Wolfgang Meier

"A life marked by change"
Interview with Wolfgang Meier, head of Tyre Competitiveness Operations, Pirelli Tyre

Wolfgang, you're a German expat in Milan since January 2008. Fifteen years in Pirelli: a career full of geographical and career moves. What compelled you to live a life marked by change?
Curiosity, above all, and a genuine desire to see and experience new things. That's the way I am, like many people. When a situation is created, structured, and consolidated, I'm compelled to find a new project to work on. You could say I love challenges or feel the need to start over again and put myself to the test each time: nine years in Breuberg, five between Burton and Carlisle, and at Bicocca since last year.

Germany, England, Italy: three very different experiences that share the same point of departure - team building. Can you tell us more?
These are three very different experiences because we're talking about three different countries. You see, what's wonderful about my life "in stages" is being able to appreciate the personalities of the people in these different countries: Italians are creative and flexible, the English are decision-makers, and Germans are planners.
Anyway, going back to your question, it's true that my career in Pirelli has focused on team building. To mention my latest experience, I arrived in Italy last year to form the PMS - Pirelli Manufacturing System team composed of five persons in charge of coordinating and introducing the new production management system in all Pirelli Tyre plants worldwide. In this very important project, all plant workers will undergo training that will help them realize the importance of taking an active role in continuously improving the production process.
I'm an engineer: I graduated from Offenburg University with a thesis on improving procurement processes. Choosing the right people and teaching them to work together effectively and efficiently is a skill that I've developed over time, also thanks to the years I spent in Human Resources in Germany and the UK. I was HR Director in Breuberg, after years in the Purchasing Department, and at Pirelli UK, before I became Industrial Director.

In 2008, the team-building training courses were among the classes most requested by Pirelli employees in Italy. According to your experience, what are the strategic levers for a close-knit, highly functioning team?
A team has to be motivated to work. You have to concentrate on four strategic levers: empowerment, trust, communication, and information. The team leader must help each member realize the importance of his contribution and consequently become more responsible. This important objective is achieved only if your team trusts you. At the basis of this trust is information and communication, the fundamental work tools that are necessary for working effectively

There's a team in your life that follows you everywhere and has grown over time: your family. How do your wife and children cope with changing countries, languages, and friends?
I have three children: the youngest is 16 months old and the oldest is eleven. They attend the international school, which ensures continuity in their education regardless of where they live. They speak German with me and my wife (our native language), but they speak English when they play and are also starting to speak Italian. They have adjusted well to living in Monza, which is a lovely, modern, elegant town with many parks and gardens. We often go to the park. Plus, everyone knows that children make friends quickly. My wife had to deal with the real problems. She handles the administrative aspects of every move, and she's the one who smoothes the way for us in each new country, meeting the new neighbours and contacting the community of other expats. Believe me, if you plan to move to a different country on a regular basis, your wife is the one who will make it all happen.
 

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