Manager Magazin - A Guide for Executives
How do you stay successful as a leader in 2025 and always on the pulse of the times? In a world that is changing rapidly, you need orientation and sound knowledge. The Manager Magazin Guide 2025 is your key to that.
This guide provides you with practical insights, current trends, and concrete recommendations for action for modern leadership. You get not only background knowledge but also tools to benefit directly in everyday work.
Look forward to exclusive rankings, digital offerings, top strategies, and insights that take your leadership quality to the next level. Start now and secure your edge with the Manager Magazin Guide 2025.
The evolution of Manager Magazin: From its founding to 2025
Since its founding, Manager Magazin has undergone an impressive development and continues to shape Germany’s business press to this day. The history of this magazine is closely linked to the transformation of leadership culture and the economy in Germany. If you want to know how Manager Magazin established itself as a leading medium for executives, it’s worth looking at the key milestones.

Historical milestones and publishing history
Manager Magazin was founded in 1971 and first appeared in the context of a dynamic German economy. The founding was a milestone, as the magazine focused on high-quality business journalism from the start. Behind the magazine stood renowned publishers such as Rudolf Augstein GmbH, Gruner + Jahr, and RM Hamburg Holding GmbH, which ensured journalistic independence.
Already in the 1990s, international expansion began with licensed editions in Hungary and Poland. These editions brought Manager Magazin to new markets but were discontinued after a few years. Through cooperation with Harvard Business Manager and the establishment of the Manager Lounge, a network for executives emerged that fostered knowledge and exchange.
The editor-in-chief team also decisively shaped the profile. From Klaus Recht to Stefan Baron to Isabell Hülsen (since 2024), continuity ensured a clear positioning. The editorial line has always been focused on quality and relevance. You can find a comprehensive overview of this development in Manager Magazin – Wikipedia.
A tabular overview of the milestones:
|
Year |
Event |
|---|---|
|
1971 |
Founding and first issue |
|
1990s |
Licensed editions in Eastern Europe |
|
2004 |
Launch of Manager Lounge |
|
2011 |
Digital edition |
|
2024 |
Isabell Hülsen becomes editor-in-chief |
Influence on the economy and leadership culture
Today, Manager Magazin is more than a business magazine. With a reach of 0.58 million readers (MA 2024 I) and a paid circulation of 88,793 copies (IVW 2/2025), it significantly shapes the debate on leadership and management in Germany. Executives trust the magazine because it identifies and contextualizes trends at an early stage.
As an opinion leader, Manager Magazin has initiated numerous public debates, for example on topics such as digitalization, sustainable corporate governance, or diversity. Editorial independence and journalistic quality are core values that make the magazine the first source of information for decision-makers.
Manager Magazin has also set new standards in leadership culture. It regularly sheds light on the challenges of modern leadership models and provides impulses for innovative management practices. The combination of critical reporting, exclusive insights, and practical analyses has made Manager Magazin an indispensable companion for executives.
The most important content of the Manager Magazin Guide 2025
The Manager Magazin Guide 2025 offers executives a unique compass for economic orientation and personal development. Especially in the digital age, relevant content, transparent rankings, and exclusive awards are essential for well-founded decisions.
With clear analyses, methodologically sound rankings, and prestigious awards, the Manager Magazin Guide 2025 provides valuable impulses for modern leadership strategies.

Editorial lists and rankings
One of the central pillars of the Manager Magazin Guide 2025 is the editorial rankings that provide transparency and orientation each year. The Good Company Ranking analyzes European companies according to environmental and social responsibility. For executives, this ranking shows how sustainability and business success are connected.
Also of great importance: the list of the 1001 richest Germans. It offers a unique insight into wealth structures and economic power relations. Many managers use these data to identify trends in wealth creation and succession planning at an early stage.
The city ranking sheds light on career conditions in European metropolises. Criteria such as quality of life, labor market, and innovative strength help make strategic location decisions. Especially for companies pursuing expansion, the magazine provides valuable analytical foundations.
