Exchange across industries – with podiums instead of boxes

On October 27, 2022, regional companies and TUM experts met once again at the Bildungscampus in Heilbronn as part of the TUM Connect event series to exchange ideas on current issues and define topics for future events – following the three leitmotifs of the event “Discuss. Network. Co-Create.”

A proven format in a modern setting

As in the previous year, the so-called “Speakers’ Corner” in London’s Hyde Park inspired the format of the event, ensuring an interactive and spontaneous exchange. Participants could choose one of three different thematic focal points, each marking the start of a discussion round. A TUM expert accompanied each of the “corners”:

– Sustainability through digitalization or sustainable digitalization: Where are more opportunities for my company? (Prof. Dr. Helmut Krcmar)

– Personal transformation first, digital transformation second – Do we need a personal transformation for a digital transformation? (Prof. Dr. Heinz-Theo Wagner)

– Digital transformation in times of crisis? Unconditional and inevitable… for the immediate and sustainable strengthening of the company (Dr. Christoph Geier)

Open discussions and insightful impulses

Many of the participants took the opportunity to stand on the podium themselves and draw attention to their own individual questions in the context of (digital) transformation. This made it possible to identify common challenges, discuss opposing views and think of possible solutions in a safe setting with a large number of discussion partners.

Those who chose not to take to the podium themselves were able to get involved at any time, exchanging views with the experts and other participants away from the topic stations and forging new valuable business contacts.

In this way, all participants were able to benefit from the joint exchange between corporate practice and science, praised Fritz Häussermann of the International Controller Association, because not only can companies learn from the scientific community, but also vice versa.

Other participants summarized the event:

“For me, it is important to get the information that is conveyed here up close, also to be able to ask direct questions, and of course the networking part in the aftermath of the workshops.” (Dr. Ulrich Spitaler, BVMW Heilbronn District Association)

 “What makes the event for me is the really intimate exchange with people I didn’t know before. I was able to make a lot of great new contacts that are guaranteed to help me in my professional activities.” (Florian Nader, City of Heilbronn)

We are already looking forward to more events of the TUM Connect series.

Would you like to learn more? Contact us at tumconnect@mgt.tum.de to stay up to date on upcoming event dates.