![software architecture project management](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/i_Stock_1508581187_d1d980cddf.jpg)

## Architecture: collaboration at the heart of success

In the world of architecture, effective collaboration between various project partners is the key to success. Architectural firms face several major challenges in terms of project management, collaboration and communication, mainly due to the complexity and multidisciplinary nature of their projects. 

**1. Coordination of the various parties involved:** Architectural projects involve many players, such as engineers, contractors, suppliers, and customers. Effective coordination between these parties is essential to meet deadlines and budgets.
**2. Change management:** Architectural projects are subject to constant change. Managing these changes effectively without disrupting the overall workflow or deadlines can be a real challenge.
**3. Communication and information sharing:** Clear communication and effective information sharing are crucial. Misunderstandings or delays in transmitting information can lead to costly errors.
**4. On time and on budget:** Projects often have to be completed to tight deadlines and with limited budgets. Efficient management of time and resources is therefore a constant challenge.
**5. Document management:** The quantity of documents generated (drawings, specifications, contracts, etc.) is considerable, and managing them can become a headache, especially to ensure they are up-to-date and accessible to all stakeholders.
**6. Managing customer expectations:** Understanding and meeting customer expectations, while managing technical and budgetary constraints, is essential to project success.

These challenges call for innovative solutions and adapted tools to facilitate project management, collaboration, and communication within architecture firms. The ability to overcome these obstacles determines the quality of the final work and customer satisfaction. 

## Case study: Sarch architects in Zürich

Faced with these challenges, the architectural firm [Sarch](https://www.s-arch.ch/) found WEDO the ideal solution for optimizing its project management. We immerse ourselves in the day-to-day work of Marc Schulz and his team, who use WEDO to manage the complex coordination inherent in the realization of architectural projects.

![Marc Schulz, Architect](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/Architecture_en_9f63f6de9a.png)


### Why did you choose WEDO and what other solutions did you consider?

We chose WEDO because it's developed and hosted in Switzerland. Previously, we had considered other solutions such as Meetingbooster and iMeetingX, but in the end, WEDO's local solution convinced us.

### What challenges were you looking to overcome with the integration of WEDO?

The biggest challenge in our workflow was to have an overview of tasks in all meetings and to involve all participants. WEDO proved to be the solution for this, as it enables us to manage all tasks centrally and assign them to the relevant participants.

The features we like best about WEDO are the ability to import tasks from previous protocols and assign them to participants. We've even used the API and webhook to transfer tasks directly into our central CRM software.

### What major improvements have you seen in terms of processes, collaboration and productivity since integrating WEDO?

The use of WEDO has had a positive impact on the efficiency and productivity of our work processes, particularly for the rapid drafting of meeting minutes.

WEDO has improved our working methods by enabling better collaboration and encouraging participants to complete their tasks via the platform.

Although we have no concrete figures or metrics to demonstrate WEDO's impact, we mainly use the platform for file notes and meeting minutes. The PDF export function is particularly useful for participants who prefer to read the minutes offline.

Overall, we would recommend WEDO to other companies or professionals in our industry, as it offers an effective way of keeping track of tasks, outstanding issues and decisions in minutes.

### How do you interact with your partners in WEDO?

WEDO enables us to integrate our partners into our project monitoring and to interact directly with them. Companies and outsiders have reacted positively to WEDO, even if some were skeptical about web-based solutions. Collaboration is easy and centralized in one place.

![Swiss hosted software](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/Architecture3_946d4abea3.png)


## How can WEDO improve architectural project management?

**Meeting management:** Prepare meetings as a team, take minutes in real time and track the tasks assigned to your colleagues.

**Task management:** Create workspaces for your projects, departments and teams, then share tasks with colleagues and partners.

**Recurring procedures:** Save templates for your proceedings then follow the progress of your checklists in real time.

**Project management:** Create project workspaces, organize meetings, assign tasks and share files with project members.


[Discover all WEDO features](https://wedo.com/features)

In the world of architecture, effective collaboration between various project partners is the key to success. Faced with these challenges, the architectural firm Sarch found WEDO the ideal solution for optimizing its project management. 

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Architectural firms: the challenge of multidisciplinary projects

To mark International Women's Day on March 8, we'd like to shine the spotlight on an inspirational figure in our company: web developer Michèle. Joining the team as an intern, Michèle quickly distinguished herself through her talent and passion, becoming a key member of our development team - a field often dominated by men. On this special day, we'd like to find out more about her unique career path and her experiences as a woman in the technology sector.

![Michèle Reymond's introduction](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/Michele_Reymond_intro_ed5812ed90.png)

## Personal and professional background :

### Michèle, could you tell us a little about your background before joining WEDO?

I studied visual communication at the Bern University of the Arts, where I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in 2016. I then started my professional life as a graphic designer at an agency in Fribourg. Although this was a really fun and formative experience, I soon realized that printing wasn't my cup of tea. So I naturally headed for a digital communications agency where I had the chance to explore different areas that interested me, such as motion design, website creation, video and so on. The desire to train properly in the field of programming grew and so I enrolled in the [Formation du Wagon](https://www.lewagon.com/fr) in 2020 and then in the [École 42](https://42lausanne.ch/) in Lausanne in 2021. After two years of intense training in this new kind of school, I have successfully completed the core curriculum. To validate this first part of our training, we have to do an internship with a company, and it was on this occasion that I landed at WEDO.

### What were your first steps in web development?

To answer this question, we need to go back to the 90s. Back then, every teenager worth his salt had a little space for online expression: a skyblog. While I'm no exception to the rule, I found this platform far too limited, so at the tender age of 13, I took tutorials to learn how to create my own website using HTML, CSS and JavaScript. At the time, I was already drawing a lot and I was beginning to take an interest in all the creative tools available (photo and video editing, digital painting, etc.).

For me, the web simply became a new way of creating, and above all a way of sharing my creations in a space that suited me, rather than using a ready-made platform.

### What motivated you to embark on an IT career?

It's a mixture of several things. First of all, as I enjoyed maths and IT at compulsory school, I always wondered what would have happened if I'd chosen to study IT instead of art school. I wanted to know if I could do it. Secondly, I think I have a great need to understand how things work. Creating designs for websites and collaborating with developers when I was a graphic designer made me want to understand what they were doing. And finally, doing this training was a good way for me to get involved in women's issues. I'd like to encourage women and all other gender minorities to take an interest in IT, because I'm convinced that this field is in great need of diversity.

## Experiences as a woman in the technology sector:

### In your computer school as well as in your previous posts, have you often been the only (or almost the only) woman?

I went from a predominantly female field to a predominantly male one. In art school, the classes were mostly represented by women. In the graphic design profession, I'd say the gender balance is pretty even. In IT school, on the other hand, the overwhelming majority of students are men. École 42 has a slightly higher percentage of women than traditional engineering schools (19%).

