Think Global, Act Local
I am back home after many years abroad, and with a lecturing assignment at Albstadt-Sigmaringen University. The topic is “Business Ethics and Sustainability”.
I still know my way around here, on the map in the Zollernalb district. Experiences from my active football times and all the away games in the area.
For my lecture, I am very interested in the following two aspects of the companies in the area.
✳️ On the one hand, the global footprint. What aspects of intercultural leadership come into play? Internationality of employees in Germany? Locations abroad and where? How do you counter the shortage of skilled workers?
✳️ On the other hand, the CO2 footprint. What are companies doing when it comes to sustainability and how are they coping with the requirements of the CSRD Directive? Because the year 2025 is just around the corner and with it the obligation to have prepared a sustainability report.
I am at the career fair in Sigmaringen and talk to the recruiting departments of the companies.
The issue of a shortage of skilled workers has currently taken a back seat. Because the economic situation is indeed tense for many of the exhibiting companies here. This is noticeable in the mood compared to the previous year.
The sustainability report and its reporting are of concern to almost everyone here. And the representatives of the HR departments also have something to say on the subject.
I’m already in deeper talks with Groz-Beckert and with Bizerba. Or rather, the students of my lecture are. In a workshop, they research what the companies publish on the topic of sustainability and use it to create company-specific questionnaires. Interested companies will then be available to answer questions in a dialogue with the students.
➡ Where do you see the biggest challenges for our SMEs in Germany: shortage of skilled workers, sustainability requirements or the tense economic situation?
My name is Bernd Scharbert and I support leaders and managers with my experience from over 30 years of leadership experience in the corporate world. Incidentally, not only on the topic of sustainability, but also on aspects of intercultural leadership. If you are interested, please follow me at LinkedIn, #prepare4landing or contact me directly.
