Work culture is changing. We’re more flexible, more mindful, and increasingly looking for work that fits our rhythm and energy levels. But with all that freedom, we sometimes lose those spontaneous coffee breaks, table tennis tournaments, group lunches, and… the magic of bumping into someone by chance who changes your day.
So we organized an afternoon event at B. specifically so we could get together. Neighbors, members, and businesses in our building came together around a single theme: Work is better when it doesn’t feel like work.
Author and speaker Frida Boeke joined us and shared her perspective on workplace happiness, connection, and the future of collaboration. It sparked plenty of inspiration, conversations, and insights—not just about work, but especially about how we like to work together.
Why do you still come into the office?
Let’s be honest: the days when you sat in the office from nine to five as a matter of course seem to be gone for good. More and more people are making conscious choices about when and why they come into the office. So the question is no longer whether you come in, but why.
Is it for the focus? For the energy of your coworkers? Or because the grilled cheese sandwich tastes just a little better at the office than at home?
Work isn't just work. It's a feeling.
What we’ve noticed is that people are looking for meaning in their workday. They want it to feel right—not just in terms of scheduling or targets, but also in terms of energy. Some thrive in the quiet of a desk, while others come alive when bouncing ideas off each other in a meeting room.
That’s why it’s important to know what your employees need. And that starts with an honest and open conversation—not just from management to staff, but also among colleagues. Have you ever asked your colleagues what matters to them at the office? No? Do it now.
What do you actually expect from a workplace?
Sometimes it’s something small: a comfortable office chair or good coffee. Sometimes it’s something bigger: room to grow or a sense of connection with others. To be perfectly honest, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Too bad, isn’t it?
What does help, however, is flexibility. Companies that dare to focus on output rather than attendance. That give employees the freedom to balance their work and personal lives.
The four-day workweek: a pipe dream or the future?
There is a lot to be said for working fewer hours. It boosts satisfaction and reduces stress, but is it suitable for every type of business? Not always. In consulting, for example, where hours are the key metric, the situation is different from that of companies that focus purely on results.
Perhaps the solution lies in redefining “productivity.” Not in counting hours, but in measuring value. What does your work deliver for your client, your team, and yourself?
The new way of working is a people-centered approach
Job satisfaction, autonomy, and clear communication are more important than ever. Not just to get people into the office, but to keep them engaged.
It’s not about having more ping-pong tables. It’s about a work culture where people feel heard. Where there’s room for diversity. And where “output” can just as easily be a good idea, a relieved customer, or a satisfying workday.
Curious to know how other business owners handle this?
At B., we believe that a work culture doesn’t develop on its own. It develops through conversations, interactions, and the sharing of ideas and concerns.
Curious to see how others are reimagining work? From four-day workweeks to new ways of collaborating. Stop by B. Amsterdam to talk to our members. Not because you have to, but because it works.
