#ThisIsYalwa

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Yalwa Honoured with the Prestigious Golden Lily Award for 2024

We at Yalwa are thrilled to announce that we have been awarded the 2024 Golden Lily (Goldene Lilie) for our commitment to community engagement in Wiesbaden and surrounding areas. This highly regarded recognition celebrates companies that go beyond business success to actively contribute to the well-being of their communities. Out of the 39 companies that received the award this year, in addition, we also received a special award for Democracy and Social Cohesion, recognising our efforts to promote diversity, inclusivity and social connection.

What is the Golden Lily?

The Golden Lily Award is an initiative by the UPJ Network for Corporate Social Responsibility and Civic Engagement in collaboration with the Department of Social Work of Wiesbaden. Since its inception in 2010, the award has aimed to honour companies that voluntarily take on responsibility for the common good. Over the years, it has become a platform for making corporate social engagement visible, showcasing the diverse ways that businesses in Wiesbaden invest in their communities.

Celebrating Corporate Social Responsibility in Wiesbaden

The Golden Lily Award celebrates the outstanding social contributions made by businesses across our region, from financial or in-kind support for social institutions, to employee involvement in “Wiesbaden Engagiert!”, to partnerships and pro bono consulting for non-profits. We are honoured to be recognised among these dedicated companies striving to make a meaningful difference.

Our recognition with this award reflects Yalwa’s deep commitment to social responsibility and human well-being. Our partnership with the Löwenmut children’s hospice in South Africa goes far beyond financial aid. We provide not only financial support but also personal bonds and hands-on help. Team members organise virtual charity runs, fundraising events, and local volunteer programs to raise awareness and resources for our cause.

Our commitment also extends to environmental responsibility and climate protection. At Yalwa, we take concrete steps to reduce our environmental impact, demonstrating that our dedication to the planet is a priority, expressed through actions, not just words.

A Special Honour: The Democracy and Social Cohesion Award

Four companies, including Yalwa, were additionally awarded the Special Prize for Democracy and Social Cohesion, an acknowledgment of our efforts to support democratic values and foster social unity. This recognition reaffirms our commitment to initiatives that promote inclusion, equal opportunities, and the strength of a connected society.

Yalwa received this award in particular for our commitment to workplace diversity, as we actively foster an inclusive environment with team members from over 25 different nationalities. We support skilled workers from abroad in their transition to Germany and offer events and training sessions aimed at enhancing mutual understanding and cultural awareness within our team. This award reflects our dedication to creating a welcoming space where diverse perspectives are embraced and everyone has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of background or nationality.

The Power of Business for Good

Winning the Golden Lily is more than just a recognition for Yalwa. It reflects our core values and inspires us to deepen our engagement with the surrounding community. We believe that success goes hand in hand with social responsibility and that, by encouraging positive change in our region, we contribute to a better society for all.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all other recipients of the Golden Lily this year. Together, we’re creating a powerful impact and helping to shape a future where businesses are committed not only to profit, but also to the people and communities they serve.

To learn more about the Golden Lily initiative and the impact of corporate social responsibility in Wiesbaden, please visit https://www.die-goldene-lilie.de/.

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Yalwa's success at the German Stevie Awards 2024: Three golds, one silver, and one bronze!

Yalwa managed to secure several awards at the highly regarded German Stevie® Awards. Despite facing tough competition from over 400 entries spanning various categories, we bagged prizes in gold, silver, and bronze!

What are the German Stevie® Awards?

The German Stevie® Awards are the most all-inclusive business awards in German-speaking Europe and are now in their tenth edition. The awards celebrate achievements across a range of corporate business areas — that’s anything from thought leadership to live events.

Gold Awards for Corporate Social Responsibility and Staff Training

First up, we won gold in two corporate social responsibility categories, including Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year!

We clinched this award for our longstanding dedication to supporting Löwenmut, a children's hospice in South Africa, with personal involvement on-site for various years and for our partnership with "Naturefund e. V.", which helps us with effective CO₂ reduction efforts also contributed to this big win.

A jury member of the German Stevie® Awards stated: “I am impressed by your holistic approach to corporate social responsibility, which goes beyond financial aid to include meaningful personal involvement and practical support for the Löwenmut children's hospice in South Africa. Your active involvement in environmental protection, through your partnership with "Naturefund e. V." and effective CO₂ reduction efforts, sets a great example of how companies can effectively integrate social responsibility into their core business model, promoting a positive and long-term impact in both the social and environmental spheres.”

More details about our efforts can be found on our social media channels.

And that’s not all, we also won gold in Best Educational Event for our professional coaching seminar for people managers by Jin Keudel, praised for its organisation and depth. You can read more about the event here.

Another representative at the German Stevie® Awards expressed their thoughts about this: “Very professional coaching seminar for managers. Well prepared, smartly organised with an online follow-up.”

