How Click & Connect Strengthens Fressnapf's Corporate Culture

"The stories are as unique as the people and their roles at Fressnapf. I remember colleagues whose roles closely aligned with mine. This has been incredibly helpful, as I could access knowledge that I would have otherwise had to gather myself."

— Click & Connect Participant

 

Challenge

Fressnapf is an international company with many departments and employees across different locations. A common challenge is the lack of employee networking, especially across departments and countries. This makes it difficult for new colleagues to join the company, and integration takes longer. Even experienced employees often find it difficult to find contacts for interdisciplinary projects or specific expertise quickly.

Lisa Feldt, the initiator of Click & Connect, explains:

"As a trainee group, we had the advantage of knowing someone in every department due to our rotation program. We wanted to make this advantage accessible to all colleagues to foster exchange and a sense of community."

 

Solution

With the introduction of Click & Connect, Fressnapf and Mystery Minds created a solution that promotes informal exchanges and connects employees regardless of location or department.

The concept is based on coffee dates: Employees are randomly matched with colleagues from other departments via a platform at regular intervals. The meetings take place either virtually or, if possible, in person. Initially developed as a response to pandemic-related remote working, the platform quickly proved to be a valuable tool beyond the pandemic.

Newcomers, in particular, benefit greatly. One participant shared:

"As a new employee, I quickly got to know many colleagues and gained valuable insights into the corporate culture and the functioning of various departments through Click & Connect."

 

Impact

Click & Connect is more than just a tool for informal exchange. It has become an indispensable tool for improving collaboration, knowledge sharing and corporate culture at Fressnapf.

The feedback of the participants speaks for itself. Click & Connect has had a tangible impact on corporate culture and collaboration, especially in the following areas

Improved Networking: Employees report a significantly expanded network, enabling faster and more efficient access to knowledge and resources. One participant described: "You always know someone who knows someone who can help." Click & Connect has helped introduce employees to “non-specialist” fields, fostering exchanges beyond their professional silos.

More Efficient Project Work: Cross-departmental exchanges accelerate project progress by facilitating quicker access to the right contacts. This not only saves time but, in the long run, also reduces costs,

Stronger Sense of Community: Many employees see Coffee Dates as a welcome enrichment of their workday. Informal meetings lighten the daily workload and foster a sense of belonging. A participant noted: "I got to take a walk with a colleague and a Senior Vice President. That experience will stay with me forever."

Improved Integration: New employees feel more quickly integrated through Click & Connect. They not only gain a comprehensive overview of the company but also establish valuable contacts early on. Since Click & Connect was rolled out virtually, colleagues across borders could also be included.

Lisa Feldt summarizes the initiative:

"With Click & Connect, we have created a dynamic corporate culture based on exchange and mutual support. This not only strengthens our employees but also enhances the company’s innovative power."

 

 

About the Fressnapf Group:
The Fressnapf Group is the European market leader for pet supplies. Since the opening of the first "Freßnapf" specialist store in 1990 in Erkelenz (NRW), founder Torsten Toeller has remained the company owner and majority shareholder. The company is headquartered in Krefeld, with additional offices in Venlo (NL) and in the national companies. It operates in 15 European markets. Today, approximately 2.600 Fressnapf and Maxi Zoo stores with over 20.000 employees from over 50 nations belong to the group of companies. In Germany, the majority of the stores are operated by independent franchise partners, in other European countries as own stores. The Fressnapf Group is also a sponsor of various charitable animal welfare projects and is constantly expanding its social commitment under the "Together for pets" initiative. With the vision "Happier Pets. Happier People." the Fressnapf Group sees itself as an omnichannel, customer-centric retail company that creates an ecosystem around pets. The product range currently includes 16 brands of all price categories available exclusively at Fressnapf | Maxi Zoo. The company's mission is: "We connect products, services, pet owners and their pets in a unique way. Everywhere and 24/7. We do everything to make the living together of our pet lovers and their pets easier, better, and happier!"