Audi 2013 Annual Report Download - page 84

Luis Ortiz Müller loves coming to the networking meetings.
He also appreciates the fact that his wife and daughter can
meet other Spanish speakers here from time to time. He
enthuses about his trips to Königssee, Neuschwanstein and
Regensburg.
The Mexican is
working along-
side German
colleagues on the
development of a
train-the-trainer
program for the
new plant in
San José Chiapa.
It will cover every
process, from
production to
sales. “The way people communicate here in Germany is very
positive, very direct and clear.” However, he still keeps
encountering dierences in the ways Germans and Mexicans
think. Ortiz Müller can convey this appropriately in the
training program he is creating, and help with the qualifica-
tion measures for the employees back home in Mexico.
Through such activities, Audi is making sure expertise is built
up at its international locations. As a result, employees from
the regions are already capable of taking up key positions.
And that in turn makes the Company an attractive employer
worldwide.
Because Audi is growing primarily outside Europe, where
customer requirements may be completely different, and
the working culture may present a huge contrast, too.
“IT’S IMPORTANT TO
DEVELOP AN UNDER-
STANDING OF HOW OTHERS
THINK AND OPERATE – WITH
MUTUAL RESPECT.”
A traditional pub with typical local atmosphere, a round of
miniature glasses of its own brewed beer served as an aperitif :
A convivial setting for this evening’s function – the monthly
Audi impatriates networking meeting. The mood is relaxed
and intimate ; everyone knows everyone else. It
does not take long before everyone is involved in
lively conversations. The impatriates come mainly
from Mexico and China, from Audi companies
elsewhere in Europe and from other Group com-
panies. They are here for periods ranging be-
tween six and 15 months – or perhaps even
longer. So it is important for them to develop
a social life. That was precisely the reason for
launching the special integration program :
It provides opportunities to explore the area
together, attend cultural and sporting events
and get to know the German mentality in the
company of others.
“At first, everything is dierent all of a sudden – the work
situation, the apartment, the surroundings,” as Bert van den
Eede from the AUDI BRUSSELS S.A./N.V. Accounting depart-
ment explains. “That’s why it is so important to develop a
sense of belonging right from the start.” Partners and families
are of course also included in the integration program. Csaba
Ternyak, IT specialist at AUDI HUNGARIA MOTOR Kft., is here
with his wife and children. “The fresh start worked very well
for us. My boys had already learned some German in Hungary
and are doing well at school. And my wife now wants to learn
German, too.” On an evening like this, many enjoy having the
opportunity to talk to others who are in a similar situation –
while of course establishing interesting international contacts.
Luis Ortiz Müller
PHOTOS : Melanie Maerz
A worldwide presence
A worldwide presence
An overview of the Audi production
locations can be found in the
Management Report on page 145.
ACT WORLDWIDE
082