NETWORK NEWS Herman Wijffels Fund Sustainable talent Companygenes Cashing in Mijntje Donners (left), winner of the 2002 Golden Stick hockey award, with Vincent Pijpers very autumn, Rabobank Nederland bands out four cash prizes totalling €235,000 to the Netherlands' most innovative young entrepreneurs, people who are improving the world, one idea at a time. Past prizes have honored improvements in heart surgery technology and the creation of special food for the cultivation of pikeperch at fish farms. 'This fund stimulates ideas which are socially and ecologically innovative in addition to being commercially viable,' says Richard Piechocki, Communication Advisor for the Department of Sustain- ability and Social Innovation. 'We reward people with visions that create a better future for the next generation. Candidate names are put forward by local Rabobank offices across the Netherlands. Piechocki explains, 'Local offices have the important task of seeking out the most innovative thinkers in their community. This puts Rabobank in touch with young entrepreneurs in our local markets and gives Rabobank the opportunity to finance their innovative ideas. Although Rabobank Nederland gains the most exposure from large-scale sports and cultural events, Pijper's policy also supports emerging talent in each of the key sponsorship areas. Says Pijpers,'We don't just buy-in on guaranteed investments. We also invest in community and sustainability.Amateur cyclists across the Netherlands benefit from the same Rabobank support as their professional idols. In the same vein, Rabobank Nederland bas set up a plan to sponsor education programs for school children in association with the Van Gogh Museum. According to Pijpers, many large corporations, including financial institutions, are waking up to the benefits of sponsor ship. Recent studies indicate that 70% of sports fans are aware of and loyal to corporate sponsors. 'People are realizing that sponsorship is an effective way to earn loyalty from today's critical consumer,' he explains. 'There is an awareness that sponsoring builds trust and credibility and that it offers a way to put your money, energy and knowledge where your mouth is.' Rabobank bas kept well ahead of this recent trend. 'Rabobank is a frontrunnner when it comes to sponsorship because of our unique history and co-operative structure. Social and community involvement is built into the company genes,says Pijpers. Together with his Communications colleagues, Pijpers is encouraging other areas of the Group to cash-in on Rabobank Nederland sponsorship investments. He explains, 'We want to increase awareness of possible communication synergies across the network and to encourage other business units to act on these discoveries in a creative way that matches their oum branding ambitions.' Pijpers points out that there are instances of this kind of synergetic activity all over the net work. For example because of Rabobank Nederland's involve ment with the Tour de France, many Rabobank International (Rl) offices are able to bring their best clients to the Champs Elysée to see the final stage of the race. Likewise, some RI offices entertained clients in association with last year's Flori- ade events. Pijpers and his sponsorship team are looking to the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece, as another opportunity to promote Group synergy. Athletes sponsored by Rabobank Nederland are medal candidates in field hockey, equestrian and cycling events. Says Pijpers, 'We are in the process of setting up cliënt entertainment facilities that are accessible to the other Rabobank units. The Olympics are an ideal opportu nity to act as a single Communications family. (Left to right) Herman Wijffels presents the Herman Wijffels Innovation Fund Award to Rutger Brest van Kempen and Sander Huntelerslag for their improvements to heart surgery techniques The Word I 9

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