A year ago, toom launched an app for its employees. The aim: to use digitalisation to optimise operational work with and among employees. More than 10,600 toom colleagues already use the app every day.

How is the app being received by employees? What are the most frequently used features, what could be improved and what else is planned? We spoke to toom CEO René Haßfeld and asked employees. René Hassfeld

one: René, the toomunity app for employees is celebrating its first birthday. What is the feedback from your colleagues?
René Haßfeld: I think that more than 10,600 app users every day speaks for itself. Within a year, we have managed to create a platform with the toomunity app that combines information with dialogue and knowledge and also makes everyday working life easier. The toomunity app convinces with added value and team spirit. This is also the feedback from our colleagues.

one: Which functions are used the most by employees?
René Haßfeld : In addition to the individual store groups in which colleagues organise themselves, the "Ask toom" group in particular is very popular. This is because you can access the entire and concentrated swarm knowledge here. The answer is available within a few minutes. You can also look forward to tips and tricks. We have also made our "MyPlano" time management system available in the toomunity app. This makes it possible to plan and view shifts from anywhere and at any time.

one: One year is short - there are certainly still teething problems and some things to improve. What are the employees' criticisms?
René Haßfeld: Particularly in the initial phase, there was a lot of scepticism about installing a business application on private devices. However, this quickly changed for the vast majority of people. For the first time, colleagues in the field without desktop access in particular can now access all the information they need without any hurdles. What I found more astonishing was and still is the reluctance to use the app among centralised staff. There is still room for improvement.
But in the end, it is the added value of an application that decides whether I am prepared to download and use the app. As of today, we have already convinced over 10,600 employees. Our works council colleagues have also given us great support and helped us along the way. We're certainly not where we want to be yet, but together we're finding the right path and continuing to develop the toomunity app.

one: Are there any concrete plans for the further development of toomunity?
René Haßfeld: We are definitely continuing to work on the toomunity app. In the future, it will be the centre of communication at toom and will also be able to replace some other systems in the medium term. Among other things, the integration of the digital employee discount card and the option to enter a store fault report directly via smartphone are in the starting blocks.

one: What is your personal highlight in the app?
René Haßfeld : The incredibly fast dialogue and the help from colleagues. No question goes unanswered for long. This fact is particularly relevant for our market colleagues. I've always known that we're a great team, but the app has given it a whole new meaning and really makes it more tangible.