Silver Award for Diversity and Inclusion

Our dedication to a diverse workplace that features over 25 nationalities helped us win silver for diversity and inclusion. We recognise and celebrate the cultures that make up our team with events, encouraging colleagues to share stories from their home countries' celebrations (including all the amazing food!) and actively recruit from all over the world. The jury emphasised these as an important part of Yalwa's inclusive corporate culture, even citing it as a model to be mirrored by companies worldwide. 

A German Stevie® Awards jury member said: “Your dedicated efforts to foster a diverse workforce representing over 25 nationalities, as well as actively recognising and celebrating global cultures and traditions, set Yalwa apart as an exemplary player in the industry. After reviewing your LinkedIn profile, I can confirm that you are indeed hiring people who have graduated from universities around the world. Great work! I hope you can maintain and leverage this diversity to better serve your customers and the community.”

If you would like to read or see more about our diverse team, please have a look at our social media channels.

Bronze Award for Best Team Building Event

Finally, we secured a Bronze Award for Best Team Building Event, recognised for its role in strengthening trust and bonds among colleagues. We applied with our 2023 raft-building event, which even saw the CEO's active involvement! It was praised for its effectiveness in fostering a positive work environment.

Another jury member commented on this: “Any event that strengthens trust between colleagues is a sustainable measure for business success. Perfectly implemented.”

The German Stevie® Awards are a great benchmark for excellence in the business world, and we’re so proud to be among this year’s winners — our amazing team makes all of this possible! 

And guess what? Yalwa is still in the running for the People's Choice Stevie® Award for Favourite Companies starting March 14th until April 8th 2024. Your support could make all the difference! Vote for Yalwa and help us secure this prestigious honour. For all information on the public voting, visit this page.

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Festive Fun and Surprises: Yalwa’s 2023 Christmas Party

The holiday season is a time for warmth, cheer, and get-togethers. 2023 was no different as we entered the beautiful Villa im Tal for an evening of excitement and entertainment!

The location was just north of our head office, but we felt like we had been transported to a real Christmas world, located in the beautiful Adamstal forest. As we arrived, the picturesque scene was complete with a stunning sparkling tree and the air was filled with the inviting aroma of Glühwein. Laughter and conversations echoed around as colleagues gathered, sipping on warm drinks and soaking in the festive ambience.

As we moved indoors, Klaus our CEO graced the gathering with a heartfelt speech, setting the tone for an evening of togetherness and appreciation. Now we were ready to see what the party had in store for us! So what was next? Well, our first surprise was ready to take to the stage. We were treated to a remarkable performance by two of our talented colleagues on guitar and vocals, as they surprised us with two songs from Alicia Keys and Adele — who knew they were so talented not just at work, but at music!

Whilst we recovered from the melodic sing-song, the festivities continued with the appetiser, setting the tone for the night as we tucked into the start of our delicious dinner. Then we were ready for one of the main highlights — a charity raffle that brought all the thrills and also embodied the essence of giving. The winners were treated to fantastic prizes, some of which were handcrafted by our very own employees and others donated by local partners. Not only did we have a lot of fun, but this allowed us to extend support to the noble cause of Löwenmut, as all the funds raised from the raffle were donated to them.

We were then so excited about the main course that awaited us — it was hungry work, waiting in anticipation for the raffle results! The main dish was crafted to perfection and enjoyed by every corner of the room. Once we finished this course of our culinary delights, another surprise awaited — a guest that truly epitomises the essence of Christmas — Santa Claus himself! His arrival filled the air with curiosity and cheer and to everyone's delight, he graced us with a merry tune, spreading a festive buzz.

A dedicated corner of the restaurant transformed into a winter wonderland, tailored for capturing festive fun with Santa, with colleagues posing for pictures of this special encounter. And to top it all off, each of us received a delightful Christmas present from the jolly old man himself — he really was the real Santa Claus!

As the evening drew to a close after our flavoursome dessert, we continued to catch up with dear colleagues, making some of the final memories of the year. The warmth of shared moments, and the spirit of giving lingered, capturing the true essence of the holiday season. Our Christmas party was not just an event, it was a celebration of unity, generosity, and the unwavering joy that comes from being part of Yalwa.

With hearts full of gratitude and memories to cherish, we bid goodbye to yet another remarkable Christmas celebration, eagerly awaiting the magnificent moments that the coming year shall bring. Here's to the spirit of Christmas and the everlasting bonds that make each celebration at Yalwa truly extraordinary!

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Yalwa's Leadership Training

Today, we're stepping out of the ordinary and into the extraordinary as we dive head-first into the world of leadership training. 

If you've ever wondered why honing your leadership skills is not just a “nice to have” but an absolute game-changer, you're in the right place. Our leadership training was a sublime experience set against the backdrop of a breathtaking location and a beautiful hotel for a memorable 1.5 days. Beyond the enriching training, it was a time of shared meals, cherished moments, and the strengthening of our connections. Even our CEO made a special appearance, sharing a memorable dinner. 

