ValtechVoices: Meet Maximilian

April 04, 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 Maximilian and getting to know more about his ideal work environment, favourite movie, and his favourite meal.

Q: What are your current day to day responsibilities?

A: I do a lot of the user experience design for Lufthansa. I do everything from booking, to servicing, to check-in, to improvements. I also work on the development of new ideas.

Q: What would be your ideal working environment?

A: I would like to be equipped with the hardware/software I want, surrounded by colleagues that inspire me, located near the city, but with a beautiful view of the horizon.

Q: Where do you see your industry headed in the next five years?

A: Although nobody can realistically predict what our industry or society will look like in the future, I think there will be a lot of AI. Maybe we will all be obsolete, or maybe nothing has changed. We will see!

Q: What is one pet peeve about your peers that you wish they’d stop doing?

A: Doing everything the customer wants them to do. Usually it's my job to question everything and get an understanding of an issue. However, it's also my job to guide a customer, and not just be a yes man.

When Max isn't working on an awesome project, he can often be found eating.

Q: What are your three go-to media outlets?

A: sueddeutsche.de, piqd.de and 9gag.com

Q: What are the most important lessons you’ve learned in life?

A: I've learned quite a few things in life. One thing that's always true is that you will make mistakes, but you have to learn from them. Also, there will always be somebody who does not like you, for reasons unknown. It's important to not change yourself just because of this.

Q: What is the last book you read?

A: Untenrum frei by Margarete Stokowski

Q: What's your favourite meal?

A: Sauerkraut!

Q: When and where were you born?

A: I was born in Coburg on February 20, 1991.

Even designers have to explore the outdoors every now and then.

Q: Did you get into trouble as a kid? What was the worst thing you did?

A: I was a rascal. One time I shoveled snow into a light shaft on our house and compressed it very well. My dad was so mad at me, and it took him a long time to shovel it all out.

Q: Did you have a nickname? How’d you get it?

A: Maggi (yes, like the famous German soup seasoning). A friend's little brother called me "Maggi" once and it was set.

Q: Who has been the biggest influence on your life? What lessons did that person teach you?

A: My Grandpa! He taught me that no matter who you are or how much money you earn, there is no reason for not helping in the kitchen.

Q: How would you like to be remembered?

A: I hope to be remembered as somebody who always seeks improvements - not only for myself but for everybody.

Q: What's the best movie you've seen in the last year?