Germany: The Power behind the Power

Last month, when DaimlerChrysler CEO Jürgen E. Schrempp and a dozen other top managers met Chancellor Gerhard Schröder for dinner in Berlin, at least one participant seemed on particularly warm terms with the German leader. As the bosses discussed the deteriorating economy, other guests noted that management consultant Roland Berger addressed the Chancellor in the familiar du form. Most of the others, of course, used the more formal sie.

It should have come as no surprise that Berger and Schröder were on intimate terms. Berger, 63, may be the best-connected man in Germany. The client roster at Munich's Roland Berger Strategy Consultants includes Deutsche Bank as well as Daimler. In addition, Berger offers advice on economic issues--often gratis--to the country's top elected leaders at both ends of the political spectrum. Such ties have helped make his management consultancy second only to McKinsey & Co. in Germany. With 1,500 employees and annual fees of $400 million, Berger is third in Europe and among the top 10 management consultants worldwide.