18 Forum No. 1 / 2013 No. 1 / 2013 Robert Bosch Stiftung 19
Outside view What are your thoughts about our Abhoy K. Ojha theme issue on purity? from the Indian Institute Active and involved, of Management in Bangalore Write to us, send us an e-mail, or post a comment in Photo: IIMB the Bosch-Zünder Forum.
Addresses can be found in the contact details on page 2 fit and creative With the German Senior Citizens Awards, the foundation honors ideas by seniors and ideas for seniors
hey may be getting on in years, but Citizens Awards, at the award ceremony in Always on the cutting edge they’re healthy and adventurous. Berlin. “Many seniors want to start some- In countries such as Germany, thing new, to play an active role in shaping The West “Do you use a smartphone as part of your job?” use the smartphone both as a business tool and for senior citizens are playing an ac- society, and to use their extensive experi- We asked you this question in a survey conducted personal purposes. Ttive role in shaping community life. They ence to make an impact. If we support on Bosch-Zünder online. Forty-two percent of Jonathan Temple, Charleston, South Carolina are mentors, bloggers, aid workers, social them here, society as a whole will reap needs a new you answered “yes” (see page 4). And many of the workers, and rent-a-grannies. There are the benefits.” 2,400 associates who took part in the survey also left It becomes more difficult to completely no limits to their ideas. What’s more, accor The best examples are the projects comments. You can read a few of those comments here. switch out of work mode ding to a recent survey of German seniors competing for the German Senior Citizens approach With my smartphone, I have access to my calendar by the Allensbach Institute, senior citizens Awards. The Hamburg-based agency Accessing your calendar on the go whenever I need it, and it’s always up to date. I can also feel much younger than they actually are. Granny Aupair makes it possible for wom- In Asia, a different kind of Having access to the Bosch network on my smartphone get a quick overview of my new e-mails, even if I don’t en over 50 to work as au pairs for host fami- makes it easier to check and update my calendar when- have my laptop with me. However, the fact that I’m Role models lies and social projects around the world. innovation is needed. ever I’m out of the office or on the go. Smartphones offer always online means that I’m also constantly checking More than 1,500 women have already a wide range of advantages. However, these can quickly my e-mail inbox. It’s becoming increasingly difficult for for a new generation shown interest in taking part. In Munich, Up to this point, multinational companies have pri- turn into disadvantages if your data isn’t secure. If the me to completely switch out of work mode, particularly seniors volunteer to be part of a Mobile marily reacted to changes within their own tradition- smartphone you use for work doesn’t meet Bosch’s on the weekend. of senior citizens Werkstatt (“mobile workshop”) that helps al markets – generally speaking, the high-wage econ- security requirements, data confidentiality can become Werner Müller, Abstatt, Germany people repair or replace their household omies of the Western world. However, they now also a very serious issue. On average, people of 60 or 75 feel 8 years appliances if they lack the required skills need to focus their attention on developments that Praveen M, Coimbatore, India Managing your time more independently younger than they are, while those over 75 or financial resources. And the project Fit are taking place elsewhere. Low-wage countries With my smartphone, I can check my e-mail whenever feel as much as 10 years younger. Modern sports ab 50? Fit bis 100! (“Fit after 50? Fit until such as China and India are more than just good loca- Sometimes it’s hard to concentrate I want. Because of this, I now have greater freedom and By living an active “retirement,” older help seniors 100!”) introduces seniors to modern sports tions for manufacturing products more cheaply. on what’s important flexibility to manage my time as I see fit. Plus, I never people are making an important contribu- stay mobile well such as inline skating, Nordic walking, and They also offer a workforce of highly qualified peo- My smartphone makes sure that I’m always up to date miss a single meeting, because my phone always re- tion to creating a functioning community. into old age. skiing in Norway. Sports help to maintain ple, which makes them economically interesting. and on top of things. This is something that is extremely minds me ahead of time. At the end of the day, I’m more The Robert Bosch Stiftung wants to ensure Photo: Fee Roth and increase the mobility of seniors well And, most importantly, they are markets that offer helpful when I need to make decisions. On the flipside, flexible and, as a result, much more motivated. How that the initiatives serve as role models for into old age. tremendous potential. though, the smartphone provides me with so much ever, one thing you cannot let happen is for this to begin an entire generation. For From among the many applicants, the Companies need to recognize three things. First, information that it’s sometimes very difficult to con to affect your private life. Being available all the time this reason, it is honoring jury selected the JUSTAment project, in low-wage countries, there is very little demand for centrate on what’s truly important. does have its disadvantages. That’s why I turn off the the best ideas by seniors which pairs seniors with students. The idea the products that Western companies produce for Benjamin Pereira, Singapore e-mail alert function when I don’t want to be bothered. and for seniors with the is that seniors can use their career and life their home markets. People in these countries gener- Arsevi Kozanli, Bursa, Turkey German Senior Citizens experience to help students get ready to ally purchase simpler products that meet the needs The flexibility to respond when issues arise Awards. “Sometimes, the enter the job market. They work together of many people. Second, companies need take an en- The advantage of using a smartphone for work purpos- An important tool for increasing efficiency ideas that win the award to prepare applications, and conduct prac- tirely different approach to designing innovative es is that you have the flexibility to respond whenever The ability to access your e-mail outside of the office is