Startup & SME academy 'The art of pitching' - sme event - spouses - ADB-DutchCham
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june/july 2016
www.adb.org.sg
sme event
Startup & SME academy
‘The art of pitching’
... page 2
company visit event spouses
Vroon - On Board Visit Follow your dream
... page 4 … page 13
°°°°°°°°°°°
Board Members
° ° ° ° Klaar Komen?! ° ° ° °
OMG! I was overwhelmed by a sense of anxiety when I received an
Joep Ottervanger email from “klaar.komen@hotmail.com”. How did that happen?
President Wasn’t I always careful not to click on dodgy emails (at least not on
Attorney at Law and Partner
Loyens & Loeff my office computer). How did this pass the firewall?
It took me a few seconds to gather my thoughts and snap back from
Tom Smeenk momentary amnesia. This was not some sex mail, I had misread
Honorary Treasurer the email address, it was Klaartje Koman; my childhood friend!
Business Development Manager
LNG Asia
Royal Vopak We grew up together and went to the same school. We called her
Klaartje. But after she sprouted in puberty that name did not do
Aleid Schoenmaeckers-de
her justice anymore. Klaartje quickly outgrew me and most of our
Savornin Lohman friends, and when she reached 1.8+ meter, it was “Klaar” going
Member forward. Wow! that was weird “Klaar Koman”. I guess her parents
Senior Legal Counsel
AdventBalance had not seen that one coming.
Klaar’s name thingy reminded me of a similar event with a tax
Peter Bloemsma
Member trainee during my work stint in New York. We shared an office.
Relocation Advisor One day I heard him introducing himself over the phone to a client:
Executive Homes
“Hello, I’m a Crook, yes I’m a tax advisor. Nice to meet you!”. I
could not help but wonder if the client was convinced with the
introduction. Entirely driven by good intentions I shouted out:
Reinder Peek
Member
“Imme”, “Imme Krook”, “that’s what you should say! Simply, in
General Manager Salvage (Asia) plain, very plain, Dutch!” The poor boy was startled and never
SMIT Singapore Pte Ltd dared to speak with an American accent again in my presence.
When I told my friends about my email experience they raised
Thomas van Dusseldorp the topic of ‘Shame names & Fame names’ (which by the way,
Chief Editor
Regional Manager was something I had never heard of before). Their recollection
Van Aalst Singapore Pte Ltd of infamous names was astonishing. I am sharing with you some
graphic examples which sometimes are just too good to be true
(but they are): Ferry Kuhlman, Pim Mol, Arend Ooievaar, Cock
Wenneke Vrugt-Repko Ringeling, Beau ter Ham and my personal favorite: Coos Busters
General Manager
(who you’re gone call?!).
Communication & Graphic Design
Founder of Triple You Design
Although sometimes incredibly stupid, I am inclined to believe that
parents act unknowingly in giving dubious names to their young.
As a matter of fact, I should be grateful to Klaar’s parents because
without them I wouldn’t have had a catchy title, and you probably
wouldn’t have been reading this.
So here’s to all the crazy names, let’s enjoy the fun and silly things
in life!
°°°
The ADB connects ... Joep Ottervanger ...
Dutch Professionals
in Singapore.
°°° 1
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
In this issue
1 Prologue
2 The Art of Pitching - Life’s a pitch
4 Vroon - On Board Visit
6 Entrepreneurship & IT
8 Spread the joy
9 From the Dutch Embassy :
Gabby van Herpt
10 Cool Apps – Leisure
11 Business starter:
Mirjam van Beek – Loos
13 Spouses in Singapore - José Sintnicolaas
14 G.r.a.t.i.s. in Singapore
16 Hash? In Singapore?
17 Culture Talk - G’day mate!
18 Why you should not live life to the max
19 Personal Finance – Social Security
Benefits in Singapore
20 Black-and-white tour - 2016
22 ADB News – Announcements,
member info and more
The Art of Pi
24 Column – Kristel Zweers
Singapore’s Urban Jungle ... By Peter Bloemsma . Photos by Wenneke Vrugt-Repko ...
On Monday 16th of May we had the official
launch of the Startup and SME Academy!
What is the Startup and SME Academy?
The Dutch Chamber of Commerce Singapore (DutchCham), the
Association of Dutch Business people (ADB) and the Embassy
of the Kingdom of the Netherlands have joined forces to
organize a series of interactive events under the name Startup
and SME Academy. With the Academy, DutchCham, ADB
and the Embassy strive to consolidate their efforts to provide
Cover photo: source www.dwell.com relevant content and networking opportunities for the Dutch
professional Startup and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
The Parkroyal hotel and office building (SME) community in Singapore and for local stakeholders keen
features sculptural outdoor gardens, on working together with Dutch Startups and SME’s.
also referred to as ‘vertical ecosystem’.
Singapore combines urban growth The events will be aimed at sharing knowledge and experience
with jungle. as well as inspiring entrepreneurs and SME’s to potentially
enhance their business. There will be rotating lunch and
evening sessions.
2
tching – Life’s a pitch
Lunch sessions are focused on sharing knowledge and were discussed within the group. Lessons learned from
experience. Each session will be led by one or more this discussion: every pitch is different depending on your
experts regarding a particular topic with plenty of time for product/service, cultural habits and your audience.
questions, discussion and networking.
Mr Hans Akerboom, Deputy Head of Mission of the
Evening sessions are focused on networking, inspiring Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Singapore
and pitching. During each session one or more speakers took to the stage and shared some lessons on how to
will share their knowledge and experience about a specific deal with the press/media, for example, always present a
topic, industry or business skill. Attendees will also have the consistent message.
possibility to pitch a business idea after the speaker (max.
3 min) and receive on the spot feedback. At the end of the Then there was some time scheduled for the participants
evening there will be plenty of opportunities to network to “practise” their pitch to the group. Joeri, Hans
during the drinks. and Michael Lints, Venture Partner at Golden Gate
Ventures gave instant feedback and we had some group
The event started at 17:30 at the office of AccelerAsia, discussions on how and where these pitches could
who hosted and sponsored the event. be improved. Michael concluded the session with his
lessons learned as an investor in Startup companies.
