Timm, recently you weren’t in the office or working from home, but on workation in Sweden. How did that come about?
Timm: During summer, many of my friends and colleagues are on vacation, and the EnBW offices are quite empty – quiet even after work and on weekends. I can be productive anywhere, and whether that’s at home or somewhere else with a good internet connection doesn’t make much difference.
Why did you choose Sweden in particular?
Timm: I already knew Sweden from several trips. The summer there is pleasant and not too hot, and I’ve always wanted to explore the Stockholm archipelago. Plus, my sister lives nearby – so I could combine work and family time.
What did a typical workday look like for you – and how did it differ from classic home office?
Timm: In the mornings, I made myself a big coffee and sat out on the veranda. Then the usual routine began: concepts, communication, Teams meetings, a few emails here and there. Apart from the view of the sea, it didn’t differ much from my home office – until the end of the day: once I stepped outside, a whole new world was waiting to be explored.
Workation sounds like a balance between work and adventure. How did you manage to separate the two?
Timm: By keeping a normal rhythm – starting around eight or half past eight, finishing by four, and then heading outdoors. Nature is where I clear my head. At the same time, I don’t see it too rigidly: if a work-related thought crosses my mind after hours, I follow it through. That gives me more peace than trying to push it away.
What did you take away from this experience?
Timm: Slowing down! I stayed on a small island with, according to Wikipedia, 54 residents – I made it 55. Apart from forest, water, and a few evening mosquitoes, there wasn’t much else. I learned that this can be a great working mode for a few weeks – and I’d definitely do it again. On top of that, I returned with a completed project: having the space to focus without constant interruptions really moved our roadmap forward.
Would you recommend a workation to your colleagues?
Timm: Definitely yes. It’s a fantastic way to combine travel, new perspectives, and a sense of adventure with work – and then add some “real” vacation time afterward.
Let’s look back from Sweden to Karlsruhe: how did you actually join EnBW, and what keeps you motivated today?
Timm: In my “Career 1.0,” from 1999 to 2019, I worked in IT at another large company – first in software development, later in management. As a leader, you eventually need structured competence and organizational development. That’s how I built my network towards HR. And when I asked myself after 20 years what would come next, EnBW happened to be hiring for digitalization roles in HR.
What excites you most about your work in the People Development team today?
Timm: Seeing our initiatives make an impact. Whether it’s our digital learning platform LernWerk – now the central hub for learning, careers, and talent – the integrated LernGPT as a secure internal AI experimentation platform, or our community work that connects learning enthusiasts and HR developers across the company.
Which areas do you work most closely with?
Timm: Mainly with the Digital Office and the (Gen)AI Competence Center from IT. Together, we empower colleagues to use AI productively in their daily work. Through our community, we’re also networked across the entire company and our subsidiaries – which helps us keep our offerings relevant long-term.
Was there a project that particularly shaped you?
Timm: Yes, my very first one 😊. When I joined in November 2019, learning and development resources were scattered all over the place. In early 2020, we launched a cross-functional initiative for the “Future of Learning.” With the promise “Everything in one place” and a user-centered approach, we quickly gained supporters. That became LernWerk – now an integral part of the organization.
And what does your typical day at work look like today?
Timm: I’m mostly in our “HR Homezone” at the Karlsruhe headquarters, switching between meetings, conversations, and focus time. Just before noon, I always go to the canteen with colleagues from various departments – coffee afterward is a must. That’s how I keep my internal network alive, which gives me a lot of inspiration.
If you had to describe your work in three words?
Timm: People. Future skills. Energy.
Finally, is there a motto that drives you?
Timm: My personal maxim: “Always act in a way that creates new possibilities.”