Meet Lutz Hirsch, the driving force behind HIRSCHTEC, a company dedicated to revolutionizing the way we work and communicate in the digital age. As the founder, owner, and CEO, Lutz’s journey began as a one-person business with a crystal-clear vision for growth. His guiding principle has always been to empower others to take on his role, laying the foundation for scalable success.
At HIRSCHTEC, the focus has consistently been on providing scalable consulting services and cloud-based digital solutions. Lutz’s foresight led the company to embrace a “cloud-only” approach when competitors were still immersed in programming individual solutions. Beyond merely offering digital tools, Lutz’s passion lies in crafting a holistic work strategy that encompasses leadership, automation, communication, collaboration, and office spaces—interconnected elements crucial in the evolving landscape of the hybrid working world.
For Lutz, the digital workplace isn’t just about internal tools; it’s about fostering a comprehensive approach that considers the broader landscape of the hybrid working world. His goal is not only to provide solutions but to shape a future where people and companies thrive in the most effective way possible. Join Lutz Hirsch on the journey of transforming the workplace into a seamlessly integrated and people-centric environment.
Best in Class Digital Workplace Solutions
HIRSHTEC, specializing in the digitalization of communication and collaboration since 2005, has been highly regarded by customers for its expertise in introducing and advancing intranets and digital workplaces. With the evolving work landscape, fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic and the increasing adoption of hybrid work models, the company has witnessed a surge in demand for services related to organizational development, digital leadership, hybrid working models, and spatial concepts. The rising prominence of AI and its potential to streamline routine tasks, exemplified by technologies like Microsoft Copilot, has led to a growing need for support in AI and work process automation to enhance overall productivity.
Lutz emphasizes that HIRSCHTEC stands out from its competitors by adopting a holistic approach to the digital workplace. The company is distinctive in its reliance on cloud-based solutions and has achieved over a 100 percent increase in digital workplace adoption among its customers through its comprehensive approach. With a team of over 120 workplace specialists, HIRSCHTEC undertakes projects globally, offering its clients proprietary digital workplace services such as HIRSCHTEC Analytics—an online dashboard enabling the measurement of digital workplace success on a global scale. This unique blend of expertise, cloud-based solutions, and proprietary services positions HIRSCHTEC as a leader in the digitalization landscape.
A Culture of Continuous Evolution
Lutz underscores the paramount importance of innovation at HIRSCHTEC, emphasizing that survival in the market is contingent on being consistently innovative. To foster innovation, the company has instituted an Innovation Board where teams present new ideas for digital services on a monthly basis. This board plays a pivotal role in deciding budget allocation, schedules, and approvals for development tasks. The subsequent implementation occurs with an agile approach across the respective teams.
Moreover, HIRSCHTEC remains vigilant in monitoring current market developments and trends. The company places a strong emphasis on internal and external analyses, enabling the identification and development of new topics and business areas. This proactive approach allows HIRSCHTEC to react flexibly to evolving market conditions with a comprehensive suite of products and services. The integration of AI and automation, both internally and for clients, serves to enhance productivity, reduce costs, and liberate employees to concentrate on cultivating new ideas and services, further contributing to the company’s culture of innovation.
Nurturing Customer Trust and Team Growth Amidst Challenges
Lutz acknowledges the pivotal role of customer trust as a significant motivator in facing challenges at HIRSCHTEC. Witnessing the personal and professional growth of the diverse team members, the evolution from young professionals to experts in specific fields, serves as an ongoing source of motivation. Additionally, Lutz finds inspiration in the continuous development of the entire HIRSCHTEC group and working collaboratively with employees to realize the company’s vision.
Reflecting on past challenges, including the financial crisis from 2008 to 2010, the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2022, and the war in Ukraine from 2022 onwards, Lutz highlights the resilience and determination that enabled the company to overcome these hurdles. Leveraging the foundation of a 100% cloud-based infrastructure since HIRSCHTEC’s inception in 2005, the swift implementation of hybrid work, the development of a shared mission statement for guidance, and the unwavering motivation of all employees were instrumental in navigating and overcoming these crises. The ability to adapt and collaborate as a team played a crucial role in overcoming adversity and maintaining the company’s trajectory.
Hybrid Workforce Leadership
In 2005, Lutz established HIRSCHTEC as a specialized intranet agency with a primary focus on information architecture and intranet concept creation. The company underwent a transformative journey, expanding its services internally into areas such as finance, human resources, and public relations, while also diversifying in the project business with offerings in communications, change management, and technology. The period from 2011 onward marked significant growth milestones, including office openings in Berlin and Düsseldorf, collaborations with major clients like Deutsche Bahn and E.ON, and expansions into Austria and Switzerland. The strategic use of standard software solutions became a cornerstone in implementing digital workplaces.
