Guests:

• Harald Sulovsky - Founder and former CEO - cbs corporate business solutions
• Rainer Wittwen - CEO - cbs corporate business solutions

Host:

• Alexander Greb - Consulting Director - cbs corporate business solutions

Entrepreneurship isn’t just about startups — it’s also about building lasting companies that transform industries. In this special episode of Transformation Every Day, we sit down with Harald Sulovsky, founder and former CEO of CBS Corporate Business Solutions, and his successor Rainer Wittwen, CEO of CBS. Together, they share the fascinating journey of growing CBS from a small SAP consultancy into a global powerhouse with 1,600 employees and over 300 million euros in annual revenue.

Hear firsthand how Harald’s passion for business process consulting and technology sparked the creation of CBS back in 1993, how the company navigated market shifts and technological revolutions, and how a strong culture and visionary leadership have fueled its sustainable growth. Rainer reflects on stepping into the leadership role and driving CBS forward through today’s digital transformation landscape.

This episode also celebrates CBS’s 30th anniversary and upcoming event featuring SAP CEO Christian Klein as a special guest, marking three decades of innovation and excellence in SAP consulting.

Whether you’re a founder, consultant, or business leader, this conversation offers valuable lessons on scaling a consulting firm, embracing change, and delivering real transformation at scale.

Tune in for an inspiring look beyond startups — entrepreneurship through the lens of one of the most successful SAP consulting firms in the world.

Follow Harald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harald-sulovsky-971b6216/

Follow Rainer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rainer-wittwen-64a45475/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Conversation

01:54 Economic Forecasts and Business Strategies

02:54 Founding CBS: The Journey Begins

10:02 Challenges in Consulting: Lessons from the Past

16:41 Building a Team: The Importance of Culture

23:41 Navigating Change: Adapting to New Technologies

29:16 The Role of Consultants in Business Transformation

36:17 Education and Training: Investing in Future Talent

44:08 Growth Strategies: Organic vs. Acquisitions

52:04 Conclusion: Reflections on CBS's Journey

54:55 Navigating Partnerships and Strategic Decisions

01:00:10 Global Expansion and Strategic Growth

01:06:22 Innovations in Data Management and Migration

01:13:04 The Transformation Philosophy of CBS

01:18:21 Leadership Transition and Succession Planning

01:27:19 Reflections on Leadership and Future Vision

01:33:11 The Impact of AI on Consulting

01:38:02 The Simplicity of Transformation

Follow Alexander: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandergreb/
Follow Johannes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johanneslangguth/
Thanks to Steven Spears for lending his voice for our podcast intro.
Theme music by Luis Álvarez a.k.a. Fourth Dogma