What’s the best way to build effective networks and collaborate successfully with business partners, and thus achieve ultimate competitiveness and foster regional economic development? What can enterprises do to keep a firm grip on their markets by collaborating and forming networks, and not only stay competitive but actually grow and become stronger? These and many other challenging topics were high on the agenda at the first Steinbeis Consulting Day, which took place in Stuttgart’s Haus der Wirtschaft (House of Commerce) on June 21, 2012. The event was an ideal opportunity for more than 150 experts from all fields of consulting, as well as decision-makers in private and public organizations, to network with others and discuss current management issues.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular are faced with a variety of new challenges posed by technology change, social trends, market uncertainty and intense global competition. The more competitive the market, the more crucial it is for companies to develop new and differentiated products in a short time-to-market. Central to this, and of growing importance in producing their ideas, is knowledge.

Innovation-based services are key to the competitiveness of every company. But as B2B products and services start to merge, parties from vastly different areas are having to interact more with one another. So innovation and collaboration will be decisive to safeguarding long-term competitiveness.

Innovation is a complex process. Businesses need to develop the capability to interact and collaborate with key players whose knowledge complements in-house know-how. Working together in networks also helps foster and strengthen an atmosphere of innovation – amongst employees and companies as a whole.

The next Steinbeis Consulting Day will take part on Thursday, 3 July 2014  in Stuttgart's Haus der Wirtschaft.

Video documentation (german)