Douwe Dirks, Speaker for the Sustainability & Innovation Summit 2023
We are very proud to present Douwe Dirks as one of the esteemed speakers at the upcoming Innovation & Sustainability Summit 2023 on December 15, 2023. Douwe is the Chief Commerical Officer of Nornorm, the flexible and fully circular office furniture subscription per square meter per month, and previous Managing Director of Swedish co-working operator Epicenter Amsterdam, now Edge Workspaces.
Join us for “Driving the Green Transition Together,” where Douwe will bring insight from NORMORM’s pursuit of building a circular business model and challenging old patterns of consumerism within the furniture industry.
- Save the date: December 15, 2023
- Discover more and secure your spot .
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Meet our new member Global Loud Out Solutions
The Swedish Chamber of Commerce is very pleased to welcome Global Loud Out Solutions to the Swedish Chamber member community and look forward to introducing them to our Swedish – Dutch business network.
"At Global Load Out Solutions, we are convinced that every ton counts. Therefore, we want to contribute to the change in the construction industry through easy-to-use, digital services that make work easier. Our product. Efficient Load Out (ELO), is an easy-to-use, cloud-based subscription service that puts you in total control of loading out material in infrastructure and construction projects. With no long-term contract, it helps you to use operational data to boost your profitability and sustainability. Efficient Load Out makes the process easier and optimizes transport, which immediately affects CO2 emissions".
Read more about Global Loud Out Solution and ELO on their website.
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Beyondo: Recruitment in times of inflation
The Swedish Chamber's valued member Beyondo shares their insight on recruitment and inflation with the Swedish Chamber member community. Learn more about Beyondo on .
Recruitment in times of inflation
According to SCB, the Bureau of Statistics in Sweden, The inflation rate according to CPI (Consumer Price Index) was 9.3 percent in June 2023. Recruiting during times of inflation can seem counterintuitive because inflation typically increases the cost of goods and services, including wages. However, there are several reasons why businesses may still choose to recruit during inflationary periods: Think about your Business Growth. Regardless of the economic climate, if you as a company are growing, it will need to hire more employees to handle increased demand for its products or services. Also, the Skill Gaps are to be taken into consideration. Inflation doesn't change the fact that companies may have skill gaps they need to fill in order to remain competitive. This can mean hiring new employees with the necessary skills. What about Turnover and Retention? Inflation can increase the cost of living, leading some employees to leave for higher-paying jobs elsewhere. This can necessitate recruitment to replace departing employees. Hence, you need to recruit! One should not forget to look into the future. Investing in the Future is important, even in times of inflation, companies need to think about their future. This may mean hiring for positions that will drive future growth and profitability. If your company is financially stable, you have a Competitive Advantage, where you can take advantage of an inflationary period to attract top talent, especially if other businesses are hesitant to hire. Also, with the ongoing advancements in technology, new positions are being created that didn't exist before. Even in times of inflation, businesses may need to recruit for these roles to keep up with industry trends. While inflation can complicate recruitment efforts due to increased costs, strategic hiring decisions can help ensure a company's growth and success during challenging economic times.
About Beyondo
, one of our valued members, based in Stockholm Sweden, is a top-notch recruitment company with a special focus on connecting businesses and international talents in both Sweden and the Netherlands. Beyondo stands out by helping clients break into these markets and providing expert guidance to individuals looking to experience life abroad. Their wealth of knowledge and top-notch services make the journey smoother for everyone involved, bridging the gap for companies and individuals seeking success in these vibrant markets. Join us in recognizing Beyondo as an essential partner in the world of international business and talent acquisition when doing cross-border business. Feel free to reach out to for more information and contact with Beyondo. Photo credits: Beyondo
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Gloomy times for Swedish exports- Export Managers’ Index, fourth quarter 2023
Gloomy times for Swedish exports- Export Managers’ Index, fourth quarter 2023
On November 9, 2023, Business Sweden published the report “Gloomy times for Swedish exports- Export Managers’ Index, fourth quarter 2023” conducted by Statistics Sweden (SCB). This report is a key indicator of Sweden's economic development. Unfortunately, the report conveys a pessimistic outlook, as the Index dropped to 44.4 from 46.7 in the previous quarter, the lowest since the pandemic's outbreak. The level has only been lower three times before, which happened during the financial crisis of 2008/2009 and the following European debt crisis in 2012. The decline is primarily driven by a decrease in the current subindex, falling from 50.7 in Q3 to 44.3 in Q4. Despite this, the forward-looking subindex shows a modest rise from 42.8 in Q3 to 44.5 in Q4, indicating a slightly improved outlook for the next three months. As both subindices are below the 50-mark, it is an indication that the export companies have a gloomy view of the development. Distinct for these results are that the view on the present times has become worse, while the outlook on a three-month horizon has become better in comparison with previous surveys' results.
