Once a year, it’s that time again: Our “ Halbstark ” Week is coming up. It’s a week when we make a conscious effort to step away from our usual work routine and take time for our agency, our collaboration, and our team. This year, our week together took us to Lake Como in Italy.
What is " Halbstark " Week?
Halbstark Week has become a regular part of our year. It’s not about taking a full week off from our day-to-day work—quite the opposite: We combine client meetings and ongoing projects with focused agency work, creative collaboration, and a day dedicated entirely to our team.
From Ulm to Lake Como: The Beginning
Our “ Halbstark ” Week kicked off in Ulm. From there, we headed to Italy together. After arriving at Lake Como, we wrapped up the first evening with a group dinner before our “ Halbstark ” program began the next day.
Agency Work: Processes, Collaboration, and New Ideas
During the “ Halbstark ” Days, the focus is on the agency itself. We tackle topics that often don’t get enough attention in our day-to-day work:
- How can we improve our processes?
- What can we simplify?
- Where can we improve our collaboration?
- What ideas will help us grow as an agency in the long run?
Accessibility for Our Customers
During this time, we will of course remain available to our clients—though on a few days, only for urgent matters. We are deliberately focusing on our own professional development.
Between Client Work and Agency Work
As usual, part of the week is dedicated to our clients and ongoing projects. On those days, we continue working on our tasks, deadlines, and projects as usual.
And yet, even here, there’s still time for moments together. For example, a lunch break was spontaneously turned into a chance to cool off in Lake Como. In the evening, it was back to eating together, reflecting on the day, and spending time with one another.
It’s this combination of client work, agency development, and team time that makes Halbstark Week so special to us.
A day just for our team: a boat ride on Lake Como
We take one day a week completely off from work. That day is dedicated entirely to our team and team-building activities.
This year, we took to the water: During a group boat trip across Lake Como, we were able to completely switch off from work mode. We enjoyed good food, conversations, and, above all, time together—without to-do lists or deadlines.
Why " Halbstark " Week Is Important to Us Every Year
Halbstark Week is more than just a trip together for us. It’s an integral part of our year and gives us the opportunity, year after year, to reflect deeply on our work and how we collaborate.
Creative exchange opens up new perspectives
Direct and creative exchange is an important part of our collaboration. When we consciously set aside time to reflect on our work together, new perspectives emerge—and often solutions as well—that might not have a place in the agency’s day-to-day routine. We can discuss things openly, develop ideas further, and make decisions together.
Our Processes Under Scrutiny
This isn't just about big conceptual issues. Our daily workflows are also under scrutiny: Which processes work well? Where can we simplify procedures? What is unnecessarily taking up our time? And how can we make our collaboration even more efficient?
It is precisely this exchange that helps us continue to grow as a team and as an agency.
Back with new ideas
After a week of client work, agency projects, creative exchanges, and shared experiences, we headed back home—with lots of new ideas, renewed energy, and an even stronger sense of team spirit.
That’s exactly what our “ Halbstark ” Week is for: to take a moment to pause, reflect together, and recharge as a team for the coming year. And, of course, we’re already looking forward to the next one.
Frequently Asked Questions About " Halbstark " Week
How long does “ Halbstark ” Week last?One week, once a year—divided into days for client projects, days for agency matters, and one day just for the team.
Are we available during the week?Yes. On most days, customer service operates as usual. On a few days, we are available only for urgent matters.
Why do we do this every year?Because in our day-to-day work, we rarely have time to work on the agency rather than just in the agency. This week creates exactly that space.
