Hello treasure fans,
Have you already digested the contents of last week? Here comes a new set of nuggets.
Nugget #1 is for the friends of the well-groomed audio entertainment. I dug up another podcast. Since I am not a Bayern1 listener, I had never heard of the blue couch before. It’s in the editorial office of the radio station and celebrities regularly sit on it for an interview. Recently, Janina Kugel, the CHRO of Siemens, was a guest. She talks about her day-to-day work at Siemens. I almost stopped after 15 minutes, because it corresponded to my idea of a DAX corporate executive and was not particularly exciting. But then it got interesting when it came to flexible working. Janina Kugel makes two important points. Firstly, it is up to each individual to decide whether they want to make use of these opportunities. Secondly, and I think this is most important, we all have to learn and exercise self-responsibility. Unfortunately, in the education system and in Taylorism, this has been trained away from us, or at least little promoted. But we can do it. Many prove this in associations and other social engagements. Janina Kugel’s thoughts on diversity and women in management positions are also interesting. The story with her children made me laugh and also made me think. Where do I have my stereotypes in my head?
BLUE COUCH Janina Kugel – Human Resources Manager (41 min, audio, German)
Nugget #2 has been in my creative backlog for some time, but hasn’t made it into the treasure yet. Since Nugget #1 is also about personnel topics, this time it fits in quite well. Annette Franz runs the CX Journey Blog and asks the question how to ensure happy and motivated employees. There’s a warning that free food and things like kickers aren’t the answer. I can only sign that. These things are mostly just opium for the people. The list for employers is actually common sense. Nevertheless, things are not self-evident, as a commentator also notes. But I find the list much more interesting for the employee. Because there it is again the self-responsibility. Everyone can make a significant contribution to being happy and motivated. And if you do all these things and still aren’t happy, maybe you should think about a change. What I miss in the lists is the solution of a customer problem and the resulting economic success. It is mentioned as a consequence of happy employees. But I’m not sure whether we’re not exchanging cause and effect? What do you think?
How Do We Ensure Employees are Happy and Engaged? (5 min, text, English)
Nugget #3 another article from Sabine Eckhardt’s innovation series. I already had one article last week in treasure 60. This time it is a bit longer, but again very compact and informative. There is a 4 times 4 of innovation. I don’t want to summarize all 16 aspects, but rather pick out one point that I commented on. It’s about the open flow of knowledge. Many companies already find this difficult (keyword: knowledge monopolies). When it comes to innovation, many people find it counterproductive and practice maximum secrecy, in fear of the theft of ideas. But an idea itself is worth nothing. Others probably also have the idea. Ideas must be sharpened, realized, adapted and commercialized. This requires an open flow of knowledge between internal and external customers and supporters. Since I often don’t know them in a complex world, the key to success is the pull principle. Well said!
Innovation thesis #3: The 4 times 4 of innovation (4 min, text, German)
Have a nice weekend!
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator