5 Questions for Thomas Tschopp, Managing Director of RERO AG

This month, Mr. Thomas Tschopp, Managing Director of RERO AG, answers our "5 Questions". It was not always his goal that he would one day be the managing director of the traditional metal finishing company - this despite the fact that the company has been family-owned for over 130 years. After an apprenticeship with a well-known dental implant manufacturer, several stays abroad and training as a quality and environmental manager, he finally brought his experience to RERO AG.

But you never stop learning: part-time training at the University of Applied Sciences St. Gallen to become a business economist is now followed by further education CAS in Change Management. This course of study is often chosen by experienced managers who want to use innovative strategies and tools for successful change in their company. As part of our "5 Questions to..." series, we spoke with Mr. Tschopp about his very first career aspiration, the best advice of his career, and his professional habits. Learn more about him in our interview of the month.

Mr. Tschopp, if you had taken a different path when you were younger, what would you have become?

"As a child, of course, I wanted to be a policeman! However, career aspirations from childhood are rarely realized later on, and that was the case for me as well. However, it was clear to me relatively early on that I wanted to take over the management of a company. I was very interested in topics such as economics and business administration, and solving strategic and organizational problems. However, it was not planned at the time that this would be in my own family business. I rather saw myself abroad like New York or London."

What would you work for free for a week?

"I wouldn't give my job away again. However, the physical work as well as being in nature is of course not part of it. Thus, I think I would like to spend this week in agriculture or forestry as a balance to my professional life."

What was the best professional advice you ever received?

"Proper communication is the be-all and end-all of managing employees. The best - or at least one of the best pieces of professional advice - was this: "Speak each other's language." I try to put this into practice as best I can, even though I certainly don't always succeed."

How do you face setbacks and deal with difficulties?

"I used to think that such incidents would throw me off track enormously. But now that we have had difficult years and complex problems to deal with, my view has changed. Today, I know that it's best to tackle a problem head on, analyze it, structure it and, if possible, break it down into smaller packages and get the right people on board."

What is especially important to you in your work environment and what is definitely not coming into the office?

"I would be lost without my Outlook. What I don't bring into the office, though, are high-maintenance plants. I prefer my cactus there."

We would like to thank Mr. Tschopp for his contribution to this article. This interview was conducted in writing.

Editor: Neslihan Steiner