«For me, the Glass is always Half Full rather than Half Empty.»

Ralf's professional career at IGP is characterized by constant change, personal growth and a positive attitude. His development from sales representative to sales manager is an example of how enthusiasm for the profession creates a real leader.

From field service to sales manager
His path to IGP began in the summer of 1995. The former IGP sales representative, Mr. Horst Förster, visited Ralf and told him that he was looking for a successor for IGP Germany. At that time, Ralf was sales manager at Kemper in Ennigerloh and had been working there for almost a decade. After two appointments, one in Warendorf, the second in Wil, the decision was made and the employment contract was signed. On October 1, 1995, Ralf became part of the IGP family.

"Field service was always my dream," says Ralf looking back. The change from colleague to supervisor was not easy. "I had to learn to lead first. I love to help shape, organize, take responsibility and work with people. That was my motivation."

The appeal of his work lies in the cooperation with different departments, the consistently good products, but above all in the customer contact. Ralf has a particularly good relationship with the customers. He has known many of them for many years, some for decades. Your trust is his top priority.

Changes? Willingly!
Whether product innovations such as the switch to TGIC-free products, the new CRM system or the current segmentation – Ralf sees changes as an opportunity. Especially if he can understand them. He tries to convince and involve doubters. In general, his glass is always half full rather than half empty.

It has always been in his nature to look at developments from a different perspective – especially from the end with the questions: What does it bring us in the long term? How can we improve? Ralf has also developed personally. Leading, challenging and encouraging. He has learned this intensively over the last eight years. It wasn't always easy, but it was extremely enriching.

The change of time
Digitization was a foreign word at IGP 30 years ago. When Ralf started at IGP, customers were still called from a telephone booth when a visit was imminent. Insert 20 pfennigs and off we went! Today, customer conversations are often handled conveniently and digitally via Teams. Customers' demands for information have also increased over the years. He writes several technical statements a day or calls customers personally in case of special features.

After all these years at IGP, CUBE wanted to know what motivates Ralf day by day and what makes him loyal to the company. For him, it's clearly diversity: no two days are the same, there is hardly any routine. He particularly enjoys working with the IGP Germany team. He also appreciates the open and cross-border exchange with all IGP employees. A togetherness that makes up the IGP spirit for him.

Motivated like a marathon runner
Asked what his secret is to being open to new things, he answers: "I motivate myself. I took this trait from sports. I've already run marathons twice and have been doing sports all my life." Even today, he regularly runs an impressive distance of 10 kilometres with his wife to balance his sporting activities.

In general, the family, including his two children Lisann and Lennart, is Ralf's anchor. This is how he manages to do a good job and always get involved in new things! When he is not dedicating himself to continuous improvements in the company or his favorite task, customer meetings, Ralf likes to travel to South Tyrol for hiking, or to the island of Norderny to relax.

Finally, Ralf's life motto: "Keep your composure, enjoy every day and appreciate people!