief in met cc tje collega’s. “10 lagen bilbedekking tegen baggerstromen shit ekeberkers@mariekeberkers Haal sport niet naar de stad, maar stad naar de sport, aldus Vincent Kompier @ stad-forum debat ‘Zuidas in beweging’ Amsterdam Nieuws@Amsterdam_nws Werk aan de weg in Zuidas: Vanaf nu tot 31 oktober zijn er wegwerkzaamheden op de Amstelveenseweg kees van der hoeven@kavander @rutno Wat heb je toch met die Zuidas? Of moet ik je wellicht voorstellen aan de directie daar? Klaas de Boer, slimme jaargenoot uit Delft. Eelco Wynia@eelcowynia De Zuidas #020 Kon. BAM Groep nv@BAMGroep_NL Dienst Zuidas, AM en COD tekenen overeenkomst woningontwikkeling Kop Zuidas Accenture Community@AccentureNL Get impressions of the ‘Zuidas Run 2012’ here CP Amsterdam South@CrownePlaza_STH Zuidas Culinaire! #delicious food and great #music by the @VUOrkest ! See you there on the 27th of June! Esther@esther_305 Woensdag zag ik Ruud Gullit op de Zuidas. Misschien ging hij toen wel naar zijn advocaat!!1! Dat was achteraf dus gewoon BREKEND. Manou Burghout@ManouBurghout Goedemorgen lieve Tweeps. Vandaag de Zuidas verblijden met mijn aanwezigheid :-) Wie ga jij verblijden? Fijne dag!
@hellozuidas
19.
Agenda Zuidas Amsterdam Dutch still life in plastic by Richard Kuiper
Zuidas ‘borrel’
21 June – 15 August 2012
www.zuidasborrel.nl
Look for Art: www.lookforart.nl
Time: 17:00 hrs
Gustav Mahlerlaan 525, Zuidas
Location: Nooon, Zuidplein,
Amsterdam
WTC-G tower
Daily between 11:00 – 18:00 hrs
The Zuidas Business Borrel (business
5 July 2012
drinks) will be held on 5 July 2012 and
Wiener Wald
will include live music, great wines,
From 3 July onwards, the BosTheater
Gerrit Rietveld Academy
snacks and the popular summer drink
theatre company will be kicking off
4 – 8 July 2012
Monte Scroppino.The Zuidas Business
its latest summer production at the
Graduation Show 2012
Borrel is a quarterly event.
Amsterdam Bos open-air theatre:
www.rietveldacademie.nl
Wiener Wald, or Vienna Woods. This famous bitter-sweet tale about love is based on a play by AustroHungarian playwright Ödön von Horváth, with music inspired by composers such as the king of the Viennese waltz Johan Strauss. On 13 and 20 July at 12.30hrs, the BosTheater will be giving sneak previews of the show at lunchtime on the Gustav Mahlerplein.
Zuidas Architectural walk
architecture of the Zuidas district.
6 July, 27 July, 3, 10 and
The Zuidas master plan was based on a
24 August 2012
dynamic combination of living and
www.walk2art.nl
working. Office skyscrapers such
Duration: approx. 1.5 hours.
as the Erick van Egeraat tower and the
Minimum of 10 participants.
Viñoly tower are a perfect complement
Time: 14:00 hrs.
to the combined residential and office
Cost: 12.50 pp.
towers Amsterdam Symphony by archi-
To sign up, call +31 (6) 2432 4666
tect Pi de Bruijn and New Amsterdam.
or +31 (6) 2432 4655 Other dates are possible for groups. An art historian from the cultural tour operator Walk2Art will take you on a tour of the daring and varied
20.
july - august 2012 Next magazine will be published @4th of September. Mail us your agenda. Deadline: August 10th. Email: hellozuidas@asega.nl
Hello Zuidas participants meeting 6 July 2012, 12:00 – 14:00 hrs The first exclusive meeting for Hello Zuidas participants at the Rietveld Academy. During lunch, which starts at 12:00 hrs, Hello Zuidas will present its results from the first six months of this year and discuss its plans for the next six months. Before and after the meeting, participants will be able to view works by the academy’s final year students. Register via www.hellozuidas.com
Grachtenfestival, Amsterdam Saxophone Orchestra
locations around the city. On 14 August,
Tuesday 14 August
gramme that includes Edvard Grieg’s
12 July and 6 September 2012
www.grachtenfestival.nl
Holberg Suite, originally written for a
If you would you like to help come up
13:00 hrs
string ensemble.
with the perfect design for a new
Virtuoso saxophonist Arno Bornkamp’s
Programme: Handel and Grieg
section of Amsterdam’s Beatrixpark,
twelve best students have united to
Amsterdam Saxophone Orchestra
then join us on 12 July and 6 September.
form the Amsterdam Saxophone
Location: Zuidplein
For more information go to
Orchestra especially for the Grachten-
Duration: one hour
www.zuidas.nl or call Sanne Bouwman
festival, Amsterdam’s famous 10-day
Free entry, no tickets required
on +31 (6) - 2220 5221
festival of classical music in special
Help design a new section of Beatrixpark
they will be playing the Zuidplein, both literally and figuratively, with a pro-
21.
