Dutch telecom giant KPN is launching an affirmative action programme for women in top management posts.

In an interview with the Volkskrant, KPN CEO Ad Scheepbouwer notes the number of women among its top management currently accounts for just 17 percent. The figure, he says, is too low and needs to be raised. As prior attempts to do so have produced little improvement, the company has decided that from now on only women will be considered for certain posts. The company still needs to determine the exact number and nature of the functions. KPN is thought to be the first large company to start an affirmative action policy for women. On Monday Parliament is to discuss a proposal by the Labour Party aimed at boosting the number of women in top management to 30 percent.

Source: Radio Netherlands Worldwide

From FT.com:

• FT top 50 women in world business

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Let’s go GOLFING!!

Dorhout Mees B.V.
Strandgaperweg 30
8256 PZ Biddinghuizen (NL)
Tel.: 0321-331138
Fax.: 0321-331057

Meeting at the club house 13:00
Tee off for experienced golfers at 13:30
Lesson for beginners at 13:30
Borrel at 17:30 with prizes

Our golf pro is Peter Ackerley. Peter is a golf pro since 1966. He has twice won the Dutch National Golf Championship and has played on the European Tour Circuit. Since 1984, Peter is a professional golfing instructor.

The Course “http://www.dorhoutmees.nl”

Dorhout Mees is in Flevoland (about 45 min/1 hour from Amsterdam and Utrecht). The course is good and there are 4 9-hole courses, which means that we can play at our leisure. Flevoland can be windy which makes a bit of a challenge to the average golfer. The course, while challenging, is not exceptionally difficult.

Peter suggests the following program.

for the golfers: 18 holes tournament
for the beginners: 1.5 hours learn a bit of golf: swing, chip and putt + 0.5 hour break + 1 hour on the par 3 course to play some holes

Peter will provide the lesson and take care of the beginners while the experienced golfers are on the course.

Early birds are welcome to reserve a table in the restaurant for lunch before-hand.

Folks that rather stay on after the borrel are also encouraged to make dinner reservations with the restaurant. (You are free to adapt the pre/after program to your Saturday schedule).

Anna is handling the web & logistics.

FEES – the precise cost will vary based on the number of participants. We are trying to keep the lesson, green fees, and practice balls inclusive golfing price to about 50 Euros (very very reasonable).

If you are less mobile – we have not yet included the cost of a golf cart (for example) that would cost extra. Just let me know and I will make the necessary arrangements. Also if you are an experienced golfer but need to hire clubs – that is also not presently included in the price. (not to worry: Clubs are included in the lesson package).

REFRESHMENTS – are not included in the “inclusive” golfing price and will be paid per consumption on site.

Andrea van der Loos is our member golfer-liason with the pro and course. (She will answer “inhoudelijk” questions).
Rieke is the instigator of this activity. (She gets credit for organizing).

We look forward to welcoming you on the links!
If you don’t want to golf but do want to join – you are also welcome to keep Anna company in the clubhouse.

If the weather is truly terrible we can reschedule for the 24th.  Do come rain or shine on the 10th.  The weather in Amsterdam is not the same as in Flevoland.

If you need transportation – please contact Anna and she will be happy to help you to coordinate.  Please also specify if you will be joining the lesson or the round with Andrea.

Organisational Savvy for Women

What makes an individual successful in the “political arena”? According to research successful politicians possess both mental empowerment (they “think and feel” positively about politics) and the skills to build a powerful reputation, network and presence within the organization.

Plenty of women excel at public relations, relationship building and conduct themselves with style and grace. All of this comes easy to women. Research shows that women are more intuitive, able to use both the right and left side of their brains simultaneously and more emotionally intelligent. They possess the skills that lead to success in the political arena.

So why do women struggle with “being political”?

Michelle Brailsford, founding partner of Jupiter Consulting Group, will codify the rules of the game to help you identify our power source, how you are perceived, and to read the organisational politics in situations. With this knowledge you will be able to develop strategies to gain power, build alliances, manage perceptions about yourselves and your teams and to be “political whilst maintaining your ethics”.

If you have ever:

• Been unable to sell a great idea

• Failed to receive credit for work well done

• Been underestimated or pigeon holed

• Felt left out of a key network

• Found you had a negative image or reputation within your company

• Been unable to uncover the hidden success criteria of the organisation

… you may have underestimated the impact politics can have on your success. This event will open your eyes and help you to be more successful in the political game.

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.

From Forbes.com:

• The World’s 100 Most Power Women

Electronics & Automation 2009

High Tech Heels, from design to manufacturing

Buzzing with anticipation and energy! You know that type of event, nothing has happened yet – and the room is electric. That was the sort of environment pre-existing in the Croesezaal at the Jaarbeurs in Utrecht on the 29^th of May. While I do experience that feeling on a regular basis at EuropeanPWN events, I don’t often come across it in my work conferences.

Equality is enshrined as a principle at the heart of the European Union, yet only about one-third of Euro MPs are women. Gender discrimination remains widespread in Europe.

Here European Commission Vice-President Margot Wallstrom explains why she is campaigning to get more women into senior EU positions. This is part of a viewpoint series ahead of the June European elections.

From BBC News:

• Viewpoint: A fair deal for women

Can women bankers and investment managers get us out of the economic mess that their male colleagues got us into? Will it take women to ensure the future health of the financial sector?

Halla Tomasdottir and Kristin Petursdottir are convinced the answer is yes.

From BBC News:

• The women who want to save banking

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