Network organization continues to work together

"As a networking organization, your job is always to connect as best you can."

Speaking is Karin de Haas, director at the Center for Underground Construction (COB). "We've always been doing that in a positive way. Especially now in this crisis we find ourselves in, connecting with each other is vital."

The CDE is suffering the same fate as everyone else: physically meeting and visiting each other is no longer possible until further notice. Nevertheless, all meetings will continue "as usual. "All consultations now take place digitally. We use all available means for this, from video consultations, vlog and podcast to Webinar. That takes a lot of energy, but we know how to make something fun out of it. For the CDE, it's important to stay positive."

Socially active all along

Karin continues: "We were always very active, socially. So now there is also the challenge of getting our network to use new media. Even the biggest doubters now see that it is necessary to make that digitalization step. The good thing about the situation is that once people cross the threshold, a light goes on. 'So it can be done that way,' we hear a lot. A disadvantageous situation suddenly gives insights into the advantages of this new way of working."

The human touch remains important

"We must not lose sight of the human dimension, especially with a view to the future. The CDE is an agency with 10 people, surrounded by some 40 people working part-time, and around it another 350 people putting time and effort into the network. Everyone is concerned. Therefore, we need to look at things that are promising and bring positivity. Within that framework I see myself as a role model, it's just a matter of daring, not being afraid of change. My first vlog is a reality. Was it easy? No, definitely not. But it was fun to do and it was also necessary. The bottom line is that you stand behind what you tell, whether it's live, on paper or, as in this case, in a vlog. You don't have to come across perfectly, as long as what you tell is honest and informs people in the right way," Karin outlines.

"All consultations now take place digitally. To do so, we use all available resources, from video consultations, vlog and podcast to Webinar."

Professional communication spearheaded

The CDE has its own communications team. "Professional communication is hugely important. Getting a clear message out into the world, without advertising, with a solid story. What we do is enormously about content. Our coordinators and our network consist of professionals, people with practical experience. They give advice, write about it and create growth books. All with a solid dose of practical knowledge. We as a communications team, in turn, make sure that everything they create gets further. Information must be available free of charge and must remain free of charge. Only in this way do we create and maintain support and boost the industry."

Issues facing CDE include the major (civil and VTTI) renovation task, digitization, underground cable and pipeline infrastructure and urbanization. "Sharing knowledge about this is a social responsibility and communicating about it brings these themes to life and into motion. As COB, we go for clarity and practical solutions," Karin explains. "You don't have to and can't know everything yourself, so just knock on the door. It's just right to figure it out together. The strength lies in the fact that we focus on the content and communicate around it so that the knowledge can be applied and grow."

About Karin de Haas

We ask Karin how she actually ended up at CDE. She answers, "Before CDE, I was doing a knowledge program at Deltares, Delft Cluster. That was about drinking water, water safety, building in delta areas and underground construction, among other things. I learned a lot there. Also how I would never want it to happen again myself. The tariff discussion, for example, was wasted on me. One of the components of Delft Cluster was a joint practical study for bored tunnels, through the CDE. When Delft Cluster was about to end, I was asked to serve as knowledge and communications manager at CDE. I accepted that job and from there my work developed further, I developed the tunnel program, among other things. In addition, I did numerous other things within CDE. When the previous director left, I got the opportunity to sit in that chair."

"My job is to love everyone equally!"

Karin was captivated by underground construction. "A complex, multidisciplinary little world, within which you really need each other. Only by working together will you get there. Working with science people is wonderful: fantastic 'professionals' who think up, calculate and work out something. And all in a passionate way. As COB, we love everyone equally; indeed, it is my job to love everyone equally! And so I do, because everyone is equally valuable with us," Karin concludes. "I may be director, but I am not CDE. We are together."