A talk with Roman Söhn, new Director of Finance & IT at Exelliq
Since August 18, Roman Söhn is Director of Finance & IT at Exelliq. He brings many years of expertise in finance, controlling, and process management. During his 13 years at Bene, he played a key role in the company’s IPO and in establishing capital-market and quarterly reporting. As CFO at Bulthaup, the German kitchen manufacturer, he also was responsible for IT and process issues and gained first-hand insight into the culture of an owner-managed family business. What excites him about his role at Exelliq is the holistic responsibility and freedom to shape: optimizing processes and focusing on the "important" figures. We met him for an interview.
Roman, where are you from?
I'm originally from the Danube region near Melk, specifically Krummnußbaum. I currently live with my long-term partner, partly in Mühldorf am Inn in Upper Bavaria (Germany) and partly at my in-laws in Eberschwang in Upper Austria. It’s an arrangement that works beautifully, and I’m truly grateful for it. In the long term, my partner and I plan to return to Austria —without any rush.
Your most important milestones in your career so far?
After graduating from high school, I worked for a year before consciously deciding to go to university. That was a truly formative step for me. Then I spent around 13 years at Bene, where I played a key role in the company’s IPO and established capital market and quarterly reporting. After that, I moved to Germany to join, the kitchen manufacturer, Bulthaup, as CFO and I was responsible for a wide range of topics and projects relating to IT and operational organization. I also had the opportunity to experience the corporate culture of an owner-managed family business at first hand.
What guiding principle do you live by, and what advice would you give your younger self?
Always have fun and enjoy what you do. And don't stay too long in an environment that isn't good for you. When your inner drive tells you that change is needed, you should take courage and take that step (earlier) – even if the path seems difficult at first.
What topics inspire you – then and now?
Making processes more efficient is something that is close to my heart. I always try to think entrepreneurially and consciously question "old" habits. I see myself less as an expert on a specific topic and more as someone who, together with the team, makes the company a little more successful every day.
Your first steps at Exelliq?
I want to create clear responsibilities by establishing jointly defined processes and standards – moving away from ad hoc "reaction" to "action." The goal is to focus on the "right" and "important" business topics, to provide the company and its decision-makers with meaningful figures, and not to "report just for the sake of reporting."
Thank you very much for the interview!