14 Feb Beyond Crisis
On February 12, 2025, we invited together with DELTA AG to the Department of Disruptive Disciplines (DDD) for the impulse event “Beyond Crisis”. Numerous guests accepted the invitation to Tabakfabrik Linz – it was an evening full of inspiring insights from three renowned experts with a forward-looking conclusion.
The central topic of the evening: How can companies survive in a time of growing uncertainty and complex crises? The keynote speakers provided in-depth analyses and highlighted challenges as well as potential and opportunities.
Harald Katzmair: The distribution of power in a networked world
Harald Katzmair, renowned network analyst and founder of FAS-Research, opened with a systemic overview of the situation. His credo: “True leadership is capacity for reality” – a quote from General Dwight Eisenhower. According to Katzmair, leadership means simplifying complexity, keeping the “store” together and bringing things down to earth. This requires three crucial skills: Analytical, Relational and Operational competence. He showed that building construction and civil engineering are important pillars of value creation in Austria, but that the power over markets and capital flows is concentrated at the beginning (raw materials, energy) and end (high-tech, finance, platforms) of the value chain – almost always outside Europe.
His appeal: Europe must find its own aspirations. How do we want to be? He sees the young generation in particular as a beacon of hope for new paths.
Wolfgang Petschko: Crises are the new normal
“Haven’t there always been crises?” asked Wolfgang Petschko, CEO of Donau Versicherung AG Vienna Insurance Group. The Austrian economy has been in recession since 2022 – a worrying development. At the same time, the stock market is climbing to unprecedented heights – a paradox that has deeper causes. Crises require new ways of thinking, including in the insurance industry. Risks that used to be considered separately now influence each other – from climate and cybersecurity to geopolitical tensions. Resilience means recognizing these interdependencies and adapting to them. However, his view of crises was not all gloomy. Petschko shows that not everything was better in the past. Compared to the past, we now have significantly improved life expectancy, fewer road deaths and much better protection mechanisms against natural disasters than in the past.
And that we are very lucky to live in Austria, that would be the real lotto six in life, which he also tries to convey to his children in his private life.
Arno Gingl: Crisis for breakfast!
Arno Gingl, Managing Director at DELTA Managing & Consulting Engineers, introduced a new perspective: “We are inundated with crises in the media. People perceive what is visible everywhere and overlook what is missing. ” Out of sight – out of mind.“His conclusion: people are becoming more resilient and adaptable – an evolutionary principle that applies in times of war as well as economic turbulence. However, the fear of change remains deeply rooted in us. So what does good leadership need in times of crisis? For Arno Gingl, it is” clear communication, flexibility, adaptability and innovative strength. Times of crisis are also times of innovation. It is important that companies focus on new technologies such as AI, data and cybersecurity. For him, it is also important and essential to strengthen cooperation and alliances in order to build up and expand resources, knowledge and markets.
This requires diversity and a corporate culture that makes these approaches possible. The more diverse teams are, the more creative their solutions are – whether in companies, projects or entire societies.
Conclusion: “Beyond Crisis” - an evening on the edge of the abyss
The evening was inspiring and despite the many chasms that opened up, the confidence of a new opportunity to shape the future dominated. It takes courage from all sides and from all directions to actually break new ground and dig off the beaten track for rare earths for innovative achievements made in Europe.
Because, as it was written on Chris Müller’s grandmother’s tablecloth: “Diamonds are born under pressure!”
Many thanks to all those who provided the impetus and to all the guests who helped shape this evening!
Picture gallery
(c) Julia Mühlberger Photography
