Since I joined System Verification at the beginning of 2019, one thing has always stood out: the strong commitment to keeping people connected. Even as a company shaped by consulting assignments, remote work, and colleagues working closely with customers, internal communication and team spirit have always been from highest importance.
From the very beginning, it has been a clear priority to share company-wide updates on a regular basis across all teams and regions. We openly communicate how we are performing and operating, celebrate our successes, and just as importantly, address the challenges and risks we are facing. Strategic decisions and changes are not kept behind closed doors, they are shared transparently.
These updates happen in different formats: from global online sessions led by our Group CEO Erik Björhäll to regional team meetings that bring topics closer to the local context. What matters most is not the format, but the consistency and openness behind it.
SYVE Meets – bringing people together
Being a consultant is not always easy. Working in demanding customer assignments often means tight schedules and a strong external focus. In that reality, it can be challenging to stay connected to what is happening within the company or what other colleagues are experiencing in their projects.
One format that has been particularly appreciated in our German regions is the SYVE Meet. Held twice a year onsite in each region, it combines transparent communication with something equally important: time spent together.
A typical SYVE Meet brings colleagues together for a full day at the office. It starts with global perspectives - often presented by members of the group management - and continues with national and regional updates on business performance, sales, HR topics, and local developments. The day then ends in shared activities, conversations, and a joint dinner in the evening. It’s this combination that makes SYVE Meets special. They are not just about information - they are about connection.
This summer, we took the concept one step further. In addition to our in-person SYVE Meets in spring and autumn, we introduced our first virtual edition: the SYVE Meet light.
This format was directly inspired by feedback from our colleagues, and we were happy to follow their suggestion. Bringing together colleagues from across Germany in one online session allowed us to create a shared experience, even when being on-site was not possible.
With SYVE Meet Light, we consciously shifted the focus. Instead of primarily sharing business updates, we dedicated the time to what matters most: our people and their experiences.
We introduced real-time stories from assignments - not only success stories, but also those moments where things were challenging. Because while best practices are valuable, honest conversations about difficulties are even more important.
There is rarely one “right” solution. But hearing how others approached a situation, what worked (and what didn’t), and what they would do differently next time helps us all grow. It creates a space for learning, reflection, and support.
Another highlight of the session was the announcement of our Culture Heroes. At System Verification, our core values are Care, Co-create, and Elevate. These values don’t live in presentations - they live through our people, in everyday actions.
Often, it’s the small things that make the biggest difference:
-
Taking the time to truly ask how someone is doing
-
Supporting a colleague in preparing for an exam
-
Stepping up when challenges arise and finding solutions together
While we have recognized employee engagement in the past, this time we wanted to take it one step further and letting our colleagues decide. Through an open nomination process over several weeks, employees had the opportunity to highlight peers who truly embody our values. The result was inspiring. With great pride, we handed over our Culture Hero certificates and celebrated those who make a difference every day.
More than meetings
In the end, formats like SYVE Meets and initiatives like Culture Heroes are more than just events. They are part of how we live our culture. They ensure that, even in a consulting environment where many colleagues spend most of their time with customers, we try to stay connected as a company. They create transparency, strengthen relationships, and give space for learning and recognition.
Culture doesn’t happen by accident - it happens when people come together, share openly, and elevate each other.
.jpg)