### Have you encountered any specific challenges in this male-dominated field? Or, on the contrary, opportunities?

I think there are challenges above all, and that even the few "advantages" we may have as women, represent challenges. It's a fairly benevolent environment, and everyone wants a better gender balance. Of course, there are difficulties that everyone encounters when embarking on IT studies. But being a woman in a male-dominated field, when you're in the process of retraining and haven't been immersed in an IT culture, is a permanent and invisible battle against yourself. One of the main obstacles is the lack of role models. There are few women around us to whom we can look for inspiration, and we end up wondering whether we can do it (hello imposter syndrome). Few women grew up in an environment where they were encouraged to take an interest in IT. This creates a gap with those who have been immersed in it since childhood. Even if this is a gender-independent problem, I think that everything around us (films, TV series, people around us, etc.) gives us the impression that a woman will struggle in front of her computer and will have to ask for help from a man who knows all about IT. This leads to two problematic phenomena when it comes to training: 1. women don't dare ask for help to avoid participating in this cliché, and 2. men are more likely to ask women if they need help (hello savior syndrome).

### Do you think this disparity in gender representation is problematic?

It's a theme I've come across frequently, and one that annoys me. "You're a woman, so you'll find it easier to get a job than me with quotas" or "She passed the school entrance exam just so there would be enough women in the statistics". First of all, no, it's not easier to pass the 42 entrance exam as a woman. But it's a question that has long made me doubt my abilities. And then for the question of quotas, it's a rather problematic principle, because companies that are absolutely determined to fill quotas for women will hire profiles to the detriment of skills, and this reinforces the idea that women are less capable of doing IT. I think the only real "advantage" of being a woman in tech is that most people support us. People in the industry are happy for you to take an interest. I really felt supported throughout my career.

![a woman coding on her computer](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/illustration_women_code_FR_39bd19ba74.png)

## Motivations and aspirations :

### Where do you see your career in the future? Do you have any specific goals or aspirations?

That's a difficult question to answer at the moment. My main goal was to see if I could study IT, and now that I've done that, I'm not quite sure what the next step is. Over the last few years, I've prioritized my studies and put my artistic side to one side. I'm now realizing that I've missed out on it, so I'd like to find the right balance between the technical and the creative.

## Perspectives on Programming and Technology :

### What aspects of programming are you most passionate about?

I'm most interested in programming that gives a visual result. For example, the 42 project I was most passionate about was the one where we had to do raytracing, a program that calculates a 3D rendering. For each pixel in the image, you have to calculate whether there's an object, what color it is, whether there's a shadow, whether it's a mirror or transparent, and so on. For weeks on end, I was glued to my computer, feeling unstoppable. During my internship, I also noticed that if I can intervene in the visual aspects of WEDO, I do so with greater ease. My empathy enters into the process, asking myself how I can make the application more enjoyable for the user.

### How do you see your role evolving in the ever-changing world of technology?

Indeed, technology is moving fast, and for me, it's important for women to be part of this evolution. We can't afford to miss out on these tools that are shaping the world. We need to be part of their development, to make them our own. AIs have barely arrived when they already have gender biases, because they are fed by data that deepens inequalities : “garbage in, garbage out”. I don't have a precise vision of how my role in all this will evolve, but I'd simply like to continue to be interested, and if I can motivate other women to take an interest, that's great!

## Advice and inspiration :

### What advice would you give to other women aspiring to enter the tech sector?

Go for it! You can do it, and you absolutely belong! There's no risk in taking the plunge, even if you've never had a passion for computers, if video games aren't your hobby, if you've never taken a computer apart, and so on. The tech world is vast, and you're bound to find something that piques your interest. If it's programming that particularly appeals to you, there are a multitude of languages and tools at your disposal. Faced with this abundance, it's normal to feel a little overwhelmed and undecided about where to start. My advice would be to select a programming language, whatever it may be, as a starting point to help you determine whether programming really is your passion.

### 

### Are there any female figures in technology who inspire you or have influenced you?

Of course there are! People think that IT has always been a male domain and that women haven't been interested in it, but that's not true. In fact, it's a field that's become more masculine, but it was basically 50/50. In fact, the first person to create a program was a woman: Ada Lovelace. After all, she invented the While loop! While the first computers were built by men, it was women who created the first software to run them. Then there's Hedy Lamarr, an actress who decided to help the war effort by inventing a missile guidance system, which was the basis for the invention of Wifi and GPS. Reading his biography really inspired (and annoyed) me. For a more contemporary example, I'd like to mention Isabelle Collet, a computer scientist whose conference on the influence of gender in IT I found very instructive and inspiring. Otherwise, in my close circle, the only woman I knew when I was younger who works in IT is a friend's mother, and I've always admired her for that. I think that now, all the women I know personally from near and far who are in tech, inspire me. Finally, I'm particularly saddened that in films, series, books, etc., there are so few female figures in technology. The most iconic character that inspired me was Abby from NCIS.

## Thoughts on diversity and inclusion:

### Why do you think it's important to have more diversity, especially gender diversity, in technology?

Last year, I read in the newspaper that they had, for the first time, done car crash tests with a female dummy. So about 120 years after its invention, we thought it would be nice to see if a female body reacted differently to a car crash than a male body, and therefore understand how to better protect it in the event of an accident. Apple's health app has long had no functionality linked to menstruation, even though this is an extremely important factor in women's health. For me, these examples are good reasons why diversity is absolutely essential in the teams that create these tools. Without diversity, we run the risk of creating tools that are not suitable for everyone. Diversity encourages us to think differently and be more creative. For example, we are fortunate at WEDO to have a color-blind person on the development team. This enables us to make practical and inclusive decisions when it comes to choosing colors for the interface.

![testimonial from Michèle Reymond](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/Michele_EN_488847ceb8.png)



To mark International Women's Day on March 8, we'd like to shine the spotlight on an inspirational figure in our company: web developer Michèle.

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Women in IT - In the mind of Michèle Reymond

Fire departments often face considerable administrative challenges. Among the main obstacles are the complex management of human resources, the coordination of operations, the collection and centralization of data, and the management of budgets and material resources. Maintaining accurate and up-to-date reporting and regulatory controls documentation also represents a significant challenge. All these administrative aspects are essential to ensure emergency services' preparedness, responsiveness, and safety.

## Interview with Christian Mauley, Captain of the protection and safety department of Neuchâtel. He talks about how the WEDO platform helps them manage their activities.

### What is your role at the protection and safety department of Neuchâtel?

I'm deputy to the commander of the Neuchâtel coastal fire defense region and project manager for the Fire Brigade Office.

### Can you describe the Neuchâtel Fire Brigade and its activities briefly?

The protection and safety department's Fire Brigade heads up the Littoral Neuchâtel fire and defense region, which includes 40 professional firefighters and 220 volunteer firefighters. Firefighters are divided into three intervention sectors.

