Case Study: Union Investment
Digital Coaching at Union Investment: Providing Structured Support for Development
Union Investment is one of Germany’s leading asset management companies. The demands placed on specialists and managers are characterized by a high degree of technical complexity and an increasingly dynamic pace of change. Against this backdrop, targeted professional development is a central component of the HR strategy.
To make coaching more widely accessible as an effective tool, a digital coaching program was introduced that is flexibly available to employees at various career stages and is integrated into existing systems as a complementary tool.
The challenge
Union Investment aimed to offer coaching as a development tool across all levels of the organization and with consistent quality, as part of a targeted human resources development strategy aimed at creating a learning organization. At the same time, it was intended to integrate seamlessly into existing development programs and be accessible without requiring time-consuming administrative processes.
The solution
Together, we implemented a digital coaching program that can be used as needed, regardless of organizational level. Structured access to qualified coaches from a curated pool provides the flexibility needed to address individual development needs. By integrating the program into existing systems, employees can access coaching promptly and flexibly, without time-consuming coordination processes. This keeps the barriers to entry low for coachees and minimizes the workload for HR. The program enhances personal reflection, decision-making skills, and self-management, and encourages the direct application of what is learned to everyday work.
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Each participating specialist or manager received personalized coaching sessions with experienced business coaches to work specifically on individual areas for development—ranging from leadership skills to resilience to intercultural communication.
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The coachees chose their own focus areas, so that the insights could be directly applied to projects and day-to-day team work.
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Thanks to the location-independent implementation, the sessions could be seamlessly integrated into existing project plans and shift schedules—without compromising confidentiality or quality.
"Throughour partnership with Thankscoach, we have succeeded in establishing a digital coaching solution that makes coaching accessible across organizational levels while ensuring a high level of quality."
"This is an important building block that helps us become a learning organization. It enables flexible, personalized professional development and is being increasingly integrated into our existing professional development processes."
— Margit Lehwalder, CHRO, Union Investment
The result
Participants rated the introduction of digital coaching very positively, with an average satisfaction score of 4.7 out of 5 stars.
It is particularly worth noting that coaching can now be used as a supportive measure across various career levels. This strengthens personal accountability and fosters key job-related competencies. With this approach, Union Investment pursues a personnel development strategy that systematically links individual growth with the organization’s requirements and further establishes coaching as an integral part of modern development frameworks.
Satisfaction with the coaching program: 4.7/5 ⭐
Testimonials from Coachees
Flexibility and Availability:Compared to in-person coaching, the high level of flexibility was particularly highlighted. Many participants viewed the ability to book appointments on short notice as a major advantage.
Wide selection of coaches:The shift to a digital format significantly expands the pool of available coaches. While in-person sessions would often limit the selection to a smaller group—due in part to travel time and costs—coachees can now choose from a broader pool, which increases the effectiveness of the coaching.
Technical Implementation:The ability to quickly access the platform via Microsoft Teams and the option to present materials online were found to be helpful. Occasional network issues were viewed as typical technical limitations, but they had little negative impact on the overall experience.
Quality of Content:The coaches addressed the coachees’ individual needs and, in some cases, prepared exercises that were discussed during the sessions. Regular summaries supported the review of the content and facilitated reflection.
Integration into the Workday:The digital format made it possible to fit coaching sessions flexibly between other work commitments. This was seen as a major advantage in balancing coaching with the workday.
Are you experiencing similar challenges in your organization and are interested in how our coaching solution can support you? Then contact us for a non-binding exchange.