20 participants registered for the event. Joeri Gianotten,
Founding Partner at AcceleAsia, kicked off the event with Saloua Ouchan from Dutchcham, who facilitated the
a questionnaire to be filled out by all participants. All evening summarized the evening and we ended the official
statements were about what would be important when kick off with drinks and a nice BBQ in the lovely setting of
you’re doing a pitch. The answers were shared by Joeri and the AccelerAsia office.•
3
21 April 2016 Vroon - On ... Text & photos by Peter Bloemsma ... During the Singapore Maritime week, Singapore was treated to a visit by two of the latest state-of- the-art Platform Supply Vessels operated by Vroon B.V. Vroon B.V., is a Dutch family-owned shipping company with a diversified fleet of 200 Vessels worldwide. Apart from the 110 offshore vessels operated by Vroon Offshore, Vroon operates a fleet of livestock carriers, wind turbine installation vessels, dry cargo vessels, container vessels, chemical tankers, bitumen carriers and car carriers. A selective group of ADB members was welcomed on the Vos Prince by CEO Filip Olde Bijvank who began with a safety briefing.
Board Visit
After a nice demo movie and a general presentation about After the group picture was taken, it was time to go
Vroon, the group was divided into smaller groups of 8. back onshore. Just right next to the vessel a private area in
Each subgroup had a tour of the vessel. From the engine a restaurant/bar was reserved, where all ADB members
room, the hospital, the working place, kitchen to the were invited for some finger food and drinks.
bridge, no place we didn’t see!
On behalf of all the ADB members, we would like to thank
And all our questions were answered by the very Vroon, Filip and the vessel’s crew, for sponsoring this nice
supportive crew. event and making their time available to us!!! •
5
Entrepreneurship & IT
... By Marte van der Hoeven ...
... Photo by Jordy Bish ...
On a sunny morning in buzzing Holland
Village I am meeting up with fellow ADB
member Robbert Gelissen, who started his
own business after his move to Singapore
in 2008, following his wife Susan van Boxtel
(Innovation Advisor at the Netherlands
Embassy). Robbert is beaming with
enthusiasm, eager to share his SME story and
speaks passionately about his ICT expertise.
He started his entrepreneurial adventure back
in The Netherlands and founded Gelissen
Computers in 2003. With this enterprise
going well, it was only natural for Robbert to
restart his business in Singapore. Last year,
he renamed his company to ICTSTART, being
tired of spelling out the long name.
What type of company is ICTSTART? disk had crashed and all wedding - and baby photos of their
ICTSTART is a one-man-shop for a broad range of IT/ICT first-born son were lost. Surely you can imagine this private
services. My passion and strength lie in solving computer client was very grateful that I retrieved all photos. And of
issues, no matter how big or small. My clients range from course I helped to back-up regularly to a home server and
Singapore offices of global MNCs, foreign and Singaporean to the cloud. Foreign companies hire me to help them set up
SMEs and private clients. The range of services are equally and support their local office.
wide: everything from a successful office start-up, manage
the relocation of a complete (office) IT network to data A good example is the Dutch company Witteveen+Bos. I
recovery and preventive maintenance. To give an example, liaised with their IT-department in The Netherlands to kick-
some time ago a client called me in tears as the laptop hard- start their office in 2014, and have been supporting their
ICTSTART Singapore
IT PROJECT M A N AGEM ENT & SERV I CE
MaIntenanCe Laptop, desktop, data recovery, reinstallation.
InstallatIon Corporate and home network.
ConsultanCy Liaison between providers and external IT department.
ConfIguratIon Applications, e-mail and cloud services, Apple, Windows, Linux
and advanced wireless solutions.
Call 24/7 for an appointment: +65 8189 5747 robbert@ictstart.com www.ictstart.com
6
Singapore office with maintenance of servers, laptops and I foresee that companies will have less servers installed and
other trouble shooting ever since. move data to the cloud and software-as-a-service needs.
Another world trend we are all aware of is that everything
In what way is running an SME in The Netherlands will be more and more connected; phone, laptop, TV, home
different from Singapore? security and even refrigerators. I also see more people
My company changes with the needs and requests from my working flexibly, outside the office, and they do need safe
clients. In Singapore I have more SME and MNC clients access to all data wherever they may be. Related to this
than back in The Netherlands. In terms of the client base, I see a rise in Mac security problems as a result of the
I notice a similar development, shifting steadily over the expanded user group (it’s more lucrative now to target the
years from largely private clients to mainly corporate Mac users). For me, this means I foresee an increase in
clients. In Singapore I have to interact much more with advisory services and setting up efficient networks and with
the service providers and local authorities on behalf of my all the flex-workers I may find myself trouble-shooting in
clients than I had to do in Holland. This is partly due to the the most unexpected places.
language and cultural barriers as well as the fact most expat
clients are not well informed of the local service network Can you share some tips for ADB entrepreneurs about
and procedures in place. Working with local clients also to embark their own business adventure?
adds an extra dimension to my work as for example they Stay focused on your strengths, try to remain flexible
meticulously read their contracts and sometimes forget I and open-minded to find your niche. And of course: if you
don’t understand the Asian characters on their screens. need advice on how to start your business with proper
IT solutions for your current needs and even future needs,
Looking forward, what trends do you see and how •
give me a call.
may they impact your business?
7
Spread the joy
... By Pleun Brevet . Photo by Marja Klein-Scheffer ...
The volunteers of NCA work hard to raise money for the less fortunate in
Singapore. They man the stands at fairs, help at the garage sales and work all
year to make the Charity Christmas Fair a magical event. But the question the
board hears most is: who do they work so hard for?
Want to
Next Next Charity volunteer as
Garage Sale: Christmas Fair: well? Send us an
23 October 17 November email: fairs@
2016 2016 nca.org.sg
The point of it all was to get to know each other a little bit
better. The NCA beneficiaries got to know the people behind
the annual cheque, and the NCA volunteers got to know the
charities and at the same time a whole new motivation to
raise money for NCA.
