Oliver Stratmann, Chief Financial Officer (CFO):

"Embracing a New Mindset"

The Business Excellence program also calls for us to adopt a new mindset. What does this mean exactly?
Oliver Stratmann: Through this program, we are laying the foundation for a fundamental transformation of LANXESS. In doing so, it’s important to look at figures and processes as well as at how we are driving progress in the respective areas as a company – in other words, it’s about holistic advancement. In this context, our mindset plays a key role.

What mindset do we need to adopt in order to become even more excellent?
Our focus should be on a positive and growth-oriented view. This also means being open to change. We – and I include myself in this – must once again demonstrate a greater willingness to embrace new ideas and ways of thinking, to evolve, and also to create processes for improvement.

How are you going about this?
I am trying to be a role model when it comes to feedback, for example, both in terms of seeking and giving constructive feedback. Feedback helps us recognize what we can do differently and better. In addition, I always try to remain open to change and to set an example in this regard.

What can each of us do to develop a new mindset?
We can, for example, promote an exchange of ideas and opinions, even outside our own area of expertise, and use the feedback process to strengthen our no-blame culture. Each of us can contribute to a more positive work environment in which thoughts are openly shared and in which a “yes, but...” mentality is replaced by a focus on moving forward together. Innovation, for example, urgently demands such an open-minded mentality. A good example of this is the development of Saltigo’s SMAART app (for more on this, see page 18).