Agenda Zuidas Amsterdam
Grachtenfestival, Première: violin octet Octafilia Friday 17 August www.grachtenfestival.nl 13:00 hrs Octafilia is eight young female
Grachtenfestival, Martin Oei on the Vliegende Vleugel
on a CD of Beethoven’s Early Pastorale,
violinists, colleagues and friends.
a recently reconstructed sonata from
The Netherlands’ first ever violin octet
1792. Oei will be performing the world
saw the light in 2011 and they will be
Thursday 16 August
premiere of the work on 21 October of
giving their première performance at
www.grachtenfestival.nl
this year at Amsterdam’s Concert-
this year’s Grachtenfestival. The octet
13:00 hrs
gebouw. For the Zuidas part of the
plays music from baroque to romantic,
The 16-year-old piano virtuoso Martin
Grachtenfestival, he will be giving an
from melodious to virtuoso.
Oei gave his Grachtenfestival debut
open-air performance of music by
Your chance to discover the unique
performance in 2008. He will be
Schubert, Liszt and Chopin, this time
sound of eight violins. Don’t miss it!
performing for the third time at this
on the now famous Vliegende Vleugel,
Programme: Telemann, Lachner,
year’s festival of music on Amsterdam’s
or Grand piano on wheels.
Françaix, Bacewics and Lutoslawski
canals, and the Zuidas district of course!
Location: Gustav Mahlerplein, the entrance
Octafilia
Martin Oei is fascinated by historical
to station Amsterdam Zuid
Location: ITO tower, entrance hall,
instruments and regularly plays
Duration: One hour
Gustav Mahlerplein
Sébastien Erard grand pianos and
Free entry, no tickets required
Duration: one hour
pianofortes. He is currently working
22.
Free entry, no tickets required
july - august 2012 Next magazine will be published @4th of September. Mail us your agenda. Deadline: August 10th. Email: hellozuidas@asega.nl
Grachtenfestival, Dutch Trombone Ensemble
Repertoire for Grachtenfestival at
Friday 17 August
• W.A. Mozart - Alla bella Despinetta
www.grachtenfestival.nl
the Zuidas: from ‘Così fan tutte’
13:00 hrs
• A. Piazzolla - Chiquilin de Bachin
The Dutch Trombone Ensemble is a very
• M. Nightingale - Turning back
young troupe – founded in december 2011 – of talented and ambitious trombone players aged between 19 and 24. They are all students from the famous trombone class at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam music academy. One of their goals is to increase the amount of
the clock • M. De Falla - Scènes from El amor brujo • A. Piazzolla/S. Verhelst - Tango y Seduccion • G. Bassman - I’m getting sentimental over you
Zuidas Cup 2012 Friday 28 September SC Buitenveldert Would you and your colleagues like to compete in the 11th edition of the Zuidas football tournament?
sheet music available for trombone
For more information, email us at
ensembles by adding their own
zuidascup@zuidas.nl
arrangements for the instrument.
prgramme grachtenfestival amsterdam Zuid Gustav Mahlerplein
Lunch concert Vliegende Vleugel - Martin Oei
Thursday 16 August at 13:00
ITO tower
Lunch concert Octafilia
Friday 17 August at 13:00
Zuidplein
Lunch concert Amsterdam Saxophone Orchestra
Tuesday 14 August at 13:00
Wyndham Apollo Hotel
Hotel garden and terrace series, Wyndham Sunday 12 August at 15:00 and 17:00 Apollo Hotel
Hilton Amsterdam
Nozze Don Così – The Mozart and Da Ponte Trilogy
Saturday 11 August, Monday 13/14 August at 20:00
Marie Heinekenplein
Ricciotti ensemble
Friday 17 August at 17:00
Hotel Okura Amsterdam
Hotel garden and terrace series, Hotel Okura Amsterdam
Sunday 12 August at 15:00 and 17:00
Vondelpark open-air theatre
Finalists Grachtenfestival Conservatorium Concours
Sunday 12 August at 12:00
23.
LAUNCH MAGAZINE HELLO ZUIDAS Tuesday, 8th of May, 9.00AM Fitch & Shui • More than 100 visitors • Incrowd Zuidas • Jacques Kuyf (CEO FD Media Groep) & Chazia Mourali (Tv personality) received the first copy • Goodybags • 20.000 copies • Cool promoteams • Champagne
24.
