Hello Svenja – how long have you been part of VIER?
I have been with VIER for about three years. My start coincided exactly with the time when five companies became one, so that was an exciting time during which I was given a lot of creative freedom. A lot has happened since then: I started by setting up the Bid Management department, and during the merger – in addition to operational bidding – I put a lot of work into the standardisation of pricing models and the development of new pricing strategies. A year ago, I then took over the overall responsibility for our sales. This is a new, very exciting and varied task for me.
You've been Head of Sales for a year now – what do your day-to-day tasks look like?
Fundamentally, my work is always shaped by the development of our customers. In addition to operational customer issues, I am always on site with our customers or at events with guest lectures. Together we want to find solutions for our existing customers and convince new customers of our merits. I am also always there for my team, because the development of the VIER sales team is close to my heart. Together we work every day to get closer to our goals and those of our customers.
What do you particularly like about your job?
I like the variety, as no two days are the same, and working with different people. I like finding creative solutions in a team with others. This applies to the problems and wishes of our customers as well as to the cooperation with other departments at VIER. Different perspectives and communication are very important to me, and that's exactly what I have in my daily work. We want to be successful together and that's what drives me – just like in sport, because I've been playing handball since I was little. So it fits!
What experience and skills from previous jobs help you in your work?
I originally come from corporate consulting, so I know the processes in companies, the goals and the obstacles in the daily work. And in sales, needs-oriented consulting is the be-all and end-all.
What was the furthest you have travelled so far – and did you enjoy returning home?
In the past, I had the opportunity to live and work in Japan for three months and to implement a project there. Now, I am not a particularly patient person – not the best prerequisite for working in this country, which is strongly characterised by consensus and where the main goal is not to lose face. So it was not very easy for me. But: This experience has had a great impact on me and has shown me, firstly, that we are capable of achieving much more than we think and, secondly, what a great impact it can have when an organisation works together to achieve a concrete goal. And yes, I was very happy to come home again! Because I missed the German bread and could also finally express my opinions openly and honestly again. That, by the way, is something I also very appreciate in my work for VIER.