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Mercateo Executive Summit 2016

“Digitalize or Die” – how digitalization can succeed in purchasing

On 8th November 2016, numerous decision-makers from various European procurement departments met at the 4th Mercateo Executive Summit at Berlin’s ‘Adagio’. The participants discussed how the opportunities of digitalization can be used and how variety can be ensured in purchasing. The focus was set by Eva Wimmers‘, President Europe Huawei Honor, keynote. The title was “Digitalize or Die”. In this, Wimmers highlighted important points that companies should consider for successful digitalization.

The 4th Mercateo Executive Summit was held under the daring motto: “Shape your company’s future before the future shapes your company.” The keynote speaker Eva Wimmers, President Europe Huawei Honor (formerly CPO Deutsche Telekom), worded it even more directly at the start: “Digitalize or Die” was the title of her keynote. This provocation was chosen deliberately as, according to Wimmers, companies are facing major challenges with digitalization. “Anyone who only ever looks back and thinks about what made them successful in the past, will not miss the boat but they will go down with it at some point,” says Wimmers. She is somewhat critical of digitalization at the same time though: “Whenever common sense and creativity are called for, automation is out of the question. You need a clear head and ideas: the ability to observe, listen and then find new innovative solutions. Which is why digitalization and non-digitalization should go hand in hand in purchasing.”
“Personal business relationships in particular can benefit from digitalization,” said Mercateo CEO Dr. Bernd Schönwälder with conviction in his speech. “The B2B business is a relationship and added value between companies is largely based on precisely these relationships. Digital networks, putting stakeholders in contact with each other, will therefore be an important addition to companies’ digital strategies,” explained Dr. Schönwälder. The most important condition for this is that these platforms remain neutral for everyone involved.
Eva Wimmers, Dr. Ulrich Piepel (CPO RWE/Innogy), Thorsten Woike (CPO SAG) and Dr. Bernd Schönwälder debated “A rethink in purchasing” during the podium discussion. The podium members all agreed that people must not be forgotten in this process. Employees should be put in a position of being creative and making strategic contributions to the company as a result of digitalization. This is the only way to create value contributions in purchasing too. These may be savings as well as optimised processes or a more flexible corporate structure.

The Mercateo Executive Summit traditionally takes place the evening before the BME Symposium. As a BME partner, Mercateo is also represented at the symposium by Dr. Bernd Schönwälder who will be giving a speech. Decision makers a and other responsible parties from numerous corporations and various industries come together regularly at this event to discuss the current trends in procurement. With the Mercateo Executive Summit, the company is offering a valuable opportunity to foster and encourage networking and exchange on the most important issues in digital procurement at the start of the symposium.