I see the opportunities in every change.
ABOUT ME
I love change. This and my thirst for new challenges have led to me living in many places all around Germany and the US. Born and raised near Bielefeld, I spent around 2.5 years in Chicago, Philadelphia and Columbia, Missouri in the United States of America before and during university. That was followed by jobs in Wiesbaden, Frankfurt, Nuremberg, and Stuttgart, before I settled down in Munich in early 2016. I am now enjoying fascinating changes by travelling and starting my own business. The game of golf also presents me with new challenges on a regular basis ...
MY EXPERIENCE & PAST POSITIONS
Teamlead Internal Communications
Webasto SE
Munich,
January 2017 to December 2020
Director
Klenk & Hoursch AG
Frankfurt a. M,
April 2004 to June 2012
Project Manager
Robert Bosch GmbH
Stuttgart,
May 2014 to December 2015
Junior PR Consultant
Fink & Fuchs AG
Wiesbaden,
October 2001 to March 2004
Consultant for Communications and Public Relations
Robert Bosch GmbH
Nuremberg,
July 2012 to April 2014
Student, Intern, AuPair
With various employers
United States
More than two years in total
SUCCESSFULLY MASTERED CHALLENGES
in brief
FIRST CORONA CASE IN GERMANY
Challenge
The first Corona case in a German company. Informing the staff worldwide without reliable facts about the pandemic. Finding a balance between safety and commercial concerns. High level of emotionality among all stakeholders. Most employees not directly reachable. Communication cascade fragmented.
Successes
Staff felt well informed and safe. Everybody pulled together. Infection chains were quickly broken, and business was continued as best as possible.
Success factors
Openness, speed, emotionality
Lessons learned – communications
Transparency pays off: Communicate what we (don't) know; what is going to happen next; what each individual can contribute.
GLOBAL INTRANET LAUNCH
Challenge
Multiple failed launch attempts already. A discouraged project team. A lack of support from various key positions. Insular regional concepts were to be replaced by a unified global one. Little time, enormous pressure to succeed, limited resources.
Successes
A smooth global go-live in German, English, and Chinese. Positive user feedback.
Success factors
Agile project management, iterative launch, autonomous project team, gaining internal sponsors (e.g. CEO, staff council).
Lessons learned – communications
Involve the users closely. Agile methods enrich everyday communication. Treat major changes in an organization's communication behavior as a change project.
INTEGRATION OF NEW UNITS
Challenge
Integrate new business areas in Korea and the USA. Varied corporate cultures. Major cultural differences. Language barriers.
Successes
Executies understand the company's mission and communicate it well. Employees start working in the new company with new motivation.
Success factors
Situation analysis. Acknowledge the existing culture and build on similarities. Communicate at eye level. Personal contacts.
Lessons learned – communications
Ask lots of questions and listen even more. Build on existing strengths.
FACTORY COMMUNICATION
Challenge
24/7 shift operation. No digital communication channels. High language barriers. Low individual motivation. Communication rated as poor in an employee survey.
Successes
Regular communication by middle and top management. Employee survey results and motivation improved.
Success factors
New dialog formats between plant management and staff established. Regular communication briefings for middle management. Good understanding of the needs of all the various stakeholders.
Lessons learned – communications
Ask a lot and listen even more. Establish communication ambassadors.
MY FOCUS INDUSTRIES
AUTO
motive
MY VALUES
Let's find out how I can help, in a personal chat with no commitment for you.
I look forward to your email!