Insights

César Martínez Sánchez, Thalassophile

Are there any particular projects or accomplishments that you are particularly proud of?Completing my master's thesis proved to be quite a challenge, as I had to divide my time accurately between my full-time job, learning Python from scratch for the methodology and writing the master's thesis. In the end, the result was a successful project delivered on time.

What do you value the most about the company culture or work environment?
Working with highly skilled colleagues is a great way to sharpen my skills while also feeling comfortable in a family work environment where it's natural to ask for knowledge and share it.

Where did you grow up and what is the significance of your hometown to you?
I grew up in Querétaro, Mexico. I love Mexican culture with all my heart, I'm proud of the delicious food (which I also know how to cook) and the warmth of the people. "Día de muertos" is my favorite holiday because of everything it represents.

Is there a particular challenge or life experience that has shaped you?
I am proud to have completed my master's degree during the Covid pandemic, as it proved to be a great challenge. Due to the pandemic, I had to study in Germany while based out in Mexico which meant that I had to take classes from 2am to 9am, on top of my normal full-time job during the day. This experience showed me that nothing is impossible, but also that every difficulty has a beginning and an end - we just have to persevere.

Jörn Steffens, Soccer fan

What are your main tasks and responsibilities?
I am a co-founder of enerhym and as Managing Director I am basically responsible for everything. The areas I focus on include human resources, the back office and partner management.

What motivates you about your work at the company?
Working with a great team, the great interaction with each other and of course the constant new challenges you face as a consultant.

What personal interests or hobbies do you have outside of work?
In my free time, I like to play tennis.

What's your favorite travel memory or place you're dying to visit?
I love the Canary Islands, especially Tenerife. I love the combination of lots of sun, beach, and sea on the southern side of Mount Teide and the beautiful green side of the island to the north of Mount Teide. I could travel here again and again.

Marius Ratzmer, Woodworm

What are your main tasks and responsibilities?
As co-founder and managing director, I primarily take care of the strategic direction of enerhym. In concrete terms, this means that I look at new business areas, technologies and innovation and decide together with the team where and how we want to grow.

What do you value the most about the company culture or work environment?
When I look at our team, the most important characteristics that immediately strike me as an outsider are the friendly atmosphere and the great sense of humor. Complemented by flat hierarchies, in which colleagues define themselves by their responsibilities and creative freedom and not by any titles, working together is a lot of fun. In addition, the team has a pronounced international character, so that sometimes you can't tell exactly whether German, English, Spanish or Portuguese is the company language.

Is there a personal quote or guiding principle you adhere to in life?
Yes, the famous quote by the French painter Henri Matisse "One must not forget to see the world with the eyes of a child". This quote beautifully illustrates what afflicts our world today. Young children know neither envy nor cultural barriers. They do not strive for status symbols and still see the world full of wonders and things to discover. Our society, our market systems and the modern media are depriving us of the ability to enjoy small things and to focus on life itself.

What's your favorite travel memory or place you're dying to visit?
Good question. I have many wonderful travel memories that have had a strong personal impact on me. But I also still have a big dream - I absolutely want to take a trip to Japan. Through many years of karate lessons with a Japanese teacher, I have grown very fond of the culture of the Japanese in terms of closeness to nature, self-reflection, and politeness towards other fellow human beings. I find it impressive how in Japanese society, whether it's within the family, friendships, or work, there is always a strong emphasis on preserving the dignity of others. Politeness is not just a concept there, but a practiced reality.