“On the way to the future” – this was the theme of the second East Wuerttemberg Transformation Congress, which took place on 23 October 2024 in the Congress Centre Schwäbisch Gmünd.
The event kicked off with a panel discussion moderated by Anja Krätschmer (e-mobil BW GmbH) with district administrators Dr Joachim Bläse (Ostalbkreis) and Peter Polta (Heidenheim) as well as Thilo Rentschler (Managing Director of IHK Ostwürttemberg). Summarising the results of this panel discussion: the region of East Wuerttemberg has sufficient potential, although dynamism and initiative are required. Waiting for support from the European level does not promise any improvement in the short term.
Four panels then provided insights into the practice of other companies. The panel “Innovation and Business Models” was moderated by Anna Rojan (Program Manager Sustainability & Innovation, The DO) and Dr Stefan Hellfeld (CEO of ARADEX AG).
In his lecture “NOITAMROFSNART – start sprinting by going backwards – examples of transformation in SMEs and those who want to become SMEs” Dr Hellfeld explained the difficulties that the transformation process poses for SMEs and how these can be solved. Taking a step back more often in order to move forwards and getting the workforce on board, being transparent and breaking old patterns with a new feedback and error culture.
Images copyright: Corner Designstudio, Justin Wild
