This is who I am ...

... I have always been a proactive person, eager to learn new things and widen my horizon. I'm not one to rest on my laurels. That’s why I carried on studying, life, people and facts. I have just finished a BA Hons in Social Science with the Open University, something I am particularly proud of, especially since I left school in Germany at the age of 15 to start an apprenticeship in accountancy and business administration. Upon completion I worked in Frankfurt for a couple of years. I then moved to England and perfected my English. Apart from a couple of years of working with Siemens in Sevilla, Spain, I have lived in England all this time.
My interest in languages and cultures also prompted me to complete a Diploma in Teaching English as a Foreign Language and I have recently obtained the 'Further Certificate for Teachers of English for Business' (FTBE) and Level 3 English for Business qualifications from the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
In fact, I am now so anglicised that most English people wouldn’t believe I was German.
Having said that - my name is a bit of a giveaway.
Since 1998 I have been running my own company in import and wholesale, dealing with a large number of overseas suppliers and a broad range of customers in the UK, ranging from small high street retailers to large multinational companies and chains including B&Q, Costco and Wyevale. In the process I have gone through all the usual ups and downs and struggles that come as part and parcel of running a small business. Still, I’ve also got a great sense of achievement from it and met a lot of wonderful people in the UK and across the world. Importing entails a lot of overseas travel on buying trips. With my own business I always maintained strong links to Germany by setting up a wholesale distribution link. During previous years, while working for Siemens both in the UK and Spain I had daily communications with the factory in Germany.
Throughout the many years I have managed small businesses in the UK and Spain I have also implemented and used Sage and seen it evolve to what it is today.
From this personal experience I have gained a sound understanding of the situations faced by owners of small businesses and I am able to relate to their needs and requirements.
My move into the field of consultancy has evolved out of requests from the many people I’ve met through my working life to assist them with my knowledge and expertise. As I increasingly got requests for help, some out of referrals, I decided to turn this into a full-time business.
I enjoy working with different people and find it very satisfying when I can help them.

My most recent assignments have included:

• Supporting a recruitment company which needed a German speaker to make arrangements with an office in Germany and recruit staff there.
• implementing SAGE Line 50 Accounts for a small business that was still using a manual system, converting data and training the relevant staff to use the new system
• teaching LCCI English for Business courses in Germany for various training companies (Prelim, Level 1,2,3)
• on-site Business English training in Germany for staff member of various levels
• Translations from German to English for various international companies