DKV Mobility ESG Interview with Rene Schmidpeter

DKV Mobility
1 Sept 202221:04

Summary

TLDRIn this insightful interview, Professor Rani Smith discusses the importance of sustainability and the need for a transformational mindset rather than mere optimization. Smith emphasizes the co-evolution of economic success, social responsibility, and environmental friendliness, advocating for a systemic approach to sustainability. The conversation highlights the role of digitalization as a tool for creating sustainable business models and the necessity for industries, particularly mobility and transport, to innovate and adapt. Smith also stresses the importance of integrating sustainability into all aspects of business strategy, moving away from the notion of sustainability as a separate entity and towards a collective effort that enhances both profitability and positive impact.

Takeaways

  • 🌿 Professor Rani Smith is an international expert on sustainability and prefers both city and countryside for their unique benefits.
  • πŸ”„ Smith is an optimist regarding sustainability and believes in the necessity of a positive mindset to lead and enact change.
  • πŸ•΄οΈ Smith identifies as both a strategic planner and a doer, often working beyond regular hours due to the passion for both aspects.
  • 🏒 Germany has been struggling to meet its climate targets, which Smith attributes to a prevailing mindset that sees a trade-off between sustainability and profitability.
  • πŸš— The mobility and transport sector is particularly lagging in sustainability, with some segments sticking to old business models and others innovating.
  • πŸ’‘ Digitalization and sustainability are intertwined, with digital tools being key to making processes more sustainable, yet requiring responsible use.
  • πŸ‘₯ The role of sustainability managers will evolve from an 'add-on' to an integral part of corporate strategy development.
  • πŸ›£οΈ The future of mobility will likely involve increased mobility options while decoupling from unsustainable energy sources.
  • 🌐 Sustainability is not about personal sacrifice but about embracing opportunities that come with positive environmental and social impacts.
  • πŸ“š Sustainability is a complex, multifaceted topic that requires ongoing education and integration into various disciplines and strategies.
  • 🌟 Smith emphasizes the importance of positive leadership, purpose orientation, and the collective effort in transitioning to a sustainable future.

Q & A

  • What is Professor Rani Smith's preference between city and countryside living?

    -Professor Rani Smith appreciates both city and countryside living. He enjoys the relaxation and natural environment of the countryside, as well as the cultural life and social interactions available in the city.

  • How does Professor Rani Smith view the current situation regarding climate change effects?

    -Professor Rani Smith is an optimist when it comes to sustainability and climate change. He believes that being optimistic is necessary to lead others and to effect change, despite the negative events happening due to climate change.

  • What is Professor Rani Smith's approach to work, is he more of a strategic planner or a doer?

    -Professor Rani Smith considers himself both a strategic planner and a doer. He enjoys developing strategies as well as implementing them, which sometimes leads to working long hours.

  • Why does Professor Smith believe Germany has missed its climate targets?

    -According to Professor Smith, Germany has missed its climate targets due to a mindset that sees a trade-off between sustainability and profitability. This mindset is prevalent among people and politicians, who often view sustainability and economic success as mutually exclusive.

  • What does Professor Smith see as the key to transforming society towards sustainability?

    -Professor Smith believes that a new mindset that integrates sustainability and profitability is crucial for societal transformation. He hopes that the younger generation will bring this mindset to discussions and accelerate the transition to a sustainable society.

  • What is Professor Smith's view on the readiness of the German or European economy for transformation towards sustainability?

    -Professor Smith suggests that transformation happens regardless of readiness, citing historical shifts from agricultural to industrialized societies. He sees the current moment as a transition from an industrialized to a sustainable knowledge society, which is not yet fully understood by everyone.

  • How does Professor Smith perceive the mobility and transport sector's progress in sustainability?

    -Professor Smith observes that the mobility and transport sector is lagging behind in sustainability. He notes a mix of companies trying to maintain old business models and others innovating with new electric mobility solutions and sharing platforms.

  • What is the relationship between sustainability and digitalization according to Professor Smith?

    -Professor Smith sees sustainability and digitalization as interconnected, with digitalization being a tool to make processes, products, and business models more sustainable. However, he emphasizes the need for responsible digitalization that considers ethical implications.

  • How does Professor Smith envision the role of sustainability managers in the future?

