BASF China chief eyes stronger R&D role

Q&A

Q: What's the best way to break the ice with Chinese businessman?

A: That's a clever question. The best way is to take time, listen, and be open and honest, build up trust, and for sure have a good dinner. It's a combination of listening and engagement.

Q: Give three words to describe your impression of Chinese businessman.

A: Entrepreneur

I see the personal connection among leaders as so important for the entire relationship between all levels.

Trust

Leaders have to build up trust for a good relationship.

Equality

Chinese businesspeople always want to understand that it's an equal win-win, so it's equality.

Q: What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?

A: I have a family with two children. They have grown up and we share many happy moments. My biggest achievement is that I have a very nice and close family.

Q: What's your favorite book (or book you are reading now)?

A: I'm reading two books in parallel. The first one is Zhang Weiwei's The China Wave: Rise of a Civilizational State. The second is written by Michael Grabicki and titled Breaking New Ground, it deals with 130 years of doing business in China.

Q: How do you manage to stay energetic despite your busy schedule?

A: I have not too much time for hobbies. But I'm always very excited with everything that is connected with water, meaning swimming, diving and sailing. I try to have enough time for walking, swimming, sailing and playing golf. All this is paired with having good food and tasting wines.

Q: What Chinese cities you want to explore in the future?

A: I have seen a lot of cities, but I have not yet been to Kunming. So I would like to go to the southwest.