Plea for more courage for the future in SMEs
German SMEs are under pressure: innovation, digitalization, succession and artificial intelligence are posing fundamental questions for many companies. In this episode of "Hope is not a strategy", host Christian Underwood talks to Christian Mohr - Managing Director and CCO of UnternehmerTUM - about the role of ecosystems, the necessary change in mindset and the real future viability of family-run companies.
Innovation begins in the mind - not in the budget
Christian Mohr knows both sides: the traditional world of medium-sized companies and the start-up logic of innovation. For him, one thing is clear: "It's not about investing millions in new technologies - it's about getting started in the first place." Many companies are simply not using the potential that is already available today. Innovation doesn't start with tools, but with an entrepreneurial mindset.
Ecosystems as a bridge between tradition and technology
SMEs don't have to do everything themselves - on the contrary. Mohr advocates networking more closely with start-ups, universities and innovation platforms. UnternehmerTUM in Munich shows how it's done: with over 1,000 start-up projects supported every year, it is one of the key players in the German innovation ecosystem. Ecosystems not only provide access to expertise, but also help to translate ideas into concrete business models - a crucial step for sustainable transformation.
AI and digitalization: from a topic of fear to application
Artificial intelligence is often perceived as a threat - especially in the SME sector. Mohr sees things differently. He vividly describes how low-threshold use cases can already automate processes and mitigate skills shortages. This is not about complicated pilot projects, but about pragmatic solutions: "A simple use case can be the start of a new way of working."
Rethinking succession: securing the future instead of managing it
Succession remains a key issue for many family businesses. However, instead of simply handing over the reins, Mohr advocates actively shaping the future: young generations should not only take over, but be allowed to realign the business - with the right framework, the right network and strategic support. Programs such as "NextGen4Bavaria" at UnternehmerTUM show how succession can become an opportunity rather than a weakness.
Value creation requires cooperation
The podcast makes it clear that German SMEs have enormous potential - if they open up. Openness to cooperation, a willingness to learn and the will to implement are the decisive factors. Christian Mohr puts it in a nutshell: "Innovation is not the opposite of tradition - it is its continuation under new conditions."
Invitation to act
This episode is a must for entrepreneurs who want to strategically develop their company, enable real innovation or simply take the next step. Christian Mohr gives clear impulses on how to turn uncertainty into action - and why it pays to actively shape change.
🎧 Listen to the episode now and find out how SMEs can really succeed in the future!
SHOWNOTES
WEF study "Future Readiness of SMEs and Mid-Sized Companies"