    -Professor Smith believes that sustainability managers will become more integral to corporate strategy development in the future. Instead of being an add-on, they will bring a sustainability perspective to the team, similar to how a chief digital officer brings a digitalization perspective.

  • What advice does Professor Smith give for companies starting to work on sustainability?

    -Professor Smith advises companies to understand that sustainability is not a trade-off but an integrative approach that enhances profitability and competitiveness. He suggests promoting a systemic perspective where economic, social, and environmental success are seen as interconnected.

  • What is Professor Smith's perspective on the future of mobility and how it relates to sustainability?

    -Professor Smith believes that mobility is essential and will continue to rise. The challenge is to find ways to increase mobility sustainably, without relying on fossil fuels, to ensure a free and open society.

  • How does Professor Smith view the concept of sacrificing for sustainability?

    -Professor Smith argues against the idea of sacrificing for sustainability, stating that true sustainability should not require sacrifice. Instead, it should offer opportunities for better living with fewer resources and create new business opportunities.

  • What does Professor Smith recommend for individuals or companies looking to immerse themselves in sustainability?

    -Professor Smith recommends developing a clear purpose and integrating sustainability into all aspects of business and daily life. He also suggests learning from a variety of sources, including books by experts and academics, to gain a broad understanding of sustainability.

Outlines

00:00

🌿 Optimism and Strategy in Sustainability

In this introductory paragraph, the host welcomes Professor Rani Smith to discuss sustainability. The conversation begins with a personal preference question about city versus countryside living, to which Professor Smith appreciates both for different reasons. The discussion shifts to the topic of climate change and sustainability, with Professor Smith expressing optimism due to the belief that a positive mindset is essential for leading and effecting change. The host inquires about the balance between strategic planning and implementation, to which Professor Smith identifies as both a strategic planner and a doer. The paragraph concludes with a critique of Germany's progress towards its climate targets, attributing the shortfall to a prevailing mindset that views sustainability and profitability as mutually exclusive. Professor Smith emphasizes the need for a new mindset that integrates both sustainability and economic success.

05:00

πŸš— Transformation and Innovation in Mobility

This paragraph delves into the challenges and opportunities within the mobility and transport sector. Professor Smith acknowledges the sector's lag in sustainability but sees current problems as catalysts for change. The discussion highlights the contrast between traditional business models and innovative approaches, such as car-sharing platforms and electric mobility. The paragraph also touches on the interplay between sustainability and digitalization, suggesting that digital tools can enhance sustainability efforts but must be used responsibly. The role of sustainability managers within companies is evolving, with a shift from an 'add-on' to an integral part of corporate strategy development. This reflects a broader move towards integration and circularity in business practices.

10:02

🌐 The Integration of Sustainability in Business

In this segment, the conversation focuses on how sustainability can be integrated into day-to-day business operations. Professor Smith emphasizes the importance of understanding that sustainability is not a trade-off but a co-evolutionary approach that enhances economic, social, and environmental success. The paragraph discusses the systemic and integrative perspective necessary for true sustainability, moving away from a balancing act to a process where success in one area feeds into another. The future of the transport sector is also explored, with the need to increase mobility sustainably while overcoming reliance on fossil fuels. The paragraph concludes with a positive outlook on sustainability as an opportunity for innovation and business growth.

15:03

πŸ’‘ Positive Leadership and Purpose in Sustainability

The host and Professor Smith discuss the importance of positive leadership and having a clear purpose in sustainability. Smith argues against the notion that sustainability requires personal sacrifice, instead framing it as an opportunity for a better life with fewer resources and greater business prospects. The conversation highlights the need for companies to consider their social, environmental, and knowledge impact, transforming business models to achieve profit while contributing positively to society. The paragraph also touches on the complexity of sustainability and the importance of education and reskilling managers to integrate sustainability into their disciplines. Smith shares insights on how to stay informed about sustainability, emphasizing the collective process of transforming systems and societies.

20:04

🀝 Collective Action and the Future of Sustainability

In the final paragraph, the discussion centers on the collective nature of sustainability and the need for widespread engagement. Professor Smith stresses that sustainability is not a zero-sum game but a collective effort where winning together is possible. The paragraph also addresses the current multiple crises and the necessity for a fundamental transformation of the economy, supported by appropriate political frameworks. The conversation concludes with an optimistic view of the energy transition and a call to action for individuals and companies to embrace sustainability as a path to a better future.

