Employee satisfaction - How to motivate and retain your employees

As soon as the last holiday is over, you're already back in the swing of everyday life. One appointment follows another and the holiday relaxation is quickly gone. With office yoga, you can switch off for a few minutes, put stress in its place and simply take a short holiday in your head. You will notice that you are much more balanced and productive afterwards.

Our four exercise units can easily be done at your desk, whether in the office or at home. They can be done as a circuit, but also individually, depending on how you feel at the time and which area is particularly painful.


Exercise 1: Head

Prepare yourself for the exercise. Sit upright on a chair. Carefully tilt your head to the right and make sure that both shoulders remain at the same height.
Pull your left shoulder slightly downwards to increase the stretch. Place your hand on your head and apply gentle pressure. Hold this position for a few seconds.
Then return to the starting position and tilt your head to the left.

Repeat this sequence 5 times.




Exercise 2: Shoulders

The next exercise focuses on stretching the shoulder and neck muscles after long hours in front of the computer.

Prepare yourself mentally for the exercise again. Stretch your arms horizontally forwards with your palms facing upwards.
Now raise your arms to chest height.
Now cross both arms together: the left elbow is over the right upper arm.
Both palms continue to point upwards. Bend your arms and bring your hands close to your head. Place either the backs of both hands or the palms together and press them lightly against each other.

Hold the position for 5 breaths. Breathe in again and change position.

Exercise 3: Knees

Sit upright on a chair, place your feet flat on the floor, about shoulder-width apart.
Slowly lift one knee and gently pull it towards your chest with both hands.
Hold the position for about 15-30 seconds. Breathe in and out calmly and evenly.
Slowly lower the knee again and return to the starting position.

Repeat the exercise with the other leg.

Exercise 4: Feet

This exercise helps to stretch the hamstrings and calves. It promotes blood circulation in the legs, which contributes to muscle and joint health, and can improve posture in the long term by creating balance between muscle groups.

To do the exercise, sit on a chair with your back straight and your feet flat on the floor. Extend one leg straight forwards so that your heel is resting on the floor and your toes are pointing upwards.
Slowly bend forwards, keep your back straight and reach as far as you can towards your outstretched foot with your hands.
Hold the stretch for 15-30 seconds without bouncing or rocking. Breathe in and out calmly and evenly.

Repeat the exercise with the other leg.


Exercise tipps while working: simple foot circles or toe taps help losening tensions and revitalising tired legs.


Plan for one exercice a day and block the time in your calendar. If you really don't have time for above exercises, simply pause several times a day, close your eyes and breathe consciously for 1 minute.

With this in mind – have a relaxed working day!

Interested in finding out more? Then stay tuned!

Trenkwalder has recently started offering a new business segment: the placement of freelancers. This model enables companies to cover order peaks, but also to gain new specialist expertise for projects in the long term. We support freelancers in their search for new, exciting projects that perfectly match their skills.


In an interview, office manager Jörg Polke explains the process from the initial contact to the perfect match and the benefits for companies and freelancers.


Mr Polke, what exactly does the Freelancing office do?
The goal of the Freelancing office at Trenkwalder is to bring highly qualified freelancers together with companies that need specialised professionals at short notice. We offer comprehensive services that cover the entire placement process - from identifying and selecting suitable candidates to drafting contracts and providing project support.


Why has Trenkwalder taken up the cause of placing freelancers and turned it into a new recruiting area?
Trenkwalder has recognised that the world of work is becoming increasingly flexible and project oriented. Many companies require highly specialised expertise on a temporary basis without committing to long-term contracts. At the same time, there are numerous specialists who appreciate the flexibility and variety of freelance work. Our placement of freelancers enables us to fulfil these needs in a targeted manner: We quickly find the perfect experts and finalise contracts swiftly, which offers our clients enormous added value. This allows them to concentrate fully on their projects while we provide the best possible personnel support.


How do you get in touch with companies and freelancers?
We use a wide range of channels to get in touch with companies and freelancers. These include personal networks, online platforms, social media, special events - and of course the good old telephone. Personal meetings are particularly important to us to understand the needs and expectations of both sides precisely and to create customised connections.


When a company is looking for a freelancer, how exactly do you proceed? What are the individual steps?
We start with analysing the requirements. In a detailed discussion with the company, we record the specific needs of the project.

Based on these, we search our extensive database and our network for suitable freelancers.

We then present the company with a selection of candidates with meaningful profiles that precisely match the requirements.

The company then conducts interviews with the proposed persons, while we coordinate all appointments to ensure a smooth process.

In the contract drafting phase, we draw up and negotiate the contracts and ensure that all legal conditions are met, including the avoidance of risks around bogus self-employment.

Once the contract has been signed, the freelancers get straight to work on the project.


And vice versa, how do you proceed when a freelancer applies to Trenkwalder?
When we receive an application from a freelancer, we review the freelancer's profile.

We conduct an initial interview with the freelancer to understand the skills, experience and availability.

We then create a detailed profile of the candidate in our database.

As soon as we receive a suitable enquiry from a company, we check whether the freelancer is suitable and fits to the company and the position.

We introduce the freelancer to the company, which then takes further steps.


How do you find the perfect match?
We rely on an effective combination of modern technology and human expertise. Our database and matching algorithms enable us to find suitable candidates quickly. At the same time, we use our experience and network to comprehensively assess the suitability and potential of a freelancer for a specific project. Personal interviews and thorough reference checks are an outstanding quality feature of our process. There is no substitute for talking to the freelancer and this ensures that only the best candidates are recruited.