### What are the challenges of this multi-site organization?

The challenges associated with the multi-site organization of our fire defense region are manifold, and meticulous management is required to ensure safe and efficient operation. First and foremost, one of the main concerns is the **standardization of procedures**. With five different sites spread over three intervention sectors, all teams must **follow the same protocols and operational standards**. This ensures optimum coordination during emergency interventions and avoids confusion arising from divergent practices.

Another major challenge is to **manage the differing driving rhythms between professional and volunteer firefighters** at our different fire stations. Professionals are always on call, while volunteers have a variety of off-duty commitments. This requires careful planning to ensure that the correct number of staff is always available to respond to emergency calls while respecting individual constraints. Task management and centralized communication are essential for effective coordination between rescue centers. We use WEDO to facilitate the transmission of critical information in real-time while allowing each sector to operate autonomously for tasks specific to its geographical area. Finally, information security is paramount, especially when sharing files between sites. We must protect sensitive data and operational information from unauthorized access. Strict security measures are in place to guarantee the integrity and confidentiality of our data while enabling it to be shared securely between sites.

### Before integrating WEDO, what tools did you use for collaboration and administrative management?

We took our minutes on an Excel file for our various meetings and discussions. We had a shared diary on Outlook for the availability of rescue teams, and we exchanged information by e-mail. The fire station's various procedures and team management were documented on numerous Excel files that were not accessible to everyone at all times.

### What were the limitations of using these different tools?

Information was scattered in many places, resulting in much redundancy and loss. The dispersed communication between the various layers of the hierarchy and the fire station's stakeholders, therefore, impacted project follow-up and operations' fluidity.

### How do you use WEDO today?

We use WEDO to generate all the reports for the various meetings between the protection and safety department offices, such as regional staff reports, operational staff reports, sector reports, and daily intervention section reports. Finally, WEDO enables us to have all reports in one place so that those entitled to them can consult them at any time. Meeting members can also add items to the agenda to prepare for discussion. The platform has also enabled us to improve project management and track current information within the fire station. The platform's collaborative aspect allows us to assign routine tasks to users. In real-time, We can see how tasks are progressing, track maintenance, manage orders, and process expense claims, to name a few. It is also possible to document recurring procedures, such as material preparation or ongoing training, with checklist templates that can be launched at any time.

![Firefighter software for administrative management of firefighters](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/Temoignage_Christian_Mauley_2_EN_7ed196a0fe.png)

### How did team members react to the introduction of the tool?

Consolidating various tasks and information into a single program facilitated integration of the tool. Sharing themes across all strata and management bodies enables the monitoring and transmission of information. In addition, we have created a small in-house newspaper on WEDO to increase adherence to the platform. All staff can add themes concerning current projects and past interventions in this journal. They can also add information in various formats, such as photos or regional articles.

### How does WEDO contribute to the Neuchâtel's protection and safety department digitalization process?

WEDO contributes to digitalization by considerably reducing paper printouts and centralizing project documents. The main benefits are the centralization of information, increased participation, and enhanced staff skills at all levels. The participative aspect of the platform considerably reduces the number of e-mails exchanged.


::button-primary[Schedule a live demo]{link="/demo"}



![Software for firefighter procedures and automatic dispatch of intervention-related tasks](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/Temoignage_Christian_Mauley1_EN_2482933fb1.png)


Fire departments often face considerable administrative challenges. Interview with Christian Mauley, Captain of the protection and safety department of Neuchâtel.

Fire service captain testifies on the use of software for emergency services

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Management software for emergency, fire, and rescue services

Public administration productivity and digitization have become key issues in the ever-changing landscape of municipal administration. Faced with this revolution, efficient task management, streamlined processes, and practical information management are significant challenges.

In this article, we explore the challenges of municipal digitalization. We delve into the experience of Loïc Blardone, secretary of the Saxon commune (VS), as project manager and user of the WEDO collaborative platform. This exploration will demonstrate the significance of technology in modernizing local governance. It will cover various aspects such as setting up secure cloud-based software and addressing digitalization challenges.


## What were the municipality's main managerial challenges before adopting WEDO?

Before integrating WEDO, our gaps and needs were mainly related to the traceability of tasks and requests. We had to overcome numerous challenges posed by processes that were dependent on employees' memory and needed to be documented.

In addition, managing large volumes of documents, information, and requests from various sources (postal mail, e-mails, citizen requests, and inter-institutional requests) was becoming increasingly complex to process and catalog.

Finally, we needed a municipal software solution enabling us to track Public Works requests efficiently, particularly for the Buildings Department, which manages stewardship issues that absolutely cannot be left to chance.


## What were the major challenges in implementing the management software?

First of all, it was important to determine who would use the platform. We wondered, for example, whether it would be more appropriate to include only the administrative department or whether external services should also be included. In addition, it was essential to predict the platform's usefulness for each role to understand the interest of employees and their level of acceptance of the project.

To ensure optimal support and that everyone felt involved, we included all staff who had to manage administrative tasks, i.e., 35 employees. These include:

- the administration (Population Office, Finance Department, Technical and Building Services)
- the director and the deputy director
- the librarian and the members of the school and after-school services
- the public works manager
- the heritage delegate
- the socio-cultural or integration coordinators
- the building service managers
- the technical staff
- members of the Municipal Council

Some feared implementing an additional digital tool would harm human exchanges within the office, giving way to strictly notification-based communication. However, the "e-mail as a task" feature offers a solution that enables tasks to be assigned while maintaining a human aspect of communication. It allows an e-mail to be sent in a conventional format while simultaneously creating a task for the corresponding person or department.

This option is also convenient for avoiding tedious handling. For example, when an e-mail needs to be replied to with an acknowledgment of receipt and forwarded to a department, a task can be generated in parallel.

However, the major challenge remained getting users on board, especially those less familiar with the technology. The key to success was communicating the usefulness of the platform and its management modules for each sector of activity. 

 
## How did you go about implementing the WEDO platform?

 There were several key stages in getting WEDO up and running:

**1. Platform demonstration**

The project began with a product presentation by the WEDO team directly on our premises.

**2. Discussions with a municipality using the WEDO platform**

We spoke to employees of a local authority using the WEDO platform to find out about their opinions and experiences.

 **3. Project acceptance**

The project was officially accepted. We appointed project managers and selected future users with the help of the WEDO team.

**4. Preparation and training**

We prepared checklists of our various procedures in Excel format in advance to integrate and automate them in WEDO. The network configuration (tasks, checklist, and meeting modules) was carried out in the presence of our WEDO consultant to ensure a solid environment customized to our needs.

**5. Communication to employees**

Future users were informed by e-mail of the imminent implementation of the WEDO platform. We communicated about its usefulness in day-to-day operations as well as the integration process. We instructed them to create checklists for their projects using a template. This would help them prepare to begin their own workspaces.

**6. Employee training**

Our WEDO consultant organized a mandatory training course delivered remotely in groups or face-to-face. The training lasted 1 h 30 and covered task management, workspaces, checklist templates, and meetings.