The university ranking and the creativity index are also permanent fixtures. They provide orientation for talent and companies in selecting educational institutions and innovation locations. The methodology behind the rankings is based on extensive data analyses and expert interviews, making the results usable in practice.
Examples from the current 2025 issues:
|
Ranking |
2025 example |
Benefit for executives |
|---|---|---|
|
Good Company |
"Code Red at VW" |
Review sustainability strategy |
|
City ranking |
"Attack on SAP" |
Location choice and expansion |
|
1001 richest |
Current wealth lists |
Market and succession analyses |
Manager Magazin’s rankings are a crucial tool for strategic planning and competitive positioning. Especially in the context of new leadership requirements, as discussed for example in the article Trends and impulses for leadership 2025, these analyses provide a real knowledge advantage.
Awards and distinctions
The Manager Magazin Guide 2025 honors individuals and companies that impress with innovation, responsibility, and success. The Hall of Fame pays tribute to outstanding figures from business and research whose life’s work serves as a role model.
The selection of the Manager of the Year is among the most prestigious awards in the German-speaking world. In addition to business performance, the jury evaluates leadership style, innovative strength, and societal impact. For many executives, this award is an important career building block and a sign of sustainable success.
In addition, the most influential businesswomen are identified in cooperation with BCG. This honor promotes diversity and sets targeted impulses for equality in top management. The magazine’s awards have a direct impact on the reputation of the laureates and their companies.
Data on past award winners:
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Many award-winning managers made significant career moves after their recognition.
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Companies with award winners often benefit from increased media presence and strengthen their employer brand.
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The awards provide impulses for new leadership models and promote the exchange of best practices.
The consistent focus on independence and journalistic quality makes Manager Magazin’s awards an important benchmark for the German economy.
Digital offerings and innovations for executives
The digital revolution is fundamentally changing the working life of executives. Manager Magazin recognized this shift early and today offers innovative digital offerings that take leadership to the next level. Flexibility, timeliness, and exclusive insights are crucial to staying ahead in today’s economy.

Digital transformation of Manager Magazin
Since 2011, Manager Magazin has been relying on digital innovation. The introduction of the digital edition was the starting signal for a new era. As early as 2015, browser-based web apps and mobile applications followed, allowing executives to access exclusive content from anywhere.
The premium subscription, available since 2018, not only provides access to all articles but also to content from international top publications such as The Economist. Podcasts, videos, and interactive graphics expand the offering and provide multimedia information tailored to the needs of modern decision-makers.
Executives benefit from maximum flexibility: whether on the train or between meetings, the magazine delivers up-to-date news and analyses in real time. The integration of digital tools, such as efficient document management for managers, further eases day-to-day work and increases productivity.
A look at the user numbers shows: the digital reach is steadily growing, and more and more subscribers are taking advantage of the benefits of digital transformation. This ensures the magazine remains an indispensable companion for leadership in the digital age.
Trends and challenges in digital leadership
The flood of information is one of the biggest challenges for executives in 2025. Manager Magazin helps select and prioritize relevant content in a targeted way. Digital tools for knowledge management and networking are essential.
Successful leadership strategies are increasingly shaped by innovative technologies. The magazine regularly highlights best practices from business, for example, how companies strengthen their leadership culture by using digital platforms. Interactive formats help make complex topics understandable and practical.
Statistics show that the use of digital offerings in day-to-day management continues to rise. More and more executives rely on apps, podcasts, and online analyses to continuously develop themselves. Here, Manager Magazin provides not just information but also inspiration for future-oriented leadership.
Digital transformation means not only technology but also a cultural shift. Those who actively use Manager Magazin’s offerings gain a decisive knowledge advantage and stay at the top of the competition.
Step-by-step: How to make optimal use of the Manager Magazin Guide 2025
The Manager Magazin Guide 2025 is more than just a reference work—it is your personal compass in everyday leadership. To unlock its full potential, a structured approach is recommended. Here’s how you can, step by step, use the key features and content for your success.

