Why did you join Arthur D. Little?
Back in 1998, I received job offers from five major consulting firms. I finally joined Arthur D. Little because of the highest perceived cultural fit. Based on the people I met during the recruiting process, my gut feeling simply told me that this would be the right place for me to learn and grow - professionally as much as personally. Furthermore, the strong brand name, the good reputation in industry, the long track record as first management consulting firm as well as the technology heritage clearly appealed to me.

What did you learn from Arthur D. Little?
A lot - I could probably divide it into three phases along the various career stages I have been through during my time with Arthur D. Little: Firstly, I learned the basic tools of management consulting: issue analysis, interviewing skills, meeting facilitation, workshop moderation, as well as structuring and delivering presentations. Secondly, I learnt managing complex projects: project set-up, approach, timing, organization, stakeholder management, and output orientation towards defined deliverables. Thirdly, I learnt managing client relationships: showing empathy, understanding client needs, managing client issues, and driving client satisfaction towards continuous loyalty.

In addition, I learnt a lot in the functional area of strategy and organization and gained valuable insights into several industries, in particular into financial services as well as engineering and manufacturing.

What were the most rewarding experiences during your time at Arthur D. Little?
There are so many – and most of them were people oriented. At the end of the day, a satisfied client and a great team effort were always most rewarding for me. Let me share a few experiences:

In 1999, I received early on in my consulting career the chance to lead my first client project. With the Director-in-Charge supporting me if needed, I was responsible for setting-up the project, structuring the tasks, managing the client team, and delivering results. It was not always easy, but the assignment turned out to be a great learning experience that really accelerated my development.

In 2006, I managed a complex, truly international project for a global financial services firm. My team consisted of six Arthur D. Little colleagues as well as a number of dedicated client team members. Having to analyze the client’s structure and processes in a specific area of its value chain, we had to deliver onsite workshops with client teams in various major cities: Barcelona, Frankfurt, Milan, London, Paris, Stockholm, Zurich, and Chicago. A great team effort made us enjoy visiting these cities despite a difficult task, a high workload, and a tight schedule.

In 2007, we received a request for proposal from another global financial services firm for an organizational redesign of their corporate headquarters. In a small team, we managed to win this assignment against fierce competition from other major consulting firms. But then, the real work had just begun. Both the topic and some of our top management contacts were really demanding. An experienced team with the right mixture of functional and industry expertise as well as great team work made us succeed. I will never forget a workshop with the client’s entire Executive Board on a Saturday during Christmas time!

Of course, there are also many small things worth to be mentioned: participating in international career stage trainings in Megève and Evian, delivering functional Strategy & Organization trainings to the consulting force in Central Europe, and partying until 4 am in the reception area of the Wiesbaden office at a local Christmas party!

What have been the highlights of your career since leaving Arthur D. Little?
Joining Hilti in August 2008 was definitely a highlight! Hilti provides leading-edge technology to the global construction industry. Hilti is known for its world class products and services, its sustainable profitable growth as well as for its strong corporate culture. Soon after I joined Hilti as Head of Corporate Development, the global economic crisis started. It was and still is challenging to support navigating the group through rough seas by driving various corporate initiatives and strategic projects.

My first product training certainly was another highlight - wearing my red Hilti overall, experiencing Hilti products hands-on amid dust and dirt. Hilti senior management team members regularly participate in hands-on product trainings to familiarize themselves with products and applications. My first sales ride with a Hilti Account Manager was similarly exciting. We drove in a red Hilti car, visited customers and construction sites, and I started to really “feel” the business.

Furthermore, I had the chance to accompany the members of Hilti’s Executive Board to business update visits to various market organizations in Europe and Asia. It was a great experience to be confronted with the real life problems some of these market organizations face far away from the corporate headquarters.          

What do you enjoy most about your current position?
My current role as Head of Corporate Development offers a smooth transition from consulting to industry and a great perspective of taking on line responsibility, e.g. as General Manager of a market organization. I still act as a quasi internal consultant which enables me to capitalize on my consulting experience with Arthur D. Little. This staff function provides a good overview of Hilti businesses, structures, and processes since I am involved in key initiatives and strategic projects which are on the corporate agenda. Being part of the senior management of the group also helped me to establish a good network. Finally, I enjoy working together with a great team of individuals with quite diverse backgrounds.

What advice would you give to young consultant at Arthur D. Little?
Try to learn as much and as quickly as you can. But do not be too impatient and over-ambitious. Stay humble, observe, learn from others, and learn by doing. Be open to all types of assignments, whether it is strategy development or operational “nuts and bolts” consulting. Use the early years to get as broad an overview as possible and specialize later on. Build and manage a network. Remain committed to learning. Always critically reflect on whether you really satisfy clients and create business impact. And last but not least: enjoy what you do!