Every year, the manager magazin takes people to the Hall of Fame the German economy, which has earned outstanding services to the land and society. This year they were next to the longtime IG Metall boss Berthold Huber the two entrepreneurs (and siblings) Susanne Klatten and Stefan Quandt.
The award ceremony at the end of May coincided with a heated discussion in Germany about possible socialization of assets. Concrete brought about Juso boss Kevin Kühnert the idea to socialize the most important enterprise of Susanne Klatten and Stefan Quandt, the automaker BMW. The manager magazin has with Quandt and Klatten a detailed interview led to this discussion and its self-conception as an entrepreneur; Below, we document the main excerpts from the acceptance speech of Susanne Klattens at the Hall of Fame award ceremony:
Ladies and gentlemen,
(…)
I am all the more pleased with this appreciation – perhaps even more so because it comes unexpectedly. And unexpected things sometimes have a special power.
And perhaps this recognition actually sends out a signal – against “discouragement and mediocrity,” as the goal of the Hall of Fame goes.
I realize that climate change of a different kind is taking place in our country. Is not there a time of demands and demands – and less a time of effort – that has come to an end? The good economy, the rising wages, the strong export – all these successes have made our country slower. The last economic crisis is 10 years back and although they are still well remembered, too much seems obvious again. The biggest threat to success is the complacency!
Where is the defect? We lack the courage to change. It also lacks the courage to honestly read and interpret the signs.
But from whom can courage for change come in this situation? Who does not settle for mediocrity and complacency? You may think my answer: they are entrepreneurs.
The policy thinks structurally more sustainably – and often enough unfortunately only until the next election. But our modern economic systems live from a clear focus on the future. They only develop their social dynamics when people think in terms of change. And “have a desire for the future”.
Entrepreneurs are the drivers of this dynamic. They are solving the prosperity promise that the social market economy makes us all. The state can provide incentives, but it is not an entrepreneur and should not act as such.
But it is precisely the entrepreneurs seem increasingly to become the goals of social Neid. Entrepreneurs quickly become “The Rich” – and this term is associated with many misinterpretations of economic relationships.
“Fair distribution of wealth” is currently high on the political agenda. Personally, I have nothing against efficient and sensible steering methods. I also have nothing against social equality, but to a certain extent consider it absolutely necessary. And by the way, he works quite well in our country.
But my question: Can the mood actually turn over at some point – as we already know from neighboring countries?
It seems to me very important today to bridge the deepest chasms between politics and economy with all means. We need to give people even more opportunities to use their skills – meaning their own individual “equity” – meaningfully, creatively and productively in the interests of economic prosperity.
Our contribution as a family-owned company is to take responsibility for the companies in our group of companies and their approximately 155,000 employees worldwide – and to take them into the future.
I therefore (…) for many years for the empowerment of humans. Because I believe that anyone who wants and can do so should make an entrepreneurial contribution to our community. This is what my two initiatives stand for: Entrepreneurship Entrepreneurship Entrepreneurship and the Scale Initiative, with which we support impact-oriented business models in the social sector.
Ladies and gentlemen, we must not take the efficiency of our economy and our prosperity for granted. The basis for this has to be regained on a daily basis and maintained in international competition.
I feel that we need new creative and holistic coordination and decision-making processes in order to use Germany’s highest good – knowledge in technology, natural sciences, technology and the successes of the social market economy.
My last visit to China has just reminded me of what is the most obvious difference to us in Europe: in China decisions are made in the sense of an all-dominating collective strategy, while we struggle here with many individual interests and special wishes.
I ask you to interpret this as an observation and not as a rating for one way or another. But the force of the collective leaves us breathless for decisions in our own German and European cause. And this is probably one of our culture and mental strength to find appropriate answer!
Nevertheless, I look optimistically into the future – and not least thanks to a person with whom I am also about BMW very much connects:
Dear Stefan, I am grateful for the great privilege of being able to work with you as an entrepreneur at BMW. Each one of us has his role and can fully rely on the other. This is a great luck and a very special force – for me, but I also think for the company.
Thank you very much.
Read the detailed interview with Susanne Klatten and Stefan Quandt here: “Who would want to trade with us?”
soc