Roland (M.) Cernat

Founder & Chief AI Officer

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Munich, Germany

Experience

May 2023 - Present
2 years 9 months
Munich, Germany

Founder & Chief AI Officer

AI for Business

  • Lead ARRCH® & AI Design Sprint® implementations (1:1, team, org-level)
  • Drive ROI-in-Weeks pilots: average pay-back in 8 weeks, 25 %+ cost-to-value delta
  • Coach decision-makers to own an AI narrative that sticks with boards & teams
  • Build repeatable systems, no one-off hacks, so capabilities scale, not just demos
  • Trained 300+ professionals, achieving 72 % daily ARRCH adoption after 30 days
  • Validated a median of 4 use-cases per sprint, with 2 entering production within one quarter
  • Rolled out Microsoft 365 Copilot with 10 % month-on-month adoption across 5 departments
Mar 2022 - Dec 2024
2 years 10 months

Digital Business Expert (Innovation & GenAI)

Miba Group

  • Seamlessly integrated AI into workflows, identifying optimal AI opportunities and cultivating an AI-first mindset
  • Developed a robust AI strategy and led change management for internal ChatGPT implementation
  • Project leader for the Microsoft 365 Copilot adoption and evaluation; developed the adoption strategy
  • Increased generative AI adoption (ChatGPT) by 10 % monthly over 12 months
  • Led and developed tailored GenAI workshops for 300+ employees across departments
  • Conducted AI use case discovery sessions across 5 departments
  • Implemented AI use cases with >25 % ROI per case
May 2021 - Jan 2022
9 months
Munich, Germany

Innovation and Digital Strategy Manager

verlag moderne industrie GmbH

  • Crafted and refined innovation processes, spotting opportunities and risks, and devising actionable plans
  • Established a monitoring system for internal innovation, competitor analysis, and trends to optimize product-market alignment
  • Developed digital strategies and executed go-to-market plans from inception to implementation
  • Assessed conventional business models and adapted them to dynamic digital landscapes for heightened competitiveness
Nov 2018 - Apr 2021
2 years 6 months
Germany

Innovation, Digital Strategy and Transformation Management

Independent Consultant

  • Consulted at the intersection of design, business, strategy, and technology for established companies and startups
  • Identified and refined new business opportunities to improve products and differentiate from competitors
  • Launched 1–3 new products, services, categories, or experiences per client by exploring complex scenarios
  • Implemented lean trend screening processes, resulting in a 20 % average increase in customer satisfaction per client
  • Enhanced product-market fit, driving a 25 % average increase in brand recognition and 10 % average increase in market share per client
  • Aligned teams under a common leitmotiv, yielding a 20 % average increase in employee morale and 15 % average business growth per customer
Jan 2018 - Apr 2021
3 years 4 months
Germany

Project and Product Manager

Project and Product Manager

  • Conducted comprehensive market research, informing strategies that increased clients' market share by an average of 20 %
  • Devised and executed go-to-market strategies, boosting customer retention rates by 15 %
  • Spearheaded testing of pioneering design concepts and tech innovations, launching 1–3 innovative features per client
  • Harmonized client platforms with corporate identity, amplifying user engagement by an average of 10 %
  • Strategically optimized resource allocation, yielding a 30 % increase in efficiency
Sep 2015 - Jun 2017
1 year 10 months
Germany

Head of Department (Automotive)

Creative Wave GmbH

  • Led automotive projects of varying scale from local to global with a flexible leadership style
  • Managed a team of 14 employees and up to 20 contractors, balancing budget, resources, and project requirements
  • Completed over 25 projects on schedule and within budget; managed contracts valued up to €1 million each
  • Tracked up to 5 simultaneously running projects and created comprehensive project plans
  • Reduced cost overruns by 10 % through staffing demand forecast documents and proactive risk identification
Mar 2014 - Aug 2015
1 year 6 months
Germany

Co-Founder

Zyncd

  • Led development of an AI-driven smart CV platform to match job ads with candidates, boosting match accuracy by 25 %
  • Coordinated with technical teams to set clear goals and track progress
  • Mapped out a product strategy introducing 14 AI features, resulting in a 45 % increase in user engagement and satisfaction
  • Strategically positioned the platform to grow the customer base by 30 % and reduce churn by 40 %
Jan 2013 - Dec 2013
1 year
Munich, Germany

Co-Founder

ImmoMatch

  • Co-founded an AI-driven online platform for tenant-landlord matching in real estate, streamlining processes for efficiency
  • Developed and optimized business processes and a user-friendly interface for seamless interactions
  • Mastered AI applications in real estate innovation under resource constraints
Jan 2008 - Dec 2012
5 years
Germany

Founder and Freelance Designer

ObeyaDesign Agency

  • Founded an agency focused on sustainable product design, balancing user needs and company goals
  • Crafted a unique design philosophy combining work ethics, aesthetics, and technical excellence
  • Engaged with customers to inform design decisions and deliver impactful solutions

Summary

I help leaders, team managers and executives who feel the heat.

The urge to show AI impact fast, visibly, and without risking reputation.

  • ARRCH® Framework: a thinking system for reliable AI answers
  • AI Design Sprint®: a fast path to validated use-cases with measurable ROI
  • Power AI Sessions: clarity-building sessions that shift your mindset to motion

“You don’t need to master AI. You need to move with it - confidently.”

“I stopped experimenting. Now I’m executing with confidence.” Markus H., Executive

“Now I have a way to lead the conversation, not just follow it.” Christina F., Head of Transformation

“Roland is someone who instantly understood me and gave me the frameworks and confidence to work with AI. No BS. No hype.” Thomas K., Managing Director

Skills

  • Ai Consulting
  • Ai Training
  • Microsoft 365 Copilot Adoption
  • How To Found And Drive Startup 101
  • Understanding Ai Technology 101
  • Product Design
  • Industrial Design
  • Automotive Design
  • Web & App Design
  • Graphic Design
  • Design Patents
  • Trade Marks
  • Corporate Identity
  • Brand Identity
  • Taxonomy & Terminology
  • Design Thinking
  • Design Strategy
  • Design Research
  • Ux / User Experience
  • Ui / User Interface

Languages

German
Native
Romanian
Native
English
Advanced

Education

Oct 2006 - Jun 2007

Ohio State University

Industrial Design · Columbus, United States

Oct 2004 - Jun 2008

Fachhochschule für Gestaltung Schwäbisch Gmünd

Diploma · Digital and Product Design · Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany

Certifications & licenses

AI Design Sprint Facilitator

Certified Member Of The AI Class ➜ Power AI Sessions: clarity-building sessions that shift your AI For Business Leaders mindset to motion

Generative AI Business Strategy ➜ ARRCH® Framework: a thinking system for reliable AI answers

How To Research And Write Using ➜ AI Design Sprint®: a fast path to validated use-cases with Generative AI Tools measurable ROI

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