Ep. 89 - AI at Zühlke: How to Develop Your AI Competencies With Internal Experimentation - with Melanie Marchant

Send us a textMaibornWolff’s organizational structure is highly decentralized, with 17 operational departments—each with its own P&L and the freedom to pursue strategic goals.In this episode, Fabio Andree Scheurel, Deputy Division Manager of Collaborative Enterprise Architecture at MaibornWolff, joins Sammy to discuss how this unique structure encourages entrepreneurial freedom and fosters strong partnerships. Fabio explains how departments work together through effective networking and collaboration, all while remaining guided by MaibornWolff’s 12 non-negotiable cultural principles. He also shares insights into the company's innovative training budget system, which supports continuous development and empowers employees.You'll learn:1. How MaibornWolff drives autonomy and ownership in departments2. The benefits and challenges of a decentralized structure3. The impact of cultural principles on decentralized success4. How partnerships and networking enhance collaboration5. How the flexible training budget fuels growth and retention___________Get in touch with Fabio Andree Scheurel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fabio-andree-scheurel-674514205/ ___________Details about MaibornWolff:Website: https://www.maibornwolff.de/Industry: IT Services and IT ConsultingCompany size: 501-1,000 employeesHeadquarters: München, BayernFounded: 1989___________About the host Sammy Gebele:Sammy and SAWOO offer a B2B community-building service that establishes you as a thought leader in your industry and helps you build genuine, human-to-human relationships with your dream clients.Get in touch with Sammy Gebele on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammygebele/ ___________Past guests on the LEADERS IN CONSULTING Podcast include: Friederich von Hurter, Melanie Tobler, Tilman Au, and many more!___________Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us! 

Send us a text„Mögest du in interessanten Zeiten leben." Mit diesem chinesischen Sprichwort fasst Sebastian Gerling, Senior Vice President Consulting Services bei CGI, das Veränderungsmomentum der KI für die Beratungsbranche treffend zusammen. In dieser Episode spricht er mit unserem Host Sammy Gebele über die Auswirkungen von KI auf die Beratungsbranche und wie Unternehmen von Technologien wie GenAI und Machine Learning profitieren können. Dabei liefert er praxisnahe Beispiele, wie CGI innovative KI-Lösungen implementiert und wie Managed Services und Nearshoring die Effizienz zusätzlich steigern.Das erwartet Dich:1) Wie KI-basierte Lösungen wie Predictive Maintenance und AIOps die Effizienz in IT-Projekten steigern.2) Die Erfolgsstrategien von CGI bei der Umsetzung von Nearshore- und Offshore-Projekten.  3) Welche Faktoren für langfristige Kundenbeziehungen in Managed Services entscheidend sind.4) Warum Diversity und Inklusion im Beratungssektor nicht nur gesellschaftlich, sondern auch wirtschaftlich von Vorteil sind.___________Sebastian Gerling interessiert sich für strukturelle Fragen der Beratungsbranche wie die kulturelle Integration von Mitarbeitern, Diversity sowie die gezielte Förderung von jungen Frauen. Für einen persönlichen Austausch zum Thema findest Du ihn hier auf LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastiangerling/Sebastians Buchempfehlung:Business Model Generation: Ein Handbuch für Visionäre, Spielveränderer und Herausforderer von Alexander Osterwalder und Yves Pigneur | https://bit.ly/3Bl6uoE___________Über CGI:Website: https://www.cgi.com/en Industrie: IT-Dienstleistungen und IT-BeratungUnternehmensgröße: mehr als 91.000 Beschäftigte weltweitHauptsitz: Montreal, QuebecGründung: 1976___________Über den Host Sammy:Sammy und SAWOO bieten einen B2B-Community-Building-Service, der Dich als Vordenker in Deiner Branche etabliert und Dir hilft, echte, zwischenmenschliche Beziehungen zu Deinen Wunschkunden aufzubauen. Schreibe Sammy einfach via E-Mail unter [email protected] oder connecte Dich auf LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammygebele/___________Bisherige Gäste des LEADERS IN CONSULTING Podcasts: Friederich von Hurter, Melanie Tobler, Tilman Au und viele weitere.___________Vielen Dank an unsere Freunde von SAWOO, die diese Episode vom LEADERS IN CONSULTING Podcast für uns produziert haben! 

