EPIX: The Education Program for International Executives

With its strong global orientation, the Netherlands appears to be an open, diverse, and approachable society. However, as you settle in, you will start discovering an ambiguous system of practices, network structures, dynamics, and cultural subtleties that may surprise you.

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The Dutch business community is highly networked, with relationships that often date back to university and that are fostered through close-knit and hard to access events and get-togethers. Its formal governance processes are quite unique and different from those in other jurisdictions, and the informal processes tend to be ambiguous and – on the surface – cumbersome and slow. This so-called ‘poldermodel’ has strong historical roots and is quite distinct from for example the Anglo-Saxon governance model.

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To succeed in the Dutch corporate environment, you must understand these cultural nuances, the stakeholders and Dutch governance in general. Only then, are you able to enrich the dialogue and decision making in the boardroom. The Education Program for International Executives (EPIX) assists non-Dutch senior executives in acquiring a deeper understanding of formal board governance, provides valuable insight into the Netherlands' formal and informal conventions, and establishes a lasting executive network of non-Dutch peers and prominent Dutch academics and business leaders.