Professional succession planning forms the focus of an interview with
Johannes von Schmettow, co-head of Egon Zehnder International Germany, published in
Wirtschaftswoche. Why do so many companies struggle to implement succession planning? In many cases the search for a new CEO starts too late or is based upon a profile that closely resembles that of the CEO in office, notes Schmettow. Succession planning definitely constitutes a dilemma: "It is essential to begin thinking about the issue as soon as the new CEO takes office," explains Schmettow. That seems "almost like backstabbing" and is "counter-intuitive," he adds. Schmettow advises companies to "develop a culture whereby managers are regularly evaluated as a matter of course. This also applies to the CEO's designated successor."
