Christoph Bachmann – Innovation Manager

at Bayer Business Services, the IT service provider of the Bayer Group. The 28-year old is always on the lookout for innovations for the human resources field. In this interview he talks about what else he does, how he got the job and how he sees his professional future.

Mr. Bachmann, how did you first hear about Bayer and the IT service provider Bayer Business Services?
After graduating from high school and serving in the Bundeswehr, I realized fairly quickly that I wanted take part in a training program combining university studies with corporate vocational training. It was also important to me that the program include business administration and not strictly technical training. I then applied to a number of programs. I first heard about the “WIN Program” offered at that time by Bayer through an advertisement.

What does “WIN” stand for?
“WIN” stands for the combination of vocational training as an IT specialist and degree studies in business information systems.

You say that you applied to a number of programs. Why did you ultimately choose Bayer?
The other companies were all located close to my home town in southern Germany. Because I wanted to see another part of Germany, I chose Bayer and Leverkusen. The combined program offered exactly what I was looking for as well as excellent conditions, such as housing for trainees.

When did you start the program and what was it like?
I started at Bayer in September 2001. The program comprised corporate vocational training, attendance of the Vocational School for IT Specialists and degree studies at the University of Applied Sciences in Bergisch Gladbach.

How long did it take you to complete this demanding program?
I completed the vocational part of my training as an IT specialist in 2003 by passing the Chamber of Industry and Commerce exam. During my training, I rotated through various parts of the Group, such as different IT departments or Corporate Accounting. Concurrent with the last year of my degree studies, I also completed my advanced training with Dynevo GmbH, the Bayer Group’s media services provider. I also wrote my dissertation there. I received my degree in September 2004.

You remained at Bayer after completing the program. Why?
I stayed at Bayer because I had come to really value the company and saw assignments that suited me and that I wanted to take on. Furthermore, I’ve always wanted to work abroad at some point. It was therefore fitting that the department at Bayer Business Services to which I was assigned after receiving my degree had just begun establishing an international organization.

And how did you come to be at Bayer Business Services?
With a degree in business information systems, applying to an IT service provider was an obvious choice. My first assignment was in HR services, where I still work today. I also knew my new boss from my vocational training.

What sort of things did you do in your new job?
My first two years at Bayer Business Services were spent on SAP interface support and development, which at the time was new terrain for me.

And how did you become an Innovation Manager?
My first contact with innovation management was actually coincidental. In early 2007, I was responsible for the technical organization and coordination of software development as part of an international innovation project. This project was followed by a number of others that I supported, first on the research side and then later as Innovation Manager. From the very beginning I have enjoyed working on innovation projects because it is an entirely different way of dealing with IT.

Was the international aspect of your first innovation project an exception?
No, not at all. I took my first business trip (2 weeks) to North America back then. But even if I personally am not traveling the world, I have a lot of international contacts in various projects – right now mostly in Latin America. Two SAP projects in Mexico and Brazil are scheduled to get under way late this year, which I will be supporting as Liaison Officer. My job will be to coordinate between the IT teams in Germany and the Latin American countries, which will involve traveling back and forth.

Does Bayer enable you to balance your professional and your private life?
The work load fluctuates greatly in the projects business, of course. I try to take optimal advantage of the free time that I do have. I like sports, and there are a lot of opportunities there through the initiative of Bayer colleagues who organize soccer teams as well as through the Bayer-sponsored sports club (TSV Bayer 04). In addition, I am currently working toward my MBA at the University of Applied Sciences for Economics and Management in Essen. It is a great help that my employer allows me to divide my time relatively freely between work and my studies.

And what’s next after the MBA?
In my free time I will join one of the groups that regularly meet after work to play soccer. Professionally I would like to be able to take full advantage of the internationality of the company. For example, I would like to go abroad for an extended period - preferably to Latin America - for Bayer Business Services.

Looking back, would you say that joining Bayer Business Services was the right decision?
Absolutely. Bayer Business Services gives you the opportunity to implement ideas and follow them through to the end, so that you can also see the fruits of your labor. A conventional consulting company can’t offer that.