Blog & Inspiration

We waste time with long analyses and outdated methods, only to discover that our lives are being squandered, with no masterpiece to show for it. Even a visionary cannot implement a strategy on their own.  The aim is to select the right methods, promote employees’ initiative and to anchor strategy in the company in a decentralised way. Because the effort to implement strategy is the sum of ability and determination.

It has long been known that colour plays a major role in our everyday lives and ultimately also influences our sense of wellbeing. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe published his most comprehensive work "Theory of Colours" (“Zur Farbenlehre”) back in 1810. He attributed colours higher order characteristics which have an impact on every aspect of our lives. So, it should come as no surprise that companies in particular put a lot of thought into colours and their impact when looking at their corporate design. One of the world’s best-known logos is the Lufthansa crane and – on the occasion of its 100^th anniversary – it has now had a makeover.

Representing around a quarter of total online sales in Germany, the fashion industry is regarded as a metronome for online retail in general. Kunert Fashion GmbH, one of the leading companies in the hosiery industry, demonstrates how to create future-oriented conditions for successful omnichannel commerce.

In a galaxy of a billion stars, unknown luminaries and unchartered spheres, humans only seem to be a tiny, barely recognisable spark within the infinity of the universe. The question of how the universe came about has been asked since the year dot. We know of the Big Bang theory, but what really lies behind it all? NASA is discussing this question in cooperation with the European and Canadian space agency. The James Webb Space telescope, a giant golden mirror, is now taking a big step in the endeavour to explore the universe. Not only is the infrared telescope supposed to investigate the beginning of our universe and the genesis of our planetary system, but it will also be deployed in the search for exoplanets and the feasibility of life on them. Lee Feinberg, Optical Telescope Element Manager at NASA, talks to us about the work behind the cosmic project.

Rich, powerful and unmistakable – this is how classical pianist Lang Lang, jazz star Diana Krall and pop icon Billy Joel describe the sound of a Steinway. For more than 160 years Steinway & Sons has stood for the finest grand pianos and pianos. Uncompromising and lovingly made from the best materials, they are high quality instruments that are second to none. Last but not least, the professionals who are committed to the highest perfection ensure that every Steinway is a benchmark for sound, touch, beauty and investment.

Digitalisation is changing the world of work. Flexible working models are moving in on less firmly structured working environments, work 4.0 requires a general change in thinking. What resources and technologies do modern companies need today, and how do they have to change? How do they meet employees’ new expectations? Not only is the need for IT staff on the increase, but the number of higher qualified occupations is growing overall. Companies are required to adapt to changing requirements. We spoke with University Professor Dr Marion A. Weissenberger-Eibl, who holds the Innovation and Technology Management (ITM) Chair at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), and Thomas Sperrfechter, Managing Director of the parsionate consulting firm which accompanies businesses on their way to digitalisation.

To be capable and ready for innovations is one of the determining factors for the future of a company, in particular in relation to placing new products and services in the market. Furthermore, it becomes more and more important for a learning organisation to keep developing processes and structures vigorously. Sven Franke is a founder, a driving force and a companion. As an anti-consultant he meets companies to ask questions rather than to advise them. Analogue to his chosen way to relate to an enterprise, we conduct an anti-interview with him, which he answers in questions.

Not long ago, the relationship between e-commerce and brick-and-mortar retail was viewed as channel conflict at best, and often just adversarial.  Retailers were fearful of losing sales and customers to suppliers selling direct to consumer, while suppliers feared damaging channel relationships if they implemented e-commerce. Consumers on the other hand have become increasingly omnichannel, with high expectations set on retailers and their e-commerce channels being complementary. They expect a seamless experience across multiple devices and channels and often utilise multiple options to complete a single transaction.

Seeing what others see. Seeing what others perceive. Seeing what others sense. This sounds very futuristic when you first hear it – and futuristic is precisely what it is. Recording and analysing human perception and, for the very first time, even emotions is truly revolutionary. With its data glasses, Vienna-based start-up Viewpointsystem has set itself the goal of establishing new standards regarding the utilisation of technology for the benefit of people. To this end, the company wants to break through the barrier between man and technology with the aim of making the future a reality.

Housebuilding today is the sum of many things. Interesting design, sustainable construction and a healthy room climate have all grown tremendously in importance. And building itself is also becoming more digital. The long-established company Baumit is a beacon of construction excellence and stands for modern, high-quality products. Sebastian Rettke, Head of Marketing at Baumit, talks to us about how the building materials manufacturer is tackling digitalisation.

Unique homes and extraordinary hosts are just two of the things that people around the world appreciate about Airbnb. In the space of just ten years, the platform has grown from its humble beginnings to one of the largest and most influential players in the travel industry while enjoying levels of success that most startups can only dream of. Alexander Schwarz, General Manager DACH for Airbnb, spoke with us about the community's distinctiveness, the challenges in Germany and the new strategy.

