swf - Simon Weber Friends
Simon Weber Friends is a German professional training and consulting firm, founded in Heidelberg in 1986, specializing in systemic organizational consulting, group dynamics, and accredited business coaching grounded in Luhmann's systems theory, serving organizations, executives, and consulting professionals across the DACH region.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersHeidelberg, Germany
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What swf - Simon Weber Friends does
Simon Weber Friends (swf), legally Simon Weber Friends Systemische Organisationsberatung GmbH, is a German professional training and consulting firm founded in Heidelberg in 1986 by Fritz B. Simon and Gunthard Weber. It specializes in systemic organizational consulting, group dynamics, and systemic business coaching, grounded in Niklas Luhmann's sociological systems theory, constructivism, and complexity research. The company operates a small core team of roughly 10 people supported by an extended bench of course leaders and academic contributors, delivering programs across Heidelberg, Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich/Heppenheim venues.
The portfolio consists of five core training products: Systemische Organisationsberatung (a Grundkurs/Aufbaukurs pair), Systemische Gruppendynamik (T-Group-based training in two parts), the newly launched accredited Systemisches Business Coaching Ausbildung (1.5-year program, DBVC and IOBC accredited), New Organizing & Führung (courses on agile transformation and leadership), and System(theoret)ische Grundlagen (foundational theory courses including the swf-Denkraum series). These are complemented by recurring live online formats (swf-Talks, swf-Denkraum, swf-Probenraum), annual conferences (swf-Forum, plus the co-designed 2027 Kongress Systemische Zukunft), published books through Carl Auer Verlag, an active blog, regional community groups, and inhouse consulting engagements tailored to client organizations. The firm has trained more than 3,600 graduates since founding and continues to publish research outputs such as the 'New Organizing' book and project.
swf monetizes through three principal revenue streams: multi-day public training courses priced in the multi-thousand-euro range (e.g., the 1.5-year coaching program at €12,500 + VAT), inhouse consulting and training programs delivered directly to organizations on a project basis, and event/conference attendance and recordings (e.g., €200 per conference recording). The go-to-market is hybrid: enterprise field sales for inhouse programs targeted at HR/L&D and executive leadership, layered with an event-driven motion (swf-Talks, annual forums, regional groups) that serves both lead generation and ongoing alumni engagement. Customers are split between organizations seeking consulting and leadership development, and individual professionals (consultants, coaches, experts) seeking certification-anchored training. Technology under the hood is minimal: Brevo for marketing automation, Zoom for live sessions, and a WordPress-based web presence; no proprietary AI, APIs, or software product.
swf - Simon Weber Friends firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- swf - Simon Weber Friends
- Legal name
- Simon Weber Friends Systemische Organisationsberatung GmbH
- Website
- https://simon-weber.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Simon Weber Friends is a German professional training and consulting firm, founded in Heidelberg in 1986, specializing in systemic organizational consulting, group dynamics, and accredited business coaching grounded in Luhmann's systems theory, serving organizations, executives, and consulting professionals across the DACH region.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
swf - Simon Weber Friends industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Organizational Consulting & Training
- NAICS
- Management Consulting Services (54161), Other Management Consulting Services (541618)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sustainability & ESG Consulting (BPAHACAK)
Keywords
Where swf - Simon Weber Friends is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Heidelberg
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
swf - Simon Weber Friends business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Professional Training Courses: Systemic organizational consulting, group dynamics, business coaching, and leadership training courses offered in multiple formats (basic courses, advanced courses, compact seminars). Revenue generated through participant fees for multi-day/module training programs.
- Inhouse Consulting and Programs: Customized consulting services and inhouse training programs delivered directly to client organizations. Revenue generated through project-based consulting engagements.
