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Christian Wolf

Head of Innovation

Christian Wolf
Berlin, Germany

Experience

Sep 2020 - Present
5 years 5 months
Heidelberg, Germany
Hybrid

Head of Innovation

C. Josef Lamy GmbH

  • Full-time: Hybrid home office/Berlin/Heidelberg
  • Set up an innovation division at the new Berlin location, recruited the core team and defined a repeatable innovation process in just 2 months
  • Conceptualized 4 innovative digital product ideas beyond the writing instrument range in just 3 months
  • Fully developed a complex product (software/hardware) for higher productivity and mental health of creative workers (kōno), including business planning, independent market testing and launch strategy recommendations
Nov 2019 - Jun 2020
8 months
Berlin, Germany
Hybrid

Interim Head of Sales and Business Development

Wunderflats GmbH

  • Covered a vacancy: Hybrid home office/Berlin
  • Led a department with 2 team leaders (Sales, Business Development) and managed 27 team members
  • Coached low performers in the team, leading to significant performance improvements
  • Handled recruitment to support the company's continued above-average growth
Apr 2018 - Aug 2020
2 years 5 months
Berlin, Germany

Consultant and Interim Manager

nu technologies GmbH

  • Advised innovative companies on founding, business setup and financing strategy
  • Interim management in leadership positions
Aug 2015 - Mar 2018
2 years 8 months
Berlin, Germany
Hybrid

Co-founder and Managing Director

parlamind GmbH

  • Full-time: Hybrid home office/Berlin
  • Exited the company to a call center software provider in 2018, generating a profit for early-stage investors
  • Built the company from an AI research project (University of Potsdam), developing & implementing all company processes (HR, accounting, etc.)
  • Raised over €2.3M in seed funding from public grants & private early-stage investors, responsible for investor relations
  • Built a B2B sales process and acquired the first >120 beta customers (B2B)
Jan 2015 - Feb 2021
6 years 2 months
Frankfurt an der Oder, Germany

Member of the Advisory Board

asgoodasnew electronics GmbH

  • Advised executive management on strategy matters
  • Negotiated two additional funding rounds of €7M and €15M
Mar 2014 - Aug 2015
1 year 6 months
Berlin, Germany

Startup Fundraiser and Strategy Consultant

nu technologies GmbH

  • Advising innovative companies on business development and financing strategy
Nov 2008 - Feb 2014
5 years 4 months
Berlin, Germany

Founder and Managing Director

asgoodasnew electronics GmbH

  • Full-time: Berlin/Frankfurt (Oder)
  • Company independently profitable (> EUR 100M annual revenue, 150 employees)
  • Built the company from scratch to > 100 employees and > EUR 20M in revenue (B2C)
  • Set up company processes (software development, device testing, refurbishment, HR, accounting, etc.), recruited a junior management team, mentored the management team
  • Raised funds from Seed to Series C (> EUR 10M), negotiated a TV advertising contract worth > EUR 25M
  • Expanded the business internationally to Austria, Poland, and Spain
Apr 2007 - Sep 2008
1 year 6 months
Berlin, Germany

Consultant and Interim Manager

Self-employed

Nov 2006 - Aug 2007
10 months
Berlin, Germany

Co-founder and Managing Director

Qiro GmbH

Jun 2004 - Mar 2007
2 years 10 months
Berlin, Germany

Innovation Lab Project Manager, Customer Behaviour & Needs Intern

Deutsche Telekom Laboratories

Aug 1997 - Sep 1999
2 years 2 months
Höhr-Grenzhausen, Germany

Marketing Assistant, Apprenticeship as Industrial Clerk

Rastal GmbH & Co. KG

Summary

I love problems. Finding and solving them is my life's mission. That's why I became an entrepreneur and innovator.

My heart beats for radically innovative products and business models—especially digital ones. But I'm equally excited to tackle any kind of entrepreneurial challenge and support other entrepreneurs as a partner at the first or second leadership level.