Photography: Max Thijssen
ZUIDASRUN Sunday, 10th of June, 11.00AM • 2.500 runners • @ the finish flowers of Season Flowers, in cooperation with Hello Zuidas. • Winner 10 EM Men: Jelte Brontsema , Winner 10 EM Ladies: Anja van ’t Schip. • Winner 4 EM Men: Erwin Meijer, Winner 4 EM Ladies: Sandra van Doorn • Winner business team 10 EM: Accenture, Winner business team 4 EM: Eni International • Winners Kids Run: Camiel Theunissen & Amber Huijg • € 22.000,- for charity
Party, opening, reception or farewell drink @ Zuidas? Mail us: hellozuidas@asega.nl
Photography: Wouter van Ierssel
25.
Incorporating customer experience As I checked in at Schiphol for a morning flight to Chicago recently, I knew it would be one of those days full of new customer experiences. I love observing nice, original or even disappointing customer experiences because it’s the field I work in, and airlines are great for this because they’re are very conscious of the experience they offer their customers.
If we’re to believe all the tweets and articles on customer experience, service levels in the Netherlands leave a lot to be desired. Is this
know your customer thoroughly and to act on
because of our high expectations? Are we too
that knowledge. And it’s no longer enough to
critical, or are we simply unwilling to pay for higher
simply gather regular client data; you also have to
service levels? In the US, for example, a tip of 20%
know what drives your customers, what they think
is customary, while in the Netherlands very few
and believe. But even then this information only
people tip more than 10%. In fact, if we could
has any real power if it is combined and used in
choose to pay more for additional service, most
the right way and at the right time. That’s how you
of us would decline. Nevertheless, I do see many
realise the right customer experience consistently.
examples of excellent customer experience here in
In reality, only 7% of large companies are
the Netherlands. After all, many companies have
customer-centric, according to New Temkin Group
now realised that this is a way to differentiate
Research. I am not surprised. Because while most
themselves from their competitors. Everybody is
companies set ambitious goals, actually realising a
searching for the right balance, of course, but how
customer-centric organisation is quite complex
far do you have to go to please a client? What do
and demands a lot of persistence.
you have to do to make a client an ambassador for your organisation and promote you to friends and
Strategic goal
family or even on twitter, facebook or blogs?
First and foremost, customer centricity must be an integral part of the organisation’s strategy.
Customer centricity
A customer strategy determines how an organisa-
Many organisations struggle with these kinds of
tion treats its customers. It states how customers
questions. Customer centricity is a common
are segmented, what channel mix is used for each
strategic goal, but what does it mean? When are
segment, and what products are offered through
you successful at it? The only correct answer is
these channels and at what service level. This can
that a customer is central only when that customer
be fairly challenging for organisations that are also
feels he or she is central. Not everyone expects or wants the same thing, so this experience differs per individual. The route to success therefore is to
26.
Text: Karlijn van Lammeren • Photography: Wouter van Ierssel
looking to reduce costs. The two are often
generates positive word of mouth, which can
considered incompatible since cost reductions
attract new customers and increase revenues.
tend to impact service departments. This is why I would argue that cost reduction can never be a
It’s true that incorporating customer centricity into
goal in itself. Organisations should be aiming
the DNA of your organisation takes a lot of time
to increase profits instead, something they can
and effort. However, every individual employee
do by increasing turnover or lowering costs.
can make a difference very quickly by putting the
By placing the customer at the heart of its
customer at the centre of what they do and by
operations, an organisation can quickly increase
aiming to realise what really helps their customers,
customer satisfaction, something that has an
rather than rigidly sticking to procedures. In the
obvious positive impact on profitability. This
end, neither your customers, nor your employees
increases loyalty and retention, which can also
will be happy if there’s too much red tape for the
reduce operating costs. And satisfied customers
sake of red tape.
Karlijn is a manager at Accenture Management Consulting, specializing in the area of customer service strategy. She has a wide knowledge of and experience with multi-channel strategy and execution. Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, with approximately 236,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world’s most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments.
27.
Car sharing: “Our scheme works just fine!” When JCDecaux’s rental contract for its offices in inaccessible Diemen ended, the outdoor advertising firm started looking for a way to get people out of their cars. And they found the perfect solution in Zuidas!
Efficiency
The company’s new offices, across from the RAI
Managing director René Witzel gets straight to the
rail and metro station, are in a fantastic location in
point. In Diemen, the buses ran every half hour and
terms of public transport. “We look out over a
the office was difficult to reach by tram or metro.
tram terminus, plus you can get here easily by
So of course everybody came to work by (lease)
train or metro and the new North-South metro
car, with the odd person coming by bike. Those
will also be stopping outside our front door
cars then sat in the car park all day doing nothing.
in the future,” René Witzel says. This made it a lot
“So we started looking for a more efficient form of
easier to come up with an attractive scheme to
car sharing.”
discourage people from commuting in their own or lease cars.