- Event Attendance: Revenue from conference and seminar attendance fees, including paid recordings of tagungen (conferences) and specialized workshops.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Systemic Business Coaching Training - 1.5 year program |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Conference Recording Access |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
swf - Simon Weber Friends product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Simon Weber Friends (swf) is a German professional education and consulting firm that delivers multi-module training programs and customized consulting engagements in systemic organizational consulting, group dynamics, systemic business coaching, and leadership development. Offerings are grounded in Niklas Luhmann's systems theory, constructivism, and complexity research, and are delivered via public courses in major German cities, inhouse programs for client organizations, and online on-demand content. Revenue is generated through participant fees for training programs and fees for tailored organizational consulting projects.
Product overview
Simon Weber Friends (swf) is a professional continuing education provider specializing in systemic organizational consulting, group dynamics, and systemic business coaching, grounded in sociological systems theory (Luhmann), constructivism, and complexity research. The portfolio consists of five core training products: Systemische Organisationsberatung (a Grundkurs and Aufbaukurs covering systemic consulting techniques), Systemische Gruppendynamik (T-Group-based training in group dynamics, split into Gruppendynamik I and II), the newly launched Systemisches Business Coaching Ausbildung (a 1.5-year program accredited by DBVC and IOBC), New Organizing & Führung (courses on agile and new organizing), and System(theoret)ische Grundlagen (foundational theory courses including the Denkraum series). These are complemented by live online content (swf-Talk, an ongoing Zoom-based talk series), annual conferences (swf-Forum), published books through Carl Auer Verlag, an active blog, and the New Organizing research project. Inhouse consulting and tailored training programs are also offered. All courses and programs are delivered in German-speaking markets, primarily in Berlin, Heidelberg, and Munich.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- swf-Talk: A series of online live sessions with guests discussing topics around systems theory
- swf-Forum
- swf-Denkraum
- swf-Probenraum
- swf-Ansatz
- Systemtheorie Reloaded
Products and services
- Systemisches Business Coaching Ausbildung A 1.5-year professional training program consisting of 8 modules (24 days) plus 3 peer-coaching days, teaching systemic-constructivist consulting skills combined with organizational theory perspectives on leadership and management. Accredited by DBVC and IOBC. Priced at 12,500 € + VAT, including daily catering.
- Systemische Organisationsberatung (Grundkurs & Aufbaukurs) Two-part foundational and advanced training in systemic organizational consulting, teaching systemic thinking, communication theory, and intervention strategies grounded in systems theory for advising and leading organizations. Open enrollment offered in Berlin, Heidelberg, and other locations.
- Systemische Gruppendynamik (Gruppendynamik I & II) Group dynamics training using the T-Group format, providing experiential learning environments for observing social self-organization and developing social effectiveness. Split into Gruppendynamik I and II; integral part of the systemic consulting certification curriculum.
- New Organizing & Führung Courses and programs addressing new forms of organizing, agility, and leadership in the context of digital transformation, covering topics such as New Work, Purpose, Scrum, Holacracy, and agile organizational design.
- System(theoret)ische Grundlagen Courses covering foundational systems theory concepts, including lectures and discussion formats such as the 'swf-Denkraum' (thinking space) series on topics like digitalization and paradoxes.
- Inhouse | Beratung Customized inhouse consulting and training programs tailored to individual organizational needs, including both individually designed consulting engagements and pre-configured program offerings, delivered directly at client premises.
Companies that use swf - Simon Weber Friends
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
swf - Simon Weber Friends technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
AI capability2 records
Feature3 records
swf - Simon Weber Friends partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- coachingakademieminorSupports the Hamburg regional group initiative by providing facilities for regional meetings. Partnership began in 2026 to support the growing Hamburg X systemisch community.
- Carl Auer VerlagcorePublishing partnership for swf-authored books and content. swf publications including 'Wirksam führen mit Systemtheorie', 'New Organizing', and 'Zwischen Inszenierung und Invisibilisierung' are published through Carl Auer. The Sound of Science podcast series is also produced in collaboration with Carl Auer.