But most importantly: we all had great fun! No matter
where you came from, the daily struggle was forgotten by
Working in the Willing Hearts soup kitchen everyone and replaced by new adventures, laughter and of
course beautiful prizes in the case of the Bingo.•
To connect NCA volunteers with the charities they
raise money for, the board organized a few small events
NCA (Netherlands Charity Association) is an independent,
together with the charities: a cooking crew went to Willing
non-profit organization established in 1968 that raises
Hearts Soup Kitchen, there was a picnic in the park for funds to support carefully selected Singaporean
the residents of Good Shepherd Shelter (who are there charities, projects and initiatives. We depend entirely
because they are victim of (domestic) abuse) and we on contributions and donations. Almost 100% of our
proceeds go directly to a women shelter, families in need
bingo-ed with the residents of Silra (ex-leprosy patients,
and elderly people. More info nca.org.sg.
who are now all elderly as well).
8from the dutch embassy
Introducing
Gabby van Herpt
Liaison Officer Startups and
Communication Officer at the
Dutch Embassy
... By Katrijn de Ronde ...
Gabby van Herpt joined the Embassy in national, European and finally worldwide
the beginning of 2015. Although her desk supplier of quality health food.
is hidden from view inside the office, her
enthusiasm and sense of humour have spread As entrepreneur and business owner, Gabby
far beyond the walls of the Embassy. We lived through all the phases of a company’s
count on her for our daily dose of Dutchness- development: from the small self-starting
in-Singapore as the mastermind behind the beginnings to the managing of a team to an
Embassy’s popular Facebook page. independent business that runs smoothly
even when the owner moves across the ocean
Communication, VIP visits and startups to Singapore. Eventually though, Gabby will
As the communication and information completely assign the management of the
officer, Gabby’s role extends far and wide company to the Netherlands, to let go of the
beyond the scope of Facebook. She designs old and focus on new adventures. Luckily for
the Embassy’s digital presence, coordinates the Embassy, she is now able to share her
promotional campaigns and manages experience and knowledge to support the
content across platforms such as the website, Startup & SME Academy.
Linkedin, Twitter, Instagram and, of course,
Facebook. Startup & SME Academy
The Embassy actively supports Dutch
In addition to managing all forms of startups in Singapore, both new ventures
communication, Gabby has a portfolio of and new branches from existing startups and
projects, in particular startups and the newly companies. The Embassy can link businesses
launched SME Academy. She also organizes with local enterprises, or one of the 1,000
VIP visits such as Jan-Peter Balkenende’s Dutch companies based in Singapore. It can
most recent visit and the visit of state open doors to the Singapore government and
secretary for education, Sander Dekker. If advise startups on all the opportunities and
this seems like a lot, you don’t know Gabby. challenges in Singapore.
If you want to get something done, get Gabby
involved. In order to best offer support and advice,
the Embassy, ADB and the DutchCham have
Successful business owner together set up the Startup & SME Academy.
As a former successful business owner, Gabby For more information, call Gabby!
has a special affinity for startups, small
and medium enterprises. Before arriving Gabby van Herpt
in Singapore, Gabby set up Vitami.nl, an Liaison Officer Startups / Communication
online shop in health supplements, nutrition Tel. (+65) 6739 1126
and cosmetics. Originally, an extension of E-mail: gabby-van.herpt@minbuza.nl
the existing family business, it grew to be a Web: singapore.nlambassade.org
9Cool Apps – Leisure
... By Claire Mutsaerts ...
No matter how you want to spend your free time, there are useful apps that can help you
make use of this time more efficiently. If it is reading a book or if you want to plan a nice
day or evening out, these apps can help you:
Kobo Honestbee
Read books on your phone or tablet! Kobo offers over Why go the supermarket if you can read a book,
4 million titles from books and magazines, and there go the movies or a nice restaurant?
are 10 different languages available. By now everyone will know Redmart, and other
You can customize the style and size of the text and supermarkets, like Fairprice and Coldstorage, who
put the light on night mode before you go to sleep. do deliveries. But what if you want your yoghurt
Create an account and you can access the book you from Coldstorage and your veggies from another?
were reading from different devices and add notes, Honestbee will give you a personal shopper and
bookmarks and keep track of where you left off. 40,000 products from different shops to choose from.
If you are in a hurry, they also do same-day or
one-hour deliveries.
Available on Android and iOS Available on Android and iOS
The Entertainer Popcorn
This app offers many “Buy One Get One Free” for Unfortunately, this app is only available for i-phone,
restaurants, beauty salons, health & fitness centres, because it is a useful app if you are a frequent movie-
leisure activities and many more. I can actually try goer. The app will give you an overview of what films
it out for free by having, for example, a meal in your are now in the cinemas, but you can also activate
neighbourhood and pay half! They have deals with 325 the notifications to know when a new movie you are
merchants, offering you a 2 for 1 deal from Ben and desperate to see is in the theatres. The app also tells
Jerrys to a proper restaurant like The Study. you when the time slot you want is selling out.
Available on Android and iOS Available on iOS
10Business starter:
Mirjam van Beek – Loos
... By Claire Mutsaerts ...
Mirjam van Beek - Loos, mother of 2 boys, came to Singapore last August,
when her husband was asked to move here, by his company Air France/KLM.
Before they arrived here, they lived in Dubai for 3 years, where Mirjam started
her own company in recruitment in the hospitality sector. Now that she is in
Singapore she is looking into the market here as well.
About Mirjam Hospitality
“I grew up in Nijkerk and went to high school in I started “Executives for Hospitality”, together with my
Amersfoort, after which I moved to Groningen to study business partner Ravalona, after I was in Dubai for one year.
