What happens when people from twelve nations..
…come together in one place, all working toward the same goal? At SERVICE 1, this is not an experiment – it is everyday reality. Recently, we had the pleasure of welcoming the Wirtschaftsförderung Paderborn. The exchange with Jürgen Janke, Managing Director of WFG, once again highlighted what defines us.
Internationality is not a concept for us, it is everyday practice
SERVICE 1 develops software for companies that need full control over their field service operations – globally. From the initial customer request to scheduling, execution, and billing, our platform ensures that field technicians are exactly where they are needed, with the right information at the right time.
Around 100 employees from a total of twelve nations work at SERVICE 1. Many of our colleagues have international backgrounds or have specifically relocated to Germany for their roles. One-third of our workforce has a migration background.
“What matters to us is people’s skills, not where they come from.”
Carsten Müller, CEO, SERVICE 1
Paderborn as an IT location provides a strong foundation: nearly six percent of employees work in the ICT sector – almost twice the national average. More than 100 IT companies are based here. Still, companies looking for qualified talent must think beyond local boundaries. And that is exactly what we do.
Integration is not an HR topic, it is a leadership responsibility
Hiring international talent is one part; retaining them is the real challenge. We have established clear structures to support this: language training, bilingual meetings, and translation tools integrated into daily work. We hold regular team meetings featuring expert presentations, and yes, we also take international dietary requirements into account during our team lunches.
“We invest significantly in integrating our international team members. This works well internally.”
Birgit Bräuer, People Development und Recruiting, SERVICE 1
Where challenges remain? Where do challenges remain? For example, in administrative processes or the housing market. International professionals often face barriers unrelated to their actual roles: complex bureaucracy, limited housing availability, or lack of orientation in a new environment. These are issues that consume time and energy – for both employees and employers.
The visit by the Economic Development Agency focused precisely on this: how can a location such as Paderborn become more attractive to international talent? And what is needed to enable companies to better exploit their potential in this area?
For us, it is clear: international teams are not a short-term solution to the skills shortage. They are a long-term commitment and require an environment that grows with them.
Life@SERVICE1: Many perspectives, one shared understanding
If we had to describe our day-to-day work in one word, “international” would fall short.
What truly defines SERVICE 1 is how we collaborate: structured, open, and aligned around a shared objective. Background does not matter – what matters is how we operate as a team.
Or put differently:
Many perspectives. One team. A shared understanding of what good collaboration looks like.
Learn more: Career at SERVICE 1 | WFG PD Article | Our Team
