#71 CANCOM's strategy for the digital evolution of mid-sized companies
This episode was recorded in German.
In the latest episode of "Hope Is Not a Strategy," we welcome Rüdiger Rath, CEO of the CANCOM Group. CANCOM is a leading digital business provider and a TecDAX-listed company in the DACH region. In this compelling episode, Rüdiger Rath gives us a look inside CANCOM, the challenges and successes of digital transformation, and the company's extensive strategy work.
Meet the guest: Rüdiger Rath
Rüdiger Rath is an experienced CEO with a degree in business administration. He started his career as CFO of several well-known companies and joined CANCOM in 2021. He came on board as COO and took over as CEO in November 2022. With his broad experience and strategic foresight, he is successfully steering CANCOM through the challenges of transformation.
What does CANCOM actually do?
CANCOM serves more than 40,000 clients, mainly mid-sized companies, with end-to-end IT solutions. These range from equipping workplaces to comprehensive digitalization projects and IT operations. CANCOM also acts as an integration and service provider, working with a range of well-known manufacturers to deliver tailored digital solutions. The focus is always on the solution that fits the client's needs.
From startup beginnings to strategic milestones
Rüdiger Rath talks about CANCOM's modest beginnings as a startup in the early 1990s. Over the years, the company has developed steadily and hit important strategic milestones. One standout example is the acquisition of the Austrian market leader last year, which further strengthened CANCOM's position in the market.
The strategy process at CANCOM
A central theme of the episode is CANCOM's comprehensive strategy process. Rüdiger explains why this process was necessary to build a shared understanding of the starting point, a clear target picture, and concrete fields of action. He stresses how important it was to work with the core leadership team to develop the strategy in a structured way and set the company's direction together.
Stakeholder management in a publicly listed company
Rath also addresses the challenge of stakeholder management in a publicly listed company. He explains how the strategy is communicated to the entire workforce and which methods are used to do it. A key element is the StrategyActivation tool, which makes sure every employee understands the strategy and can act on it.
How tech pioneers shape mid-sized companies
CANCOM sees itself as a tech pioneer that plays a major role in shaping mid-sized companies. Rath explains what CANCOM does better than its competitors: deep technological expertise, regional presence, a feel for its clients' businesses, and the ability to deliver solutions that genuinely work in practice. Examples include the use of AI in industry and automated workplace setups.
Setting focus topics in CANCOM's strategy process
Another important point is the art of defining what you will not do. That is hard, but essential for success. CANCOM concentrates on five focus topics that reflect what the organization is capable of delivering.
Success factor: a digital end-to-end strategy process
Rüdiger stresses that transparency and centralization are decisive success factors. Away from thousands of files and presentations scattered across drives and desktops, and toward one transparent, central working tool: StrategyFrame, which also serves as a tool for tracking goals.
Recommendations for strategy makers
To close, Rath offers recommendations for all strategy makers: 1. ask all stakeholders about their expectations, 2. build a shared understanding of the core challenges and genuinely invest the time it takes. That effort pays off and leads to lasting success.
SHOW NOTES
StrategyFrame® ACADEMYRüdiger RathCANCOMChristian UnderwoodProf. Jürgen WeigandStrategyFramePodcast"Hope Is Not a Strategy"Book"Hope Is Not a Strategy"