I.K. HOFMANN GMBH

“Our values are fundamental for all our processes, attitudes, and decisions. A precious guideline for every situation.”  

—M. Bayerlein, Manager responsible for the Hofmann Values Process

THE SITUATION

Hofmann is a temporary employment agency. They employ blue-collar workers, business people, and engineers and place them in other companies. Mrs. Hofmann, the CEO, recognized the importance of culture and decided to implement a values-based management program. 

THE PROCESS

Andreas Welther, a Barrett Certified Consultant, was brought in to measure the values of the Management Team and subsequently measured all of the internal employees one month later.

• • They gathered together the top managers to discuss the results and then conducted several workshops to solicit feedback and create strategies.
  • The results helped to clarify the organizational and restructuring changes that were needed.
  • The results indicated a desire for more open communication, teamwork, and cooperation. In response, they created a management group made up of regional managers and the top managers from Hofman’s headquarters.
  • They created a training focused on how to use the values and printed them on plastic cards.
  • They gathered region-by-region and asked employees to share their day-to-day experiences. Employees were asked to prepare their thoughts on how values could help current problems experienced within the organization. They picked the best solutions based on the values within the groups of 10-30 people.
  • They encouraged values-based conversations between employees and managers.
  • Andreas worked with the management teams in every region to create action plans based on values with due dates. These action plans were based on conversations about their region’s assessment results with people throughout the business, from the staff on the floor through managers.

OUTCOMES

Hofmann has dramatically increased their income and they recognize that culture plays a significant role in this success.

• • The average growth in this industrial sector was 25%. Hofmann grew by 90%.
  • Hofmann rose in ranking from position 11 to 6 among all temporary employment firms (Luenendonk-Report).
  • Sales are expected to reach € 500 million, up from € 310 million.
  • Cultural Entropy® dropped significantly.
  • The company won major business awards such as the quality award Ludwig-Erhard-Preis (most valuable German decoration).
  • Hofmann has also been among the Top 100 Corporations with Great Places to Work.