The Berlin HR Leaders Networking Lunch was all about ‘People, Purpose & Planet’ and showed that sustainability is a key driver for long-term business success.
Our guest speaker, Dr. Claudia Viehweger, Chief People & Sustainability Officer of the Scout24 Group, presented inspiring ideas for a sustainable HR strategy. In an interview with Stephanie Frank, Dr Viehweger provided valuable insights into the symbiosis of people & culture strategies and sustainability that are not only inspiring, but also point the way to the future of our working world. Here is our summary of the 5 best practices:
Sustainability as an overarching strategy
The key takeaways of the session: sustainability first. Sustainability should not be seen as an add-on to the People & Culture strategy, but rather as an overarching umbrella that guides all HR measures. Sustainable behaviour in the company not only concerns ecological issues, but also includes social aspects that are crucial for the long-term corporate strategy.
Social sustainability as a factor for success
Dr. Viehweger stressed the enormous importance of social sustainability. In this context, the promotion of women in management positions and the implementation of tailor-made leadership programmes were of particular importance. Companies that invest in these areas not only improve their performance, but also increase their attractiveness as an employer and strengthen the commitment of their employees. Diversity and gender equality are therefore not a “nice-to-have”, but key success factors for the future viability of companies.
Inclusive leadership as a must
Another important impulse was the role of inclusive leadership. An inclusive understanding of leadership creates an environment in which employees feel they belong, are valued and feel authentic. Dr. Viehweger emphasised that this aspect is not only crucial for the well-being of employees, but also for the sustainable success of the company. In the long term, innovation and growth can only flourish in an environment in which everyone is able to realise their full potential.
Freedom for young talent
A particularly forward-looking aspect of the presentation was the emphasis on the creative freedom for young talent. The next generation of employees has clear ideas about sustainability and wants to actively contribute to change. Companies must give these talents the space to realise their ideas and contribute their creativity to sustainable projects. This not only promotes innovation, but also the loyalty of the younger generation to the company.
Feedback as the gold standard
At the end of the lunch, the importance of regular, structured feedback was once again emphasised. Dr. Viehweger outlined that clear KPIs and feedback loops are essential to continuously question and improve the People & Culture strategy. Only through open dialogue and regular surveys can new standards be set, and challenges be met.
As an HR consultancy, it is our goal to identify future developments in the world of work at an early stage and to share this knowledge with our clients in a targeted manner, so that together we can be successfully prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.
Many thanks to all our guests who accepted our invitation and ensured a lively exchange.
We are looking forward to the next event!
