A sustainable mobility policy in your company: Skill BuilderS’ approach

Who is Skill BuilderS?

Skill BuilderS builds talent. For over 35 years, they have been discovering, developing and deploying talent. They assist and coach both companies and individuals. Their services include:

  • Job & career guidance
  • Talent & organization development
  • Coaching
  • Care for talent
  • Outplacement
  • Assessment
  • Talent development

In addition, they also contribute to a sustainable future.

Watch how Skill BuilderS tackles sustainable corporate mobility

Watch how Skill Builder Marieke experiences the Olympus app

How does Skill BuilderS approach sustainable corporate mobility?

Evita explains: “We are currently transitioning to a fully electric fleet. About half of our company cars are already electric.

Those who do not have company cars may use the Olympus app. We also try to promote the rental of bikes and scooters among our colleagues.”

What was your biggest obstacle in terms of mobility?

Evita: “Our colleagues work in different locations. Not everyone has a company car to move around. They have to use their own car or public transport.

The expenses they make then have to be paid in advance by themselves. The result? Tickets are submitted late, not at all or just get lost.”

What criteria did your solution have to meet?

Evita brings up two points: “On the one hand, we were looking for an automated process. We wanted to limit manual operations. No more tickets to enter, no more refunds to process.

On the other hand, we wanted a solution where our colleagues would not have to advance their tickets anymore. The Olympus app solves both issues.”

How did the implementation of the Olympus app go?

Evita: “Very smoothly. We started with a test phase where ten colleagues tested the app. We only got positive feedback, so we decided to partner up.

The implementation didn’t take much work. Olympus Mobility created the necessary accounts and our colleagues could start using the Olympus app.”

What is the biggest added value for Skill BuilderS?

Evita: “The amount of time saved. The many manual tasks are a thing of the past. Colleagues no longer have to advance the amount themselves either.”

She adds: “The benefit for the environment should not be underestimated either. We can better encourage our colleagues to take public transport.

For short trips, they take their bikes more often, as this avoids traffic jams and they get to their destination faster.”

How do colleagues experience the sustainable mobility policy?

We talked to Marieke Van Lysebetten, an avid cyclist and train traveler. She uses the Olympus app to easily order train tickets. When she still needs the car, she parks with 4411.

Marieke explains her experience: “The biggest change now that we use the Olympus app? The ease.

We no longer have to keep track of and enter tickets. It provides some extra headspace to think about other things.”

Marieke has always been an advocate for sustainable mobility. She uses her bike as much as possible when she can.

“I find it more enjoyable to move around by bike or train. You start your day fully relaxed. When I do have to take the car and get stuck in traffic, I miss my bike or the train.”

She continues: “I find it important to always consider my mode of transportation – is it really necessary for me to take the car? Can’t I just go by bike instead?

When, for example, we have a meeting in Brussels, I will be the one looking up the train times. Then I also encourage my colleagues to take the train together. Your day starts off much calmer. I can actually recommend it to everyone.”

What does the future hold?

Evita confidently responds: “More sustainable mobility! Encouraging colleagues even more to use public transport, cycling or scooters to get around.”

Nice work, Evita and Marieke!

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Sustainable Corporate Mobility: How do I get started? Tips from Mediahuis

Step 1. Interview your employees

Sandra explains: “Your mobility policy should be set up for your employees first and foremost. Their input is therefore crucial. That’s why our approach began with an internal mobility survey with help of Traject.

Through this survey, we gained a better understanding of the specific mobility needs within our company. We got direct input about the travel behavior of our employees.”

That’s not the only advantage of a survey. Sandra continues: “This way, your employees get to think along with the sustainable path that your company wants to take.”

Sandra Eemans, Fleet & Mobility Officer bij Mediahuis, chooses Olympus Mobility to manage their sustainable corporate mobility

Step 2. Create a mobility team

The next step? A dedicated mobility team.

Sandra: “You want to encourage everyone in your company to use more sustainable mobility. We set up a mobility team with representatives from different departments.

Because of their exemplary role, you create a greater support base.

In addition to myself, our ‘Mobility Team’ consists of our Facility Manager, Communication Manager, HR Comp & Ben Manager, HR Director and CFO. Together we facilitate sustainable mobility at Mediahuis.”

Step 3. Determine your long-term goals

Sandra explains: “Next, our Mobility Team put its heads together to determine our vision, ambition and long-term goals.

Our current mobility plan consists of three parts:

  1. Avoiding trips by teleworking
  2. Sustainable travel
  3. Greener driving.

Such a plan gives your mobility policy a clear direction. You work systematically towards your goals.

We also come together as a team on a regular basis. Then we look at the results and adjust when necessary.”

Step 4. Choose the right mobility partners

Sandra: “You can’t create a new mobility policy alone. You need the expertise of the right partners.

Mediahuis worked with three parties.

  • Stroohm assisted us in making our fleet more sustainable.
  • Traject supported us in sending out surveys, general communication and analysis of results.
  • Olympus Mobility provided a platform to simplify and encourage sustainable mobility for our employees.

