Our guest speaker Dr. Claudia Viehweger, Chief People & Sustainability Officer of the Scout24 Group, delivered inspiring insights for a sustainable people strategy. In an interview with Stephanie Frank, Dr. Viehweger shared valuable perspectives on the symbiosis of people & culture strategies and sustainability—insights that are not only inspiring, but also forward-looking for the future of our working world. Here is our summary of the 5 best practices:
Sustainability as the overarching strategy
The key takeaway: Sustainability first. Sustainability should not be viewed as an add-on to the people & culture strategy, but rather as the overarching framework that guides all HR initiatives. Sustainable action within a company does not only concern environmental topics; it also includes social aspects that are crucial to long-term corporate strategy.
Social sustainability as a success factor
Dr. Viehweger highlighted the immense importance of social sustainability. A particular focus was placed on promoting women in leadership positions and implementing tailored leadership programmes. Companies that invest in these areas not only improve performance, but also increase their attractiveness as employers and strengthen employee engagement. Diversity and gender equality are therefore not a “nice-to-have”, but essential success factors for a company’s future viability.
Inclusive leadership as a must-have
Another important point was the role of inclusive leadership. An inclusive leadership mindset creates an environment in which employees feel a sense of belonging, are valued, and can be authentic. Dr. Viehweger emphasised that this aspect is not only crucial for employee wellbeing, but also for sustainable business success. Only in an environment where everyone can realise their potential can innovation and growth thrive in the long term.
Scope for young talent to shape and create
A particularly forward-looking aspect of the talk was the emphasis on scope for young talent to shape and create. The next generation of employees has clear expectations regarding sustainability and wants to actively contribute to change. Companies must give these talents the space to realise their ideas and channel their creativity into sustainable projects. This not only strengthens innovative capacity, but also increases the young generation’s loyalty to the company.
Feedback as the gold standard
To conclude the lunch, the importance of regular, structured feedback was highlighted once again. Dr. Viehweger emphasised that clear KPIs and feedback loops are essential to continuously review and improve the people & culture strategy. Only through open dialogue and regular surveys can new standards be set and challenges addressed.
As an executive search consultancy, our aim is to identify future developments in the world of work at an early stage and share this knowledge with our clients in a targeted way, so that together we are well prepared to successfully meet the challenges of tomorrow. Many thanks to all guests who accepted our invitation and contributed to a lively exchange.
We look forward to the next event!
