This short interview is meant to help our followers get a better insight into the people at HICO. We have a lot of questions – about life, business and all sorts of things. So who is Claudia Moldenhauer? And what does a telemarketing manager do at HICO Group?
Well, I was born and raised in Bad Pyrmont, but the Pied Piper of Hamelin couldn’t keep me in the Weserbergland. 🙂 After going to the North Sea every year in my childhood, the waves, wind, and surfing left a lasting impression on me, which is why I now live and work on Lake Constance.
Through HICO Group, I have found my absolute passion in my profession as a telemarketing manager. I am proud to have been with the company for 8 years and I am looking forward to more exciting years in our company.
What do you like best about HICO?
It’s definitely the team cohesion, the flexible working hours, and above all, my own area of responsibility.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I love establishing and expanding customer proximity at the beginning, offering customers real added value, and supporting them with optimal solutions. But it’s very important to meet the customer where they are.
What do you like least about your job?
Can I call my phone joker for a moment? 😊 Of course, there’s always the odd bad day when you catch potential customers on the wrong foot. But then again, that’s exactly the exciting challenge of turning the mood into a positive one. Just my thing! Seriously, I really like every facet of my job.
What would you say is the biggest challenge in your job?
It’s definitely the accessibility, which has deteriorated greatly due to home offices and the still insufficient digitization of companies. That was very different before the first lockdown.
Have you noticed a shift in momentum or a major change in your work since the pandemic began?
Yes, there has been a decrease in decision-making. There are much more wait-and-see attitudes – despite an increased need to take further steps toward digitization.
Is there an annoying trend you’re seeing in your industry right now?
Companies are not yet equipping their employees sufficiently with cell phones to forward the office phone number to it and to the home office. This is very annoying. There are nonsensical savings being made in the wrong place.
What is one major change you expect to see in your industry in the next 5-10 years?
Remote work will become the new normal and digitization and AI will accelerate, leading to increased demand for our products and services. 😊 However, I also see an increase in cybercrime. Consequently, IT security experts will be in greater demand.
Name someone in your industry whose content you really enjoy following.
Prof. Dr. Rolf Hichert of the IBCS Institute.
What’s the most interesting thing you’ve read this week?
“The countdown to Mars is complete, the mission has just begun.” The run on space exploration, most recently by the Americans through the 1000 kg “Perseverance” robot, as well as the sending of a space probe by the United Arab Emirates is exciting.
I wonder if human life will be possible there one day…?
Name someone who inspires you in life and work.
Andreas Rudolph with his ingenious marketing campaigns.
What is the most interesting job you have ever had?
This one. 😊
Describe yourself in 3 words.
Motivated, open-minded, authentic
What is one thing about you that people would be surprised to know?
I’ve been to the North Cape, Australia, and America; and that every once in a while, I really enjoy being a pillion passenger when riding motorcycles and trikes.
If you could only choose one thing about you that everyone should know, what would it be?
I am a down to earth family person.
Would you say you are more of an introvert or extrovert?
Extroverted.
What is the biggest change you’ve noticed in your daily life since the pandemic (and lockdown) began?
No more in-person, on-site client meetings. People spending more time out in nature.
If you could only use one word to describe 2020, what word would it be?
Whimsical.
Work or sleep – which do you do more of these days?
Work.
Have you found any new hobbies since the pandemic began?
I am cultivating my hobbies more, especially in nature.
Where would you go now if you were invisible?
To the sea.
What is your favorite winter activity?
Long walks in the snow, dancing, listening to music, ice skating…
What is your favorite summer activity?
Traveling, dancing, biking, swimming, walking…
Name one thing you really could NOT live without.
Family… affection.
Name one thing you could really live without.
Materialism.
Your favorite movie?
Dirty Dancing.
Yout favorite TV show?
TerraX, Lesch’s Cosmos Special, travel reports.
Your favorite book?
Australia, Steffen Albrecht.
Most exciting technology?
Space travel – very exciting, if humans could colonize other planets.
What are you most looking forward to in 2021?
Visiting family and friends. And a bike trip.
Share your best advice.
Thoughts create reality. Everyone can only change themselves. If you change yourself, you change the world.
Name 3 things you will do right after this call.
Breathe a sigh of relief, stretch, and drink hot cocoa. 😊
Thank you so much, Claudia! This has been great!
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