Lessons

Dr. Sandra Siebenhüter, an expert on the world of work, considers dubious trends affecting our working lives. The economization of personal relationships and mutuality is a warning sign for society.

Many people think the financial crisis, Fukushima and the many Wutbürger (angry citizens) movements spreading all over the world are symptoms of a deep systemic problem. Protestors who also reject the too-big-to-fail argument follow in the footsteps of Leopold Kohr (born 1909 near Salzburg − died 1994 in Gloucester, England) Austrian philosopher, professor of economics, and winner of the Alternative Nobel Prize in 1983. Kohr was founder of the small-is-beautiful movement and his views on life and society are remarkably well-suited for the 21st Century.

The revival of this Manageristic doctrine is a retrograde step. Agility and competitiveness will suffer.

Why do skilled managers — grown men with years of experience — pay inexperienced young graduates to solve their business problems?

Business 'fashionistas', the followers of consulting trends, diversify today and specialize tomorrow. Each standardized concept sweeps like a tsunami through entire sectors, while the recommendations of consultants change every 5 to 10 years.

Do senior corporate decision-makers who hire mercenary Managerists as 'turn-around champions' know what they are doing, and what this will do to the company over the long term?