Many business owners are currently facing serious challenges: excessive bureaucracy, rising energy costs, a shortage of skilled workers and, last but not least, major geopolitical uncertainties. The Economic Council therefore organized an event in Konstanz to discuss what specific recommendations for action are available, in particular also for the German Mittelstand (SMEs).

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Guido H. Baltes, Scientific Director of the IST Institute for Strategic Innovation and Transformation at the University of Konstanz, had been invited to speak. His research focuses on strategic transformation, corporate entrepreneurship, start-ups, agility and digitalization, as well as ambidexterity – that is, the ability of organizations to be both efficient and flexible at the same time.

In his lecture, Prof. Baltes traced a path from the geopolitical situation through to the economic and domestic political landscape, highlighting the correlations with the perceived sense of uncertainty. He demonstrated that, in times like these, there are risks for businesses (and for democracy too!), but also opportunities for entrepreneurs. With this in mind, innovation is a key factor for the future. He rounded off his presentation by outlining ways in which innovative capacity can be enhanced, for example also through greater diversity.

Thank you to the speaker, and thank you also to the Board of the Constance/Western Lake Constance Section, with its spokesman Manuel Weiner, for their excellent choice of the speaker and the great organization of the event!