In the homeland of the world’s largest IT trade fair Cebit, of all places, many companies still hesitate to prepare for the economy of the future: Almost eight in ten German industrial companies admit that the qualification of their managers was trailing behind developments with regard to Industry 4.0. In addition, at least one in two companies has not yet begun to adapt its company mission statement and management guidelines in view of future requirements. This is confirmed by the second “German Industry 4.0 Index”. For this study, 179 industrial companies in Germany were surveyed by the Staufen Management Consultancy.
The digital transformation of economy and society, which is the focus of this year’s Cebit, requires far-reaching changes in the top management of companies in this country. “Each company requires a person with dedicated responsibility for Industry 4.0 in form of a Chief Digital Officer”, explains Martin Haas, Staufen AG Executive Board Member. “But this involves more than just technological knowledge. At least as important are the corresponding leadership skills. Top managers must consider how to root the preparedness for digital change in the minds of their employees.” And this is the stumbling in many companies, as the study shows. 77 percent of interviewees admitted that their managers were insufficiently qualified for Industry 4.0. More than two-thirds of companies have not yet or only just begun to adapt their company mission statement and management guidelines to the requirements of the future. In addition, the majority of companies has not yet tailored the selection and qualification of their top managers to the smart factory. “It is high time to get this done, because the company of the future will be characterized by decentralized decisions”, Staufen Executive Board Member Haas demands. The basis for this is Shop Floor Management, which is prevailing in more and more German companies. It means that managers are consistently active in the factories rather than working at their desks far away from the actual production. “The focus in this is on a consistent change in leadership behavior on all levels – moving away from the traditional boss to a mentor and coach of the workforce”, Haas explains. “Shop Floor Management will also be the topic of Staufen AG’s BestPractice Day 2016 in early July. It is the key for a good leadership culture in the smart factory.” BestPractice Day 2016: Europe’s leading Lean Management congress At the BestPractice Day 2016 to be held from 6th to 7th July 2016 in Darmstadt companies and leading Lean Management experts will report on their experiences on the road to developing successful value creation systems. A key focus for this year: 25 years of Lean. For more information about the event, please go to:
http://www.best-practice-day.com Download the press graphics (in German) Download the actual study “German Industry 4.0 Index 2015” (in German) Press release (.pdf) Press release (.rtf)
http://www.best-practice-day.com Download the press graphics (in German) Download the actual study “German Industry 4.0 Index 2015” (in German) Press release (.pdf) Press release (.rtf)
