Travelling is an integral part of today’s life yet often time spent at the airport is seen as a burden rather than a delight how it was back in the days when air travel was a sheer luxury.

Privium is an innovative service concept for frequent fliers which puts the pleasure back to travelling by offering exclusive facilities that provide speed, comfort and priority.

Privium offers fast and safe border passage based on modern iris identification technology and members can wait for their flight in comfort of an own airport lounge whose unique design sets it apart from traditional lounges: The entrance to the ClubLounge is literally a giant pupil that opens when you enter, leading you into a space of more than six hundred square metres, decorated in soothing shades of cream. The ClubLounge has every convenience, such as a well-stocked bar and a Light Energy Cabin where you can recharge. Or you can enjoy a comfortable reading corner with an open fireplace and other work spaces.

On Wednesday, November 17th, we will have an exclusive event at the VIP centre of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol: Sandra Wagemans, Premium Services

Manager, and responsible for the management of the VIP centre and Privium at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Gerda Franssen, Account Manager Corporate Accounts, and responsible for the product portfolio promotion of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, will give us the unique opportunity to find out more about the innovative service concept called Privium and experience the relaxing atmosphere of the Privium Club Lounge ourselves.

The program begins at 18:30 and will be followed by a tour through the Privium Club Lounge with drinks and snacks. The Reception Lounge in the VIP will be the perfect place to gather our thoughts, gain inspiration, and network afterwards.

The Privium ClubLounge is located between departure (vertrek) halls 1 and 2 across from balie (desk) 9. <Click here for the map>

Registration and Guest Policy: Registration is required for members (15 euro) and guests (35 euro). Attendance fee includes snacks and drinks. Guests are allowed to attend two EuropeanPWN-Amsterdam functions per year. Please contact our VP Membership. <membership (at) europeanpwn-amsterdam.net>

In order to keep our adminsitrative processes manageable we unfortunately cannot refund your registration fee should you need to cancel your attendance.

Since the etheryl site has gone to 3D banking – my credit card doesn’t work any more. How do I register?

First make sure your on line banking is set up:

It is possible that your bank requires something called a “mastercard secure code”. This is different from your PIN code and also different from any combination of numbers found on your actual credit card. First go to your bank’s website. For the purposes of this example I will use ING – since I am a former Postbank customer.

From the main page click through to Particulieren Betalen and then through to

“Credit card” (middle block of screen)

Further (right hand side) click through to Secure Code

Then through to aanmelden and aanvragen…

If you enter your data and follow through – your card will be on line 3D payment ready.

Once your card has been registered with your bank’s security process, you may register through the calendar on the website. As a member or as a guest. If you are registering as a member, you will want to click on the “Pay Online” icon (shown here)

You will be prompted for your card details:

And you should soon receive a confirmation email:

If you are not in possession of a MasterCard or Visa and prefer to pay directly to the bank account (overschrijven). Please contact the treasurer@europeanpwn-amsterdam.net for the particular details.

31Million Part Deux

Please welcome Nicky Adle back to hear more about “The French Touch” and how 31 Million women manage and maintain effortless chic and the decadence of French cuisine – without twisting their ankles or gaining a gram.

In the first workshop, we learned the secrets of switching from flip-flops to heels and how to accentuate our assets with accessories and “standard items” in our wardrobe.

Today we will extend our foray into the “French Touch” by discovering The Secrets of French Nutrition. In this workshop you will learn:

-       French women’s approach to weight, satisfaction, pleasure, etc.

-       The tradeoffs they face and decisions they make, the mindset they use regarding food

-       Social norms on dieting and guilt, but also snacking, junk food as well as alcohol

-       The tricks they use on a regular basis

-       Typical meals and recipes for you and your family

-       And finally, the secret, the one and only rule you’ll need to apply, like 31 Million French women do

31 Million is a personal style consultancy that trains women on the ins and outs of French fashion whilst exposing them to the secrets of French style and nutrition. Our focus is to offer women in their 20’s to 50’s French style and nutrition lessons, organize for personal wardrobe consultations, arrange exclusive and fun Paris shopping trips, as well as provide a rental platform where women can gain access to French-styled clothing and accessories for any occasion.

31 Million started as a fun venture in Amsterdam, where Franco-Iranian Nicky Adle was missing the action of Paris shopping and decided to spread the word that French women don’t have more taste than others but simply dress and eat according to implicit rules that together constitute the French Touch. Raised in Paris, Nicky has been living in and out of France for the past 15 years, has never (ever!) shopped outside her hometown, or given up on her French eating habits. Like most Parisians, she knows the capital’s shops, current styles and future trends.

On weekdays Nicky is an INSEAD MBA graduate and internet entrepreneur, currently launching wondersale.nl, a promotions and discounts webshop that activates on key calendar dates such as Sinterklaas, Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day.

Website: www.31million.net
Weblog: http://31million.blogspot.com/
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/31-Million-The-French-Touch/279785544491

Enjoy the class!

**SEATING IS LIMITED**
Be sure to register by clicking the register “as a guest” or “as a member” link above this post.
Participants are welcome to network from 19:00 to 20:00. The program begins at 20:00.

