Prof. Goedecke, St. Georgen / Universidad de Aachen Prof. Goedecke, St. Georgen / Technical University of Aachen Prof. Goedecke, St. Goergen /TH Aachen
Intercambio Sharing Lebhafter Austausch
Thomas Mack (der) y Matthias Kirch Thomas Mack (r.) and Matthias Kirch Thomas Mack (r.) und Matthias Kirch
Erich Berger, Vienna Erich Berger, Vienna Erich Berger, Wien
Panel final Closing panel discussion Abschließendes Podium Fotos: POS Fischer © 2007 Album de fotos – photo album – Fotoalbum

GERMANY, mkf. Economic pressure, ethical and legal for innovation on the one hand, and management pressure to innovate, experiment and develop new, better and different things on the other hand - which innovation has as a consequence and origin - was the topic setting for approximately 70 businessmen and directors in the fourth economic forum on March 3^rd which was organized by a Schoenstatt institution in Oberkirch. In this forum, six presenters of the highest level from the confines of science and practical economics, were able to bring together in their presentations, in a charming and attractive way, religious and ethical managerial perspectives in economic and innovative proceedings.

For some reason, Jesus chose as His disciples and apostles, not theologians but middle class businessmen – fishermen – said one of the presenters in his talk. At the center of the forum was "innovation" as process and the "innovator" as the creative personality. Creativity and the ability to transform ideas into reality are the basic foundation elements of innovation; passion and the desire to be successful are the fundamental traits of creative personalities; both elements allow innovation – according to Father Joseph Kentenich – to be the clear distinction of an abundant and creative life.

Why not take the motivational song which was selected by German National Soccer during last summer’s world cup as the song for this economical forum? Stefan Eiche quickly explained this idea: a not-so-loved, very criticized and almost- sent- home trainer was able to throw everything out and introduced new methods which are actually today discredited and ridiculed by prominent personalities…..with this he almost won the world title, won the hearts of the Germans and in the finale also the cross, a badge of distinction from the German Soccer Federation: that is innovation and that is an innovator who passionately leads others to success. Can this story be repeated in economics…..and in the Church? Why not?

Innovate or perish!

Professor Dr. Thomas Petersen (University of Greifswald and center for environmental studies from Leipzig/Halle) approached the topic of "the duty of innovation" from the aspect of the parable of the talents. Through a dissertation based on texts of ancient Greece on the ethical value on the increase of capital and goods and the whole Aristotelian tradition and applying these to commercial context, he shows the personalities of those businessmen, who for the joy of doing something and being creative, leave their daily routine and go against the current of their surroundings and cause new things to come forth. They become adventurers but they also become those men Aristotle describes as "good men." The obligation of innovation should be understood as a necessary virtue in the sense of a permanent search for better conditions of living for all.

Whoever is content with what has been achieved thus far is like the living dead. "Innovate or perish" is the present calling for all businesses; those who are not open for change in their products or in their sales styles have drowned to make room for the new…..Thus continued the topic of the former discussion.

With quickness and precision

Professor Goedecke offered a new look at his business (GAS-Automation St. Georgen). He showed that often when one has a whiff of a new tendency on the market even when it is still not so clear, it is necessary to take a product out of circulation although it still sells well and substitute it with something new. He also showed the most important role which adequate personal quality plays along with optimization in relationships and processes. "Where there is confidence, a great deal is saved as far as controls and bureaucracy" and a great deal of potential is freed for competition in the world market. "With quickness and precision," the philosophy of the Gas-automation product is also a motto which indicates innovation. One should not be taken by surprise by the market.

To coin oneself a unique position in the market, to always motivate collaborators anew for the common good and to develop a broad orientation for service are the elements which Professor Goedecke considers important for a successful innovation which begins already in the technical schools where, in his opinion, there should be more orientation toward practice.

Why did Jesus call businessmen for His disciples?

"Innovation begins with a critical questioning of my perceptions," it begins my openness to the creative potential of my collaborators – explained vice-president Michael Gerber – stemming from the example of Jesus. To create creative spaces where workers can develop their full creativity is as important as permanent contact with them in order to perceive their ideas and worries. "How strongly am I moved by the ideas and worries of my workers?"

The fact that Jesus chose fishermen as his apostles had a reason – said Gerber. They were persons with clear goals. They knew what they wanted and they were dedicated to putting it into practice. As a businessman, I should ask myself, how many "fishermen" do I allow on my boat?

Thomas Mack and Matthias Kirch demonstrated that a business culture and a very marked communication are the foundation for a high achieving business venture and he used the example of the team of persons who work in the Rust European amusement park in Friburg. A business culture is when an employee goes through the park, sees paper on the ground and stops to pick it up without it being his duty. This comprises a greater dynamic than any manual of strict rules. After this topic presented by these two presenters, it was evidently clear that the businessmen at Rust Park always go to work happy and enthusiastic. All who heard their presentation were left wanting to visit this park.

Innovations come forth better in an adequate environment than under the pressure of time

This is the thesis of Erich Berger, engineer of development and business leader from Vienna, that innovations come forth better in an adequate environment than under the pressure of time. There where one can "fool around," where there is time for freedom to do things and the fear of ridicule can be overcome, there a great deal of potential for creativity, even under a great deal of pressure for time, can be released. Logically, there should also be a great deal of respect for the abilities of each person combined with an adequate complementation for the weak points of his personality. Allowing for the mistakes of others and having safety nets should also be provided for. We should not stop others, but motivate them, according to Berger, to better the environment for innovation.

At the discussion podium coordinated by Professor Petersen at the end of each conference, the participants had the opportunity to exchange comments and experiences. Toward the end of the discussions, there was an impassioned conversation in the same direction: that studies be more guided toward practice and that they awaken in students the desire to create new things already while in school. Dr. Wieland thanked the presenters and their companies who supported the event (Plansecure Company www.plansecure.de and TQU AG Company www.tqu.com.

The buffet offered at the end of the conference in the newly remodeled foyer of the Schoenstatt Center in Oberkirch made it possible that many would be able to take advantage of exchanging on some of the topics discussed during the symposium.

This economic forum in Oberkirch wants to help to unite and to mutually enrich both the camps of economy and religion.

The presentations may be listened to or downloaded on the internet at the following site (unfortunately only in German)

Comments on the topic can be made there.

Translation: Carlos Cantú Family Federation La Feria, TX USA 040307