Miele

Rachael Leshinsky

Miele is the world’s leading manufacturer of premium domestic appliances. Founded in 1899, Miele is represented in almost 100 countries. Throughout the world, the family-run enterprise, now in its fourth generation, employs a workforce of around 21,000 people. Miele ANZ (Australia/NZ), over 40 years old, is a significant player in the overall business.

“To change a long standing tradition and way of working will be an exciting and significant but rewarding challenge for Miele’s diverse workforce”

Miele is steeped in a deep tradition of family values, and part of that tradition has included an organisational structure based on hierarchy. In recent times, Miele’s founders and Board members have come to recognise that as part of the changing world of work, the concept of hierarchy must be re-examined in order to fit in with the modern workplace. To change a long standing tradition and way of working will be an exciting and significant but rewarding challenge for Miele’s diverse workforce.

As part of Miele’s cultural evolution and growth strategy, in 2022 one of our newest and fundamental philosophies is ‘Ideas over Hierarchy’. This philosophy will help to foster innovative fresh ideas that will shape all aspects of the way we work, our products, service and our deep family values and traditions.

‘Ideas over Hierarchy’ will help the organisation breakdown barriers in communication, innovation and trust.  It will serve to foster increased collaboration and multi team interaction, allowing us to work in a more speedily and agile fashion.

‘Ideas over Hierarchy’ promotes and encourages employees to live the ‘Miele Way’ values. 

To Speak up and challenge no matter where they sit in the Organisation.

To feel confident to Simplify and Challenge with new ideas and a fresh approach.

Trust and empower and Give and take to those around them, so that we can all thrive and reach our potential.

Continue to encourage our people to Learn from mistakes so that we can continue to do better always, Immer Besser- Forever Better.

To Own what we have promised to deliver so that we Consider others and act as high performing heartbeats.

As the world slowly emerges from Covid and adapts to the new world of work, continuing to break down the hierarchical ways at Miele will play an integral part in allowing our people to maximise their contribution to our success.  It is through our valued ‘heartbeats’ that we can continue to shape our deep family values and traditions, well into the company’s bright future.