?Digital Normal' in Corona Times

Corona is a historical crisis and the end is not yet in sight. This article is appearing while the world is fighting against a second Covid-19 wave. We have to keep on struggling with discipline, creativity and solidarity. That is the only way we can defeat the pandemic.

However, crisis can also create positive side effects. Just an example: I was deeply impressed by the unconditional willingness of many people to help others, I witness in privat and within Daimler. But now, I want to talk about another positive aspect of the crisis: the digitalization of the working environment.

Corona works like a catalyst for digitalization. In a very short time, old familiar formats were converted into new digital forms: School lessons, trade fairs and conventions, museum visits, wine tastings... the list is long. Even Daimler's annual general meeting took place virtually for the first time. Same in the Department of Integrity and Legal Affairs: All of a sudden, we had to transfer all kinds of collaboration into the virtual space. This also applies the work of the Integrity Advisory Board of Daimler.

Since 2012, there is an Advisory Board for Integrity and Corporate Responsibility, which currently consists of ten independent experts from science, business and civil society. The committee has an advisory function: As 'sparring partners', its members are providing us with critical and constructive support from their outside perspective in terms of integrity and corporate responsibility. In 2019, the advisory board met three times in Stuttgart to discuss topics such as human rights, methods for promoting integrity and the mobility transformation. In 2020, we actually wanted to do it in the same way - but then came Corona.

Virtual collaboration saves time, money and protects the climate.

Personal meetings or air travels were no longer possible. That is why the meeting of the Integrity Advisory Board took place virtually for the very first time in May. Sure, every beginning is hard; especially the informal exchange during the event was missing. But the content-related exchange could take place despite the corona-lockdown. Furthermore, other advantages became clear: Virtual collaboration saves time, money and protects the climate.

The travel expenses for a personal advisory board meeting are very time-consuming. Some board members have to allow for their travel schedule up to two days. Instead, a virtual advisory board just needs a few hours in the appointment calendar. Business trips doesn’t cost only time but also money. The company can save a lot, if digital exchange formats are used instead of business trips wherever it’s possible. Nevertheless, the most important and sustainable argument for the digitization is climate protection.

Virtual meetings can never and will never completely replace personal exchange; they are a useful addition.

We at Daimler have the vision of mobility without fossil fuels. That is why we are striving for a CO2-neutral fleet of new cars by 2039. Based on the same conviction we should make sure, that CO2 emissions from air travel are kept as low as possible. Five of the ten members of the Integrity Advisory Board are coming from abroad and have to fly in for a face-to-face meeting. Thanks to the virtual meetings, these flights were not necessary. Sure, this is only a small but very concrete contribution to climate protection.

However, it is also clear: Virtual meetings can never and will never completely replace personal exchange; they are a useful addition. Personal and direct exchange is essential, especially when it comes to difficult issues or trend-setting decisions. In future, nevertheless, we should pay more attention to the question if personal or digital exchange format makes more sense.

Renata Jungo Brüngger, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG, responsible for Integrity and Legal Affairs. Here at the 'Digital Life Day @ IL' in the year 2018. ('IL' stands for 'Integrity and Legal Affairs)