Despite turbulent times and pressing issues such as digitalization and sustainability, German companies have only slightly increased their overall ability to adapt and change in recent years. This is the result of the “Change Readiness Index 2022” from business consultancy Staufen. Compared to the pre-Corona year 2019, the index, which was surveyed for the third time, increased by only one point to now 56. For the survey with a maximum scale of 100 points, more than 350 top executives of German companies were interviewed as part of the “Companies in Transition” study.
At the same time, 77 percent of respondents said their company had changed significantly over the past two years. By comparison, this figure was only 67 percent in the 2019 study. “These study results, which seem contradictory at first glance, confirm exactly what we have been hearing from companies for many months,” says Wilhelm Goschy, CEO of Staufen AG. “Although owners, managers and employees feel they have left no stone unturned in their companies, businesses are making no progress or only very slow progress on key issues.”
The Change Readiness Index (CRI), which was surveyed for the third time after 2017 and 2019, records the ability to change with regards to structures, processes, leadership, and corporate culture as well as employees and qualifications. The focus is on companies from the mechanical and plant engineering, electrical engineering and automotive sectors. “The pressure on these industries is increasing,” said Staufen Board Member Goschy. “It is no longer a question of whether companies want to transform. Rather, the speed at which they can adapt to changing conditions determines their ability to compete and, ultimately, to survive.”
Switching from crisis mode to actively shaping change
So, is the so often cited corona catalyst just a figment of our imagination? “No,” Management Consultant Goschy is convinced. “The experience gained, especially in the fields of digitalization and new work, offers enormous opportunities.” However, the truth is that companies, in which the initial euphoria of working from home quickly turned into disillusionment, for example, or in which innovative strength dangerously weakened while working remotely, had areas needing improvement before Corona.
“In recent years, companies have been very busy trying to continue work as best they can under new, pandemic conditions. Some of their homework slipped out of sight and was never finished,” sums up Staufen CEO Goschy. “Now they need to look beyond the acute challenges and actively shape change.”
„About the study “Companies in Transition”
For the “Change Readiness Index 2022,” business consultancy Staufen surveyed a total of 363 companies in Germany on the topic of “Companies in Transition.” Of the companies surveyed, 68 percent come from the mechanical and plant engineering, electrical engineering, and automotive industries.
The study is available for download free of charge under the following link:
For more information:
STAUFEN.AG
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Stephanie König
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D-73257 Köngen
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s.koenig@staufen.ag
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arne.stuhr@corpnewsmedia.de
About Staufen AG – www.staufen.ag
Inside every company there is an even better one. With this conviction, Staufen AG has been advising and qualifying companies and employees for more than 25 years. Markets are on the move – the competitive pressure is enormous. Staufen helps to quickly bring about the right changes, increase productivity, improve quality, and increase innovative strength. With the appropriate strategies and methods, the international transformation consultancy ensures rapid and measurable success. In order to leverage the potential available in every company, Staufen consultants establish a lively and sustainable culture of change together with executives and employees. The Academy of Staufen AG also offers certified, practice-oriented training courses. From the international locations, more than 320 employees serve customers all over the world. In 2021, Staufen AG was recognized by “brand eins” as “Best Consultants” for the seventh year in a row. According to the renowned industry study “Hidden Champions 2020,” the consulting firm is Germany’s best Lean Management consultancy and was honored several times with the “Best of Consulting” award by the “Wirtschaftswoche” journal.