Mindmap

Keywords

πŸ’‘Sustainability

Sustainability refers to the ability to maintain processes or conditions so that they can continue over the long term without causing degradation or depletion of resources. In the video's context, it is about finding a balance between economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection. The speaker, Professor Rani Smith, discusses the importance of sustainability as a driving force for innovation and transformation in society, emphasizing that it is not a trade-off with profitability but rather a complementary aspect that can lead to a more resilient and prosperous future.

πŸ’‘Climate Change

Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. In the script, the effects of climate change are a central concern, with discussions around the urgency of addressing its impacts and the need for transformative action to mitigate and adapt to these changes. The speaker mentions the Paris Climate Agreement and the importance of meeting climate targets as part of the broader sustainability agenda.

πŸ’‘Optimism

Optimism is a perspective that emphasizes the positive or hopeful outcome. Professor Smith identifies as an optimist and believes that it is essential for leading and effecting change. Optimism is presented as a necessary mindset for envisioning and working towards a sustainable future, as it encourages proactive engagement and the development of innovative solutions.

πŸ’‘Strategic Planning

Strategic planning involves setting goals and outlining the steps necessary to achieve them. The video discusses the importance of strategic planning in achieving sustainability and climate targets. Germany's approach to strategic planning is highlighted, with a critique of the country's progress in meeting its climate goals, suggesting a need for a shift in mindset and more effective implementation.

πŸ’‘Mindset

Mindset refers to a set of beliefs or ideas that determine how a person interprets the world and responds to challenges. The script emphasizes the need for a new mindset that does not see a trade-off between sustainability and profitability. The speaker advocates for a transformative mindset that recognizes the interdependence of economic success and environmental responsibility.

πŸ’‘Transformation

Transformation implies a profound change in form, appearance, or character. The video discusses the necessity of transformation from an industrial society to a sustainable knowledge society. The speaker suggests that transformation is not just about making incremental changes but about fundamentally rethinking and reorganizing societal structures and systems.

πŸ’‘Mobility and Transport Sector

The mobility and transport sector is a key area of focus in the video, with discussions on its challenges and potential for sustainability. The speaker notes that this sector has been slow to adapt and innovate, with some companies still clinging to traditional business models while others are pioneering new, more sustainable approaches, such as electric mobility and car-sharing platforms.

πŸ’‘Digitalization

Digitalization is the process of converting information into a digital format. The video script discusses digitalization as a tool for enhancing sustainability, such as through better supply chain management and customer engagement. However, it also emphasizes the need for responsible digitalization that considers ethical implications and integrates sustainability principles.

πŸ’‘Sustainability Manager

A sustainability manager is a professional responsible for overseeing an organization's sustainability initiatives. The video discusses the evolving role of sustainability managers, suggesting a shift from a standalone role to one that is integrated into the development of corporate strategy. This reflects a broader trend towards embedding sustainability considerations into all aspects of business operations.

πŸ’‘Purpose-Oriented Leadership

Purpose-oriented leadership is a leadership style that focuses on a clear, meaningful purpose that benefits society and stakeholders. The speaker in the video advocates for this approach, arguing that businesses should not only pursue profit but also consider their social and environmental impact. This perspective is seen as a motivator for employees and a way to attract investors who value sustainable business practices.

πŸ’‘Complexity

Complexity refers to the state of having many interconnected parts or factors. The video acknowledges the complexity of sustainability, which encompasses environmental, social, and governance issues. The speaker suggests that managing this complexity requires clear values and purpose-oriented actions, as well as a collective effort to integrate sustainability into all aspects of decision-making.

Highlights

Professor Rani Smith discusses the balance between city and countryside, highlighting the benefits of both for relaxation and cultural life.

Smith emphasizes optimism as a necessity for leading and enacting change, especially in the face of climate challenges.

The interviewee identifies a dual role in strategic planning and implementation, often leading to working beyond regular hours.

Germany's struggle with meeting climate targets is attributed to a prevailing mindset that sees a trade-off between sustainability and profitability.

Smith calls for a new mindset that recognizes sustainability and economic success as complementary, not opposing forces.

The importance of transformation over mere optimization is underscored, suggesting that history shows transformation happens whether people are ready or not.

