From networking to change, from encounters to movement: The annual meeting of f.ernetzt, REWE Group's women's network, was not just about exchanging ideas and making contacts, but above all about making women more visible and specifically strengthening their path to leadership. Management board member Daniela Büchel presented campaigns and concepts and encouraged the women to network.
More than 1,600 women are now part of f.ernetzt, the network for all women in the REWE Group. The number is growing steadily. Just how great the interest is was also demonstrated at the annual f.ernetzt meeting: This year's networking event was fully booked within a few hours. Around 150 female colleagues took advantage of the friendly atmosphere to exchange ideas, meet new contacts and see familiar faces again.
The event at the Alteburg restaurant in Cologne was about more than just conversations between women. Rather, the evening centred on the question of how more visibility can be created from this protected space. The message was unmistakable - and literally hung on the walls of the Alteburg: "Women on 1." The posters of the REWE Group campaign of the same name, which kicked off on International Women's Day, stand for a clear goal: more women in management positions and better paths for high-potential female employees on their career path to the top.
The meeting was opened by Daniela Büchel, Management Board Member for People at REWE Group and patron of f.ernetzt. In view of the current headwinds against diversity, it was clear to her: "It's the right time to step on the gas even more." As the current patron of the Cologne-based alliance "Mit Frauen in Führung" (With women in leadership), she had provided the impetus for the company's internal campaign "Frauen auf die 1". There is also clear support for the campaign from the Management Board, which is all male (apart from Büchel). However, according to Büchel, it is also clear: "We want to take a stand - we haven't reached our goal yet." Although the proportion of female senior managers is just under 45 per cent, it drops significantly after management level 3, i.e. at the higher management levels. This should change. Büchel cited a positive example from the management meeting in Milan, at which 24 new managers were welcomed - twelve women and twelve men.
At the same time, so-called gender culture checks are currently being carried out in selected areas. An external consultant is examining where there are any challenges for women and developing appropriate measures. The proportion of female participants in the Management Academy is also set to increase to 40 per cent. These are just a few examples of how the company wants to anchor more women in the upper echelons of management. The People Director also advocated a change in the way we look at talent: "From an HR perspective, it is actually wrong to only look at experience; we should rather focus on potential." That is the real game changer.
In the end, Büchel emphasised: "Women to 1 - network! It's fun and the guys are doing it too." And she got personal: "I'm at an age now where I don't have time to wait any longer, I just speak up."
With these words, she dismissed the f.ernetzlerinnen into the evening - for finger food, conversation and a joint exchange on how the REWE Group can become a little more diverse and more equal in terms of opportunities.
Iris Nguyen, f.ernetzt organiser
Inspiration and impetus
"What began as a space for dialogue and networking is now an active platform where women themselves set and shape topics. While in the beginning it was mainly about exchanging ideas on topics such as work-life balance or initial career issues, today the spectrum is much broader - from leadership and personal development to health and cultural topics."
Alice Bieler, Toom Baumarkt DIY store, HR conceptioner
Networking is very important
"I think f.ernetzt and networking in general are very important Women should consciously create moments to network and encourage each other to become more visible. Many new contacts are made at these meetings, and existing ones can be deepened through personal exchange."
Karin Hoverath, Print and Asset Management (WD2NPA) with REWE Group for 34 years, with f.ernetzt for 6 years.
Women more into the light
"I've been a member of f.ernetzt since it was founded because I think it's important that women come to 1. We talk about a lot of things here, about work, family, work-life balance... What motivates me for the future: there are many women in our company who are highly competent but not very visible. Women who have mastered their job with great expertise, but have hardly been noticed so far. How can we make these female colleagues more visible?"
Marika Schaible, Head of Sales, Lekkerland
Use the coffee dates
"I work in a male-dominated environment. As a female sales manager, my Lekkerland customers are mostly male. I was also the only woman when I applied. I don't have any problems with that. My tip: We women know what we can do. All we need is clarity, presence and backbone. We don't have to be everybody's darling. And: take advantage of the monthly coffee dates that f.ernetzt offers its members. I've always met exciting female colleagues at these events."
Romina Sauer,Head of Accounts Receivable Management B2C, REWE GROUP Business Solutions
Empathic leadership style
"I believe that women who decide to take on a management position are more aware of their role as a superior and take a close look at it. I have chosen an empathetic management style, my door is usually open, I am present and easily accessible. And yet it is important to me that my team can function without me. I've been going to yoga since I became a senior manager."
f.ernetzt is REWE Group's women's network. It emerged from the Women's Drive development programme in 2019 and is aimed at all female REWE Group employees who want to exchange ideas and develop professionally.
f.ernetzt offers space for digital exchange via a closed Teams channel as well as regular digital formats such as Coffee f.ernetzt, meet-ups and an annual face-to-face networking event.
The network is sponsored by Daniela Büchel, member of the Management Board for People. Today, f.ernetzt has over 1,600 members from all areas of the REWE Group. There are also regional women's networks in several REWE regions, as well as at REWE digital and in Austria.
Contact: f-ernetztrewe-groupcom
