How future-ready are Germany’s companies?
The Globeone Future Readiness Index shows: Less than half of German companies are currently perceived as future-ready – with significant differences between industries and individual brands.
In an environment that is changing faster than many strategies, one question becomes crucial for executive leadership as well as those responsible for communication, brand, and change: How can a company position itself so that relevant stakeholders understand its strategy and transformation and gain confidence in its future readiness?
The Future Readiness Index provides a data-based strategic compass to actively manage reputation, trust, and credibility in disruptive times – across societal acceptance, perceived performance strength, and emotional future readiness.
Top 5 brands
Bottom 5 brands
Top 5 brands
Bottom 5 brands
In a personal exchange, we provide concrete, actionable recommendations for your strategic positioning and communication.
„Future readiness is not created by strategy alone – it requires an external reality check.“
— Dr. Niklas Schaffmeister, Managing Partner
„The future is not a given. Trust is fragile, differentiation is rare – and many former market leaders are losing relevance.“
— Simon Aschermann, Managing Partner & Co-Author
„The future is not a given. Trust is fragile, differentiation is rare – and many former market leaders are losing relevance.“
— Simon Aschermann, Managing Partner & Co-Author
What is "Future Ready"?
The Globeone Future Readiness Index is the largest reputation study on the perceived future readiness of German companies. Across three key dimensions, the study measures to what extent companies are considered future-ready and which factors shape this perception.
License to operate: Is the company perceived as responsible, credible, and legitimate?
Capability to perform: Does the public believe the company will continue to be successful, innovative, and adaptable?
Trust to engage: Does the company create trust, identification, and emotional relevance for the future?
Key facts about the survey
Our Experts
FAQ – Globeone Future Readiness Index
The Future Readiness Index is a data-driven study that measures how future-ready companies and brands are perceived by the public. It serves as an external reality check for strategic positioning and transformation.
Future readiness is not only important for economic success but also influences forward-looking trust, reputation, and acceptance among key stakeholders. Especially in times of transformation and uncertainty, it becomes a decisive competitive factor.
The FRI is based on three key dimensions:
- Societal acceptance
- Future performance capability
- Emotional future readiness
These are evaluated based on a total of 30 individual criteria.
The results are based on a representative survey of 5,838 citizens in Germany in the first quarter of 2026.
A total of 158 leading companies and brands from various industries were examined.
- Fewer than half of companies are considered future-ready
- Only a small share ranks among the top performers
- Many companies show weaknesses, particularly in emotional connection and future vision
- There are significant differences between industries
A company is considered “future-ready” if it performs strongly across all three dimensions – meaning it is high-performing, socially accepted, and conveys trust and confidence in the future.
The index provides a solid foundation to:
- better understand their perception in the market
- identify strengths and weaknesses
- work in a targeted way on positioning, communication, and transformation
Yes. As part of a personal exchange, companies receive deeper insights into their specific results as well as concrete recommendations for action from Globeone experts.
For board members, executive management, and those responsible for strategy, communication, brand, HR and change – in other words, everyone actively working on the future readiness of their company.