28.
Benefits
Staying independent
“In Diemen, you could park private cars for free in
Bureau Zuidas recently approached Witzel to ask
our own parking spots. Now we have to park on
whether JCDecaux would like to take part in ABN
the street and pay for it ourselves. Or walk from
AMRO’s car-sharing scheme. “But our scheme
miles away, where parking is free. And you have to
works fine. I’d rather remain in control. I don’t
pay a fee to park lease cars in the parking garage.
really like the idea of having to take others into
In our scheme, any employee who gives up their
account in terms of planning and the like. Plus, I’d
lease car gets half of the lease fee added to their
probably pick a different kind of car. Because I
gross salary. And in exchange, we’ve acquired
firmly believe that people will only think it’s fun to
some very eye-catching pool cars,” Witzel says.
drive a pool car if it’s a really nice-looking car.”
“We have three Mini Convertibles, one ordinary Mini, a Ford SMax, a Range Rover, a small van and an electric scooter, although there are no charging points for that yet. As soon as they’re installed, we’ll buy a couple of electric cars,” he adds.
Cool cars “The fact that the cars are pretty cool models really does help. Our salespeople think it’s great to drive around in a Mini convertible. We have a sort
Erik Maitimo, senior consultant at business mobility adviser Verkeeradvies.nl is very enthusiastic about the JCDecaux initiative: “This shows you once again that there are fun and practical commuting alternatives for employees. And that’s doubly true if you’re based at a public transport hub like the Zuidas. The JCDecaux car-sharing scheme makes a great contribution to the accessibility of this top location.”
of ongoing fight about who can take which car. The pool cars are used so much, in fact, that we’ll have to buy a few more.” Virtually all of the 50 management, sales and support staff now come to the Zuidas by public transport. Everybody gets their travel costs reimbursed in full in line with the government’s public transport allowance scheme. “Our CFO lives in Muiden and he now comes to work every day by train. Even he gave up his lease car,” Witzel says proudly.
JCDecaux is one of the world’s best-known outdoor advertising companies. The French company provides street furniture in exchange for the use of advertising space on that furniture. ‘Abri’ – the French word for shelter - is a word now commonly used in Dutch to refer to a bus or tram stop, possibly thanks to JCDecaux. Amsterdam has some 2,000 objects – with hundreds of these in the Zuidas district – displaying JCDecaux advertising. JCDecaux also provides all the waste paper bins in the Zuidas District.
Text: Sabine Zurel • Photography: William Maanders
29.
Linklaters puts Chinese renminbi on map as currency On 16 April this year, Linklaters’ Amsterdam office teamed up with Chinese Bank ICBC, the world’s largest bank, for a successful seminar about the liberalisation of the Chinese currency, the Renminbi (RMB). Pieter Riemer, a partner at the global law firm based in Amsterdam, says the subject is very topical, as the speed of change with regard to the RMB is phenomenal. The Netherlands, alongside other European countries, is making substantial inroads into China; the Netherlands is China’s second-largest trading partner in Europe after Germany. Chinese companies are also very interested in Europe, which is why ICBC recently opened a branch in Amsterdam.
Doing business with China easier “The Chinese currency is important to any company doing business in and with China”, explains Riemer. “To put it simply, if you can pay Chinese companies in RMB or receive your payments in RMB, it creates flexibility for your Chinese business partners and gives you a competitive edge. Unsurprisingly, Dutch companies have been quick to acknowledge this advantage.”
Access to the RMB as a currency It was not until 2009 that the Chinese government undertook an RMB pilot scheme to internationalise
“We are very Dutch by being international.”
the currency. The successful launch of the scheme galvanised the creation of an offshore pool of RMB in Hong Kong which led to Hong Kong becoming the global settlement centre for offshore RMB transactions. Agreements between China and Hong Kong have made it possible to use RMB for trading purposes since 2010 without the Chinese authorities really easing capital controls. At the same time, China substantially increased the maximum amount which international fund managers were allowed to invest in the China onshore
30.
capital markets. “Trading in RMB benefits Chinese
A broader view of the world
companies as it reduces transaction costs
Getting involved in the liberalisation of the RMB
while minimising the chance of exchange rate
is typical for Linklaters. Riemer says it is a
fluctuations impacting margins”, says Riemer.
clear demonstration of Linklaters’ view of the Netherlands and the world. “Linklaters has a global
Offshore bonds
reach, which also means that wherever we are,
One way to obtain RMB in Hong Kong is to issue
diversity is important to us. If you look at our
offshore RMB bonds. Linklaters has played a
people you will find that we have a very varied
leading role in pioneering these instruments in
team, and that goes for our Amsterdam office too.