Business Economics (Specialization in Operation & Supply We recruit candidates for middle and higher management
Chain Management), at the University. After my graduation positions for hotels and restaurants. One event, which is
I moved to Amsterdam and started my first job as Team quite interesting for us, is the ATM, the Arabian Travel
Leader with Getronics (now KPN). I then switched to the Market. All the hotels and hospitality groups of the Middle
oil and gas sector and started working for East region are represented so this is a good
Frames Group B.V. I am still working for opportunity for us to meet potential clients.
this company and I am responsible for the Most of our clients are in Dubai but we also
worldwide approvals of our business units have clients in Oman, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi,
with our clients. For this position it does not Sharjah and even in Saudi Arabia. We work
matter where you are located because you with different job portals, use LinkedIn
need to be in touch with all the International extensively and check our own network to
Offices, as well as HQ and the business units find the right candidates. We also work with
in the Netherlands. partners in the UK and Ukraine. In some
cases, there is a special need for a certain
Moving to Singapore nationality and by partnering up with them
My husband is Financial Director at Air we are able to fulfill this need of the client.
France/KLM and about 6 years ago we moved There appears for example to be a demand
to Cairo for his job. We were there when the for Bar Managers from the UK or who have
Revolution started and that made quite an impact on us. experience working in pubs in London. By partnering up we
I left the country in a hurry and stayed in the Netherlands are able to bring these candidates to the UAE.
for three weeks until all had calmed down a bit. Our next
posting was Dubai where we lived for 3 years. We moved It seems that big hotel chains usually have their own
to Singapore last August with our sons Yorick (4) and in-house recruitment team and in general these are not
Laurens (3). The first thing I noticed was the nice trees. the clients we are focusing on. We tend to look at the
Dubai only has palm trees and sand so this was a very less famous brands and also the hospitality groups. For
pleasant surprise for me. I think the quality of life is more Singapore I am expecting it to be the same, that big brands
or less the same as in Dubai so I am looking forward to our have their own recruitment department but this is part
stay here. Of course I would have liked to stay a bit longer of the research I am currently doing for the Singaporean
in Dubai because of my own company but that was not market. My first impression is that there are not many
possible due to my husband’s work. I think we have found recruitment companies that focus solely on hospitality so
a nice balance now; I skype my business partner almost that would be interesting to look into. I have been told that
daily and try to fly to Dubai every 6 to 8 weeks. The good hotels have cooperation agreements with schools so I will
thing about being in Singapore now is that this gives us the be doing research for this as well. It would be great if we can
opportunity to expand our business in Asia. extend our business here in Asia. •
1112
° ° ° ° Spouses in Singapore ° ° ° °
José Sintnicolaas
... By Pleun Brevet ...
Growing up in a family with
12 brothers and sisters, José
knew she needed a job
that would provide a stable
income. Going to the Art
academy was therefore not
an option and she pursued
a career in business with
Adecco. For about 15 years
she worked on and off for
Adecco in various functions
until she decided to change
course and follow her long-
cherished dream.
José really enjoyed her time at Adecco, but changes in the started working on her Earth series, abstracts in mixed
industry made her quit. “When I started it was all about media. “I love to create expressive abstracts with strong
people and finding a good fit between people and work and colours and different textures, preferably on big canvasses.
knowing people personally. In her last job working as an I get my inspiration from nature; as a kid I already had a
account manager she experienced that the tenders were profound love for nature, encouraged by my father and
all about the lowest rates. As she did not believe in this the uncountable hiking tours we did. While travelling
approach she decided to find a new destiny. other continents I discovered the overwhelming beauty of
nature and I use the colours, structures and shapes in my
“Our family business was an interior decoration business, work.” Her Earth series is a celebration of our planet, so
and it not only taught me about working hard and how to beautiful but yet so rapidly destroyed by humans. Through
run a business, I also learned about textiles and design, her artwork, she tries to create more awareness to save
colours and structures of materials. I knew I was creative our planet.
and while I chose a business career at first, I now was ready
to pursue my art.” In 2007 José started at the Academy To José, being in Asia is a mixed blessing. “I have a lot of
of Fine Arts in Arendonk, Belgium, chosen because they opportunities here that I wouldn’t have in the Netherlands,
offered a classical education and José wanted to learn all so that part is great. But on the other hand abstract work
the techniques properly so she would have options.” is not as popular here as it is in Europe or the US for
instance.” Generally speaking, Asians like figurative work
In 2012 José and her family moved to Shanghai, where better and that is not José’s style. But thankfully she does
she met another artist and they decided to share a studio sell her paintings in Singapore to companies. “Apparently
to work in. “Janine taught me a lot about being an artist my works are very suitable for corporates because of the
and showed me new ways to get my work in front of an size and subjects.” José donates part of the proceeds to
audience.” This adventure ended about two years later charity, to help others make a difference. “Together we can
when José followed her husband to Singapore. Here she make the world a better place.” •
13G.r.a.t.i.s. in Singapore
Summer is here and during the holidays Singapore has tons of free stuff to offer. So
grab your umbrella and water bottle and go explore the urban jungle that is Singapore!
... By Pleun Brevet ...
Photo: Animal Resort Photo: google maps
The Animal Resort Lian Shan Shuang Lin
“Looking back at those days, where kids run freely and Monastery
domesticated animals are roaming around their home,
it is so hard to find such place these days to relive those When driving on the PIE, ever wondered what is behind
moments and to let our kids to experience it first-hand.” these walls? Well it’s the Lian Shan Shuang Lin Monastery
This is the philosophy of the founders of the animal resort, a and it is, in one word, beautiful. Everyone can walk in (but
place where. people and animals live side by side. Their aim remember, dress appropriately!). The temple was originally
is to provide every kid and their family with an opportunity founded in 1898, but the construction of the premises only
to meet and pet rabbits, dogs, pigs, birds, etc. “It’s a great began in 1902 by Low Kim Pong and was completed in
way to introduce the kids to the good old kampong days.” 1907. The monastery became a national monument in 1980
Entrance is free, and the resort does sell food packages you and subsequently underwent a decade-long restoration
can feed to the animals. The resort is not huge. It will take that began in 1991. The temple now boasts a seven storey
about an hour to go around. gold-topped pagoda which is a replica of the 800-year-old
Shanfeng temple pagoda in Fujian.
81 Seletar West Farmway 5, Singapore 798061
Tel : +65 6482 1160 184 Jalan Toa Payoh, Singapore 319944
Improvise to improve
creativity, innovation, communication, teamwork and leadership.
