Transformation is the trump card

Three transformation guides from Bayern Innovativ provide insights into their work, their impact and the turmoil of our time, in which orientation is needed to get closer to a new mobility. Jennifer Reinz-Zettler, Holger Czuday and Dirk Maaß about their role of transforming in mobility, digitization and interpersonal interaction to tackle and change things in the companies.

Your driving force is the permanently changing mobility, which demands flexibility and behavioral change from all involved and affected. Your playing field is ringed by the corner flags of industry, politics, and society and science, and includes strategies and actions that register every movement. Let's talk together about your role in the transformation process and how companies can benefit from you.  

What are the most important attributes and tasks of a transformation pilot and why?

Dirk Maaß: As lotse, we show companies possible directions and support them in taking the paths that are right for them. To this end, one of our most important tasks is to listen, find solutions and then respond flexibly to requirements.

Holger Czuday: The challenges facing the automotive industry and related sectors are immense and are forcing them to act, because tomorrow's mobility is to be multimodal, environmentally and climate compatible, and highly digitalized. This is where we come in. From a purely substantive point of view, we as pilots must focus more on understanding, foresight and openness to technology. I think it is advantageous to bring two perspectives to the transformation - the technological and the human.

Jennifer Reinz-Zettler: And above all, we must always take the customer's point of view. This requires a certain sensitivity and profound market knowledge. Only then can we support our customers with a needs-based offering.

Holger Czuday: That's why it's so exciting to accompany such a change process. We set the guard rails to give companies orientation and so that they can find the right path for them.

When it comes to changes in companies, it's also about processes. How can pilots be supportive here?

Jennifer Reinz-Zettler: We have not reinvented the role of the transformation pilot, but draw on our many years of experience as an innovation facilitator in the Cluster Automotive. The deeper and more closely you look into the companies, the more complex the challenges, but also the potential.

Dirk Maaß: Even if artificial intelligence (AI) and digitized processes are becoming increasingly important, process changes still revolve around the people who have to implement it in order to create benefits for the company. As pilots, we do have a standardized process for the approach with the companies, but the implementation and analysis is always different and requires empathy, experience, perseverance and foresight.

Holger Czuday: In addition, there is the cooperation of the affected company and - if desired and useful - the involvement of various network partners. This is where our role as facilitator, inspirer and navigator comes into play.

Please add the following sentence: A transformation pilot from Bayern Innovativ has done his job well if...

Dirk Maaß: ... the business location Bavaria will continue to play a leading role in the new mobility world and the companies have managed the transformation towards climate-neutral drive solutions for vehicles of all kinds and business models.

Holger Czuday:  ... in twenty years, just as many people will still be employed in an innovative mobility industry in Bavaria as today - that's what we're working for. For me, the mobility of tomorrow means different means of transport, sustainable mobility and shared services. Responsible use of cars is also important.

Jennifer Reinz-Zettler: ... we can motivate people to go along with every step for new mobility concepts. The meaning of driving today will be different tomorrow. Our goal is to encourage Bavarian companies in the automotive value chain to also play a leading role in a new mobility world.

To what extent do other organizations, committees and universities reinforce your approach?

Jennifer Reinz-Zettler: Together with our networks and regional multipliers, we can accelerate and complement our work to initiate the necessary changes.

Dirk Maaß: Networking and competence bundling are decisive factors. Bayern Innovativ is pulling the appropriate strings to consolidate these competencies.  

Holger Czuday: A special role is played by all partners who contribute significantly to networking. We pilots see it as our task, among other things, to network science and industry in order to promote R & D and facilitate access to young talent. There is no innovation in mobility without research, without training at technical colleges and universities, and without continuing education.

Jennifer Reinz-Zettler: When we talk about competencies, we are also talking about the acquisition of digital competencies for employees and entrepreneurs. Strong partners are needed here, to whom we mediate. This is the only way to understand challenges and identify potential.

Last question: in a card game, a trump card is a particularly valuable card that gives the player a certain advantage. Transferred to transformation, what would be on the trump card for your customers?  

Holger Czuday: For me, the card says: Go to the Cluster Automotive and benefit from our offer. With us there are only change-makers, no losers.

Dirk Maaß: Simply reach your goal faster with us and act strategically right. With the pilots, you have tactics, tips and tricks in a figurative sense, which - as in a game - include probabilities and game situations.

Jennifer Reinz-Zettler: The view of things becomes clearer with a pilot, the path easier and faster. In short: Transformation is trump!

Is your company also affected by the transformation?

Take advantage of our support services and navigate with us into a sustainable and digital future! We are available for an initial orientation meeting.

Event note:
The Transformation Guide Automotive Bavaria in Practice

What are the specific challenges of transformation and how can affected medium-sized companies approach the topic of transformation from the practical side?

With the online seminar "Transformation Automotive Industry: Challenges - Opportunities - Strategies for Medium-sized Companies"we provide answers to these questions and strengthen the exchange of experiences. Medium-sized supplier companies report what the current situation means for them and how they deal with it in practice. JETZT ANMELDEN!