Organization sizes: Small, large and everything in between

Projects feel very different depending on whether you are working with a large corporation, an SME or a startup. Sometimes every decision takes three rounds of committee approval; sometimes it is made in a quick conversation. At other times, the local authority suddenly becomes a key player. And in startups, the strategy can change faster than you can turn over a flip-chart page.

Over the years, I have experienced all of these worlds from the inside: international corporations; owner-managed SMEs with short decision-making paths and a highly pragmatic approach; young startups on steep learning curves; and public-sector clients. I work confidently in both German and English, in projects ranging from Pöcking to Beijing, and from Abu Dhabi via Neresheim to Toronto.

I am particularly drawn to small, dynamic organisations. This is often where the potential for development is greatest: shaping structures, taking on responsibility early, making an immediate impact or enabling growth in the first place—also in international and intercultural settings. At the same time, smaller companies benefit enormously from someone who brings experience from larger organisations, for example in processes, quality assurance, stakeholder management and navigating complex customer structures.

What you gain

  • I act as a translator between worlds: corporate ways of working, SME pragmatism, startup dynamics and public-sector requirements. I understand their respective “languages” and can align them in joint projects. This also applies to transitions and merger situations, where different company cultures and expectations need to be brought together constructively.

  • I use project methods that fit the situation: no sledgehammer to crack a nut, but enough structure to ensure compliance, quality and safety. The result is projects that work in practice—not just on slides.

  • I help test an organisation’s ability to scale. When a small company takes on its largest-ever corporate assignment for a premium automotive manufacturer and an international telecommunications group joins as a partner, I give my client the room to focus on delivery. I make sure that processes, quality and collaboration can support the scale-up—and that the next stage of growth is prepared.

Selected references

The following selection illustrates the range of organisations I have worked with in assignments and projects—from local authority projects to international corporations and infrastructure companies. The list is alphabetical and does not imply any ranking:

  • Allianz Arena München Stadion GmbH
  • Ameco Beijing (aircraft maintenance, China)
  • BOX ID Systems GmbH (IoT solutions software)
  • Carl Zeiss AG
  • Companeer GmbH
  • Dolphin Energy (gas pipelines, Abu Dhabi)
  • elia (Belgian electricity transmission system operator)
  • FC Bayern München Basketball GmbH
  • Municipality of Pöcking
  • Munich University of Applied Sciences
  • Industrielackierung Eisenbarth (SME, Ostalb district)
  • KabelDeutschland GmbH
  • KPN (Dutch telecommunications group)
  • City of Munich
  • Lotsenbüro für mobile Lösungen GmbH
  • LOWE Rental
  • Lumesse GmbH
  • Market Town of Oberstdorf
  • Mercedes-Benz AG
  • Metrolinx
  • MOL Group
  • ONxpress Transportation Partners (Toronto)
  • Ostseestadion Rostock (stadium operator)
  • Philips N.V.
  • RheinENERGIE Stadion GmbH
  • SABIS Educational Services S.A.L. (Lebanon)
  • Siemens AG
  • Stadio Olimpico, Rome
  • Volkswagen AG

Image credit: Photo by Florian Schmetz on Unsplash.