Improvisation training
by Kristel Zweers
Learn how to be open to new ideas, have flexibility in thought and action, take risks, work
within ambiguity and uncertainty and confidently move forward
Contact: +6597115624 info@kristelzweers.nl
14Photo: Pleun Brevet Photo: goingplacessingapore.sg
Singapore’s very own Civil Defence Heritage
hot spring Gallery and Lookout Tower
Tucked away in the northern tip of Singapore of With 30 meters being the tallest tower in Singapore until
Sembawang Air Base, this natural hot spring evokes a the 1930s, the Central Fire Station Lookout Tower was used
rustic element for those who come for its water. The waters to spot smoke from fires around the island until fire alarms
here are believed to have healing properties, so it is a were installed in 1915.
common sight to see visitors collecting pails of hot spring You can book a guided tour to ascend the 30-metre
water to soak in. Lookout Tower and experience how firemen in the early part
At some point there were plans to turn it into a of the 20th century used to spot smoke from fires. You can
commercial venture. But those plans fell through because also visit the Civil Defence Heritage Gallery just next door.
nobody could figure out where the water came from and Gazetted as a National Monument in 1998, the
whether it was sustainable. Well the hot springs have distinctive red-and-white building continues to function as
been around for over 100 years, so we think it’s pretty a fire station to this day. The building was also one of the
sustainable! Architectural Heritage Award winners in 2002.
Don’t be mistaken: it’s a far cry from the luxurious hot
springs you visit when you travel overseas but why complain Central Fire Station, 62 Hill Street, Singapore, 179367.
when you don’t need to fork out a single cent? And it is a Guided tours to the Lookout Tower are held on Tuesdays
fun visit for young and old. and Fridays from 7pm to 8pm. More info and booking:
www.scdf.gov.sg > Community & Volunteers > Visit SCDF
There is no actual address, but you can find very Establishments > CD Heritage Gallery
detailed instructions on how to get there here: http:// On the SCDF site you can also find information on
thesmartlocal.com/read/sembawang-hot-spring. visiting the Singapore fire stations. Another free thing to
do in Singapore.
Walk with Singapore
Footprints
Led by a group of walking enthusiasts from NTU, Singapore
Footprints organizes three different walking tours that
take place on the weekend. The walkaholics (as they call
themselves) in the yellow t-shirts happily guide you through
Bras Basah & Bugis, the civic district and/or Chinatown.
Reservations are not required, but it is recommended to check
the website whether the tours are on or not. The guides are
students and in exam periods they tend to skip certain days.
Photo: Singapore Footprints
For more info and the schedule: singaporefootprints.com
15Hash? In Singapore?
... By Erik Blokhuis & Thomas van Dusseldorp ...
Sporting like running is healthy. Running with friends is pleasant. And running outdoors
with friends can be a pleasant way to further explore Singapore. For every day’s
‘maintenance’ run, one can just follow any street. For those who are more serious, now
and then run at one of the many tracks in Singapore. But have you ever considered
combining running with enjoying Singapore’s many uncultivated nature areas?
If you are a (trail) runner, you may have heard about followed by the remainder of the group. Typically a trail
“Hashing”. (Not to be confused with the intoxicating will measure anything between 6 and 10km depending on
vegetation, note CE). The concept started as a social the sort of terrain. After each run the group gathers and
running club in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 1938 by a socialises with some ice-cold beers and good food. Hash
group of British officials and expatriates. In 1962, the events are open for all ages, genders and fitness levels
second chapter was founded in Singapore. At present there against a minimal fee only.
are almost two thousand chapters worldwide making it the
world’s largest amateur sporting organisation. Wanna join? Just google hash anywhere in the world! •
Hashing is a more adventurous version of a British paper
chase where one or more members lay a trail which is then (Hash House Harriers Singapore)
C inderella
employment agency
Phone
Website
Email
FB
: +65 94502950
: www.cinderella.com.sg
: contact@cinderella.com.sg
: www.facebook.com.sg/cinderella.sgp
Searching for a full time maid/ helper?
We have many great candidates who are experienced, trustworthy, with strong
reference from previous employer and a proven track record. All our candidates
are available for a personal interview
Cinderella, a Maid Agency managed and owned by Dutch expats who immigrated
to Singapore and Singaporeans who lived overseas.
Registration No. : 13C6750 │EA Lic. No. : R1332619 │545 Orchard Rd │ #03‐36 │238882│Singapore
16Culture Talk - G’day mate!
... By Lisette Davis ...
Successful communication is difficult,
G’day mate,
even when you think you’re prepared.
Rob Hendriks is HR Business Partner at
Zurich Insurance Singapore and an
experienced expat. He has lived in the UK,
Australia, Indonesia and now Singapore.
How’z it going?
Most people assume that from a cultural
point of view, the move to Asia looks like
the most significant step. It isn’t.
“When I started working in the UK, I was invited to attend negotiation. And keep in mind: punctuality is important so
a board meeting on my first day. It seemed like a great no Dutch we-always-start-5-minutes-late.”
opportunity to meet my colleagues. That morning I stepped
into the meeting room, introduced myself to everyone No western culture, so no Asian culture as well. “Working in
with a firm handshake and sat down. The response of my multiple countries in Asia I see the differences very clearly.
colleagues was somewhat tame but I blamed it on the In Singapore lunch is important but in Indonesia all lights
Monday morning blues. automatically go out: lunch is social time and not working time.
The next day, during my English business course, the In Singapore the unemployment rate is low, it’s easy to find
proper business introduction came up. Guess what? The another job. Combined with the flexible labour law, it leads
custom is to walk into the room, sit down quietly and wait to a lack of intrinsic motivation and the focus on salary.
till the chairman introduces you. Oops.” Changing jobs without a raise is unthinkable in Singapore.