Industries such as mobility and transport are identified as lagging in sustainability, presenting both a challenge and an opportunity for change.

Innovation in sustainability is seen as a driver for broader innovation, with digitalization and biochemistry leading the way.

Smith argues for responsible digitalization and AI, integrating ethical considerations into the development of new technologies.

The future role of sustainability managers is envisioned as integral to corporate strategy development, rather than an add-on.

DKV Mobility's strategic priority 'Lead in Green' is introduced, aiming to embed sustainability into day-to-day business.

Smith advises against viewing sustainability as a trade-off, promoting an integrative approach where economic, social, and environmental aspects co-evolve.

The transport sector's future is predicted to demand more sustainable mobility solutions without reducing the overall mobility.

Sustainability is reframed as an opportunity for positive living and business growth, rather than a form of sacrifice.

Positive leadership and purpose orientation are highlighted as key to transforming business models towards sustainability.

Smith recommends focusing on opportunities and integrating sustainability into all aspects of business and society.

Complexity in sustainability is acknowledged, with a call for clear purpose and value-driven actions to manage it.

The necessity of reskilling and educating managers in sustainability is discussed, with an emphasis on integrating new knowledge into existing disciplines.

Smith shares insights on gaining knowledge through publishing books with experts worldwide, reflecting the evolving understanding of sustainability.

The interview concludes with a collective call to action, emphasizing the importance of a positive mindset and the potential for a win-win approach to sustainability.

Transcripts

play00:00

i'm here today with professor rani smith

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peter welcome it's great to have you

play00:05

yeah thank you for having me um you're

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an international and well recognized

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expert regarding sustainability to get

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started we are beautiful cologne do you

play00:15

prefer the city or the countryside oh

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actually both is very nice

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the countryside of course you can relax

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and you can go to the mountains or to

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the sea whereas in the city we have more

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the cultural life you can meet people so

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actually i would not like to miss any of

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this fully understand

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well there were lots of youth lately

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regarding climate change effects um

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whether events negatively um happening

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hearing all this are you more realist or

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an

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optimist regarding sustainability and

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where we are heading i've always been an

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optimist because i think if you want to

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lead other people and if you really want

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to change things there's no other choice

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in being optimistic sounds good and

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changing is all about getting into into

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implementation are you more strategic

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planner or are you a doer type of person

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actually both i like developing

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strategies but i also like implementing

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and doing things so that's why sometimes

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i miss time because of course you cannot

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do both at the same time so

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this

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is why i'm sometimes wicking on the

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working on the weekend and even in the

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evening so because i really like doing

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both and the day only has 24 hours yeah

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sure

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which brings me to my first question i

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mean sustainability is also about

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implementing strategic concepts and what

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we have seen is that

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germany is very good in strategic

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planning but that two ministries the

play01:46

ministry of construction and strength

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transport have missed their climate

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targets for

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2021

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in your opinion what is the reason for

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this and why is

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germany and those ministries why are

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they struggling so much achieving their

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um sustainability slash climate targets

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so we not only miss it today i think we

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missed out the last 20 years so to say

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that already by then it was pretty clear

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that we need to transform our society

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especially the last 10 years

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not much happened and i think it's

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mostly related to the mindset you know

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like because people still see a

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trade-off between sustainability and

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profitability they see

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it like you can either be profitable or

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sustainable and also the politicians

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somehow have this kind of trait of

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thinking if you look on the different

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political parties they are arguing

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should we become sustainable or

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economically successful and i think this

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is a wrong question because you we need

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both and this is kind of having a new

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mindset so i hope that the younger

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generation now is really bringing in

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this new mindset to the discussion and

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that we are getting much faster to

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transform our society

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so i hear um there is hope but i also

play03:01

hear that you say that sustainability

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needs a willingness for

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transformation that we only

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not only do things

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better that we do things differently but

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to what degree are we ready as the

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german or european economy ready for

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transformation and not just

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optimization maybe it's not a question

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whether we are ready or not i think in

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history transformation just happens and

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if you look how we

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went from an agricultural society an

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industrialized society i think most of

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the people also were not ready for this

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but we somehow achieved it and now we

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are actually at a

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similar point in history where we have

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to

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go from an industrialized society to a

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sustainable knowledge society and i

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think this is still not really

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understood by everyone that it's really