Hong Kong. The placement of RMB bonds gives
As a firm, we give our employees a broad view
companies access to RMB outside of mainland
of the world, which they appreciate enormously.
China. Offshore RMB pools are now also created
At the same time, this approach makes us very
outside Hong Kong, which makes it even easier
Dutch. That is something people don’t always
to gain access to the currency. London is now well
realise. A Dutchman is by definition international.”
on the road to becoming an offshore settlement centre for RMB thanks to agreements with Hong Kong. Meanwhile, Linklaters is providing advice on the issuance of RMB bonds from its Amsterdam office. According to Riemer, Dutch companies see the advantages of settling their trades in RMB and in getting direct access to the currency.
More offshore hubs Riemer says the financial centres in Western Europe are monitoring the developments around the liberalisation of the RMB closely. “And that certainly includes Germany. After all, Germany has a huge industrial sector and extensive ties with China. The ties between the United States of America and China are even more substantial. The USA is not only China’s biggest trading partner, China’s foreign exchange reserves are mainly composed of US dollars, which makes the US and China very dependent on each other”, says Riemer.
Logical move Riemer does not expect the developments around the liberalisation of the RMB to have a huge impact on the US dollar in the short term. “The question is, of course, whether the RMB will eventually be fully liberalised. China is not expected to embark on a “big bang” type of policy reform and the liberalisation of the RMB is therefore likely to be gradual. China’s recent move to increase the bandwidth of the conversion rate between the RMB and the US dollar is understandable. The Chinese government is pragmatic and realises that it has much to gain from further liberalisation.”
Text: Romy Lange • Photography: Wouter van Ierssel
31.
Behind the scenes
Making room for nature among the office skyscrapers Plans to make the Zuidas area greener have been in the making for quite some time. Green space enhances an area’s overall quality and helps create a more pleasant – and healthier - working environment. The Zuidas organisation has several short-term and long-term plans to create enough space for nature in the overall design of the Zuidas area. We talked to Bart van Eijk about the green Zuidas.
‘It is important to give the city’s ecology a boost in the area’
Bird and insect boxes Van Eijk says there’s no need to turn the Zuidas into a nature reserve, but it is important to give the city’s ecology a boost in the area. “We have installed insect and bee boxes, and last year we also built habitats for birds, butterflies and bats.
Green tram stop
Those boxes are distributed across 50 locations
“At the moment, the local council is planting new
around the Zuidas area. This year, we will look
trees along De Boelelaan to give that part of the
at how many of these boxes have been occupied
area the cachet of an avenue. We did the same on
and whether we can add more.”
the Europaboulevard and that looks great now,” says Bart van Eijk, the manager responsible for
Tree nursery
water and green areas in the Zuidas district.
There are plans to plant a lot more trees in the
“We plan to develop the tram terminus near the
Zuidas area and to make sure they are not all
VU University’s main building, where tram lines 16
young trees, the organisers have set up a special
and 24 converge, as a green leisure space, a mini
nursery on a vacant lot. “This will give the trees
park where you can sit down during a break or for
time to grow so they are sturdy trees by the time
your lunch. So it will be a very green tram stop,
we plant them around the Zuidas area. In the
with special flora such as cherry trees.”
future, people will also be able to take a walk around the nursery or even sit down there for a picnic. So we’ll be making the most of the green in the area.”
Did you take notice of something in Zuidas public space? Contact our Servicepoint at www.hellozuidas.com
32.
Text: Romy Lange • Photography: William Maanders
All-out for a cleaner, more accessible Zuidas! An area with 30,000 workers, a station
Enforcing bike rules
(Amsterdam Zuid) that processes 70,000 people
The growing inconvenience caused by ‘wrongly’
each day, in which 20,000 students go to
parked bicycles around Station Zuid has increased
university (VU) and with a conference centre
the need for the enforcement of the bike parking
(RAI) that sees two million visitors each year
rules in the Zuidas centre. Bikes are frequently
requires a little extra care and attention. That’s
parked in front of offices, next to the flower beds
why Hello Zuidas, the Zuidas Amsterdam
or against lampposts. The Zuidas organisation is
Development Office and the Amsterdam Zuid
planning to deploy parking supervisors to prevent
local council are working together to create
this. It will also be adding hundreds of new
a clean and safe environment.
bike-parking spots.
Top international location
Taking Zuidas to an 8!
