Wildling Shoes: A Journey of Sustainability, Innovation, and Employee Empowerment

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. Wildling Shoes is one of the 50 organisations we listed this year.

Introducing Wildling Shoes

Wildling Shoes, founded in 2015 by Anna and Ran Yona, is a standout in the sustainable footwear industry. With a workforce of approximately 140 employees, the company has rapidly grown since its inception. The Yonis' inspiration came from the challenge of finding suitable footwear for their children, leading to the creation of shoes that mimic the feeling of walking barefoot. Wildling Shoes emphasizes minimalistic design and sustainable materials such as organic cotton, wool, and hemp. The company's mission is clear: to revolutionize the footwear industry with a commitment to sustainability, ethical production, and comfort​.

Wildling Shoes is a prime example of RenDanHeYi in Germany. With its decentralized, remote-first organizational structure, its focus on the end user and its efforts in reinventing supplier relationships to deliver a truly sustainable supply chain, Wildling Shoes is an inspiration for every manufacturing company.

Organizational Structure

Wildling Shoes operates with a decentralized, remote-first organizational structure, which is particularly innovative in the manufacturing sector. Initially, this structure posed challenges, particularly in communication and collaboration. To address these issues, Wildling adopted the OKR (Objectives and Key Results) framework, which aligns individual goals with the company's objectives. This method reduces the need for micromanagement and fosters a high degree of autonomy among employees. The organization emphasizes flexibility and trust, encouraging employees to manage their work independently while staying connected through regular virtual meetings and collaboration tools​​.

Stakeholder Engagement

Sustainability is not just a buzzword at Wildling Shoes; it’s embedded in every aspect of their business. The company uses eco-friendly materials and sustainable production processes to minimize its environmental impact. They continuously explore new materials and methods to improve the durability and ecological footprint of their products. Additionally, Wildling promotes circularity by encouraging customers to repair rather than replace their shoes, offering a comprehensive repair service to extend product life. This commitment to sustainability and regeneration drives the company’s operations and aligns with their long-term vision of making a positive impact on the planet​.

Wildling’s vision of regenerative sustainability involves embracing mistakes and learning from them. They aim to leave the world a better place, enhancing natural spaces, ecosystems, and social equity. This approach requires a transformative business model that acknowledges and celebrates diversity and complexity. By fostering an environment of openness, transparency, and true partnership, Wildling works collaboratively with their suppliers and partners to achieve holistic, sustainable improvements. A good example is the “Impact Collective” launched in January 2022 with their partners in Portugal. The initiative serves as a platform for learning from each other, sharing ideas, discussing challenges, and working together to generate solutions that benefit all stakeholders.

Internal Culture and Employee Well-being

Wildling Shoes places a high priority on the well-being of its employees, where the majority of the team works remotely from all over Germany. The company offers flexible work schedules, which is especially beneficial for working parents. This remote-first approach is supported by a culture of trust and autonomy, where employees are encouraged to manage their workloads independently and take breaks as needed to avoid burnout. Wildling also promotes personal development by allowing employees to engage in tasks that align with their strengths and interests. This supportive environment leads to high levels of job satisfaction and employee engagement, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement​.

Conclusion

Wildling Shoes exemplifies how a company can integrate sustainability, employee well-being, and customer-centric practices into a successful business model. Their decentralized structure, emphasis on autonomy, and commitment to ethical production set them apart in the footwear industry and underline the inherent value behind the RenDanHeYi management philosophy.