They have made it: after one and a half years of intensive learning, 44 (prospective) REWE senior managers have received their final certificates. It was a time in which the participants spent a great deal of time analysing professional topics, but also their own personalities. Four of them tell us how the academy has helped them progress.
Daring to be more entrepreneurial, making independent decisions and thinking strategically: these demands were the common thread running through the learning content of the REWE Academy, which was reorganised at the beginning of 2020 and concluded at the end of October.

Found very personal, emotional words in favour of togetherness in times of crisis: Divisional Director Peter Maly.
Twelve cross-regional project groups, known as guilds, presented the results of their work at the final event of the 2021/22 year. The spectrum was very broad, with topics ranging from "REWE - The modern employer" to "Experiencing regionality", "Hospitality 2.0" and "Quantitative cost analysis in transport logistics".
one asked some graduates about their experiences.

"It's very helpful for me to be able to discuss topics with colleagues from other regions and departments. The seminar that helped me the most was the one that focussed on my own personality, strengths and weaknesses. The leadership seminars were also helpful. We have so many strong people working in the company. We can all only benefit if we exchange ideas on an equal footing. I want to keep working on myself in the future. It is important to me that I can continue to develop and pass on my knowledge to the people I am responsible for, and that these people continue to grow. We are all in the same boat and we all have the same goal. It's important that we combine and utilise our strengths."

"The corona-related start in online format was new territory for me as a market manager. The second part was the face-to-face seminars, and that's when we got to know the people. And once we knew each other, the team meetings were much easier. The seminar module on leadership in particular helped me a lot. When difficult situations arise in practice, I can fall back on the tips provided. One seminar that was too short because it was so much fun was the one on strategic ratios.
The differences between colleagues in the individual positions are sometimes challenging, you have to adjust to this and find a level at which you can work together. You simply have to get involved with each other. Would I recommend the Academy? Of course. "

"The seminar 'Being a lighthouse in the flood of demands', in which we identified our own strengths and talents that can be utilised and developed, was the one that helped me the most. We had a great atmosphere and were able to get to know the other participants very well. I will take our group project 'Best Practice 2.0' with me for my career, as we will continue this in 2023. It was good that topics were also repeated that you know from your studies, for example. Many things were recalled and intensified. You realise that some tools are familiar but you no longer use them. I can recommend the seminar to everyone. You always learn something new, both professionally and personally from your colleagues. I think the combination of exchange and seminar is extremely important."

"I started the Field Service Academy programme at the beginning of 2021. Expanding my own network was a lot of fun. The insights into the unconscious processes that take place in people were very exciting for me. I will take a verbal toolbox for dialogue situations with me on my future career path. After all, different formulations can elicit very different reactions from the other person. I can recommend the academy to anyone, as you can learn a lot about human behaviour and communication. In addition, the exchange with colleagues from other regions is very nice and interesting."
The graduates of the 21/22 cohort came from the Level Management Academy (11 participants) and the Sales Force Academy for Area Managers Goods/Sales Departments (33). The programme consists of formal learning in the seminar, transfer to everyday working life and accompanying project work in self-organised groups (guilds).
Anyone interested in the programme is welcome to contact their own senior managers as part of the KNP or development meetings. An information brochure on the academy can also be found in the Orange.