**7. Production start-up**

The project went into production, and WEDO became a daily tool for task management.

**8. Ongoing monitoring and improvements**

We maintained communication with users to encourage them to explore WEDO further and achieve a 100% discovery rate. The tool has a fun way of evaluating the exploration of the platform. What's more, employees have access to a support service to answer any questions.

![Government software solution implementation process](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/Loic_Blardone_EN_1_5393a9a6a1.png)

>Right from the start, feedback from our employees was highly positive. They learned how to use the tool and could try out its features individually after the training sessions. 

## After just a few months of use, what impact has WEDO had on your teams' productivity and on the commune's managerial challenges?

Adopting WEDO has revolutionized the way we manage day-to-day business:

- The platform gives us rapid access to the status of current requests. It has significantly **reduced the time it takes to search for information**.

- It enables **efficient communication between players and sectors**, allowing public works projects and requests to progress more quickly.

- The **transmission of tasks and recurring processes is facilitated**, such as the delegation of tasks from the Communal Council to departments, the management of incoming mail, requests to technical services, or the submission of requirements from users of communal buildings.

- We were able to immerse ourselves in a more **pragmatic vision of project management**.

- With WEDO's meeting module, some municipal commissions can now easily **track meeting discussions** and the progress of related tasks. They have also been able to standardize minutes and facilitate their sharing.

- The municipality can now **document and automate it's numerous procedures** and checklists.

- The tool was **quick and easy to implement**.

 

>The idea of implementing a tool like WEDO quickly won me over. Our administration needed to evolve towards a centralized management mode allowing rapid follow-up and ease of use. Today, I'm convinced of our new way of working and would never go back.


::button-primary[Schedule a live demo]{link="/demo"}

Public administration productivity and digitization have become key issues in the ever-changing landscape of municipal administration. Faced with this revolution, efficient task management, streamlined processes, and practical information management are significant challenges.

centralized management mode for public administrations

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Commune of Saxon: a digital revolution in municipal administration

The Association of Swiss Professional Photographers and Film Creators (SBF) is at the heart of Switzerland's visual world and is particularly distinguished by its commitment to the quality of its images. Through a combination of professionalism, innovation and artistic competence, the SBF represents the interests of its members (approximately 700 in Switzerland) while promoting excellence.

André Oldani, member of the national board and financial officer of the association, explains to us how WEDO has acted as a catalyst for SBF's digital transformation.

## What tools did you use to ensure collaboration within your association before integrating WEDO ?

Different tools were used. In fact, the different regional sections organised themselves and different tools were used depending on the chair or department. Since 2020/2021, I have launched an initiative to digitize and harmonize the different regional structures.

## What were the limitations in using these different tools?

There was no synchronizsation between the different software programmes and our work lacked structure.

## How do you use the WEDO tool nowadays?

At national level, we use WEDO for the meetings of the management body and the assembly of delegates. With WEDO, we can keep track of tasks from one meeting to the next, making sure we don't forget anything. We also use WEDO's storage space to store our files centrally and securely.

At section level, i.e. regional level, WEDO is not yet integrated everywhere, but the goal is that every section or division will work exclusively with WEDO in the future. This will also make it easier to work with the Executive Committee, as everything will be centralised in one place.

## How was the integration of the tool accepted by your members? 

Generally very positive. As it is a new software, of course you have to learn how to use it, but it is very "userfriendly".

## How does WEDO help your company with digitalization?

WEDO has helped us to digitize mainly at the level of meetings and tasks. The fact that everything is centralized allows us to manage data more efficiently. To be honest, WEDO is an important part of the association’s digitization strategy.

## Which functionalities of WEDO are used most often and why?

We use the meeting tool a lot because we can coordinate and document our meetings and also for traceability reasons. We also use tasks to unify the way we work and have everything in one place. File storage is also used for the same reasons as tasks.

## What advantages does your association have by using WEDO?

Thanks to WEDO, we save a lot of time. Tracking tasks, decisions and meetings is greatly simplified. As everything is consolidated on a single platform, we have a clear overview of the association's tasks.

André Oldani, member of the national board and financial officer of the association, explains to us how WEDO has acted as a catalyst for SBF's digital transformation.

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Interview with André Oldani on the digitisation of SBF

"With WEDO, all meetings are managed efficiently and easily by our bank and our Board of Directors." 🚀

Check out the testimonial of Antonella Andenmatten, team leader at Raiffeisen Bank Mischabel-Matterhorn, who tells us how they use WEDO.🎬

Thanks to the whole team at Erlebnisbank - Raiffeisen Mischabel-Matterhorn for the kind welcome and the time spent to make this video!

Don't forget to activate the subtitles to access the English version.

🎦: www.air-production.ch

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"With WEDO, all meetings are managed efficiently and easily by our bank and our Board of Directors."

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Check out the testimonial of Antonella Andenmatten, team leader at Raiffeisen Bank Mischabel-Matterhorn

"Thanks to WEDO, we optimize our time and productivity, while lightening the collaborative load of our teams. "🚀

Check out the testimonial of Laurent Murith, Director of the Bulle branch at ETF, who shares his experience with WEDO.🎬

Thanks to the great team at ETF for taking the time to help us create this video!

Don't forget to activate the subtitles to access the English version.

🎦: www.air-production.ch

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"Thanks to WEDO, we optimize our time and productivity, while lightening the collaborative load of our teams. "

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Check out the testimonial of Laurent Murith, Director of the Bulle branch at ETF

The EMS d'Humilimont is located in a magnificent setting surrounded by greenery and forest with a splendid view of the Fribourg Pre-Alps. We welcome 33 residents for long-term care. Some 50 employees accompany the residents.

## Why did you opt for WEDO?

We were looking for a tool to delegate and track tasks. Outlook did not allow us to obtain the desired traceability. WEDO gives us a global vision of the pending tasks.

## How do you use WEDO to organize your work? Can you give us a concrete example?

We have put together several checklists that allow us to easily follow our internal processes: welcoming residents, welcoming staff, scheduling RAI assessments, updating documents, annual party, etc.

On the other hand, we use WEDO to centralize repair orders for building maintenance. Transport planning, purchasing and vehicle reservations are also carried out on the platform.

## What was the reaction of your employees when you integrated WEDO into your company?

Organizational change inevitably leads to resistance. We have therefore trained the various employees in order to help them understand this new tool.

The hesitation of managers to acquire a new tool has gradually disappeared. Today, we could no longer do without WEDO.

## How has the collaborative tool changed the way you communicate?

As far as communication is concerned, it's fantastic! Thanks to WEDO, we forget less. The collaborative tool makes it possible to centralise the information circulating in the company in order to facilitate access to the various employees.

We have kept the oral communication but thanks to the fast typing, we systematically leave a written trace of our discussions.

