Michael Alf
AI / GenAI and Digital Transformation Expert
Experience
Founder
New World Events Pty Ltd.
New World Events - based in Australia but operating globally - delivers premium digital events to mid-sized and large companies around the world. Utilising the best available premium digital event platform (Meetyoo based in Berlin, Germany) as an official partner, the company creates memorable experiences and events.
With the rise of the Metaverse and the hybrid working model, the additional service is the design and construction of a corporate metaverse (or digital home) for companies, so they have a place to welcome clients, employees and other stakeholders. Due to low demand in this area, activities are reduced to a minimum and focussed on existing clients.
Senior Partner
XU Group GmbH
The XU Group in Berlin consists of the XU Exponential University in Potsdam and the XU Exponential Gamechangers, an organisation that supports large enterprises such as VW, Vorwerk, Otto Group, Die Bahn and many more during the Digital Transformation. This is done by developing and implementing empowerment concepts for management and employees with special attention to both digital and agile topics.
Initially I came on board as a freelancer to support the various projects and sales activities. At the beginning of 2019 I was asked to join the group level as a Senior Partner on a full-time basis. The relatively early decision to leave was mainly due to strategic differences.
My main tasks during the 15 months included:
- Various top management and board workshops on topics such as "Digital Roadmap", "Digital Literacy", "Digital Maturity", "Digital Competence Profiles" and others with companies like VW, Vorwerk, Bonprix, DCS, Klett Group and more
- Keynote presentations on similar topics
- Project management of a Cultural Change Program in a large medium-sized company (3 billion EUR), focusing on the empowerment of managers and employees in new forms of collaboration (digital, agile and design thinking)
- Development of an innovative approach including the technical implementation for scalable, flexible and demand-oriented up- and reskilling of executives and employees in large companies. This is achieved by the creation of individual or target group-specific "Learning Journeys". In addition, the acquisition and implementation of first pilot customers.
Founder
Alf Global Services OÜ
A digital coaching and consulting company focussed on transformation, digital transformation and advising on emerging technologies like AI, Generative AI and teh Metaverse.
Selective High Performance and Leadership Coaching as well as Deal Advisory (M&A).
The latest book is "B2B Metaverse Marketing" which Michael co-authored with Markus Keiper from Singapore.
Non-Executive Director
Matrix42 Australia
After successfully completing my work as "Country Manager" I was asked to join the Australian Boards (comparable to the German Supervisory Board) until the next strategic phase was closed. My responsibility was the preparation and implementation the regular board meetings.
Director
KPMG Enterprise Advisory
My task at KPMG was to create an Industry 4.0 "point of views" and assessments for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which allow them to understand where on the development path they are on. This was then the basis for consulting mandates.
Country Manager and Managing Director
Matrix42 Australia
Matrix42, a German software company and leader in Digital Workplace Management had acquired a company in Australia. After initial challenges in terms of the integration I was appointed Country Manager and shortly afterwards Managing Director. My tasks included the complete restructuring and rebuilding of the local team (7 – 9 employees), the support of the Australian Development Team (10 - 12 employees), the integration into the German society, the development of Australian partnerships, the support of - partly very large - local customers and the development and implementation of a Go-To-Market Plans for Australia.
Manager IT PMO
Asciano Ltd.
Asicano was the largest operator of Freight transport and ports in Australia. I was brought on board by the CIO to develop the recently launched IT PMO. Initially, I had around 20 employees, mainly working on a large outsourcing project.
The project demand in the organisation required an increase to more than 40 employees in a very short time. The portfolio then comprised about 50 diverse projects with a total volume of about $100m. PMO's own budget was about $2m.
My focus was the maturity of the PMO to increase from about 0.5 to almost 2.0 within 15 months, almost doubling the team with strong members and at the same time creating a positive environment for cooperation and performance. Furthermore, I have developed comprehensive and integrative Change Management Frameworks, which formed the foundation for the great transformation processes.
Vice President
Capgemini Australia
The time at Capgemini Australia was characterized by different roles and responsibilities due to the changing business needs. The most important roles and results:
- Head of the Sector ("Products"), which included consumer goods, retail, logistics, telco and others (all except banking & insurance and the public sector). This sector was responsible for approximately 50% of sales in Australia.
- Head of the Melbourne Branch and development of the initially about 80 employees without strong leadership to a flourishing site with about 200 employees at the end of 2011
- Key Account Manager for Foster's (beer and wine). Closing of the biggest deal in the local history at the end of 2009 with an initial $35m, which is about one third of the total of local sales in that year.
- Head of Sales Asia Pacific, which was set as a 50% role. My responsibility was the Coordination of the sales activities in the countries in Asia and the Middle East, the creation of a Go-To-Market plan and the integration of the Group's global capabilities to support local business deals.
Consultant to Vice President
Capgemini Germany
After starting as a consultant in the SAP eCommerce environment, I moved to the logistics sector, where I became Vice President with global responsibility for one of the largest accounts at the time, "Deutsche Post DHL".
- Management and development of the global account with a size of about EUR 30m to EUR 35m per year. Operating in about 6 to 8 countries with the support of up to 12 independent P&L Units of the Group, which entailed a high degree of complexity.
- Participation in the preparation of a leading 3PL research study as a member of the global 3PL Group
- Conceptional contribution to Key Account Management development within the Capgemini Group responsible for a very large and one of the most complex accounts within the Group
Officer career to Captain
German Armed Forces
After graduating from high school, I decided to pursue an officer's career:
- An officer in the Air Force in the Command Service
- Multiple formal awards
- Train driver with responsibility for about 50 employees
- IT officer in a staff assignment (CIO) of a group with 2000 employees
- Studied Economics and Organisation Sciences as best in class in Munich
Owner and Managing Director
totalu Pty Ltd
totalu was the Australian company through which my wife and I conducted our Australian (and global) business during our time in Australia.
Summary
Languages
Education
University of St. Gallen
Executive MBA HSG · Executive MBA Logistics · Switzerland · Top 5%
Chemnitz-Zwickau University of Technology
Post Graduate Study · Information and Communication Technology · Germany · Top 5%
University of the Federal Armed Forces Munich
Diploma in Business · Economic and Organisational Sciences · Germany · Top of the class
Certifications & licenses
High Performance Coach
High-Performance Institute
Company Director
Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistics Programming
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