These three parties transformed Mediahuis’ car policy into a full mobility policy without any extra work.

Furthermore, Olympus Mobility helps manage costs for companies with multiple locations – something that is very important for Mediahuis.”

Step 5. Communicate about your initiatives and results

Sandra: “Want your employees to be aware of your new mobility policy? Communicate about your initiatives.

We work with a specific newsletter about Mediahuis’ mobility. Here we discuss different themes, ranging from new features at Olympus Mobility or the Mobility Week to how you go on vacation with your car.

In addition, together with Traject, we also set up accessibility sheets for our locations. This way, our employees get a good idea of which mode of transport is the most efficient.”

Sandra adds: “What you must not forget is to communicate about the results of your actions. With attractive visuals, we involve our employees in our mobility story. We established a unique ‘Mediahuis Mobility’ logo to create recognition.

Continuing to communicate is key. You don’t want sustainable mobility to be a side issue, but something that your employees are actively involved in.”

Step 6. Keep adjusting

Sandra: “Mobility never stands still. Keeping track of your goals is crucial. You want to get a better view of how your employees experience the switch to sustainable alternatives.

We give each employee a budget to try out those alternatives and listen to their feedback. We also interview people who have exchanged their company car. This way, we can make timely adjustments when necessary.”

Their actions pay off. “We see that 86% of our employees know Olympus Mobility, and half of them already uses the Olympus app. Now that we’ve also introduced the legal mobility budget, that number will only increase.”

No wonder Mediahuis has been named a Pioneering Employer three times in a row. With their focus on sustainability and people-oriented approach, they are a true example.

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Sustainable business trips: B-architecten makes it look easy

Who is B-architecten?

B-architecten is a platform of talented designers who want to weigh in on policy and have an impact on the quality of living and life.

Designing is their core task – from door handle to city district – but they also invest in innovative research. They publish and discuss, initiate their own initiatives, and seize opportunities to push the boundaries of their profession.

They are part of the ‘B’ group, together with:

  • B-bis: specialists in private projects and interior assignments
  • B-city: specialists in urban projects
  • B-juxta: specialists in restoration and heritage

Their goal? ‘Improving the architectural landscape’, according to Klaas Adriaensen.

logo B-architecten, klant van Olympus Mobility. Ze verduurzamen eenvoudig hun dienstverplaatsingen

See how they simplified the management of their service trips.

Sustainable architecture and mobility

Klaas: “At B-architecten, we are working towards a sustainable society. That starts with our architecture. Logically, we extend that mentality to the way we travel.”

He explains: “Architects often need to go to projects and appointments.

We looked for a general solution to get our people from point A to point B as quickly and sustainably as possible.”

Did planning your business trips always go smoothly?

Klaas: “We used to have a series of tickets here, for example for the train. There was also a car that was away whenever someone needed it, along with some bicycles.”

The mobility management was an administrative mess.

“Before B-architecten was also present in Brussels and Ghent, everyone came to Antwerp for the right bike keys, car keys, tickets … We then booked these in our Outlook calendars.”

How did you solve the administrative nightmare?

Klaas: We switched to the Olympus app. That way, our architects can easily move around to their projects all over Belgium.

We no longer have to look for car keys, Cambio cards or train passes.

The Olympus app combines all mobility services and replaces our current administration.”

How was the transition to the Olympus app?

Klaas: “Very simple. We first let a group of five employees who often had to go out on the job test out the app. They only gave positive feedback.

We quickly decided to roll out the app for the whole group.

By lowering the subscription rate for employees who barely use the app, we keep costs under control.”

How do you experience the use of Olympus Mobility for your business trips?

Klaas: “Wonderful! There are always cars and train tickets available.

It is also much simpler administratively for our architects. They have the Olympus app at hand and can buy their tickets without any problems.”

Time to talk to an app user

We talked to architect Stéphanie Collier. She and her colleagues use the Olympus app to travel sustainably to projects.

Even in Stéphanie’s private life, she puts the car aside. She and her family prefer to hop on a bicycle or use public transport.

Her favorite mode of transport? That’s got to be the train.

Has the Olympus app changed sustainable mobility for you?

Stephanie: With the Olympus app, I keep discovering new mobility services. Because they’re all bundled into one app, I try actually them out as well.”

She adds: “Because of the Olympus app, I take public transport more often than before.

Klaas picks up on this and says: “The fewer steps you have to take to book your transport, the more you will make use of different forms of transport.

He continues: “We are a relatively young team. We do not have the mindset to cross the whole country by car. With the Olympus app, we can still go anywhere without using a car.”

And that is clear in their commuting as well.

Klaas states: “At this moment there are hardly any employees who come to work by car.

What are the plans for the future in terms of mobility?

Klaas: “Let’s keep going down our current path!”

We certainly agree with that. Great work!

Thanks for the nice conversation, Klaas & Stéphanie. We’re glad that you don’t have to look for car keys anymore. 😉

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