Mr. H., you began your professional career with Paul & Co immediately after passing your final secondary–school examinations (Abitur). Do you remember how this came about?
In the course of the last two years, as part of our career orientation, we visited trade fairs with our school, which is how I knew about the concept of dual studies. Paul & Co offering this training program was still quite new in 2003. Friends had told me about it. As an employer, the company is very renowned in the region.
What prompted you to choose a dual studies programme and not to enrol as a "full-time student" at university?
I have always been determined. It was important to me to take responsibility for my training from the very beginning. The dual study program offered an ideal approach: companies are quite strict when selecting applicants. The teaching contents are compressed and taught in a time-efficient manner, so that the study program is structured very effectively. Theoretical knowledge and practical experience complement each other. That is what makes it exciting and you benefit a lot - both in university and in practice.
In 2006 - directly after your bachelor's degree - you took up a position as accountant (CCI) and then acquired further qualifications in a very targeted manner. For three years now, you have been a member of the Management Board of Paul & Co. A curriculum vitae by textbook. Was that precise planning, lucky coincidence or both?
In fact, mainly precise planning - which, however, has developed step by step. During my bachelor's studies, my enthusiasm grew for various business administration fields - especially finance - as well as for economic contexts. I quickly came to the conclusion that the bachelor's program could teach mainly basic principles. However, it was important to me to also take in backgrounds, contexts and details in order to be able to anticipate future scenarios. That is why I always continued to improve my qualifications afterwards. Setting goals, analysing, finding constructive solutions and then drawing conclusions in order to focus on the next goal - this is a momentum that has always driven me forward.
Did you have supporters at Paul & Co who accompanied and encouraged you on your way?
The longtime head of financial accounting Mr. Klaus Wiegand has always supported me. Although the company has grown so big, Paul & Co is still a family business in the best sense of the word. Our Managing Partner Manfred Kunert has also always supported me in my business and personal goals.
You have been with the company since 2003. There are many people who claim that if you want to have a career, you have to change employers every three to five years. What do you do to counter this belief?
First of all: There are many careers of board members of large German corporations from the DAX family that prove the opposite. For me, values like continuity, reliability and loyalty are a prerequisite for personal advancement. Equally important, of course, is a focus on the future and the desire to drive innovation. This applies to the company itself as well as to management personalities: Preservation and change must always be thought of together. Paul & Co is a good example of this.
Fluctuation generally seems to play a rather minor role at Paul & Co. How do you explain this?
This is where continuity comes into play again. Many people are already working in this company in the second generation. There is a grown relationship of trust between managers and employees and, in addition, a very open feedback culture. It is certainly also important that employees can develop. Strengths and personal ambitions are encouraged, so that one can develop throughout one's entire professional life.
Would you say that appreciation, loyalty and sustainable personnel development are more characteristic of family businesses than of large corporations?
Appreciation and loyalty cannot generally be denied to large corporations, but probably cannot be compared to close cooperation with shareholders and owner families in family businesses.
You are young - and have already come a long way. What is your inner impetus?
Of course, I continue to pursue short and medium-term as well as more global, long-term goals. It remains exciting as part of a young management team within the executive board to drive changes that will help determine the future direction of the company. Especially if you enjoy trust and have the freedom to shape the company.
When you talk to applicants in your current position: What are the qualities that will determine whether they fit in with Paul & Co?
This is a whole mix of personality traits. On the credit side of applicants there is always a value-oriented attitude: reliable and loyal, proactive and progressive. Beyond that, the mindset is important: Whoever comes to us as a specialist with the intention of contributing his - solid(!) - knowledge in order to further develop together the portfolio and the company fits into our team.
And: Commitment is essential at every point in the company. You should always be passionate about what you do and what you set out to do.
