Corporate Developer​​​​​​​

Name: Doris Gartenmann Betz
Age: 49
Degree: lic.oec.publ.
Profession: Corporate Developer​​​​​​​
Employer: DER Touristik Suisse AG

Describe your job in one sentence.

I am allowed to advise on strategic change processes. If a direction is approved, I can participate in the operational implementation as a project manager. This is change management from the idea to the implementation - from visionary to hands-on, the whole range. That's exactly why I enjoy it so much!

What are the three main tasks in your job?

Support change processes. Motivating colleagues to do new things without having a managerial role. Keeping a close eye on processes and constantly thinking in optimisation mode.

What do you think is the best / most exciting thing about this job?

There is always something new. Constant learning, keeping your eyes open, putting new ideas into practice. Pure diversity! I've always been interested in building, rebuilding and changing. Just don't stand still, just don't always do the same work. Always get out of your comfort zone and ask yourself: How should I do this now? That keeps the tension high in my job.

What is the biggest challenge in this job?

Dealing with all types of people is a challenge but also my greatest joy. Who do I have to explain the same message to in order to get things moving?
It is a misconception to think that you treat everyone fairly by treating them equally. People need different communication and different incentives/motivation to get enthusiastic about something. That's my daily balancing act. How do I explain it to whom so that the change moves forward?

What does it take to enter this profession or to be successful in it?

As a newcomer to corporate development, you very quickly get to know all the processes in the company. You are the consultant on site, so to speak. In principle, however, it is only worth joining Corporate Development once you already have professional experience. You can always acquire specialised knowledge, but you have to have enthusiasm, self-confidence, empathy and a lot of perseverance.

What promotion/further development opportunities are there?

For me, this is my 'expert career' at the moment and I'm not looking for a leadership role as a promotion. I already had that. Basically, however, in corporate development you can see into so many business areas and have a good dialogue with all levels of hierarchy that an interesting door can open from time to time.
It may be possible to take over your own department or a specialist area that you have already analysed or helped to build up. In larger companies, the strategic head usually also sits on the management board or is a member of the CEO's staff. This means that you are always close to the action and well networked.

What would you have liked to have known about this profession as a graduate?

As a graduate, I only wanted to go into 'marketing' - I worked in this environment for almost 20 years. It was only a year ago that I felt experienced enough to slowly support others and help shape the development of a company in this support function.

What advice do you have for students who are interested in this job?

Basically, you have to ask yourself: Am I looking for a job to climb the career ladder quickly? If so, I would probably focus on one area of specialisation: as a specialist. Or am I looking for a job that I am passionate about and can acquire the broadest possible knowledge? Which could later open doors for me that I'm not even thinking about today: as a generalist.
Corporate developers often come from the consulting sector and immerse themselves in a specific industry. Or, as in our case, they come directly from industry and deepen their knowledge in strategic consulting and project management.

In terms of your career, is there anything you would do differently looking back? Why?

Almost nothing. I cancelled my PhD when I got pregnant - I couldn't do everything at once alongside a full-time job. In other words, I should have done the PhD straight after my studies - not worked for a few years first.

Is there anything else you would like to pass on to current students?

Whatever you do, do it with passion and conviction! Life changes its phases and you always have the right to reorientate yourself in a new phase. Choose what you like doing. With people around you, who are good for you. And once you've made your decision: go for it. Doing it is much more fun than saying "I wish I had done it". You have now been involved with schools and learning for around 20 years - now comes the phase of "doing - applying and learning again and again". Going full throttle and having a "fit of courage" every now and then is fun. Enjoy the ride!

As of March 2024