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Volker Pfirsching

Partner

Head, Global Digital Competence Center

Germany

Volker is a pioneer in digital shift and has deep expertise in comprehensive and successful digital transformation.

Areas of Focus

Education

University of Regensburg
Diplom-Wirtschaftsinformatiker (Business Information Systems)
University of Regensburg
Graduate of Intercultural Negotiations

Volker A. Pfirsching is a Partner at Arthur D. Little based in Munich. He is a member of the Central European Management Board and heads the global Digital Competence Center.

As a thought leader in Digital Disruption, Volker is engaged in many large-scale transformation projects, touching business and technology alike. He is founder of the Arthur D. Little Digital Center of Excellence and organizer and facilitator of Arthur D. Little digital roundtables, bringing together top executives to exchange in digital challenges.

After his studies, Volker joined the company in 2002 and has been a Partner since 2012. He has led a large number of client projects in Europe and abroad, focusing on successful and holistic digital transformations covering all aspects from strategy, business, technology and the essential “human factor”.

Beyond systems
Beyond systems
Digitalization has become embedded within large businesses, with recent advances in AI accelerating the process even further. While we still need more progress, the fusion of business and IT functions is ever present, as “softwarization” of companies proceeds apace. IT functions need to recognize this pace of change and evolve toward being true strategic advisers to the business, driving innovation. In this Viewpoint, we examine some practical approaches for CIOs to bring about change.
Find out more
The AI-amplified telco
Telecommunications, Information technology, Media & Electronics (TIME)
The AI-amplified telco
AI represents a game changer for the telco industry. Although first movers have already embraced AI, separating hype from opportunity remains challenging. Becoming an AI-amplified telco calls for more than being fascinated by the technology’s potential and piloting use cases. This Viewpoint focuses on the necessary building blocks to exploit AI’s 5%-7% EBITDA potential and outlines how to achieve lasting success by analyzing the full picture, including technology, AI governance, and culture.
Find out more
11 technology trends for post-crisis success
Dr. Fabian Doemer, Michael Kolk, Volker Pfirsching, Philipp Mudersbach
Find out more
Financial Services
Achieving excellence in insurance claims management
Volker Pfirsching, Borja de la Cuesta
CLAIMS MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE In today’s mature and hypercompetitive insurance market, insurance companies’ growth within their core business is often limited to winning customers from other insurers. Therefore, as this growth strategy results in high customer acquisition costs, it is critical for insurance companies to boost loyalty to ensure profitability.
Find out more
Unleashing innovation in IT
Michael Majster, Frédéric Rosès, Volker Pfirsching, Fabian Sempf, Rick Eagar
IT is still often seen as inflexible and costly Digitalization has been at the top of the strategic agenda for over a decade (see Figure 1). IT assets, and the function that manages them, are usually seen as the backbone of the digitalization effort.
Find out more
Smart data management unlocks growth 
Volker Pfirsching
This is commonly due to a mismatch between technology and business needs, along with a failure to focus on culture and governance in data management projects. Closed company cultures, in particular, make interaction between departments difficult, which often prevents the collection, sharing, and effective use of comprehensive data. This Viewpoint outlines how smart data management and a business-focused approach deliver proven, immediate benefits while unlocking future opportunities for growth. 
Find out more

Volker A. Pfirsching is a Partner at Arthur D. Little based in Munich. He is a member of the Central European Management Board and heads the global Digital Competence Center.

As a thought leader in Digital Disruption, Volker is engaged in many large-scale transformation projects, touching business and technology alike. He is founder of the Arthur D. Little Digital Center of Excellence and organizer and facilitator of Arthur D. Little digital roundtables, bringing together top executives to exchange in digital challenges.

After his studies, Volker joined the company in 2002 and has been a Partner since 2012. He has led a large number of client projects in Europe and abroad, focusing on successful and holistic digital transformations covering all aspects from strategy, business, technology and the essential “human factor”.

Beyond systems
Beyond systems
Digitalization has become embedded within large businesses, with recent advances in AI accelerating the process even further. While we still need more progress, the fusion of business and IT functions is ever present, as “softwarization” of companies proceeds apace. IT functions need to recognize this pace of change and evolve toward being true strategic advisers to the business, driving innovation. In this Viewpoint, we examine some practical approaches for CIOs to bring about change.
Find out more
The AI-amplified telco
Telecommunications, Information technology, Media & Electronics (TIME)
The AI-amplified telco
AI represents a game changer for the telco industry. Although first movers have already embraced AI, separating hype from opportunity remains challenging. Becoming an AI-amplified telco calls for more than being fascinated by the technology’s potential and piloting use cases. This Viewpoint focuses on the necessary building blocks to exploit AI’s 5%-7% EBITDA potential and outlines how to achieve lasting success by analyzing the full picture, including technology, AI governance, and culture.
Find out more
11 technology trends for post-crisis success
Dr. Fabian Doemer, Michael Kolk, Volker Pfirsching, Philipp Mudersbach
Find out more
Financial Services
Achieving excellence in insurance claims management
Volker Pfirsching, Borja de la Cuesta
CLAIMS MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE In today’s mature and hypercompetitive insurance market, insurance companies’ growth within their core business is often limited to winning customers from other insurers. Therefore, as this growth strategy results in high customer acquisition costs, it is critical for insurance companies to boost loyalty to ensure profitability.
Find out more
Unleashing innovation in IT
Michael Majster, Frédéric Rosès, Volker Pfirsching, Fabian Sempf, Rick Eagar
IT is still often seen as inflexible and costly Digitalization has been at the top of the strategic agenda for over a decade (see Figure 1). IT assets, and the function that manages them, are usually seen as the backbone of the digitalization effort.
Find out more
Smart data management unlocks growth 
Volker Pfirsching
This is commonly due to a mismatch between technology and business needs, along with a failure to focus on culture and governance in data management projects. Closed company cultures, in particular, make interaction between departments difficult, which often prevents the collection, sharing, and effective use of comprehensive data. This Viewpoint outlines how smart data management and a business-focused approach deliver proven, immediate benefits while unlocking future opportunities for growth. 
Find out more

More About Volker
  • University of Regensburg
    Diplom-Wirtschaftsinformatiker (Business Information Systems)
  • University of Regensburg
    Graduate of Intercultural Negotiations