Benjamin Mikuska - Strategy Consultant

Recommended expert

Munich, Germany

Experience

Jul 2025 - Sep 2025

3 months

Strategy Consultant

International Strategy and Innovation Consultancy

Developed and managed a business development strategy for the renewable energy vertical
Systematic lead generation and relationship management with existing clients
Acquired new projects and budgets
Developed and communicated new consulting offerings
Conducted market and trend analyses as well as expert interviews
Supported client pitches and marketing activities
Strengthened the funnel sustainably and expanded growth potential

Apr 2025 - Sep 2025

6 months

Strategy Consultant

International Organizational Consulting

Analyzed existing sales and organizational structures
Developed a new sales strategy
Designed a reorganization focused on efficiency
Initiated AI-based process automation
Accelerated decision-making and standardized workflows
Laid the foundation for scalable growth

Feb 2025 - Jun 2025

5 months

Strategy Consultant

VR Startup in the Sports Industry

Conducted market and competitive analysis
Sharpened the value proposition and offer structure
Developed an omni-channel marketing strategy with a focus on the web presence
Created a clearly positioned and bundled offering for scalable marketing
Broadened lead funnel, increased conversion rates, and achieved noticeable revenue growth

Feb 2024 - Dec 2024

11 months

Strategy and Sales Consultant

Medium-Sized Environmental Technology Company

Analyzed existing sales processes
Developed a new sales strategy
Led workshops on sales vision, customer segmentation, and OKRs
Supported the implementation of a CRM and PMO system (Monday)
Customizing, process automation, and employee training
Achieved more efficient workflows, greater transparency, and stronger cross-team collaboration
Increased revenue by around 25%

Dec 2023 - Apr 2024

5 months

Project Lead

International Company

Led a cross-functional team to overhaul the customer app
Added new products and services
Redesigned the information architecture and all UX flows
Integrated new brand guidelines, UI designs, and tone of voice
Used an agile approach to speed up development and complete on time

Jun 2023 - Dec 2024

1 year 7 months

Strategy and Product Consultant

German automobile group, Financial Services division

Developed a global anti-money laundering (AML) platform as a SaaS solution
Defined business logic, features, and user flows based on regulatory requirements
Supported roll-outs in international markets
Led product strategy workshops to define roadmap and features with internal teams
Launched MVP in five pilot markets, followed by global scaling
Standardized AML processes, improving service quality and reducing costs

Mar 2023 - Jun 2024

1 year 4 months

Venture Consultant

Innovative AI startup for content protection and monetization

Defined strategic direction and designed the MVP
Conducted target audience analysis and refined value propositions and features
Developed B2C and B2B models
Created communication strategies and supported fundraising
Released the MVP, built a B2C user base, and acquired B2B pilot customers

Mar 2023 - Jan 2024

11 months

Project Lead

LichtBlick SE

Developed and launched the flexible energy product "StromWallet"
Led a team (8–12 members) of internal and external experts
Responsible for project roadmap, value proposition, marketing strategy, and business case
Conducted prototyping, user testing, and integration into B2B services
Introduced the first 100% flexible offering in the German market

Mar 2023 - Jul 2023

5 months

Project Lead

Kuka Deutschland GmbH

Led a cross-functional team on behalf of the Chief Innovation Officer
Conducted market and trend analyses, industry benchmarking, expert interviews, and trade show visits
Prepared a final report with an executive summary and presentation for investment decisions
Identified validated business opportunities at the intersection of AI and robotics

Nov 2022 - Mar 2023

5 months

Head of Product Department (interim)

LichtBlick SE

Co-led the Energy-as-a-Service business unit alongside the Head of Business Operations
Managed three Scrum teams and the strategic roadmap
Built a standalone operations infrastructure with a high level of automation
Grew headcount from 30 to 120 in the first year
Increased revenue from five-figure to seven-figure annual amounts

Jun 2022 - Nov 2023

1 year 6 months

Project and Process Consultant

LichtBlick SE

Built the first fully internalized lead acquisition process
Designed the customer journey and automated processes
Conducted internal service trainings
Wrote user stories for development teams
Increased lead numbers, customers, and revenue for initial scaling

Jul 2021 - Jan 2022

7 months

Project Manager, Product Owner, and Scrum Master

Niterra EMEA GmbH

Designed and developed the ParkingMatch mobility platform
Developed the business model and marketing strategy
Coordinated the Scrum team
Ran product tests with over 150 testers, including live analytics
Launched an MVP in the German market

Apr 2021 - Aug 2021

5 months

Project Manager and Innovation Consultant

SWICA Krankenversicherung AG

Led a team through the discovery and product development phases for SME services
Prepared and conducted design research (interviews, observations, immersions)
Transcribed and synthesized research findings into opportunity areas
Presented results to a steering committee
Supported integration into business processes and development of new innovation initiatives

