project management
Does every end also have a beginning?
- project management
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ENO innovation manager Saskia Brosius reports today
The end of the Riegelein chocolate production in Niederoderwitz – the search for new concepts
1927 to 03/31/2022.
The more than 90-year tradition of confectionery in Niederoderwitz, with a special focus on chocolate, was shaped by many generations of the people who lived there. With the closure of the Riegelein plant on March 31, 2022, a chapter steeped in tradition in the industry in the municipality of Oderwitz ended. The dismay of the people who loved their jobs and lost them gripped everyone who spoke to them and asked them about their situation and their thoughts for the future. Sad, yes, but not despairing. Because: as we all know, every end also brings a new beginning!
After the factory was closed, the question arose as to what should happen to the factory premises and the associated infrastructure. It quickly became clear that the former employees did not want to give up the factory premises and had a strong desire to work on new usage concepts. Although production was finally stopped and many employees had already found new jobs, (current) employees and former employees got together to work out a new usage concept for the factory premises with the ENO innovation team. It was three exciting workshop days!
It was clear to everyone involved that the imposing work as the center of Niederoderwitz represents diverse potential for the community and should be saved.
Inspired by the employees' zest for action, the ENO innovation team developed a three-day innovation workshop format , in which three potential usage concepts were developed by the local people. Day 1 was dedicated to reviewing the status quo in the plant and the surrounding area. What are the resources and skills of the local people and the work itself? What are the potential obstacles and weaknesses of the site? A lot of time was given for personal moments and the touching stories of the people were addressed in the exercises. The outcome of the day was a comprehensive ecosystem map of the work, encompassing all resources & capabilities, potential users & partners in the future, as well as technological trends & developments.
On the second day, the 11 participants devoted themselves to developing ideas. The different professions of the group represent a good starting point, because nobody knows the plant as well as the people who have worked there for decades. All facets were illuminated. Referring to potential partners and target groups, which were developed on day 1, two personas whose needs and challenges led to a possible question. This approach is based on the claim to develop user-oriented solutions and to solve an existing problem with the new usage concept. Subsequently, many ideas were created by means of associations, reframings and recombinations and finally four were chosen, which were described in more detail. Day 2 ended with a short internal presentation, where two of the ideas merged into one.
On day 3, the ideas should now be poured into business models. The Business Model Canvas used for this. The work was done in three groups and, for example, questions about target groups, the value proposition, costs and income as well as resources, core activities and partners were answered. At the end, the participants presented their ideas to the mayor of Oderwitz, Mr. Stempel and our local manager Laura Horst . Getting feedback in such a process is very important - and the feedback on the ideas was very constructive!
A different kind of biker hotel, a chocolate adventure world, or a conveyor workshop in which plants or bacteria are cultivated in vertical farms could be possible prospects for the work.
"After the workshop is before the workshop" - or before the next working meeting, because the participants, the mayor and the innovation team agreed that all three ideas should be further developed.
Now it's time to define needs, specify cost plans and approach potential partners.
We look forward to it! And as always, we'll keep you posted here.
Do you also have a task for us? A (business) idea, an idea for your village, your municipality or our district that you would like to think through professionally with us?
Best regards!
Your ENO innovation team
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