Job shadowing: New perspectives ensure process optimization
Interdisciplinary and cross-departmental projects are not uncommon in everyday working life. However, the employees involved in a project together often do not know what the team members' jobs actually entail and what their daily work routines look like.
This is exactly where job shadowing at schülke comes in: For one day, employees accompany colleagues from departments with which they regularly interface. The aim: to experience processes at first hand, understand working methods - and thus improve collaboration.
A look over the shoulder creates solidarity
Clemens and Daniel also had this experience when they accompanied each other at work for a day. "I found it very exciting to spend a day at the logistics center. The morning meeting was particularly interesting: who is on vacation, what's on the agenda, how the work is prioritized and scheduled," says Clemens about his day at the logistics center. He is not familiar with this kind of detailed strategic planning from his work area, the bulk container in production. Here, everyone can see directly on the workstation assignment board where they are assigned and the handover takes a maximum of 5 minutes.
Daniel also takes away many impressions from the job shadowing. He was particularly impressed by the efficiency of the team: "With just three employees, everything ran smoothly. Everyone knew exactly what to do and everyone supported each other. I had never been so aware of these details and the responsibility that goes into every step before," he says. As a fun fact, he adds: "I imagined the large container to be much bigger! The name sounds huge, but in reality the area is quite compact. Nevertheless, an impressive amount comes together here."
Both take away important insights from this experience. "It's now clearer to me that production often has to react very flexibly, even though it looks like a fixed machine sequence," says Daniel, describing what he has learned for future joint projects. Clemens also benefits from job shadowing: "I have definitely developed a better understanding of the processes in logistics. While strategic projects and meetings characterize everyday life in other areas of the company, here everyone pitches in equally. The focus is clearly on operational excellence - any delay would have a direct impact on our supply chains."
Job shadowing opens doors: it shows the requirements, challenges and processes behind the tasks that we only notice in passing in everyday life. And it helps to avoid misunderstandings, optimize processes and create genuine cooperation. The new insights are a benefit for everyone and enrich joint projects immensely.
