What drives the economy in 2025? AI, sustainability, efficiency improvement – what are the topics that will continue to make transformations in companies necessary in 2025? In our 5-part interview series, our experts from the business fields of Transformation of Business, Digital, Sustainability, AI, and Work share their assessments.
Jana Müller, Senior Manager & Practice Division Head Transformation of Business at Campana & Schott
"Besides the necessity to invest in research and development, utilize AI, and take the next steps towards sustainability, resilience – the ability to deal with uncertainties and act quickly and purposefully – will play a major role."
CS: Jana, you support our clients regarding their business models, processes, and ability to change. In your opinion, what will be the drivers for profound business transformations this year?
Jana Müller: Digitalization, sustainability, AI, but also geopolitical and regulatory changes will be driving forces in the business environment in 2025. For companies and their market positioning, it will be crucial to quickly adapt to uncertainties and changing conditions, to be sufficiently flexible, to boldly rethink business models, and to see and seize opportunities.
CS: Jana, you support our clients regarding their business models, processes, and ability to change. In your opinion, what will be the drivers for profound business transformations this year?
Jana Müller: Digitalization, sustainability, AI, but also geopolitical and regulatory changes will be driving forces in the business environment in 2025. For companies and their market positioning, it will be crucial to quickly adapt to uncertainties and changing conditions, to be sufficiently flexible, to boldly rethink business models, and to see and seize opportunities.
CS: Could you explain in more detail which framework conditions and influencing factors you have in mind?
Jana Müller: 2024 has been challenging for many companies. The attractiveness of Germany as a business location, new technologies, sustainability, and the mobility and energy transition will continue to be topics we deal with.
Some industries depend heavily on the orientation of the future government in Germany. Others are more affected by the impact of US politics. It may take a while before a clear line is found there.
For everyone, however, it will be important not to wait too long, but to question and adapt business strategies and processes. In targeted implementation, project management competence and change management are decisive success factors.
CS: What specific measures do you think companies should take in this context to prepare for these changes and strengthen their competitiveness?
Jana Müller: The priorities for companies vary depending on the industry and their degree of global networking as well as their maturity in using modern technologies. Besides the necessity to invest in research and development, utilize AI, and take the next steps towards sustainability, resilience – the ability to deal with uncertainties and act quickly and purposefully – will play a major role.
CS: What specific measures do you think companies should take in this context to prepare for these changes and strengthen their competitiveness?
Jana Müller: The priorities for companies vary depending on the industry and their degree of global networking as well as their maturity in using modern technologies. Besides the necessity to invest in research and development, utilize AI, and take the next steps towards sustainability, resilience – the ability to deal with uncertainties and act quickly and purposefully – will play a major role.
CS: That sounds like profound transformations that will also affect employees and their daily work. How can companies prepare their workforce for this?
Jana Müller: Transparency is crucial: Open and honest communication about decisions and upcoming changes builds trust and reduces uncertainties. Defined goals, well-planned initiatives, professional structures, and appropriate project and program management give employees the opportunity to be effective. This strengthens motivation and pays off in high implementation competence and resilience.
Just as eventful as the end of 2024 was, 2025 has already started. Topics such as digitalization including AI, increasing sustainability, or the search for efficiency improvement potentials on the one hand, but also crisis hotspots, supply bottlenecks, and political uncertainties on the other hand, continue to reflect the comprehensive transformations and disruptions in which companies currently operate.
With the government elections in the USA and those still pending here in Germany, the framework conditions for economic activities in Germany, the EU, and the world are being reassessed. Resilience, agility, and a spirit of innovation continue to seem to be core competencies that can secure the competitiveness of companies.
We are interested in which challenges and trends will move companies this year. Read about the opinions of our experts from the business fields of Transformation of Business, Digital, Sustainability, AI, and Work in our 5-part interview series.
