Jump out of bed in the morning, take a fast shower, get dressed, rush to the car or the train, gulp down breakfast quickly along the way: During a normal work week, the morning commute to work is a race against time for many people. Apparently, the saying “the journey is the destination” only applies on vacation. That is a shame, since the world is full of inspiration in everyday life.
Maybe we need to break out of our routine and take the time for our favorite cereal at the breakfast table. Or ride a bike instead of always taking the bus. Not stare at our phone in the train but instead observe our surroundings and fellow human beings. Listen to a new podcast in the car. This gives rise to new ways of thinking. And makes you hungry for more. In order to be more satisfied day in and day out, we should avoid unnecessary stresses and focus on gathering new experiences. Give it a try on your way to work! The experiences from Würth employees around the world prove that this is well worth the effort: They were more conscious during their commute and tried to look at things with fresh eyes.
They have shared what they discovered on the following pages. Simon Dietz had already grown accustomed to his exotic surroundings in the Philippines while others yearned for such a change of pace. And who has the opportunity to buy fresh fruit from the market each morning, like Asen Ivanov?
SHARPEN THE SENSES FOR SUNRISES OR FRUIT FROM THE MARKET
THE CHALLENGE OF THE PHILIPPINES
The traffic in Manila is unusual for Europeans; “tricycles” are popular modes of transport. Traffic is chaotic, the streets are congested. For Simon Dietz this means: arrange for ample time!
Simon Dietz, international internship at Würth Philippines
STRICT MORNING ROUTINE
Vianney Sabourin does the same as many Canadians: In the morning, he grabs a cup of coffee from the fast food chain Tim Hortons. He couldn’t imagine drinking any other brew.
Vianney Sabourin, Marketing & E-Commerce, Würth Canada
SUNRISE OVER CASTILE
Early in the morning, the highway near Toledo is still quite empty, with an almost meditative mood in the air: For Francisco Javier Banos Sanchez, the trip to work is a good opportunity to think about his customers, and also his family.
Francisco Javier Banos Sanchez, Sales Representative at RECA Spain
IN WÜRTH’S SHUTTLE SERVICE
Würth shuttle buses carry more than 300 employees to their workplaces in Shenyang on working days. Such a service is not typical in China. During the one-hour trip, Katharina Wu and her fellow passengers have time to eat breakfast, chat, or continue sleeping.
Katrina Wu, Administration, Würth China in Shenyang
LIGHT-HEARTED AND IN GREAT SHAPE
Marc Goett lives in Strasbourg and combines public transport with an ecological and athletic mode of transport on his way to work. He rides his bike to the train station, where he boards the train to Erstein. From there, he continues on his bike to Würth. As a result, he always arrives in tip-top shape!
Marc Goett, Marketing & Advertising, Würth France
EXERCISE ADDS A SPECIAL KICK
“People who exceed their limits inspire me,” says George Marin. During the summer, a half marathon took place where his car is normally parked: “The sight of the runners was pure motivation!”
George Marin, Sales Representative at HAHN+KOLB Romania
THE WINE REGION IN SOUTH TYROL
“I commute every day from Bozen to Neumarkt,” explains Sara Stievano, “going through Drusus Street in Bozen on my way. Neumarkt is located on the South Tyrolean Wine Road, a very beautiful region.”
Sarah Stievano, Head of Marketing & E-Commerce, Würth MODYF Italy
MELONS ON THE SIDE OF THE STREET
Asen Ivanov often takes Ring Road in Sofia on his way to work. It is an exterior circular street that runs around the city of Sofia. Many different stands are set up on the side of the street, selling melons for example.
Asen Ivanov, Advertising & Marketing, Würth Bulgaria
Now it is your turn, dear readers: Send us photos from your commute to work to communications@wuerth.com – we will be publishing a selection of the submissions.
BETTINA WÜRTH
CHAIRWOMAN OF THE ADVISORY BOARD OF THE WÜRTH GROUP
My commute to Würth early in the morning runs through a forest. A forest that is truly still a piece of pristine nature and not just a collection of trees used for the purpose of forestry or hunting, as is often the case. In his treatise on forest management more than three centuries ago, Hans Carl von Carlowitz first described the principle of sustainability by demanding that no more wood should be logged than can regrow. Today we understand this forestry principle in a more comprehensive manner: We now talk about economic, ecological and social sustainability.
The challenge is to not consider each of these areas separately but to see them as being equally important and valuable. We cannot operate in an economically sustainable manner and completely ignore the social aspects. No economic success should come to the detriment of employees and the environment – no prosperity is possible without environmental management. Society is responsible for striking a balance between these three aspects. We as a company consider it our responsibility to do everything within our power to manage Würth in an economically, environmentally and socially sound manner. Thus, the principles of sustainability determine our market participation and are firmly rooted in our corporate culture. But even in this regard, we have to admit: We could do more. In my opinion, if we do everything within the limits of our resources, we are on the right track. We wish to embolden others to stand up for our values. Let us embark on this journey together!
