When, during the Corona period, only the cancellations department at Efficient Hotel Partner was running at full speed, we racked our brains and made a virtue of necessity.
We put together a magazine with tips and gift suggestions to make online meetings as enjoyable as possible. It was a great success and helped us avoid going under financially. When that difficult period was over, our customers“ requests remained. ”When will we receive another one of those great magazines?" That, of course, stroked our egos, and we decided to continue producing a magazine twice a year. Now, you shouldn't think that we do this just casually. After all, we're not magazine publishers. There is content, though. More than enough. And good ideas, creative people in-house, and an immense network to conduct great interviews. So, I'm quite proud when a new magazine rolls off the printing press. The upcoming edition will focus on the power of women.. A bold topic. Is it a cliché or still very much alive? The last hundred years have seen an enormous amount of change in the position of working women. But has enough changed? Are we satisfied? I doubt it. When my first daughter was born, it was a given that *I* would take a few steps back. And that, mind you, was while I had established Efficient Hotel Partner during my pregnancy.
When business success rather overwhelmed us, I suggested several times that we turn the tables at home. But that proved non-negotiable. Why did I settle for that? The answer is simple: I allowed my husband the chance to further his career. Not smart in hindsight. They were tropical years, but also very beautiful years. Was there a good work-life balance? Definitely not. And I saw the same with many of my female employees. They made every effort to combine their jobs with caring for their children. Had a child fallen upside down from a climbing frame? Then the mother was the first to be called. Ten-minute interviews, illness and very, a school trip, the arrival of St Nicholas - it didn't really matter what was going on. It was a rarity if a father took this on or was willing to make time for this. In the Netherlands, over 84% of mothers have paid work, but most work part-time (20-35 hours). After the birth of the first child, about 45% of mothers reduce the number of working hours, while fathers generally continue to work full-time. So all these women were struggling, racing from hot to cold and twisting in all sorts of turns to keep all these 101 balls in the air. My personal observations are also confirmed by the numbers. Read along with these rather shocking results. Of the 35 female employees who left my employment, no less than 48% left because of the difficult combination of travelling time and childcare. This made this by far the main reason for outflow. For 19%, the job was too hard or not suitable, and 13% left for other reasons. Only a meagre 20% left to pursue their careers elsewhere. The three men who worked for Efficient Hotel Partner all left because they could not realise their ambitions due to the lack of advancement opportunities. That gives food for thought... After 28 years, I hardly see any change. There is still a long way to go. Are you walking with me, or will we continue to think this is normal? Marianne Kuiper Founder Efficient Hotel Partner & Music Meeting Lounge
Marianne Kuiper
Founder Efficient Hotel Partner & Music Meeting Lounge
Intermediary in finding and booking the perfect location
