Cracking the Code: Exploring How Our Organization Model Powers Success
Written by Evelyne Daniel
"While we cannot control the winds, we can adjust our sails." Thomas S. Monson
Some weeks ago I explained our journey towards a more agile organization and gave a few high level insights about the model we developed and are constantly further improving since. Today I will introduce you to our way of working in some more details.
As a small reminder, our main drivers to change our organizational model are:
- Ensure flexibility and adaptability
- Foster creativity and innovation
- Sustain a great workplace
Primary cornerstone of our organizational model are our shared values. Our motto is "With Trust We Can Thrive Together".
We expect from everyone to act according to the wega Values, be loyal as well as to be solution oriented and supportive.
The Networks
A network at wega consists of a team of people working towards common goals. Each network is enabled to work self-organized fostering a high employee engagement.
Each network has a purpose, a raison-d-être, for which it was formed. This purpose of each network is clearly defined and known to the whole organization.
Four types of networks exist, each serving a different scope. "Domain Networks" are providing services towards wega customers and connecting internal expertise, "Initiative Networks" are engaging in the investigation and testing of new ideas, while "Knowledge Networks" focus on developing frameworks and on skills development, and "Operational Services Networks" are providing the core services within wega.
In more detail:
- Domain Networks play a pivotal role in catering to our customers' needs by offering specialized knowledge and services tailored to their domains. These networks are not only focused on generating revenue but also on nurturing long-term customer relationships. By investing in domain knowledge and customer interactions over an extended period, we create a solid foundation for sustainable growth and continuous improvement of our services.The stability and longevity of these networks enable us to effectively support the expansion of customer services and maintain strong ties with our existing clientele while upholding service quality. Our primary objective is to foster business development and growth, which involves crafting compelling offers, staffing projects, and innovating new services. In addition, the domain networks serve as a hub for knowledge exchange and experience sharing, providing invaluable business coaching, education, and training opportunities for all network members.Furthermore, the networks facilitate job shadowing experiences and seamless integration of new employees, ensuring a cohesive and well-rounded team. Together, we strive to strengthen our position as a leading platform in the industry, driving success both for our customers and ourselves.
- Initiative Networks are internal projects allowing innovative ideas to be created and tested on the market for a limited time. Initiatives support experimentation and allow all employees to actively contribute in their special field of interest. They can lay the foundation for future customer services and can transition to a new Domain Network or be integrated as new services into an existing Domain Network.Initiative Networks are small teams with a limited budget (hours). Defined goals, next steps and resources have are being defined and reviewed on a regular basis
- Knowledge Networks serve as a knowledge exchange platform to ensure wega employees are supported, coached and educated in their corresponding roles and have a shared understanding and way of working especially when they are acting in customer projects. Beside this internal focus, knowledge networks can also provide trainings or frameworks to our customers.
- Operational Services Networks cover wega’s core services. They might have internal as well as external focus. Operational Services Networks (e.g. HR and Finances, Internal IT Services, Marketing, QMS) ensure continuous and stable operational services are provided to all wega employees as well as to customers.
How Does a Network Operate?
- Each network is a self-organized group of employees, self-managed and cross-functional to be able to fulfil the network’s purpose and deliver the proposed value.
- Each network has a clear strategy and goal, which must be aligned to the overall wega and corresponding strategy and must be reviewed and adjusted if seen necessary.
- Networks embrace a mindset of continuous improvement and acts on it.
- Each network creates its working environment to support a productive and more enjoyable work environment for its members by constant communication, constructive conflict management and dynamic interactions.
- Each network has a runbook explaining how it operates. This includes network internal roles and responsibilities.
- Each network has a Main Contact who is the primary go-to person for questions related to the network.
- Each network manages its own budget and is responsible to track work effort.
- Common infrastructure and tools are used and constantly improved focussing on a minimal set of standards to enable every employee to navigate in the organization and enable sharing of knowledge across networks.
Who Is Part of a Network?
- Each employee has one Home Network. For consultants, the Home Network is a Domain Network.
- Each employee can be part of several network depending on area of interest, skills, professional development goals and company needs.