We, the people manager of Yalwa went through this eye-opening leadership training experience by Jin Keudel, and we are here to spill the beans on the importance of leadership training!

We began the training by sharing leadership stories, discussing what we liked, what we could have done better and what we could take away from the situations for the future. This was a great reminder that leadership is a journey, not just a destination. One of our colleagues explained: “The leadership stories we shared at the beginning of the training from all colleagues were super interesting and made us get to know each other much better.”

One standout lesson was the importance of Emotional Intelligence (EI) with a focus on self-awareness and getting better at empathy as championed by Daniel Goleman. EI isn't just a buzzword; it's the bedrock of effective leadership. It helps you connect with your team on a deeper level and navigate the complexities of human emotions. Another colleague said: “I believe this training was special since we had so many open and honest discussions about ongoing problems we are dealing with (as people managers).”

We looked into the concept from Covey's book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” which refers to the things in our lives that we have control over and can change. In this context, it was also very exciting to talk about “Different Hats” which refers to adopting different roles or perspectives in various situations.

Furthermore, Jin brought up the concept of Frances Frei, which emphasises that trust is built on three pillars: authenticity, logic, and empathy. We also received a little assignment based on this concept, which will be discussed again in the next session.

We delved into the art of communication, motivation, and coaching as the heart of leadership. Effective communication isn't just about talking; it's about listening, understanding, and creating a safe space for open dialogue. By working on realistic scenarios and role plays, we could see that each leadership situation is unique, and mastering situational leadership means adapting your approach to meet your team's needs. Another team member discussed their thoughts on this: “It was great that we were able to work on realistic scenarios we have encountered in real life. The trust we had in each other and the atmosphere at the training was great”.

In addition, we explored strategies for giving constructive feedback that empowers your team to grow.

Also, the art of delegation was a focus of our training, since it is the secret to juggling multiple responsibilities and empowering your team. It frees you to focus on strategic tasks while giving your team opportunities to shine.

Our leadership training journey was transformative, and these key takeaways are here to guide your own leadership adventure. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our trainer Jin Keudel for the exceptional training experience.  

One of our colleagues summarises the training as such: “I really enjoyed our recent leadership training, thanks to our highly qualified and engaging trainer. The positive atmosphere within the team and the great organisation made this training a memorable opportunity for professional growth.”

It's time to unlock your leadership potential, elevate your team, and take the world by storm!

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Our Raft-Building Company Event

Team building events have always been a highlight for our company, especially when the German weather is unexpectedly nice to us. This year, we decided to take our bonding to a whole new level by participating in a raft-building adventure. With tools provided by the event organiser Mr. Weissbrodt, we embarked on an unforgettable journey of teamwork, creativity, and a lot of splashing fun.

Before we began building our rafts, we first played a game that allowed us and Mr. Weissbrodt’s team to really get to know each other. Split into teams formed into two circles, we had to call out each other’s names from across the circle whilst one person stood in the middle trying to tap us out with a foam stick. If someone called your name, and you couldn’t call someone else’s name out in time before the tap, you were out! Now with the icebreaker done, we could really get down to business.

The event brought together all members of our company, dividing us into four groups, each tasked with the challenge of building their own raft. Armed with a bunch of materials and basic tools such as wood, barrels and ropes, we set out to release our inner engineers.

Building the rafts turned out to be more challenging than we initially thought, and some groups started to build their raft multiple times. However, it wasn't long before we saw the magic of collaboration and creativity taking place. Colleagues from different departments came together, sharing ideas, and working harmoniously to craft their rafts.

As the rafts began to take form, we couldn't help but feel a growing sense of accomplishment. Seeing our hard work and dedication translate into something tangible was incredibly satisfying. But the real test was still ahead of us – we had to put our creations to the ultimate test in the water.

Once our rafts were completely built, we headed to the water with a mix of excitement and a few open questions: Would we be wet in a second? Would our creations float, or would they become unintentional submarines? Fortunately for us, every single raft stayed afloat!

The feeling of triumph was amazing. We paddled and laughed a lot. However, what followed was the highlight of our company event. The calm waters transformed into a battleground for an epic water splash battle. Not one single soul stayed dry! Laughter echoed across the water, and we couldn't have asked for a better bonding experience.

In the end, it wasn't about who had built the best raft or who had the fastest paddling skills. It was about coming together as a team, overcoming challenges, and having a blast while doing it. Our company event was a full success, leaving us with unforgettable memories and a deeper sense of camaraderie.

As we dried off and headed back home, we couldn't help but feel a better sense of connection with our colleagues. This thrilling adventure was a reminder that when we work together, we can achieve and build great things – both in the office and on the water.