“Our goal as agile coaches is to create a better tomorrow for our organisation”
Carola started as a scrum master at ALDI SOUTH IT in 2020 and is now working as an agile coach. In this interview, she talks about the different facets of her role and which project is currently keeping her on her toes.
Before you take us through a day in your job, could you introduce yourself briefly and tell us how long you’ve been at ALDI SOUTH IT?
Carola: Hi, I’m Carola and I started as a scrum master at ALDI SOUTH IT in 2020. I’ve been working as an agile coach in our “Agile Center of Excellence” (Agile CoE) for two years now. As a central team, the Agile CoE supports transformation projects within ALDI SÜD with their expertise regarding all things agile. Among other things, we offer agile coaching, scrum mastery as well as community and training services for the organisation.
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Then tell us: How does a typical work day look like for you as an agile coach – if there is such a thing as a typical day?
Carola: My job is mainly about working with people. From an overall perspective, the role of an agile coach, and therefore my day-to-day work, consists of various facets: These include the role of a trainer, of a coach and of a change agent. As a trainer, I cover all topics related to agility and act and act as a mentor for our Scrum Master Education Programme (SMEP). In my role as a coach, I support colleagues or entire teams in finding solutions. It is important that we do not prescribe a solution, but help our colleagues or teams to find it themselves. As a change agent, I take colleagues, teams or even entire departments by the hand and guide them through change processes. As ALDI SOUTH IT, we are currently on the journey to becoming a product-oriented organisation. This is where we as agile coaches are much needed and are very involved.
Another part of my day-to-day work is familiarising myself with new agile approaches and concepts and using this knowledge for my work as an agile coach at ALDI SÜD. Exchanging ideas with colleagues in similar roles, for example from other ALDI business entities or externally, also helps here. I always find the outside perspective very helpful and insightful.
What would you say defines your role as an agile coach?
Carola: Other than the points I have just covered, I really like the variety. The departments and colleagues I support are all different. I always have to adapt and adjust to different circumstances and people. I think that’s amazing.
What impact do you want to have at ALDI SÜD? What drives you – what gets you out of bed in the morning?
Carola: That’s a very relevant question, because we dealt with this in the team some time ago: our goal as agile coaches is to create a better tomorrow for the teams and departments we support. Once we have achieved this with them, we focus on further into the future and figure out what this could look like. It’s the constant learning that drives me.
Can you tell us about a specific project you’re working on right now?
Carola: We are currently on the journey to becoming a product-oriented organisation. This is a huge but also exciting task for me and for all other agile coaches. We are currently creating the structures and framework conditions to ensure the best possible implementation. It is important that we constantly seek feedback from our colleagues so that we can continue to develop together and determine whether our ideas work in practice.
The world of technology is constantly evolving and changing. How do you keep up to date, and what tools does ALDI SOUTH IT offer to help you with this?
Carola: For my role, it’s not always specialised technical training, but of course further development in general is very important to me. I like to use our ALDI SÜD Academy for this: they offer a lot of training courses that are useful for my position. External training courses are also an option, as everyone at ALDI can decide how to use their individual training budget. And we often just pick up a book the old-fashioned way and discuss the content afterwards.
What would you say makes ALDI SOUTH IT unique as an employer? Try and tell us in just five words.
Carola: Internationality, diversity, tradition, pioneering spirit and value-orientation.
What challenges do you face as part of your everyday work and what’s the most important lesson you’ve learned so far?
Carola: I deal a lot with change and this always comes with new challenges. What helps me is sparring with other agile coaches. We exchange ideas about solutions when we reach our own limits. The most important lesson I learnt until now: there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach. Our departments and colleagues are too different and individual for that. I’m a fan of using frameworks that provide the basic pillars but allow freedom when it comes to specific design.
What should anyone looking to start a career as a an agile coach at ALDI SOUTH IT bring to the table? Are there any candidates for whom ALDI SOUTH IT might not be the best fit?
Carola: People who have empathy and a desire to work together in an international context are particularly suitable for the role of an agile coach at ALDI SOUTH IT. And colleagues who have the ambition to see and improve the big picture. In addition, applicants should enjoy change, enrich our agile community and stand behind ALDI SÜD’s values and agile principles.
The role of an agile coach would not be suitable for those who do not like to speak English or like monotonous work. Or for those who want to work in a pure start-up atmosphere. Because that’s simply not us.
What do you associate with ”Reprogram retail”?
Carola: With “Reprogram retail”, we are making what we strive for at ALDI SOUTH IT every day tangible: to offer our customers the best possible shopping experience. Each and every one of us contributes to this with our own work and we are very proud of this.
Thanks for talking to us, Carola!
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