The Gothaer Digital team has been based at the InsurLab Germany campus since September 2018. In October 2019, the team has grown. Sören Heinzmann, CEO of Gothaer Digital, and his team were available for our interview and gave us some insights into the working world of his team, in which not only the cathedral view plays an important role.
What exactly does Gothaer Digital do? Feel free to introduce yourselves!
SörenWe are an ideas lab and prototype workshop for digital solutions to a wide range of problems. We test new technologies and models for the parent company in a wide range of areas. As a service provider for Gothaer, we make digital projects a success or improve existing processes by accelerating them or simplifying them for the user.
What is your main focus and what are your projects?
SörenMost recently, we handled projects in the area of health insurance, for example, developing new apps and coming up with ideas for new training and consulting tools. We also conduct workshops in the Group, for example on design thinking. We provide ongoing support for projects that have been started and show colleagues in the Group new digital approaches that make their working lives easier.
How does your work relate to that of Gothaer?
SörenAs Gothaer Digital, we are firmly integrated into the Gothaer Group despite our freedom and independence. The requests come directly from the various divisions. The colleagues there are grateful for our support in Gothaer digital projects. We work in tandem, as it were, with the specialist departments and put together an individual project team from our ranks to meet the requirements.
How do you want to develop further?
SörenExternally, it is important to us that it is transparent for our colleagues in the Group in which areas or with which tasks we can support them and on which topics we are currently working. Internally, the challenges naturally grow with the size of our team. It is important to us that we create the best possible onboarding for our new colleagues so that they settle in well with us and we grow together as a team.
Your team has grown in recent months, what makes you special as a team? What strengths/skills do you bring to the table?
SörenOur team has grown a lot in the last few months. Especially in the area of design and UX, but also in development, we have been able to gain great new colleagues for us. We hope to welcome even more new colleagues in the coming months. In our job offers, we like to write "startup spirit with corporate power" and I think this sentence hits the core well. At Gothaer Digital, you as an employee have a lot of freedom for your development, but also the corresponding opportunities that make this possible. That is also particularly important to us.
Since when are you on the InsurLab Germany Campus & how did you get here?
SörenSince our founding in 2018, we have been located in InsurLab and already "occupy" two offices on the upper floor. The location was deliberately chosen at the time so that we could maintain a fresh outlook and bring even more new impetus and thought-provoking ideas to the Group through exchange with other start-ups and companies.
What makes the campus "special" to you that you could "recommend" to others?
SörenAt InsurLab there is a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere. It is fun to work here. We also have our finger on the pulse of the industry and have direct access to events and workshops. The premises are modern and flexible - with opportunities for retreat and flexible workstations. Another highlight is, of course, the large roof terrace with a panoramic view over the roofs of Cologne. We have already spent numerous lunch breaks on a fatboy in the sun with a view of the cathedral.
What added value can you get from "campus life"?
SörenNetworking is a very big added value for us. Digitalization means that the world is turning faster than ever before, and cooperation is an important success factor for the future. That's why we value the exchange with start-ups and other companies very much. This way, we always get new ideas for cooperative approaches that can improve the customer experience or also simplify internal processes.