The concept of one ‘western culture’ is not correct. The Another remarkable characteristic is the pressure on
culture of the UK is quite different compared to the Dutch, achievements. We Dutch are often satisfied with the
more hierarchical and formal. Compare this to Australia proverbial ‘six’. In Singapore children start learning very
(a former British colony) and you find other contradictory early and are pressured to be the best. The reason is their
habits like the popular ‘G’day, mate’ and other colourful moral obligation to enhance the family pride, bad behaviour
language that would be unthinkable in business in other will bring shame to the family.
western countries.
Korea is even worse: if you don’t belong to the absolute top,
“For my relocation to Australia we had the luxury of a you’re nothing. Its society has placed so much emphasis on
3-day culture course. We also discussed aspects of living academic achievement that it makes those who are unable
in Australia. It was enlightening, but you can only truly to achieve it feel left out.
experience the culture when you’re actually there. You think
we Dutch are direct? Try living in Australia. As an HR professional I believe that being clever in your
job is not enough. Soft skills are absolutely necessary to be
Australians get down to business quickly, practically successful. Even if you have both, you’ll make mistakes.
without small talk and they expect the same from you. They A culture training can help but you have to be patient.
appreciate brevity and bargaining is not common: they Important is that as long as you show respect, your mistakes
expect your proposition to simply have a narrow margin for will be forgiven, no matter which culture you are in. •
17Why you should not
live life to the max
... By Willeke Lankamp ...
Are you someone who does not settle for Research shows that maximizers tend to be less happy
less? Do you always go for the best possible with their decisions and experience less life satisfaction.
option? Maybe you shouldn’t. Because maximization is unrealistic and usually impossible
in daily life, maximizers often feel regretful in their post-
choice evaluation. There’s always the little voice saying, ‘Is
People who go for the maximum are called ‘maximizers’. A this REALLY the best bike?’. Not to mention the amount of
maximizer is like a perfectionist, someone who needs to be energy and time it takes to complete the search.
assured that every purchase or decision was the best they
could make. The way a maximizer knows for certain is to Good news
consider all the alternatives they can imagine. So if they There is value in being happy with your choice, and not
need a new bike, and they find one they like, they still keep having to keep thinking about how much better something
on looking. Maybe there are even better bikes! could have been. Satisficers feel more positive emotions
on a daily basis and experience greater happiness. So
Besides ‘maximizers’, there are also ‘satisficers’ (a satisficing is, in fact, the maximizing strategy. And the good
combination of satisfy and suffice). Satisficers are content news is, you can train yourself to satisfice more!
with their choice as long as it passes a basic threshold of
acceptability. That doesn’t mean they settle for mediocrity: 1. Set your criteria for success (and yes, they may be high!)
their criteria can be very high but once they find the house, 2. Choose the first option that meets your criteria
shoes or tomato sauce with the right qualities, they are 3. Once the decision is made, stop looking for other options
satisfied. and focus on the positive aspects of the choice.
Wedding dress In short: make decisions and be happy with them! And live
Most people are a mix of both approaches. In certain happily ever after.
categories, they like to investigate all possibilities, but in
others they are satisfied earlier. Personally I am mostly a This article was published on BLOOMBLOGT earlier. •
satisficer. Sometimes I even feel a bit guilty when I make
decisions without doing more research. I visited only one Willeke Lankamp is an experienced psychologist, certified coach
shop to find my wedding dress: the first one I liked, I took. and trainer. She gained a broad experience in HR at Heineken
If I need a new dentist, and a friend recommends a good and specialized further in career coaching and personal
development with focus on empowerment and results. Contact
one for a reasonable price, I look no further. Now this her on 85001973 or willeke@bloomdevelopmentfactory.com
appears to be a healthy mental habit!
18personal finance
° ° SocialinSecurity
° ° ° Benefits °°°°°
Singapore
... By Véronique Ruys-Sliepen ...
The Netherlands is a welfare state. The
Dutch government ensures all residents
have a minimum income for subsistence
in case of retirement, sickness, disability,
death and unemployment. This is
basically financed by direct and indirect
taxes. The advantage is that everyone
can have peace of mind, paid however
through high taxes! you are a manager or executive and your basic salary
exceeds a monthly amount of SGD 4,500 as you are
In Singapore it doesn’t work this way. Everybody is then not protected by the employment act anymore.
responsible for making their own provisions. If you In that situation not only will you be out of a job
haven’t done this, you or your family have to rely on and a salary, but you lose all your benefits including
savings or the support of family members to survive company health cover. If you don’t have additional
financially. Especially as a foreigner, it’s important that private medical insurance you will have to pay your
you realise what will happen to you and your family in medical bills out of pocket because insurers most likely
the situation where you get physically or mentally ill won’t cover pre-existing/ongoing illnesses. Most often,
and also if you were to die. What options do you have company benefits are not portable without medical
and what options would you want to have?! underwriting.
Commonly most company benefits will offer a certain So how is your personal situation? When was the
level of; last time you checked? All it takes is for you to have
– Health cover (pays for medical bills) a look at your current plans and the actual benefits?
– Critical Illness cover (lump sum pay out in case the It is easy: go through your documents and answer the
employee is diagnosed with a critical illness) following questions:
– Life cover (lump sum pay out in case the employee 1) On a given medical issue or death; is the cover
dies) enough for me to maintain my lifestyle for the
needed period of time?
It’s important to have a look at the amount of coverage 2) Do I want to stay in Singapore and can I afford
you actually have, and whether that is sufficient. This to stay?
cover will pay out on top of any private plans you have. 3) What do I have in place when I leave my current
employer?
Most companies don’t offer disability income (monthly
replacement income) if you suddenly become unable From here the gaps will be easy to see and navigate.
to work for a while due to sickness, disability or an Don’t hesitate to contact me if you would like some
accident. This means your company can legally stop assistance! •
paying your salary after you have used up your medical
leave as per your contract, and start paying you again
after you return to work.
Véronique Ruys-Sliepen is a certified financial consultant
with over 12 years of experience in banking and financial
The worst case scenario, on top of worrying about planning. She provides tailored financial advice and
your health if you rely completely on company cover, wealth management solutions covering everything from
health insurance until retirement planning. Contact her
would be that your employer terminates your contract
at 81600652 or vsliepen@globaleye.sg.
while you’re sick. A company can legally do this if
19Black-and-white tour - 2016
... By Laura Weller . Photos by Mita Kelder ...
