Daimler Strategy Seminar

Daimler AG is one of the world's most successful automotive companies. With its divisions Mercedes-Benz Cars, Daimler Trucks, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Daimler Buses and Daimler Financial Services, the Daimler Group is one of the biggest producers of premium cars and the world's biggest manufacturer of commercial vehicles with a global reach. Daimler Financial Services provides its customers with a full range of automotive financial services including financing, leasing, insurance and fleet management.

Challenges:
The corporate strategists of Daimler had all a different background and methodology in practice. A solution was chosen with a three day training format to accomplish business practice and methodology alignment. The more than 100 managers came from across the world (incl. US, Japan, China, South America, Germany, Eastern Europe), stressing so the diversity of the participants with very different levels of previous knowledge and practical experience. Bridging the diversity while underlining Daimler values and procedures contributed to the challenges of the set up.

Participants:
The target audience have been strategy managers at different management levels. Entry requirements were active involvement in strategy projects within the Daimler group. The program was conducted in Stuttgart/ Germany and at the Executive Campus in St. Gallen/ Switzerland.

Concept:
The program was continued four times, 3 days per course. All together more than 100 participants attended the course (they were divided into 4 groups of 25 people each).

The didactic approach included presentations, introduction into latest methodology by professors, company-specific case studies, special round tables for sharing of experiences and networking events. Support from the top management was implmented via participation by senior managers in the program as well as careful preparation before the training sessions and early involvement of the key stakeholders.

Results:
As a result all participants have reached a common understanding of mission and goals of the CD/S unit. A joint understanding on process, methodology and terms in the field of strategy execution was reached. On top of that, many project connections could be enriched and the strategist network was strenghtened within Daimler. The current challenges where discussed intensively, while senior managers of the company shared there experience with their younger colleagues.

The level of education / professionalism of the strategists has been leveraged substantiallly, enbling so the participants to deliver even better professional services in their respective business units. On top the business competence of the strategists has been strengthened and focused.