HI THERE, I’M SARAH
ABOUT ME
After studying business management at University of St. Gallen I worked in different industries such as consulting, banking, telecom, e-commerce and electromobility. In the past I was able to prove myself thanks to my strong analytical skills, as well as through integrative and solution-oriented thinking. I work independently and show initiative for upcoming tasks. I am a quick learner who likes to work in teams, while always staying focused on the task at hand. In difficult situations I can navigate the team in a productive way through good communication skills and social competencies.
Next to my work as a business development manager, I work at FHNW as a guest lecturer for a CAS on the topic of "Digital Business Development", as well for Rhino Innovation as a guest lecturer for Entrepreneurship & Intrapreneurship (Innovation Management). I am currently also building my own company for a retail oriented project against Food Waste.
My Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is ENFJ (Extraversion / Intuition / Feeling / Judging).
I am driven by the need to do good in the world and motivated to create new and sustainable solutions.
INTERESTS
what I'm passionate about
SUSTAINABILITY
With climate change we are facing one of the greatest challenges of the 21th century. I believe that we can build zero-emission, circular economies if we truly dedicate our efforts towards it and work on new and innovative ideas and solutions. This has to include more biodiversity in our environment, less meat and animal products in our nutrition, more sustainable materials and packaging, and the use of renewable energy sources. We need to develop new strategies to face the problem heads on: re-thinking how we live today and what we need to change for a better tomorrow.
TRENDS & TECHNOLOGIES
How will technology and digital business innovations change the way we live, work, and communicate with each other? How will they shape our societies and enable us globally? It is my desire to understand the holistic meaning of such developments and what their potential impacts might be. I want to navigate through the complexity behind the trends & innovations and cut to the chase: How can we improve our business practices and better serve our customers? What are new business models that we can create by leveraging those technologies?
WORKING EXPERIENCE
July 2023 - current
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, GOFAST
Our team "New Business & Strategy" is responsible for broader projects like the development of concepts to extend the company's business model, finding new and managing existing partnerships, and enhancing the customer experience.
July 2023 - current
GUEST LECTURER ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INTRAPRENEURSHIP, RHINO INNOVATION
For Rhino Innovation, teaching classes about Entrepreneurship, Intrapreneurship and various concepts surrounding Innovation Management.
March 2021 - current
GUEST LECTURER DIGITAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, FHNW
For a CAS in Digital Transformation, teaching of the module about Digital Business Development.
January 2022 - February 2023
HEAD OF STRATEGY & BUSINESS CONSULTING, COMPETEC GROUP
In charge of the company-wide strategy process. Supporting the different business units in the development & controlling efforts for their respective strategies. Leading of various projects and analyses for topics like strategy, innovation, business development, sustainability, etc. Team lead of three business consultants and an intern position.
August 2019 - December 2021
STRATEGY & BUSINESS CONSULTANT, COMPETEC GROUP (EARLIER: PROJECT MANAGER BUSINESS CONSULTING)
Accompanying the company-wide strategy process and supporting of business units in the development & controlling efforts for their respective strategies. Project leader of company-wide initiatives; support of management in workshops & new business ideas.
Support and consulting of the leadership team with a focus on the B2B and B2B2X business; strategy, organisational development, project management, etc. Market & competition observations, business area analysis, development of new growth & market entry strategies, etc.
October 2017 - June 2019
CORPORATE STRATEGY MANAGER, SWISSCOM (EARLIER: INTERN)
Strategic projects including e.g. market and competition observations (trend analyses), business segment analyses, development of new growth and market entry strategies. Participation in the strategic planning process, presentations & workshops for department heads, group management & board of directors.
February 2016 - December 2016
STUDENT OFFICE ASSITANT, KEARNEY
Secretarial and assistant work, including organisation of events and preparation and distribution of presentations for clients.
December 2013 - January 2016
FINANCE & CONTROLLING, MERCANTIL BANK SCHWEIZ
Financial accounting, consolidation, group reporting, taxes, SNB & FINMA reporting, assistance of the CFO & HR manager.
August 2009 - May 2013
STUDENT ASSISTANT, EXPERCELLENCE GMBH
STUDENT ASSISTANT, ICME INTERNATIONAL AG
Project-based assignments and assistance of senior consultants including secretarial, organizational and research work, as well as participation in the operational controlling of a restructuring program.
SKILLS
selection of projects I have worked on
VISION & STRATEGY
Development of visions and the responding strategies for different brands (incl. strategic controlling).
INNOVATION
Increasing cultural innovation mindset & agility of teams and projects. Participating in an intrapreneurship program.
BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS
Evaluation of potential business partnerships, building bridges and connecting people.
GROWTH STRATEGY
Development and assessment of strategies to successfully grow a business and expand into new markets.
CUSTOMER CENTRICITY
Increasing NPS including recommendations for new targets and guidelines. Creating Personas & CVPs.
TRENDS & ENVIRONMENT
Market research to understand trends, patterns, and competitors.
CSR / SUSTAINABILITY
Highlighting the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR); creating a strategy and game plan. Developing a CSR Report.
M&A / EXPANSION
Assessment of potential acquisition targets. Evaluation for a European market entry strategy.
SALES / CRM
Creating a concept with the goal to increase the effectiveness of the sales organisation as a whole and overseeing its realization. Implementation of a CRM tool.
EDUCATION
October 2021 - current
CAS TRANSFORMATION TOOLBOX, IKF LUZERN
Insights into 17 inspiring and creative methods to support transformation processes, to accompany and support strategy, organisational and team development in new ways.
September 2015 - March 2018
MASTER OF ARTS IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT,
UNIVERSITY OF ST. GALLEN (HSG)
Master Thesis:
"Business Model Opportunities with Blockchain” - a perspective using activity system modelling.
January 2017 - June 2017
EXCHANGE SEMESTER,
BI NORWEGIAN BUSINESS SCHOOL (OSLO, NORWAY)
September 2010 - July 2014
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION,
UNIVERSITY OF ST. GALLEN (HSG)
Bachelor Thesis:
"Interdependencies in Activity Systems” - a business model case study of the Swiss watch manufacturer Swatch AG.
VOLUNTEER WORK
September 2016 - June 2017
ECOMAP - PROJECT LEADER
Development of an interactive map focused on sustainable businesses (the-ecomap.com). Revitalization of the project and strategic realignment.
September 2011 - August 2013
P.I.E.C.E.S - HEAD OF MARKETING & IT, VP
Leading a student organisation, including marketing campaigns, social media, recruiting of new students and organisational development on how to develop the assosiaction further.
February 2013
P.I.E.C.E.S - ENGLISH TEACHER
Teaching English to children in Leon, Nicaragua. Design, organization and carrying out the lessons with a small team of volunteers.
August 2011 - Sepember 2011
AIESEC - PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES
Creation of marketing content (blogs, photos) and cultural exchange during an internship with AIESEC Philippines to promote local tourism via the initiative "Explore Philippines".
LET’S CONNECT!
