THE BRÜNDL ACADEMY
LEARNING TOGETHER FOR ONE ANOTHER
Elisabeth Rendl and Bernhard Bründl are passionate about lifelong learning – and about their 550-member Bründl family. With this enthusiasm, they therefore put heart and soul into encouraging and challenging all the "family members" in the Bründl Academy, which they have been managing together for many years. The learning system of the Academy has also developed during this time. We talked to them about their school of life.
Let’s talk about learning: When did the thing with the Academy actually start?
Elisabeth: That was in 1989 – when Christoph took over.
Bernhard: I think the ritual of the nature workshops has existed longest. We’ve been doing them for a good 25 years now I would say.
Elisabeth: The idea of the Academy simply grew and developed along the way.
You talk about "development places", not workplaces. Why?
Elisabeth: Each and every member of staff who walks through the door at Bründl must be prepared to develop. We expect that and do a lot to enable it. For me, when I look, for example, at the development curves our apprentices take, it is simply meaningful motivation to achieve more still.
What does the Academy actually offer people to that end?
Elisabeth: Our focus is of course on sales and communications. The apprentices, the trainees, and those on the management development course are the typical participants.
Bernahrd: And then there are the personal development courses, be it mindfulness training, self-management, conflict management, body language, or study trips.
Elisaberth: We’re really fortunate to have Bernhard and Christoph: The two have strong networks and we are forever getting creative stimuli from outside.
And who does what course when?
Bernhard: The shop managers play a major role here. As the HR developers, they decide, for example, who joins the trainee program.
Elisabeth: Staff members also come directly to me, and I never rejected an application. Luckily, my training budget isn’t capped.
How do you make sure that Academy information reaches everyone?
Elisabeth: Since summer 2019 we have had an internal comms platform: the Beekeeper app. We now use it for the complete e-learning program.
Bernhard: During lockdowns, it was key to keep people informed. Christoph uploaded a lot of videos.
Elisabeth: It was not like in many other companies where no one knew how things were going to pan out. Christoph was always really positive and honest; during that period we all felt incredibly well supported.
Great that the Bründl family is so confident even in difficult times.
Elisabeth: Only if you are confident will you bring your own ideas to bear – and only in that way can Bruendl Sports learn and continue to develop.
ELISABETH RENDL
The 57-year-old high-powered HR pro is herself the best example of Bründl being a great place to develop: She went from part-time at a cash register to director of the Academy.
BERNHARD BRÜNDL
Co-owner and for 30 years managing director of a management consultancy in Salzburg and of the Bründl Academy for almost as long. What would he himself still like to learn? To play the piano.
JohannesRadlwimmer.jpg "Group picture with apprentices")
JohannesRadlwimmer.jpg "Group picture with apprentices")