Step 1: Get your bearings and choose focus topics
Start with a targeted overview of the monthly issues and special editions of Manager Magazin. Each issue offers a table of contents and topic pages that help you quickly find relevant focal points.
Focus on the areas that are particularly relevant in the magazine to your current challenges as an executive. Whether economic trends, industry analyses, or innovative leadership models—the guide provides structured entry points.
Tip: Deliberately choose a focus topic like "Digital transformation" and then follow all articles, analyses, and interviews on it. This way, you use the magazine guide as a knowledge source that keeps you continuously up to date.
Step 2: Use rankings and analyses for strategic decisions
Manager Magazin’s well-founded rankings are a valuable tool for decisions on location choice, personnel strategy, or expansion. Use the Good Company Ranking to identify companies with social responsibility, or use the city ranking to analyze the best metropolises for career opportunities.
Use the rankings to compare competitors, check industry trends, and identify opportunities and risks early. The magazine’s underlying methodology ensures transparency and traceability.
Example: A manager is planning expansion into Europe and uses the guide’s city ranking to prioritize locations. The decision is thus made on a data-driven and transparent basis.
Step 3: Digital offerings and subscriptions for a knowledge edge
Manager Magazin offers you maximum flexibility with digital subscriptions, a web app, and mobile applications. Access premium content at any time, including exclusive analyses and international contributions such as from The Economist.
Especially practical: podcasts and videos can be consumed on the go, so you stay informed before meetings or while traveling. Manager Magazin’s digital tools help you filter information efficiently and deploy it in a targeted way.
Want to boost your productivity even further? Then you’ll find valuable tips in this article on digital tools for increasing productivity on how to make optimal use of the magazine’s digital edge for your day-to-day leadership.
Step 4: Networking and inspiration through events and awards
The Manager Magazin guide opens doors to exclusive events and award ceremonies. Here you meet award winners, industry experts, and other executives—valuable opportunities for networking and sharing best practices.
Use the events to gain inspiration for new projects or to make contacts for future collaborations. The Manager Lounge served as a model for innovative networks until 2021 and shows how important personal and digital exchange remains in the Manager Magazin context.
Successful executives often benefit precisely from these connections to get fresh impulses and recognize trends early.
Step 5: Continuous learning and leadership development
In the Manager Magazin guide you’ll regularly find expert contributions, interviews, and recommendations for books, seminars, or podcasts. This keeps you current both professionally and personally.
Follow the career paths of award-winning managers and set yourself targeted development goals. Checklists and templates support you in putting things into practice in your own day-to-day work.
Continuous learning not only secures your innovative strength but also your future viability as an executive. Use the variety of resources to continuously develop your leadership.
Exclusive insights: What executives need to know in 2025
Leadership in 2025 puts everything to the test. Anyone who wants to remain successful needs a clear view of the most important trends, challenges, and best practices. Manager Magazin offers exclusive insights that help you stay ahead in the digital age.
Current economic trends and challenges
Digitalization will remain the top topic in 2025. Companies face the task of automating processes, integrating AI, and at the same time strengthening human leadership. Manager Magazin regularly analyzes how companies manage this balancing act. Sustainability continues to gain importance. Reporting obligations and ESG criteria influence strategic decisions. At the same time, the shortage of skilled workers intensifies the competition for talent, as recent studies in the magazine show.
Geopolitical uncertainties have a direct impact on supply chains and markets. Executives must respond flexibly to crises and recognize new opportunities. Modern leadership models such as agility, diversity, and remote leadership are moving to the center. Expert interviews in Manager Magazin shed light on how companies deal with these topics and which mistakes should be avoided.
