How do you build a sense of community in an organisation with 500 workplaces spread across an entire country?
One of Sweden’s largest pharmacy chains found the answer in We+ – a platform that brought employees closer together while also inspiring them to be more active in their daily lives.
Interview with: Caroline Jonsson.
Reading time: 5 min.
Caroline Jonsson, HR Business Partner, is driven by a passion for strengthening community and wellbeing. She knows that small steps in everyday life can make a big difference – for health, job satisfaction, and the customer experience.
The challenge – uniting a whole organisation
With around 500 pharmacies, stretching from the south to the north of Sweden, the organisation is one of the country’s largest employers in the sector. But uniting such a large and geographically spread organisation is not always easy.
“It often felt like we were working in completely different worlds. We mostly spoke with our own workplace and rarely with colleagues further away in the country,” says Caroline.
At the same time, she saw another challenge: motivating employees who had not previously been active or exercised.
“We had been searching for a way to connect the whole organisation. With We+ we finally found a platform that not only unites us – but also encourages colleagues who hadn’t exercised before to get started,” explains Caroline.
The solution – We+ as a unifying force
To meet both challenges, the organisation chose to use We+. The platform quickly became a digital meeting place where colleagues could connect regardless of location.
The social feed and group structure boosted community spirit, while the threshold for participation remained low. A short walk counted just as much as a marathon – and that made a real difference.
The results – facts and figures
The initiative ran during the spring, and engagement levels were clear to see.
“The most rewarding part is that we reached so many people who hadn’t been active before. Hearing them describe how small steps in their daily routine have boosted both energy and mood – that’s when it really feels meaningful,” says Caroline.
interactions
164 social interactions per employee in Kronans Apotek’s health challenge (photos, videos, and posts).
increase in activity
Participants increased their physical activity by 50%, exercising an average of 4.1 times per week.
engagements
The strong social engagement was clear, with 144,000 interactions (photos, videos, and posts).
Business impact – why it pays off
For Caroline, this initiative is not just about health. She sees a clear link to both engagement and business value.
“When our employees feel good and experience a sense of belonging, it shows immediately in the customer interaction. It strengthens both our culture and our brand,” she says.
Research from organisations such as Gallup shows that engaged and healthy employees contribute to both higher productivity and profitability – something Caroline also recognises.
“Employees themselves have asked for this to continue. It feels like We+ has become part of our culture, and we see it as a recurring initiative to strengthen community, health, and workplace happiness.”
Inspiration for others
This case shows how a large, geographically spread organisation can foster both community and healthy habits – and even succeed in activating those who would not otherwise get moving – with the help of We+.