Innovating Thinking

Innovation doesn’t just happen, innovation is a systematic and plannable process that ends with a reliable and sustainable result: a product ready for the market. As a sparring partner and expert in innovation management, I accompany your innovation process as well as the development of organizational, management, IT and supply chain structures – along the entire value chain or selectively in individual development stages.

I pursue a holistic consulting and implementation approach with the aim of anchoring innovative process structures in the corporate culture of my customers.

I bring solution-focused know-how from three decades to every project: Until the end of 2020, I worked at thyssenkrupp in various operational and administrative functions along the value chain, including managing research and development centers in Germany, Spain and China. I have lived and worked abroad for more than a decade: more than eight years in North America, also in Australia, China, Korea, India, Central and South America and in numerous European countries.

Consequently, my network is large and highly qualified: I have direct access to globally recognized experts from various industries and disciplines, whom I can integrate on a project basis. My teaching activities at Leibniz Universität Hannover (since 2009) and at the University of Northampton (since 2015) also enable in-depth scientific support in all phases of product development.

My goal: ensure that your innovation is no longer coincidence.

I look forward to hearing from you!
Your Benedikt Meier

Facts

  • > 30 years of professional experience in Innovation Management

Recommendations from Companions

Benedikt Meier’s quick and in-depth analysis of complex relationships, a high level of technical competence and the required degree of empathy were the decisive factors for the successful development and implementation of global innovation processes at thyssenkrupp Elevator AG.

Andreas Schierenbeck, CEO · thyssenkrupp Elevator AG

Benedikt Meier’s professional and academic performance demonstrates his major scientific and technical contributions to the engineering practice and profession, both nationally and internationally. The UoN is proud to benefit from his expertise and experience in his role as Visiting Professor.

Professor Stefan Kaczmarczyk, University of Northampton (UoN)

Benedikt is positive, resilient, and extremely committed and engaged. Persistent whilst smart and flexible to adjust the way to the target. Great listener and communicator. Builds high performance teams by constructing over everyone’s strengths. And what probably makes the difference: he truly cares. Cares for customer satisfaction, cares for his team, cares for the environment, cares for making an impact with his day-to-day job.

Dr. Beatriz Gonzales Torre, PMO · thyssenkrupp Elevator AG

Dr. Benedikt Meier’s commitment to research and development as well as his inspiring teaching activities make him particularly valuable for our university and its educational and research mission. The cooperation projects initiated by him guarantee a strong, sustainable alliance between industry and university.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Berend Denkena, Leibniz Universität Hannover

In order to venture into unknown territory, innovation needs a secure base. Benedikt Meier uses his outstanding leadership skills and provides clear and reliable orientation. I got to know and appreciate Benedikt Meier as a constructive-critical sparring partner, with whom it is fun to think through ideas and who knows how to generate a high level of trust among stakeholders as well as in objectives and projects.

Dr. Peter Börsting, Head of Technology, Innovation & Sustainability · thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions AG

Dr. Meier´s demonstrates his excellent academic didactic skills since 2009, highly motivated and committed at the University of Hanover. The application of suitable, motivating learning methods in combination with excellently structured lectures provide students with sustainably lasting knowledge.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Annika Raatz, Leibniz Universität Hannover

Results, that count

Professional & academic Milestones

  • Development of an efficient engine test system
  • Worldwide implementation to the new test standard in the engine assembly industry
  • Relocation of the R&D department from Hannover to Bremen
  • Massive increase in turnover and Ebit within 2 years
  • Restructuring and downsizing of manufacturing
  • Significant cost reductions thru several efficiency initiatives
  • Post-merger integration
  • Succesfull adaption of product portfolio and processes
  • Profitable embedding of the US-subsidiary into the German business structure
  • Restructuring, downsizing and optimization of the company
  • Improvement in all economic aspects of the organization
  • Setup and implementation of global Research & Development structures
  • Standardization of globally binding R&D processes in 16 international locations
  • “Sustainable Efficiency“
  • Development and implementation of the worldwide initiative “Sustainable Efficiency
  • Consolidation and reduction of the global product portfolio
  • Draw-up and implementation of global business/development processes and tools
  • Setup and implementation of global Research & Development structures
  • Significant improvements in on-time and on-budget project performance
  • Increase in product efficiency
  • Reduction of response time in customer service
  • Introduction of transparent budget & performance KPIs
  • Product focus through innovation focus: TechScouting, Innovation Think Tank, Agility, Open Innovation & Startup Incubator
  • Conception and implementation of the lecture „Applied Assembly Technology“
  • Teaching with 50% presence in manufacturing companies: understand what you learn

• Interactive block lectures on corporate management
• Project management with a focus on „Agile“