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not only changing things it's really

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about transformation and that's much

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more than change

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as certain industries or

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sectors who are already doing good in

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overcoming this integration

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challenge and i'm also asking we are in

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the mobility and transport sector and

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it's something that especially this

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sector's lacking behind regarding

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sustainability so where do you see where

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we are standing regarding transportation

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and mobility with this integration

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challenge

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there's

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different industries and most of the

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time

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you need kind of a

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uh

play04:29

a problem you know like if if an

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industry comes to into a problem like

play04:33

the mobility sector or the energy sector

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right now this gives you the window of

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opportunity to really change things yeah

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because as long as

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you keep on successful with the old

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fashioned business models people don't

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understand that they need to change but

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once the old fashioned models are not

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working any longer because new markets

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are

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deriving and a new customer wishes are

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changing the demand or now we see all

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the

play05:00

international supply chains breaking or

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you see the inflation we see the

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limited amount of energy we now have so

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this is all i think a good driver of

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change so unfortunately

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sometimes we only learn it the hard way

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but there's of course also other

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examples of industries who are very

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proactive

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for example in the field of

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digitalizations young startups

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also in in certain fields of

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biochemistry

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so whenever there are some new

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innovative industries they are more also

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into sustainability and this already

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shows sustainability is actually a

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driver for innovation so it's not also a

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contradiction so the more innovative our

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industry is the more they also focus on

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sustainability and the more they focus

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on sustainability the more innovative

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they are in the mobility sector you can

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see both at the same time you still see

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some

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struggling and and trying to somehow

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keep the old business models like

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building big cars and trying to find

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customers for it and others already

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going a step further and building

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platforms how to share cars new electric

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monability automotive driving there's a

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lot of innovation but it

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mostly comes from i would say smaller

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medium-sized enterprises who are really

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need to change because they that's the

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only way how they will survive in the

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future interestingly um you mentioned

play06:27

digitalization

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as a key word and probably could you

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elaborate a little bit how you see

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sustainability and

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the topic of digitally do they go hand

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in hand do they run run aside what's

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your view on this i said in the

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beginning we see this kind of crossroads

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from the industrial society entering

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into sustainable knowledge society and

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that means

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you cannot have the one or the other so

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it it's basically you need both you need

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to the digitalization but you need it in

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a sustainable way so what

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does this mean it means we can use

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digitalization to make our processes

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products uh business models more

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sustainable yeah we can for example

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control the supply chain much better

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than in the past we can also find better

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ways to the customer we can also of

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course use big data and also artificial

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intelligence to get to new ideas how to

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make things more sustainable but at the

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same time digitalization is not a

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mean in or a goal in its own yeah so

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we really have to be careful that we

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also reflect ethically what we are doing

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when we are digitalization

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things and and that's why we need also

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kind of a responsible digitalization we

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need responsible ai responsible big data

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and this is where all intermingles it

play07:52

merges together and in the future we

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will see a lot of responsible digital

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circular business models so it it's

play08:00

becoming all one but of course you need

play08:02

different competences and we need also

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this kind of teamwork in developing this

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new kind of business models and

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strategies

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looking at the organizational setup in

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companies

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in my role as a

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sustainability manager do you

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believe that

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such departments persons are still

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needed in the future just asking

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difficult questions really pushing the

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the topic forward or are we also heading

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towards what you mentioned in

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integration where everything's circular

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working hand in hand so studies do show

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that we need much more people who are

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aware of sustainability and have

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knowledge so for those who are already

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in the field and know about

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sustainability i think they are very

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much needed but i think their role will

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change so in the fut in the past it was

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more kind of a add-on so you were

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somehow responsible for sustainability

play09:00

which i think doesn't work how can one

play09:02

person or one department be responsible

play09:05

for sustainability so this would be this

play09:07

kind of add-on thinking like a backpack

play09:10

so this is i think belongs to the past

play09:12

in the future it's more that the role of

play09:15

a sustainability manager will be to be

play09:17

part of the team which is developing the

play09:20

corporate strategy and brings in the

play09:22

sustainability perspective

play09:24

as the

play09:26

chief digital officer brings in the

play09:28

digitalization perspective and we need

play09:31

to get from a sustainability strategy

play09:34

towards some sustainable corporate

play09:36

strategy and i think this is a big

play09:37

change and that makes the role of people

play09:39

with this kind of knowledge even more

play09:41

important in the future and i think this

play09:43

is really where it's heading to we

play09:45

see a much more integrated perspective

play09:48

on sustainability which is good yeah

play09:50

happy and relieved to hear this

play09:54

at dkv mobility one of our key

play09:57

strategic priorities is called lead in

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green and of course our job is also

