Podcast #3: What is controlling? Interview with Sergej Kliwer

What is controlling really?

Controlling – a term that is often understood and used differently in companies. In this episode of the DAWICON CFO Insights Daniel Winkler and his guest Sergej Kliwer, an experienced expert with 20 years of experience in finance and controlling, will talk about the fundamental question: "What is controlling?" and why is it so crucial for the success of a company?

The diversity of controlling: More than just numbers

Controlling is a broad field that ranges from operational tasks such as cost management to strategic challenges, such as supporting investment decisions. Sergej emphasizes that controlling should always keep the company's goals in mind:

"The question is: Where does the company want to go and how can controlling help to find the right path?"

A modern controller is much more than a "number juggler" – it is a Sparring partners for management.

Strategy as the basis of controlling

Daniel Winkler points out that in many medium-sized companies, controlling is often understood only as pure financial controlling. In doing so, the strategic component neglected. Companies should ask themselves:

"What goals are we pursuing, and how can controlling make them measurable?"

Old processes should be critically questioned and, where appropriate, automated. Sergej adds that modern ERP systems often offer standardized solutions based on proven knowledge from the field.

The four dimensions of controlling

Sergej presents four essential dimensions that every controlling project should include:

1. People: Change Management is a key factor in getting employees involved in change processes. Communication is the be-all and end-all here.
2. Processes: Old ways of working should be regularly reviewed and optimized for relevance.
3. Data: Data quality is crucial for the validity of analyses. Unstructured data or duplicates are common problems.
4. IT systems: Modern technologies such as cloud solutions can significantly increase efficiency if they are integrated sensibly.

Change Management: An Underestimated Success Factor

Especially when introducing new systems or processes, employee resistance often becomes the biggest hurdle. Sergej recommends involving professional change managers to promote acceptance in the team. After all, change triggers uncertainty in many people, which can be reduced with clear communication and participation.

Data as the raw material of the future

Another central theme of the episode is the Data quality t. Many companies are sitting on a true Treasure trove of data , which often remains unused. Daniel and Sergej explain how companies can take the first steps, e.g. by calculating customer profitability or the Introduction of simple KPIs . The goal: to draw forward-looking insights from the existing data.

Conclusion and outlook

The episode ends with a clear message: Companies should always start from the strategy when controlling and focus specifically on efficiency and automation. They should start small and gradually improve their systems. If you are looking for support, you can contact Daniel Winkler and Sergej Kliwer – or visit the DAWICON website directly.