Each day, the Zuidas makes every possible effort
All of these measures are aimed at improving the
to clean the district’s public spaces, such as
management of the Zuidas district. The targeted
the Gustav Mahlerplein and the area inside and
performance levels are combined in a Service Level
around Station Zuid. The organisation already
Agreement (SLA), and are supposed to result in a
clears up all the rubbish in the area and is now
cleaner and more accessible area. These perfor-
focusing on maintaining the green sections and
mance levels are measured on a scale of one to 10,
flower beds and enforcing bike-parking rules.
and right now the target is a score of six. The
The Zuidas conducts an evaluation every quarter
Amsterdam Zuid local council will be working hard
to identify possible improvements. “We are
to improve that score. Paul Slettenhaar, chairman
confident this will lead to an even cleaner and
of the Zuid local council: “Our people will be doing
more accessible area” says Zuidas director Klaas
their utmost to improve quality and turn that six
de Boer. “The Zuidas is a top international location,
into an eight!”
so we want immaculate public spaces.”
Text: Romy Lange • Photography: William Maanders
33.
Recruitment
Senior Recruitment Consultant – Greenberg Nielsen – Amsterdam & Rotterdam
34.
(Senior) Business Analyst – The Walt Disney Company Benelux – Hoofddorp Salary: approx. € 55,000
Salary: € 45.000 - € 65.000 + bonus + car
As senior Business Analyst at Walt Disney Benelux you will
As Senior Recruitment Consultant with Greenberg Nielsen
be working for one of the world’s strongest brands and
you will work in an ambitious and fast growing environment
operating in an extremely dynamic and ambitious environ-
located in the WTC in Amsterdam and Rotterdam. You will
ment. The (Senior) Business Analyst has wide-ranging and
be an important sparring partner for midsized and large
challenging responsibilities. You draw up strategic plans,
companies to determine their recruitment strategy in a
market and competition analyses, and report to senior
rapidly changing labor market. As Senior Recruitment
management. Together with the senior management, you will
Consultant with Greenberg Nielsen, your challenges and
focus on optimising the three operating areas Media, Retail
responsibilities vary from the search to the best professionals
and Out of Home and report to the CFO. This is a pivotal role,
in the market, acquire new business and to gain in-depth
making you highly visible within the organisation and in
knowledge of clients. With Greenberg Nielsen, you will
which you will be challenged to develop continuously.
receive a competitive base salary, leasecar and a lucrative
At Walt Disney, you will have many responsibilities and you
bonus scheme that rewards performances well.
will be part of a close-knit, loyal team.
International real estate Investment Company - Financial Controller (RA) region Rotterdam/The Hague
Financial Control Manager – Danone – Schiphol Salary: € 70,000 - € 80,000 + bonus As Financial Control Manager at Danone, you will be working
Salary: approx. € 80,000
in an ambitious and fast-growing organisation. The Financial
On behalf of the holding company of a leading real estate
Control Manager reports directly to the Finance Manager
investment company, we are looking for an ambitious
and is a key sparring partner for internal and external
Financial Controller (Chartered Accountant). You will be
stakeholders, such as the Financial Directors of the
responsible for reliable and exhaustive financial reports.
International Business Units, the Consolidation team in Paris
To be successful in this organisation, the Financial Controller
and Business Control. Within the Danone Baby & Medical
should be critical, naturally curious and someone who strives
Division, you will play a key role in streamlining the financial
for high-quality performance. The company’s culture is
reporting from the various countries. The Financial Control
rapidly changing from reactive to proactive, and as a financial
Manager acts as an advisor to the financial management of
expert you are comfortable with that. You like to work
Danone’s 80 business units with regard to financial reporting
in a team. As Financial Controller, you report directly to -
and AO/IC. At Danone, you will be encouraged to develop a
and work closely with – the Head of Financial Control.
broad range of skills and you will be closely involved in
The company is based in The Hague.
initiating efficiency projects.
For more information on these vacancies
Photography: William Maanders
Greenberg Nielsen WTC, H tower, 4th floor Zuidplein 36 1077 XV Amsterdam Tel: +31 (0) 20 799 7979 info@greenbergnielsen.nl www.greenbergnielsen.nl
35.
Hotspot for meetings, gastronomy and Hospitality. i am sure our services will add value to your business. that is why i would like to share some characteristics of our hotel with you: Smart location: At the heart of Oud-Zuid; close to Centre, RAI, Zuidas, Schiphol.
Right size: Big enough for business, small enough to feel at home.
Pretty rooms: 78 Rooms, equipped with everything you may expect.
Very affordable: Always finding a way to fit in your budget.
Event ready: Executive boardrooms, party spaces, support facilities.
These are just a few of our competencies and qualities. Feel free to get in touch with me for a first, informal visit. Let’s explore win-wins!
Great food: Our Brasserie Lairesse is one of the culinary secrets of Oud-Zuid. Nice vibe: Cosy, quiet, relaxed, friendly, family-like and surrounded by art.
emB memphis Hotel De Lairessestraat 87 1071 NX Amsterdam Telephone: +31 (0) 20 673 31 41
Reservations: +31 (0) 20 676 58 51 Fax: +31 (0) 20 673 73 12 E-mail: Memphis@embhotels.nl Website: www.memphishotel.nl
spinning 28 sept.
marathon
frans otten stadium
amsterdam - o ly m p i c a r e a -
julia spins for olivia
and you?
