In the series of successful graduates from Hof University of Applied Sciences, we are introducing Katharina Klug today. Born in Hof, she completed her Bachelor’s degree in International Management in 2008 under Prof. Dr. Stefan Wengler. After a subsequent Master’s degree in Ludwigshafen and Mannheim, she began her career at Bosch, where she joined Bosch Digital as a management consultant and was able to build up extensive knowledge in the field of innovation, and is now offering a workshop for current students at Hof University of Applied Sciences at the Einstein1 start-up center.
Image: Hof University of Applied Sciences;
Ms. Klug, what exactly is your area of responsibility at Bosch and what topics are you particularly interested in at the moment?
“I’ve been with the company for over eight years now and mainly manage strategic and global innovation projects. One focus was the central area of user experience, i.e. how well users get on with our products and what needs there are. New innovation topics have kept me busy for a long time, which led me to the Corporate Research department and then to Bosch Digital, where I accepted a position as a consultant to the Board of Management. Of course, the topics here are also very exciting: I’m currently working on the global implementation of highly complex material compliance software that is used across the Group. I am working with an international project and development team with a focus on Germany and India.”
You were a student at Hof University of Applied Sciences. What memories have stayed with you in particular and what has shaped you in your current career?
“I always thought Hof University of Applied Sciences was really great, even back then, with its appearance and all its facilities. What I also particularly appreciated was the 24-hour access to the library. The conditions in Hof were really great. I always thought that if you were studying International Management, you should definitely spend some time abroad, so Hof University of Applied Sciences was predestined for me anyway. In my case, I ended up spending three semesters in Malaga, which of course also had a cultural impact on me. For this reason alone, Spain is still a kind of second home for me. I was also influenced by the performance principle practiced at the university: you had to achieve something – if only because of the two foreign languages, English and Spanish, which were necessary for me. Language skills in business are a wonderful foundation for establishing yourself in an international company – as is a certain understanding of intercultural diversity.”
In the “Innovation@Bosch” workshop, you recently gave an insight into the company’s culture of innovation. What did you try to convey to the participants?
“First of all, I have to say: I was amazed at how committed the students were, even on a sunny Friday afternoon! My aim was to build on some of the theory they had learned and combine it with my practical knowledge. To do this, I wanted to show what possibilities the Design Thinking method offers to promote innovation. Innovation can follow a fixed process.”
In concrete terms?
“For me, it was important that the students understand how important the user is through practical exercises as part of a design challenge. I also wanted to emphasize the importance of fast prototypes, as this prevents a lot of money being burned unnecessarily during the development process. The question is always: How do you get good products and services as effectively as possible? Of course, I also wanted to offer an insight into what life is like in the industry.
I also looked at the different innovation landscapes in our company. It has to be said: An idea is by no means an innovation. It’s a rocky and difficult road before a product makes it onto the market: the user has to want it, it has to be technically possible, there has to be a viable business model behind it and market access has to happen with the right timing. Very important: it’s okay to miss the mark in development (“failure culture”) as long as you learn from it.”
Why is the topic of innovation so crucial today – not only in industry, but also for career starters?
“The answer is simple: because everything that exists will inevitably fail at some point if it doesn’t evolve. For industry, this means that if we are not innovative, we will be left behind globally. And the same basically applies to employees on the labor market. And a look at the megatrends shows: The pressure to develop further is enormous.”
And finally: What advice would you give to today’s students – especially those who are interested in a career in a large corporation?
“You should have the courage to apply – even if you haven’t yet done an internship at a company. You often get a chance anyway. And: in a large corporation, there are a variety of opportunities to develop yourself or find the right fit for you. In addition to the usual basic virtues, you should be willing to get to know different locations and talk to your team on site. The presence on site should not be underestimated. But yes, the work-life balance is also important: in addition to your professional duties, you should never neglect your social contacts and maintain them.”
Many thanks and continued success!
