maconda at the German Consultants’ Day 2025 in Düsseldorf
maconda News November 2025
“Between volatile markets and technological leaps: recalibrating consultancy” – this was the motto of the “German Consultants’ Day 2025” held by the Federal Association of German Management Consultants (BDU) in Düsseldorf at the end of November 2025. Dr. Rainer Mayer, Managing Director of maconda and BDU member, was there once again. The central (though not entirely new) message of the event: consultants should help reduce complexity while simultaneously delivering implementation power that actually works in everyday business. This exact combination served as a common thread throughout the event, spanning a wide variety of topics and diverse speakers.
Rainer Mayer: “I was particularly impressed by the stirring presentation by Eberhard Zorn.” General (ret.) Zorn served as the Inspector General of the Bundeswehr from 2018 to 2023, making him the former highest-ranking German soldier. The presentation addressed the impact of geopolitical tensions – such as developments in Russia, China, and Ukraine – on companies, supply chains, and social systems in Germany. “The very specific perspective on geopolitics and the economy was outstanding and delivered in a pointed manner. The General spoke without reservations about where Germany needs to change from his point of view.” Zorn emphasized above all the need to make decisions and act faster to meet the diverse challenges.
The presentation on the current economic situation by Professor Dr. Michael Grömling from the Institute of the German Economy in Cologne also gave pause for thought. Rainer Mayer of maconda: “You can look at the newspaper as much as you want, but a personal presentation that illuminates a topic so competently and concisely cannot be topped.” Of course, one has read about it elsewhere, and as a consultant who gets around a lot, one knows it anyway, but now it was visible on several slides, clearly derived and explained: German industry is shrinking. Slowly, but noticeably. And the consequences for the German economy – and thus also the political situation – are becoming increasingly clear.
In many organizations, several challenges collide simultaneously: global pressure, fragile supply and value chains, investment restraint, a shortage of skilled labor, and overall high stress from change. maconda cannot change politics. But maconda can support companies in making the best of the situation. In this respect, these two presentations, aptly selected by the BDU team, were highly relevant because they hit the core of what clients really need right now – and what maconda offers: certainty in contextualization and reliability in implementation. This means, firstly, a convincingly presented, resilient opinion that does not shy away from unpleasant truths, and secondly, comprehensive experience – gained from insights into an incredible number of companies and situations, supported by an excellently trained and motivated team.
From the debates at the Düsseldorf Consultants’ Day, the BDU derived three expectations that maconda shares without reservation:
(1) Orientation that enables action – companies do not need more glossy “PowerPoint truths,” but realistic scenarios and clear statements: what does the situation mean for budget, personnel, delivery capability, growth, and ultimately for the business location? The Consultants’ Day deliberately started with a reality check on geopolitics and the economic situation to create exactly this foundation.
(2) Implementation that reaches the company – the consensus: the need for consulting is great. Not because strategies are lacking, but because implementation under uncertainty is difficult. Planning budgets is also difficult, not least the necessary budgets for helpful consulting. Success is measured by whether measures work in day-to-day business: roles, processes, management, communication, acceptance, and sustainability.
(3) AI is important – but as a means to an end, not an end in itself – Artificial Intelligence was present in Düsseldorf, but the core message was not: “AI replaces everything,” but rather: “AI changes a lot – but not everything.” People, quality, and leadership remain decisive. This was made indirectly clear in particular by the closing presentation of a supposed AI guru – who completely lost his way in his own hype, and for whom AI clearly represents an end in itself and a show effect for self-marketing (according to his description, his company almost runs itself with over 30 “AI assistants” – presumably the revenue also generates itself, or does one ultimately “only” earn money through bizarre presentations where ChatGPT & Co. are undoubtedly helpful?!). A “guru” who was somewhat entertaining but did not really manage to convey the alleged benefits of AI for companies in a practical way. Such shows do more harm to the use of AI than good, especially in public perception.
For maconda, all this means: AI should not be the focus of discussions with clients. Bertram Stähler of maconda: “We use AI where it gives back time, supports better decisions, and accelerates implementation – with a sense of proportion and clear expertise. But today, it still doesn’t work without our own quality checks as well as a lot of reflection and experience.”
The Consultants’ Day 2025 can be summarized for maconda in a few sentences: clients need consultants who reduce complexity, create perspectives, and implement consistently – honestly, not trend-driven. AI helps, but the difference is made by clarity, methodology, communication, empowerment, and experience. maconda: close to the customer, pragmatic, effective.
About maconda
For more than 20 years, maconda has been providing support for the acquisition of companies, performance optimization, and restructuring. With over 800 consulting and implementation projects and more than 450 transaction-related engagements, maconda has extensive experience to provide pragmatic support even for demanding projects. Clients include mid-sized companies, business units of large corporations, as well as international private equity investors and family offices.