Research & Blog

An engaging conversation with amazing leaders from the tech industry on navigating the Netherlands life as an expat.

What is accessibility? ​ Accessibility means ensuring that everyone, including people with mobility or cognitive limitations, can easily access and use products, services, digital platforms, and physical environments. ​ Why this matters? ​ One in four people will experience a functional or mobility limitation in their lifetime. That reality shapes how they interact with products, services, and spaces. When companies design with higher access* in mind, they don’t just do the r

One of my favourite pairs of sneakers? Nike Peg 38 FlyEase, aka EasyOn. My first ever laceless sneakers from a few years back. Not slip-ons, but proper performance shoes with a zip closure and discreet velcro strap. Super secure, and untied laces? A thing of the past. Why it matters: I’m an amateur runner (well, jogger) and a good run for me is all about flow — playlist dialed in, weather cooperating, zero interruptions. All check… until halfway through, I notice my laces und

"Ma'am, would you like help with your bag?" I was recently boarding my flight back to Amsterdam from Delhi when the stewardess asked me this question that I’d almost brushed off. It wasn’t the usual “welcome aboard”; she was actually offering to lift my cabin bag into the overhead bin. I said yes. Seconds later, all was done. No fuss. No silent panic about holding up the line. As someone who usually needs help lifting bags overhead, the boarding process can feel slightly nerv

⏪ Throwback to this time last year: I was at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. An unforgettable experience. The first game I saw was wheelchair basketball (USA vs Spain). The energy in the Arena was electric ⚡ — music, noise, excitement everywhere. The Paralympics took place just two weeks after the Olympics, and I’d expected the buzz to have faded. But I was proven wrong; stadiums were packed, crowds were still pouring in, and it felt like the place to be. I even got the cha

Ever been mid meetings and thought.. hmm, tough crowd. I’ve been there 🙋🏽‍♀️ My presentations would be airtight; clear on the outcomes we were working towards and how we'd be getting there. And it would work, my messages would land. But was I getting the fist bumps, the instant buy-ins, and the “let’s go” energy? Not always, no. I'd then find myself in soap-box moments where I'd be reminding my peers (and myself) why we were doing what we were doing 🎯. 'The why' needs adeq

Was waiting for the dust to settle on this one. DE&I initiatives have gone through the wringer in the last 6-9 months (as we know), been interesting to see how some have used this moment to step away from them, while others have found a way to stay the course. Came across this article from The MBS Group that zooms in on how UK retailers are still trying to stay committed and 'quietly carrying on' . It's not the full picture as its a zoom in on retail, but retail is a prett

Ever been on the market for something specific — exactly how you imagined it? Like that perfect all-rounder bag… or that water bottle that’s big enough but not too bulky. For me it was that perfect lipstick shade. You know the one that makes you feel like you’ve got your life together? After much trial (and mostly errors), I did manage to zero in on 'the one', only to discover a few months later… it’d been discontinued. 🫠 We know there is method to this madness; often dri

"I never thought about it like that". I love this illustration shared, it says it all. A small shift in perspective can be exponentially impactful 📈. As my mentor says "we all need a new pair of glasses to look at the world differently. And once you have that view... it'll be hard to go back". One starts to notice things that was never on radar or consideration, because they weren't known (you don't know, what you don't know). I do believe that the best strategies and ac

"Does anyone have any injury or restricted movement that I should know about?" A simple question, yet quite impactful. I'm someone who takes a minute (or ten!) to try a new form of exercise 🙋🏽‍♀️ especially in a group setting. It's mostly self consciousness about how I'll be seen faring. Over time, I’ve come to realize just how much trainers can influence here- their vibe and approachability, sets the tone. One of my fav pilates studios in Amsterdam, has trainers who start