## What is your favorite feature in the application?

For some, task management that allows you not to forget anything and to organize yourself with a global vision. For others, the checklists that allow a control of the processes and guarantee a perfect traceability.

## How has WEDO changed the way you work as a team?

The trust placed in individual employees does not exclude the need to monitor the progress of outstanding tasks. WEDO allows us to be more precise in our approach to teamwork. Thanks to WEDO, we have become more demanding in the follow-up of actions and this without any additional effort. We write down the tasks to be done and take the time to organize them when we have a moment.

## Who would you recommend our application to?

We recommend WEDO to any company that wants to improve its communication. In fact, whenever we have the opportunity, we recommend WEDO to anyone who might be interested.

Myriam Fragnière Dufour, director of Humilimont's EMS: "WEDO allows us to centralize the information circulating in the company to facilitate access to the various employees."

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Humilimont's EMS works with WEDO

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Hypercontext

At a time when the pyramidal management system inspired by Taylor and Ford is perceived as rigid and culturally obsolete, new forms of work organization are gradually emerging.¹ Self-management models are an important part of these new organizational structures.

Self-management models are an important part of these new organizational structures. To understand why organizations are adopting these self-management models, we need to understand what managers want most from their organizations: reliability and adaptability. All organizations want to achieve, to some extent, both reliability and adaptability. But one usually overshadows the other. Indeed, too much reliability creates rigidity and can make companies insensitive to changing markets. Conversely, if companies place too much emphasis on adaptability, they risk becoming dispersed and losing sight of their raison d'être. In an attempt to reconcile reliability and adaptability, holacracy, the best-known and most widely practiced model of self-management, helps to achieve this balance.²

## But what is holacracy?

According to Bernard Marie Chiquet, founder of IGI Partners (the company that imports holacracy to Europe from the USA), holacracy is a practice that promotes responsibility and cooperation in the service of the company's raison d'être. In this practice, there is no longer a manager as such, but everyone is invited to manage themselves, and is expected to demonstrate leadership. This is not to say that there is no structure. Holacracy refers to a “holarchic structure”. Here's a diagram illustrating how this structure works:

![Graphic depicting the circle structure and roles in Holacracy, showing how autonomous teams and interconnected roles operate without traditional hierarchy.](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/Holacratiezero_waste_1_a93adb54f3.jpg)

### The super circle
Also known as the company's general circle, it represents
the company as a whole. In particular, it is made up of the 1ᵉʳ and 2ᵉ link of
each sub-circle.

### The sub-circle
The sub-circle represents autonomous teams where each person has a role and
working towards the same goal. Sub-circles are formed or dissolved according to
needs of the organization.

### Role
The role is a set of responsibilities within the organization. Roles can be
can be created, modified or cancelled. People usually have more than one role
in several circles. There are operational roles and structural
structural roles. The various structural roles, which are less concerned with operational tasks, must guarantee the smooth running of the team (= sub
circle), both within it and within the organization. The two main roles are
structural roles:
    - **1ᵉʳ link:** in each sub-circle, one person takes on the role of coach, similar to the leader or manager in a pyramid system. This person's responsibilities include assigning roles, managing finances and priorities, coaching team members, and maintaining a good atmosphere. These tasks take up around 10% of his or her time, the rest being devoted to other roles depending on his or her skills.
    - **2ᵉ link:** is responsible for escalating a tension from a sub-circle to the super
    circle if it exceeds the authority of the sub-circle in question.

Also, in order to be better organized and more efficient than in a so-called classical structure, the “holarchic structure” relies on three [types of meetings](https://wedo.com/features/meetings) :

- **Strategic meetings** to define the company's direction.
- **Governance meetings**, the purpose of which is to work on the organization without addressing operational issues.
- **Tactical Meetings**, whose purpose is to work within the organization, i.e. on concrete (operational) subjects to be developed.

During these sessions, strict order, rules and roles must be respected. Each participant is invited to speak in turn and submit ideas or tensions. The aim is to find solutions collectively, and to help the organization evolve thanks to everyone's involvement.

### Holacracy: a change of cultural paradigm

Adopting holacracy is more than just an organizational transformation; it's also a profound change in corporate culture. One of the main challenges for companies is to abandon the culture of hierarchy and control, deeply rooted in traditional systems. Employees, accustomed to rigid structures with clear chains of command, must learn to operate autonomously and embrace individual responsibility.

![Graph comparing Holacracy and the traditional pyramidal system, highlighting structural differences and organizational impact.](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/blog_task_organisation_4_steps_1_0db00fe11e.png)

This requires not only a new way of thinking, but also a new way of working together. In a holarchical structure, employees must take on a certain form of individual leadership, while collaborating more closely with their colleagues. Collaborative decision-making, which is at the heart of holacracy, may take longer and require more patience than in a pyramidal model. However, this approach improves transparency, individual responsibility and alignment within teams. Each employee is encouraged to take the initiative and become more involved in decision-making processes. This creates an environment where autonomy is not only encouraged, but valued. Holacracy also encourages more open and regular communication between team members, reducing information silos and strengthening team spirit.

Another key aspect is that companies must be prepared to reinvent their reward and recognition systems. In a holacratic organization, traditional promotions are no longer relevant, as there are no hierarchical levels to climb. This overturns the traditional model of career progression. Employees need to be motivated by other forms of recognition, such as broader responsibilities, the opportunity to contribute to a variety of projects, or regular feedback mechanisms. For this system to work well, employees must also have a clear vision of their objectives and understand how their work contributes to the organization's raison d'être.

## The limits of holacracy

Although holacracy has been adopted by many companies, some, such as Amazon subsidiary Zappos, have either abandoned it or never embraced it. Indeed, this structure also has its limitations, such as rigid meeting rules, restrictions on freedom of expression, and questionable effectiveness. These various points influenced Zappos' decision to retract.⁴

Regarding roles, the Zappos example shows that an employee has around 7.4 roles for an average of 3.47 responsibilities per role. That's a total of more than 25 responsibilities per employee. This multiplicity of roles complicates the organization of work, recruitment, and the definition of salaries, as it becomes difficult to assess a fair wage. In fact, as the employees compile the various roles, establishing a salary in relation to what is being done on the market becomes virtually impossible.

Another delicate point in adopting holacracy is the need for greater discipline. In a model where individuals have greater autonomy and responsibility, it can be easy for some to lose sight of the company's priorities. What's more, not all personalities adapt easily to this level of self-management. Some employees may experience increased stress when faced with the need to take on more initiative and responsibility without traditional supervision. It can also create a lack of clarity in task allocation, especially in larger or more complex organizations, where communication and coordination are essential.

