TTE Strategy Podcast

How do family businesses in the Gulf create real, long-term value – and what can the German Mittelstand learn from them?
In this episode, I speak with Sara Mohammadi, CEO of the Family Business Council Gulf, about the “secret sauce” of multi-generational enterprises: long-term decision-making, patient capital, and close alignment with national transformation programs (e.g. Vision 2030).

We discuss how clear government roadmaps foster optimism and investment security – and why governance, communication, and mediation instead of litigation are key levers when tensions arise.

In addition, Sara shares concrete recommendations for German mid-sized companies entering the UAE market – from playing to their strengths and accelerating market entry to building customer proximity.
She also provides insights into current regulatory and tax developments in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), such as corporate income tax, the planned personal income tax (PIT) in Oman, and the UK non-domiciled regime.
Finally, she offers a preview of upcoming events like the Legal Roundtable and the Annual Summit in Muscat.

Why do rare earths affect not only large corporations but the entire mid-market?
In this episode, I speak with Dr. Amir-Said Ghassabeh (expert on export controls and foreign trade law, Taylor Wessing) about dependencies in strategic supply chains, the growing influence of export licenses and geopolitical risks, and the question of how companies in “Unruhige Zeiten” (Uncertain Times) should weigh reliability against short-term price.

We discuss applications of magnets and sensors, China’s dominant role along the value chain, and to what extent European initiatives such as the Critical Raw Materials Act help — and where they don’t.

We also explore which risk-mitigation levers SMEs can now actively pull (e.g. secondary or tertiary sourcing, clear contract clauses, transparency in Tier-2/3, stockpiling), how recycling and substitution can provide medium-term relief, and what lessons can be drawn from international examples such as Japan.
A hands-on guide for decision-makers to balance supply security, legal certainty, and innovation at the same time.

How can companies achieve growth in the age of perma-volatility – and what does operational excellence in the Mittelstand really mean?
In this episode, I speak with Dirk Markus, Founding Partner of AURELIUS, about Private Equity after the era of zero interest rates: why valuation multiples have declined, why operational levers make the difference today, and how investors can navigate “into the fog” together with management teams while still making clear and consistent decisions.

Dirk shares his journey from consultant and founder to investor, talks about true collaboration at eye level, and reveals AURELIUS’ “secret sauce” – a mix between hunter and farmer.

We also discuss how AURELIUS WaterRise, the firm’s in-house consulting team, supports portfolio companies during transformations; which skills (e.g. sales, data literacy, use of AI) are essential for effective leaders today; and why gut feeling only works when combined with solid facts.
Further topics include Germany’s business environment (growth, bureaucracy, and the role of the state), the first 100 days in portfolio companies – communication, trust, clear priorities – and real-world examples like Greenovis and JAVAC that show how stabilization can once again become growth.

How can Hamburg make the leap forward – and is the city truly keeping an eye on its mid-sized businesses?

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Malte Heine, CEO of the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, about the key decisions that will shape the city’s future: the role of the port as a platform (including the western expansion), international connectivity and infrastructure, cutting red tape, and improving knowledge transfer between science and business.

We discuss which priorities Hamburg needs to set – from autonomous systems and climate technologies to startup factories and Impossible Founders – and how the Mittelstand can benefit directly.

Also on the agenda: why intercontinental flight connections, faster planning and approval processes, and a targeted cluster policy are critical; what signals a potential Olympic bid could send; and how the Chamber of Commerce supports entrepreneurs from founding to succession. A realistic pulse check on the mood of mid-sized companies – and a roadmap for how Hamburg can return to stronger growth.

Here’s the link to the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce’s podcast “Hamburg 2040” for anyone who wants to hear more from Malte Heine and learn about Hamburg’s business landscape:
https://open.spotify.com/show/217OUsJNRl216fPRIjsUcO

How fast can I grow – and how flexible am I in adapting my business model? Startups often have a decisive edge in speed compared to established family businesses. In this episode of Unruhige Zeiten, I speak with Fabian Barthel, co-founder and CEO of Vytal. The company operates a smart reusable packaging system for the foodservice industry – and at times achieved an impressive 12% weekly growth!

But rapid growth also comes at a price and brings its own set of challenges. With Fabian, we discuss what family businesses and the Mittelstand can learn from startups when it comes to innovation and entrepreneurship.

With revenues of around 12 billion euros, Mabanaft/MB Energy is one of Hamburg’s top family-owned companies. In our conversation with CEO Jonathan Perkins, we discuss the company’s strategy and transformation agenda, the rebranding from Mabanaft to MB Energy, and the major integration opportunity that comes with it.

MB Energy is a leading energy company and a Hidden Champion. Since its founding in 1947, the company has provided tailored solutions for transportation, heating, agriculture, and industrial applications. The rebranding marks a strategic turning point and opens up a wide range of new opportunities.

In this episode, we talk about the key metrics Jon works with, his “big bets” – and the principles that guide his investment decisions.

TTE Strategy is celebrating its anniversary – and this time, things are a little different. For the 10-year milestone, we’re bringing you a very special podcast episode: Lars himself takes the hot seat! Instead of interviewing a Mittelstand CEO, our esteemed colleague Stella Tsoutzidou takes the microphone – and asks the questions.

It’s a very personal conversation about Lars, about TTE Strategy, what drives him and the company forward. Hidden Champions Award, top rankings ahead of the MBBs – what’s TTE’s secret sauce, and where is the firm headed? How is AI transforming strategic work and the role of strategists and consultants?

Tune in now for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Lars and TTE.

Off we go into the Maschinenraum with Tobias Rappers – a place where not only the CEOs of Mittelstand and family businesses exchange ideas, but also entire teams learn from one another. More than 70 companies with over 450,000 employees are already connected here. Is this very exchange the “secret sauce” for growth and progress? What can I learn from my competitors – and what should I share, or not? And what are the issues currently keeping the Mittelstand busy?

Tobias Rappers is the founder and Managing Director of Maschinenraum. We talk about the biggest challenges facing German Mittelstand and family businesses, new strategies and solution approaches – and why so many of the problems across companies are strikingly similar. And of course, how they can be solved.

An episode about doing and acting. An episode full of new ideas and fresh impulses for the German economy. If you want to learn more, take a look inside the Maschinenraum: www.maschinenraum.io/oekosystem

The CEO of Hidden Champion KERN LIEBERS gives us an intimate look into his plans, the business, the strategy, his personal journey – and how his dismissal ultimately gave him new freedom and courage. Dr. Erek Speckert is CEO of KERN LIEBERS, a family-owned company with around 7,000 employees worldwide and annual revenues of 767 million euros. KERN LIEBERS is a global technology leader in manufacturing highly complex components and assemblies, with a focus on springs and stamped parts.

But where do its competitive advantages come from? And what does gratitude in the workplace really mean – and when can it be demanded? We discuss the secret sauce of this Mittelstand champion, investments in the U.S., e-mobility in China, and Erek’s growth ambitions. We also talk about failed acquisitions, why integration is so critical, and what makes a truly great manager.

She is one of the leading experts on Hidden Champions and has a network like few others in the German Mittelstand. In this podcast episode, Lars Linnekogel talks with Dr. Bianca Schmitz, Founding Director of the Hidden Champions Institute at the renowned business school ESMT Berlin, Supervisory Board member at TÜV Nord Group, and faculty member at ESMT Berlin. Expect fascinating stories and deep insights into the world behind the scenes of Mittelstand leaders.