Culture
Feb 14, 2023
Q&A With Thomas Vogt: Credera Deutschland CEO & CEO of Smart Digital
As of February 15, 2023, Credera officially launched Credera Deutschland with the opening of our Berlin office.
In the following video, Credera’s Global CEO Justin Bell sits down with Thomas Vogt, the CEO of Credera Deutschland and CEO of Smart Digital (part of the Credera network of specialized consultancies) to hear a bit more about the journey to launching Credera Deutschland.
Additionally, Thomas answered a few other “get to know you questions” with us. Read on as he shares his hobbies and personal goals, explains his approach to leadership, and opens up about important lessons learned in his career.
Q&A With Thomas Vogt
What are your passions outside of work?
I love traveling, being with my family, running, skiing, and biking.
What is a personal goal you’re currently working toward?
In the coming months, my goal is to establish a clear organizational structure for Smart Digital and Credera Deutschland that allows for both entities to grow and develop independently while also maintaining a close relationship to maximize efficiency and knowledge sharing for the benefit of our employees and customers.
You have a totally free weekend. How are you spending your time?
On a free weekend, I spend my time engaging in various sports activities, depending on my mood and the weather. The rest of the time, I’m sitting in front of my computer, catching up on all the reading material I have saved for later, researching the market or potential clients and new technical developments in the market. There has never been a very clear distinction between my private and business life, and I enjoy staying informed and engaged in technological developments.
Tell us a little about your family.
I have been married for 27 years and have two college-bound adult children close to finalizing their terms. They all together have taught me the importance of family and the value of hard work. I am grateful for my family's support over the years, and especially grateful for the fact that my wife and I had the chance to work together for 11 years now and together have built a successful company.
How would you describe your approach to leadership?
In today's tech-driven landscape, effective leadership requires the ability to navigate a constantly evolving environment by staying open to new developments while also drawing on past experiences to make informed decisions. The challenge of leading in this space is not limited to technological change, but also includes the shifting mindset and values of younger generations.
To be successful, I strive to adapt and find the appropriate balance between embracing change and utilizing established best practices and my own previous experience. I am dedicated to motivating and engaging our highly skilled talents, while also considering the new hybrid of on-site and remote working environments following the impact of COVID-19 in a multicultural setup.
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
One of the most valuable lessons I've learned is that trying to plan too far ahead can actually hold you back from great opportunities. This is closely tied to being willing to take risks. In order to succeed, both in personal career planning and in day-to-day business, it's important to embrace a certain level of risk-taking. This applies to everyone, not just leaders. Sometimes, you may need to challenge the status quo and change the rules in order to move forward.
What advice would you give to early career consultants who aspire to have a career like yours?
Being a consultant is not always an easy path, but it can be incredibly rewarding. My own career has been full of twists and turns; mostly good decisions at the right occasion and a bit of luck. So nothing that could be reproduced. But one thing I have learned is that with hard work, dedication, and a willingness to take risks, you can achieve your goals.
My advice to young talents is:
Be open to opportunities and don’t be afraid to take risks.
Don’t plan too far in advance. You may not know exactly where your career will take you, but being open to new possibilities will help you grow and learn. And mistakes should not hold you back but give you an opportunity to learn from them and keep moving forward.
Be passionate about building a diverse skill set rather than being an absolute specialist in one area. The consulting field is constantly evolving, so it's important to stay current and always be looking for ways to improve.
Networking and building relationships is also crucial; not only in your company, but also in the industry. Your professional network can be a valuable resource throughout your career.
Learn more about Thomas Vogt and our Germany office.
Working at Credera
At Credera, we have a culture that values the many unique perspectives, backgrounds, and histories that our employees represent. If you’re interested in a career at Credera and beginning your journey, please visit our careers page.
Contact Us
Ready to achieve your vision? We're here to help.
We'd love to start a conversation. Fill out the form and we'll connect you with the right person.
Searching for a new career?
View job openings