Solving problems clients don’t even know they have

Do you recall a specific moment that defined your future professional life?

My first job was at an insurance company where I did the same tasks day after day. After one week I knew I wanted to do something more meaningful, to personally grow in a job with a deeper purpose – and to make an impact. Since joining PwC’s Consulting team, I’ve definitely achieved that. I have countless opportunities to develop and to create something new, something meaningful.

What are your daily responsibilities?

No two days are alike, as our clients’ needs and problems are constantly changing. Right now, I am working mostly on a huge transformation project at a railways company, in which I function as an agile scrum master, managing two functional teams with all responsibilities that come with structuring our solution-oriented team work – including the preparation of more than 150 workshops in 2021. It is massive but very exciting. The same amount of quality that I deliver to my clients I also give into internal work and our business development, such as providing content for proposals as a data governance expert or ramping-up a talent relationship programme. We grow and develop together as a team, which also makes daily team internals a given. There is always something we can discuss, share or catch up on in a (virtual) coffee break.

What do you find fascinating about consulting and why?

What I find most fascinating about consulting is the people. I have the best team: diverse, dynamic and curious. I have met so many interesting characters in consulting. One of my colleagues even managed to qualify for the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii. Also, I love the variety of the job. I enjoy working with different people and clients from all sorts of industries. Accepting the diverse challenges and solving problems is a great and fun part of my daily business.

How is strategy responding to profound change?

Of course, there are always challenges to embrace that have a special actuality and we are indeed living and working in a world of profound change. Currently, for example, we are strongly affected by COVID-19 and also by recent technical developments. This immensely effects a current digitisation project for a client. We usually follow a workshop-based agile approach, but with the pandemic situation this is not possible. Therefore, we have evaluated different working tools that allow us to develop a remote workshop structure. As a result, we now have hundreds of workshops where many remotely working participants are separated into small groups. These times have really shaped a new way of working. And we face huge challenges, but they create opportunities for me and my team to help our clients solve their problems and to serve them better. By engaging with these topics and driving them forward – together we contribute to continuously transforming the future of our industry and firm.

How do you identify important hidden problems?

By listening. Many new joiners in consulting think they need to explain the world to the clients, however, the secret to serving our clients better is to listen first. To really understand what the problem is – and why. Only by asking the right questions and using the right methods can you be sure to understand the root cause.

What kind of clients do you have?

I have clients from all sorts of industries: football, global pharmacy, Swiss infrastructure and real estate as well as aerospace.

Can you tell us about a unique client that, in return, makes your work unique?

One of my most exciting clients was in the football industry. I was there last year for a data and analytics target operating model design. The analytics on their football-related data was (content-wise) all new to me and therefore very exciting.

What does “trust to go aheader” mean to you?

I am a 100% teamer. Alongside the project work, I really like investing time in development within our team and in our people. “To go aheader” means having the chance to shape our shared working environment as well as our own personal development and to become a true team. We trust in each other and in our evolution and together we go aheader to transform as individuals, as a team and as a firm – and therefore we also transform the future of our industry.

How do you live it personally, in your team, and in consulting?

I want people to care more and to grow closer. I try to set an example by being involved in the recruiting and talent relationship management processes for the team. With three PwC colleagues from other lines of service I created “YoungPwC”, a platform for younger colleagues to network and exchange.

What makes consulting at PwC Switzerland especially challenging and exciting?

You work at a leading advisory company in Switzerland, which is per se very exciting and challenging at the same time. You meet people from all over the world and there’s room for your personal development. I think these are some of the best aspects. Also, I’ve experienced that in Switzerland, you truly do meet everyone twice. I always have that in mind, making networking a personal priority – and of course, always delivering my best work for both mine and my firms reputation. A very helpful, rewarding approach!

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Solving problems clients don’t even know they have – Nina goes aheader with us!