TÜV SÜD’s internationalisation and growing portfolio required technical experts with the ability to work in international contexts. To build the necessary competencies, this target was trained through a customised development programme co-created with the Technical University of Munich (TUM). The programme enhanced innovation, customer orientation, sales, and knowledge culture skills. Over 10 years, 185 experts from 27 countries were trained. The programme’s impact includes role changes for 54% of alumni, 85% creating business impact, initiation of 34 innovation projects, and a 72% increase in international networking.
The TÜV SÜD Global Expert Development Programme was created and is being implemented in partnership with the Technical University of Munich (TUM). It shows the power of targeted educational initiatives in driving corporate innovation and internationalisation. This programme, which has evolved over a decade, aims to equip TÜV SÜD’s technical experts with the skills necessary to navigate and lead in a rapidly globalising and technologically advancing world.
The Genesis of the Programme
The TÜV SÜD Global Expert Development Programme originated from the company’s need to adapt to fast-paced international growth and a broadening range of services. Founded in 1866, TÜV SÜD has grown to become the world’s largest technical inspection association. This growth brought with it the need for a new breed of technical experts – professionals who could operate seamlessly in an international context, drive innovation, and foster a culture of knowledge sharing and customer orientation.
Partnership with TUM
Recognising the magnitude of this challenge, TÜV SÜD sought a partner with both a stellar technical reputation and strong business acumen. The Technical University of Munich (TUM) was a natural choice. TUM’s commitment to excellence in research and teaching, particularly in engineering, technology, and applied sciences, made it an ideal collaborator. Moreover, the geographical proximity and existing cooperation between TÜV SÜD and TUM in other fields facilitated a smooth partnership for this ambitious programme.
The collaboration aimed to shift technical experts’ mindsets from being mainly focused on their specific fields to adopting a holistic company view, thinking internationally, and understanding customer needs deeply.
Prof. Dr. Claudia Peus, Academic Programme Director and TUM Vice President for Diversity & Talent Management: “Our partnership with TÜV SÜD has proven to be special from the outset – their open dialogue, their willingness to foster a culture shift, and their desire to contribute to a genuine professional development opportunity for technical experts – these are among the key aspects that have impressed us about TÜV SÜD throughout our collaboration. We are delighted to work with such a valuable partner and to share our strong technical expertise and comprehensive knowledge transfer to engineers in order to contribute to expert development at TÜV SÜD.”
Markus Schwarzenböck, TÜV SÜD Head of Corporate Human Resources: “What sets this exceptional programme apart is its focus on technical expertise, its strong impact, and the collaborative partnership between TUM & TÜV SÜD. Thanks to our continuous exchange of knowledge and expertise, we have been able to develop, deliver and continuously improve this highly effective programme together, making the most of our respective strengths.”
Programme Structure and Content
The TÜV SÜD Global Expert Development Programme is structured around three core modules, each designed to address specific competency areas:
- Innovation and Product Development: This module focuses on the TÜV SÜD innovation process, covering various methods such as ideation, business model canvas, and value proposition canvas. Participants learn to develop, evaluate, and implement new ideas effectively.
- Selling Solutions and Project Management: The emphasis here is on understanding customer needs and delivering targeted solutions. This module enhances participants’ ability to communicate with customers and stakeholders, ensuring that they can offer solution-oriented services.
- Change and Knowledge Sharing: This module prepares participants to support and drive change processes within the organisation. It also highlights the importance of knowledge sharing and how to contribute to cultural change.
In addition to these modules, the programme includes various supplementary elements to reinforce learning and ensure practical application. These include personal action plans, project work in groups with coaching sessions, lab visits, social events for networking, evening sessions with TÜV SÜD management, and an international module conducted outside Germany.
Selection and Evaluation
The programme is targeting technical experts with significant experience and a willingness to engage in international projects. Participants must have over ten years of relevant experience, a focus on technical responsibilities, and a readiness to work internationally.
Evaluation is a critical component of the programme, utilising TUM’s comprehensive evaluation model. This includes surveys, interviews, project work assessments, final pitches to TÜV SÜD management, and the use of a coaching app to monitor progress. These measures ensure that the programme remains relevant and impactful, and continuously improves based on feedback and evolving needs.
Impact and Success
Since its inception in 2014, the Global Expert Development Programme has trained 185 participants from 27 countries across 11 programme runs. The programme’s impact is evident in several key areas:
- Career Advancement: 54% of alumni have transitioned into new roles, many of which are strategically important within TÜV SÜD, such as CTO Digital Service, Country CEO, and Technical Director International Projects.
- Business Impact: 85% of alumni report having created a business impact using the skills gained from the programme. This includes introducing new services, product development, and cross-selling initiatives.
- Innovation Projects: The programme has led to the initiation of 34 cross-divisional and cross-regional innovation projects.
- International Networking: 72% of alumni have expanded their international networks, fostering greater collaboration and knowledge exchange across the company.
Continuous Improvement
The programme is not static; it has evolved significantly since the first pilot run. Continuous improvement workshops are held after each programme cycle to refine content and delivery methods. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a shift to a virtual format in 2021, allowing greater participation from countries like India and Bangladesh. The programme is set to expand further in 2024 with new target groups and a blended learning format.
Conclusion
The TÜV SÜD Global Expert Development Programme exemplifies how strategic educational initiatives can drive innovation and foster a mindset shift. By partnering with TUM, TÜV SÜD has created a robust programme that not only enhances the technical and soft skills of its experts but also fosters a culture of international collaboration and continuous improvement.
Voices of participants:
“GEDP enriched me both professionally and personally. It enhanced my understanding and aspirations, preparing me to make significant contributions.”
“GEDP brought innovations from concept to MVP through a structured, interactive process. It was a unique, experiential, and realistic learning experience.”
“It was exciting to share the experience with colleagues from all over the world. GEDP allowed me to open my mind, listen, and grow both personally and technically. First, we are humans, then experts.”
See other articles from Excellence in Practice 2024.