Send us a textReady to unleash the power of AI in your consultancy? In this episode, Ronny Fehling, Chief AI Officer, Partner, and VP of GenAI at BCG X, shares the secrets behind the company's incredible 7-year growth from 300–3,000 people. The conversation dives into how you can successfully implement AI at your consultancy, avoid common pitfalls, and drive unparalleled value on the client side. Want to stay relevant in the next 2–3 years? Don't miss this incredible playbook from BCG's tech-focused powerhouse.You'll learn:1. How to identify high-value AI use cases tailored to business needs.2. How to get both internal partner and client buy-in when proving the value of AI solutions.3. How to align AI initiatives with corporate goals to create measurable impact.4. How to integrate AI into your business, from pilot projects to scalable solutions.5. The benefits and pitfalls of value-based pricing models.___________Get in touch with Ronny Fehling on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronnyfehling/ Ronny Fehling's business book recommendations:How Will You Measure Your Life by Clayton Christensen | https://amzn.to/47lY6RJ Blue Ocean Strategy by Chan Kim | https://amzn.to/3ZFkx2z ___________Details about BCG X:Website: https://www.bcg.com/xIndustry: Business Consulting and ServicesCompany size: 1,001-5,000 employeesHeadquarters: Boston, MassachusettsFounded: 2022___________About the host Sammy Gebele:Sammy and SAWOO offer a B2B community-building service that establishes you as a thought leader in your industry and helps you build genuine, human-to-human relationships with your dream clients.Get in touch with Sammy Gebele on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammygebele/ ___________Past guests on the LEADERS IN CONSULTING Podcast include: Friederich von Hurter, Melanie Tobler, Tilman Au, and many more!___________Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us! 

Send us a textWhat is the key to fast and sustainable growth as a boutique consultancy? For Tenthpin Co-founder & Executive Chairman Jürgen Bauer, it's developing a niche focus.In this episode, Jürgen shares the journey behind Tenthpin’s impressive growth, revealing the strategic decisions that have enabled them to achieve consistent 25% year-on-year expansion since their inception in 2017.You'll learn:1. How Tenthpin's niche focus in life sciences drives consistent growth.2. The strategic decisions that fueled their 25% year-on-year expansion.3. The importance of maintaining quality and a strong company culture during rapid growth.4. How Tenthpin's collaboration with SAP led to the development of innovative industry-specific solutions.5. Insights into Tenthpin’s 'go-go strategy' for sustainable and scalable growth.___________Get in touch with Jürgen Bauer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juergenbauer/ Jürgen Bauer's business book recommendations:The Art of Resilience by Ross Edgley | https://amzn.to/472Zsk7 ___________Details about Tenthpin:Website: https://tenthpin.com/Industry: Business Consulting and ServicesCompany size: 201-500 employeesHeadquarters: Basel, CHFounded: 2017___________About the host Sammy Gebele:Sammy and SAWOO offer a B2B community-building service that establishes you as a thought leader in your industry and helps you build genuine, human-to-human relationships with your dream clients.Get in touch with Sammy Gebele on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammygebele/ ___________Past guests on the LEADERS IN CONSULTING Podcast include: Friederich von Hurter, Melanie Tobler, Tilman Au, and many more!___________Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us! 

Send us a textHow can you maintain strong client relationships across continents?In this episode, Rudraksh Bhawalkar, Partner at EY, brings a wealth of experience from across the globe. He shares his journey from India to the US, Africa, and finally to Germany, and reveals how he leverages daily networking strategies to stay connected and win clients. Dive into Rudy's proactive approach to networking in different cultures and his unique relationship management techniques.You'll learn:1. Proactive daily networking strategies for sustained client engagement2. The role of cultural understanding in building successful client relationships3. Effective use of LinkedIn and WhatsApp for professional networking4. How to overcome common challenges in international consulting5. Practical tips for balancing client acquisition with relationship building___________Get in touch with Rudraksh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rudraksh-bhawalkar-63b7813b/ Business book recommendations:Mindset by Carol Dweck | https://amzn.to/4ceQvpc ___________Details about EY:Website: https://www.ey.com/ Industry: Professional ServicesSize: 10,001+ employeesYear: 1989___________About the host Sammy Gebele:Sammy and SAWOO offer a B2B community-building service that establishes you as a thought leader in your industry and helps you build genuine, human-to-human relationships with your dream clients.Get in touch with Sammy Gebele on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammygebele/ ___________Past guests on the LEADERS IN CONSULTING Podcast include: Friederich von Hurter, Melanie Tobler, Tilman Au, and many more!___________Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us! 