Registration and Guest Policy: Registration is required for members (15 Euros) and guests (guests are welcome at a cost of 35 Euro which includes snacks and drinks). Guests are allowed to attend two EuropeanPWN-Amsterdam functions per year. Please contact Caroline van Leuven, our VP Membership.

We started off the year with a fresh batch of mentors and mentees.  We had some excellent results.  New jobs have been landed.  Professional development in a present position and in a new business development are well on their way…

We’d like to welcome mentors, mentees and everyone interested in the mentoring process. Edith Punt will provide us with a mentoring model and invite mentors and mentees to discuss their mentoring progression and to provide insight to others considering becoming a mentor.  We will also start collecting mentor/mentee applications over the summer for our second round of matching to begin this fall.

This workshop will be facilitated by EuropeanPWN-Amsterdam member Edith Punt.

In 1985 Edith started her career as a human resources consultant in Bangkok, Thailand. Upon her return to the Netherlands (1995) she initially worked as a trainer/consultant with a focus on appraisal systems (Breda). Later she joined an international headhunter in Amsterdam. In January 1999 she started her own agency in Amsterdam. Her services focus on diversity and crosscultural management. She applies different systems to make individuals aware of their preferred styles of behaviour and patterns in decision making, against the backdrop of organizational goals and team dynamics. Since January 2003 she operates from Zwolle.

Participants are welcome to network from 19:00 to 20:00. The program begins at 20:00.

Registration and Guest Policy: Registration is required for members (no charge) and guests (guests are welcome at a cost of 25 Euro which includes snacks and drinks). Guests are allowed to attend two EuropeanPWN-Amsterdam functions per year. Please contact Caroline van Leuven, our VP Membership.

Please keep in mind participation in the mentoring program is for MEMBERS ONLY.

From Left to Right: Patty Kruiswijk, Manuela Roth (RSM ’10), Dianne Bevelander, Camilla Bjorkqvist (RSM ’10), Eleonore Breukel, Saskia Trurniet, and Ursula van Rozemeijer.

Women comprise about 30% of the students in the OneMBA and the percentage of women faculty is even less. While there are complex factors that might explain this, members of the 2010 and 2011 classes have decided to put women on the agenda.

The effort lead in large part by Camilla Björkqvist and Manuela Roth has focused on securing eminent business women to speak at OneMBA residencies. By connecting with women across the OneMBA community as well as the European Professional Women’s Network( EPWN), the kick-off on during the Spring 2009 RSM Residency featured Mirella Visser, Owner of the Center for Inclusive Leadership and the EuropeanPWN President. This conversation was continued when the class went to Istanbul and met with local women business leaders.

In September 2009 another panel took place with a group of Dutch women executives on the topics of “Women – the saviors of our economy?” With several courageous men participating in the audience, there was a lively and honest discussion.

At the EGADE Residency in November 2009, a Cemex executive, Irma Gomez shared her perspective on women, employment, and the economy in Mexico.

Events are in the works for Hong Kong and the the U.S. All alumni are invited to attend a session at the RSM Residency on April 8 2010 with Carien van der Laan, co-owner of Women Capital, and executive search firm specialized in women and placing them on top level positions. Van der Laan will address what to do with once you get an MBA and the value that women add in the executive ranks.

Some interesting statistics from the United States are worth sharing. According to the report The Economic Impact of Women-Owned Businesses in the United States by the American Center for Women’s Business Research and funded by the National Women’s Business Council and Wal-Mart, women-owned businesses contribute nearly $3 trillion to the U.S. economy and create or maintain 23 million jobs. If women-owned businesses were their own country, they would have the 5th largest GDP in the world, ahead of countries including France, the United Kingdom, and Italy. Anecdotally, many women say that they start their own business because they want to balance work and family and that they cannot break into the traditional male-dominated positions—or do not want to.

Members of the 2011 class are taking leadership to continue the discussion of the women in the OneMBA. Anyone in the OneMBA community can join the events organized by Women@OneMBA, men included. If you would like to know more about this initiative, please contact Manuela Roth or Camilla Bjorkqvist in the OneMBA2010 class.

For more news about the one MBA programs and to see the full newsletter click through to the one MBA website.

More Female Partners at the top 10 lawfirms

Breaking news: finally there seems be an increase in the number of female partners at the large law firms in the Netherlands. The total number of female partners has increased at the top 10 law firms from 57 last years to 61 this year, whereas the total number of partners decreased in that top 10 from 450 to 430. These data are published in De Stand van de Advocatuur 2010. On 26 March the first copy of this document will be handed over to Saskia Stuiveling, president of the general Court of Auditors and member of the Council of recommendation of the Dutch order of lawyers.

There is also less good news for the champions of diversity: at the top 10 last year  a total of 865 female lawyers worked, this year that number has decreased to 808. Also the number of male lawyers decreased, from 1,211 to 1,168. In terms of percentage the proportion male and female lawyers now amounts to at the top 10 of offices 59.4% for 40.6%, in contrast to last year 58.9% and 41.1%.

