The Hartmann AG approach
We are a family business operating worldwide, bringing together under one roof the legally and organisationally independent companies of the Hartmann Group.
In selected maritime markets we strive for continuous growth. In these fields the name of Hartmann stands for first class service, and for this reason expanding our chartering activities to provide shippers the best possible service is vital.
A precondition for a successful future is our readiness to change and further develop the organisation. To do this we exploit all possibilities for the transfer of knowledge and technology in order to ensure that we always adapt to current developments.
Trust in the ability of our employees at sea and on land to carry out their work, as well as the long-term character of our business, make it possible for us to handle short-term fluctuations in the economy.
However, we never lose sight of the most important purpose of the business: to make a profit. Only in this way jobs can be secured in the long-term and – equally important – the Group can take over social responsibility. As a family business we expressly dedicate ourselves to the latter.
The Hartmann AG principles of leadership
"Once he has been constituted, the Abbot must always bear in mind
what a burden he has undertaken
and to whom he will have to give an account of his stewardship.
He knows that his duty is to give help rather than to rule…
He exalts mercy above judgment,
so that he himself may obtain mercy.
He should hate faults and love the brotherhood.
If he must give correction
he should act prudently and not go to excess,
or the vessel may break
if he tries too eagerly to scrape off the rust.
He should always keep his own frailty before his eyes…
By this we do not mean that he should allow faults to grow;
on the contrary, he should eradicate them prudently and with love,
in the way which seem best in each case…
He must try to be loved rather than to be feared."
Benedict of Nursia:
The Rule of St. Benedict
These principles of leadership are binding on the Hartmann Group management in their dealings with their employees. In addition to professional competence and experience, an ability and readiness to apply these principles are the most important criteria for a successful career in our company.
General principles
We strive to achieve as much decentralisation as possible, while being also aware that a limit is set on decentralisation by basic business policy commitments and the necessity for coordination and transparency within the group.
We aim to achieve an on-going improvement in business activities, in order to avoid sudden drastic measures and abrupt changes. A long-term successful development of the business always has priority over short-term maximisation of profits.
The bases of the company culture
There has always been maritime activity. It lay at the core of globalisation long before this term was invented. Worldwide activity has led, on board above all, to people of disparate nationalities living and working together. For this reason we show respect for the culture and traditions of other nations. We accept cultural differences and oppose any kind of ethnic, religious or other discrimination.
Furthermore, we have committed ourselves to a number of basic values:
- Working ethics, integrity and honesty;
- Trust and respect as a basis for mutual frankness;
- A personal, direct approach to our dealings, so that bureaucratic procedures can be reduced to a minimum;
- Openness for future-orientated maritime trends, while remaining sceptical of passing fashions.
Organisational principles
We endorse:
- Flat hierarchies with few hierarchical levels and a broad range of control by involving project teams and working groups;
- A top team rather than a team at the top at every stage of the organisation, with management ideally consisting of two people (the "four-eye principle").
- Delegation of tasks without surrendering one’s own responsibility. Each manager is responsible for his or her achievements as a leader.
Qualities and characteristics of the Hartmann manager
The higher the position and the greater the responsibility of a Hartmann manager, the more essential – besides professional training, ability and practical experience – are the following selective criteria:
- Courage, calmness, and the ability to deal with stress;
- The ability to challenge and motivate employees;
- Communicative ability and a readiness to touch on conflicts and problems;
- Credibility ("walk the talk")
- A readiness, when decisions are called for, to keep to the aims of the business area with which he or she is entrusted, as well as to those of the whole Hartmann group;
- A readiness to accept change and the ability to direct those changes;
- International experience and an understanding of other cultures;
- Broad interests, good general education, and a responsible attitude.
Involving employees
The involvement of employees at all levels starts with appropriate information on, and communication of, company activities and specific aspects of their job. In doing this it is necessary to bear in mind that, since we are a family business, financial information is only communicated very restrained.
All changes and improvements are to be discussed and expressed openly, with employees being encouraged to put forward their own ideas.
We attach great importance to the training and development of employees, regardless of whether they are working on land or at sea. We know how essential the choice of suitable employees is, and that potential and efficiency can be substantially increased by training courses and further education.
Hartmann – a philanthropic group of companies
We are firmly convinced that our employees are a crucial factor in our success. This understanding of their value is expressed in our attitude and in our sense of responsibility towards all Hartmann Group staff. We are no anonymous company. We are and will remain a philanthropic Hartmann family business.
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