How does a future-proof organisation come into being? Not solely through monitoring trends and using management tools, but through adaptive structures, responsible leadership and a culture that views uncertainty as an opportunity. This became clear at the C3L’s anniversary forum held at the University of Oldenburg’s Innocampus.
Around 80 guests from the worlds of business, education and public administration exchanged views on the key drivers for resilient and innovative organisations – taking a practical approach and focusing on us as people. Prof. Dr Stephanie Birkner’s keynote speech made it clear that ‘everyday wonder’ can be an important foundation for future-proofing. Those who are mindful of their surroundings, open to chance encounters and receptive to new perspectives can discover the unexpected. With imagination and a playful spirit of experimentation, new ideas and new possibilities emerge.
The workshops also opened up new perspectives:
Dr Kai Bruns demonstrated how ‘Effectuation’ enables decision-making in the face of uncertainty – using practical tools for everyday life.
Marvin Brüning and Lisa Breford made it clear: psychological safety is the invisible driving force behind innovation – and a buffer in difficult situations. That is why it is worth regularly topping up your psychological safety reserves in everyday life.
Benedikt Dittel & Alexander Meinders presented the ‘candy dispenser method’ – a strategy for revealing the potential for digitalisation within complex processes.
Stephan Pust introduced the audience to the world of organisational resilience – straddling crisis management and long-term transformation. Resilience is often only considered in the context of crises and shocks – yet it is fundamental to good corporate governance at all times.
Dr Annika Summ and Dr Stephanie Lenger demonstrated how the LEGO® Serious Play® method can be used to creatively explore sustainable change. Working with one’s hands can open up new ways of thinking.
Frank Oppenheimer demonstrated how companies can make structured use of technological innovations – from AI to the cloud – with a focus on objectives and iterative implementation.
Dr Andreas Blomenkamp shed light on the human side of business succession – with a focus on communication, conflict management and cultural transformation.
The lively discussions in the workshops and during the networking evening that followed demonstrate that ‘Future Readiness’ is not an abstract goal – but a process that we shape together. A big thank you goes to all the speakers, who provided powerful inspiration with their expertise and energy. Special thanks go to our partners and sponsors who made the event possible: the Oldenburg Employers’ Association, the University’s Start-up and Innovation Centre, the Oldenburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, IQON, Ludwig Freytag, Öffentliche Oldenburg and the City of Oldenburg