Interview: Corona at a Glance

Andreas: The crisis didn’t affect us as much as it affected the retail sector, for example. a The projects that we were already working on simply continued, and we were able to stay busy. This is where our lean structures scored points. Certainly, many companies are thinking twice about spending any money these days – making it difficult to acquire new customers. Time is working against us, here, the market is not recovering quickly enough, it is becoming more difficult to acquire customers, and that is detrimental to business.

Timo: Flexibility and compatibility with the family are cornerstones of our company philosophy. Our employees can work anywhere, thanks to a networked virtual office, which is why we didn’t find the “work-from-home” hype so new. Our team meetings take place almost exclusively via telephone or video conference call, however, we do try to get together once a month and go on annual retreats as a team so that the bond is strengthened in-person, as well.

Andreas: I think that the industry can and will emerge stronger from the crisis, as many companies, now, not only have to think about the topic of digitization, they also have to do it. The topic is inevitably moving into the spotlight and into the consciousness of many companies – who now see the opportunity to jump on the bandwagon and develop strategies to achieve their company’s goals using digital technologies.

Slobodan: The federal government is supporting German companies with what we consider to be a unique and extensive aid package. Of course, it is difficult to account for every imaginable industry in a fair way. Nevertheless, we hope that the measures will have an impact and that we will all recover from this crisis.

Andreas: I feel confident that we, who offer and carry out projects for the digital transformation of companies, will emerge stronger from this crisis. Due to the crisis, many companies have already had to turn to digital technologies in order to be able to continue running their businesses. Meaning that, the potential that digitization offers is not only theoretical, but also actually visible and measurable. It is easy to imagine that this momentum of rethinking will continue even after the crisis and that companies will continue to press ahead with digitization.

Timo: As a digital agency, we offer our services in the areas of business transformation, company presence on the internet, web applications and mobile apps. Our service portfolio, therefore, covers exactly the needs that have grown in companies due to the corona crisis. From our point of view, along with an online world there will always be an offline world. However, companies can set themselves apart from the competition with suitable online services – and this is exactly what companies should learn from the crisis and make adjustments to the way that they position themselves.

Andreas: Digitization made it possible for many companies to continue running their businesses. Even during the “lockdown”, employees could, for example, touch base, hold meetings and work together on projects virtually, even though they were not at their workplaces. However, the crisis has also shown that digitization can be expanded even further into institutions, such as schools. There is still some catching up to do here.

Timo: As already mentioned, it is part of our company philosophy that our employees work where it is most beautiful. Nowadays, because the globe has been networked, it’s no problem for our office manager to take calls in Athens and to forward them to Madrid or Berlin. We consider this unrestricted way of working as an asset and motivation to become better every day.

Andreas: As a father, the lockdown was challenging in that it had to be somehow possible to get distance learning and daycare, along with work, all under control under one roof. So, it was a relief when the children could eventually be sent back to school or daycare.

Absolutely! Taking the reins into your own hands and overcoming crises sharpens the senses for the important things. My advice, don’t settle for mediocrity.

Timo: As an entrepreneur you always live in uncertainty and, of course, the issue of existential angst always plays a role. However, we all only live once, there should be more room for positive thinking, and then, great and exciting projects will continuously open up.