Bertelsmann strives to create a faster-growing, more digital, more international and more diversified Group portfolio. Besides investing in existing activities, this involves developing new lines of business and regional markets that ensure a broader overall revenue structure.
A sustained improvement of the growth profile is the overarching goal of all strategic
measures at Bertelsmann. The company achieves this by taking two main approaches –
expanding and further developing its growth business and downscaling structurally
declining businesses.
Digitization changes the markets of a media, services and education company more than
any other megatrend. To seize the opportunities associated with this change, Bertelsmann
is continuously transforming its core businesses into the digital world and investing in
digital business models, while also developing new lines of business, customers and sales
channels that will profit from the transformation to digital.
Bertelsmann is increasingly expanding its businesses into regions that have higher longterm
growth prospects than the core European markets, significant market potential in the
businesses that are relevant for Bertelsmann and a favorable regulatory and competitive
environment. The main focus here is on Brazil, China, India and the United States.
As a company owned by a foundation and a family, Bertelsmann strives for a broadbased
revenue structure. For this reason, the Group broadens the business operations
of its existing activities – where it makes strategic sense – and develops new lines of
business, such as the Education division. One result of Bertelsmann’s increased
diversification is the Group structure with eight business divisions that has been in effect
since January 1, 2016.