Jonas is one of the many likeable faces in our company. In a short interview, he tells us how he came to Soloplan and his interesting job as a project manager in CSM (Customer Solution Management) and what his everyday life is like.
Hello Jonas, thank you for taking the time for this interview. Let’s start with your professional background. How did you come to join Soloplan and become a project manager?
After leaving school, I studied economics in Nuremberg and Würzburg. I came into contact with logistics for the first time during my Master’s thesis. When I finished my studies and had my Master’s degree in my pocket, love brought me to the beautiful Allgäu region. After a short application process, I knew straight away that the interface between logistics and IT was right up my street and that I wanted to work at Soloplan. I was able to enjoy a comprehensive induction programme in project management. I supported a wide range of colleagues in sales, attended many academies and training courses and was then able to tackle my own projects relatively quickly.
Well, we all know that it’s beautiful in the Allgäu.
What are your day-to-day tasks in your position?
My typical day in the office starts at around 7am. That’s when I get a quick overview of the current situation, get and give updates from my colleagues and take a look at what’s coming up during the day. The first meetings usually start at 9 a.m., where we agree on everything that needs to be customised in the CarLo software for the respective company so that it fits perfectly for each customer in the end. If such consultations go into more detail, we often organise workshops at the customer’s premises.
When we are on site at the customer’s premises, we try to gather as much information as possible throughout the day in order to understand how they work and how a good implementation is possible. On this basis, we then define in specifications which adjustments need to be made and how our CarLo software should be used.
How is the work divided between preparation in the office and work on site with the customer?
The main burden of configuring and explaining the software definitely lies with the CSM colleague, who is usually on site with the customer for the training sessions. For small configurations, this can also be done remotely, but usually the colleagues visit the customer for several days to weeks and train the CarLo users.As the requirements are so complex, especially for large customers, the system is customised on site. Keeping an overview of the various project phases, the technical requirements and the implementation status is an important part of my job. I visit the customer about once a month to run workshops for two to five days.
What skills did you already have before you started at Soloplan that now come in handy in your day-to-day work?
I’m good at Excel, I already had a lot of fun with it at university. I also took a few courses and can now use it very well from a technical point of view. In project management, it’s particularly important to be able to deal well with people, get involved in new situations and take customers by the hand and tell them how things are done so that a project can be successfully completed as soon as possible.
Soloplan has customers all over the world – what is your favourite thing about working in the international arena?
In June this year, a customer from Namibia had an important project step, which a colleague from South Africa and I were able to accompany on site. The collaboration there with the different cultures and international talents worked really well. This team effort led to faster implementation and greater customer satisfaction.
Accompanying and managing such projects is of course really fun and it’s great when you realise how motivated your colleagues are and how much progress is being made.
That sounds like great teamwork, what would you say characterises your team? Of course there is this in other departments too, but we have to familiarise ourselves with every project and it’s not a given that a colleague will go to this effort to help you. I’m really happy to work in such a friendly team.
Thank you Jonas for this informative interview and the great insight into your day-to-day work. We wish you all the best for your future at Soloplan and continued success with your projects.
Would you also like to become part of Soloplan? Then take a look at our vacancies – we look forward to receiving your application!
