Heiko completed his bachelor's and master's degrees in industrial engineering at RWTH Aachen University. He then worked as a research assistant for his doctorate at the Chair of Service and Technology Marketing. In his free time, he enjoys playing football and works as a referee. Hiking in nature and travelling to unknown regions make him particularly happy.
'Now I am fascinated by how strategic pricing and effective sales can significantly influence the success of a company.'
– Heiko Holz
Why did you choose Prof. Roll & Pastuch?
Admittedly, the initial contact was a chance hit on LinkedIn, which drew my attention to Prof. Roll & Pastuch. In the end, I decided in favour of R&P because I was impressed by the breadth of the industries they advise and the human element was a very good fit for me. In addition, I always wanted to keep in touch with my interest in teaching and research. I can do both at R&P, e.g. by being responsible for setting up an internal training platform or by authoring specialist articles.
Why consulting in general?
Even during my doctorate at the chair, I was able to complete and later take responsibility for various external consulting projects in different industries in addition to my university teaching and research tasks. The experience I was able to gain there made the leap into consulting after my doctorate an obvious one for me. What I particularly appreciate about the consulting industry is the steep learning curve due to the constant new challenges and the contact with many stakeholders and corporate environments, which means that every day is different.
What appeals to you about pricing and sales?
I've always had an affinity for numbers thanks to my engineering degree. Now I am fascinated by how strategic pricing and effective sales can significantly influence the success of a company. The opportunity to contribute directly to growth and competitiveness through analytical approaches and creative solutions motivates me. Management consultancies are often brought in to help companies cut costs and restructure. I am glad that we can work with pricing and sales on other levers in companies that help them to remain competitive without having to initiate major cutbacks or reorganisations.
What is your summary after the first year?
My summary after almost a year in pricing consulting is very positive. I have the opportunity to learn a lot and quickly and to contribute in many different ways. The work is challenging, but the intensive dialogue with colleagues and customers helps me to grow both professionally and personally. My biggest learning is that I myself, but also many companies, are not yet sufficiently aware of the importance of data science and, in the long term, AI. I want to learn as much as possible as quickly as possible. Fortunately, I have some colleagues from whom I can actively learn.