Due to popular demand, not one but two black-and-white tours were
organized this year! On March 16 and April 20, 2016 at 9am, 25 people
gathered at the Hollandse Club to participate in this special tour organized
and sponsored by Executive Homes. Founder Hester Calkhoven managed
to get five black-and-white occupants to generously open their doors for
this tour and all participants were looking forward to visiting the many
uniquely Singaporean houses.
The tour tour passed another large mansion build in black-and-white
The tour started with a drive through the Goodwood style where this time the interior with its many art pieces
Hill area where many black-and-whites are currently was lauded. The tour ended with a final visit to a black-and-
undergoing renovation, a costly endeavor as some have white masterpiece in its full glory in Adam Park, near the
been overtaken by termites. After a visit to an old shop Hollandse Club.
house on Emerald Hill, where the traditional façade did not
give anything away about the modern and sizeable interior, Origin of the black-and-white style
the group was invited to explore a 1950s black-and-white Black-and-white houses are very typical for Singapore
bungalow on Ridout Road. Next, a genuine black-and-white and were built by the English to suit the Singaporean
on Nassim Road received oohs and ahhs from the group climate. They are not just copies of Tudor constructions
showcasing its colonial grandeur. On the same road, the transplanted from the southern English counties to Asia;
20instead they are unique homes, and they combine Malay
and Indian influences. Initially the British had redefined the
Tudor mansion style to suit their needs in India. There, the
local mud hut house was developed into an Anglo-Indian
bungalow, with a tiled roof replacing the thatch, wide
overhanging eaves, classical columns, a portico and tall
windows to keep out the elements.
In Singapore, these bungalows were refined again, taking
on some of the features of local Malay architecture. One
of the most important was the use of stilts, or in this case
brick pillars, to raise the houses a few feet off the ground,
protecting against flooding and termites (and maybe tigers
too!) and helping air circulation to keep the building cool.
With Singapore’s tropical climate, keeping cool is one trading company commissioned a collection of four
important. This is why you will find long verandahs around bungalows and a mess where all the bachelors would live
the houses to cut off the heat inside. Blinds were used to and take their meals together.
keep out the rain or to allow air to circulate through open
doorways or windows. Many residents still use the rattan Some of the houses on Stevens Road, built for the Public
blinds, often painted black and white to match their homes! Works Department, did away with the verandahs altogether,
and ended up looking not too dissimilar to houses built
Differences in style and use outside London at the time.
The first black-and-whites were built to house wealthy
businessmen and colonial administrators at the end of All for charity!
the 19th Century. Many were designed by the firm Swan The participants of this year’s tours had a great morning.
and McLaren, whose chief architect Alfred John Bidwell And, as beneficiary, NCA would like to thank Hester
designed the iconic Raffles Hotel. Calkhoven for her generous support, as well as our tour
guide Diana Choo for her extensive knowledge and of course
At the end of the First World War, Singapore was booming the participants of both tours! •
thanks to the demand for rubber, and began to attract
more and more foreign firms and to expand its civil Executive Homes was founded by long-term expat,
administration. By the outbreak of the Second World War, Hester Calkhoven, who has worked as a relocation consultant
in both Hong Kong and Singapore since 1995, helping
Singapore had become a major naval base and even more expatriate executives with every aspect of finding a new
black-and-whites were built to house military personnel. home and establishing offices in a new country. All the staff
This is why not every black-and-white is a huge mansion. are long-term Singapore residents and therefore able to offer
a unique insight into the intricacies of the Singapore property
Many expats who came out to work between the Wars
scene. More info: http://www.ehc.com.sg/
were bachelors on short tours. On Cable Road for example,
21New members
Carolien Kapel Sabine Reeder
We considered Singapore to be an ideal After having accepted a relocation for work,
location for our international adventure with me and my boyfriend moved to Singapore
regard to business climate, regional position, last September. I am currently a senior
weather, child-friendliness and of course… project manager for Thomson Reuters in
food! We arrived here well over a year ago with 2 kids who IT implementation projects, servicing clients in the entire
have adapted seamlessly to Singaporean life. I am working as region. With this opportunity both for work and privately I get
a consultant in the area of Governance, Risk and Compliance, to experience and see a lot of great places. The journey has
a very dynamic area in Singapore, and I joined ADB to meet been great so far and I am looking forward to sharing stories
new people, share experiences, challenges and opportunities with others and to keep exploring.
in Singapore corporate and day to day life.
Daniel Heerkens
I am a Dutch Entrepreneur who was worked &
studied in more than 7 countries. I developed All new ADB members
an interest in Sustainable Products & Digital
Innovation. Working Previously for FMCG Carolien Kapel PwC
Multinationals Danone & FrieslandCampina in The Netherlands, Daniel Heerkens 2stallions
Malaysia & Singapore I am now the Digital Marketing Strategy Edgar van Steenhardt LexisNexis BIS
Expert at 2Stallions Digital Marketing Agency. Jeroen van Dishoeck S5 Agency World
I came to Singapore to join Danone’s Singapore Marketing Kirstin Nijburg De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek,
team to set up a line of Specialised Infant Nutrition Products Singapore Pte Ltd
for the Asian market. Miel van Blitterswijk Dutch Payment & Exchange
I joined ADB to broaden my knowledge of the Business Company Pte. Ltd.
Environment in Singapore, to enhance my network and most Robbert Lobik -
importantly, to enjoy a ‘gezellig biertje’ with other Nederlanders. Robert Holthausen CWT Commodities Pte Ltd
Rudschen Rijke PwC
Kirstin Nijburg Sabine Reeder Thomson Reuters
The law firm I have been working for in Tom van der Lee Dairy Farm (Cold Storage, Market
Amsterdam (De Brauw) decided to relocate Giant, 7 Eleven, Guardian)
part of its arbitration practice to Singapore
as many of the firm’s clients operate in the
region. Having lived abroad before, my partner (Justin) and
I were soon convinced we should take this opportunity
EDITORIAL COMMITTEE
and moved across with our son aged 7 months at the time.
