Many believe Europe lags behind in semiconductor innovation, constrained by outdated industry standards. But is this really the case? Let's dive deeper and challenge this notion.

In reality, with leaders like Sonja Pierer, Europe is making monumental strides. Intel´s investments will contribute to the EU's goal of bringing back 20% of global semiconductor manufacturing capacity to the region by 2030. This is not just a goal—it's a transformation in action.

Join us on the latest episode of the Transformation Leaders podcast, hosted by René Esteban, as we explore the future of Europe’s tech industry with Sonja Pierer.

#Innovation #Transformation #Semiconductor

About Sonja Pierer (LinkedIn): Sonja is Intel's Country Manager for Germany—so to speak, the face of Intel in Germany. In parallel, she heads Digital Sales for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Sonja started her career with Cisco, where she held various Enterprise Sales positions covering customers from different segments. Further steps in her career included being Head of Sellers B2B German Marketplace at Amazon,Managing Director at Experis and various senior positions at NCR Corporation and VCE / Dell.

About René Esteban (LinkedIn): René Esteban is Founder and CEO of FocusFirst. As a former senior leader in a Fortune 500, he found that too many transformation projects take too long, waste money, and annoy key stakeholders – and that there must be a way to accelerate business transformations sustainably. Today, this belief unites an international FocusFirst team consisting of former top executives and subject matter experts. He is an international keynote speaker, author and senior advisor for top executives to achieve challenging goals and accelerate complex transformations.

About FocusFirst (LinkedIn): FocusFirst is a boutique consulting firm for transformation & strategic change projects. We are the specialised firm in the industry that combines former top executives and an award-winning method to accelerate transformations. This unique “double helix” of capabilities equips us to help our customers deliver results faster against demanding business goals. Executives work with FocusFirst to develop organisations, structure & accelerate transformations. FocusFirst works with leading Fortune 500 companies such as Merck, Novartis, E.ON, BASF, as well as established mid-sized companies.

More information: www.focusfirst.com

"Transforming Beyond Boundaries" – Thierry Bernard, CEO of QIAGEN

It's easy to believe a transformation is a once-in-a-decade event. This mindset is fundamentally flawed. True change isn't about grand, singular moments but the continuous evolution that challenges and reshapes our approach to leadership and innovation.

In reality, Thierry Bernard's journey with QIAGEN and all QIAGEN’ers exemplifies the power of relentless transformation. Amidst the pandemic's chaos, QIAGEN leveraged the crisis not just as a challenge but as a profound opportunity for growth and innovation. It was an awakening for 6,000 QIAGEN’ers worldwide, proving that transformation is an ongoing process, deeply woven into the fabric of their daily work. The crisis underscored the essential nature of adaptability, collaboration, and purpose in navigating unprecedented times.

"Change and transformation are not just about navigating through crises but embedding the agility and resilience needed for continuous evolution."

René Esteban, Founder and CEO of FocusFirst, delves into this inspiring story on the Transformation Leaders podcast. Join us to explore how QIAGEN’s journey can redefine your understanding of transformation and inspire actions that drive meaningful change.

#Leadership #Innovation #Agility

👉 Listen to the full podcast for insights on leading through transformation and the lessons that can guide us toward a future marked by continuous evolution and growth.

About Thierry Bernard (LinkedIn): Thierry joined QIAGEN in February 2015 to lead the company’s molecular testing business for human healthcare applications. He was named Chief Executive Officer in March 2020 after serving in this role on an interim basis and became a member of the Managing Board in 2021. Previously, Thierry held senior management roles in various regions at bioMérieux SA and several other leading international companies. He was named in March 2023 as Chair of the AdvaMedDx Board of Directors, a U.S. industry trade association. Thierry has earned degrees and certifications from various internationally renowned universities, including Sciences Po, LSE, and Harvard Business School.

About René Esteban (LinkedIn): René Esteban is Founder and CEO of FocusFirst. As a former senior leader in a Fortune 500, he found that too many transformation projects take too long, waste money, and annoy key stakeholders – and that there must be a way to accelerate business transformations sustainably. Today, this belief unites an international FocusFirst team consisting of former top executives and subject matter experts. He is an international keynote speaker, author and senior advisor for top executives to achieve challenging goals and accelerate complex transformations.

About FocusFirst (LinkedIn): FocusFirst is a boutique consulting firm for transformation & strategic change projects. We are the specialised firm in the industry that combines former top executives and an award-winning method to accelerate transformations. This unique “double helix” of capabilities equips us to help our customers deliver results faster against demanding business goals. Executives work with FocusFirst to develop organisations, structure & accelerate transformations. FocusFirst works with leading Fortune 500 companies such as Merck, Novartis, E.ON, BASF, as well as established mid-sized companies.

More information: www.focusfirst.com

Michael Picker (Head of Change Management) & Michael Fuchs (Head of Practice Changemanagement) teilen ihre Erfahrungen bei der Gründung der Inhouse Change Beratung bei der Deutschen Bahn in einer neuen Folge von Transformation Leaders Podcast von René Esteban, Gründer und CEO der Transformations- und Change Management Beratung FocusFirst.

#Transformation #DeutscheBahn #Change

Über Michael Picker (LinkedIn): Michael Picker leitet das Change Management der Deutschen Bahn AG. Seit Ende seines Studiums ist er Berater für Change Management und inzwischen als Executive-Coach und Moderator in- und außerhalb der DB tätig.

Über Michael Fuchs (LinkedIn): Michael Fuchs ist „Head of Practice Changemanagement“ für die Changeberatung der geschäftsfeldübergreifenden Transformationen verantwortlich. In den letzten Jahren war er in verschiedenen Funktionen in der DB unterwegs. Unter anderem leitete er das Changemanagement und die Interne Kommunikation der DB Fernverkehr AG. Davor sammelte Michael internationale Change-Erfahrungen bei HARIBO. Bevor er seine Leidenschaft für die Change-Arbeit in Konzernen entdeckte, gründete er mehrere Start-ups, in denen er selbst über 10 Jahre tätig war.

Über René Esteban (LinkedIn): René Esteban ist Gründer und CEO der Transformations- und Change Management-Beratung FocusFirst. Als ehemaliger Senior Leader eines Fortune 500-Unternehmens stellte er fest, dass einfach zu viele Unternehmens-Projekte zu lange dauern, Geld verschwenden und Key-Stakeholder verärgern - und dass es einen Weg geben muss, um diese Business Transformationen nachhaltig zu beschleunigen. Diese Überzeugung vereint heute ein internationales FocusFirst Team, bestehend aus ehemaligen Top Führungskräften und Fachexperten. René ist ein internationaler Keynote-Speaker, Autor und Berater von Top Executives, um herausfordernde Ziele zu erreichen und komplexe Transformationen zu beschleunigen.

Über FocusFirst (LinkedIn): FocusFirst ist eine Boutique-Beratung für Transformations- und strategische Veränderungsprojekte. FocusFirst ist das spezialisierte Unternehmen in der Branche, das ehemalige Top-Führungskräfte und eine prämierte Methode zur Beschleunigung von Transformationen kombiniert. Führungskräfte arbeiten mit FocusFirst zusammen, um Organisationen zu entwickeln, zu strukturieren und Transformationen zu beschleunigen. FocusFirst arbeitet mit führenden Fortune 500-Unternehmen wie Merck, Novartis, E.ON und BASF sowie mit etablierten mittelständischen Unternehmen zusammen.

More information: www.focusfirst.com