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CEO Blog

10/10/2025

Lies about AI

There are constant lies about the impact of artificial intelligence. Supposedly no jobs will be lost – no, new ones will be created, maybe somewhere else.

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There are constant lies about the impact of artificial intelligence. Supposedly no jobs will be lost – no, new ones will be created, maybe somewhere else.

Not seriously. For most parts of Europe, that’s complete nonsense. We had the revolution of the internet, the steam engine – always during boom times. Right now, we’ve got zero boom. Germany just had, one after the other, the two best governments in the world, while in France nobody even knows if there actually is a government at the moment. And we won’t get anywhere by fooling citizens into thinking AI isn’t going to kick anyone out of their job.

Let’s be honest: Who’s still going to be doing manual data entry in five years? Do I still need a car mechanic master? AI checks faster where the problem is and tells the apprentice: »Screwdriver, go.« And chimney sweeps? In winter, AI uses thermal images to show who’s pulling clean and who isn’t – done, job finished.

Spin it further: Architects will need at most twenty percent of their time, building authorities can really be fully automated now.

My call to all of you: Think about whether your job is future-proof. Whoever hasn’t done any training in the past twenty years will drop out anyway. For everyone else, I see a huge opportunity – but only if you stay ahead. And if you’re too lazy in the evening to watch three videos about AI… well, then you lose. Rightly so.

21/08/2025

Why AI is No Longer Just for Nerds – A Case for Getting Started

Hello, dear readers of my CEO blog! It's me again, your CEO, with a topic that's been on my mind a lot lately: Artificial Intelligence, or AI for short....

Hello, dear readers of my CEO blog! It's me again, your CEO, with a topic that's been on my mind a lot lately: Artificial Intelligence, or AI for short. I used to think AI was just a sci-fi thing from movies like »The Matrix« – machines taking over the world. But hey, reality is more exciting and closer than you think. That's why I believe everyone should at least have a basic understanding of AI. Why? Let me explain in simple terms.

First of all: AI is everywhere. Whether you notice it or not, it's in your smartphone suggesting the best route to work, in Netflix recommending series, or in your car automatically braking. As a CEO, I see it daily in our company: AI optimises processes, analyses data in seconds, and helps us make better decisions. Imagine being in a meeting and AI provides real-time insights – it saves time and nerves!

But why is this important for everyone? Because AI is changing the world, and it's doing so rapidly. Think about jobs: many routine tasks are being automated, which is great because it frees us up for creative work. But if you don't engage with it, you risk falling behind. I mean, imagine your colleague is using AI tools like ChatGPT to write reports, and you're still stuck with Excel. It feels like the Stone Age versus the modern era.

And no, you don't have to become a programming guru. Basic knowledge is enough: understand what AI can and cannot do. For example, it's great at pattern recognition, but creativity and ethics still require real people. In our team, we've held workshops – nothing complicated, just the basics. It helped everyone reduce fear and see opportunities.

Let's talk about the benefits: AI makes life easier. For businesses, this means more efficiency, higher profits, and innovations we couldn't have imagined yesterday. Personally? You can use AI to learn – ask it for recipes, language tips, or even career advice. I recently asked AI how to improve my blog, and boom, great ideas!

But beware: there are also downsides. Data protection, bias in algorithms, or job losses – these need to be discussed. That's why you should engage with it, to have a say. As a society, we need informed people who use AI ethically. Otherwise, only the tech giants will decide. Why now? Because AI is growing exponentially. Look at what's happened in recent years: from image generation to autonomous systems. If you wait, you'll be the last one at the starting block. My advice: start small. Read books like »Superintelligence« by Nick Bostrom (it's an easy read!), watch tutorials on YouTube, or try out tools like Grok or Midjourney.

In my company, we're integrating AI gradually – and it's paying off. Revenues are rising, employees are more motivated. You as an individual? You'll become more productive and stay relevant. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your phone, ask AI about »AI for beginners« and get started.

In summary: AI is not the future – it's now. Everyone should learn the basics to play along instead of just watching. What do you think about AI? Please let me know!