Jan 2021 - Apr 2021

4 months

Venture Consultant

Rapid Peaks GmbH

Validated entry into e-sports talent scouting
Conducted design research and prototyping & testing of business assumptions
Developed a business case and target group analysis
Led product development workshops
Provided decision support for investments in the new business model

Jan 2020 - Jun 2020

6 months

Commercial Lead and Product Owner

Wirecard AG

Conceptualized an e-commerce chatbot for SMEs
Defined technical requirements and launched to market
Conducted user research, service blueprints, value proposition design, and UX journeys
Developed business modeling and pricing strategy
Coordinated business partners and business development
Successfully tested in the D-A-CH region and prepared for global rollout

Oct 2019 - Dec 2019

3 months

Method Coach and Trainer

Generali Schweiz AG

Train 20 international employees in Design Thinking and Rapid Prototyping
Teach agile and user-centered design methods for HR innovation and transformation
Develop new ideas to reshape internal HR services and processes
Goal: increase satisfaction and reduce service costs

Mar 2019 - Jul 2019

5 months

Project Manager and Method Coach

A. P. Moller-Maersk Group

Build an internal acceleration program in Copenhagen
Coach the first cohort (9 teams of 5 people)
Conduct user research, opportunity discovery, and prototyping
Generate numerous business opportunities for the company's future
Establish the accelerator and train innovation evangelists

Nov 2018 - Jan 2019

3 months

Trainer and Coach

Deutsche Bundesbank

Train around 20 employees in Design Thinking, user-centered design, and agile management
Support digital transformation in event management
Combine synchronous theory workshops with asynchronous virtual project work
Facilitate knowledge transfer and application of new methods
Results: development of initial digital products and services

Nov 2018 - Dec 2018

2 months

Innovation Consultant and Method Coach

Gruner + Jahr Deutschland GmbH

Develop three new service platforms for the Digital Business Unit
Design business models, USPs, personas, and user journeys
Provide strategic clarity for projects and apply design thinking methods
Successful follow-up of business hypotheses by the client

Sep 2018 - Oct 2018

2 months

Innovation Consultant and Method Coach

Hilti AG

Conduct a series of workshops for the Data Analytics Leadership Team
Train in agile and user-centered design methods
Develop internal products and services for controlling and analytics
Result: valuable new ideas and business concepts for future projects

Dec 2017 - Oct 2018

11 months

Venture Consultant and Head of Product

E.ON SE

Leading an agile team to develop the Home Improvement & Renovation B2C platform
Platform concept, user research, service blueprint and UX flows
Marketing strategy, campaign management and conversion funnel management
Securing project funding and successful market launch

Sep 2017 - Sep 2019

2 years 1 month

Methodology Coach and Trainer

OSRAM GmbH

Coaching selected participants of the Executive Talent Program
Training in Design Thinking, Lean Startup and Rapid Prototyping
Promoting agile and innovative leadership skills
Goal: Preparing for leadership roles in a global organization

Sep 2017 - Jan 2018

5 months

Innovation Consultant and Foresight Researcher

Haufe-Lexware GmbH & Co. KG

Strategic foresight research for the digital tax advisory firm
Analyzing new business areas and developing products and business models
Rapid prototyping with lead users and internal experts
Supporting the Chief Strategy Officer in investment decisions

Jun 2017 - Sep 2017

4 months

Project Lead

PlanetHome Group GmbH

Redesigning the internal CRM platform for B2C and B2B real estate financing
Business analysis, UX research, user journey design and prototyping
Click-through prototype with technical requirements and printed customer journey
Winning over the steering committee in a two-day UX workshop

Oct 2016 - Oct 2019

3 years 1 month

Program Designer and Methodology Coach

Medien.Bayern GmbH

Head Coach for the Media Entrepreneurship Program (MEP) and Media Entrepreneurship Fellowship (MSF)
Weekly coaching and support for startups and company founders
Content: Design Thinking, Lean Start-Up, Business Modeling, Value Proposition Design, pitch training and financial planning
Increasing the number of successful program alumni

Jul 2016 - Sep 2016

3 months

Innovation Consultant and Method Coach

E.ON SE

Optimization of the employee onboarding platform and processes
Development of innovative solutions and on-the-job training in Design Thinking, UX design, and rapid prototyping
Creation of numerous concepts and requirements for cost savings and user satisfaction

May 2016 - Jun 2016

2 months

Project Manager and Innovation Consultant

E.ON SE

Management of an e-mobility innovation project
Interface between the project team and internal stakeholders
Coaching in innovation methods
Development of new business opportunities and acquisition of funding
Training of innovation ambassadors

Apr 2016 - Jul 2016

4 months

Innovation Consultant and Method Coach

OSRAM GmbH

Development of new products and services in the lighting market
Execution of the Double Diamond process: problem definition, opportunity discovery, idea generation, rapid prototyping, and user testing
Instruction of the design process and realization of new business ideas