The level for the view of current export sales also fell from 54.5 in Q3 to 44.2 in Q4 as well as the one for export order stocks declining from 45.7 in the previous quarter to 38.5 in quarter four. The index also showed that the view of profitability of export sales fell by 1.8 points compared to the previous quarter to 50.1 in Q4. These results highlight that the export companies have a gloomy perception about export sales and export order stocks, but a more neutral view of the profitability of export sales. On a three-month horizon, the level, however, increased for both the view on expected export sales and the profitability of export sales, and both indexes are close to the 50 mark, which suggests a more neutral view when looking forward.
Notably, the Index is below 50 in Western-, Central-, and Eastern Europe, indicating a more pessimistic outlook compared to other regions in the world. In summary, while current conditions are perceived negatively, companies express a more confident outlook for the future.
Read the full report .
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Welcome our new member Earth + Energy
The Swedish Chamber is happy to wish a warm welcome to Earth + Energy as our new member. We are excited to have Earth + Energy as a part of our community and look forward to meeting them at upcoming Chamber events. Welcome!
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Amsterdam Light Festival Special Offer by Swe-Cham Member Strömma
From December 2023 to January 2024, everyone visiting Amsterdam will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the mesmerizing Amsterdam Light Festival from the unique vantage point of the water. This marks the 11th installment of the Amsterdam Light Festival, boasting the theme "Loading... Revealing art, AI and tech" for this year. Our valued Swedish Chamber Member, Strömma, is delighted to extend an exclusive Early Bird Offer for the Amsterdam Light Festival to fellow members of the Swedish Chamber.
Secure your spot on a cozy Amsterdam Light Festival Canal Cruise by reserving before December 1st to benefit from our fantastic 'Early Bird' rates:
- €20.50 for adults.
- €10.25 for children aged 4-12.
- Children aged 0-3 can join for free when accompanied by an adult.
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Welcome our new member Cinode
The Swedish Chamber is very pleased to welcome new member Cinode. We look forward to introducing them to our Swedish–Dutch business network and meeting them at upcoming events in the Swedish Chamber calendar. Are you curious to learn more about Cinode? You can read more and find their contact information on .
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Anne Korthals Atles, Speaker at the Sustainability & Innovation Summit 2023
We are thrilled to introduce Anne Korthals Atles, Sustainability Manager at Vattenfall Nederlands, as one of the distinguished speakers at the upcoming Innovation & Sustainability Summit 2023 on December 15, 2023. With 20 years of professional experience in the energy industry, Anne holds unique expertise in areas such as renewable energy optimization, BtB product development, and sustainability legislation. She has in recent years focused on Vattenfall's Human Rights impact, with initiatives like the Human Rights Impact Assessment, and ESG reporting such as CSRD.
Join us for “Driving the Green Transition Together” to take part in Anne’s insightful perspectives on Vattenfall’s work on sustainability striving towards a fossil-free future. Read about the Summit and secure your seats
This summit will bring together business leaders, entrepreneurs, politicians, and academics from Sweden and the Netherlands, in the presence of H.E. Ambassador of Sweden Mr. Johannes Oljelund. Following the Summit is the Swedish Chamber Annual Lucia Dinner, which will be a fantastic evening of celebration, entertainment, and music. Among the distinguished lineup of speakers for the event, we're also honored to have Mattias Frumerie and H.R.H Prince Jaime de Bourbon de Parme representing the political and diplomatic perspectives from Sweden and the Netherlands, as well as business leaders like Jon Abrahamsson Ring from Ikea and Douwe Dirks from NORNORM.
Want to discover more about Vattenfall’s distinctive sustainability strategy? Dive into Vattenfall’s Sustainability Insight feature with Swedish Chamber Insights .
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