As part of our "5 Questions for..." series, we talked to Matthias Knöri about his values, professional and private interests, and the most important lessons he has learned along his career path so far.
It is truly never too late to become what you could have been. Someone who shares this way of thinking is Dr. med. vet. Matthias Knöri. After working for several years in his skilled profession as a veterinarian in a veterinary practice, he has reoriented himself professionally. From product management to strategic alliance management to sales, he worked in various positions and life science companies in an international environment, filling his backpack of experience. Today he is CEO at Dr. E. Graeub AG, a company steeped in tradition that has been producing high-quality veterinary products for over 100 years. As at the beginning of his professional career, animal health is again the focus of his current activities.
We talked to the CEO about his career choice, his view of success and more. Find out in the interview why Mr. Knöri likes to stand in traffic jams in the morning, what is the best professional advice he has ever received and what he is passionate about outside of work.
Mr. Knöri, if you had taken a different path when you were younger, what would you have become?
"I live by the motto that decisions which I have made in the past to the best of my knowledge and belief and which cannot be changed will not be questioned by me. So why should I ask myself this question? It is much more important that I reflect myself daily and invest my energy in future decision making. There is always a way and many things interest me. Maybe that's why I no longer work as a veterinarian, but run a small manufacturing company in the veterinary drug industry. Personal development is never finished. If you stop learning, you stop living. And if I feel I've missed something, it's usually not too late to correct it."
What is your favorite way to start your day?
"With a hot bath and then a drive to the company, preferably with a traffic jam. This time belongs to me. In the car, I like to listen to reference books on leadership, psychology, marketing, sales, and on many other topics that help me advance. My personal development gives me energy and motivation."
What does success mean to you personally?
"Somewhere I once read the following quote: 'Success is not in front of you, it follows you.' This sentence reflects quite well what I think about success. Success is a result of hard work, courage and a bit of luck, as Hanspeter Latour likes to say. So you shouldn't run blindly after success. It comes naturally if you can inspire a group of people and get them excited about a common goal. When people know why they are doing something and enjoy standing up for something together, a sustainable foundation is created. This is the basis for success. In my view, hard-earned and jointly achieved goals are beautiful successes that should be celebrated together."
What would you work for free for a week?
"I put in over 600 hours a year for the association REDOG, the Swiss Association for Search and Rescue Dogs and partner of the Swiss Red Cross. I am involved in the central board of this organization, but I am also a rescue dog handler, mission leader and trainer of rescue dog teams. Only because I am allowed to share my hobby with my wife, this engagement is possible. The activity is a good balance to my job, I learn an enormous amount and I get to use my energy for a meaningful purpose, for missing persons and their relatives."
What was the best professional advice you ever received?
"Life is like a tricycle. The front wheel is yourself and your energy. Your two rear wheels are your job and family. If one rear wheel is defective, the tricycle will still go, but moving forward will be much more strenuous. If the front wheel is flat, you lose control. In short, pay attention to yourself, so you can pay attention to the important things in your life."
We would like to thank Mr. Knöri 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