Apr 2016 - Jul 2016

4 months

Innovation Consultant and Method Coach

OSRAM GmbH

Innovation project in the Smart City business unit
Identification and validation of new business opportunities
Coaching in Design Thinking, co-creation, and rapid prototyping
Securing funding and further development of service ideas

Feb 2016 - Apr 2016

3 months

Innovation Consultant and Method Coach

Royal Bank of Scotland

Digital transformation in retail banking
Leadership of the project team through the innovation process
Development of new business opportunities and presentation to senior management
Securing funding through B2C and B2B channels

Jul 2015 - Dec 2015

6 months

Product Manager

Wirecard AG

Launch of the smartband mobile payment wearable
Defining product requirements and lead management
Pricing strategies and partner presentations
Rollout at a major European music festival

Jul 2015 - Dec 2015

6 months

Product Manager and Strategy Consultant

Wirecard AG

Designing a points-based loyalty platform with admin and merchant portals
Creating user stories and epics following Scrum
Training business development, account management, and sales teams
Successful launch and revenue growth through upselling

Jan 2015 - May 2015

5 months

Innovation Consultant and Methodology Coach

Syngenta Group

Design research in the seed R&D process: expert interviews, market research, and trend analysis
Identifying innovation opportunities to increase revenue
Improving data quality with digital solutions to reduce costs in the R&D process

Summary

As an experienced executive manager and agile leader, I help companies stay innovative in dynamic markets, gain clarity, and achieve sustainable growth.

With solid expertise in digital transformation, strategy development, and venture building, I guide organizations in implementing effective solutions.

Always with the goal of increasing efficiency, improving customer experiences, and unlocking new business potential.

I believe that meaningful innovation starts with a genuine understanding of people. Their needs, wants, and challenges are at the core. My strength is in connecting strategy with execution to deliver successful initiatives that not only serve business goals but also provide tangible value to end users.

I help organizations meet complexity with clarity. This creates solutions that are not only effective but also future-proof. My goal is to make change tangible and inspire enthusiasm for new paths. That creates the foundation for sustainable competitive advantage.

Companies value my combination of strategic thinking, operational execution strength, and clear focus on leadership development. This builds trust, impact, and long-term success.

For over 12 years, I have worked as a cross-industry strategy and innovation consultant, as well as a coach and trainer, for leading companies in more than 15 industries.

This diversity has given me a deep understanding of different organizational forms, business models, and product logics. It lets me quickly grasp new situations, connect relevant insights, and adapt rapidly to new contexts. That way, I can drive projects in almost any industry with high speed and immediate impact.

Skills

Innovate

Discovery & Needfinding: Market And Trend Analysis, Competitive Benchmarking, Jobs-to-be-done Analysis, Ux & Foresight Research, Mixed Methods Research, Insight Synthesis, Defining Opportunity Fields, Persona Development, Storytelling
Product & Service Innovation: Design Sprint Facilitation, Idea Generation & Concept Evaluation, Solution Framing, Innovation Scoring & Prioritization, Rapid Prototyping & User Testing, User & Customer Segmentation, Mvp Development, Go-to-market Strategies
Business Design & Market Strategy: Venture Architecture, Business Model Design, Value Proposition Design, Service Blueprints, Customer Journey Mapping, Customer Adoption Strategy, Business Process Design, Pricing And Revenue Model Design, Business Case Design

Transform

Digital Transformation: Technology Scouting & Integration, Evaluating & Integrating Ai Technologies Into Business Models, Processes, And Products, Building Automated Processes & Tools, Scaling Business Models, Processes & Organizational Structures
Corporate Venturing & Innovation Management: Innovation Portfolio Management, Venture Building & Clienting, Intrapreneurship, Accelerator & Incubator Programs, Open Innovation & Co-creation Models, Startup Scouting & Evaluation, Commercial & Strategic Due Diligence
Agile Product Development: Taking On Agile Interim Roles (E.g., Head Of Product, Design Strategist, Business Analyst, Product Owner), Implementing Product Development Processes (E.g., Dual-track Agile), Coaching & Leading Agile Teams

Lead

Leadership & Team Development: Taking On Interim Leadership Roles, Building & Leading Interdisciplinary Teams (Especially In Crisis Or Scaling Situations), Managing Complex Transformation And Growth Projects, Team Development & Performance Enabling, Introducing And Embedding Agile Methods & Organizational Structures, Realigning Business Models & Processes, Developing And Implementing Transformation Roadmaps, Stakeholder Communication & Change Enablement
Innovation Culture & Knowledge Transfer: Developing Competencies In Innovation, Business Design, And Agility, Coaching And Supporting (Corporate) Startup Teams, Trainer & Speaker On Innovation Methods And Entrepreneurship