This text has been translated from: http://www.advocatie.nl

Misunderstandings, irritations, feelings of exclusion and a sense of inferiority, are daily challenges for non-native English speakers trying to communicate in the language of global business. What exactly happens and how can global organizations help employees become more effective in this intercultural language and its various communication styles?

Vast amounts of skill, expertise and knowledge remains hidden in organizations because of language and cultural barriers. Native Spanish, German, Dutch, Turkish, Chinese or Bahasa Indonesia speakers all make a daily effort to understand, speak and write English. Native English speakers try to understand the many variants of non-native speakers.

Together we try to get used to each other’s accents and accept the language mistakes inevitably made. We try to figure out what a good translation would be for a particular expression and how the words are to be interpreted and valued in our own language. We get lost in translation.

On many occasions the native English speakers form the majority at international meetings. They patiently watch how non-native speakers demolish their native language and still praise them on their command of English. Are native English speakers aware of the difficulties non-native speakers face and how this affects their feelings and the dynamics of a discussion or debate?

Download the poster

A recent survey of global CEO’s found that leaders in every industry and in every part of the world are emerging from a period of retrenchment and moving towards a vision of sustained growth, and that innovation is the preferred path to achieving that growth. Innovation has regained its central place in corporate life.

Dr. Fons Trompenaars will show how a winning team is made up of individuals who can demonstrate different strengths and, in fact, if a team does not embrace these different strengths, then it will not have the important dynamic to move forward and to innovate. For twenty years Fons Trompenaars has been interviewing leaders around the world, conducting seminars and advising their companies. His conclusions demonstrate how successful leaders have developed cross-cultural competences, the ability to ride what he calls “the waves of culture” and to reconcile the dilemmas involved.

Fons Trompenaars will show how to make culture work for your business. Listed regularly as one of the world’s most influential management thinkers, Trompenaars is recognized internationally for his work as consultant, trainer, motivational speaker and author of bestsellers on culture and business. Captivating and thought-provoking in his presentation style and backed by rigorous research, Trompenaars has contributed many breakthrough ideas on the deeper understanding and reconciliation of inter and intra-cultural diversity, creativity and innovation. Participants will learn how to deal with cross-cultural challenges and dilemmas as well as how to embrace an evolving innovation culture. Leaders must adopt new approaches to make them, their teams and their business more sustainable in these ‘whirlwind’ times.

Fons Trompenaars is author of the seminal book ‘Riding the Waves of Culture: Understanding Cultural Diversity in Business’. His latest bestseller ‘Riding the Whirlwind’, is a blueprint for developing a supportive culture that reinforces creativity and innovation for long term sustainability.

Participants are welcome to network from 19:00 to 20:00. The program begins at 20:00.

Registration and Guest Policy: Registration is required for members (no charge) and guests (guests are welcome at a cost of 45 Euro or ladies can become a member for a little extra). Snacks and drinks included. Guests are allowed to attend two EuropeanPWN-Amsterdam functions per year.

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Watch Fons Trompenaars on Innovation:

From NRC on October 22, 2009, pointing to the list of “100 Most Powerful Women” from Opzij magazine, covering areas such as public works, politics, sports, law, business, healthcare, education, culture, media, and non-profit:

• Zapkliklees: De honderd vrouwen met meeste invloed
• De 100 Machtigste Vrouwen van Nederland

How to Improve Your Relationships at Work Using ‘The Work’ of Byron Katie by Sagar Simon

“My Boss doesn’t listen.”
“No one does what I ask.”
“My boss doesn’t appreciate me.”

Thoughts like these enter our minds throughout the day and cause us to experience stress, anger, fear, depression, and other negative emotions. When we live with these thoughts, our lives become difficult, painful, and confusing. Whether you are having difficulty with someone in your life, or simply tired of feeling anxious about seeking love, approval, and appreciation from others, this workshop is for you.

This workshop is designed to give you the experience of applying the work of Byron Katie’s four questions and turnarounds to your stressful thoughts in your work place, about relationships with co-workers, employers and employees that lead to anxiety, anger, depression, and an inability to act with clarity.

The Work, is a way to end confusion, miscommunication and frustration in the work place. Through 4 simple questions and a turn around, you will learn to free yourself from stress and feelings of being unappreciated or the daily unhealthy frustrations of work situations. You will learn to apply this technique to any situation that arises. Come and join me for this evening if you want to challenge your thinking.

This workshop is about identifying and recognizing thoughts that cause us stress at work. Most of the time we recognize the emotion or the feeling but you don’t recognize the thought that drives you.

PLEASE NOTE: This evening is not for everybody. Some people don’t agree with the work of Byron Katie. To find out if it is something for you, please download and read the excerpt of her book, Loving What Is , before you sign up for the event.

Also, if possible, fill out the Judge Your Neighbor worksheet before you come to the workshop. And there will be time to fill it out at the workshop.

You can find valuable information:

• about me at: www.changeyourmindchangeyourlife.org
• on The Work at: www.thework.com
• additional resources found here: Byron Katie - More Resources