Shape Ahead: The corporate value that shapes the future

Let’s start with a brief excursion into the history of science, because we shouldn’t claim that we can’t learn anything useful here: are you familiar with Thomas Henry Huxley, the British biologist who is particularly famous for coining the term “agnosticism”? According to him, an agnostic is someone “who denies the complete knowability of objective reality”, which is usually applied to the theological aspect of this knowability. The existence of God is simply not supposed to be provable, but neither is his non-existence. Agnostics therefore sit undecidedly somewhere between the atheists and the theists and are sure to only ever tick “maybe” instead of “yes” or “no” on invitation cards. But enough of that. Interestingly, this Mr. Huxley also became known as “Darwin’s Bulldog” and was instrumental in coining the term “Darwinism” as a theory of evolution. You have certainly heard “Survival of the Fittest” before and perhaps misinterpreted it. In this context, it does not mean that the strongest survive, but rather that the best-adapted individual has the best chances.

Shape Ahead

And we are already in the middle of our year of values and the new quarter. Now it’s “Shape Ahead” for three months. And what does that mean? Let me explain. In a constantly changing world, it is essential to be proactive and adaptable – whether in your professional or private life. This is exactly where the Shape Ahead value comes in. It emphasizes the importance of responsiveness and ownership to make decisions quickly and effectively. But let’s dive deeper into the core of “Shape Ahead” and understand why this value is so critical to our success at virutal7.

Personal responsibility and expertise

In our chosen roles, we are not just participants in what is happening, but experts in our fields. Our responsibility goes beyond the mere execution of tasks. We defend our positions with conviction and expertise and put our words into action. This creates a culture in which every employee is perceived as an important part of the whole and actively contributes to the company’s development.

Fast decisions through responsiveness

One of the biggest challenges in the business world is the need to respond quickly to change. For us, responsiveness means always being alert and acting quickly when necessary. This enables us to recognize and seize opportunities immediately and to identify and minimize risks at an early stage. This ability to react quickly is invaluable, especially in a dynamic world of digitalization. Agile to the goal!

Willingness to change and initiative

A key aspect of Shape Ahead is the willingness to change. We recognize when something needs to change and actively tackle it – be it in a specific project or at company level. This attitude ensures that we are not stuck in old patterns, but are always looking for improvements and innovations. Change is not seen as a threat, but as an opportunity to develop and grow.

Fail Fast, Fail Forward

The courage to take risks and make mistakes is another cornerstone of Shape Ahead. Our motto “Fail Fast, Fail Forward” encourages us to act quickly and learn from mistakes instead of fearing them. This principle allows us to drive innovation and continuously improve. Mistakes are seen as learning opportunities that help us to develop further and be successful in the long term.

Continuous learning and development

Learning never stops for us. To remain successful in a rapidly changing world, continuous learning is essential. Shape Ahead also means that we always remain curious and strive for new knowledge and skills. This not only strengthens our individual development, but also that of the company as a whole.

Darwin would be proud

Imagine virtual7 is a jungle full of wild monkeys (I know, many of you are now thinking that this doesn’t require much imagination), strategic tigers and technological snakes. In this bustling and vibrant biotope, it’s not about being the strongest, but the most adaptable. Just like in nature, it is the companies that are best able to adapt to change that survive and thrive in the long term. With “Shape Ahead”, we ensure that we don’t disappear from the scene like the Eastern Brushtail Rat Kangaroo, but evolve and master the next evolutionary leap.
We are constantly adapting to new challenges and evolving. Our motto “Shape Ahead” is a small homage to Darwin’s theory. We are constantly on the move and ready to adapt to the circumstances in order to remain successful.

Shape Ahead

The Shape Ahead value is more than just a guideline – it is an attitude that shapes our daily actions. Responsiveness and personal responsibility enable us to make decisions quickly and effectively. Our willingness to change and our readiness to learn from mistakes constantly drive us forward. By living these principles, we not only shape the future of our company, but also our own. The world is changing – let’s adapt – Shape Ahead!