Work Group Westfalen, a conference with a bite!
The host of the ICV Work Group Westfalen on September 26/27 was Gebr. Brasseler GmbH & Co. KG in Lemgo, a “hidden champion” from East Westphalia, which is recognized worldwide with its renowned “Komet” brand dental drills and other high-quality medical products. Thomas Wolfkopf, Head of Controlling, and CFO Markus Trachternach gave the participants an exciting insight into the state-of-the-art production of the “Komet” drills.
The central topic of the Work Group’s meeting was “Artificial Intelligence (AI)” and its significance for controller practice. Patrick Söhlke, consultant for AI implementation, shed light on the requirements that controllers must fulfill in an increasingly data-driven environment. The participants explored the new requirements that AI places on their role – from data analysis to strategic decision-making.
Frank Ahlrichs gave a further introduction to the fields of application of AI in the company. He showed how machine learning is used in production and what changes this entails for controllers.
Generative AI in sales and AI-supported assistants in the areas of reporting, analysis, planning and forecasting were also discussed. These technologies open up new scope for controllers, allowing them to concentrate on more demanding, strategic tasks. The view of AI in the context of the continuous improvement process (CIP) was particularly impressive: AI can quickly analyze large amounts of data, identify anomalies and provide targeted suggestions for improvement.
The discussions clearly showed that both the interest in and the need for information about AI are high and that many companies still have a way to go to fully exploit the potential of the technology.
Here are some key learnings from the meeting:
- AI as an opportunity for controllers Artificial intelligence offers controllers the opportunity to further develop their role from mere number crunchers to strategic advisors.
- Requirements for AI in controlling: The successful use of AI requires a solid database, regular training and responsible data usage, especially for sensitive company information.
- Machine learning in manufacturing: Machine learning models applied in production open up new perspectives for controllers by enabling more precise analyses and proactive recommendations for action.
- Generative AI in sales: AI-supported tools support sales teams in responding better to individual customer needs and creating more targeted offers.
- AI assistants in reporting and forecasting: AI tools simplify analysis and planning, giving controllers more time for value-adding tasks and strategic decisions.
- AI in the continuous improvement process (CIP): AI can process data volumes quickly, identify deviations and highlight potential for improvement in a targeted manner, which accelerates the CIP and makes it more efficient.
- Responsible use of AIThe use of AI entails a high level of responsibility. The focus is on training AI systems with as little bias as possible and establishing clear rules for handling sensitive data.
The 23rd Autumn Conference showed the 18 participants that AI represents both an enrichment and a challenge for controllers and requires forward-looking, responsible implementation.
The next meeting of the Work Group Westfalen will be held on May 22 and 23, 2025 at the Welser Profiles Germany GmbH in Bönen. Topic: New Work” – because despite all the technological support, people remain at the center of business decisions.
Thomas Meyer, Head of the Work Group Westfalen
Picture: Igor Omilaev