How long does it take to bring freelancers and companies together, from the application/enquiry to the first day of work?
The duration of the process can vary depending on project specifications and freelancer availability. In most cases, it takes about one to two weeks from the initial enquiry or application to the freelancer's first day of work. Our aim is to present at least two suitable candidates to the client within 24 hours. From this point onwards, the time frame often depends on the client. In particularly urgent cases, however, we are also able to finalise the placement within two to three days if rapid support is required.


How are companies/freelancers further supported?
We provide ongoing support for both companies and freelancers throughout the project. This includes regular check-ins to ensure everything is running smoothly, assistance with any issues and adjustments to contract terms if necessary. Our aim is to build a long-term partnership and ensure that both parties are satisfied.


What happens when the project comes to an end or the project objective changes?
When a project is completed, we remain in contact with both parties to discuss the next steps. If the company needs additional support, we will look for a suitable follow-up solution. If the project objective changes, we work closely with the company and the freelancer to fulfil the new requirements. Even after the end of the project, we attach great importance to how the project went and how satisfied everyone involved is.


Why should a company opt for a freelancer solution? What advantages does it have?
A freelancer solution offers companies flexibility and access to highly specialised professionals without long-term commitments. Companies can react quickly to market changes, increase project efficiency and optimise costs, as they only pay for the services provided. In addition, freelancers often bring fresh perspectives and innovative approaches. 


And vice versa, why should a freelancer look for a project to work on through Trenkwalder?
Freelancers benefit from our extensive network and market knowledge, which gives them access to exciting and challenging projects. We take a lot of the work off their hands by identifying suitable projects, drawing up the contracts and ensuring guaranteed on-time payment. In addition, we offer comprehensive support throughout the project, including support before, during and after the project. Our aim is to continue to provide new opportunities after a project has been completed and to ensure that freelancers are always well supported.


What advice would you like to give every company and freelancer?
Companies should communicate clearly what they expect from a freelancer and be as precise as possible about the project and the framework conditions.
Both sides benefit from transparent and honest communication as well as professional and respectful collaboration.


Many thanks to Jörg Polke for the valuable information about freelancing @ Trenkwalder.

More information and contact details can be found on our website.

Interested in finding out more? Then stay tuned!

Munich, 4 September 2024 - Press Release


Trenkwalder has been awarded 1st place in the independent recruiting study BEST RECRUITERS 2023/2024, securing the top position in the industry in Germany this year.


As the most comprehensive recruiting study in German-speaking countries, BEST RECRUITERS annually analyses recruiting quality in Germany, Austria and Switzerland from the perspective of applicants. The award recognises Trenkwalder's commitment and outstanding success in attracting and successfully integrating talented specialists for client companies. The Trenkwalder Group relies on innovative recruiting methods such as WhatsApp applications and a high degree of digitalisation to meet applicants where they are in their everyday lives.


‘The award is an important milestone for us and a great confirmation of our efforts, especially in the last year,’ says Mark Pollok, Managing Director of Trenkwalder Personaldienste GmbH Deutschland and CEO of Trenkwalder Group AG. ‘With our brand relaunch, we have set new standards in the industry and sharpened our identity as a company. The award emphasises that we are able to do outstanding work in a highly competitive market and clearly position ourselves through our modern, effective recruiting strategies.’


Trenkwalder is thus continuing its successful path of implementing the highest quality standards, especially in digital recruiting services. The award underlines Trenkwalder's leading role in recruitment services.


In addition to the award within the industry, the personnel service provider also secured fourth place in the overall cross-industry ranking of 1,200 employers surveyed in the D-A-CH region. This once again highlights the high level of satisfaction of applicants with the candidate journey at Trenkwalder.


‘An optimised candidate journey is a decisive factor for our success: regular feedback allows us to make targeted adjustments and ensure that our application processes are transparent, efficient and appreciative. As a result, we not only attract the best talents, but also offer them an exceptional application experience that creates trust and strengthens our brand in the long term. That is how we have succeeded in setting innovative standards in the industry,’ explains Michaela Hrdlicka, Head of Applicant Management at Trenkwalder Personaldienste GmbH Germany.


Press contact:

presse@trenkwalder.com

On request we will be happy to provide you with further images for your reporting and arrange an interview with Michaela Hrdlicka, Head of strategic Marketing & Recruiting, or Mark Pollok, CEO of Trenkwalder Group AG, CEO Trenkwalder Germany and Austria.


About BEST RECRUITERS

The BEST RECRUITERS study is the largest recruiting study in German-speaking countries and analyses the recruiting quality of companies in the D-A-CH region from the applicants' perspective every year.


About TRENKWALDER

Trenkwalder is one of the leading outsourcing service providers in Central and Eastern Europe and is represented in 16 European countries. With over 38 years of experience and more than 200 locations, Trenkwalder has gradually developed over the past years from a pure temporary staffing and personnel consulting company into a leading partner in Europe for holistic hybrid solutions: Today, the group offers solutions in the areas of HR services, outsourcing and technology as a strategic partner for clients from all sectors of the economy.


About the DROEGE GROUP

The Droege Group (founded in 1988) is an independent investment and consulting firm, wholly family-owned. The company acts as a specialist for tailor-made transformation programmes with the aim of increasing corporate value. The Droege Group combines its family business structure and capital strength into a family equity business model. The Group invests equity in ‘special opportunities’ focussing on medium-sized companies and spin-offs as well as strategically in buy & build transactions. With the guiding principle of ‘realisation - by every trick in the book’, the group is one of the pioneers of realisation-oriented corporate development. The Droege Group's entrepreneurial platforms are geared towards long-term megatrends. Enthusiasm for quality, innovation and speed determines the company's development. The Droege Group has successfully positioned itself in the market both nationally and internationally and is operationally active with its entrepreneurial platforms in 30 countries.


Interested in finding out more? Then stay tuned!