Thomas van Dusseldorp, Chief Editor
Through ADB I hope to meet many new people who enjoy
Pleun Brevet, Claire Mutsaerts, Jacinta Noonan
Singapore just as much as we do!
Katrijn de Ronde, Lisette Davis
Robbert Lobik Email
Last September, my girlfriend and I moved to magazine@adb.org.sg
Singapore. It was a bit of a shot in the dark,
but I’ve come to love this city. Not in the General Manager ADB
least because of the beautiful neighbouring Wenneke Vrugt-Repko
countries. Aside from traveling, I’m looking for opportunities ADB Singapore, c/o 541 Orchard Road
as a business analyst and currently setting up a freelance #13-01 Liat Towers, Singapore 238881
consultancy business focused on business analysis and adb@adb.org.sg, www.adb.org.sg
related activities. I am looking forward to meeting you all and
Basic Design
welcome ideas or opportunities for this new adventure.
Edenspiekermann Pte Ltd
Rudschen Rijke DESIGN & PrePress
Looking for a challenge and change in Jennifer Phua
environment, my family and I moved to
PRINT production
Singapore in January 2015. With two kids
Words Worth Media Management Pte Ltd
we choose convenience, high hygienic
standards and safety, as well as Singapore’s strategic location © ADB
to explore the region. Till now living in Singapore has been (UEN: S90SS0097D). The contents of this magazine are
great, especially for our two boys who can enjoy an active partly based on information received from third parties
life on a daily basis. As a technology consultant and auditor, I and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of ADB.
enjoy the opportunities and challenges Singapore offers while The Committee does not take responsibility
transforming itself into a smart nation. for the correctness of the articles.
As an ADB member I expect to meet and connect with MCI (P) 148/05/2015
a lot of great people and learn from their experience and of
course have fun.
22Upcoming events
SME Event Company visit event
August 2016 September 2016
Startup & SME Academy, 2nd Edition Company / factory visit
Following the successful launch of the Startup & One of our finest Dutch companies in Singapore will
SME Academy on 16 May, a second inspiring session open their doors for a peek behind their curtains.
will be organized.
Latest details will follow and can be found on
Latest details will follow and can be found on http://adb.org.sg/event-calendar.php
http://adb.org.sg/event-calendar.php
Golf Tournament
11 November 2016 – 3.30 pm
ADB Golf Tournament/clinic at
Champions Golf
Volunteers needed –
Editorial Committee
The ADB Magazine Editorial Team needs
volunteers like you!
Do you know interesting people or
companies and like to write about
it and stand out as one of ADB’s
authors? Then join us as volunteer! By
writing even only one article per year you can
already make a great contribution to the Dutch society
in Singapore and profile yourself also!
We invite golfers to come play 9 holes for the afternoon,
while non-golfers are very welcome at our special golf- Please send me a message via magazine@adb.org.sg.
clinic. There will be a putting contest for all and of course
we will end with drinks and a buffet. Chief Editor
Save the date. More details will follow!
23°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
Orchard Towers
... By Kristel Zweers ...
One of the most interesting places in Singapore has to be
Orchard Towers. It’s not a place I would hang out or meet up with
friends - although it does happen - but when I have people over I
make sure they don’t leave Singapore before they’ve seen our ‘four
floors of whores’. Yes, I even took my mom.
It’s like the Amsterdam red-light district all tourists want or, for
some reason, need to see. Even if you couldn’t care less about the
whole hooker-thing, some weird kind of pride takes over when you’re
passing the windows. “Yeah look at us. This is how liberal we are!”
I don’t take as much pride in showing Orchard Towers even though
it’s way more interesting to find this place in a city that totally lacks
Liberalism. Going there is probably most fun for men. I actually
highly recommend men not to bring a female friend, sister or any … I actually highly
other kind of vagina along. Not only because you might draw less of
a ‘crowd’ when joined by a woman but you also don’t want someone recommend men not to
at your side reminding you about the price tag that comes with the
attention and how nothing there is real. Or who points out the shoddy bring a female friend,
work ethic of the facebooking-bored-girl leaning against the pole she
should be dancing on. Who, in other words, will just spoil the fun. sister or any other kind
Women go there for a different reason. It can be a good place if you of vagina along. …
just don’t want to be bothered by guys for a night. Although, don’t be
surprised if the girls try their luck on you instead. The other night,
I ended up in Orchard Towers with a friend. She recently ended her
relationship and after a good night of men-bashing over alcohol - a
proven recipe to get over exes - she still wasn’t ready to go back to the
uncomfortable reality of sleeping alone when we were kicked-out of
the bar at closing-time. Out of the limited options available we chose
to go to Orchard Towers.
That turned out to be the perfect pick! No better place to go for
a woman who feels miserable, than to a place filled with women
whose lives are even more miserable! That place is like Lourdes
for the broken-hearted. Since we came in pretty late it didn’t take
too long before we were asked to leave again. We found ourselves
outside in between all the working girls and my friend, who was still
finding ways to postpone going home, decided to chitchat with one
of the girls and I heard her ask, “So do you like working here?” The
girl totally broke down in tears. Terribly sad and heartbreaking, of
course, but for me it was the moment I could finally go home! My
friend decided to take the girl along with her and the next day they
both felt much better. So in a way all of us got lucky. All you need
in life sometimes, to put things in perspective, is one Ukrainian
prostitute.•
24Global network,
here I come
We’ve been to the moon and back. We’ve mapped every square inch of our planet
and yet there’s still so much more to discover. It’s a matter of seeing opportunities,
not obstacles. And then being flexible enough to roll with them.
Wr #Õqg#r x w#kr z #r x u#j or edo#whdp #f dq#khos #| r x #f r qqhf w#lq#r yhu#73#f r x qwulhv/#j r #wr #
lqj z e1f r p 1#
World, here I come
LQJ #Z kr ohvdoh#EdqnlqjMaking the purest water drinkable since 1873
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