Hello Zuidas motivates everyone to participate in this unique event!
sign up now! >> www.spinnenvoorspieren.nl
Get your copy now in amsterdam zuid
Memo board And we have a winner… Stijn Markusse has won a dinner at restaurant Gustavino! All he had to do was like the Hello Zuidas fanpage. Check page 18 for the new action.
Internship @magazine Hello Zuidas Hello Zuidas magazine is looking for an intern from this September. Are you motivated, smart and eager to learn? And your education is in
Promo team
English. We are looking forward to meeting you.
Every edition of Hello Zuidas magazine will also
Mail your résumé to hellozuidas@asega.nl.
be distributed by our promo team. They will stand in front of buildings of Zuidas and at the entries of the railwaystation Amsterdam Zuid and Amsterdam RAI. Place a picture of them on our facebook.com/hellozuidas if you see them!
Forgotten vegetables
Best picture wins a price…
Earlier this year, VU Connected started the project ‘Slim Eten’ (eat sensibly). By eating sensibly and improve our mental performance. The aim of
Dropping off your business card pays off!
this project is sharing knowledge. As part of the
Rashpal Hullait, Managing Director of The Hackett
project, in June the Zuidas hosted a culinary
Group, won a two night stay at the new CitizenM
competition in which rival cooks came up with
London Bankside. He won it just by dropping off
great recipes using ‘forgotten’ vegetables. On the
his business card at CitizenM Amsterdam South.
making sure we get enough exercise, we can also
8th of June, Anja Annink emerged as the winner in the final, held in Zuidas restaurant Bolenius. You can find the winning recipe and read about forgotten vegetables at www.vuconnected.nl.
OPZUID On Friday, 13 July, a sale event will take place at From left to right: Jaap Seidell (food scientist at Amsterdam’s VU university, the VUmc hospital and Windesheim), Luc Kusters (head chef at Bolenius), Onno Kleyn (culinary journalist at the Volkskrant) and winner Anja Annink.
E-mail your memo’s to hellozuidas@asega.nl.
the Crowne Plaza Amsterdam South at the Zuidas. Everyone is invited in the Times Square Hall between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
37.
Participants Hello Zuidas – July 2012 If your company isn’t on this list, please contact servicepoint@hellozuidas.com ABN Amro Accendium Accenture Akzo Nobel Amsterdam Bright City Amsterdam in Business Amsterdam RAI APG Arcadis ASEGA Media AVIS Autoverhuur Baker & McKenzie Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi Beheer Brouwershoff Beheermaatschappij WTC Amsterdam Bereikbaarheidsmakelaar Verkeer advies BLUSH Beauty & Skin Clinic Bolenius BNY Mellon Breevast CAR2GO CBRE B.V. citizenM Cofely Crowne Plaza Amsterdam South De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek Dienst Zuidas Amsterdam DTZ Zadelhoff, Agency Amsterdam Duisenberg School of Finance Eetwinkel Zwaan Ernst & Young Accountants LLP Expatcenter Amsterdam G&S Vastgoed Galerie Modern Gerrit Rietveld Academie Greenberg Nielsen Green Business Club Zuidas Gustavino B.V. HAB International Accountants & Consultants HB Hairstylers Hello Sushi Hestia Kinderopvang Het Amsterdamse Bos Holiday Inn Amsterdam Holland Financial Centre Holland Interplan B.V. Houthoff Buruma ILFC Aviation Services
Maarsen Groep Beheer B.V.
Koetjes en Kalfjes
VU Medisch Centrum
Linklaters
Wagamama
Loyens & Loeff
World Trade Center Amsterdam
38.
