Germany’s Mittelstand is the quiet engine of its economy, and Australian mid-market leaders can learn a lot from it. In this last of the summer series Andres Zylberberg, Richard Peake and I examine how these often family-owned firms dominate narrow global niches by focusing on being the best in the world at one thing. 

They think in decades, not quarters, and build deep capability through apprenticeships and long-term people development. They also grow patiently, prioritising financial discipline over fast expansion and debt-driven scale. Many well-known German brands (like Miele, Stihl and Kärcher) fit this model without being huge corporations. The core lesson for Australia: win through focus, craft, and stewardship – not size. 

Takeaways 
Australia can learn from Germany’s Mittelstand by staying focused instead of chasing everything. 
Thinking long term consistently beats chasing short-term wins and quick growth. 
Going deep in one niche can still create global relevance and real impact. 
Patient ambition and discipline matter more than flashy growth or constant expansion. 
Investing in people and craft builds capability competitors can’t easily copy. 
Strong financial discipline creates resilience without relying on rapid scale. 
A stewardship mindset helps leaders build businesses designed to last. 

Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners 

Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/ 

Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/ 
Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO 
Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. 
Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. 
Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life) 

Follow me: 
on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles
on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth 

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Germany&rsquo;s Mittelstand is the quiet engine of its economy, and Australian mid-market leaders can learn a lot from it. In this last of the summer series Andres Zylberberg, Richard Peake and I examine how these often family-owned firms dominate narrow global niches by focusing on being the best in the world at one thing.&nbsp;
They think in decades, not quarters, and build deep capability through apprenticeships and long-term people development. They also grow patiently, prioritising financial discipline over fast expansion and debt-driven scale. Many well-known German brands (like Miele, Stihl and K&auml;rcher) fit this model without being huge corporations. The core lesson for Australia: win through focus, craft, and stewardship &ndash; not size.&nbsp;
Takeaways&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Australia can learn from Germany&rsquo;s Mittelstand by staying focused instead of chasing everything.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Thinking long term consistently beats chasing short-term wins and quick growth.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Going deep in one niche can still create global relevance and real impact.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Patient ambition and discipline matter more than flashy growth or constant expansion.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Investing in people and craft builds capability competitors can&rsquo;t easily copy.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Strong financial discipline creates resilience without relying on rapid scale.&nbsp;</li>
<li>A stewardship mindset helps leaders build businesses designed to last.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Watch the episode on YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners">https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners</a>&nbsp;
Newsletter &ndash; each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter&nbsp; <a href="https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/">https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/</a>&nbsp;
Books &ndash; Learn more about our books&nbsp;<a href="https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/">https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://evolutionpartners.com.au/made-to-thrive/"> Made to Thrive:</a> The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO <a href="https://evolutionpartners.com.au/onboarded/">Onboarded:&nbsp;</a>How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process.&nbsp; <a href="https://evolutionpartners.com.au/onboarded-for-managers-book/">Onboarded for Managers:</a> Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster.&nbsp; <a href="https://evolutionpartners.com.au/bigger-isnt-better/">Bigger isn&rsquo;t Better, Better is Better:</a> Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)&nbsp;
Follow me: on <a href="https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles">https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles</a> on&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth">https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth</a>&nbsp;
Enjoying the show? Leave a review&nbsp;

A place for the world’s leading thinkers, planners and doers.

The Evolution Partners is a weekly podcast hosted by Brad Giles. Join Brad as he engages in conversations with some of the world’s sharpest minds, learning a bit more about them and delving into what makes them tick.

A place for the world’s leading thinkers, planners and doers.
The Evolution Partners is a weekly podcast hosted by Brad Giles. Join Brad as he engages in conversations with some of the world’s sharpest minds, learning a bit more about them and delving into what makes them tick.

The Evolution Partners

Each week Brad Giles talks with the world’s leading thinkers, planners and doers who are helping to build great companies in their own way.

We learn how the work they’re doing is creating an impact and get to know a little bit more about them, and what makes them tick.

Each week Brad Giles talks with the world’s leading thinkers, planners and doers who are helping to build great companies in their own way.
We learn how the work they’re doing is creating an impact and get to know a little bit more about them, and what makes them tick.