Mission and vision.
Bmst. Ing. Thomas Krämer, BSc in an interview: Thoughts on the new vision and mission statements.
For this blog, Managing Director Bmst. Thomas Krämer, BSc answered all the questions about our new SNOW vision and mission and how they came about.
Thomas, SNOW ARCHITEKTUR was founded back in 2012. How is it that 10 years later, to mark the anniversary so to speak, a company mission and vision have been developed?
Thomas: In the beginning, SNOW was a small collective of 3 people and everything was discussed as a team. But now we've grown to a team of 31.
Of course, it is not always possible to discuss everything with everyone. As a result, different areas of responsibility have been formed in the form of 6 departments: Architecture, Interior Design, Competitions, Marketing, Construction Management, Portfolio Planning.
Through the exchange between the marketing and architecture departments, we found ourselves increasingly confronted with this essential question of our vision and mission. As a constantly growing and changing collective, we endeavored to define a common denominator that was already dormant within us.
And what happened next?
Thomas: We drew up a concept with our in-house management consultant Fabian. We started by comparing our strengths and weaknesses as well as opportunities and risks. This process was thought-provoking and eye-opening.
Together with the department heads, ideas and concepts were compiled and discussed, and both strategies and goals were discussed.
In future steps, the entire team will be involved in the development of the vision and mission.
For the moment, we saw it as an opportunity to get to know ourselves better as a company and to reflect on our path and style. It is important for us to emphasize that the SNOW vision and mission are an interim status. We see it as a work in progress, true to the motto "only those who change remain true to themselves". It is therefore only logical that our vision and mission will change over time.
What does the mission/vision trigger in you?
Thomas: It fills me with pride in SNOW and the team. Of what we have mastered and achieved together. Because, as I said, we wouldn't have needed a clear "vision and mission statement" in the past. So for me, it expresses growth, development and a structure that is put into practice.
What does the mission or vision say about you?
Thomas: Diversity and working collaboratively in a team are basic ideas that I advocate, but apart from that it says less about me as an individual and more about the SNOW team as a whole.
How does the vision affect your daily work?
Thomas: It motivates me to continue to hand over more responsibility to team members - as far as possible; to continue to reflect on myself and my actions and also to question how we use our time. By this I mean, among other things, setting priorities for projects close to my heart.
What do you do every day to implement the mission even better and achieve the vision?
Thomas: Acting in the interests of SNOW and the big picture. Not what is important for me personally, but for the whole team. Not to focus primarily on economic aspects, but to focus on how we can work well and realize our potential.
Are mission and vision checked in a job interview?
Thomas: In a way, yes. It is important to us that the same values are represented within the team. There should also be a good interpersonal fit. Initially, this is more important to us than sound know-how, as we believe that you can acquire the necessary skills with the right motivation and determination. If the spirit is right, it has a positive effect on the teamwork.