Project «Pioneering Future Leadership and Work»
Practice-oriented collaboration between partner companies and the IFPM on the world of work 4.0 in «Pioneering». Find out more here.
What is Pioneering?
In January 2016, «Pioneering Future Leadership and Work» was launched in cooperation with Impact Hub Zurich and the Swiss Management Association. The central idea of this practical cooperation is to investigate issues relating to the world of work 4.0 and to facilitate exchange and networking among pioneers in the new world of work.
In the corporate consortium «Pioneering Future Leadership and Work», companies that actively, courageously and innovatively shape the world of work of tomorrow have been exchanging ideas with the team from the Institut für Führung und Personalmanagement since 2016.
These companies are not only leaders in the New Work Transformation themselves. Together with the institute, the pioneering companies in this practical cooperation are also developing leadership concepts for responsibly shaping the future of the working world.
- New Work – modernizing work practices
- New Culture – the success factors of New Work encompassing leadership, culture, and future skills
- Sustainability – there will be an even more explicit focus on sustainability, encompassing areas such as healthy high performance, intergenerational and future-proof work, and Green Sustainability
A Pioneering Exchange (experience workshop) for all participants takes place twice a year. Here, participants gain the latest first-hand insights and exclusive insights into partner companies. Through peer case consultation and network expansion, participants benefit from each other.
In addition, individual practical collaborations exist between IFPM and the Pioneering partners. In deep dives, current and company-specific issues are analyzed and solutions are developed using the latest research methods.
Furthermore, Pioneering companies receive exclusive access to our Pioneering Info Service. Here, the latest scientific findings on topics related to New Work and Leadership are prepared on-demand.
Companies can join the Pioneering Practice Consortium at any time. Each Pioneering company has its own specific question and timeline. If you are interested in Pioneering and a practical collaboration, please contact Prof. Dr. Heike Bruch.
Companies are increasingly transforming their organizations towards New Work and more flexible working models. One approach is the conversion of classic organizational areas into interdisciplinary structures with agile project teams. However, this is often not a simple undertaking. If no comprehensive structural and cultural change process takes place, the hoped-for effects of such a transformation will not materialize. Employees are at the center of this. To engage them, a clear purpose and methodical preparation are crucial.
However, it should also be noted: Not everyone can and wants to work in multi-teaming or fluid and interdisciplinary work structures. The crucial question that companies must address early on is therefore how these employees are handled and where they find their place in the new structure.
In a joint research project with Mobiliar, we are investigating crucial success factors and pitfalls in designing an agile project organization. The aim of the project is to develop recommendations for companies on how they can successfully shape an agile path into the new world of work with all employees.
Since the Corona crisis, during which collaboration had to be shifted to home offices and business models digitized overnight, New Work is no longer discussed only within the HR community, but also by the general public.
Does this mean «New Work for everyone»? On closer inspection, initiatives for office employees are usually meant when the New Work Transformation is mentioned in this context. After all, they are primarily the ones who enjoy the benefits of mobile, flexible working and modern room concepts. The situation is quite different for those who do not primarily work in offices, such as employees in the mobile service.
In collaboration with Zurich Public Transport, recommendations for action are to be developed within the framework of this project on how all employees can benefit from the New Work concepts of the new world of work.
Due to demographic developments and the changing world of work, millennials are becoming a scarce commodity. Consequently, they help their needs break through within companies. Adjustments to working conditions, work models, and leadership values form the basis for millennials to identify with the company and recommend it as an attractive employer. If this is not offered to them, they look for alternatives – and quickly find them due to labor market conditions.
GKB regularly conducts workshops with its talents and allows them to help shape their own employer. Millennials expect a lot from their employer: Assuming social responsibility and sustainable action, a meaningful contribution to their life concept, the opportunity to contribute and co-create, an innovation-friendly climate instead of stifling hierarchies, as well as development opportunities.
Department of Psychiatry CCM of Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin is one of the ten best hospitals in the world. The Department of Psychiatry located on the historic campus in Mitte is characterized by a close integration of top-tier university medicine, translational research, and individual patient care. For patients and employees, the concept of a future university hospital is being developed, in which new forms of work, healthy leadership, and organizational energy are brought into harmony.
Sunrise GmbH
Sunrise is the largest private telecommunications provider in Switzerland. Its portfolio includes mobile, landline, internet, and TV services. The company currently employs 2,800 people from over 80 different countries at its headquarters in Zurich and at other office and sales locations throughout Switzerland. The work culture promotes innovation and digital solutions. Sunrise understands sustainability as an integrated element of its corporate strategy.
Bosch Bamberg
With approximately 6,200 employees, Bosch Bamberg is one of the largest manufacturing sites of the Bosch Group. The plant develops and manufactures innovative technologies in the areas of mobility, drive systems, and energy supply to series production readiness. Bosch Bamberg uses its expertise and innovative strength for the industrialization and further development of climate-neutral hydrogen technology, thereby shaping the mobility and energy supply of tomorrow.
Porsche AG
Porsche is a leading automobile manufacturer with a long-standing tradition in motorsport. In addition to its headquarters in Zuffenhausen, the company operates five additional sites with areas covering development, sales, and production. Porsche also welcomes more than 40,000 guests annually at its Leipzig Customer Center, located in one of the most modern plants in the world.
Franke
With enthusiasm for design, technology, and engineering know-how, the Franke Group creates kitchen worlds and coffee preparation systems that flexibly integrate into living spaces of today and tomorrow. To this end, they strive to continue growing with foresight, develop intelligent solutions, and invest in future-needed skills.
Graubündner Kantonalbank
As a market leader in its region, Graubündner Kantonalbank offers the entire product and service portfolio of a modern universal bank – for private individuals, businesses, and the public sector.
Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich
Zurich Public Transport (VBZ), alongside SBB, is the largest provider of transport services in the Zurich Transport Network. VBZ provides the people of Zurich and the surrounding regions with high-quality public transport services, 365 days a year, at least 20 hours a day.
SWISS International Airlines Ltd.
SWISS International Airlines is the national airline of Switzerland. It serves 106 destinations in 49 countries worldwide from Zurich and Geneva and transports approximately 16 million passengers.
Schweizerische Bundesbahn
play a central role in Swiss and European mobility with a strong internal culture and common goals – financial success and customer satisfaction.
die Mobiliar
Mobiliar is the oldest private insurance company in Switzerland and, in addition to its headquarters in Bern, has two further management locations in Nyon and Zurich. As a future-oriented company, it works on innovation topics in the areas of digitalization, the development of the world of work and life, and demographic change.
Oberwaid
Oberwaid’s unique concept combines the best of two worlds – first-class hospitality with specialized medical expertise. Surrounded by nature and far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, Oberwaid is the ideal place to relax, enjoy, work with focus, and promote health. Stylish ambiance, modern design, and contemporary art create the setting for relaxation, value-adding seminars, or sustainable recovery.
Vitra
Vitra AG is a Swiss company for the manufacture and trade of home and office furniture, headquartered in Birsfelden near Basel. Independent branches in 14 countries belong to the corporate group. At the German site in Weil am Rhein, the Vitra Design Museum has been located since 1989, and since 2014, the almost 30-meter-high observation and slide tower Vitra Slide Tower on the Vitra Campus.
Abacus umantis
Abacus umantis AG helps companies with excellent Talent Management Software to find, retain, and further develop courageous talents for the future. With specialized software solutions, companies can give the people in their organization the framework and freedom they need to boldly move forward and contribute new ideas.
