June 11, 2018
Valtech’s people are the best and brightest innovators in the world. They hail from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and industries, but are connected by a shared passion to make things better and to make better things.
This month we are highlighting Frank and getting to know more about his outlook for the industry, the best piece of advice he has, and who he would invite to dinner.
Q: What has been your favourite project so far?
A: I enjoyed working for Lufthansa as the Account, Client Service and Feel-Good Director.
Q: What does success look like for what you do?
A: To keep the client, and our company, pushing forward. The client's success is our success.
Q: What would be your ideal working environment?
A: A mix between open-space offices, collaboration worksites, and a home office.
Q: What do you look for in terms of culture -- structured or entrepreneurial?
A: Definitely entrepreneurial. I think this kind of culture is important for everyone now, and in the future.
Q: Who is your mentor? What advice have they shared with you?
A: I don't have a mentor, but I do have role models for different things in life. Getting inspiration from others is one of the things you have to be open to. It is important to learn from others and compare what you learn from them to your own experiences.
Q: Describe the current state of your industry?
A: It is full of disruption and changes, everywhere!
Q: Where do you see your industry headed in the next five years?
A: I see it growing, but not without some pain. I work on developing the mindset of others away from Taylorism/Silo's into open-mindedness, risk-taking, and boldness.
Q: What tool or utility helps you do your job more efficiently?
A: Anything cloud based because it allows for easy collaboration!
Q: What is your most poignant professional moment?
A: That people always change their mind when facing or feeling fear, risks, or rough times.
Q: What is the most interesting thing about your job?
A: You can be a creator, an inspiration for people, a goal setter, and basically anything you want to be if you're a team player. Without a team around you, you are powerless.
Hard work and making friends are two things Frank excels at!
Q: What is the best advice for those about to enter your field?
A: Zeal over education. Always be open, bold, curious, and don't stop learning. You will never know everything.
Q: What are the most important lessons you’ve learned in life?
A: The only value in life is time. Be careful how you use it and enjoy it.
Q: What is your ideal vacation?
A: My ideal vacation would be exploring new sites and stepping into the life of the country I'm visiting.
Q: Favourite meal of choice?
A: I love the real Italian kitchen that my wife introduced me to, but I am also open to anything that a different culture can offer! There is so much good stuff out there!
Q: Whom are the three people you’d invite to dinner?
A: I have more than three! I would need a long Italian style table in a Tuscan vineyard in order to fit all my guests! I would invite my wife, Steve Jobs, Albert Schweitzer, Winston Churchill, John F. Kennedy, Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Barack Obama, John Lennon, Robert De Niro, the Queen of England, and to be honest, all of my Valtech colleagues!!
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born in 1966 near the Rhine River, close to Koblenz, Germany.
Q: Did you get into trouble as a kid? What was the worst thing you did?
A: No! I was a quiet kid.
Frank might have been a quiet kid, but he's nothing but outgoing now!
Q: Who has been the biggest influence on your life? What lessons did that person teach you?
A: My wife is my biggest influence because she has never given up on me, or herself no matter what the challenge. Also my parents are a big influence. They have taught me that staying together as one family counts more than anything.
Q: What are the most important lessons you’ve learned in life?
A: Never try to change people, even if you have good intentions. They simply will not change from your efforts alone, only through experience do people change.
Q: How would you like to be remembered?
A: As someone that had a good feeling for people, always showed respect, and was part of a big change in society.
Q: For your great great grandchildren reading this years from now: is there any wisdom you’d want to pass on to them? What would you want them to know?
A: Always be yourself, don't be afraid, and if you need help in life, simply ask for it!
And that's a wrap! Stay tuned until next month's #ValtechVoices blog post to find out who we celebrate next.
