For Thomas Bargetzi the solopreneur, success isn’t merely a destination but the culmination of consistent, high-performance actions. He approaches each day with the mindset that success is the driving force behind every endeavor, motivating him to strive for excellence relentlessly.

CEO Thomas Bargetzi AG belief

Bargetzi also believes that failure is the other side of success and that you can only become successful if you’re ready to accept this fact. Likening success in sports to success in life, where sometimes you win and sometimes you lose, he notes that in life, you simply need to win one more time than you lose, which means you’ve won!

Thomas Bargetzi a solopreneur

Thomas Bargetzi, believes that success is the goal of all works, activities, or things you try to achieve, and the result of many little pieces of performance. “I get up in the morning to be successful, otherwise I stay in bed. Success is a mindset. This means you must be a leader, concentrated and focused on the matters you do, with the people you are working with!” he declares.

Interim management concept

As a dynamic manager, Thomas Bargetzi the solopreneur recognized the significance of innovation in overcoming traditional barriers within corporate structures. Faced with challenges where age, tenure, or hierarchy often dictated the acceptance of ideas, he pioneered a novel approach “interim management”. Bargetzi embraced the notion that the most daunting tasks demand the boldest solutions. His approach is characterized by agility and decisiveness, emphasizing action over deliberation. Bargetzi believes in swift execution, advocating for a proactive stance where actions speak louder than words. In his experience, action is key to addressing issues effectively, allowing for rapid adaptation and problem-solving.

Bargetzi’s modus operandi involves rapid immersion into projects, speedily identifying core issues, and mobilizing resources for impactful outcomes. He prefers collaborating closely with internal stakeholders, leveraging their insights and expertise to drive meaningful change. By embedding himself within project teams as the sole external member, Bargetzi ensures a seamless integration of external perspective with internal dynamics.

As a self-described “fire brigade,” Bargetzi operates with a sense of urgency, eschewing complacency for proactive engagement. His approach emphasizes direct engagement with customers, markets, and stakeholders, prioritizing active listening and quick response to feedback.

Bargetzi’s academic journey

Thomas Bargetzi the solopreneur’s journey is impressive, with a focus on economics and marketing. He holds two marketing master’s degrees and a postgraduate degree in controlling, in addition to an MBA from City University in Seattle. Fluent in four languages—German, French, English, and Italian—Bargetzi possesses a valuable skill set for international business.

At the age of 37, Bargetzi reached the pinnacle of his career as the head of the soft drink division at Switzerland’s largest brewery, showcasing his leadership and strategic capabilities. Prior to this role, he held senior positions in marketing and sales with prominent American companies such as Mars, Pepsi Cola, NutraSweet, and Sunrise Medical. These experiences provided him with valuable insights into customer-oriented thinking and the dynamics of the consumer goods industry.

Additionally, Bargetzi served as a highly ranked Swiss Army officer, fulfilling his duty in accordance with Federal Law. This diverse background demonstrates his leadership skills, adaptability, and commitment to excellence in various professional and personal capacities.

Sports to business

As a sports addict in his youth, Bargetzi intended to become a professional sportsperson, but his father urged him to get a basic university degree to have access to all the options he needed to perform in his business life, once his sports career was over.

“Don’t crack under pressure. Resignation is never – never, ever an option”

Bargetzi considers this the best advice he ever got. Important for European operations, he fluently speaks four languages; German, French, English and Italian.

Strategy for addressing global issues

Bargetzi’s extensive experience working in 30 countries across 5 continents and 80 cities has provided him with a uniquely international perspective. While this global scope presents challenges in terms of managing everything independently, it also offers the opportunity to leverage his diverse talents and experiences.

Despite facing the challenge of not being able to delegate his talents to others, Bargetzi finds great satisfaction in adapting his experiences from around the world. He recognizes that many issues are universal regardless of location, but the solutions must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each locality.

This ability to navigate global challenges while customizing solutions to local contexts underscores Bargetzi’s versatility, adaptability, and deep understanding of international business dynamics. It also highlights his commitment to finding effective and contextually appropriate solutions wherever he operates.

Bargetzi’s adaptive decision making

Thomas Bargetzi emphasizes the challenges of growing as a solopreneur (one-person operation), acknowledging that it limits his capacity to take on multiple mandates simultaneously. Despite this limitation, he has successfully managed 55 mandates across 19 different businesses worldwide. He observes a common issue among managers everywhere: a fear of making mistakes that hinders effective decision-making. Bargetzi believes that failure is essential for learning and advocates for a culture that embraces and learns from failures rather than fearing them.

In his approach to decision-making, Bargetzi takes proactive steps to get things started and then adjusts plans based on feedback and outcomes. He also emphasizes the importance of actively listening to staff, spending time working alongside them to understand their perspectives and challenges, which leads to better solutions.

Bargetzi business models

As CEO of THOMAS BARGETZI AG, Bargetzi prioritizes efficiency and fairness in his leadership approach. He values completing tasks in less time, believing it improves overall company performance. Bargetzi emphasizes the importance of treating people fairly, even when making tough decisions, which fosters trust and goodwill.

In addition to his business background and experiences, Bargetzi believes in openly discussing both failures and successes. He also prioritizes living a healthy lifestyle by engaging in sports and maintaining a balanced diet. Bargetzi likens his job to a physical exercise, suggesting that it helps him stay prepared for the unpredictable nature of business.

Harnessing Technology

Bargetzi highlights several significant changes in the field of Business Consulting and Services, particularly regarding the influence of technology:

Professional Databases

Bargetzi notes that databases used for decision-making have become increasingly sophisticated and professional. These databases likely contain vast amounts of data and analytics, providing valuable insights for businesses.

Emphasis on Personal Experience

Despite advancements in technology, Bargetzi emphasizes the importance of personal experience and individual judgment in navigating complex business challenges. While AI may offer suggestions, human experience remains crucial in determining the best course of action.

Role of Human Execution

Thomas Bargetzi the solopreneur underscores that human beings will always play a central role in executing ideas and plans. While technology can provide guidance and support, ultimately, it is humans who implement strategies and interact with clients and stakeholders.

Also, while technology has enhanced data analysis and decision-making processes in Business Consulting and Services, Bargetzi emphasizes the irreplaceable value of human experience and execution in driving successful outcomes.

The Path to Success

Bargetzi reflects on the greatest risk he has taken as a professional, which involved trusting numbers, names, and promises without realizing that the company he was buying was already over-indebted. Despite facing challenges and attempting to rectify the situation for the past five years, he remains determined to prove that he was deceived. He also emphasizes the importance of making plans a reality, highlighting instances where well-thought-out plans failed because stakeholders were not consulted or involved in the implementation process. Bargetzi’s goal is to create plans, execute them effectively, and be adaptable when necessary.

Despite setbacks, Bargetzi remains committed to finding ways to resolve the situation and achieve success in his endeavors.

Reflecting on Bargetzi’s career

Bargetzi’s storied career, shows evidence that his influence extends far beyond the immediate temporal confines of his assignments. His visionary leadership, coupled with an unyielding dedication to results-driven management, continues to inspire a new cadre of professionals in the realm of interim management. As he celebrates this significant milestone, the legacy of his work is a beacon that illuminates the evolving landscape of business leadership, signaling the enduring importance and transformative potential of interim management in the modern corporate world.

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