User Support –
The Regulators

Daniel: “We work to keep the users in schülerVZ, studiVZ, and meinVZ happy and informed, together with everyone in the company. Whether solving a problem or investigating a complaint, we’re at the command of you the members. Feel free to ask us where the shallow end is – just don’t pee in the pool!”

Daniel works in user support and is currently demanding the re-introduction of liquorice to the office.

Marketing –
The Advert Angels

Ulli: “studiVZ, schülerVZ, and meinVZ display adverts so that they can remain free to use. We are kept on our toes by a constant stream of technical and creative challenges, and by Mila the dog – who likes to sit on our chairs. We seem to have become experts in iFrames, php script and xml files, just don’t come too close with that enormous XL table!”

Ulli is in charge of Sales Operations and is always up for a laugh. The fun only stops when it comes down to the last chocolate.

Software-Engineering –
The Programmers

Andi: “If the VZs were a big ship we’d be in the engine room. But instead of oil cans, we’re running around with laptops, making sure the zeros and ones stay where they should.”

Andi is responsible for software development and takes care that everything is in working order behind the scenes. What he likes most about his job? Being part of an engaged team and the relaxed working atmosphere.

Graphics – The Designers

Caro: “Andrea, Basti, Ayhan and I are responsible for the graphics for studiVZ, schülerVZ and meinVZ – anything that appears in colour. Banners, corporate designs, presentations: it all comes through us. I like working here because everyone is so full of energy and fun.”

Caro works in the graphics department, is proud of her banners, and is currently convinced that chocolate is a medical cure for stress.

Human Resources –
The People People

Christine: “We are always searching for the very best people for our teams. The most important thing is that they feel they belong here. If someone feels at home and fits in with our culture they’re going to love working for us!”

Christine works in the HR department and is currently thinking about asking himself for a pay raise.

Legal –
The Bodyguards

Jana: “We’re the bodyguards for schülerVZ, studiVZ, and meinVZ and work to protect your data. Armed with books full of statutes and folders full of rules we ensure the protection of minors and your personal rights. We’re so busy that not all of the team members made it onto the photo!”

Jana works in the legal department and fights for your rights.

schülerVZ –
The Loveable Brats

Christoph: “Break out the confetti and let the sweets rain down! schülerVZ is big pink tornado bringing colour, cheekiness, and fun to the internet – but not without seatbelts. Youth protection plays an important role on schülerVZ and we work together with pupils to ensure they are as secure as possible. Only one question remains: How many people can squeeze onto one sofa?”

Christoph is head of the schülerVZ Team and has a chocolate factory in his cupboard.

The Communication Team –
The Talkers

Dirk: “VZnet Netzwerke Ltd. has a huge business relations network. We’re constantly on the phone to journalists, business partners, and anyone else, to provide them with information, organise press conferences, and arrange interviews. I’m lost without a mobile stuck to my ear!”

Dirk is head of the communications team and is currently the owner of the most annoying ring tone in the office.

Marketing –
The Brand Protectors

Samir: “The marketing team makes sure there’s always something happening on the platform: whether it’s bringing you cool new music, festivals, or charity campaigns. This makes the VZ-network the most attractive online brand – there’s something for everyone!”

Samir is head of the VZ marketing team and has been saying he must clean his desk urgently for the past 2 ½ years.

V and Z – The Computer Mice

V and Z have a dream life in our offices – there’s always something entertaining going on, and they don’t have to wait very long for food! Following generous donations from the staff last year they have now moved into a 5-star villa, which has everything they could possibly need. Truth be told, we’ve noticed they’ve got a bit lazy. Since they organised an official boycott of the running wheel, we’ve had to keep an eye on their weight.

V and Z enrich our daily lives with their antics and have become office mascots. They are currently plotting an ambitious pumpkin seed theft.

Internal IT –
The studiVZ Ltd. Doctors

Matthias: “Together with my assistant doctors Rico, Willi Martin and Chris, I’m responsible for planning, installing, and maintaining everything in the company that runs on electricity. Whether someone needs a WLAN cable or an internal intranet, we’re the men for the job! We work hard to ensure that Murphy’s Law is rigorously enforced here – much like the rest of the company.”

Matthias is in charge of internal IT. He is currently growing a bit of a belly, and a thick skin.

Finance and Accounting –
The Number bods

Jenny: “We are responsible for the finance side of things. We work alongside the legal team and HR to make sure the staff can put all their energy into the VZ sites. We’re normally in the background, but when money is needed it’s amazing how quickly people are able to find us.”

Jenny works in the finance team and is currently very happy with her job: she loves spending other people’s money.

The Assistants–
Everything under control

Duygu: “We’re like flight controllers for the management team: We make sure they take off and land on time, that they carry the right luggage, and that they always arrive where they should. Whatever they do – we’ve got them under control!”

Duygu sits at the reception where she receives the post, phone calls, and guests! She also makes sure that there are always sweets out for the hard working VZ-employees.

Backfabrik – where it all happens

The Backfabrik lies in the very heart of Berlin and provides us and another 50 companies with a roof over our heads. The enormous lift in the middle can’t keep up with our movements, so you can find us constantly running up and down the stairs at the back. Together with the fresh fruit which we seem to have on tap, the big red building is great for our health – he’s friends with the fitness centre next-door.

The Backfabrik used to provide the whole of East Berlin with fresh bread. We hope that the ideas we come up will be just as popular – but spread much further!

VZnet Netzwerke Ltd. – Our Home

There are more than 300 of us here at the office, all working hard through the day and night to keep our platforms in tip-top shape.