You studied social work through the second-chance education system and have worked in consulting for many years. What appealed to you about enovation?
Social work is about finding solutions together with those affected. Her methodology combines practical and strategic approaches. We do the same at enovation: we combine the appropriate methods for a project and place a strong focus on what the goals are and how they can be achieved.
In addition to administration, you also worked for Pro Senectute for many years and were also responsible for digital consulting services: What experience do you take with you?
Especially when advising older people, it is important – and sometimes difficult – to find the right approach. Digitalization will become increasingly important in the future, as more and more people are familiar with smartphones or the internet. I like the fact that at enovation we, at least for the most part, don’t just have to reach one target group. After all, participation is about involving as many of the groups affected as possible. I think that digital offerings can help here.
Especially from the social environment, where participation has its origins, there are often still many reservations. How have you experienced this tension?
Very differently. To stay with the example, at Pro Senectute we had a group of sections that wanted to move forward – and had already established initial offers. On the other hand, there were many reservations and fears. These could concern their own work or very practical questions such as the protection of data, which is very sensitive. Such reservations must be taken seriously without jeopardizing the opportunities. And also important: digital offerings are now an offer alongside others – because we will never reach all people in this way either.
What are the criteria for you that determine the success of a digital project in organizations or administration?
In my opinion, the success – or failure – depends less on the technology chosen than on the willingness to embrace change. This applies both to the management level and to the employees affected in everyday life. Let’s be honest – the digital world is here to stay. So let’s use the potential!
What would you advise?
It has proven successful to define the goals in the first step – and only then to select the technology in the second. Depending on this, the choice of software will vary. This is also a plus point at enovation: we don’t sell fixed technologies, but look at each individual case. And then surprising possibilities often open up.
About Nadine Bischof
Nadine Bischof is a project manager at enovation. She has many years of experience in project work, consulting and participatory processes. Growing up in the Zurich Unterland, she likes both city and country life: the main thing is that it’s not too cold. With one exception: the weekly cold bath.