The forecasts are currently driving beads of sweat down the foreheads of many SMEs: falling exports, low economic growth (if any), rising energy prices, uncertain supply chains. But the glass is also half full: SMEs are more flexible than large corporations and can therefore exploit untapped opportunities more quickly. One possibility: to push ahead with research and development in order to be able to offer optimised or new products quickly.
Crisis winners – crisis losers: What are the consequences?
The word “crisis” is being used inflationarily right now, because we are spoiled by years of growth and economic success. And now this: still a pandemic, uncertain supply chains, plus a war-related energy crisis and the climate crisis that can hardly be explained away after a dry summer. Yes, these are more difficult times than five years ago – for people and for the economy. But crisis winners – crisis losers: is that the right question? [Read more…]
VUCA or BANI – why is it interesting for SMEs?
Crisis has become part of everyday life – and I’m not the only one who feels this way since the start of the 2020 pandemic. That’s why I find BANI, a new approach to clarifying the framework conditions of our time, all the more interesting. What are the differences to VUCA, the model that has preoccupied us since the late 1980s, early 1990s? And what does this mean for companies, also from the SME sector? [Read more…]
MyPeople-and-Results: Affordable and efficient management consultancy for medium-sized companies
The time has finally come: my new consultancy service for small and medium-sized enterprises is launched to provide sound and affordable advice to founders and established SMEs.
My topics: Scaling, merger, business field development
Are scaling, mergers or business development topics that are currently on your mind or will be in the near future? If so, you can arrange a free strategy meeting with me. My wish is to share my know-how with companies that usually do not have enough time, personnel or money to afford a live business consultancy – although they urgently need it.
[Read more…]
New Work for medium sized industrial companies
Digitalisation in the manufacturing sector is not a new topic. Many medium-sized companies have already gained experience with Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM). Almost all companies already work with ERP systems that digitally map all processes in the company. In addition, there are now Big Data and platform technologies.
However, it is also a fact that some SMEs lack the financial resources to implement Industry 4.0 consistently. Many of the companies are family businesses that feel committed to their employees and shy away from job losses. At the same time, we are seeing an increasing shortage of skilled workers, a trend that plays into the hands of digitalisation. [Read more…]