A company that offers its employees one week of workation per year – where can you find something like that? In Austria, in Graz to be precise. The innovative idea comes from Denovo. But that’s far from the only reason why the IT company is making a name for itself.
To Do: Workation
The Graz-based company has always been innovative. The company’s success story began ten years ago. Then as now, the team around founders Mattias and Christof was driven by passion. Together with their professionals, every challenge is met. Business partners are not left in the lurch – even after a project has been successfully completed. The goal? Outstanding results and satisfied clients.
But – and this is the point – the employees should also be satisfied and happy. After all, they make up the success of the company. The many benefits that Denovo employees enjoy include flat hierarchies, unlimited home office options and an ideal work-life balance. And for the past year, there has also been Workation for everyone. Once a year, every employee has the option of spending a week in the Athens office. In this interview, Christof Stromberger takes stock.
How did you come up with the idea of sending your employees to Greece on Workation for a week?
Workations have become increasingly popular in recent years. They’re a great way to combine work and leisure while gaining new work environments and cultural experiences. Since the end of 2021, we have a second location in the Greek capital Athens. We work closely with our colleagues there. The idea for our workstation in Athens arose from the desire to give our employees the opportunity to get to know our colleagues in Greece better and because we want to offer a special working environment.
Can family and partners come along?
Our colleagues are free to bring their family or partners. In order to meet the requirements for a workation, only the normal working hours, as in the office in Graz, have to be fulfilled. Denovo pays for travel to and from the office, as well as for meals and accommodation for employees.
Which benefits do you see for the company?
Workation offers many advantages for our company. By changing the work environment, new impulses and ideas are stimulated. Employees have the opportunity to network more with colleagues in Athens and get to know each other better in a relaxed environment. We have found that productivity has demonstrably increased in projects where both sites work together. The opportunity for cultural exchange also allows us to deepen our understanding of other countries and cultures, thus strengthening our internationality.
What requirements must be met by the employer and employee so that both sides can benefit from Workation for all?
For a successful Workation, it is important that both parties have an open mind and are willing to gain new experiences. It is important that employers trust their employees and do not tend to “micro-manage”. This has never been a problem at Denovo. We also offer our employees the opportunity to work from their home office as many days a week as they like.
Where do you stay?
Whether it is a hotel or AirBnB, our employees are free to choose according to their preference, as long as the accommodation is within our budget guidelines. However, since our office is located in the center of Athens, I would recommend looking for accommodation there as well. Those of us who have already done Workation in Greece have already shared some tips internally for apartments in the city.
Have you noticed how the competition reacts to this “Workation for All”-idea?
In conversations with competitors, I notice a strong interest in the topic. Some of our competitors already offer similar services. The software industry is ideally suited to location-independent working, as developers often only need a laptop for their daily work, in order to program and take part in daily meetings.
Is there also the other way around? From Athens to Austria?
Not at the moment, but the reverse route is also being planned. We would be happy to have our colleagues from Greece visit us in Graz. We are expanding in April and moving into new headquarters in the Smart City in Graz. There we will have plenty of space for guests.
Denovo has an outstanding Kununu rating of 4.7. But that’s probably not just the result of the Workation measure, is it?
Denovo’s outstanding Kununu rating is certainly not only due to Workation. We attach great importance to a positive working atmosphere, teamwork and the personal and professional development of our employees. This also includes regular feedback meetings, training and education, as well as flexible working time models and open and transparent interaction.
How do you think the working world will change in the future? What challenges will companies have to prepare for?
I think the world of work will continue to change significantly in the future and become more flexible. Companies must adapt to the fact that their employees increasingly want to and are able to work regardless of location. Companies must recognize the challenges of digital transformation and adapt their processes and ways of working accordingly. Another challenge will be attracting and retaining qualified employees, as the shortage of skilled workers persists in many industries. Companies must therefore offer attractive working conditions and continue to respond to the needs of their employees in the future.
Where did you go on your last private trip?
My last major trip was to Mauritius last year with my family. It was also the first long-distance trip with our 2-year-old son. Traveling with a child is another challenge, but it all worked out wonderfully. We loved spending our days on the white sandy beach overlooking the turquoise sea. Mauritius impresses with an extraordinary variety of exotic plants, tropical forests and the volcanic landscape. We enjoyed the nature very much and Mauritius is definitely worth a visit. All in all, it was an unforgettable experience.
What do you always have with you when you travel?
My MacBook. I’m lucky enough to have turned my hobby into my profession, so somehow I’m always connected to my job. I like to sit with my notebook for a while in the evening and support the Denovo team at home where I can.
What else is on your bucket list – and why?
My wife and I love sailing. That’s why it’s a big wish of ours when our son is a bit older to sail the Mediterranean from Spain to Greece on a boat for a few months.
You are a big fan of China. Do you have three tips you would share with us?
I find China exciting from several aspects. First of all, there is the strong contrast to our Western culture and values. Once you understand it, it helps you look at the world in a more reflective way and broaden your horizons. An absolute must-see for me was the Great Wall of China. It is an architectural masterpiece that stretches more than 20,000 kilometers and made me realize how “small” we actually are as individuals. The breathtaking views and surrounding countryside make it an inviting place to walk. But as a tip, I would give that you do not head for the touristy sections, but visit the wall where it is really still natural.
Shanghai as a city I also found very interesting. There, ancient small houses line up with whole districts of skyscrapers over 500 meters high. The inhabitants of the small houses are gradually all moved to make room for the modern new buildings. The conversations with them were very informative and helped me personally to discover the world anew. In Central Europe, we take so much for granted, which it really isn’t at all.
What do you miss most when you travel?
Wiener schnitzel.
Where is your next trip?
My next trip is business-related and will soon be to Athens. It’s important to me to visit our location there on a regular basis to participate in customer:interviews and workshops on site. So I am actually the pioneer for Workation in Greece at Denovo.
