Nice to meet you!
Global and versatile automobile executive, communications specialist and transformation expert.
My unique assets
Multicultural.
Multilingual.
Multifaceted.
I help drive transformations with strategies that unite, stories that translate, execution that delivers
Multicultural: My thought leadership transcends borders
Global & Borderless
I am a true global citizen always taking into account cultural contexts and global trends. Growing up in a bicultural family, graduating from an international school and building a career in Asia, Europe and the Americas, I am a true third-culture child.
Diverse & Inclusive
I thrive when cultures collide and help turn differences into unity and performance.
Having worked for foreign supervisors, with international peers and having lead teams comprising of multiple nationalities, I enjoy creating and leading diverse teams.
Adaptable & Flexible
I quickly assess and adapt to new environments. Having moved across 6 countries, 7 companies and 3 industries with varying values and behaviors each, I have developed the ability to question my own behavior and adapt to new circumstances.
Multilingual: My stories transcend language barriers
Vocabulary & Verbalization
I possess the vocabulary and proficiency to use it appropriately to navigate complex topics and negotiations or give presentations on native-level in German, Japanese (JPLT level 1), and English (TOEFL full score).
Context & Culture
Language varies by culture, by hierarchy and role, level of detail and purpose of the conversation. My keen ability to choose the right words at the right time, for the right audience, gets the message across.
Clarity & Conciseness
I cut though the chat and arrive at the core quickly and condense the essence into few words. My intellectual ability to process words combined with my people skills allow me to say more with less.
Multifaceted: My holistic view transcends internal silos
Top down & bottom-up
I have worked in corporate roles on all levels to understand varying viewpoints and challenges, levels of understanding, timelines and incentives. The combination of top down leadership and bottom-up idea inclusion is what drives performance.
Strategy & Reality
I sat in the ivory tower HQ and worked on the factory floor to understand what works and what does not, what takes time and what does not. Managing expectations towards stakeholders is a vital part of any strategic implementation plan.
Cost cutter & investor
I have closed factories and built new ones. Successful execution of any transformation plan requires the skill to shift gears between modes, and ensure a balance between various interests, budgets and requirements.
Experience
25 years of professional experience across departments, countries and companies, primarily in the automotive and commercial vehicle industry.
12 Jobs
Diverse and wide work experience gathered in strategy, planning and chief-of-staff roles managing post-merger integrations and crisis handling. Also experienced manufacturing and cost engineering, sales and aftersales, HR system changes and corporate transformations.
19 Moves
Flexibility and adaptability is in my DNA, having moved house across the globe multiple times. Lived and worked in Germany, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, USA and spent significant time in Mexico and across Asia for work.
6 Brands
Joined the world’s #1 commercial vehicle group Daimler in 2001 and worked for brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner, Mitsubishi FUSO. Also worked for Volvo Group (UD Trucks), and Isuzu Motors and specialty communications equipment manufacturer Uniden.
Skill Summary
My primary skills
I enjoy driving change by leading transformation efforts, improving brands and communications, devising smart strategies and managing complex projects.
Transformation
Change is the only constant, and I believe in managing, driving and sustaining change is the best strategy for survival, success and excellence. I help teams innovate creatively and overcome resistance of change.
- Introduced innovation culture at Isuzu
- Modernized and globalized manufacturing plants
- Integrated Japanese subsidiary to global group
ITC Facilitator
Brand & Communication
I am a strong believer in the power of words, images and customer experiences, and have a passion for brands. I help teams define their identity, executives to engage their workforce, and companies protect and enhance their public image by turning visions into powerful stories and branded experiences.
- Planned and executed multiple motor show exhibits
- Designed and enforced corporate brand guidelines
- Revolutionized corporate communications at Isuzu
- Enabled and introduced multi brand management
Strategy Formulation
Everything excellent is the result of careful planning, in-depth analysis and coordinated execution. I have honed my skills in structured thinking, stakeholder interest management and project management by devising and managing transformation plans spanning across entire companies.
- Multiple years in board executive roles
- Crisis, globalization, post-merger management
- Growth and transformation programs
- Product and manufacturing footprint planning
Project Management
As a team player, I believe everything great is result of strong teamwork. Defining and delegating tasks, following up on and measuring progress, and making adjustments along the way until a target is achieved is the essence of management.
- Switching from cost-cutting to investment/growth modes
- Integrating newly acquired subsidiaries into global group
- Handling crisis management and leading war rooms
- Setting up a new manufacturing plant with alliance partner
My management philosophy
Integrity. Intelligence. Energy.
I believe in integrity, intelligence and energy as the three centerpieces of action. I like to dedicate my passion and time smartly and for the good of the people around me.
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley
Musician
The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.
Albert Einstein
Physicist
I would rather die of passion than of boredom
Vincent Van Gogh
Artist
Freelance Services
Experience when you need it
I work with clients around the world on demand.
Learn and succeed with
Consultation
Benefit from my years of experience in the manufacturing industry, in large multinational corporations and in Markets across Asia.
- Transformation plans
- Brand and PR repositioning
- HR System transformations
- Post-merger integration
- Product planning
- Market introduction
- Cost and manufacturing planning
Grow and better with
Coaching
Benefit from my experience of working in global and Japanese settings as executive to further your career and enhance your opportunities.
- Personal appearance and impressions
- Speech and keynote training
- People management
- Global business etiquette for Japanese
- Japanese business etiquette
- Keynote preparation support
- Career design
Inspire and engage with
Keynotes
Benefit from my experience of designing and delivering keynotes to large audiences across the globe, in person and remotely.
- Story arch design
- Presentation design
- Inspirational guest keynotes
- Group panel moderation
- Translation and interpretation
- Location and equipment check
- Live audience feedback sessions
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions I frequently get asked in interviews and in person
That depends on what language the person appearing in my dream is talking! Being fluent/native in German, Japanese and English, I can dream in all three, depending on my counterpart.
It is a complex industries and there are indeed easier ways to make money, but I have always had a passion for cars and driving ever since I remember. Still today, anything that makes you go faster is my passion. After graduating from university in Germany, I wanted to join the most international company, in the country’s best industry, and Daimler happened to offer its legendary management trainee program, the “Internationale Nachwuchsgruppe.”
My passport is German, but I also used to have a Japanese one. They call us “half” in Japan, but I rather consider myself a “double” that feels equally at home in both cultures. Having two cultures also allows you to see both cultures as a foreigner and spot areas of improvement. Having grown up in Indonesia attending an international school, I however do consider myself a true global citizen, and the passport is merely a tool for traveling.
I have a passion for design and architecture, music and audio, ski and golf as well as classic cars and motorsports. On the weekends, I also enjoy a proper barbeque with friends and family or taking a drive down to Izu peninsula.
I am a team player first and foremost and thrive in teams comprising of experts with diverse knowledge and backgrounds. I usually ask questions to collect information and advice to shape my own opinion, which then I test against opinions of my peers and supervisors. Once a vision is set, I enjoy shaping execution plans and seeing progress and improvement. I also enjoy celebrating success and helping others grow personally.
According to the 16 Personalities test, I am ENTJ (Commander), which is a personality type with the Extraverted, Intuitive, Thinking, and Judging traits. I like to decide, act, and achieve. I tend to gather information, construct and communicate my own creative vision, and then build a team to help turn it into reality.
According to the Swiss Structogram (Biostrukturanalyse) test, I am almost balanced, but slightly stronger in the intuition and analytics than in the impulsive.