internord in transition
For almost a quarter of a century, *internord* has been a constant companion to people, technology and knowledge within the TÜV NORD GROUP. The history of the staff magazine demonstrates one thing above all: the only constant is change.
It all began with a great mystery: the merger of the TÜV NORD GROUP with large parts of RWTÜV in 2004 did not merely result in the creation of a new organisation. It was also necessary to find a unifying internal voice. In the run-up to the official launch, selected staff from both parent organisations developed concepts as part of a working group in Bielefeld: the to-do list also included a magazine for staff.
Jochen May from Corporate Communications recalls: “We had been informed at an early stage and prepared the communication strategy for the merger, as well as developing the joint magazine.” The 64-year-old adds: “Our aim was a format that would provide guidance, promote transparency and offer journalistic coverage of the two workforces growing together.” When it came to deciding what the new magazine should be called, the then press spokesman Rainer Camen spoke up: “Well, that’s obvious: internord!” The portmanteau of “intern” and “nord” caught on.
From the very beginning, employee participation has been a major focus for us. Internord was the platform where people could share their views on how the company was developing.
The first issue was included in the starter kit for all employees of the new TÜV NORD Group – a blue cardboard box bearing the group logo. The editorial stated: “Internord is intended to serve as a unifying force for employees working within the new TÜV NORD Group; it is designed to help them find their bearings within the new group that is taking shape.” Jochen May explains: “From the very beginning, employee participation was a major focus for us. Internord served as the platform on which we could share how the company was developing. It was also intended to enable employees to look beyond their own horizons.” The magazine was also intended to be entertaining: it featured a page of puzzles and brain teasers. Every three months, the magazine – initially a twelve-page issue – was sent by post to employees’ homes, so that it would reach even those who were out visiting clients and rarely in the office. “The idea even back then was to involve their families,” explains Jochen May. Very much in the spirit of TÜV NORD Family & Friends.
The first internord 2004
When the TÜV NORD GROUP became the new umbrella organisation for the group in 2013, staff were asked about their magazine. The result: more than three-quarters read every issue in full or at least in part and were keen to continue receiving the magazine in future, even though the intranet had by then become the most important source of information. Another encouraging finding was that: around 40 per cent of employees’ families read it, as did 5 per cent of their friends.
In the survey, employees expressed a wish: “Report more on what employees and teams are achieving.” Internord took on a more personal tone, placing employees at the centre with a focus on appreciation. Through features, profiles and special focus sections, internord highlighted what colleagues were working on. Sometimes the story took readers to a test track, sometimes to a shipyard, sometimes to a laboratory. And sometimes the view even stretched as far as space. Page by page, story by story, the magazine opened doors to worlds that seem far removed from the everyday lives of many employees – and yet are part of the TÜV NORD GROUP.
In the survey, staff expressed a wish: “Report more on what staff and teams achieve.” Internord took a more personal approach, placing staff at the centre and showing them appreciation.
As you leaf through and scroll through old issues, the same impression keeps coming across: internord readers were ahead of the curve, looking where others would only turn their attention years later. Back in 2009, they learnt that the theory test for driving licences was set to go digital. internord reported on the first electric charging station at its Hanover site 15 years ago. internord readers were already aware of the Artemis mission to space as early as the beginning of 2025. Yet even internord was not immune to media hype; the biggest example was probably the virtual world ‘Second Life’, which initially raised great hopes before fading into obscurity.
Over the years, the TÜV NORD GROUP became more digital, more international and more modern. This was also evident from the ties worn by managers in the photos: they first became increasingly narrow and eventually disappeared almost entirely. The number of employees grew, and with it, expertise in a wide variety of specialist fields. Internord has seen itself as an interpreter between disciplines, with the aim of explaining complex topics in an easily understandable way. Alongside stories from the various departments, internord repeatedly involved employees directly: there were global surveys asking questions such as: What do you drink to refresh yourself? What do you personally do to protect the climate? How do you start your day?
Whether in the USA, China, Argentina or India – *internord* was a window onto the world. Staff from all over the world shared insights into their work and their lives. They showed just how varied working at the TÜV NORD GROUP has become over time, and how diverse the workforce is. “This was made possible because *internord* has always been about teamwork,” says Jochen May. Behind every issue lay a collaboration between Group Communications, the business divisions, designers and many colleagues who opened up their topics and personal worlds. Some provided tips, others explained complex testing procedures, whilst others shared stories about places and hobbies that no one else would otherwise have got to see. In this way, internal communication became a unifying collaborative effort.
When Irena Tsagurnis took over production of the magazine in 2020, the paper version was phased out. Internord was now delivered to staff digitally as a PDF magazine on their smartphones, tablets or laptops. This was not only more sustainable, but also saved annual printing and postage costs amounting to a mid-five-figure sum in euros. The magazine became even more digital and international in 2022: the PDF magazine was transformed into a modern, interactive and responsive online magazine. “Our Group was becoming increasingly digital. It was high time that our magazine reflected this too,” recalls Irena Tsagurnis. TÜV NORD GROUP in Motion – that was the title of the first fully digital issue of internord. There was now scope for more engaging articles, large images, videos, podcasts and animated graphics, offering staff a contemporary and digital reading experience.
Our group has become increasingly digital. It was high time that our magazine reflected this too.
A glance in the rear-view mirror shows that the history of internord is not one of stagnation, but of constant change. What remains are the many stories of our employees – with everything that moved them and everything they set in motion. The magazine issues bring together the company’s history as a fascinating chronicle and a living archive of new beginnings. There will continue to be fascinating stories from our employees in future, but they will then be published on the Group’s other digital channels.
