Cologne is Germany's oldest city and it offers a cosmopolitan blend of artistic ambiance and old-world neighborliness. The city has many cultural and historical treasures, world-famous museums, and an active arts scene. Despite its population of 1 million and its booming media, automotive, chemical, and food industry, Cologne retains a relaxed pace and informal character. Every year, the habitants celebrate the famous Cologne Carnival, one of the largest street festivals in Europe.
BCG Cologne is located at Media Park in the heart of the city. The new Cologne Tower has a stunning view of the city—including its historic and shopping districts and the 156-meter Gothic cathedral—as well as the surrounding countryside. The office was founded in 2001 and about 100 consultants and administrative staff currently work there.
Many of our clients are international companies and all consultants are fluent not only in English, but often also in other languages. Our consultants have earned degrees from German universities: business administration in addition to fields such as engineering, natural sciences, or humanities. Others earned their M.B.A.s from well—known business schools such as Harvard, Stanford, or INSEAD. Thanks to its diversity of people and a great working atmosphere, BCG regularly ranks as one of the most popular employers in Germany.
As a member of the Germany & Austria system, BCG Cologne serves clients in all industries. A survey of German executives conducted every three years by the Institute for Consulting Management and Sciences ranks BCG as the top management consultancy in the country.
- Advise a pharmaceutical company on its R&D portfolio—The client wanted to know what investments would be the most rewarding. First, we interviewed medical practitioners to find out what products they missed most. It was not enough to know what the market wanted, we also needed to know what was feasible. We met with scientists around the world to learn more about the most recent technological developments. A profound analysis of the market and the company completed the research. We could then present our propositions to the company. The first of the products initiated by our recommendations are currently being tested.
- Develop a strategy for growth in the industrial goods industry—Our client, who produces components for the manufacturing of cranes as well as internal logistic systems, wanted our expertise to develop a strategy for growth. We conducted interviews both with customers and competitors and organized workshops with the client's staff on different levels in order to analyze and evaluate the different business units. We discovered that through a better internal coordination and the development of new products, sales could be increased. Together with the client we developed a new organizational structure for the research and the sales department. Additionally, we identified companies that would be attractive for acquisition and also further enlarge our client's product portfolio.
- Business@school—In 1998, BCG Germany founded business@school to help students learn firsthand how businesses work and function. Representatives from the business world—BCG consultants and employees from other companies—volunteer to coach students. Over the course of one school year, students aged 15 to 19 analyze large corporations and small-to medium-sized businesses in their respective region and develop their own business ideas. Over 70 schools in Germany and Austria, but also in Italy, Singapore, and Switzerland participate, supported by 400 company volunteers. In Germany, one out of four BCG consultants works on the project.
Rainer Minz 
