Entrepreneurial thinking and action are increasingly required core competencies in the professional world as well as in society. But are these skills innate or how do you learn them? The self-employed professional group is growing rapidly, but this skill is also essential for executives in the upper management of any company.
Today, this is already taken into account at school, where key skills such as collaboration, communication, critical thinking and creativity are encouraged at a young age. The private situation at home can also be very decisive. Some already come into contact with this in the parental home, including Erhard Schöpfer, now CEO of Allpack Group AG. As the oldest of nine siblings, he comes from a family with many children. He began early on to explore his role within the "extended family" organization and to take on tasks on his own responsibility, which shaped his character, values and attitudes.
Since 2013, Mr. Schöpfer has been responsible for the management of the Allpack Group in Reinach BL, which specializes in drug packaging for the pharmaceutical industry. Find out in our interview what kind of leadership culture he exemplifies, what concerns are close to his private heart, and how he balances his demanding role.
From controlling and supply chain to business unit manager, CFO and CEO. If you had taken a different path when you were younger, what would you have become?
"I set the course back then when I made the decision to do a commercial apprenticeship. As the first-born of nine siblings in a financially strained family (my father was a truck driver and auxiliary policeman), I wanted and needed to follow a path after school that contributed to the family income. Reality didn't even allow for cliché ideas like locomotive engineer and pilot. Growing up in an extended family had a strong impact on my person and my life."
What would you work for free for a week?
"My school friend Alex Zahnd got stuck in Nepal as an engineer during his world trip at that time. With his own development projects (RIDS Nepal/Switzerland) for high and remote villages he has realized sustainable solutions for clean drinking water, cooking stoves instead of open fires, toilets and lighting as well as greenhouses and possibilities for school education in cooperation with Swiss technical and higher education institutions (FH/ETH) for decades on site. We support these projects financially with our Rotary Club Augst-Raurica. I would like to lend a hand myself in a project on site in Nepal during my third phase of life."
What was the best professional advice you ever received?
"Keep calm in critical situations, give orientation and let the responsible people work"! My boss at the time taught me to approach major challenges seriously and seriously, to act as a calm pole and to let my competent and experienced managers solve them with professional composure. The nicest compliment came from my employees, who, as a person in the CEO position, concertedly described me to the Executive Board as a "calming rock in the surf.""
What event in your career do you remember most fondly?
""Kingmaker and not dwarf producer"! Together with my management teams, I have been able to coach and accompany many young people into the professional world and their first development and career steps. It makes me proud that many of them are successfully working in responsible and leading positions today."
Who or what inspires and excites you?
"I just bought a new high-tech mountain bike. I am an avid biker and enjoy half-day rides with my biker friends in the great outdoors in all seasons and weather. And - I enjoy being with my family and circle of friends."
We would like to thank Mr. Schöpfer for his contribution to this article. This interview was conducted in writing.
Editor: Neslihan Steiner
Batterman Consulting Basel AG
Executive Search,
Byfangweg 1a, CH-4051 Basel
T +41 58 680 55 55
basel@batterman.ch