Send us a textWhat led Implement Consulting Group's Energy and Climate practice to skyrocket from a modest team of 8 to a robust unit of 100 in just five years?In this episode, Senior Partner and Head of Energy and Climate at Implement Consulting Group Christian Romer Vingtoft delves into the dynamic journey of building a pioneering energy unit focused on the energy transition and sustainability agenda. He shares the unique approach that inspired the unit's growth, rooted in the bold and democratic spirit of pirate ships from the Golden Era. Listen as Christian discusses the strategic decisions, innovative practices, and cultural shifts that have underpinned their remarkable expansion.You'll learn:1. How Implement Consulting Group’s  Energy and Climate Practice grew from 8 to 100 employees in five years2. The principles of ‘rebel leadership’ and their impact on team dynamics and growth3. Strategies for fostering a purpose-driven culture in a consulting firm4. The role of integrative negotiations in driving successful energy projects5. Balancing a demanding consulting career with personal life and family commitments___________Get in touch with Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianromervingtoft/ or write him an email: [email protected] Business book recommendations:Rebel Leadership | https://amzn.to/4eZAxSc Be More Pirate | https://amzn.to/3xJ9tWy Getting To Yes | https://amzn.to/4bfQDoa Article recommendation:HBR Article “How Will You Measure Your Life?”| https://hbr.org/2010/07/how-will-you-measure-your-life ___________Details about Implement Consulting Group:Website: https://implementconsultinggroup.com/ Industry: Business Consulting and ServicesSize: 1,001-5,000 employeesYear: 1996___________About the host Sammy Gebele:Sammy and SAWOO offer a B2B community-building service that establishes you as a thought leader in your industry and helps you build genuine, human-to-human relationships with your dream clients.Get in touch with Sammy Gebele on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammygebele/ ___________Past guests on the LEADERS IN CONSULTING Podcast include: Friederich von Hurter, Melanie Tobler, Tilman Au, and many more!___________Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us! 

Send us a textCommunity building has been in H&Z's DNA since day one—so, how are they using this innovative strategy to create authentic human connections and win clients?In today's episode, you'll discover how building authentic human connections can revolutionise your client acquisition strategy. Join Sammy as he sits down with Sven Steinert, CEO of SUSTAINX and Partner at H&Z, and Constanze von Lentzke, Head of Marketing at H&Z Group, to explore the power of community in fostering sustainable growth and meaningful client relationships.You'll learn:1. Why H&Z is doubling down on community building as a client acquisition strategy2. How podcasts, meetups, and LinkedIn form the building blocks of hybrid communities3. How you measure the success of community-building4. The practical challenges of running communities5. The benefits of hiring external expertise when building communities___________Get in touch with Sven Steinert on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/svensteinert/ Get in touch with Constanze von Lentzke on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/constanzevonlentzke/ Sven Steinert's business book recommendations:Waste to Wealth: The Circular Economy Advantage by Peter Lacy and Jakob Rutqvist | https://amzn.to/3XlegYp Responsible Procurement by Multiple Authors | https://amzn.to/4bUttEs Constanze von Lentzke's book recommendation:22 Bahnen by Caroline Wahl | https://amzn.to/4eiCl8q ___________Details about H&Z Management Consulting:Website: https://hz.group/ Industry: Business Consulting and ServicesCompany size: 201-500 employeesHeadquarters: Munich, BavariaFounded: 1997Details about SUSTAINX:Website: https://www.sustainx.earth Industry: Community ServicesCompany size: 11-50 employeesHeadquarters: Munich, BavariaFounded: 2021Details about The Procurement Initiative:Website: https://www.procurementinitiative.org Industry: Think TanksCompany size: 11-50 employeesHeadquarters: London & MunichFounded: 2022___________About the host Sammy Gebele:Sammy and SAWOO offer a B2B community-building service that establishes you as a thought leader in your industry and helps you build genuine, human-to-human relationships with your dream clients.Get in touch with Sammy Gebele on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammygebele/ ___________Past guests on the LEADERS IN CONSULTING Podcast include: Friederich von Hurter, Melanie Tobler, Tilman Au, and many more!___________Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us! 

