Stronger together: How Sam Swift managed to return to work
INDEED Innovation wins VBG Teilhabepreis
On an November morning, design engineer Sam Swift’s usual routine came to an abrupt end with a loud bang. What seemed like a typical bike ride to work turned into a disaster in a matter of seconds: while trying to overtake another cyclist, they both collided and fell. Unfortunately for Sam, an impact with a metal post resulted in a broken spine.
Suddenly, his whole life came to a standstill, both personally and professionally. It was uncertain whether nerve function below the fracture would return. But Sam did not give up. While still in rehabilitation, he expressed his desire to return to work at INDEED Innovation as soon as possible. His team of colleagues therefore did everything they could to enable his gradual return: agile adjustments to his tasks, flexible working hours, and honest communication formed the pillars of a successful reintegration process.
The full story: The following article in the VBG’s Certo magazine describes how Sam found his way back to work:
“Ein starker Wille, ein starkes Team”
(only german available).
Today, Sam is back working – and riding his bike again.
“We regularly adjusted the design engineer’s tasks to his state of recovery, made his working hours flexible, and repeatedly asked him how he was really doing,” says Human Resources Manager Anne-Marie Lippmann. The VBG professional association helped overcome the bureaucratic hurdles. Step by step, not only are abilities returning, but also the strength to cope with the event.
Full engagement, full reward
Anne-Marie Lippmann and Sam Swift at the prize ceremony. Photo: Frieda Dilchert
This extraordinary team effort has not gone unnoticed: Indeed Innovation was awarded the VBG Teilhabepreis (Participation Prize) in 2025 – a significant recognition for its exemplary approach to inclusion and participation in working life. For our company, this prize is much more than an award; it confirms our commitment to consistently living the principles of the B Corp movement in our everyday work.
For Indeed Innovation, participation is not an abstract guiding principle, but the core of a corporate culture in which the needs of the individual are taken seriously and solutions for human coexistence are the focus. Sam Swift’s journey illustrates how essential it is to shape change together, respond flexibly to challenges, and communicate honestly at all times – even about difficulties.
Participation is an ongoing task
Winning the VBG Award is therefore not only a visible signal to the outside world, but also reinforces our conviction that the involvement of everyone in the development of work processes, mutual consideration, and the sharing of responsibility are essential building blocks of sustainable innovation.
This is how we understand participation: as an ongoing task, and as a strength that connects us at Indeed Innovation every day and drives us forward.
Michael Leitl
Circular Strategies
Business Model Development
AI Concepting
