As part of our "5 Questions for..." series, we talked to Ilona Eichenberger about her professional and private interests and the most important lessons she has learned along her career path so far.
Anyone who knows about her social nature and willingness to help will not be surprised about her first career aspiration. Ilona Eichenberger didn't become a doctor, but she did find another way to help people, to help them get ahead in life and to encourage them. After a career in consulting and sales at a medical technology company as well as managing a beauty clinic in Rheinfelden, she now skillfully combines her skills and diverse interests.
As a delegate of the Board of Directors of the "Club de Bâle", she is the perfect networker. With her commitment to exchange, not least the proportion of women in the members' club grew - a matter close to Ilona Eichenberger's heart. Furthermore, she is president of the association "Haus der Begegnungen", an interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary meeting place. The non-profit cultural center offers events in the fields of art, music, dance, theater, film, performance, literature and new technologies.
In our interview, you can learn more about Ilona Eichenberger, who has actively shaped her vocation and lives it in a self-determined way. In the interview, she talks about her various commitments, what moves and drives her. We wish you a stimulating read!
Ms. Eichenberger, if you had taken a different path when you were younger, what would you have become?
"Definitely a doctor; I would have preferred to become a surgeon. But German studies would also have appealed to me. The German language and German literary history, from the beginnings to the present, interest me a lot."
What would you work for free for a week?
"That's easy for me to answer: for 12 years I've been working for Interplast Germany, a non-profit association for plastic surgery in third world countries. This is not only unpaid, but extremely exhausting.
I was also responsible for Nicaplast (Basel) travels on a voluntary basis. This organization travels with an interdisciplinary team to Nicaragua once a year for two weeks to help people with facial deformities and diseases on site.
In addition, together with three other people, I founded the foundation "Friends for Tosamaganga"(Tanzania) and am actively involved in the field. Next year, I am planning an intensive seminar Management Training "Managers without Borders". I'm excited to learn how to apply familiar management tools in a completely different and challenging environment to make the practical field assignments successful."
What was the best professional advice you ever received?
"There I would like to name three, all of which are valuable to me:
'Try to put your reactions in relation to the cause; that way you decide more objectively.'
'Trust in your strengths.'
'The worst mistake is to be afraid to make a mistake.'"
How do you face setbacks and deal with difficulties?
"That has changed over the years. Today I am more relaxed and can see difficulties as a challenge. Yes, it spurs me on to look for good solutions. Setbacks happen and often offer a great opportunity to tackle something completely new. Sometimes I also have to end something when I no longer see the point in it."
What is especially important to you in your work environment and what is definitely not coming into the office?
"Thank God I don't often have to work in the office. And when I do, it's usually at home. I need contact with people. Be it with customers or with the team. That's why a good team spirit is very important to me. A windowless office would not be a workplace for me."
We would like to express our sincere thanks to Ms. Eichenberger for her 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