Send us a textEY Germany's managed services unit currently accounts for 15% of their consulting revenue, but they have big plans to double that by the end of the year.In this episode, EY Germany Partner & Consulting Managed Services Leader Matthias Bandemer shares why they're rethinking their business model to focus more on managed services. He also digs into the role of GenAI in modern-day consulting, and how they're using it to drive efficiency and innovation.You'll learn:1. Key strategies EY uses to scale managed services2. How AI is transforming EY's consulting practices3. Challenges of aligning partner interests in growth4. Insights into future consulting trends influenced by AI___________Get in touch with Matthias Bandemer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthiasbandemer/ Business book recommendation:Outsiders: Eight Unconventional CEOs and Their Radically Rational Blueprint for Success by William N. Thorndike Jr. | https://amzn.to/3TYkFFN IT tool recommendation:ChatGPT | https://chat.openai.com/ ___________Details about EY:Website: https://www.ey.com/ Industry: Professional ServicesSize: 10,001+ employeesYear: 1989___________About the host Sammy Gebele:Sammy and SAWOO offer a B2B community-building service that establishes you as a thought leader in your industry and helps you build genuine, human-to-human relationships with your dream clients.Get in touch with Sammy Gebele on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammygebele/ ___________Past guests on the LEADERS IN CONSULTING Podcast include: Friederich von Hurter, Melanie Tobler, Tilman Au, and many more! ___________Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us! 

Send us a textHow can your consultancy create and leverage proprietary software? Tim Redgate, Strategy Director & UK Head at Axioned, shares his knowledge.This episode delves deep into the transformative journey of building and leveraging technology within a consulting firm. Tim shares his firsthand experience with developing, funding, and marketing custom software solutions that not only streamline operations but also significantly enhance the market standing of consulting businesses. From the initial ideation to the strategic deployment of resources, Tim outlines the crucial steps for consultancy leaders aiming to innovate and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving industry.You'll learn:1. When to consider building your own software as a consultancy2. The primary incentives behind building your own software3. Practical steps on how to start building software solutions4. How to convert your internal software solution into a standalone product___________Get in touch with Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-redgate/ Business book recommendation:Traction by Gino Wickman | https://amzn.to/3UFcnDc ___________Details about Axioned:Website: https://axioned.com Industry: IT Services and IT ConsultingSize: 51-200 employeesYear: 2006___________About the host Sammy Gebele:Sammy and SAWOO offer a B2B community-building service that establishes you as a thought leader in your industry and helps you build genuine, human-to-human relationships with your dream clients.Get in touch with Sammy Gebele on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammygebele/ ___________Past guests on the LEADERS IN CONSULTING Podcast include: Friederich von Hurter, Melanie Tobler, Tilman Au, and many more!___________Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us! 

Send us a textEager to use AI in client projects? Try experimenting internally first. Zühlke did exactly that and reduced their discovery process time by 75%. In this episode, Sammy is joined by Melanie Marchant, Head of Digital Consulting at Zühlke. Melanie gives us an insider’s look at how her team is harnessing AI—not just to streamline operations but to revolutionize them completely. She shares valuable insights into how early internal experimentation enabled her to upgrade the company's AI competencies and provide clients with transformative results. You'll learn:1. How Zühlke pilots AI internally to refine client solutions2. The impact of AI on Zühlke's consulting approach3. Strategies for fostering an innovation-centric culture in consultancy4. Melanie's approach to leadership in AI-driven transformation projects___________Get in touch with Melanie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melaniemarchant/ Business book recommendation:How to Get On With Anyone | https://bit.ly/3WvRCMt Mindfulness App recommendation:Clementine | https://www.clementineapp.com/ ___________Details about Zühlke:Website: https://www.zuehlke.com Industry: IT Services and IT ConsultingSize: 1,001-5,000 employeesYear: 1968___________About the host Sammy Gebele:Sammy and SAWOO offer a B2B community-building service that establishes you as a thought leader in your industry and helps you build genuine, human-to-human relationships with your dream clients.Get in touch with Sammy Gebele on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammygebele/ ___________Past guests on the LEADERS IN CONSULTING Podcast include: Friederich von Hurter, Melanie Tobler, Tilman Au, and many more!___________Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us!