- DBVC (Deutscher Bundesverband Coaching e.V.)coreThe Systemic Business Coaching training is recognized and certified by DBVC. The program meets DBVC standards and graduates can obtain DBVC-recognized certification.
- IOBC (International Organization for Business Coaching)coreThe Systemic Business Coaching training is also certified by IOBC, meeting international standards for business coaching certification.
- Systemische Zukunft Congresscoreswf is co-designing the pre-congress event for the 2027 'Systemische Zukunft' congress marking Niklas Luhmann's 100th birthday. Co-organizers include prominent academics like Dirk Baecker and Judith Muster.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
swf - Simon Weber Friends competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Metaplan: Hamburg-based systemic organizational consulting firm with a comparable methodology focus and long DACH track record. Directly competes for the same mid-market and enterprise consulting/coaching engagements as swf, with a similar theory-driven (cybernetic/systemic) positioning.
- Trigon Entwicklungsberatung: Austrian systemic organizational development consultancy operating in the German-speaking market. Closely comparable to swf in target customer (organizations seeking transformation), methodology (systemic/constructivist), and product mix (training + consulting + conferences).
- Wiesloch Institut: Heidelberg-area systemic training and consulting institute offering comparable certifications, coaching programs, and organizational development services to the same DACH professional and corporate buyer base as swf.
- Coduco: German organizational transformation firm founded by Niels Pfläging that overlaps directly with swf's "New Organizing & Führung" product line, addressing similar New Work, agility, and self-organization challenges for German-speaking organizations.
Emerging players
- Schulz von Thun Institut für Kommunikation: Hamburg-based institute offering training in communication psychology and leadership that competes with swf for similar mid-market training budgets, though with a narrower (communication-focused) methodology rather than full systemic organizational consulting.
Broad incumbents
- Kienbaum Consultants International: Established German leadership and HR consulting firm offering systemic-adjacent executive coaching, leadership development, and organizational consulting at significantly greater scale; competes for enterprise L&D budgets swf targets via inhouse consulting.
- Haufe Group: Freiburg-based professional training, publishing, and corporate learning platform serving the DACH market; competes with swf for the same corporate training budgets through broader, more standardized offerings rather than the niche systemic methodology.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
swf - Simon Weber Friends social profiles
Digital presenceswf - Simon Weber Friends financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
swf - Simon Weber Friends leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
swf - Simon Weber Friends funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
swf - Simon Weber Friends M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about swf - Simon Weber Friends
What does swf - Simon Weber Friends do?
Simon Weber Friends (swf) is a German professional education and consulting firm that delivers multi-module training programs and customized consulting engagements in systemic organizational consulting, group dynamics, systemic business coaching, and leadership development. Offerings are grounded in Niklas Luhmann's systems theory, constructivism, and complexity research, and are delivered via public courses in major German cities, inhouse programs for client organizations, and online on-demand content. Revenue is generated through participant fees for training programs and fees for tailored organizational consulting projects.
Is swf - Simon Weber Friends a public or private company?
swf - Simon Weber Friends is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was swf - Simon Weber Friends founded?
swf - Simon Weber Friends was founded in 1986.
Where is swf - Simon Weber Friends based?
swf - Simon Weber Friends is headquartered in Heidelberg, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does swf - Simon Weber Friends make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Professional Training Courses are the primary driver. The others are inhouse Consulting and Programs and event Attendance.
Who are swf - Simon Weber Friends's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Metaplan, Trigon Entwicklungsberatung, Wiesloch Institut and Coduco. Schulz von Thun Institut für Kommunikation is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Kienbaum Consultants International and Haufe Group.
Does swf - Simon Weber Friends have an API?
No public API is recorded for swf - Simon Weber Friends.
What industry is swf - Simon Weber Friends in?
swf - Simon Weber Friends's product category is Organizational Consulting & Training. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHACAK, Sustainability & ESG Consulting. Its NAICS code is 54161 and its SIC code is 8742.