The Office as a Place of Learning
Dr Gunther Wobser is a managing partner at LAUDA, the world's leading provider of precise temperature control.
Dr Wobser, how important is learning at LAUDA?
At LAUDA, learning begins on the first day of work: every employee receives a personalised induction plan. The welcome and induction take place primarily in person, supplemented by videos from divisional managers depending on scheduling and the area of work.
earning remains a constant priority thereafter – covering new IT systems, processes and product ranges, as well as the commercial application of AI and modern leadership skills. Learning often takes place directly in the workplace, sometimes online, and through specialised face-to-face training sessions for groups or individuals to support their career development.
Futurelabs gGmbH, a not-for-profit organisation which we support financially as founding sponsors, which I founded privately and run together with Sophie Krimmer, offers innovative learning and exchange formats which, I’m pleased to say, our staff frequently use outside their working hours.
How do you encourage staff to share their knowledge, experiences and perspectives in order to generate new ideas?
We actively share knowledge: in our ‘Lunch & Learn’ sessions, colleagues present topics of their own choosing – such as self-organisation, presentations using AI or business culture in China. Through our ‘Tracktion’ ideas management system, all staff members submit ideas on any topic, which are then reviewed and implemented directly within the relevant department; we recognise the best ones with annual awards. Since 2020, we have been actively using the Maschinenraum in Berlin – a vibrant ecosystem for family businesses – as a platform for exchange.
“The most productive informal learning environment is our canteen.”
Which corner of your building or which room is the most productive place to learn – and why?
The most productive informal learning space is our canteen: there, staff leave their office environment, meet colleagues from other departments and come up with new ideas over a fresh lunch. For collaborative learning and creative exchange, we like to use our meeting rooms with writable walls and digital whiteboards, where content becomes visible straight away.
When was the last time you personally learnt something in the office that you hadn’t expected?
My learning moments often arise through interaction with other cultures and with young people – in the office at LAUDA, on business trips, and in the workshop at Futurelabs gGmbH, which is equipped by VS. Young people approach tasks differently: they try things out sooner, discard ideas more quickly and ask questions that challenge established processes. I take these insights straight back to our family business. Learning works both ways.
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