Portrait of Michael Hintenaus
Photo credit: A. Schleifer
For a better mood in society.
Logo: Schon Genial

A decisive competitive advantage with appreciation

Appreciation, working environment, employer branding, shortage of skilled labour

Michael Hintenaus, co-founder and partner at WERNA, in conversation with #schongenial.

#schongenial: Mr Hintenaus, as co-founder of WERNA, you are committed to promoting appreciative and sustainable working environments. How do you see the role of appreciation in the modern working world and what specific measures can companies take to promote such a culture?

Michael Hintenaus: Appreciation plays a central role in today's working world, especially in times of a shortage of skilled labour. An appreciative corporate culture not only creates greater employee loyalty, but also promotes motivation and performance.

Appreciation goes far beyond praise and recognition - it means recognising the people behind the work and showing them respect and trust. Companies can promote such a culture through regular feedback, transparent communication and targeted training programmes. Equally important is an open dialogue that ensures that employees' needs are heard and taken seriously.

#schongenial: The #schongenial initiative aims to make positive news visible in order to raise the general mood in society. To what extent do you see a connection between this initiative and WERNA's goals, particularly with regard to promoting appreciation in the workplace?

Michael Hintenaus: With #schongenial, we share the conviction that positivity and an appreciative approach lay the foundation for a future-oriented society. Our aim at WERNA is to make employers visible who already actively practise such a culture. With our seal of approval, we show which companies consistently endeavour to create an appreciative working environment.

The award has an internal effect by encouraging employees and an external effect by making the company more attractive to applicants. The increased awareness of positive work cultures makes an important contribution to improving the social climate and satisfaction in society as a whole.

#schongenial : In your many years of experience as Head of Human Resources at HYPO Oberösterreich, what changes have you observed in the area of employee management?

Michael Hintenaus: The shortage of skilled labour has fundamentally changed the world of work in recent years. There is a kind of "reverse recruiting": companies are now applying to applicants.

A positive working atmosphere characterised by appreciation and mutual respect has become a decisive competitive advantage. Younger generations in particular value an environment that fosters their personality and offers them a sense of purpose and security. Companies are therefore increasingly investing in their employer brand and investing in their culture in order to remain attractive to talent.

#schongenial: WERNA offers a seal of approval for appreciative and sustainable employers. What criteria do companies have to fulfil in order to receive this seal of approval and how does it help to make appreciation and sustainability more visible in the world of work?

Michael Hintenaus: The WERNA seal of quality is based on clear criteria developed jointly with Hagenberg University of Applied Sciences. In order to receive the award, companies must achieve a minimum participation rate of 70% in the employee survey. This survey covers seven key dimensions such as leadership, communication, teamwork and, of course, appreciation and social sustainability in the workplace. A few open questions also give employees the opportunity to contribute their own perspectives and suggestions for improvement. The seal of approval makes compliance with high standards visible and gives companies concrete tips on how they can further strengthen their corporate culture.

#schongenial: In view of the current shortage of skilled labour, the importance of appreciation and a positive corporate culture is becoming increasingly important. How can initiatives such as #schongenial and certifications such as the WERNA seal of approval help companies to attract and retain talented employees in the long term?

Michael Hintenaus: Initiatives such as #schongenial and the WERNA seal of approval are valuable tools for publicly emphasising a company's commitment and values. They show both potential and existing employees that there is a genuine interest in their satisfaction and well-being. A positively recognised working environment is not just a "nice-to-have", but a strategic measure to attract and retain the best minds in the long term. These awards send a clear signal: "You are valued as a person here."

#schongenial: Finally, how important do you think initiatives like #schongenial are for developing a positive mood to face the future with confidence?

Michael Hintenaus: We often experience that many positive things are taken for granted and negative headlines tend to take centre stage. Initiatives such as #schongenial help us to adopt a new perspective and focus on the many positive aspects of our everyday lives. They remind us that we live in a country full of opportunities and security, for which we can be grateful. This collective awareness of the positive creates an optimistic attitude that not only makes us happier, but also makes us stronger and more resilient as a society.

Back