are small and simple, but tice interviews and aptitude tests. The products for these markets than they would in the issues or problems suddenly arise, even if this happens an important tool for increasing efficiency. And I’m not they are also truly excep- The current award winners won over the award for the best idea for seniors went to a West. Third, the manufacturing processes required outside of normal business hours. However, there is just talking about exchanging or sharing information. tional and help our society jury with their exemplary projects: Wolfgang concept from the small town of Rödental, for these simpler products may not be compatible also a downside in that it is no longer possible to estab- The ability to send and receive photos is very useful as to progress,” said Kristina Hasselkus from the City of Rödental (left) and which developed simple but innovative so- with the companies’ existing processes. lish any clear boundaries between your professional well. It makes communication clearer and, as a result, Schröder, Federal Minister Peter Hartmann from JUSTAment (right) with lutions to allow older and aged people to In short, managers at many multinational com life and your life outside of work. For all practical more efficient. As long as you use your smartphone for Family Affairs and pa- honorary award-winner and former health carry on living at home. Both projects re- panies need to completely reassess how they purposes, you can be reached at any time, twenty-four wisely and sensibly, its benefits in business terms great- tron of the German Senior minister Ursula Lehr. Photo: Manuel Frauendorf ceived €60,000 each. view the world. It’s a relatively simple thing to do. hours a day, seven days a week. In addition, you also ly outweigh its costs. However, management also needs to bring the rest run the risk of reducing your overall productivity if you Carl Taylor-Hall, Worcester, U.K. of the organization on board. This then makes it possible to adapt its business culture so that it’s compatible with this new way of thinking. And that is a real challenge. Snapshot A place near and dear to the heart Bosch is leading the way Bosch has already done a great deal to reshape its An interview with Manuel Neuer about his dedication to youth programs company culture. I was part of the Innovations Beyond Borders initiative, where Bosch managers anuel Neuer was born in Gelsenkirchen. As a motivation be stronger than in a place Studying at from Germany, China, and India came together for child, he joined the Bambini-Kicker – the youth that’s near and dear to their hearts? workshops in each of these countries. Msoccer program run by local team FC Schalke 04. the stadium Naturally, the Germans were most familiar with From there, he went on to become goalkeeper of the Ger- What do you like about the Schalke how to design innovative high-end products. The man national team. Through his Manuel Neuer Kids Foun- Open For Classes concept? Twelve German soccer stadiums offer educa- Chinese and Indians, on the other hand, had a strong dation, he now supports civic education programs for Schalke Open for Classes takes an extreme- tional programs for young people in the same understanding of the challenges presented by the young people in his former team’s stadium. Neuer has been ly intelligent approach to teaching. As a team, vein as Schalke Open For Classes. These task of designing simple yet innovative products. Bayern Munich goalkeeper since 2011. Schalke 04 gives young people in the region programs are a new way to help kids who love The workshops helped each group to better under- something to identify with. This project simply soccer to get interested in civic issues, too. stand the differences, but also to recognize the op- Mr. Neuer, in cooperation with the Robert Bosch uses young people’s enthusiasm for soccer to get Lernort Stadion (i.e. the stadium as a place of portunities that they offer. The participants gained a Stiftung, you are supporting Schalke Open For them interested in issues relevant to politics and learning) is one of the Robert Bosch Stiftung’s deeper understanding of the fact that change is a Classes, a program that provides civic education society. These kids have experienced problems many programs that focus on civic education. necessary part of their daily work. for young people at the stadium owned by venerable such as violence and racism first hand, and un- If you want to learn more about other projects, I am convinced that other multinational compa- Schalke 04. Is this a good place for kids to learn? fortunately, these issues are also present at sta- take a look at our new magazine! You can nies, particularly in Europe, could also benefit great- Stadiums are a reflection of society. Every other weekend, diums. But why not address the problems there, download it by scanning ly from the lessons that Bosch has already learned. thousands of people come together to support their team. too, instead of just pointing fingers? Most impor- the QR code below. People from all levels of society come to the games, and for tantly, these young people have positive experi- 90 minutes, it doesn’t matter where they work or where ences with solidarity and support during this pro- Professor Abhoy K. Ojha is an international they’re from. Their love of the team unites them. Addition- gram. And support is something we need in soci- management expert. One current focus ally, on the field, the players demonstrate tolerance, fair ety – not just in goal. I’m personally motivated to of his work is the issue of how organizations play, and team spirit. I think it’s great that Schalke Open For make things happen in this area. can maximize their performance. Shahnawaz Ahmad works for Bosch in Worcester. sign below the ad actually reads “Sony Enterprises,” Classes picks up on these values and actively communi- Ojha stresses the need for constant change This is why the quality engineer immediately noticed it does not, in fact, refer to the electronics company. cates them in an environment where young people already Clear signal: Manuel Neuer also gives within companies. a Bosch ad above a household goods store in Jaipur Sony (or Soni) is an Indian girl’s name, and the shop have such positive associations. We all know that learning guidance to young people when he’s while he was traveling around India. And although the is named after a woman called Soni. is easiest when you’re motivated – and where could kids’ on the football field.