As an entrepreneur or managing director (CEO/COO/CDO), I build agile structures (People, Tools, Processes) from the ground up or reshape them for future challenges. I draw on my broad business management knowledge and my many years of experience as a GmbH managing director. When I can't make progress alone, I tap into my extensive international network.

As the person responsible for innovation at the second management level (Head of Innovation, VP, division head), I define fitting innovation processes for the whole organization and recruit top creatives and technicians. I guide concepts from idea generation to market launch. In finding and developing innovative product ideas, I rely above all on user- and customer-centered methods (e.g., Design Thinking).

As an interim manager at the first or second management level, I solve acute problems of any kind. From covering a vacancy to radically restructuring a non-performing division or team. I'm most effective where a user- and customer-centered approach is needed: innovation, product management, marketing, sales or operations.

My greatest strengths are building and leading creative, multidisciplinary teams (from recruiting to peak productivity). I lead in an agile and participative way with elements of visionary and servant leadership. An open, honest company culture with communication at eye level is very important to me, and I put great effort into contributing to it.

Skills

  • Ey Entrepreneur Of The Year 2012 Finalist
  • Brandenburg Future Prize 2011
  • Internet World Business Five People To Watch 2010

Languages

German
Native
English
Native
Polish
Advanced
French
Elementary

Education

Jan 2002 - Jun 2002

Jönköping International Business School

Erasmus Exchange Semester · Jönköping, Sweden

Oct 1999 - Feb 2005

Europa-Universität Viadrina

Diploma in Business Administration · International Business Administration · Frankfurt an der Oder, Germany · 1.7 – good

Certifications & licenses

Organizational Design And Management

HEC Paris

Design Thinking For Innovation

University Of Virginia

Profile

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Frequently asked questions

Do you have questions? Here you can find further information.

Where is Christian based?

Christian is based in Berlin, Germany and can operate in on-site, hybrid, and remote work models.

What languages does Christian speak?

Christian speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Native), Polish (Advanced), French (Elementary).

How many years of experience does Christian have?

Christian has at least 23 years of experience. During this time, Christian has worked in at least 9 different roles and for 9 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 2 years and 1 month. Note that Christian may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

What roles would Christian be best suited for?

Based on recent experience, Christian would be well-suited for roles such as: Head of Innovation, Interim Head of Sales and Business Development, Consultant and Interim Manager.

What is Christian's latest experience?

Christian's most recent position is Head of Innovation at C. Josef Lamy GmbH.

What companies has Christian worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Christian has worked for C. Josef Lamy GmbH and asgoodasnew electronics GmbH.

Which industries is Christian most experienced in?

Christian is most experienced in industries like Retail, Manufacturing, and Professional Services. Christian also has some experience in Information Technology (IT), Telecommunication, and Real Estate.

Which business areas is Christian most experienced in?

Christian is most experienced in business areas like Strategy and Planning, Product Development, and Finance. Christian also has some experience in Operations, Human Resources (HR), and Sales.

Which industries has Christian worked in recently?

Christian has recently worked in industries like Retail and Manufacturing.

Which business areas has Christian worked in recently?

Christian has recently worked in business areas like Strategy and Planning, Finance, and Product Development.

What is Christian's education?

Christian holds a Doctorate in International Business Administration from Europa-Universität Viadrina and a Bachelor in Erasmus Exchange Semester from Jönköping International Business School.

Does Christian have any certificates?

Christian has 2 certificates. These include: Organizational Design And Management and Design Thinking For Innovation.

What is the availability of Christian?

Christian is immediately available full-time for suitable projects.

What is the rate of Christian?

Christian's rate depends on the specific project requirements. Please use the Meet button on the profile to schedule a meeting and discuss the details.

How to hire Christian?

To hire Christian, click the Meet button on the profile to request a meeting and discuss your project needs.

Average rates for similar positions

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Market avg: 790-950 €
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