The following table provides an overview of the most important trends and challenges in 2025:
|
Trend |
Challenge |
Importance for executives |
|---|---|---|
|
Digitalization |
AI integration, automation |
Efficiency, innovation pressure |
|
Sustainability |
ESG reporting, greenwashing |
Credibility, future-proofing |
|
Shortage of skilled workers |
War for talents, diversity |
Team building, employer branding |
|
Geopolitics |
Supply chains, sanctions |
Risk management, flexibility |
|
New leadership models |
Agility, remote work |
Motivation, managing virtual teams |
If you want to dive deeper, the article The future of leadership: Trends for leadership 2025 provides a sound overview of leadership trends that are also discussed in Manager Magazin.
Best practices and case studies
Manager Magazin regularly provides best practices from DAX companies, SMEs, and start-ups. Successful executives share their experiences with change processes, crisis management, and innovation strategies. One example: In a recent issue, a CEO explains how his company uses agile methods to respond more quickly to market changes and outpace the competition.
Lessons learned from real cases help you avoid mistakes and seize opportunities. Many award winners in the magazine’s circle rely on transparent communication and consistent implementation of sustainability goals. Statistics show that companies with diverse teams navigate crises more resiliently.
The following tips are useful for practice:
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Use expert interviews from Manager Magazin to develop your own leadership skills.
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Use case studies to guide your own change management.
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Rely on data-driven decisions to identify trends early.
Analyses make it clear: those who are willing to continuously develop and remain open to new leadership models have the best chances of leading successfully in 2025 as well.
Tools, resources, and recommendations for modern management
Challenges for executives are becoming ever more complex. Those who work with Manager Magazin benefit from innovative tools, exclusive resources, and tried-and-tested recommendations for successful management. Here you’ll find a structured overview of how digital solutions, targeted further training, and sustainable methods optimize day-to-day leadership work.
Essential tools for executives
Digital transformation makes efficient tools for information management and team communication indispensable. Those who use Manager Magazin can rely on well-founded recommendations for software solutions that noticeably simplify everyday work. Platforms that centrally consolidate documents and clearly manage tasks are particularly in demand.
The most important tools include:
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Cloud-based document management systems
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Collaborative communication apps
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Automated workflow solutions
A comparison of the most important tools:
|
Function |
Tool recommendation |
Advantage |
|---|---|---|
|
Document management |
Legal compliance, team access |
|
|
Workflow automation |
Time savings, transparency |
|
|
Task management |
MS To Do, Trello |
Clarity, flexibility |
With such solutions, you can automate routine processes and gain time for strategic tasks.
Continuous learning and network building
In the era of new leadership models, continuous learning is essential. The magazine provides access to expert articles, interviews, and exclusive seminars. You’ll find recommendations for podcasts, books, and online courses that advance you in a targeted way.
Building a network is another key to success. The magazine supports you with events, award ceremonies, and platforms for peer learning. Mentoring programs and digital networks help share best practices and learn from one another.
Whether in-person workshop or virtual event, exchanging ideas with other executives from the Manager Magazin environment strengthens your professional profile and brings valuable impulses for your career.
Methods to increase personal productivity
Efficiency starts with clear time management. Executives who use Manager Magazin benefit from tried-and-tested prioritization techniques, checklists, and templates. Digital task management apps provide transparency and structure in everyday life.
Proven methods include:
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Eisenhower principle for prioritization
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Daily and weekly plans for meetings
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Templates for decision-making processes
An overview of helpful tools can be found in the overview of task management apps. Studies show that digital aids significantly increase productivity in management. This also makes the flood of information manageable, and you keep your focus on the truly important topics in Manager Magazin.
Safeguard future viability and innovative strength
Innovation culture is the backbone of modern companies. With trend analyses and practical examples, Manager Magazin provides valuable orientation for sustainable change. Those who want to secure future viability should rely on continuous transformation and targeted change management.
Best practices show how successful companies combine agile methods, diversity, and digital tools. Trend studies from Manager Magazin help you recognize developments early and act proactively. This not only strengthens your innovative power, but also your team’s competitiveness.
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