Do you feel like you are being watched??...

Espionage is timeless and at the time of the Cold War, it was usually from a political purpose. However, after 1990 the motives for espionage became more economical. American research shows that 43% of all the big organizations had to deal with an average of six cases of corporate espionage in the last few years. This was mostly done by spies from China, Libië and the Sovjet-Unie. (http://www.mt.nl/1/1020/home/bedrijfsspionage-van-fake-sollicitatie-tot-brilcamera.html ).
In 1994 Dutch countries suffered millions of NLG from corporate espionage. Although many people immediately think of ballpoints with camera’s and listening devices, technical innovations are only a small part of it. It appears to be that so-called ‘fake job applications’ are more common than what is usually thought. A new employee collects as much confidential information about the organization  before he/she returns to the old employer. Own employees who start their own company, can be a great risk too. 

The new working style...

Did you know that all Dutch traffic jams would disappear when everyone picks one day per week to arrive one hour earlier or later at office?

We’re talking about working in a new style: ‘Het nieuwe werken.’ This concept is mainly about flexibility and it is applied in different ways. Employees and managers can start a little earlier or later with their work, or they can choose to work one (or more days) per week at home for example. Working in new style can also mean that the duration of the  working schedule changes (regularly).

According to TNS Nipo, it appears to be that 87% percent of the Dutch people think that less day care is needed for children. As mentioned above, it is also said that traffic jams will slowly disappear when more people tend to work flexible. Furthermore, it seems that people who already work in new style experience much more freedom. This causes greater happiness which makes employees and managers less stressed.

I personally think that working in new style has the future. Thanks to techniques of videoconferences, it is possible to attend a meeting with your colleagues almost as real as face to face contact, but without being in the same room. I also find that typing a report is much more relaxing when you are at a quit space with no distractions from others. And where could you find a better place than your own home?

So if it was up to me, we all would be flexible workers! Not convinced yet? Watch this movie on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPVu2PiUalU

Source: TNS NIPO

Nervous when you weren't able to check your e-mail for two hours?

Well, you’re not the only one! Forget about Obesity, Infobesity seems to be the latest trend.

Nowadays, almost everyone has a Twitter-, Facebook-, and/or Linked-In account. It was never  so easy to keep in touch with your friends, colleagues and acquaintances. However, these kind of interactive advantages have also a few disadvantages.

Our brain receives 10 times (!) as much information to process than about 100 years ago. The brain constantly has to make decisions on which information is relevant at the moment and which is not. This can result in fatigue and nervousness.
Another symptom of Infobesitas is the fear of  missing something. It might sound a little bit exaggerated, but this symptom is often reflected in the need to refresh a website every 5 minutes. In that light, I think almost everyone who uses his Twitter-, Facebook-, and Hyvesaccount frequently, might have Infobesitas in greater or less extent.

Although Infobesitas is a new labeled disease, the complaints have to be taken very seriously. People who heavily suffer from Infobesitas have a sleep deficit, fatigue and feel constantly restless.
Luckily, Infobesitas can be healed. If you have the feeling that there is too much information coming after you, it is wise to check and answer your e-mail for example only three times a day. Or schedule every day one hour to update your network sites. In the beginning it will be really difficult, but after a few weeks you will be more relaxed (and probably sleep better).

Want to see more about Infobesitas in the Netherlands? Check this 2 minute movie on Youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwXcgg4LgXs