Sweet Spot creates Remote Development Experiences where professionals live and work remotely abroad for at least 1 month, develop their skillset on a trajectory that advances their career and their company’s success, build personal and professional relationships, and explore another city. All while keeping and doing their job. A win-win for the professional and for their company.
Inspired by the possibilities of remote work as a result of Covid-19 and their own personal experiences, the company was founded in 2020 by Joost Verhage and Marleen Verweij.
Visit the About us page for more information!
Sweet Spot helps companies seize the opportunities in remote work by building full-service development experiences where both employee and employer can thrive. With our Development Tracks we are taking it next-level, beyond arranging just co-works and accommodation.
Development Tracks are chosen based on what professional goal you want to achieve:
With the beginning of each new month, you have the option to join a Sweet Spot experience. However, not all Development Tracks start monthly as well.
The exception is the Team Track, The Team Track is 100% custom made, and can start any desired date.
Visit the Development Tracks page for more information!
Groups typically consist of 10-20 people, comprising people from various Development Tracks. In this way, your community abroad extends beyond your own Development Track, but is still small enough to get to know everyone and maintain the sense of unity.
We believe that development occurs just as much during training/coaching as from the mere act of stepping out of your comfort zone by temporarily relocating abroad. Therefore we have introduced the Fundamentals Track. In this Track, we facilitate your progress but you are accountable for your own results. Send us a message and we will discuss how to best accommodate your needs.
Yes, there is room for customization to a certain extent.
Send us a message and we will make adjustments to accommodate your needs.
Note that the Team track is always 100% tailor made.
Network events and trips that are fun and productive. Social and networking activities are a good way to get to know your community. Sweet Spot’s itinerary is designed to stimulate the senses and get you out of your comfort zones. Think about hiking/camping trips, weekly (network) drinks and dinners, but also Learn & Share sessions. Participation is always optional.
If there is any part of the program you don’t wish to take advantage of (going to network events, workspace access, etc) then you don’t have to. Sometimes participants will go off and find their own activities, make their own connections, explore other places to work and find that their independence enhances their experience. They are always free to use their time as they wish.
Professionals join us from a wide variety of industries and have diverse professional backgrounds. It’s a great mix ranging from team managers, to developers, to consultants, to marketers – just to name a few. Participants are at least 24 years old.
Upgrades to fully-private accommodation are definitely possible. Drop us a call or send us a message to see how we can accommodate your wishes!
Joining a Sweet Spot experience is simple! Enter your details here or reach out to us via phone. We can answer any additional questions you may have, help you choose what Development Track is best for you and then officially reserve your spot on a Sweet Spot experience.
Important: we can offer support to make your business case with your employer. If you need to get official permission to participate, we will work with you one-on-one to help you pitch Sweet Spot to your employer so they feel confident in your ability to thrive both personally and professionally while developing and working abroad. We are known for overcoming all of the concerns managers or HR may have when it comes to working remote.
The length of the experience is based on how much professionals want to achieve. Our experiences vary from 1 to 5 months, partly depending on the Development Track chosen. We recommend a minimum of 2 months, in order to fully disconnect from life back home and reap all the benefits of a remote work experience abroad. However, if obligations back home don’t allow you to be gone for long, you can always join us for just 1 month.
Guests are more than welcome to visit during the Sweet Spot experience. Please note that there will be some limitations and additional fees for visitors staying in accommodations and taking part in network events. Additionally, we can’t always guarantee accommodations having extra beds or space for guests to stay, so they should prepare to make their own arrangements.
It’s easy! Enter your details here or reach out to us via phone. We can answer any additional questions you may have, help you choose what Development Track and duration is best for your employees, discuss customized needs and then officially reserve their spot. We can do this on a case-by-case basis per employee, or we can decide upon a standard for all your employees.
Living abroad and working remotely for a few months is without a doubt an amazing and fun experience. However, the goal of this trip is not to party 7 days a week. Our participants join us to develop themselves – both personally and professionally, and expand their network – again, both personally and professionally. Although it could be a great alternative to a sabbatical, it can definitely not be mistaken for one.
Program costs will vary depending on the Development Track chosen, destination, and seasonality. Send us a message to determine the costs of your chosen program!
It’s up to the company and the employee how costs are divided. Some companies may want to pay for the full program, others will want their employees to partially contribute in order to show their commitment.
Sweet Spot is a development program. This means that Dutch employers could have the option of reimbursing the costs of the Sweet Spot program tax-free (the ‘studiekostenregeling’ in Dutch law). We always recommend you talk to your tax advisor to learn more about your specific situation.
Do not worry if, as a result of Covid-19, the Sweet Spot experience cannot take place. We will always find a suitable solution that is acceptable for all parties involved. The safety of participants is always our primary priority.
Pre-departure
Three weeks before your departure, we will send you all information regarding your accommodation, the co-working office and the networking activities by mail. You will also receive an extensive list of recommendations on where to eat, where you can exercise and play sport, which places to visit and how to move around the city. All based on our own personal and extensive knowledge of our destination cities.
In the meantime, we’re always available for any questions you may have by mail!
During the experience
Participants will receive the contact details of the accommodation provider so they can address any accommodation-related questions directly to them, to ensure fastest response and resolution.
Each Sweet Spot experience has an Community Manager present on location, who will help you settle in the new city. This will be your main point of contact throughout the experience for questions concerning networking activities, the Development Track, and any other general and personal questions or concerns you may have to ensure you have the best experience.
Furthermore, the co-working office has a community manager to help you with all co-working related questions.
