KELLOGG/WHU-03

It was a sunny September weekend when the first Kellogg-WHU EMBA-3 alumni-meeting took place in Berlin. Having the chance to meet classmates one year after graduation, 24 former students came to exchange family and jobs news, listened to informative speeches and used the opportunity to spend a nice weekend together. Of course, spouses and friends were invited, as well, and this contributed very much to the family atmosphere that is so important for successful alumni relations.

Starting Sept. 6, the early birds had an informal welcome dinner at Lutter & Wegner, a nice Austrian-style restaurant at the famous Gendarmenmarkt. With great enthusiasm the participants gathered the next morning in the ultra-modern Deutsche Bahn Tower at the Potsdamer Platz. Despite the fantastic view on the 21st floor, one could virtually have a look in chancellor Schröder’s garden or even watch politicians at work in the German Reichstag, it was easy to follow the interesting speeches. Prof. Peter Witt (WHU – chair for entrepreneurial and start-up studies) reported about corporate venture capital in Germany after the hype. His colleague from the TU Berlin, Prof. Volker Trommsdorff, gave recommendations for the successful management of radical innovations. Last, but not least, Hartmut Ostrowski, board member of the Bertelsmann AG, presented change management results at the Arvato AG. After a delicious lunch, the group visited the construction site of the new railroad station “Lehrter Bahnhof,” for sure one of the most exiting and largest construction sites currently in Germany. Hany Azer, the competent head of the building department, inspired the participants with his know-how and dedication. Like tiny little ants, the group walked through the recently finished 700 m tunnel between the stations Potsdamer Platz and Lehrter Bahnhof. The station itself already shows the vast dimension although it won’t be opened before the soccer world championships taking place in Germany in 2006.

The official part ended in the fancy Gugelhof, a restaurant once visited by Chancellor Schröder and former President Bill Clinton. All people had great fun at the reunion and it was agreed to meet next September in Freiburg or some other nice city. We appreciate the long journey of our classmates, who came from far to meet us for that specific occasion. Thanks also to the organization committee formed by Margret Suckale, Dr. Brigitte Mohn, Frank Menzler and Dr. Roland Schomer. By their efforts we enjoyed a fantastic weekend that will certainly strengthen the relations in our community.

We send greetings to Gisela Mautner, who moved to the United States. She is still with Siemens Medical Solutions and happy with her position. Her new address is 261 Avon Road, Apt. I 434, Devon, PA 19333. In case you prefer to email, please write to gisela_mautner@post.harvard.edu.

Markus Klatte is more rooted to his native soil. He moved to the nice city of Tamm, near Stuttgart. His new coordinates are Eichenweg 10, D-71732 Tamm. Markus can be contacted at: markus.klatte@suedleasing.de.