Despite its image as an innovative management system, holacracy is not suitable for all businesses. It can take years to adopt, and many employees may have to leave. For large companies, partial adoption is recommended. On the other hand, for start-ups and SMEs with a high level of organizational adaptability and a relatively small size, holacracy appears to be an appropriate solution. In fact, many of them are early adopters.⁵

## Holacracy and conflict management

Managing tensions is a key element in a holarchic organization. Tensions, according to holacracy, are defined as gaps between the organization's current state and what an ideal situation might be. These tensions are often seen as opportunities for improvement. However, managing tensions can sometimes become a source of frustration. If they are not dealt with quickly or effectively, they can lead to conflict between team members.

The role of the facilitator is therefore crucial in ensuring that tensions are resolved constructively. In a traditional structure, conflicts are often managed top-down, with a manager or supervisor playing the role of arbiter. In holacracy, conflict resolution is more horizontal, with teams often having to find their own solutions to problems that arise. This requires a high level of maturity and communication skills on the part of team members. For this to work, the organization needs to put in place well-defined conflict resolution processes and clear frameworks for escalating tensions.

## The long-term benefits of holacracy

Despite the challenges it presents, holacracy offers many potential long-term benefits. By adopting a more flexible governance model, companies can improve their resilience in the face of market changes. Increased team autonomy encourages innovation, as ideas can emerge more quickly and be implemented without going through a long validation chain. This enhanced responsiveness is essential in sectors where change is rapid and adaptability is a key success factor.

One of the main advantages of holacracy is that it encourages better use of employees' skills. Indeed, employees are no longer restricted to a single defined role or position; they can contribute to different projects and circles according to their talents and interests. This also prevents certain talents from going untapped, or valuable skills from being under-utilized. This approach can lead to greater job satisfaction and higher talent retention, as employees feel they have greater freedom to develop their skills and broaden their scope within the organization.¹⁰

Finally, holacracy enables greater organizational agility. Companies that adopt this model are often more responsive to market changes, as they are not held back by rigid structures. Decisions are taken faster and closer to the operational teams, enabling strategies to be adjusted in real time. This flexibility can be a major competitive advantage, especially in dynamic markets where the ability to react quickly to change is crucial.

![Graph illustrating the benefits of Holacracy, emphasizing adaptability, autonomy, and team alignment.](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/blog_task_organisation_4_steps_4_a7aac4fe0f.png)

## Holacracy and innovation: a winning synergy

One of the great strengths of holacracy lies in its ability to foster innovation. By removing hierarchical barriers, employees feel freer to put forward new ideas, even if they're off the beaten track. This ability to generate new ideas is essential in a world where markets evolve rapidly and companies must constantly reinvent themselves. Holacracy also encourages calculated risk-taking, as each circle can experiment on a small scale without fear of serious consequences for the organization as a whole.

What's more, holacracy enables ideas to be tested more quickly. Each circle can make decisions independently and implement prototypes or pilot projects without waiting for approval from top management. This reduces time-to-market and keeps the company competitive. This is particularly beneficial for startups or fast-growing companies, where the ability to innovate and adapt quickly is crucial to survival and prosperity.

Holacracy also encourages a diversity of viewpoints, allowing everyone, whatever their role or status, to contribute to collective thinking. This diversity is a powerful driver of innovation, as it enables a variety of ideas to be brought together and more creative solutions to the challenges facing the company to be explored. It also helps to break down the tendency towards one-track thinking, by encouraging the inclusion of voices from all levels and giving everyone the opportunity to play an active part in creating value for the company.

In conclusion, holacracy is an innovative management model that challenges conventional structures. However, its application raises challenges, particularly in the complex management of roles and organization. Adapted to agile companies such as [start-ups and certain SMEs](https://wedo.com/industries/sme), it is not a universal solution, especially for large structures. Each company must therefore carefully assess its specific needs before adopting holacracy, preparing appropriate adjustments for a successful transition.

Would you like to test holacracy in your company? WEDO can help you with our comprehensive governance module dedicated to this management system. To find out more, ask one of our specialists for a free demo.


::button-primary[Schedule a live demo]{link="/demo"}

### Governance with WEDO

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::button-primary[Schedule a live demo]{link="/demo"}

**References**

1. GROSJEAN, VINCENT, LEÏCHLÉ, JACQUES and THÉVENY, LAURENT, 2016. New forms of work organization: opportunities or illusions? . 2016. Vol. 245, pp. 6-9.
2. BERNSTEIN, Ethan, BUNCH, John, CANNER, Niko and LEE, Michael, 2016. Beyond the Holacracy Hype. Harvard Business Review. August 2016. pp. 38-49.
3. CHIQUET, Bernard Marie and APPERT, Étienne, 2013. A new managerial technology, holacracy. Goussonville : IGI partners. ISBN 978-2-9545641-1-1. 658.002 22
4. CASTILLO, Amanda, 2018. Holacratie, l'utopie qui se passe de chef. Le Temps [online]. October 5, 2018. [Accessed April 17, 2022]. Available from: https://www.letemps.ch/economie/holacratie-lutopie-se-passe-chef
5. BERNSTEIN, Ethan, BUNCH, John, CANNER, Niko and LEE, Michael, 2016. Beyond the Holacracy Hype. Harvard Business Review. August 2016. pp. 38-49.

Holacracy reshapes organizations by balancing reliability and adaptability, contrasting with traditional pyramidal systems. Discover its benefits and challenges in this article.

Image of people collaborating in a workspace inspired by Holacracy, where each person contributes autonomously and harmoniously toward shared goals.

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Holacracy: managerial revolution or organizational challenge?

![Antoine Sudan et David Dutch, accompagnés d'Alexia Borg, journaliste chez Forbes](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/willkommen_6c64ea9d3b.png)

In an exciting feature on [Forbes](https://www.forbes.fr/brandvoice/wedo-la-plateforme-collaborative-qui-simplifie-la-gestion-des-taches-et-des-reunions/), Alexia Borg sat down with WEDO’s co-founders to discuss the company’s incredible journey from a small Swiss startup to a global player in the collaborative software industry. The interview, held in Paris, shines a spotlight on WEDO’s evolution over the past 9 years. What began as a friendship and a shared passion has turned into a thriving business with over 600 clients and 15 dedicated employees.

But this is more than just a retrospective. The feature offers insights into how WEDO’s platform is helping companies worldwide streamline their task and meeting management processes. Below, we’ll break down the key points from the interview and explore what sets WEDO apart in an increasingly competitive landscape.



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## WEDO: The Collaborative Platform that Simplifies Task and Meeting Management

[WEDO’s collaborative SaaS platform](https://wedo.com/) has quickly become the go-to solution for businesses looking to streamline their internal operations. The platform is designed to simplify every aspect of meeting preparation and task management, from creating detailed agendas to tracking project progress in real time. With WEDO, teams can focus on what truly matters—getting things done efficiently and securely.