Until the next post – your CEO.

11/03/2025

Chatting with the CEO

Some CEOs never have time for anything – they are always busy, always stressed. That’s true, for the most part. But above all, a CEO needs to prioritise....

Some CEOs never have time for anything – they are always busy, always stressed. That’s true, for the most part. But above all, a CEO needs to prioritise. He needs to know what is important.

Ok, so what is important currently? To me, it’s important that I don’t lose touch with our customers. I want to know what challenges and chances we are facing. What do our customers need right now? How can we best support them? In which area could we improve?

That’s why I started the Jarltech CEO chat. Starting now, customers who are logged in to the webshop have the opportunity to chat with me. Of course, I will not be available all the time, but I will make time to be available on a regular basis, and as often as I can.

So, the next time you are logged in to our website and you see the chat symbol with my name on it, try it out for yourself! I look forward to chatting with you!

03/03/2025

Europe 2025

Naturally, the current economic situation in Germany, as well as that in Europe, is heavily on my mind....

Naturally, the current economic situation in Germany, as well as that in Europe, is heavily on my mind. After all, I am a business owner who is responsible for 430 employees. What I am missing, however, is a clear political direction in terms of the economy. Does our European policy have any answers?

Let me put it this way: As a medium-sized entrepreneur in the year 2025, I have a plate full of challenges every day. We must constantly ask ourselves the question, how do we make our business even more sustainable? Sustainability has long since ceased to be a trend and has become something of a must.

Digitalisation is another hot topic. Whether that means automating processes, upgrading our IT infrastructure or sensibly implementing AI – you cannot afford to simply do nothing. At the same time though, we are struggling with heaps of bureaucracy. It would be so nice if the regulatory jungle would be streamlined a little, so that we do not need to battle mountains of paperwork each month. And no, I don’t mean in the sense of Elon Musk.

Then there is the matter of the skilled labour shortage. The demographic change is real, and it is beating down our labour market. On a European level we are discussing migration, but the discussion is (more or less) one-sided. It is an important discussion, but it must be comprehensive and not only conducted in a one-dimensional way. How do we deal with this change and how do we attract qualified specialists? This is a relevant factor in remaining competitive.

And, as you already know, we think outside the box: Geopolitical uncertainties and an ever-changing global playing field require us to remain flexible and agile. Whether it is retail, customs duties, energy prices or international conditions of competition – we must have Plan B ready to go – economy and politics together.

In short: Europe 2025 offers us many challenges but also enormous potential. European entrepreneurs want to lead the way and shape the future, but we need sensible framework conditions and planning security from politicians!

15/11/2024

Complaining – the national pastime of the Germans

Let’s be honest, we Germans love to complain – about the weather, football, the economy, politics, etc....

Let’s be honest, we Germans love to complain – about the weather, football, the economy, politics, etc. This unites us all – regardless of our social class or political affiliation. Complaining is a national pastime in Germany. We love to grumble about high prices, the shortage of skilled workers and the weakening economy, while at the same time discussing our next holiday or the four-day week. Please don’t get me wrong, I am all for everyone taking a lot of time off and having a good rest – the only thing that bothers me is the fact that we love to see everything in such a gloomy light! We have to start working together to find solutions, because what we forget amidst all the moaning are our own abilities.

No, Germany is not falling apart! Germany still has a lot of untapped potential. We have people with great ideas, curious and inquisitive people (yes, even among Gen Z), a high average level of education, a high degree of legal certainty, a consistently strong industry, very good research ... and yes, we also have the capital. But we have to stop complaining and focus on our strengths. We are capable of innovation, we can be or remain market leaders in many areas, but, at the same time, we have to be open-minded. Even if one area collapses, we can successfully develop and expand a subsequent one. These are our strengths. However, we have to accept the challenge – be it in society, in politics or in the economy. Burying our heads in the sand won’t help us.

