Freelancer profile translated to English.
Back to original languageAbout Michael
Positioning:
Strategic sparring partner for managing directors and C-level executives with over 30 years of operational experience in corporations, medium-sized businesses, and startups. Specializing in sustainable relief for management levels, transformation of corporate processes, and building strong responsible individuals within the organization.
About businessZirkel®:
businessZirkel® supports managing directors of medium-sized companies in offloading operational burdens and regaining entrepreneurial freedom. At its core is the proprietary DPS method: Delegate, Optimize Processes, Self-Relieve. With this, we help to specifically build responsibility within the team, create clear structures, and rethink leadership.
We combine coaching, sparring, and implementation support – always individually, confidentially, and on an equal footing. businessZirkel® is effective where leadership is overloaded, succession is pending, or growth is stagnating. The goal is to make organizations more stable, leadership more effective, and business models future-proof.
Core Competencies:
✔ Interim Management at CEO/COO Level
✔ Structuring and Operational Stabilization during Transition Phases
✔ Sparring & Coaching for Managing Directors
✔ Development of Leadership Teams
✔ Process Analysis & Operational Excellence
✔ Establishing a Delegation Culture (DPS Method)
✔ Scaling of Medium-Sized Companies
Methodological Basis:
DPS Method (Proprietary Development):
Delegate: Build responsibility purposefully, don't just hand off tasks
Optimize Processes: Create clear structures for operational efficiency
Self-Relieve: More space for strategy & innovation
Industry Expertise:
Industry & Mechanical Engineering
Trading Companies
Services & Consulting
Family Businesses (20–100 employees)
Service Formats:
● Interim Management (CEO/COO/CRO)
● Strategic Sparring + Coaching (1–2 days/week)
● Support for Succession Processes
● Building a Culture of Responsibility
German
Native or bilingual
English
Conversational
Can work on-site
Lüneburg (up to 50km)
Experience
- businessZirkelOwner and Managing DirectorCONSULTING AND AUDITSApril 2019 - Today (7 years and 2 months)Barum, NI, Germany• The businessZirkel® is an exclusive coaching and consulting brand, founded by Michael Kühnel, specializing in the strategic relief of managing directors and entrepreneurs. At its core is the proprietary DPS method:✅ Delegate – Build responsibility sustainably, don't just hand off tasks✅ Optimize Processes – Create structures that support the company✅ Self-Relieve – More time for strategy, innovation, and entrepreneurial freedomWe support owner-managed medium-sized businesses, growing organizations, and top executives during transformation, succession, or growth phases.Whether as interim managing director, strategic sparring partner, or executive coach – businessZirkel® stands for responsibility on an equal footing, sustainable implementation strength, and clear impact within the company.Typical fields of application:Operational leadership & structuring in transition phasesBuilding a culture of responsibility & leadership teamsRelieving overloaded managing directorsSupport during succession & ownership changesScaling of organization & processesSpecial features:30+ years of experience in corporations, medium-sized businesses & startupsC-level leadership expertiseDeep understanding of human & structural dynamics in companiesProprietary method (DPS) with measurable impactPersonal, discreet, and implementation-oriented supportMore at:🌐 www.businesszirkel.de
- Responsive Acoustics GmbH,Head of ProductionRETAIL (SMALL BUSINESS)August 2017 - June 2018 (10 months)Hamburg, GermanyMotivation for change To take on employee responsibility and face the challenges in a startup company with many years of sales experience.• Independent management of the production, installation, and service team• Participation in strategic company alignment• Leadership, motivation, and continuous development of employees with responsibility for performance reviews• Procurement responsibility for the entire product range required• Optimization of the SCM process, considering the production, installation, and service processes• Introduction of supplier consolidation with management of the necessary supplier negotiations• Refinement and implementation of project management tools• Active advancement of the continuous improvement process• Independent planning, control, and execution of nationwide projects in compliance with legal and technical regulations and standards• Introduction of the installation outsourcing process, including selection and qualification of new, nationwide distributed third-party companies• Assessment and organization of measures for service cases that arise• Introduction of an emergency service, including weekends• Control of hardware development from component design to series production• Independent product optimization of internally used products with regard to optimal customer application• Creation of project post-calculation in direct dialogue with the customer, in conjunction with subsequent invoicing• Optimization of the quotation process, also considering production and installation times• Approval of supplier and third-party installation invoices• Organization of trade fairs with optimal employee deployment planning
- RAFI GmbH & Co. KG,Area Manager Germany NorthMECHANICAL ENGINEERINGJuly 2011 - March 2017 (5 years and 8 months)Berg, Stuttgart, BW, Germany• Sales responsibility with power of attorney according to § 54 HGB in direct sales for the North Germany region• Technical and sales responsibility also for the subsidiaries of RAFI• Negotiation partner at all hierarchical levels up to managing director• Contract, price, and negotiation management• Budget planning for sales and revenue targets• Sales of complex HMI products for various industries• Planning and execution of customer training sessions• Strategic new customer acquisition from potential, prospective, and OEM customers for component and custom system sales• Project responsibility and control for industrial, OEM, and key accounts• Expansion of existing customer base through strategic cross-selling measures• Exploitation of further market potential in various business sectors• Expansion of product sales through distributorsSpecial Achievements• Acquisition of significant new customers in the system business across various industries, generating sustainable double-digit million revenue over several years
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Education
- Training as a Profile Dynamics ConsultantProfile Dynamics®2020Ausbildung zum Profile Dynamics Berater
- Training as a Certified Business CoachV.I.E.L Coaching + Training2019Ausbildung zum zertifizierten Business Coach