Now both aged 60, Ian and I go back to days where we were teenagers of circumstance in Perth, Western Australia. Over 45 years of hard and sincere work Ian is now first-class through working his way up to become an entrepreneur of standing, spanning from the outback tracks where Ian masters the dust in cross-country rallies, while standing his own on the stock markets of London, New York and Hong Kong; while I hung in theory and strategic splendor. Ethics aren’t at the forefront of this interview by chance, as Ian thinks, lives and humbly shares his deep belief in, concern for, and sharing of ethical values, recognising ethical habits to have set his foundation for long-term success.

Die hohen Betonfassaden des Gebäudes ragen inmitten einer grünen und luftigen Landschaft empor, die sich in den futuristisch anmutenden, ovalen Fenstern spiegelt, was dem gesamten Gebäude eine fast surreale, leichte und lichtdurchflutete Aura verleiht. Es fällt nicht schwer, die Faszination nachzuvollziehen, die das modernistische Gebäude auf die Gründer von Fosbury & Sons ausgeübt haben muss, die sie dazu inspiriert hat, einen weiteren Raum für Kollaboration und Co-Working zu schaffen. 

Das Bauhaus: eine Idee, die Schule gemacht hat. In Deutschland, aber auch weltweit. Funktionale Gestaltung und modernes Bauen haben eine Epoche geprägt, der Traum eines Gesamtkunstwerks aus Kunst und Kunstgewerbe, Architektur und Design, Tanz und Theater gibt bis heute Impulse – für unser Kulturschaffen wie für unsere Lebenswelten. Das Bauhaus war eine lebendige Ideenschule und ein Experimentierfeld auf den Gebieten der freien und angewandten Kunst, der Gestaltung, der Architektur und der Pädagogik. Das Bauhaus bestand nur 14 Jahre und feiert in diesem Jahr sein 100-jähriges Gründungsjubiläum. Zu Beginn als „Staatliches Bauhaus“ in Weimar, als „Hochschule für Gestaltung“ in Dessau und als private Lehranstalt in Berlin. Seine Ideen wirkten weit über die Schule, ihre Orte und ihre Zeit hinaus.

Why does print continue to play such a major role in product communication despite all the digitalisation? We addressed this issue in the last issue of the Produktkulturmagazin. This time, we are examining another interesting question: What role will print play in the long term? Will it eventually go extinct after all? Is the discontinuation of Germany’s main Otto catalogue, for instance, a sign of things to come?

Today, everything revolves around data, the raw material of the 21st century. Digital transformation would be simply inconceivable without it. Data has an impact on every single business throughout all sectors – what is interesting here is the fact that software companies and integrators are themselves also affected by change. Whereas silo-like solutions were sufficient until now in individual areas of data generation, data processing and data distribution, PIM, CRM and CMS systems, among others, are today faced with the crucial issues of classification and further development.

A new day – this is one of the possible translations of NIO’s company name that fits the vision of company founder William Li: Blue Sky Coming. The global startup’s development process benefits from its team’s internationality: the cars may be assembled in China, but the design centre is located in Munich, practically in the heart of the German automotive industry. The accompanying software comes from San José in Silicon Valley – a clever strategic move on behalf of a company that was only founded in 2014, one that allows it to get its hands on special skills in precisely those regions whose expertise in this field is both notorious and renowned.

Like glowing mini UFOs, they flitter through summer nights and mesmerise us with their enigmatic light. We are all familiar with glow-worms and are thrilled to witness bioluminescence as a miracle of nature. And organisms are also exploiting this ability in the depths of our oceans in order to entice prey, hunt and deceive their enemies. To this end, almost 80 percent of all deep-sea organisms are able to generate light. An ability that represents environmentally-friendly light and could be a sustainable alternative in our light-polluted world. Because it is not just glow-worms that we so seldom get to see, the stars at night are barely identifiable in some places. Light pollution is making pitch-dark nights a rarity. Light smog disturbs darkness and entire eco systems – making us humans sick in the process.

The German automotive industry is currently under tremendous pressure. While manufacturers are still occupied with eradicating the damage to their reputations resulting from the emissions scandal, there are growing expectations in terms of the development of electromobility. Furthermore, there is a whole series of additional innovations and technologies that are revolutionising the driving experience on the one hand and the manufacturing process on the other. Those who don’t keep pace will soon suffer as a result, as these developments are already taking place. There is no time to stop and think.

Those wishing to purchase a new car can either go to a car dealer or browse online platforms and websites. Maintaining an overview here is difficult, and how do you know whether the information you are being given is actually accurate? Ultimately, a new car also represents a financial risk, particularly in the case of used vehicles. To create greater transparency for all parties in these situations, Twinner has developed a solution with which a full ‘Digital Twinn’ of vehicles can be generated, hence minimising the risk for buyers and helping create a more stable sale for the vendor.

Life is all about movement – and we live in a rapidly-changing world. And this also, or particularly, applies to the world of business. Here, ideas for new ways of working, software architectures and qualifying staff are required. Today, businesses must face the challenges associated with future developments and rethink in many areas in order to survive within the market and to remain competitive.