At the beginning of April 2019 we invited together with our partner Celemi to the 1st Rethink Work & Learning Conference. Approximately 70 participants accepted this invitation – mostly decision-makers from large and medium-sized companies from all sectors in Germany.
Bernhard Pollety, CEO [bu:st] automotive, opened the conference with a short opener on the topic. “Today, networks are at the centre with the defining ideal of cooperation. If you make use of the possibilities offered by networks, a completely different way of working and learning is possible these days”. This makes New Work & Continuous Learning a game changer that makes it possible to interpret VUCA in a completely different way.
In her lecture “Rethinking Transformation” Karin Maria Schertler dealt with the question of why. She decides on motivation. The why is what connects each one of us with his job, his profession, his vocation. She also quoted the philosopher and founder of the “New Work” movement Frithjof H. Bergmann: “Do we know what we really, really want? In which world do we – really – want to live?” Transformation requires strong personalities and “also hurts,” says Schertler. Ultimately, transformation requires a reversal of one’s own thinking.
Dr. Deborah Schnabel gave us the opportunity to participate in her refreshing lecture “With Startup Spirit to Educational Innovations” in numerous creative, entrepreneurial and agile approaches to learning. The focus was on the “Creative learning space”, which enables innovative learning tailored to the individual. Creative problem-solving skills, a spirit of innovation, team skills, diversity competence and a digital mindset will be the key to success in the working world of tomorrow.
In his contribution “Serious Boardgame or 3D Learning? An inspiring pilot.” Francisco Ramon Pelzing deals with the question of how 3D simulations can be used to organize business games in virtual spaces. With vivid practical examples it became very clear why 3D Learning is on the way to the “Next Big Thing”. It offers social opportunities and teamwork, it enables learning through practice, it simulates reality and promotes experience without the effects of mistakes and it supports employees in agile working methods. By the way, Pelzing says, “it’s fun too!
In his keynote speech, Norbert Leifeld presented the “Balanced Learning Model (BLM)”, in which four aspects are of importance. Relevance of the learning content, in line with the employee’s level of development, geared to his or her learning goals with actively supported transfer of theory into practice – from knowledge to ability. These aspects must be balanced and geared to improving performance. The model tested at [bu:st] in practice visualizes the factors that are decisive not only for training effective managers in our training program, but also for developing people into leaders.
Like a kind of Nordstern, the BLM helps to check the effectiveness of training courses or why individual qualification measures have not brought the desired success to employees. The focus on performance is very honest and may seem controversial, but the interaction with the search for personal purpose is a matter of opinion.
And finally Sabine Kluge took us into the working world of tomorrow and developed together with the audience the four key qualifications for a complex working world: entrepreneurship, making decisions, networking and filtering & focusing. The employee’s path and individual development can only be achieved through self-reflection, learning in a team and a shared vision.
In addition to the keynotes, the conference topics had the opportunity to participate in Celemi business games. There were four different simulation games to choose from. Claudia Schmitz used Celemi Decision Base to strengthen the decision-making authority in the VUCA world. Five teams invested their budgets in new markets and product development to win customers in a highly competitive market.
Diane Van den Berge focused on entrepreneurship: “Through Celemi Apples & Oranges, employees understand financial flows and their role in them. Only then will employees be able to make good business decisions.
How do we attract the right employees and retain them for the long term? Celemi Tango, moderated by Tore Byström, dealt with this question. The simulation game simulates a project-based and knowledge-intensive company, where participants align strategic HR management with an overall corporate strategy.
Henrik Olofsson presented the latest simulation game – Celemi Agile. In the digital training, participants are guided in groups through the dilemma of a project, where they choose between alternative actions. Direct feedback shows how agile the group was. Through discussions in the group, the digital simulation becomes interactive.
In conclusion: an all-round successful event!
Participant votes:
– „Great event – great organization!“
– „Please invite me to your next event again.“
– „You have a really nice office – very inspiring working environment. I would like to do a workshop here.“
– „This keynote just made me think a lot..“
– „I found this event highly engaging and inspiring. The event concept was smart, combining interesting speeches with interactive business simulations in a beautiful coworking atmosphere. I’d love to join again next time“
Keynotes to Download:
– [bu:st] Opener (Bernhard Pollety)
– Rethinking Transformation (Karin Maria Schertler)
– Mit Startup-Spirit zu Bildungsinnovationen (Dr. Deborah Schnabel)
– BLM – Balanced Learning Model (Norbert Leifeld)
– Serious Boardgame or 3D Learning? An inspiring pilot! (Francisco Ramon Pelzing)
– Sabine Kluge has spoken freely and without slides.
Torsten Graner
Corporate Communication
