Zoe: How did you get into working in the technology sector?
Klaus: I started my career at the German technology giant Siemens as a Sales Engineer and since then have always been in Sales or consultative roles in the Telco, Electronic and High-Tech sector. What still fascinates me working in the technology sector is how I can help provide certainty, convenience and performance to my customers through reliable technology solutions. In the end, that’s what drives me to provide value to customers with the right solution for the right purpose to their needs.
Zoe: What has been your career highlight?
Klaus: I think everyone runs across certain highlights or lowlights during their careers. My interpretation is, that the full set of these experiences make you the person you are now and you are equipped with knowledge, skills and attitude from these experiences. That means that the person you are right now is the best equipped you have ever been. So, the key is to be balanced and conscious about it and translate it into what you do every day and strive to improve.
Zoe: Why do you work for Veritas?
Klaus: Veritas is building on a market leading footprint in a technology area where digital disruption and cloud innovation is challenging every player in the market. I think that there is a massive opportunity for Veritas to become a catalyst across the data management area in cloud, on-premise and in a hybrid setup.
Zoe: What do you enjoy most about your role at Veritas?
Klaus: As Sales Operations Director I am primarily looking into how we perform and achieve against our sales targets. In this, I really see the best of the people striving for building joint success in getting solutions to the customer. Seeing this team-work reflecting in moving numbers is satisfying, as we see the true impact we all can make.
Zoe: What is your management style?
Klaus: In my role, I look for rigour, execution and transparent reporting. In doing so, I foster discipline as well as open and honest communication. I think it is essential to be true and confident in communicating the reality and leading the team to act on issues and gaps. In doing so, I am offering opportunities for consensus and collaboration, while I consider it a key paradigm for every team member to strive for their best and tap the power of the whole team.
Zoe: What leadership traits make a good leader?
Klaus: Definitely, you need to value individuals’ opinions, values and motivation. Good leaders set this in the context of the individuals’ roles and tasks and thus create a high level of ownership and accountability for everyone in the team.
Zoe: How do you motivate your team?
Klaus: Set clear expectations, hold myself and team members accountable and foremost, be honest about success and failure and jointly work on personal development.
Zoe: How do you define success?
Klaus: Success is defined by a key starting point, which is a conscious decision on what an individual or a team wants to achieve and which actions to take to achieve the goal. Having achieved it per-se, this would then be the success. Key criteria in it for me is that you are setting a SMART goal and you are succeeding it because you are acting. This will provide satisfaction when having accomplished your goal. You succeeded. It is your own or your team´s success! Luck, for example, can support in achieving your set goal, but would not provide such satisfaction, as having succeeded on your own merits.
Zoe: Why should people come to work for you at Veritas?
Klaus: I am fully convinced, that everyone coming in can make a difference in how we work and how we reach our numbers. Being fully accountable and understand your own impact to achieve our joint goal.
Zoe: Describe Veritas on one word?
Klaus: Opportunity!
Those were great insights and learnings from Klaus! I’d like to thank Klaus for taking the time to answer these #LifeAtVeritas interview questions and providing our blog readers with a glimpse into his management style. I especially liked how he defined success and that achieving your goals set on your own merit rather than luck is far more fulfilling and a great motivation for the future.
So, if you enjoyed this interview as much as I did and you’re interested in joining our German team, then check out our latest job vacancies and apply today. There are plenty of opportunities at Veritas! Why not join our growing team?
Finally, watch out for more #LifeAtVeritas blogs and podcasts coming soon!
