Accigo: Pioneering Progressive Work Culture in Sweden

The RenDanHeYi model, developed by Haier Group CEO Zhang Ruimin in 2005, is revolutionary management philosophy aimed at transforming traditional hierarchical corporate structures into highly adaptive, customer-centric ecosystems. Rooted in the belief that employees (Ren) and their entrepreneurial capabilities should align with customer needs (Dan) to create value, the model emphasizes individual accountability and dynamic organizational roles (HeYi). By dismantling conventional silos, the RenDanHeYi model fosters a network of autonomous micro-enterprises within the larger corporate entity, transforming the organization into a nimble startup factory.

To develop and share the idea of Zero Distance and its broader management philosophy of RenDanHeYi, Haier hosts an annual forum to celebrate the world's most progressive organizations. This September marks the 8th edition of the forum, taking place in Haier’s hometown, Qingdao, on September 20. Working with the Business Ecosystem Alliance and the Management Lab, the Haier Model Institute will release the inaugural listing of the progressive companies which are putting Zero Distance and related ideas into practice.

These organizations are characterized by:

• Zero Distance to customer | Decision what to build is based on insights from the marketplace

• Autonomy | Small teams with full decision-making autonomy enable speed in execution

• Shared Rewards | Everyone in the micro-enterprise participates in its financial success

For the 2024 inaugural ZeroDX awards, Haier approached us to list 50 self-managed organizations that showcase the principles of RenDanHeYi in how they organise their work. Accigo is one of the 50 organisations we listed this year.

Introduction

Accigo, established in 2007, is a Sweden-based consultancy firm specializing in business systems and digital transformation. The company, comprising approximately 150 employees, has carved a niche in the IT and business consulting industry. Their expertise spans across Microsoft's entire ecosystem including ERP systems, CRM solutions, and cloud services. Accigo's mission is to create Business Wellness through empowering organizations by enhancing their digital capabilities, with a strong focus on innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction. The company's values are rooted in professionalism, entrepreneurial spirit and balance, fostering an environment where both clients and employees thrive. Accigo has been recognized for its innovative approach and has won several awards, including the nomination Microsoft Partner of the Year in Sweden 2024.

Accigo's vision is to create Sensible Growth Everywhere which is underlined by personal sustainability of every employee.

Organizational Structure

Accigo's organizational structure is a testament to their commitment to progressive work practices. The company employs a highly decentralized, horizontal structure that emphasizes employee autonomy and collective decision-making. Instead of traditional hierarchies, Accigo operates with self-managed teams that have the freedom to decide what their team delivers to clients and with a support structure to take on different responsibilities. This approach not only promotes agility and responsiveness but also empowers employees to take ownership of their projects. The absence of rigid management layers fosters a culture of trust, personal responsibility and mutual respect, where ideas can flow freely, and innovation is encouraged at all levels. For instance, their project teams are cross-functional, allowing members from different expertise areas to collaborate directly, ensuring a more holistic approach to problem-solving. Additionally, Accigo uses an internal social platform to facilitate open communication and idea sharing among employees, further reinforcing their decentralized structure.

The value of the decentralized organizational structure is evident in the continuous growth in business results and most notably in the metric revenue per consultant that is among the few KPIs monitored by Accigo.

Zero Distance to Customers

Customer centricity is at the heart of Accigo's operations. The company ensures that there are no barriers between clients and the people working on their projects. Consultants at Accigo are granted significant autonomy to make decisions that best serve their clients' needs. This level of empowerment allows for real-time problem-solving and tailored solutions that enhance customer satisfaction. By maintaining close relationships with their clients, Accigo ensures that they remain attuned to their needs and can adapt swiftly to any changes, delivering exceptional value and fostering long-term partnerships. For example, Accigo's consultants frequently participate in clients' strategy meetings to gain a deeper understanding of their business goals and challenges. This proactive approach helps in creating solutions that are not only technically sound but also aligned with the clients' strategic vision. Moreover, Accigo's use of customer feedback loops ensures continuous improvement in their service delivery, making their client interactions more dynamic and responsive. The proof that the client values Accigo efforts is that they are staying with Accgio for a long time and a usual comment is that there is something special with the consultants from Accigo. This impression results also in an exceptional NPS score at 57.

Internal Culture

The company promotes a culture of continuous learning, offering numerous opportunities for professional growth and skill enhancement. Employees are encouraged to pursue their interests and passions via personal ambitions that are set yearly, which not only contributes to their personal development but also brings diverse perspectives and innovative ideas to the company.

Accigo also prioritizes sustainable employees, understanding that a happy and fulfilled workforce, including leaders, is more productive, engaged and can cope with every time changing environment. This is underlined by continuous conversation around sustainability and wellness as well as personal sustainability plans where employees are encouraged to set goals around specific personal priority areas (be it learning, time with family, sports or else).

Regular company meetings focusing on Accigo culture, transparent communication, and a supportive work environment further reinforce the company's commitment to its people. For instance, Accigo offers flexible working hours and remote work options to accommodate employees' personal needs and preferences. They also provide access to a variety of training programs, including workshops, online courses, and certifications, to help employees stay ahead in their fields. Additionally, the company's flat structure and open-door policy ensure that everyone has a voice and can contribute to decision-making processes, fostering a sense of ownership and belonging among employees.

Conclusion

Accigo is built on a clear philosophy that personal sustainability is at the core of a thriving business and have crafted their own path to achieve it. Many of the principles in their work - the flat structure and the radical autonomy among others, are fully aligned with the RenDanHeYi philosophy which makes Accigo an excellent candidate for the inaugural ZeroDX awards presented by HMI and Thinkers 50.