ERNE AG Holzbau shows appreciation

For years, Erne AG Holzbau has surprised its employees with festive bouquets. Yvonne Hochreuter is in charge of this beautiful campaign.

Ms. Hochreuter, for years you have ordered numerous Flower gifts just before Christmas. Who are the lucky recipients?

Formerly, it was the partners of our management staff. For the past two years, it has been all employees - regardless of their level in the hierarchy, whether in Switzerland or abroad, working part-time or full-time. It is our way of saying thank you to everyone for the great commitment they have made during the year.

So, it's a new way of thinking. Why did you use to thank the partners of the management staff, and now you thank all employees?

In our company, the management is absent very often due to their jobs, which requires a lot of understanding and support on the part of the partners. The bouquet was a sign of gratitude and appreciation and the first basic idea behind it. Appreciation is still in the foreground, but we wanted to address a «thank you» directly to all employees due to their high level of commitment and dedication.

The idea with the employees probably also has the advantage that you always send gifts to the right people …

Yes, that is correct. Because of course there were also management employees who separated from their partner. And if they didn't tell us, the flowers went to the wrong person.

Why does a timber construction company choose flowers?

We were looking for a gift that symbolized appreciation, brought joy and was logistically feasible. So, the choice fell on a bouquet of flowers. We have stuck with it to this day.

Why do you give gifts at Christmas - and not at any other time?

Between Christmas and New Year, we have company vacations. The flowers reach the employees after the last working day. This way, the year ends with a flowery thank-you.

How do you choose the flower colors?

Our corporate color is blue. But since there are hardly any blue flowers - especially in winter - we make sure that at least one blue accessory, such as a blue ribbon, adorns the bouquet. The flowers are mostly white because that is a festive, modern, elegant color that goes down well.

And the accompanying message?

We create a card especially for the occasion, which we personalize with words. In Switzerland, the Corporate Services Team ensures that the cards reach the florists so that they can enclose them with the bouquets. Unfortunately, this is not possible in Germany and France. Therefore, we send the cards by mail, while the flowers are delivered by the florists.

Get a lot of feedback?

Absolutely - everyone is thrilled! It is interesting that floristry in Switzerland and abroad differs according to feedback and social media posts.

How was the cooperation with our Corporate Services Team and the partner florists?

Super. When we once wanted a very special bouquet, they even brought us a sample. And the last Christmas bouquet was put in a special bag with an insert for water. That really amazed me.

Do you love flowers? And which ones in particular?

I'm an orchid fan, but I also treat myself to a seasonal bouquet sometimes. I am also fond of blue orchids. I know that they are dyed with a special process and the flowers that grow back are then white. But I just love them, they cheer me up.

Thank you very much for the interview, Ms. Hochreuter.

Yvonne Hochreuter works in administration and is responsible for measures such as the one described above at ERNE AG Holzbau.