A very complex year is coming to an end. For many of us, including me, 2022 was a year of unexpected upheaval. Already in January, many people from the agri-business, who used to be involved in business with the Russian Federation, felt great concern about the Russian troop deployments on the borders with Ukraine. I felt extremely uncomfortable in my role at the time as co-chair of the German Agribusiness Alliance and as in this role as the Russia spokesman for German agriculture. At first you couldn’t believe it: On February 24, Putin gave the order to attack and initiated a never-expected breach of human rights and the world order. It took me three weeks to realize that this development must have major consequences for me. Even if this upheaval cannot be compared with the fate of my Ukrainian friends, an essential pillar of my profession and my expertise has been lost. With Russia under Putin, I will no longer engage in agricultural cooperation. My resignation from the honorary posts and the withdrawal from the German Seed Alliance GmbH in March were absolutely necessary for me! I think of the many managers and entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector who sometimes continue to do business “under the radar” but legally and out of responsibility for employees in Russia and for privately invested capital. I know from some how bad they feel about it… As a “dropout” I can only wish from the outside for 2023 that there will be an acceptable peace and that the dying and suffering in Ukraine will stop!!
As of spring, my compass has been realigned as a freelancer. As a certified systemic coach, I have continued my education. I was able to accompany some entrepreneurs and executives to find their own solutions to seemingly insurmountable challenges. But in the medium-sized agricultural sector, business coaching as person-centred support for real self-reflection is not yet so established. The down-to-earth agricultural entrepreneurs prefers to look for the solution in the facts and in the matter rather than in themselves… I would have liked to have looked after more clients. Many thanks to my coaching clients for their openness and honesty with themselves! For 2023, I intend to make it even clearer what sustainable value it has, to deal with oneself as an owner and decision-maker as part of the challenges of the company. In addition, I am co-founder of a new network of coaches, which will start at the beginning of next year. More on that soon…
Fortunately, in 2022 I was able to support several companies at decision-maker level in realigning their business strategy, also because of the “turn of the era”. My competence in structuring moderation and documentation as a coach, as well as in accompanying the content of strategy development processes, was needed and valued. I would like to thank all customers for the trust in this! Further strategy projects, primarily in the agricultural and food sector, are to follow.
Two challenges dominated the strategy development for my projects this year: the lack of skilled people and the increasing demands of society for sustainable management! I have started to deal with both topics very intensively. Because as a consultant and coach, it is also not gratifying if the strategy developments I have accompanied do not work out because you cannot find the specialists required to achieve the goals or because additional sustainability requirements in the environment stand in the way of future.
Together with an HR expert as a partner, I will launch an offer for the agricultural and food industry that will help medium-sized companies to position themselves more attractively in the labour market. A change in company values and more targeted recruiting is often required here. After completing my training as a certified ZNU sustainability manager (at the Center for Sustainable Corporate Management at the University of Witten/Herdecke), I will also offer entrepreneurs further training courses to take management paths that continuously make the company more sustainable. The path can lead to a corresponding certification.
But enough now of looking back at 2022 and the plans for 2023. Now it’s time to pause. I wish you all a contemplative Christmas time, which gives you and your loved ones the opportunity to break away from everyday life and to focus on yourself and your family. Have a good start into the new year, for which I wish you good health, happiness and private as well as professional success!
Yours,
Torsten Spill