We are once again facing enormous opportunities for our future – whether in medical research, industry, the energy sector or, of course, across the board in the field of AI. And that’s just what comes to mind. There is, of course, much more. Let’s work together to develop new ideas that will advance us not only as a society, but also as a business location. There is potential out there, it just needs to be tapped! And by the way, we’ll have less reason to complain!

24/05/2024

The road to success: do we really have to get worse at everything?

Last week I had a conversation with a customer that left me speechless....

Last week I had a conversation with a customer that left me speechless. Our sales department asked me to speak to a customer on the phone who doesn’t buy from us because we supposedly supply end customers.

No problem, I thought. I called and explained that this is exactly what we don’t do, and that this is a key promise to our dealers. There are extremely rare exceptions, – only if a vendor forces us to, or a retailer explicitly asks us to. But that almost never happens.

Then it turned out that there was a misunderstanding: the customer said that we also supply small retailers. My answer: »Yes, we do and we have to, based on our contracts with the vendors. Our competitors do that too.«

»All correct«, I hear, but then it got exciting: »Your large competitors are not interested in small customers, so they are poorly served. At Jarltech, the small dealers feel comfortable because you provide a great service.«

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry ... A customer doesn’t buy from us because our service is too good? I hadn’t expected that.

But don't worry, contrary to the headline: We will continue to endeavour to offer every customer the best service we can!

02/02/2024

Why is good service so important again?

I'm writing to you today from China. Here I have learnt once again why good service is so important....

I'm writing to you today from China. Here I have learnt once again why good service is so important. If you want a customer to pay more than elsewhere, then you have to make the difference! You have to know what they like and anticipate their wishes.

Here in Shenzhen is the Grand Hyatt Hotel – I was here at least six times a year before Corona – and even stored some luggage in Shenzhen, so that I only had to fly with hand luggage. Liquids and such ... that was difficult on the plane.

It’s been over three years since I was last here, and I arrived to be greeted by an armada of hotel staff. My beloved Coke Zero was waiting for me in the car outside the airport. My luggage, which I hadn’t expected to see again, had been stored for three years and completely cleaned for my new stay. Everything was hanging in the wardrobe and the bathroom was neat and tidy. My razor was charged and my chargers stood on the desk. Of course, the fridge was full of Coke Zero and the white wine I had last drunk three years ago. Even the room service knew what I liked to eat.

That’s what hospitality really is. And we have to do the same at Jarltech. Always write down what our customers want and like. And when I go out to dine with a customer, I need to know whether they are vegan or if they don’t like pork, for example. Some customers want to be called and courted on a weekly basis, whereas others find this rather annoying. Some still prefer paper catalogues, others believe it’s environmental pollution. And all the better if a customer returns after three years, and I still have it all written down somewhere. Jarltech may not be a hotel, but we are a service provider that has to differentiate itself The difference is always in the details.

28/09/2023

The world's smallest chef gives a guest performance in Usingen

It's finally back on: Our 3D projection dinner show »Le Petit Chef« will be back in our restaurant »Uwe and Uli« (www.uwe-uli.de) from the 11^th of October...

It's finally back on: Our 3D projection dinner show »Le Petit Chef« will be back in our restaurant »Uwe and Uli« (www.uwe-uli.de) from the 11^th of October 2023 to the 30^th of April 2024. Personally, I always have fun enjoying delicious food with a bit of a show. Come by sometime – it's also great for Christmas parties with up to 20 people. And if you're a customer of ours, why not have your sales contact invite you next time you visit Jarltech? 😊
Have fun with the little chef!

28/07/2023

Use our know-how power for yourself – free of charge!

We have the largest showroom in the AIDC industry in Europe, plus plenty of training rooms and an event location....

We have the largest showroom in the AIDC industry in Europe, plus plenty of training rooms and an event location. If you like, we will be happy to train your new employees or your customers’ employees here. You will find an overview and a virtual tour of the showroom on our website. We built these facilities for you – but apparently this is not sufficiently known yet. We can work together to make your staff better, or we can make our facilities available to you, and you can organise your own training for your staff or customers. Just as you wish. We are also happy to take care of airport or train station transfers. Just get in touch with your sales representative and we will do something for you!