Are you wondering how we at Kaufland e-commerce manage to ensure everyone is pulling in the same direction and knows what they’re working on? The answer lies in our agile management approach using OKRs. These Objectives and Key Results are not just a planning tool; they serve as our compass for transparency, alignment, and continuous growth. In this article, you’ll discover how the OKR method shapes our daily work and why it perfectly fits our corporate culture. 

What exactly are OKRs? Understanding the basics of the method 

The acronym OKRs stands for Objectives and Key Results. It is a proven method for setting and tracking goals within a company. The principle is simple yet effective: 

• Objectives: What do we want to achieve? Objectives are qualitative, inspiring, and time-bound. They describe a desired state without providing measurable figures. 

• Key Results: How do we measure our success? Key Results are quantitative, measurable, and specific. Exact numbers allow us to verify whether a particular outcome has been achieved. 

OKRs define clear company goals and quantifiable results. The method is agile and designed for cross-departmental implementation. Objectives and Key Results are regularly reviewed and updated as necessary to ensure that strategic goals are actually met. 

Implementing OKRs at Kaufland e-commerce: How we live the method 

We embrace OKRs at all levels—they are part of our corporate culture, from management down to individual teams and sub-departments. Our approach to OKR implementation is transparent and participatory: 

• Regular Updates: We continuously monitor and adjust our OKRs to respond flexibly to changes. 

• Company-wide Visibility: Everyone can view the goals of all teams, fostering understanding of colleagues‘ work. 

• Ambitious Objectives: True to our principle of “Shoot for the Moon,” we set challenging yet achievable goals. 

• Measurable Results through Key Results: Instead of vague intentions, we rely on concrete, verifiable metrics. 

The benefits of the OKR method in our e-commerce work environment 

• Creating Transparency: One of our core principles is “Create transparency, earn trust”—and we embody this with OKRs. We at KEC are informed about all company and team goals. This openness improves communication between departments and builds trust. 

• Fostering Empathy & Teamwork: Understanding what your colleagues are working on and what goals they are pursuing enhances collaboration and encourages mutual support. Our OKRs allow everyone to see beyond their immediate tasks, ensuring we think and grow as one large team. 

• Boosting Motivation and Purpose: Objectives and Key Results show every employee how their daily work contributes to the bigger picture. This motivates and instills a sense of purpose – at KEC, we know exactly why we do what we do. 

Practical Insight: OKRs from the perspective of our employee 

Su, our Senior Product Operations Manager, sums it up perfectly:

OKRs are our compass. They create transparency and alignment, allow us to grow and learn continuously, and help us pursue clear goals with measurable solutions. Year after year, we refine them, strengthening our progress and commitment. 

More than just a management tool: OKRs as cultural drivers 

At Kaufland e-commerce, OKRs are more than just a management tool; they embody our culture of collective growth, learning, and continuous improvement. They reflect our original start-up character—we remain agile, transparent, and always ready for new challenges. 

Whether we’re working remotely or in the office, our OKRs ensure that we all look in the same direction and achieve our ambitious goals together!