The jury members - Anke Horstman from Techgirl, journalist Ingelise de Vries, Paul Snijder, winner of Best Talent at The Best Social Awards and Creative Director at Bram Krikke, Wendy van Til and Tessa Wiegerinck from Flextukkers - consist of flamboyant professionals who also work mobile and flexibly. This accelerates the competition, heading towards the festive conclusion in early September.
Submissions will continue en masse in the coming time
There have already been many registrations from participants, although submissions will continue en masse via the platform in the coming time. Participants can submit workplaces for evaluation by filling out the short and powerful online questionnaire. Workplaces can be on the road, in the office, or at home. The award ceremony for the third edition of the National Flex Location Test will take place in the first week of September. The National Flex Location Test is, as always, made possible by ASUS, to provide insight into how working Netherlands prefers to work.
Cloud, team collaboration and unified communications, or videoconferencing
That there are many advantages to flexible working and that it has been successfully happening in the Netherlands for years is evidenced by the submissions and results of the National Flex Location Test in 2015 and 2017. Previous winners of the competition include Tribes in Eindhoven, Boven de Balie in Amsterdam, LAB55 in Apeldoorn, Volkshotel in Amsterdam, and Bagels & Beans in Haarlem.
Structurally saying goodbye to a fixed office, sometimes referred to as The New Working, has been a fact for years because devices like laptops and smartphones make it possible. This includes technology such as data storage in the cloud, team collaboration via shared portals, and unified communications – videoconferencing – remotely. The opportunities for mobile and flexible working are only increasing. The mindset change around traditional office work has only intensified during the pandemic.
Creative and innovative setup of working Netherlands
2020 sees working Netherlands forced to work from home due to COVID-19. The voices in the public debate are nothing short of sensational, no matter how simple and predictable they may be for the visionary advocates of flexible working. Working Netherlands had to get the home workspaces in order, and what turns out? Working Netherlands is massively looking for ways to make those home workspaces even more pleasant and inspiring than expected. It doesn't stop at solid devices with good connectivity and strong or tasty coffee.
Those curious about the creative and innovative setup of working Netherlands will have to wait for the award ceremony of the National Flex Location Test. Participating is, of course, also possible. Everyone can nominate a workplace for evaluation.
What jury members will pay attention to
The jury members will visit the various locations and based on a list – partly rational – of measurable criteria, determine what ultimately is the best flex location in the Netherlands. They will not only look at the wifi and the coffee but also at accessibility, facility support such as a reception (possibly remotely), and the availability of meeting rooms.
Other aspects for home workspaces that jury members will pay attention to include good desks for a healthy work posture, relaxing work corners such as a lounge area, quiet spaces for videoconferencing or conference calls, and of course creative and inspiring spaces where color, materials, and decorations such as inspiring quotes, posters, or frames can brighten up the workday and give motivation a boost.
Jury members in brief
Anke Horstman is the founder of Techgirl.nl; the technology website for women. The platform has now grown into the most leading technology community for women in the Netherlands. Ingelise de Vries writes journalistic articles, interviews, and blogs with a strong focus on human interest. Paul Snijder is Creative Director and creates content for social media for influencers, artists, and companies. He has seen mobile and flexible working come and go. Wendy van Tilt and Tessa Wiegerinck are the founders of FlexTukkers, a blog for independent entrepreneurs. They review workplaces, visit and interview entrepreneurs, share experiences, tips, and more.
'ASUS wants to know how working Netherlands prefers to work,' says Rodney Voogel, Managing Director of ASUS Benelux. 'That is why we have supported the previous editions of the Flex Location Test. We have long seen that modern professionals want to work wherever and whenever. This applies not only to freelancers but also to management, knowledge workers, and sales personnel of organizations. Strong and especially secure technology is part of that, where we then come into play. COVID-19 has underscored the necessity of videoconferencing like never before, but it doesn't stop there. The speed of processes, touch, and even the comfort of keyboards can make a difference on a workday. Above all, the National Flex Location Test is a true celebration of freedom, responsibility, and flexibility of the BV Netherlands. We can be collectively proud of that, especially as we will increasingly work as an ecosystem where the personal and professional lives of people are central and our planet is protected.'
About the National Flex Location Test
The National Flex Location Test is an initiative of ASUS and is made possible in part by Bright Pensioen and Clipboard Media. The project aims to provide professionals who are not tied to a location to perform their work with insights into effective, efficient, and pleasant working. Want to know more? Read on!
