„The greatest benefit for me is to improve my competitiveness and I transfer new methods to business“

Can you briefly start by telling in which company you currently work? When did you start there and what are your tasks?

I have been working for the company H.Bilz since the end of 2012. Up to now, for eight years, I handle the H.Bilz business in the Chinese market.

My major job is to develop the Chinese market, to push Bilz products, and to sell them to customers. Besides, I also expanded the Bilz brand to the Chinese market, continue to keep business from Germany to China and give our customers a good service.

Can you tell us about your project? What makes it exciting for you to work on the study project for the company Hermann Bilz GmbH & Co. KG?

My project is to develop the business in the Chinese market, increase the turnover of sales for H.Bilz company. I think the studies are very useful for me. I can learn a lot about sales, strategy, plan, and so on. That helps me with my work. It gives me deeply new ideas. Sometimes, I handle my work with the acquired knowledge from my studies at SIBE.

Why did you decide to start a job-integrated study program? What do you think about the combination of studying and working at the same time in the framework of SIBE’s Master Program?

I decide to join the job-integrated study program because I thought I need to improve my capability. I graduated from university long time ago and work for several years now. My knowledge of current management know-how is limited, society grows up fast and it is difficult for me to keep it up.

I think the SIBE program is very useful. It is not only study theory but also transfer to practice. That’s important.

How important is the formation of a professional international network during your studies? How do you benefit from the M.A./MBA (USA) program in terms of building your network?

The program changed my living style. I gave up some habits and study every day, but not for too long. I joined the study group and get to learn more from the discussions, exchange ideas and communicate with my fellow students.

It gave me some benefit on my mind. From the course, I could learn my own and my company’s advantage and weakness, and make the list of my competencies. It taught me a method to analyze, especially for my work.

You´re now a few months into the program, how do you manage to organize yourself and combine your work with your study program?

Normally, I study every day. I review the course material, participate in the course discussions and study for the new one. It gives me some rest time in between studying.

What do you like most about your project? Where are the challenges?

I feel the interest is to push the H.Bilz brand and develop new customers. The challenges for me are the product positioning and to develop new products. Product positioning is about price and quality, because most customers need good products and a good price. Developing new products is to improve the company’s competitiveness and to get a new business.

In which ways would you say your studies at SIBE benefit you the most? To whom would you recommend this program?

The greatest benefit for me is to improve my competitiveness and I can transfer the new methods from the SIBE program to the business. I would like to recommend this program to some of my customers and good friends.

Do you have tips for people who are considering applying for the SIBE program?

Learning is a long-term process. It will change your living style and form a habit.