Markit Mech Make & Take Miles Building Mood for Real Estate MultiCopy Nederland B.V. My Best Team Ever NDI ICT Solutions NEWNRG Nick & Delano NL Real Estate Novotel Amsterdam City NS Oliver’s Ontspits Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam ORAM Pathé Phisage Beauty & Wellness Property NL B.V. Qbic Hotels Q-Park Nederland Rabobank Amsterdam Markt Zuid RBS Russell Reynolds Associates SANTOS LUXURY Schiphol Real Estate Season-Flowers Securitas SLFMD Tailoring Stadsdeel Zuid
Colophon Foundation Hello Zuidas Strawinskylaan 61 - 1077 XW - Amsterdam, NL + 31 (0)20 333 7441 - servicepoint@hellozuidas.com www.hellozuidas.com www.facebook.com/hellozuidas www.twitter.com/hellozuidas www.linkedin.com/hellozuidas Our goal: With an excellent business climate, world-renowned educational institutions within reach, and leading companies in many sectors from many countries, the Zuidas has huge potential. The foundation Hello Zuidas contributes to the Zuidas by realizing a well functioning area. The goal is to promote a district that has international appeal, and high quality working and living conditions. Magazine Hello Zuidas is issued by ASEGA Media: Olympisch Stadion 2 – 1076 DE – Amsterdam, NL Goirkestraat 90 – 5046 GN – Tilburg, NL P.O. Box: 9202 - 5000 HE - Tilburg, NL +31 (0) 20 617 1451 - + 31 (0) 13 545 3298 info@asega.nl - www.asega.nl
Management/Sr. Sales: Bob Oostelbos Sales executive: Karin Starreveld Art Director & Graphic Designer: Jilles Mermans Final Editor: Frank van Bergen Translation: Garry Piggott Editors/contributors: Olivier Otten, Eline Hoogendijk, Koos Weits, Suzanne de Rijk, Romy Lange, Sabine Zurel Photography: William Maanders, Wouter van Ierssel, Max Thijssen Intern: Thierry Verhoogt Editorial advisory board: Sasja Albersen, Jeannette Driessen, Olivier Otten Thanks to: PropertyNL, Jeannette Driessen, Lisa Brans, Erik Maitimo, Holland Financial Center, Douglas Grobbe, Pieter Riemer, Yael Shafrir, Dennis van Genderen, Talien Willems, Karen Verhage-Staleman, Bouke van der Weide Printed by: Drukkerij Gianotten
Star Meal Stibbe Sushi Time
Do you have a message for the editorial team or would you like to place an ad? Send us an e-mail at hellozuidas@asega.nl.
Tandartsenpraktijk Van De Veer TAXI-E TPEX The Change Agent Transcore Management Triple Ace
Print run each edition: 20.000 copies Circulation: It’s a free magazine for Zuidas. Each edition comprises 20.000 printed copies. It will be distributed by promo teams, loose circulation, HRM departments of companies on Zuidas to guarantee reaching the (sub) target groups of Zuidas, Amsterdam South and Schiphol. Frequency: Six times a year, (bi-monthly)* (*four times in 2012 )
Vimpelcom Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Copyright: © 2012 ASEGA Media. All rights reserved. Nothing appearing in this magazine (information, pictures, images) may be copied or reproduced, in any manner whatsoever, unless explicit permission has been given in writing.
With Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport, the RAI Convention Center and the city centre only minutes away by public transport, Crowne Plaza Amsterdam-South is one of the best situated hotels. AMSTERDAM COURT
ZUIDAS
Crowne Plaza Amsterdam - South George Gershwinlaan 101, Amsterdam , 1082 MT, Netherlands Hotel Front Desk: +31-20-504 36 66 Hotel Fax: +31-20-504 36 26 www.ihg.com
200m
SpaciouS amSterdam town
UN BUILDING GUSTAV MAHLERLAAN
BUITENVELDERTSELAAN
For reservations:
BUITENVELDERTSELAAN
RING A10 SOUTH
houSeS and apartmentS located Between the rai and the river amStel Your home worth more upon completion! Yes, if you join the ‘Kop van Zuidas’ construction group. There is still room for a few participants. Impression buildingsize; building has to be designed yet.
reference images
project information: • High-quality appartments ranging from 95 m2 to 300 m2 (± 50 units) • High ceilings, large outdoor areas, personalised floor plans • Estimated construction price € 3,000 per m2 (non-profit) • Focus on sustainability and environment: energy-neutral apartment complex, resulting in very low energy costs • Live in your new apartment in the second quarter of 2014 • Perfect, family friendly location a stone’s throw from Amsterdam’s Rivierenbuurt neighbourhood and easy access to the A10 ring road and public transpoprt (plots H1 & H2) • Designed by Blauw Architecten in cooperation with Upfrnt For more information, check out www.kopvanzuidas.nl or email info@kopvanzuidas.nl
In collaboration with:
Telepresence Exchange International
Connecting the world... From WTC Amsterdam to: Your customers 65 public boardrooms Your vendors Your colleagues Anywhere in the world Without travelling
TelePresence is the highest quality standard in video conferencing with a result that matches the experience of real life meetings. High definition video, no time delays and easy-to-use services. We can connect to international public locations in 5-star hotels and other WTC’s in the world, but also to your regular video conferencing systems at your other offices worldwide. This will reduce cost and time of traveling and optimizes the efficiency for you and your teams.
For more information: TPEX International Claude Debussylaan 2-8 1082 MD Amsterdam +31 (0)88 1269 300 www.tpex.eu
For bookings: Triple-Ace Strawinskylaan 77 1077 XW Amsterdam +31 (0)20 575 33 00 www.triple-ace.nl
ZuidasTravel.nl Strawinskylaan 41 1077 XW Amsterdam +31 (0)20 662 15 04 www.zuidastravel.nl