For the first time, the Annual Summit 2009 took place in the picturesque hideaway of Schloss Elmau, near Garmisch. While the setting was pristine and idyllic, it could not deafen the tremors that were caused by the current economic crisis and it also could not distract the participants from engaging in intense discussions on “Leadership in Challenging Times”. Our Annual Summit is well known for being a think-tank of top managers and keen thinkers.
Furthermore, the desire to exchange ideas is even more distinct during tough times. Proof of that fact is the high commitment of our participants, 150 select top managers, politicians and academics, many of which have been attendees for several years and have made our Summit a jour fixe in their respective agendas. Over 70 participants took an active part in 15 panel discussions and presentations and engaged in one-on-one interviews.
In reflecting the world-economic situation, the discussions and speeches focused on those issues that led to the largest economic crisis since the 1930s in the US, Europe, and other regions of the world. None of the participants predicted the exact point in time of the downturn, let alone the extent of the current crisis.
Why did current governance systems throughout the world fail to detect the lurking collapse? Did greed and fear make us blind to ominous market signals, such as the real estate bubble and excessive public debt? Does managing a company in such a crisis require a stronger role for the holding? And how can costs be cut and cash secured without sacrificing the necessary investments for strategic advancements? Even more importantly: What is it that needs to be done, both by adjusting the macroeconomic framework as well as by adopting the appropriate management procedures in order to prevent such erroneous trends from recurring?
Please find The Stern Stewart Institute's Summit Program 2009 below.
"Leadership in challenging times"
Annual Summit 2009, 10-12 September
