In this Employee Spotlight blog, we’ll introduce you to Thomas Knorr, Field CTO and Senior Presales Director of the DACH and EE region.
Knorr recently rejoined IFS after 10 years working at other enterprise software companies like SAP and Workday. Knorr was the first trainee within IFS DACH back in 2005, so we enjoyed catching up with him as he returns to IFS as Field CTO and Senior Director of Presales.
What do you like to do in your free time?
Free time is decreasing with having a kid in the first school class now ?. Currently, I try to do some sports like cycling, snowboarding/SUP and fitness to find a balance to the demanding job. At the beginning of the Coronavirus crisis, I bought myself an electric guitar and currently am teaching it to myself with an app. Reading also always plays an important role in my free time.
Do you have any unique hobbies or talents?
Unique – not really to be honest. I am very curious to try out new things. Therefore, I can do many sports/games to some extent like tennis, Stand Up Paddling, table-tennis, did some martial arts, tried out wakeboarding, downhill biking, permanently improving my barbeque skills, etc. My motto is never to stand still and never let pass any interesting experience.
What is your favorite part about working at IFS?
I think the most appealing aspects that drove my decision are two things: A growing and changing organization and a great and comprehensive product.
Whereas the first allows one to be influential, creative, impactful and horizon-expanding, the latter gives you the joy and confidence to impact businesses and help them transform.
I made lots of experiences in a fragmented and sometimes disconnected application environment, so I really appreciate the beauty of one single suite. Apart from that, I am convinced that company culture and employee well-being are key to success and one of my top priorities.
If you didn’t work in this industry, what career path would you choose?
There would be two options for me: As I am very interested in wine (tasting and production) I could think about being an oenologist with my own wine yard.
The second path could be an osteopath as I admire the capability to help people by understanding the human body and heal only with hands.
If IFS gave out awards, you would be voted “Most Likely To…”
… be a true IFS ambassador. Company, culture, product, technology, people – are all elements of our daily job and my conviction is that you can only transport it to the internal and external world, if you truly embrace, promote and live it.
What’s one song you have completely memorized?
Hah, as I am a kid of the end 80s / 90s I listened to lots of music I am not too proud of today. ?
A band that really fascinated me was Queen. I listened to their records all day long and even drew their album cover on one of my T-Shirts. I still remember kneeling on the floor (don’t know why everyone did it to that song) and clapping to the rhythm of “We Will Rock You” on the dance floor.
Why did you choose to work for IFS?
It feels like coming home.
I had so many good memories when I worked for IFS over a decade ago and IFS made such impressive progress that it was time to go back.
With my experiences working for two big global companies and my management responsibilities I had there, I feel now ready to bring elevated value to IFS. With its integrated comprehensive product suite, IFS is a real jewel and combined with great people, there is nothing that can stop us.
What advice would you give someone looking for a career in your field?
Stay hungry, stay foolish ?. To me, Presales is, and always was, one of the most critical positions in any company. Presales understands, demonstrates, entertains and educates prospects and is key to success. Therefore, you should enjoy permanent change and improvement, always try to figure out what you could do differently tomorrow and how you could improve. The product changes, demo methodologies and sales play are changing and your professional skills are always growing. Embrace this evolution with an open mindset and most importantly – HAVE FUN!
We hope you enjoyed this IFS Employee Spotlight. We invite you to learn more about IFS careers.
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