Success is the result of what sociologists like to call “accumulative advantage.”
― Malcolm Gladwell, Outliers: “The Story of Success“
[su_dropcap style=”flat”]C[/su_dropcap]ONFIDENT AND FORWARD-LOOKING, Mario Ohoven, the President of BVMW – The German Association for Small and Medium-sized Businesses has reasons and the authority granted to him by around 3.3 million individual enterprises – members of the Association. The “… backbone and impulse of the German economy”. The BVMW is a politically independent association. It represents the interests of small and medium-sized businesses in politics, with administrative authorities, with trade unions and with major companies for more than 40 years (to date). “…and a fact is the most stubborn thing in the world”**.
If and when we would wish to discuss Malcolm Gladwell’s quote, from “Outliers: The Story of Success”, with Mario Ohoven, he would be the first to agree and would persist on adding at least one word to this quote. Because he knows exactly that for German ‘Mittelstand’ not only an “accumulative advantage”, maybe even more the “accumulative disadvantage(s)” created stepping-stones and bricks of what today is rightfully called ‘success’!
40 years might be considered an age in human life. My perception is that it is only the brave and bright youth in lifeline of the BVMW. Digital Natives is how they now fairly see themselves. ‘Mittelstand’-digital is a new stream. New ‘Vision-Action-Innovation’ movement, a strategic long-term campaign that is being brought to life in close collaboration of businesses, independent entrepreneurs, startups and academia. Supported by the main stream of politicians. It helps to be acquainted with the German culture and virtues related to business and education ecosystems.
Imagine the heavy lifters of German economy are now willing to accept, learn and pay for, invest into a transition to the “twentysomethings’ digital existence”! It took me three years to differentiate this phenomenon. I consider my time as invested and I hope to bring your attention to what might one day become your destination for at least a business vacation.
Based on my extensive research and meetings with German business communities. Based on my LinkedIn high valued network plus my experience gained, attending high quality events in Berlin. Traveling and meeting business people in Munich, Hannover, Hamburg, Potsdam, Dusseldorf, Cologne, Frankfurt, Darmstadt. In Berlin I regularly attend seminars, workshops and Graduate Center masterclasses of the DIW Berlin – Deutsches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung; Institute for Advanced Study, Berlin; The Hertie School of Governance; The Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities; Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Academy, Berlin; events @ the Representation of the European Commission (Europäisches Haus, Berlin); The WZB Berlin Social Science Center – and of course, the ESMT – European School of Management & Technology (ww.esmt.org) – as a part of my ongoing self-education and lifelong learning efforts as well as a preparation for a post graduate cycle.
For three years, here in Berlin, I am being business oriented and mentored by Benno A. Packi, PhD. Judicial Doctor. Successful attorney in law who is practicing Corporate Law. This is a separate story to tell. And I will. Soon.
I take a liberty here and now to invite you all to at least imaginary and hopefully your future Deutsch Geschäftsreisende Urlaub.
In a set of short essays I will try to bring your thoughts to Germany.