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In conversation with Dr. Christoph Beckers, Senior Vice President Digital Transformation & Corporate Social Responsibility – Faces of Gigaset
23. August 2023 Published by Raphael DoerrThe Gigaset transformer: As Senior Vice President Digital Transformation & Corporate Social Responsibility, Dr. Christoph Beckers is responsible for driving forward the digital transformation at Gigaset and for further developing the company ecologically and socially. Read here what his ideal start to the day looks like and why he is optimistic about the future.
Tell us something about your role at Gigaset.
What do you need to start the working day happily in the morning?
Espresso and the feeling of being able to move something.
Tell us something about your role as SVP Digital Transformation & Corporate Social Responsibility at Gigaset.
My role was created in October 2021 to drive digital transformation and the shift towards more sustainability in the company. My goal is to cover these topics for Gigaset in the best possible way, to plan for the future with a sense of proportion and ultimately to implement as many projects and initiatives as possible. Many of the topics on my desk are new and developing rapidly.
What are the biggest challenges you face in this role?
New information and communication technologies have led to continuous changes in business models, operating processes and customer interactions in recent years. Shareholders and stakeholders are also reacting with increasing determination to the current ecological and social grievances. New laws and changing major and end customer requirements are constantly giving the company new impetus. Gigaset has to face the associated content and organizational challenges. – There are many challenges in this field of tension. Many topics such as cyber security or corporate sustainability are very complex. Another challenge is the implementation of cross-functional topics, where conflicting interests in the company often collide.
What excites you most about your current role?
In the areas of digital transformation and corporate social responsibility, I deal with new topics every day. I find it particularly interesting to structure these topics and derive necessary transformation processes. Discussions with colleagues and working together in a team are particularly fun and motivating for me. It never gets boring. The role challenges me. I learn something new every day, both professionally and personally.
Looking back on your career, what is an important risk you took?
Looking back, I always had two important principles: “I have to be interested in the things I do” and “I have to have a good feeling in my professional environment”. I turned down one or the other career opportunity in order to remain true to my principles.
What qualities do you think are critical for today’s leaders, especially post-pandemic?
Good and clear communication, a quick grasp, pragmatism, openness, sincerity, perseverance & resilience and humor.
How has the pandemic changed the way we work?
Working life was radically relocated to one’s own four walls. From then on, the advantages and disadvantages of digital forms of work no longer had to be discussed, but were tested in practice. This has led to a more pragmatic approach to the dissolution of work boundaries in all areas. At Gigaset, for example, a generous “mobile office” regulation has been created.
What makes you optimistic about the future of this industry?
Communication at home and with the family is and remains a basic need. The increasing appreciation of sustainability, quality and “Made in Germany” also makes me optimistic.
What advice would you give to your younger self – or a young person just starting out in tech?
To be diligent and open to try as many things as possible. to learn from others. To search for interesting topics that will be particularly relevant in the future.
What do you look for when hiring someone?
For me, professional and personal skills count equally. A good education or a degree. A good and authentic first impression. Whether the person fits into the company as a human being and how they can become happy in the company.
What are you passionate about outside of work?
Above all for my family, but also for traveling and things to do with friends. I’m athletic and I’m particularly passionate about cycling. But I also like to relax with a good book, a glass of wine or an interesting series.
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