Interview
Sandra Mayer-Wörner
In Conversation with Sandra Mayer-Wörner, technician for roller-shutters, blinds and awnings, who is assuming the family business.
Sandra Mayer-Wörner is a certified technician for roller-shutters, blinds, and awnings, following in the footsteps of her parents: She assumes their business ‘Mayer Rollladen- und Sonnenschutztechnik’ in South Germany supplying clients with awnings and roller-shutters. The business was founded by her great-granddad more than 60 years ago. Taking the lead of a family enterprise is quite a different challenge than starting a business from scratch.
Sandra, has it always been your plan to take over the family business?
No, I first trained for an entirely different profession and even started to work in that job but after a while, I noticed that I won`t enjoy this in the long run. So, I handed in my resignation. At the time there was a lot to do in my parents’ firm, so I decided to help out. After some time my dad suggested: ‘Why don`t you do an apprenticeship in this profession to become qualified?’ That was 17 years ago.
When did you realize that this is the right job for you?
There wasn`t a particular moment of realization. I just love my job – I like to get up in the morning and go to work. Because I find what I do is important. Of course, there are difficult days but you need to push through them – and there`s more sunshine than there`s rain.
At the moment you are running the company together with your parents – how is that going for you?
We have split the duties and I`m gradually getting more and more responsibilities. Certain matters I don`t even have to discuss with my parents anymore but they are entirely up to me. I find it important that we can talk openly. It`s not always easy. You need to be very open to criticism and you must not be resentful. And I find that it`s ok to argue at times. I often have different views from my parents and vice versa. If I want to change something, I must prepare my arguments well to convince my parents. And I need to be ok with the possibility of having a suggestion rejected.
"I will run the company differently from my great-granddad, my granddad, and my parents but I will run it well, too. I am a different generation."
That`s probably not always easy as you are family and seeing each other outside business hours…
Yes, and you need to stick to certain rules to maintain peace in the family. For example, when there`s a family get together we try not to talk about business. Otherwise, it`s annoying for the other members of the family. For my parents and me, it`s normal to talk about business matters and sometimes we don`t even notice it anymore… so the others do have our permission to stop the business talk.
How are you dealing with the responsibility that comes with taking the business of not only your parents but also your granddad and your great granddad?
There is a lot on my shoulders. I have responsibility for other families. But it also makes me proud. When I was in my twenties, I struggled with my own expectations. After all, I`m the one who has the highest expectations of myself. I will run the company differently from my great-granddad, my granddad, and my parents but I will run it well, too. I am from a different generation. Some things I want to keep as it is, but at the same time, I`m modernizing and digitizing the firm. Lucky enough my dad is quite good with computers and is on the same page with me regarding digitizing the business – so that makes it easy for me. Also, my dad still knows how the process of the handover and the succession was for him -after all, he`s been in the same situation.
What helps you with decision making?
My husband is a huge help. He doesn`t work in the company but I know that I`ve got his full support. If I need advice it`s interesting to see his outside perspective. He often has a different view from mine and sometimes this helps me to get rid of my blinkers when I have tunnel vision.
What areas of the business would you like to transform or have done so already?
I`ve expanded the marketing with Social Media. I like a marketing mix because we have different target audiences. Therefore print is still important for us. During the last couple of years, I have streamlined and simplified processes and workflows, also via digitization. For example, measurements are being recorded on an iPad and transferred directly via mail. This way quotes can be created much faster. Product- and price lists are simplified and entered into the system. Instead of paper, we use pdf and email more often. However, we have a lot of elderly clients – so we can`t just ditch the paper altogether.
"... there`s the granddad who already bought from my great-granddad and now his grandchildren are buying from me. 'Mayer' is known for good quality for generations and of course, I want to keep up this reputation."
Is the trend of personalisation a thing for long-established family businesses?
Years ago I noticed that the clients want to know who is behind the business – and lucky enough I`ve got the full support of my team in this matter. The Customer Journey and the relationship with our customers are important to us. We have so many customers where there`s the granddad who already bought from my great-granddad and now his grandchildren are buying from me. Mayer is known for good quality for generations and of course, I want to keep up this reputation.
Find out about ‘Mayer Rollladen- und Sonnenschutztechnik’ here: www.rolladen-mayer.de
Sandras Instagram Account is @sandrinchen_sonnenschein
About the author: www.business-photographer.com
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