## What Makes WEDO Stand Out?

There are a few key reasons why over 600 businesses have adopted WEDO as their platform of choice:

1. **Ease of Use**: WEDO is simple to set up and start using right away. Unlike many other collaboration tools, WEDO is intuitive and easy to implement, requiring minimal training for users to get started. “We’ve found that teams appreciate how quickly they can adopt WEDO without the steep learning curve that comes with other platforms,” says David Dutch, co-founder of WEDO.
2. **Multi-Language Support**: WEDO’s platform is available in multiple languages, including French, English, German, and Italian. This has made it especially popular among European companies looking for a collaborative tool that meets the diverse language needs of their employees.
3. **All-in-One Collaboration**: WEDO isn’t just a meeting tool—it’s a complete solution that integrates project management, [task tracking](https://wedo.com/features/tasks), and real-time collaboration. Users can prepare agendas, draft meeting minutes, and track the completion of tasks from one meeting to the next. This [all-in-one](https://wedo.com/features) approach to collaboration is what sets WEDO apart and helps teams stay organized without juggling multiple tools.

![meeting management with WEDO](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/Forbes_2_FR_5f46399cb5.png)

## Security at the Forefront of WEDO’s Innovation

In a world where data breaches and security concerns are top of mind for businesses, WEDO has prioritized security as a core feature of its platform. The SaaS platform is designed with [data protection](https://wedo.com/security) at its core, ensuring that companies can collaborate without worrying about data privacy.

“Our platform is hosted on ISO 27001 certified servers in Switzerland, which comply with both GDPR and Switzerland’s nLPD regulations,” explains Antoine Sudan, co-founder of WEDO. “This gives our clients peace of mind, knowing that their sensitive data is secure and stored in compliance with the strictest regulations.”

In addition to robust data encryption and compliance features, WEDO ensures that all data is stored locally in Europe, reducing the risk of data sovereignty issues—a key concern for businesses operating in highly regulated industries.

## Innovation: Looking Ahead with AI Tools

WEDO’s commitment to continuous improvement doesn’t stop at security and ease of use. The company is constantly looking for ways to evolve its platform to better meet the needs of its users. “We’re currently developing AI tools that will not only make our platform more intuitive but will also provide actionable insights to help teams work more effectively,” says David Dutch.

These AI-driven tools will focus on optimizing workflows, suggesting task priorities, and automating repetitive processes. As businesses continue to demand smarter and more efficient solutions, WEDO is positioning itself as a leader in AI-powered collaboration.

## Real-World Impact: How WEDO is Transforming Businesses

WEDO’s SaaS platform isn’t just another software tool; it’s a [game-changer for businesses](https://wedo.com/category/use-cases) across various industries. [Companies using WEDO](https://wedo.com/category/customer-testimonials) have reported significant improvements in meeting efficiency, task completion rates, and overall project management.

Take, for example, a mid-sized European tech company that struggled with disorganized meetings and missed deadlines. After implementing WEDO, the company saw a 30% reduction in time spent in meetings, with task completion rates increasing by 25%. This level of impact is why more and more businesses are turning to WEDO to simplify their internal operations.

![Task Management with WEDO](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/Forbes1_FR_871022caa4.png)

## How does the company differentiate itself from its competitors?

The first area of differentiation lies in the tool itself. Unlike some highly specialized software, WEDO was designed as a dynamic and flexible platform, capable of meeting a wide range of use cases and industry needs (e.g., [municipal and administrative councils](https://wedo.com/industries/municipal-administrations), [team meetings](https://wedo.com/use-cases/team-meetings), [project management](https://wedo.com/features/project-management)). Compared to offerings like Microsoft’s, the company promotes a more holistic approach with an “all-in-one” tool, which avoids fragmenting information across various software that need to be connected. With WEDO, users no longer need to juggle multiple different applications—everything is readily available. The company aims to strike the ideal balance between specificity and generalization.

The second point of differentiation is its customer-centric approach, which enables the company to understand client needs and provide tailored solutions. Its support is highly regarded for its quality and speed, with an average response time of 4 minutes over a year. This close relationship results in an exceptional user experience, strong customer loyalty, and positive word-of-mouth recommendations.

## Why This Feature on Forbes Matters

Being featured on Forbes is not just an honor; it’s a reflection of the significant impact WEDO is making in the business world. As we continue to expand our platform and grow our user base, this feature serves as a milestone, validating our approach and the value we provide to our clients.

With over 600 companies using WEDO across Europe and beyond, we’re excited about the future and the role our platform will play in transforming how businesses collaborate.

## Conclusion

At WEDO, we are committed to providing businesses with the tools they need to streamline collaboration, ensure data security, and enhance productivity. Our feature on Forbes highlights the impact we’ve had on the business world, but we’re not stopping there. As we continue to innovate with AI-driven tools and security enhancements, we’re excited to see how WEDO will shape the future of work.

**Interested in learning more? Contact us today to schedule a demo or learn more about our platform.**

::button-primary[Schedule a live demo]{link="/demo"}

In an exciting feature on Forbes, Alexia Borg sat down with WEDO’s co-founders to discuss the company’s incredible journey from a small Swiss startup to a global player in the collaborative software industry. 

Antoine Sudan and David Dutch invited by Forbes

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Forbes Highlights WEDO in “Successful Companies”

In the fast-paced world of administrative management, executive assistants play a crucial role. The Swiss army knives of any organization juggle many tasks and deadlines while supervising those of others. Faced with these challenges, they often find themselves overwhelmed by routine, repetitive responsibilities. We immersed ourselves in the daily lives of 6 executive assistants who use the WEDO platform to understand the workings of their organization, the challenges they face, and the tools they have put in place to facilitate their management.

According to our study, the most time-consuming tasks for executive assistants revolve mainly around administrative functions. These activities, while necessary, tend to monopolize a significant proportion of their working time, preventing them from concentrating fully on more crucial aspects of their role, such as operational and strategic development.

Among the most time-consuming tasks in their job descriptions, the executive assistants surveyed identify the following:

**1. Meeting preparation:** preparing agendas and presentation documents, taking and sharing minutes, following up on decisions and tasks delegated at meetings,

**2. Diary management and meeting organization:** planning and coordination of appointments, team meetings, and conferences, taking care to avoid scheduling conflicts,
**3. Document preparation and management:** drafting, proofreading, and organizing important documents such as reports, presentations, correspondence and contracts,

**4. Project coordination:** managing and following up on specific projects, liaising between different departments, and meeting deadlines.

Internal and external communications, administrative support, and human resources management closely follow those.

## How to lighten the administrative load for an executive assistant?

When asked what tools were used to monitor collaboration before WEDO was integrated, the most common programs were Outlook, Word (for taking minutes), and Excel. However, these tools had significant limitations. Respondents reported difficulties related to the cross-functionality of information between different team members. For example, these tools were not conducive to **active, real-time collaboration when taking PVs**, making this task often cumbersome and time-consuming, and necessitating numerous round-trips. The systematic use of e-mail to distribute these documents wasted considerable time without guaranteeing effective communication.

Furthermore, the limited nature of these tools prevented efficient tracking of tasks and projects. Users faced significant challenges maintaining a clear, up-to-date overview of projects. In short, although these tools are widespread and familiar, their use in team collaboration and project management needs to be improved.

