Top female managers from business and industry accepted the invitation to the first discussion group WOMEN & LEADERSHIP 4.0, initiated by our partner Ursula Opper. It was the start of a high-level exchange of female leaders from various companies and industries, which will take place several times a year in the future.

The impulse topic of the evening “The impact of the digital transformation on companies, customers and markets – Where do we go from here?” was presented by Cecilia Floridi, Managing Director of dataLab. GmbH, proficiently and with the help of numerous practical examples, and offered sufficient room for a lively and practical discussion. According to Barbara Gregor, CFO thyssenkrupp Materials Trading, “digitization is more than just a buzzword; it’s a topic that concerns us all every day in our current entrepreneurial lives.”

The rapid pace at which markets are changing, the complexity of requirements as well as opportunities, the required momentum in decision-making processes and agile management methods were discussed as some of the factors shaping today’s business reality.

There was also agreement that in this environment of exponential change, managers are particularly challenged to develop and exemplify values, to maintain a balance between dynamism and stability, and to be open and cooperative. In addition to technological change, a cultural change in the company can frequently be observed. Transparency and networking are of high importance, he said. The change of hierarchical structures, the creation of modern workplaces as well as the establishment of a culture of error and learning are essential for an agile, i.e. dynamic and adaptable company management.

The managers, who met for the first time in this round, were enthusiastic about the interactive and open discussion of this evening and could gain some new ideas and aspects for their own work. It was a professional exchange at eyelevel, a network meeting of decision-makers with a diverse and broad range of experience, which – according to the wish of all present – should continue to take place. The number of participants will be kept deliberately small in the future to ensure an intensive and confidential exchange of ideas among the participants.

First discussion group WOMEN & LEADERSHIP 4.0