Mr. Burkhard, the Pulse Check is currently taking place for the third time - and this is during turbulent times. Why especially now?

Oliver Burkhard: With the Pulse Check, we want to get an honest picture of the employee sentiment. That's why I also believe that there is never the "right" time for such a survey. In a large company like thyssenkrupp there is simply always too much going on. Or the other way around: Asking for feedback is important at any time.

Especially now, when a lot is in progress at thyssenkrupp, we want to ask the right questions - and even more importantly - take up the answers as an impulse for an open and trusting dialog. This is the only way an evolving corporate culture works.

Is thyssenkrupp really interested in honest feedback from employees?

Oliver Burkhard: Feedback is essential. It's the only way we can continue to develop and get better, even when the company is under pressure. Because we know: Culture and cooperation need special attention, especially when the situation is tense. That's why it's all the more important for us to have a meaningful picture of the employees' sentiment. We want to know: Are employees confident about our future? Do they feel well informed about upcoming changes? How do they feel about their trust in our managers? We can only find out if as many employees as possible take part in the Pulse Check. The results of the survey will show us once again where we stand and give us the chance to tackle specifically where action is seen to be needed.

How and when are the results communicated?

Oliver Burkhard: The Pulse Check is a dynamic feedback tool that works quickly. Therefore, as in the last two survey rounds, the results will be available very soon after the survey has been conducted. Communication of the results will then take place primarily on a decentralized basis via the Executive Boards and management teams in the segments. All employees should be informed by July 2023 at the latest.

What happens with the results?

Oliver Burkhard: We want to use the findings from the Pulse Check to again initiate improvements at the Group, segment, BU and KU levels. That's why the result reports are also at these levels, as before. Because that was our approach from the outset: we do not prescribe a standard process for working with the results; the companies can shape it themselves and are free to decide what they derive from it. After all, those responsible on site know best which improvement measures make the most sense. And that's where we've been able to see really great examples with clear drivers for improvement during the past two Pulse Checks.

When will the next Pulse Check take place?

Oliver Burkhard: The Pulse Check is about regularly checking the sentiment and continuously working on the main "construction sites". In recent years, the annual interval for the Pulse Check has proven its worth, so we will launch the next survey round in the coming year.

What I would like to emphasize again: Only with regular feedback we can keep up the dialog and improve. So I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has already taken part or is still doing so.

Mr. Burkhard, thank you for the interview.