This situation underlines the importance of cross-functional tools and solutions to lighten the administrative workload. With the implementation of WEDO, the executive assistants surveyed were able to optimize their administrative processes.

### 1. Meeting preparation and management

![computerized agenda for real-time note-taking](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/reunion_ENEN_aad2ef7f0e.png)

One of the most time-consuming aspects of the job is the preparation of meetings. With WEDO, executive assistants benefit from automated management and considerable time savings in preparation and follow-up. The platform enables uniform management of minutes, clear distribution of post-meeting tasks, and automatic tracking of topics from one session to the next. Users report an average time saving of 55% for these tasks.

![save time spent on meetings](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/55_ENEN_83c8604c19.png)

WEDO's meeting module lets you integrate blocks of paragraphs, tasks, file attachments, personal notes, votes and signatures, among others.

![testimonial Regula Oberdorfer](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/Regula_Oberdorfer_ENEN_1a54d3c30f.png)

### 2. Project management and task tracking

![efficient task management](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/tasks_ENEN_be99588a59.png)

Project management and tracking represent another major challenge. WEDO simplifies this task by offering clear delegation possibilities, the creation of checklist templates to standardize processes, and real-time task tracking. This leads to better prioritization and more efficient day-to-day management.

![testimonials Aline Volery and Nicole Thalmann](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/testimonials_Aline_et_Nicole_ENEN_11a8dc6cff.png)

### Use case: facilitating HR processes and the transmission of specifications

When executive assistants are involved in HR processes, the integration of WEDO proves to be a major asset. The platform makes it possible to standardize on-boarding and off-boarding procedures by means of specific checklists. These checklists, drawn up for each stage of the process, automatically assign the relevant tasks to the team members concerned. This method ensures structured, efficient management of personnel transitions, eliminating the operational uncertainties often associated with the question "What steps should I take?".

By simplifying these processes, WEDO not only eases the workload for HR managers, but also contributes to a clear, documented handover of tasks and knowledge from one employee to the next.

![simplified hr processes](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/Modeles_checklists_ENEN_fdf58af70f.png)

One of the decisive advantages of WEDO, highlighted by our management assistants, is the ease with which recruitment interviews can be documented in real time. Each exchange can be recorded directly in a standardized (and customized if required) agenda, enabling these interactions to be saved methodically and instantaneously.

### 4. Transmission of information

WEDO lets you link documents to tasks or meetings, ensuring that all the necessary information is in the right place. Global search makes it easy to retrieve documents, and to find a specific file based on a keyword found in the PDF file.

In terms of communication, WEDO users particularly appreciate the immediate visibility of entries and the ability to restrict access to certain information.

![Alexandra Locher](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/Alexandra_locher_ENEN_e53527e95c.png)

**We asked our users to rate the platform on a scale of 1 to 10, to qualify the positive impact WEDO has on their daily tasks.**

![Best collaborative software for executive assistant productivity and organizations](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/preparation_reunion_note_ENEN_1_d92c7629a1.png)

![Alicia Aubert](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/Alicia_Aubert_ENEN_5d3644b8f7.png)

Executive assistants can greatly ease their workload by equipping themselves with a collaborative platform. Do you have any questions or doubts about WEDO's compatibility with your needs? We'll be happy to give you a short 30-minute demonstration.

::button-primary[Try WEDO for free]{link="/signup"}

::button-primary[Schedule a live demo]{link="/demo"}

In the fast-paced world of administrative management, executive assistants play a crucial role. The Swiss army knives of any organization juggle many tasks and deadlines while supervising those of others

an executive assistant overwhelmed by work and demands

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Making daily life easier for executive assistants

Held once a month, quarter, or half-year, as required, these privileged meetings provide a confidential and open communication space, encouraging in-depth discussion of individual and collective objectives. They create a valuable opportunity to discuss each employee's specific challenges and needs, fostering better mutual understanding. Moreover, these meetings provide a framework for recognizing individual achievements and contributions, reinforcing a sense of accomplishment and belonging to the team. Thanks to these personalized exchanges, bilateral meetings contribute to more effective personnel management, more focused professional growth, and solid, fulfilling working relationships.

## Key topics for a bilateral meeting

During a bilateral meeting between a team leader and an employee, several key topics must be addressed to ensure effective communication and optimal management. Here are some of these topics:

### 1. Ongoing assessment
Discuss objectives for the current period and assess progress and results achieved. Identify successes and areas requiring further attention.

### 2. Professional Development
Explore opportunities for employee development, training, and professional growth. Identify skills to be strengthened and possible progression paths.

### 3. Feedback
Exchange constructive feedback on work performed, highlighting strengths and addressing areas for improvement. Encourage open dialogue to stimulate continuous learning.

### 4. Needs and Challenges
Allow employees to express their needs regarding resources, assistance, or support to accomplish their tasks. Discuss possible obstacles and find solutions together.

### 5. Work-Life Balance
Address workload-related issues, stress levels, and work-life balance. Identify measures to support employee well-being.

### 6. Projects and Initiatives
Discuss future projects, new initiatives, and potential employee contributions. Encourage active participation and creativity.

### 7. Management feedback
Offer employees the opportunity to share their feelings about management, work methods, and team communication. Foster an environment of trust and continuous improvement.

### 8. Focus on Vision
Ensure that the employee understands and adheres to the team or company's overall vision, values, and goals.

### 9. Resources and Support
Identify the resources required for the associate's success and ensure that he/she has the proper support to carry out his/her tasks.

### 10. Long-Term Planning
Examine longer-term perspectives and discuss the employee's career aspirations and how these align with team or organizational goals.

_"Enabling discussions in bilateral meetings, in a more intimate way and with a long-term vision, brings a notable benefit to the employee's career in the company. It makes them feel valued, heard and recognized above all. Setting clear, long-term objectives is a real motivator for them."_

**Marie Rudaz-Jaeggi**, *[AmbitionSuccess.ch](http://ambitionsuccess.ch/)* - MORGES

Team leaders and employees can establish fruitful collaboration, foster professional development, and maintain a positive working climate by addressing these topics regularly and in-depth at bilateral meetings.

## Use WEDO to keep track of your bilateral meetings!

![1_1 ENFR.png](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/1_1_ENFR_78b8a89537.png)

With WEDO, you can prepare your agenda jointly with your manager or colleague. In this way, each participant can prepare the questions or topics to be addressed.

Generally speaking, the agenda items for a bilateral meeting are recurrent. WEDO enables you to set the topics so that they recur from one time to the next to ensure that discussions are followed up and that objectives evolve.

Once completed, the minutes are locked and remain available to both participants for consultation.

::button-primary[Schedule a live demo]{link="/demo"}

During a bilateral meeting between a team leader and an employee, several key topics must be addressed to ensure effective communication and optimal management.

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