With the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, HIRSCHTEC pivoted its business model to further emphasize the hybrid working environment. Today, the company is a trusted partner for organizations seeking to shape their comprehensive hybrid working landscapes, extending beyond the digital workplace alone. A notable achievement in 2023 was the launch of “happyCRM,” HIRSCHTEC’s first extensive cloud product in the form of a CRM solution.
Lutz takes pride in the expansion of the management team in 2024, a strategic move aimed at preparing HIRSCHTEC for its next phase of growth. Welcoming Jochen Sperber as Chief Financial Officer and Khaled Thaler as Chief Sales Officer, Lutz now collaborates with two industry experts possessing extensive experience and profound technical knowledge. This development positions HIRSCHTEC to elevate its organizational structure, foster business development, and enhance internal processes to new heights.
Autonomy, Trust, and Innovation
Lutz adopts a leadership style that prioritizes giving his employees the freedom and autonomy to achieve results and bring their ideas to fruition. He avoids micromanagement and detailed activity reports, emphasizing that the end result is more important than the specific approach taken. Lutz believes in encouraging employees to step out of their comfort zones, fostering an environment where improvisation is valued.
In leading HIRSCHTEC, Lutz relies on the core values of transparency, loyalty, courage, diversity, and commitment as his guiding principles in daily management tasks. This approach underscores the importance of trust, openness, and a supportive atmosphere within the organization, contributing to a culture that values innovation, diversity, and individual contributions.
Sustainable Practices
At HIRSCHTEC, Lutz and his team are committed to shaping digitization sustainably and have embraced a range of practices to embody this commitment. The company is a support group member at B.A.U.M. (Federal German Working Group For Environmentally Conscious Management e.V.) and adheres to the B.A.U.M.-Kodex for sustainable business practices.
Concrete actions that demonstrate sustainability at HIRSCHTEC include the calculation of its carbon footprint by Fokus Zukunft GmbH & Co. KG and operating as a climate-neutral agency, with ongoing measures to reduce CO2. The company has made significant strides toward sustainability, such as converting 75 percent of its car fleet to electric mobility. HIRSCHTEC’s service delivery is fully achievable via digital platforms, minimizing the need for business travel. The procurement of internal consumables strictly adheres to the use of sustainably produced products.
As part of their commitment to giving back, Lutz donates his speaker fees as CEO to the UN-awarded beech jungle project by Wohllebens Waldakademie each year. Additionally, HIRSCHTEC engages in initiatives such as sponsoring flowering areas in cooperation with Fokus Zukunft and adopting beehives in cooperation with beefuture.
Sustainability is not only a part of the company’s practices but also a core component of their services. Intranet and digital workplace projects at HIRSCHTEC aim to promote the sustainable use of digital tools, contributing to the reduction of ecological footprints and CO2 emissions. The incorporation of flexible work location and working time models further enhances efficiency and productivity while positively impacting employees’ work-life balance. The result is a combination of digital solutions that protect the environment and a workforce that experiences greater satisfaction in harmonizing their work with personal needs.
Key Principles for Success in the Industry
Lutz offers valuable advice to aspiring entrepreneurs venturing into the same industry. His guidance emphasizes the following key principles:
- Believe in Your Vision: Maintain unwavering faith in your vision and objectives. Avoid considering alternative plans (Plan B) and stay dedicated to realizing your primary vision.
- Implement Quickly and Learn: Act swiftly to implement your ideas and projects. The quicker implementation allows for rapid learning and adaptation based on real-world experiences.
- Trust People, Not Technology: Prioritize trust in individuals over reliance on technology. Building strong relationships and trust among your team members is crucial for the success of your endeavors.
- See the Benefits of Technology: Look beyond the functional aspects of technology and focus on understanding and leveraging its broader benefits. Recognize how technology can positively impact your business and industry.
Lutz’s advice reflects the importance of determination, rapid implementation, human relationships, and a holistic understanding of technology for success in the entrepreneurial journey.
Digital Transformation and Collaborative Excellence for Future Growth
Lutz envisions a future for HIRSCHTEC marked by innovation and adaptability. The company will transition many of its current consulting services into digital services, positioning itself as a platform for both clients and internal stakeholders. Serving as a platform for employees means providing an environment where every team member can contribute ideas and implement projects for customers and products using the technical and organizational infrastructure of HIRSCHTEC. Simultaneously, being a platform for partners implies that software partners can seamlessly introduce new digital products to the HIRSCHTEC ecosystem.
To facilitate this evolution, HIRSCHTEC has instituted a continuous visioning process, generating a new vision every five years and aligning yearly business goals with this overarching vision. A pivotal aspect of this growth strategy is the creation of a modern working environment that appeals to both young talents and seasoned experts. Lutz recognizes that without their engagement, ideas, and commitment, HIRSCHTEC cannot achieve the desired growth and success. This forward-looking approach underscores the company’s commitment to staying at the forefront of the industry and fostering a collaborative ecosystem that drives innovation and excellence.
