Episode 153: How Communication Shapes Transformation – From the Shopfloor to the Boardroom with Markus Kirchschlager

In this episode, we are joined by Markus Kirchschlager, who explains how mindset, organization, skills, and AI-enabled platforms build trust, fight change fatigue, and connect shopfloor and boardroom.

Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠

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In this episode, we talk about communication as the operating system of supply chain transformation. Together with our guest Markus Kirchschlager, we explore his three pillar framework, how to build trust across ecosystems, prevent change fatigue, integrate AI and digital platforms, and empower leaders as communicators from the shopfloor to the boardroom.

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Guest: Markus Kirchschlager, Managing Partner PANTARHEI Advisors

Markus Kirchschlager is an entrepreneur and managing partner of PANTARHEI Advisors, deeply invested in communications and technology. As an experienced communicator and strategy consultant – and as a trained computer scientist – his focus is on international transformation projects at the intersection of communication, technology, leadership, and organisational change.

At PANTARHEI, his clients include DAX-listed companies such as Bayer, the BMW Group and Lufthansa, Rolls-Royce (FTSE-100) as well as globally operating mid-sized businesses and international tech scale-ups.

Markus’ background includes the frontlines of Public Affairs on EU level. He has worked at PANTARHEI’s Brussels office, was part of the European Commission’s information service in Vienna and a spokesperson for the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber.

He is a trained computer scientist, studied communications management and holds an MBA in General Management and Finance from the Vienna University of Economics and Business.

Markus’ voluntary work includes being one of the contributors to the World Economic Forum’s “Future 50” programme on intergenerational foresight as well as being a team member the European Commission’s Team Europe.

Host 1: Richard Howells

⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

Host 2: Sin To

Sin brings over 15 years of experience in the digital media and technology industry – primarily in marketing, business development, thought leadership, and editorial. At SAP, they ensure that SAP's supply chain solutions are properly visible with a focus on future trends and sustainable innovations as part of the Thought Leadership & Awareness Supply Chain Team.

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Show Links: SAP Digital Supply Chain: ⁠www.sap.com/scm⁠

World Economic Forum (WEF): https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/07/accelerating-transformation-in-manufacturing-from-the-factory-floor-to-the-boardroom/

Follow Us on Social Media : Markus Kirchschlager LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markus-kirchschlager/

Richard Howells: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/richardjhowells

Sin To: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sin-to-5334208

SAP Digital Supply Chain: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/showcase/sapdsc/

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Chapters:

00:00:00: Intro 00:01:28: Guest introduction 00:02:23: Three‑pillar communication framework 00:03:31: Communication as ecosystem “campfire” 00:04:54: Transparency, risk and trust 00:06:16: Preventing change and transformation fatigue 00:07:40: Global message, local realities 00:09:02: AI, platforms and new intermediaries 00:09:47: Communication skills for modern leaders 00:13:57: Digital platforms, analytics and targeting 00:15:39 What's the future of the supply chain? 00:17:51: Outro