A look back at the tfz Network Breakfast in June

62% feel uninspired – and that has consequences

Kathrin Neumüller, entrepreneur, university lecturer and co-founder of Humboldt AI, opened the morning with a sobering statistic from her research: around 62% of employees surveyed feel uninspired at work. This is not just a minor morale issue; it is a strategic risk, particularly in times of disruptive change. Research shows that inspired employees are more resilient, more open to change and think more entrepreneurially. They contribute more, not because they have to, but because they want to. What’s fascinating is that there is a clear generation gap. Older employees often appear more inspired than younger ones – a finding that demands attention and suggests targeted measures for different age groups. As for the five specific levers companies can use to specifically foster inspiration, and why Kathrin Neumüller would even anchor them as KPIs in corporate strategy, we’ll save that for those who attended the event in person. What we can reveal is this: inspiration goes far beyond satisfaction and commitment; it touches us as human beings. To find out exactly what that means and what four further levers companies have at their disposal, you’ll need to attend our events in person.

The workplace as a silent team member

Simone Meyer, co-founder of play!ces GmbH and headteacher, drew a parallel between workplace culture and the physical environment. Her key message: an inspiring working environment is neither a luxury nor a multi-million-pound project. With targeted, pragmatic measures, any office can be transformed into a space that gives the home office a run for its money. What she took away for us: a lot can be achieved with very little, and employees should definitely be involved in the process, as every team has different needs. tfz members can find out which five specific principles underpin this and how to implement them in your company in the Insider Area.

The spark is ignited

A particular highlight was the conversation between last year’s winner, Vera Gupta (VEDIC LAB), and Thomas Elsener. Vera shared personal insights into her first year following her success at the Young Entrepreneur Award and emphasised just how crucial the visibility she gained and the Technology Forum Zug (tfz) network had been to her growth. It was the best proof of this: this award is a real springboard! By the afternoon, many participants at the ‘Zug Start-up Day’ had already laid the foundations for their own success. The format provided the perfect theoretical toolkit, whilst the pitches in the evening demonstrated how this theory is translated into compelling best practices. The arc from the initial idea to the big stage was perfectly spanned on this day.