14th Symposium - Perspectives on cultural and HR work in companies
The time had finally come again: on November 8, 2025, the 14th Denkwerkstatt symposium took place at a tried-and-tested location in the Musikpark Mannheim. After the guests were finally able to overcome the first hurdle, the new barrier to the parking lots with the digital parking system of the city of Mannheim, we were able to start with a slight delay.
This symposium took us back to the origins of Denkwerkstatt. We were able to attract three speakers who go beyond the mainstream and break new ground from which our partners can benefit.
But first Martina Nieswandt and Roland Geschwill presented their latest book project: Business for an Open Society - Workbook how they position their company for freedom, diversity, responsibility and performance. Our freedom and democracy are under pressure like we could never have imagined. Reason enough for us to develop ideas on what else companies can actively contribute to defending them, apart from an appropriate election appeal.
Tanja Wielgroß then presented the work of the start-up Stella Circle. With its approach of management development by experienced navigators, it offers a new service for top management. The questions and subsequent discussions during the breaks showed that Stella Circle struck a chord.
It has always been a tradition at Denkwerkstatt to continue to explore new topics and question how they can be helpful for companies. This year was no exception. Together with Niko Schmid and Steffen Göbel, Claudio Thunsdorff took a closer look at the idea of superforecasters. Superforecasters are people who are particularly good at making decisions and integrating future developments into them at an early stage. Wouldn't it be great for companies to know which people these are? And are they really in the right place in the company? And wouldn't it be helpful to be able to assess whether the candidate is one of these people when selecting managers? The three of them also asked themselves these questions and, after intensive literature research, created a beta version for a corresponding test system. The task now is to obtain a sample to validate the instrument. The first customers have already shown interest.
Employees who not only work independently but are also shareholders in the company? Oh, that's only possible abroad!.... Think again! Matthias Knölle presented the company AEB, Stuttgart. The company really puts people at the center. Matthias took us on a journey through the origins of this extraordinary company with a high level of employee involvement. The employee really becomes an entrepreneur in the company.
During lunch, which was once again prepared by the tried-and-tested „Die Küche“ team at the Musikpark, there was no end to the conversations and, as always, it was a challenge to navigate all the guests back to the conference room. Because the next highlight was already waiting here.
„Our freedom and our democracy - what we have in it and what we must do to defend it“ The President of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution in Thuringia, Stefan Kramer, gave an engaging and lively talk on what we have in it and what we must do to defend it. Although his talk broke our usual rhythm, the reactions of the guests proved us right. It was stirring and made us think. Everyone can do something, it's not always a big gesture or action. We can all take a stand. We wish Stefan a lot of strength and resilience to continue his important work, even in the face of massive hostility and threats!
Time always passes far too quickly at the symposia. It took some time after the official farewell before everyone really made their way home, as there was still so much to discuss.
