Background about the customer
abcfinance GmbH operates in a highly regulated financial environment where transparency, governance, and long-term responsibility are essential. Sustainability is not a side initiative but a strategic priority that connects economic performance, social responsibility, and governance standards. To make this strategy accessible to all employees, abcfinance leveraged its abc-Network intranet. The ambition was clear: move beyond static reports and transform sustainability into a visible, interactive, and measurable part of daily work.
Their challenges
Sustainability strategies are often complex, data-heavy, and influenced by regulatory frameworks. For many employees, ESG can feel abstract and disconnected from everyday tasks. The team needed to reduce complexity without losing substance. Employees should quickly grasp the essentials while still having the opportunity to dive deeper into specific topics. The challenge was to be:
- Understandable and transparent
- Visually intuitive
- Structured yet flexible
- Deep enough to maintain credibility
- Simple enough to encourage engagement
Their solution
The result was an interactive ESG visualization integrated directly into the abc-Network. At the core lies a dynamic SDG landscape based on the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. Each SDG serves as an entry point into company-specific objectives, concrete measures, and measurable KPIs. Employees can explore how global sustainability goals translate into operational activities within abcfinance.
An interface based on the UN’s 17 SDG icons for intuitive access to topics.
Clear statuses (planned, in progress, implemented) and transparent KPIs for each measure.
A modular structure allowing for constant updates without disrupting the architecture.
Key elements include:
- An interactive SDG graphic allowing direct navigation to individual sustainability topics
- Clear categorization linking ESG dimensions to operational corporate goals
- Status indicators such as planned, in progress, and implemented
- Transparent KPIs that make progress and gaps immediately visible
- An integrated filter and search function for quick topic discovery
- Reduced text in favor of visual orientation through icons and progress markers
The modular structure ensures that content can be updated, expanded, or reorganized without disrupting the overall architecture. Sustainability reporting becomes a living system rather than a static document.
KPIs
📊 The key figures
Views on the publication as of February 10, 2026
Unanimous positive feedback from employees
Full integration of the UN Sustainable Development Goals
While the primary objective was transparency and clarity rather than traffic volume, the response demonstrated strong interest and appreciation for the new format. The intranet evolved from an information repository into a strategic management and communication tool.
The results
The project fundamentally changed how sustainability is perceived within the organization. Beyond clarity, the project strengthens trust and encourages shared responsibility. Sustainability is no longer communicated as a top-down message.
“Sustainability has always been an abstract topic for me. The visualization on the intranet makes it tangible and shows me more clearly what we are currently working on.”
— Despina Estermann, HR, abcfinance
“The new design is a classic win-win, as it conveys the challenging topic of sustainability in an understandable way while still maintaining depth of content.”
— Julien Vöcker, Management, abcfinance
✨ Strategic Impact
- Total Transparency – From global objectives to local operational measures.
- Management Tool – The intranet becomes a dashboard for management and HR.
- Shared Responsibility – Progress and shortcomings are visible to all, encouraging involvement.
Conclusion
With “Visualizing Our ESG Strategy,” abcfinance demonstrates how a digital workplace can become a strategic instrument. By combining the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals with operational objectives, measurable KPIs, and an intuitive intranet experience, the company created a structure that links strategy, execution, and transparency in one central space. This project shows that true innovation is about structurally embedding strategy into everyday work in a way that employees can see, understand, and contribute to.
About the Partner: HIRSCHTEC
Specializing in the digitization of internal communication and collaboration since 2005, HIRSCHTEC customers get everything from a single source: from developing the big picture for the digital workplace to the introduction and further development of intranets, employee apps and digital workplaces based on M365, from the automation of workflows to support in digital leadership.
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Trinity Resting
Product Marketing Manager
Product marketing doesn’t have to be all jargon and slides—Trinity’s here to prove it’s about creating human connections. With 5 years in digital marketing, she’s been scaling, building, and transforming product strategies that resonate with real people. At Powell, Trinity ensures the message isn’t just heard, but felt. She’s passionate about helping teams go beyond the office and build lasting relationships. When she’s not crafting strategies, you’ll find her sipping tea (she’s a self-proclaimed tea-aholic) or working as a professional dog sitter—because, let’s be honest, dogs are the ultimate team players.
