In the interview with Jörg Kretzschmar, CEO of smart2success GmbH
In a world where uncertainty has become the new constant, valid information determines a company’s ability to act. Silicon Valley Europe speaks with Jörg Kretzschmar, founder and managing director of smart2success, about the power of connected data, intelligent information structures, and the art of creating clarity from complexity.
Kretzschmar knows from first-hand experience – including in emergency management – just how critical stable information flows and transparent responsibilities are when organizations come under pressure. With smart2success, he pursues a clear mission: to free companies from data silos, intelligently network knowledge, and accelerate decision-making processes.
The interview explores how integrated data structures create resilience, how hybrid organizations can combine transparency and efficiency, and why networking is not just a technological but also a cultural task. Kretzschmar also discusses the importance of realistic emergency simulations to strengthen crisis resilience not just on paper, but in practice.
In this exciting conversation about stability through knowledge, clarity, and intelligent systems, we look at how public authorities and companies can gain new strength with pragmatic technology. These three minutes are well worth your time.
Interview: Silicon Valley Europe with Jörg Kretzschmar
Jörg Kretzschmar: “In the past, head or department monopolies often emerged, blocking the flow of knowledge and significantly slowing down progress. Successful organizations, on the other hand, show us the value data can unlock when it is understood as a reliable foundation for agility and innovation. Unfortunately, decision-making processes in practice are still too often based on assumptions or incomplete, outdated information, resulting in delayed project completion, changes, or restructuring—or significantly higher costs. The greatest potential lies in consistently using data across departments. Hiding behind alleged data protection and supposed employee control only leads to increasingly inefficient behavior and toxic cultures within organizations. Ultimately, we all want exactly the opposite.”
Silicon Valley Europe: Your company smart2success focuses on integrated data structures to make organizations more resilient. How exactly do networked information contribute to resilience and operational capability in uncertain times?
Jörg Kretzschmar: “Uncertain times are defined by events we cannot predict or fully control—whether geopolitically through the war in Ukraine, regionally through energy and supply chain crises, or locally through the question of how AI is transforming our working world. This complexity cannot be artificially simplified; it must be actively shaped. Shaping means: when requirements change, the tools and processes for managing complexity must also adapt. Only then can organizations remain agile and resilient. This is exactly where we come in: we provide the ‘cockpit’ that enables companies to respond flexibly. Networked information is key here. It allows direct access to relevant data—from value creation processes and suppliers to contracts and contacts. Those who assess, understand, and have their information base available at all times can act quickly and purposefully in dynamic situations. Everyone else will soon be a thing of the past.”
Silicon Valley Europe: You often talk about the shift ‘from data silos to an information base.’ Why is this networking not just a technical but also a cultural challenge?
Jörg Kretzschmar: “The real challenge lies in corporate culture. As long as data remains trapped in silos or departmental boundaries, potential remains untapped. Transparency means making information available to everyone—not just a few. Projects often fail due to personal sensitivities or a lack of accountability; risks go unnoticed where they originate. Resilience, after all, stems from responsibility. Those who take responsibility want to do good work and take pride in results. This sense of purpose is the key—without clear accountability, the foundation for efficiency is missing. One example: At a customer site, we calculated the time spent searching for information across the company—resulting in over €580,000 per year. By establishing a shared information base, these costs were drastically reduced, while employee satisfaction steadily increased. Networking is therefore not just about technology, but a cultural shift toward transparency, accountability, and purpose.”
Silicon Valley Europe: A central goal of your solution is to retain knowledge within the company in the long term. How do you ensure that information is not lost but continuously contributes to decision-making capabilities?
Jörg Kretzschmar: “We secure knowledge about successful projects, processes, and relationships in structured processes and services, including the responsibilities of individuals. This knowledge is documented in archives and made instantly accessible so it remains usable at any time. In the coming years, companies face a significant loss of experience and expertise as employees leave—valuable capital that is essential for informed decisions. Without this information, poor or no decisions are made, with serious consequences for the organization. Our approach ensures that knowledge does not disappear but is preserved permanently and in the right place as the foundation for operational capability and sustainable success.”
Silicon Valley Europe: Your platform integrates relevant data from different company departments within days. Can you give us a practical example of how this rapid integration works in reality and what difference it makes?
Jörg Kretzschmar: “Many projects start with high expectations but lose momentum because data isn’t integrated quickly enough. The key lies in efficient connection and provision of information. With standardized, modular, and flexible interfaces, we can link and process data sources within days. This creates seamless system integration, reduces manual effort, and lays the foundation for data-driven decisions. One example: At a customer’s site, we consolidated data from various departments in no time. This immediately revealed where resources were tied up, what risks existed, and which measures needed prioritization. The benefits were instantly visible—everyone could see all connections and dependencies, which motivated users to actively engage with and further develop the system. Thoughtful data integration not only boosts agility but also scalability. It ensures information and responsibilities are available where needed, making the difference between projects that fail and those completed successfully and on time. You can end up in the history books like Berlin Airport or Stuttgart 21—or you can make it with us.”
Silicon Valley Europe: You have professional experience in emergency management. How does this knowledge help organizations prepare for crises—and what role do emergency simulations play in this process?
Jörg Kretzschmar: “In an emergency, valid data and reliable information are just as critical as in normal operations—but the conditions are entirely different.
Time pressure, external dependencies, and regulatory requirements force us to make many quick, high-stakes decisions under extreme stress. Those who have trained for such situations handle them far more confidently. It’s like in sports: practice improves performance. Emergency simulations don’t just show participants how they react under pressure—they also highlight what preparations can be made in advance to remain capable of action in a real crisis. Our system integrates insights from clinical and aviation practice, creating a realistic foundation for training and prevention. This helps organizations not only survive crises but actively shape them. After all, resilience isn’t born of recklessness but of smart preparation and decisive action.”
Jörg Kretzschmar: “For me, stability means that companies always have their critical data available and understandable—from projects and value-creation processes to responsibilities and roles. Our platform helps organizations map this information transparently and integrate it as a unified management system. Data is a key value driver. Those who leave it unused within the company risk inefficient decisions and, in the worst case, their own ability to act. Successful companies show us that growth and resilience are based on the consistent use of data. With smart2success, we create a shared information base that brings clarity to complex processes and enables stability through knowledge. That is our contribution to making European companies more resilient, agile, and successful in the digital future.”
Silicon Valley Europe:Many thanks for sharing your thoughts and for your clear perspective on your vision of Europe’s digital future.