Advancing Industry Leaders

What is your primary job?

My work focuses on project management and the strategic implementation of the goals of our life science customers in the fields of manufacturing and quality operations. Our most common projects involve the development of production-related IT digitalization strategies and the implementation thereof, including system implementation and process digitalization. Furthermore, as a manager, I am in a position to help my employees grow individually, which not only actively shapes our division, but growth at msg industry advisors as a whole.

Which future-shaping topics will Life Science & Chemicals promote?

If you look at the current level of digitalization in the life science industry, you will quickly realize that there is still a lot of potential for improvement when it comes to production, which is why the major pharmaceutical companies will be facing intense digitalization visions in the next few years. That is precisely where we come in. We work with our customers to help them develop and implement an IT digitalization strategy. Topics cover fully-networked production in the form of Industry 4.0, modern topics such as VR / AR in processing as well mastering traditional “batch” productions and any “single dose” productions.

How would you describe the optimal colleague?

They would have to be laid-back, live by and represent their own and msg industry advisors’ values and be open to and curious about all area of life science. They would have team spirit instead of a “dog-eat-dog” mentality and would - please - have and never lose their personality! You should be promoted in areas you want to grow in! And if they enjoyed a good chat over an espresso / portafilter machine, (gravel) biking or jogging that would be the cherry on top.

What do you do at msg industry advisors?

I am in charge of training within the context of IT projects. Especially with major IT implementation projects, it is important to define which users need which know-how. To that end, it is essential to develop the right training strategy, set up the corresponding training infrastructure and ensure that when all is said and done, users actually understand the new processes and can use them in the new systems.

What do you appreciate most about the culture at mia?

What I appreciate most at mia is the sense of collegiality you experience every day. We always work with and never against one another. Not only does that make customer projects better, but bolsters the individuals. On top of that, we live a culture of trust. For the most part, I am allowed to organize my own work and my colleagues and superiors always have my back.

Are you more of a home office or in-the-office person?

I think a healthy mix is the way to go! That is another thing I really appreciate: It is completely up to me whether I work from home or meet up with colleagues at one of our many locations. There are four different locations in my area alone, which makes the day-to-day nice and diverse.

What key properties should a successful consultant have?

In my opinion, among most important properties of a successful consultant is having strong analytical and problem solving skills. After all, consultants are always confronted with the problems a customer is facing. It happens in every project and they are expected to solve them, to provide a benefit for the customer and to assist the customer using the most suitable methods even if the topics are a little vague and fuzzy at first. Well-honed social skills are another important characteristic. Whether in exchanges with customers or internally within the team – customers are always in contact with other people. Consultants should also have a willingness to engage in and a general curiosity about a wide range of topics. Every project, every customer and every day is different and brings different challenges with it, which requires stamina and flexibility.

What is your most positive / favorite memory at mia?

My personal highlight at mia so far was our mia team even in Munich and Bad Tölz, which was hosted in October of last year. After a year of home office and online meetings, it was so nice to finally meet colleagues in person, to chat with them and to spend a couple of nice days together.

Where will your next vacation take you?

My next vacation will immerse me in Greek culture. After a few days of sightseeing in Athens, I will head to the islands of Naxos and Paros. I will relax in the sun, build sand castles and enjoy the Greek tavernas.

What is your primary job?

My primary job at msg industry advisors actually covers a wide range of tasks and always depends on the nature of a given project and my role in it. I have already acted as project management office, computer system validator and data steward. My focus in that context is on the field of commercial excellence where I help customers better understand their own customers and their own customers’ needs. As part of my work, I assist with data collection and analysis by defining validation rules and concepts for ensuring and enhancing data quality. In addition, I am also involved in marketing and sales topics that help our customers better attract customers.

What key properties should a successful consultant have?

In my opinion, flexibility is one of the most important features needed in consulting in order to be well-equipped to handle changing projects, activities and customer requirements. Another fundamental feature is problem solving skills, since as consultants, one of our primary tasks is to assist customers with their problems. Just as essential are self-organization and a well-structured work method as it is easy to get lost in all the tasks and fields of activity. Further skills that should not be overlooked for a successful consultant are the ability to be convincing and solid presentation skills, interpersonal and management skills as well as strategic thinking.

Are you more of a home office or in-the-office person?

I am neither fully one nor the other. I prefer a hybrid form of work where I average 1-2 days a week at the office or at a customer location, but spend the rest working from home. Since I joined the workforce during the pandemic, I only experienced traditional office life during an internship I did while at university. However, I only miss office life to a limited extent, since it is so much less efficient and you spend a lot of time on unproductive activities like getting to and from the office. However, since I do enjoy interacting with people, that aspect should not be missing altogether.

What is your main job at msg industry advisors?

I am part of the market team and am the engagement manager for two large key accounts in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry, which means I am responsible for advancing their accounts. The role of engagement manager is very important for developing these accounts as I am the customer's central point of contact for all their concerns. My field of expertise is organizational development in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. Therefore, it is a wonderful thematic fit that we are mainly responsible for defining and setting up the customer's organization at a successful German vaccine manufacturer in the production-related IT environment with our great team and that we support them as advisors in all crucial areas with colleagues.

What key properties should a successful consultant have?

To be successful, a consultant has to be able to gain their customer’s trust. After all, customers only entrust long-term projects to external consultants they trust themselves. The “trust” factor is an elementary part of a customer relationship and when coupled with other elements, it is what makes a consultant a successful consulted and trusted advisor.

Where will your next vacation take you?

My wife Anja, my son Paul and I love being out on the open roads of Europe in our mobile home “Berni” and enjoying time in the sun. On our next trip, we are going to head to the French Riviera and follow the sun :).