“Welcome to the Management Seminar”: These are Martullo-Blocher’s “Seven Thinking Steps”.

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In 2010, Magdalena Martullo-Blocher (54) gave an SRF film crew insight into a “management seminar” at Ems-Chemie. She snapped at one of the management staff: “Can you explain the ‘Seven Thinking Steps’ to me?” She couldn’t and her boss made a fool of her on camera.

This episode is part of Switzerland’s collective memory. The clip reached 1.3 million viewers on YouTube alone, and the Martullo-Blocher name became synonymous with tough corporate management.

Mandatory program for staff

The documentary film is now 13 years old. Ems cadres still need to know the “7 mental steps of decision making” by heart. What this means in concrete terms is shown in the documentation from Martullo-Blocher’s “basic leadership training course”, which is available on SonntagsBlick:

1. Describe the current situation. 2. Define the TARGET situation. 3. Identify the problem that stands between the goal and the actual situation. 4. Name the influencing factors and dependencies. 5. Find at least three possible solutions and evaluate them. 6. Make a decision and justify it. 7. Take measures, check and correct if necessary.

This seems logical and possible. It all becomes challenging because of the fine print that says, among other things: “The problem is often different than it first appears.” Or: “Customer/environment is never the problem.”

Ten Commandments

Ems-Chemie’s ten leadership principles also provide an impression of Martullo-Blocher’s world. Their top priorities: “The focus is on results. The result is the blood of the company.”

Another management principle: “We (always) carry out our orders and make good requests to our superiors.” He also says: “It is not possible – it does not exist! There is no time, it is impossible, it is possible today…”

The principle of “it costs nothing to ask” does not apply in Ems. Instead, employees are given the following vaccine: “We never ask our superiors: Either we have the authority and will decide, or we will apply. If you have any doubt, we are the authority.” The logic behind this: If you ask, you delegate the thinking.

Martullo-Blocher also has clear ideas about communication: “The reason for the failure does not matter. “Only success matters,” says leadership principle number five.

Are energy prices rising worldwide due to wars in Ukraine and the Middle East? “Excuses are useless!” Is demand decreasing in China due to the economic crisis? “Failure can never be justified!” In the Ems concept, external influences are ignored. Employees learn: “I am responsible for success and failure.”

If you think the tone of conversation has changed at least since the unforgettable documentary film, Ems employees will quote their boss to you:
“You’re a dreamer. You’re dreaming, you!”

Source :Blick