Reinventing Corporations for Tomorrow

Energy, insight, and inspiration—this year’s sold out WHU – Campus for Corporate Transformation (CCT) brought all this and more to the school’s Düsseldorf location last week. “Reinventing Corporations for Tomorrow” brought together CEOs and CFOs from some of Europe’s most influential companies, united by one challenge: leading transformation in times of constant change.

Professor Serden Özcan, who heads the Chair of Innovation and Corporate Transformation, hosted the event, which once again delivered what it is known for: sharp, no-nonsense conversations that go beyond theory to show what real transformation looks like in practice.

The guests invited to speak at this year’s WHU CCT made it clear that transformation affects every industry, even if each one assumes a different approach to it. Whether driven by technology shifts, global uncertainty, or the pressure to build more sustainable business models, change, they noted, is no longer optional. It is essential.

An illustrious panel of experts—including Harald Wilhelm (Member of the Board at Mercedes-Benz AG), Alexander von Maillot (CEO of Nestlé Germany), Christian Ladurner (CFO of HENSOLDT AG), Petra Justenhoven (Chairwoman of the Board at PwC Europe), Veronika Flora Rost (Managing Director and Chairwoman of the Board at Philip Morris International), Dr. Steffen Greubel (Chairman of the Management Board at METRO AG), and Daniel Pindur (CVC, Managing Director for Germany and Israel)—drew from their experiences and shared invaluable insights and lessons learned, as well as a few humorous moments that revealed the human aspect of leading change.

Dr. Christoph Heusgen, Chairman of the Munich Security Conference between 2022 and 2025, rounded out these discussions by offering a thought-provoking view on global geopolitics and its impact on corporate strategy, thereby reminding the audience that transformation never happens in isolation.

Across all perspectives, one message stood out: successful transformation requires clear vision, the courage to act, and the commitment to follow through.

The event identified six key actions for a successful corporate transformation:

• Dare to redefine. True transformation means questioning long-held assumptions and reimagining what success looks like.
• Act with urgency. Progress belongs to those who move first and learn by doing.
• Focus to grow. Staying close to the core business keeps transformation purposeful and sustainable.
• Lead with the right mindset. Change begins in the mind and spreads with the help of the leader’s conviction.
• Empower your people. People drive transformation when trusted and encouraged to take ownership.
• Put the customer first. Understanding and delivering genuine value anchors every successful change journey.

The discussions underlined that a clear vision separates those who transform from those who merely adapt. Only leaders who know where they want to go can make the leap from incremental change to true disruptive transformation.

Since its inception in 2018, the WHU – Campus for Corporate Transformation has put the spotlight on its participants and the stories of their companies. Today, it is known as a safe space for collegial exchange. With inspiring speakers, lively debate, and a setting alive with ideas, the WHU Campus for Corporate Transformation has firmly positioned itself as Europe’s leading platform in this field.

Click here to read more about the WHU Campus for Corporate Transformation.