We are pleased to have been authorised as coaches for INQA – the German Federal Government’s “New Quality of Work” initiative (Initiative Neue Qualität der Arbeit) – because INQA supports small and medium-sized enterprises in particular in successfully mastering important transformation steps.
What we especially like about the funding programme: INQA always puts people at the centre and makes sure that all employees of the company support the changes.
INQA also provides for authorised coaches to help in advance with checking eligibility for funding and with selecting the possible topics.
We are available for any questions about the programme.
In this article, we show:
- which 6 fields the coaching can cover,
- how INQA coaching works in detail,
- what “agile” means in INQA coaching,
- which financial support the government funding includes,
- which criteria your company must meet to be eligible.
Possible coaching content: 6 fields
INQA coaching naturally focuses on change through greater digitalisation. Even there, however, challenges rarely arise in just one of the 6 fields. If a company introduces new software, for example (field 2), its employees inevitably need new skills (field 3), and the leadership culture has to adapt to mobile working (field 5).
This is exactly why INQA coaching lets you examine these interdependencies in your company and find your own holistic solution.
Goal: reorganise business areas and adapt the range of services to changing market conditions.
In practice: building digital sales channels, introducing platform-based services, developing data-driven product functions.
Goal: increase process efficiency and optimise interfaces through digital tools.
In practice: introducing paperless workflows, connecting ERP and CRM systems, establishing modern knowledge management systems.
Goal: attract, develop and retain skilled staff in a targeted way during structural change.
In practice: developing digital recruiting strategies, implementing e-learning platforms, creating training concepts for new technologies.
Goal: strengthen cooperation, transparency and openness to change within the company.
In practice: developing shared values for hybrid working models, introducing digital mood and feedback tools, fostering a culture of trust.
Goal: modernise leadership structures and establish up-to-date career models.
In practice: moving from hierarchical to agile leadership, developing young talent, introducing part-time leadership.
Goal: create flexible, health-promoting and fair working conditions.
In practice: designing home-office and flexitime agreements, trialling new working-time models, strengthening organisational resilience.
INQA funding and coaching in 3 phases
Phase 1: initial consultation and eligibility check
The process starts with a free initial consultation at one of the regional INQA advice centres (INQA-Beratungsstellen, IBS) across Germany. Here, too, the INQA coach is meant to support you before the meeting.
The initial consultation checks whether your company meets the funding requirements.
Tip: check this in advance with the checklist (see below).
The consultation also defines the scope of the change you need and formulates a clear coaching goal. If the check is successful, the IBS issues the so-called INQA coaching voucher, which is valid for up to seven months.
Phase 2: coaching in the company
If you have not contacted any coaches beforehand, choose the authorised coaches for your programme once the voucher has been issued at the latest. Within the seven months of validity, your company is entitled to up to 12 consulting days. The consulting process is consistently agile and requires the active participation of the whole organisation. What agile means here is explained further below.
Phase 3: evaluation and final meeting
About three to six months after the coaching phase ends, the INQA advice centre holds a structured final meeting with your company. It analyses the progress made and how you can secure the change processes you have started in your company for the long term. If needed, further funding and support offers are recommended to your company.
After successful completion, your company also receives an official certificate and the INQA badge for use in your communication. Both identify your company as future-ready.
How agile consulting works at INQA
Open outcome and step-by-step approach
Not everything can be planned in advance. INQA coaching follows an agile setting, not a predefined master plan.
Focus on solutions and practice
In defined work phases of about 4 weeks, real changes are implemented, tested and evaluated in day-to-day operations.
Consistent participation
Employees are involved in developing and implementing the changes, which creates acceptance and activates and uses existing knowledge and skills.
Sustainability
The result is lasting solutions supported by everyone and a new culture of learning and handling mistakes in the company.
The financial support included in INQA funding
The financial structure of INQA coaching is designed to keep the hurdle for small and medium-sized enterprises as low as possible.
Your company pays the fees in advance. Once the process is complete, the authorised INQA coach submits the required documentation together with your company via the digital funding portal.
The government grant of 80 per cent is then transferred directly to your company’s business account.
Funding criteria: is your company eligible
Use the following checklist to assess your company’s basic eligibility in advance. INQA eligibility also requires certain proof – in a no-obligation conversation, we can give you more information.
SME threshold
Your company employs fewer than 250 people (calculated in full-time equivalents / annual work units).
Minimum employment
At least 1 full-time employee subject to social security contributions (in FTE) was employed in the last completed financial year and is employed at the start of the coaching.
Annual turnover
Annual turnover is no more than 50 million euros, or the annual balance sheet total is no more than 43 million euros.
Time on the market
The company has been on the market for at least 2 years.
Location
Both the registered office and the funded workplace are located in Germany.
Legal form & independence
The company is legally independent, belongs to the liberal professions or is recognised as a non-profit organisation.
First-time funding
The company has not yet used INQA coaching in the current funding period (2023–2027).
Exclusion criteria
Excluded from funding are, in particular, sole proprietorships without employees, limited companies consisting only of their managing directors without any further staff, and businesses staffed exclusively on a marginal employment basis (mini-jobs).
More questions? Get in touch.
For questions about eligibility or how INQA coaching works, we will be glad to help – simply contact us as authorised coaches.
Further information
Official website of the German Federal Ministry (in German):
https://www.inqa.de/DE/startseite/startseite.html
About the authors
Jascha Sawitzki
Senior Consultant
As a coach and consultant, Jascha Sawitzki supports companies in developing future-proof organisational structures.
Her focus is on effective processes and the sustainable establishment of roles, duties and responsibilities to ensure clear direction and productive collaboration.
As a mediator, she knows that clarity prevents conflicts.
Sina Brüggemann
Senior Consultant
Sina Brüggemann is a transformation coach and consultant with first-hand experience in leadership and in shaping change processes. Working for Silpion, she supports organisations on their journey towards greater clarity, effectiveness and personal responsibility.
Her focus is on modern and goal-oriented leadership approaches, particularly in the agile working environment.
General contact
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