play10:01

embedding this

play10:03

into our day-to-day

play10:05

business

play10:06

imagine the situation you would be

play10:08

starting working with with the company

play10:11

um also convincing them about

play10:13

sustainability how would you

play10:15

start what would be your first first

play10:18

actions i think first of all you need to

play10:20

understand this is basically not a

play10:22

trade-off so trying to convince as many

play10:25

middle managers about this that

play10:28

sustainability profitability

play10:30

competitiveness go together very well

play10:33

and second thing

play10:35

i think a mistake what is done quite

play10:37

often is to think about sustainability

play10:40

as balancing yeah so you have this topic

play10:42

we need to balance the different

play10:44

dimensions economic social environmental

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dimension somehow balancing but the

play10:49

problem with balancing is it's still

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kind of trait of thinking yeah you can

play10:52

have a little bit more of this a little

play10:54

more of that

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so it's really important to get this

play10:58

systemic integrative perspective that

play11:01

it's basically a co-evolutionary

play11:04

approach so you can only develop your

play11:06

economic success by being more social

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this means also being more

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environmentally friendly and that's also

play11:13

means maybe to have more knowledge and

play11:15

have more knowledgeable companies so

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it's basically kind of you need economic

play11:21

success to lead to environmental success

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leads to social success this leads to

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more knowledge knowledge leads again to

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more profitability so it's really like

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an unfolding process and and this is uh

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different thinking like the

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one-dimensional financial thinking we

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had in the past we were always trying to

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maximize one single thing mostly profit

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and now many wonder why it's not working

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anymore because it's under complex

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looking at the challenges we have right

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now

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especially looking at the challenges of

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the transport sector of course we don't

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have a crystal ball but there's lots of

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things happening with the new

play12:00

legislation coming in via the european

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um green deal i think we are very aware

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of the

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paris climate agreement um targets what

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do you think specifically where the

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sector will be heading in the future we

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are still very much relying on the

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traditional way of

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transportation

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so mobility as such is a thing which is

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very important for society we need to

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transport goods we want to travel yeah

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mobility is life it's part of our life

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and it really really should appreciate

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mobility and all the studies also show

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that mobility in the future will further

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rise so there will be not a way where we

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reduce mobility that would be not good

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for a free society

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open society so we need to find ways how

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we can have more mobility even more

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mobility more freedom more

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ways to move

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goods and also travel but at the same

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time try to decouple it from

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unsustainable energy use yeah i think

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this is basically this kind of trade-off

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we have to overcome so we have to not

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reduce mobility try to find ways to have

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sustainable mobility which is overcoming

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this old

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yeah without dependency on on fossil

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fuels and all those kind of

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old-fashioned industrial things and that

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will be a challenge of course yeah

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yeah often people also say well

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sustainable behavior is personally

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sacrificing um things uh what's your

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opinion

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obviously not because sacrificing is

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not sustainable yeah if you sacrifice

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profit it's not economically sustainable

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if you sacrifice a good life it's not

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good for your social and psychological

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mind so and and

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we really should see that the future has

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so many opportunities so many positive

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ways how we can live in the future by

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using technology but by also using our

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mind and developing new businesses

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that we should not only look at this

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the resources we also should look at the

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opportunities and i think this is a

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change of perspective so if you look at

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the opportunities we will have in a

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sustainable future in the in the future

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society in the future this will really

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lead to

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not sacrificing it will lead to a better

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life with less resources

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and also a lot of business opportunities

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so i think sustainability is really

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becoming

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the biggest business opportunity of this

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millennium so and also thinking it in a

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very positive

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fashion so i hear sometimes also it's

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put a more negative

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tack on it and as you say thinking and

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opportunities new business models and

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being

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optimistic that also it's a kind of

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survival a good survivor strategies for

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for companies to think about sustainable

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business models fear is never a good

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advisor as we learned also the last

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couple of years

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we really need to have a positive

