2021 - an eventful year, still ominated by developments and actions to contain the coronavirus, is now drawing to a close. We, Cybertrading GmbH, were able to withstand the new challenges in the second pandemic year and drew strength, courage and confidence from the uncertainty. Our employees supported us with their tireless efforts and thus we were able to grow even closer together as a community in 2021.
It is time for us to take a look back at an exhilarating year with many highlights, surprises and milestones. But first of all, we would like to thank our customers and business partners for always being able to count on you again this year. We look forward to going full throttle again in 2022 with you by our side.
it-market.com - A new look for a better customer experience
On 11.02.2021 the time finally came. After almost two years of development, we were able to draw the curtain and present our customers with the new, modern online shop it-market.com. With this, we set a major milestone in the history of Cybertrading right at the beginning of the year.
In addition to numerous innovations that provide for an enhanced user experience, there was also a new coat of paint for the shop logo. The effort and work of our colleagues has paid off, because the online shop is also really well received by our customers.
We have also worked diligently on the first optimisations of the shop. Since the middle of the year, our customers have been able to contact us quickly and simply via chat. 2022 will also be marked by many innovations so that we can continue to offer our customers a unique and uncomplicated shopping experience.
Many new faces in the corridors
The year had barely begun when we welcomed five new employees. Almost no month passed without us welcoming new colleagues to our team. We are proud and happy that the Cyber-Family has grown by several new members this year. In addition to many new colleagues, we were also able to welcome some student interns and give them an fascinating insight into our everyday life. We would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their commitment and support.
A summer with fewer restrictions allowed our departments to once again plan and conduct their annual team-building events in order to strengthen the sense of community within the team. Our departments surpassed themselves in terms of creativity and action. If you would like to get a little insight, you can find it here.
In addition, our trainee Maurice completed his training project called "Petrus" this year and has since been providing us with daily weather information on our premises. For this, Maurice built and programmed a weather station with a Raspberry Pi. - It's really great what a awesome project he has set up. Thanks a lot Maurice!
Feel comfortable with us!
The year 2021 was also marked by changes around our beloved company premises. A lot of work was done to create an oasis of well-being for all employees.
At the end of the summer, our outdoor facilities beginning to take shape. The company Ulrich Pauer Objektbegrünung supported us in implementing our ideas and created, among other things, flower beds and seating. The newly designed outdoor area now invites you to a cosy lunch break when the weather is nice.
A lot has also been done indoors. After a long period of planning, our lounge has now been completed thanks to the company Ambienta - Andy Rost. Since the end of July, our colleagues can use it for a break and get their minds off things by playing table football or billiards. Those who prefer a more cosy atmosphere can make themselves comfortable in the couch area and relax. Of course, the bar is not far away to ring in the end of the day with a beer or sparkling wine.
The principle of the home office, which has become increasingly popular in recent years, is also gaining more and more supporters in our staff. In order to be able to shape this trend together, we offer our colleagues a new hybrid working model. In some selected departments, we are currently testing the clean desk principle, in which employees no longer have their own fixed workstation, but can choose a workstation for the day depending on their availability.
Green IT, we care about our environment
Protecting nature is a task that concerns us all. The topic of sustainability is also becoming increasingly important and relevant in the IT branch. For us, the reuse of IT products is becoming increasingly important, because refurbishment not only eliminates environmentally harmful disposal, but also conserves scarce resources such as noble metals and rare earths. For this reason, we determined to this year's Environment Day on 05 June to do our bit to preserve the ecosystem of our region. So we planted a crabapple butterball tree seedling as part of the city of Magdeburg's project "My tree for Magdeburg". In December, our tree was planted by the employees of the city of Magdeburg. Feel free to stop by our cybertrading tree. The tree is growing and thriving in Salvador-Allende-Strasse.
"Those who do good for others, do well themselves".
In times of the pandemic, it was important for us to be a strong partner side by side with our sponsoring partners. That is why we continued our sponsorship of the regional handball club SC Magdeburg and the football club 1. FC Magdeburg this year. As a sign of support, we received a specially made jersey with the signatures of all players from SC Magdeburg at the end of April. The jersey has been given a place of honour in our house.
We are also very happy when we are able to support our committed colleagues in their heartfelt projects as an employer. At the beginning of September, for example, we supported the charity open-air concert "Soundreflection" on the Magdeburg lake stage as part of a sponsorship. The sum of more than € 17,000 raised there was subsequently donated to the children's hospice in Magdeburg.
Our colleague Michael from Sales was also actively supported by his colleagues when he organised a charity day together with his football club SV Blau-Gelb Ausleben in aid of children with cancer. All donations collected on this day went to the Magdeburg Sponsoring Association's parents' home.
As part of our traditional Christmas donation, this year we handed over a pool table and a floorball set to Soziabell - Freie Jugendhilfe Magdeburg e.V.. We hope to have given the children and young people a lot of pleasure. You can read more about it here.
What will happen in 2022?
The new year will also be marked by progress for us. Due to the strong growth of our product portfolio, the starting signal for the construction of a new depot on our company premises will probably be given in spring 2022. But the well-being of our team should also be taken care of. In 2022, we will focus on the construction of a barbecue site and the further expansion of the outdoor facilities. It remains exciting and we look forward to the new year with further highlights and new surprises.