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leadership which is also purpose

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oriented so we have to give the people

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some purpose although the businesses

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what is the purpose i'm standing for

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what is my goal and it should be always

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serving other people serving the society

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developing new

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also positive impact and that's the

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second dimension we really should not

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only think about profit anymore we

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really should see the overall impact of

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a company yeah what is the social

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environmental the knowledge impact and

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by seeing this we really can transform

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our business models in a way where we

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still make profit even more profit is

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possible but at the same time have

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positive impact for our environment and

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for the world and this is giving a lot

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of purpose so the people will be much

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more motivated you will attract

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employees you will get enough investors

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who are looking for this kind of

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business models so i don't see why

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sustainability should be sacrificing

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it's rather the opposite all of us can

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drive the

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transition towards

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a more sustainable efficient future

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and

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yeah that we can all play our our active

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role

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i have lots of people telling me why

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sustainability is sometimes really

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complex it's such a wide topic it's not

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just environmental it's also

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social

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governance um subjects do we have an

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advice or some some good tips for uh

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people immersing into sustainability

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favorite books podcasts you're listening

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to so first of all i think you mentioned

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something very important complexity so

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we learned that our world is much more

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complex than in the past so

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easy there's no easy solution so we have

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to find a way how to manage complexity

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we and this is can be done by value and

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by clear purpose oriented actions yeah

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because we have too many possibilities

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so we really should define ourselves and

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from the inside to the outside so not

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just

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listen to the advice because everyone

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now gives some advices to everyone here

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so you really should learn to develop

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sustainability from your own perspective

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so what is your belief what is the

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purpose of your company

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which kind of impact you want to create

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and then

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form a strategy and act according to it

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secondly of course you mentioned the

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second thing that we have a big

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challenge which is educating and

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reskilling a lot of managers there was a

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study done two years ago which said

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within the next five years we have to

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reskill 50 of all our managers worldwide

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and this already shows that

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sustainability is not so much an

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environmental issues it's really an

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educational issue so we really need to

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educate and bring this new kind of

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knowledge to the people to the managers

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and

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you also ask why where i do get my

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knowledge it's mainly by publishing

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books so

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with

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lots of

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experts managers academics all over the

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world

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we roughly publish 10 books a year

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and i already can see from year to year

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new knowledge arising so there's lots of

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knowledge out there and the point really

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is now to get a focus

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and also combine it what you already

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know so it's not so much that you should

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know everything about sustainability or

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that you need everything about

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sustainability we need managers who know

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very much about their discipline but

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integrate this new kind of social

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environmental knowledge

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perspectives to their unique discipline

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and that's what sustainability is now

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different than in the past

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sustainability is not a

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discipline on its own right

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it needs to be reintegrated into

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management science it's not only about

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an individual

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transformation it's really transforming

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systems transforming companies and the

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society as such and this is a collective

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process and the more really get into

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this kind of topics the better it is

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because we need also the knowledge of

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all people so it's not that we need

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somebody who knows about sustainability

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telling us where to go but we really as

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a as a society or as a company need to

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discuss it broadly and integrate it in

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every single question we are facing

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yeah very interesting approach also that

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you say it's now not i'm spending an

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hour of my day to think about a

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sustainability strategy that is just the

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fashion how i'm doing my daily jobs i'm

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thinking about it basically all the time

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when i'm sitting at my desk in front of

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my

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of my computer and i really liked your

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uh

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final verse i think was a perfect

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summary about what we just spoke so i've

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learned a lot thank you very much for

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taking your time it's been a pleasure

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talking to you yeah thank you and i

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really believe that the more people are

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getting into this field the more we

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really

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win and it's not about win lose anymore

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it's really we can either win together

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or lose together and it's much more fun

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to win so i hope many people will join

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in and also win together the game we

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have right now which is really

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challenging to overcome the crisis is a

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multiple crisis we have but this is only

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possible by a real little transformation

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by a new setup of our economy but that's

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something i think we now already know

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from the news

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and i do hope that the politicians will

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find the right frameworks and support

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for this so that we

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really get some support for this

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transformation also from the side of

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politics yeah i agree and um telling for

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myself and dkv mobility we are

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definitely into it and yeah really

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looking forward also from a very

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positive mindset to the to the energy

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transition very important keep positive

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[Music]

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you

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