François-Xavier Dosne

10 years ago I got the opportunity to join Stromer Bikes company from Switzerland. Back then a small company which focused on 45 km /h category and just launched the first digital e-bike in the world in 2014. Thomas Binggeli and Christian Müller asked me if I want to join the company and help to build the brand up globally. We were in 2014 (picture) at the Interbike in Las Vegas and show cased the ST2 bike with touchscreen and app which was a world sensation in the bike world. Together with Sven Ziörjen from Marketing and the US BMC team we made an impact. Back then the ST2 was 6500 USD today we raised the bar to much higher prices up to 14'000 USD with even more new technology features and more to come but we have as well reduced price for an entry connected bike below 5000 USD. The range started with ST1 and now we have added 4 more models. I started basically with one sales person in Germany which was dedicated only for Stromer. 10 years later we are present in 25 countries, Sales team grew up to 15 people and the whole company went from around 30 people to up to 170 people and turnover to a high double digit mio. CHF. We had in that time many challenges to go for, start up challenges, processes, move production from Asia to Switzerland, legislation changes in 2018, Covid but as well many new product innovations which make us the Nr. 1 Speed Pedelec brand in the world and adding in 2021 Desiknio to our family. I am proud what we all achieved together so far, yes this year is a rough and difficult year for the whole industry, nevertheless I believe strongly that the bikes and e bikes will come back strong as the change in behaviour of mobility choice is happening more to bikes. We see it as well the yearly strong growth of km driven by our customers which is already over 110 mio km last year. The company and team evolved. We got new locations and team members In Hertogenbosch NL with our own EU center, or USA office in Vista, Frankfurt office for Markting Desiknio and Sales DE, Granada Desiknio Design Center and Cljus our new software development hub. Two years ago Dr. Karl Ludwig Kley and myself got the opportunity to run together the company as co-CEO and together with our executive Management team Christoph Lindlein Rolf Frankowski and Franz Reindl I am looking forward to many more years to come at Stromer and work with the team together to create more innovations and exciting products to our customers. Only together we can be strong and turn challenges into strength and success. #heretochange

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🚀 Product Demonstration is the new Pitch! Check out this demo teaser and get in touch with our Co-Founders, Dimitri Gertsmann & Maximilian Gick from Connected Crafts 🛠️, who are on a mission to revolutionize the craft industry with their venture. They're eager to share their insights on how: 🔍 AI is enhancing the craft business for sustained success ⏳ Save time & costs by smartly connecting the industry 🌟 Unlock fulfilling career opportunities for skilled workers 🏢 Calling all Investors: Interested in seeing our latest update & RL demo? DM me for more information about this groundbreaking venture. #ConnectedCrafts #CraftIndustry #Innovation #InvestmentOpportunity #CraftBusiness #Artisans #TechInnovation

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🎤🎧💜 New Podcasts online - here we go for one more of the wonderful shapers of our industry! Please welcome Monika Fiedler-Proksch, powerhouse for integrity and female empowerment within sports and business. Her business: fiedler & peter concepts GmbH with Sporting Women - Events, Workshops on strategy and product as well as designing Retail Experiences. If you are on your way to EUROBIKE Show today, do not miss the chance to meet her and prepare yourself with this episode (link in the comment): Dive into her expertise in female empowerment within sports and business. Learn how Moni crafts sports events that not only inspire but also engage, leveraging social media and innovative marketing strategies to drive gender diversity and equality. “The cooperation and marshalling of female explorers in community events underscores the pivotal role of women in sports and business.” - Monika Fiedler-Proksch Sport and Business (the combination becomes Spuzziness 🤝) - Our mission with collaboration in all level playing fields? To inspire others to rethink traditional business models and adopt more sustainable practices. The independent SPUZZINESS podcast brings you conversations with experts and influencers from the sports and outdoor world straight to your ears. It's a platform for industry personalities to share their knowledge, stories, and experiences. In short: SPUZZINESS promotes collaboration in the sports and outdoor industries. 🚀 Listen to #SPUZZINESS on all major platforms and please find links in the comments! 🚀 My podcast is supported by OUTTRA! 🎧About OUTTRA 🛠️ #OUTTRA enhances the outdoor, bike, and sports industry with efficient IT solutions, boosting sales and marketing efficiency, improving customer experiences, and driving trade sales. The partnership with OUTTRA underscores our shared commitment to sustainability and efficiency. 🏋‍♀️ Thank you for the ever-warming support Marcus Meyer, FORCE OF DISRUPTION GmbH, Helena Gillerblad!

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How Different is Leadership in Amateur Sports in Comparison to Business Environments? After more than 20 years I restarted my "career" as an amateur football player last year. Today was our last match of the 23/24 season in Hamburg's highest ranked league for players over 40. It was a season with lots of ups and downs... and some curiosities: - We did not gain a single point in away games until the very last match day. And still finished the season in the midfield - We did not lose a single home game until the middle of the second half of the season - We never played with the same lineup in two consecutive games - We won the fairness table by far with only 8 yellow cards in the whole season. (I got 3 of the 8. 😬 ) But I also realised some differences in "leadership". Especially in comparison to modern tech companies. As I was new to the team, I was watching this closely and trying to understand mechanics and patterns. Here's what I observed: 1. It's more archaic and conservative with lack of transparency (not always) and lack of new ideas. Structures and playing style usually do not change over the years. The team sticks to what it already knows. There is no input on improvements expected from the team and the injection of new ideas depends 100% on the coach’s ambitions. 2. Communication is mostly top-down; feedback is not permitted but also not encouraged. There is nearly no 1 on 1 communication initiated by the coach or the leading players in the team and no feedback loops. This obviously is a missed learning opportunity for everyone. It also leads to less politics and whining and players are forced to find solutions by themselves. 3. The "leaders" in the team only have an intuitive understanding of leadership. And they all lack an understanding of responsibility and ownership in their respective roles. They still lead the team with their experience and the merits they already earned over the years, but “Radical Ownership” and the willingness to push/pull team or individuals is less concise. 4. It’s interestingly less prone to micro management. The coach has relatively little influence on what’s going on during the game (besides substitutions and his pre-game speech and during the break) and the team needs to find solutions to problems on the pitch by themselves. It’s an advantage in comparison to corporate environments where leaders are always tempted to jump in and solve problems which are in the responsibility of the team. So, what does this mean? After one season, I decided to step up now, take over more responsibility, support the team more pro-actively and raise my voice more often. Let's see where this takes us next season.

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Another fascinating interview from Unofficial Partner with Anneliese Mesilati from UBS sharing, amongst a multitude of topics, fantastically unfiltered insights into the decision making process behind partnership evaluation. It’s great to hear the importance of a clear and auditable ESG strategy plays a central role within this process. UBS place an increasing level of expectation on these topics for the likes of Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team to maintain their status as brand ambassadors. #Partnerships #motorsport #F1 #ESG

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Market trends: Germans 🇩🇪 haven't pulled the brakes on the (17 consecutive year long) Boom in German bicycle sales; they just feathered them in 23 to avoid a technical section. (My words to express the recent report by IFH KÖLN and BBE Handelsberatung GmbH). The German market experienced its first contraction since 2006 in 2023, dropping by 5.2%. It was one of the most resilient of European markets, alongside the Netherlands at just -4%. Discounting to reduce significant overstocks seems to have been a driving factor, alongside the known economic woes in Germany (particularly from energy pricing uncertainty) and a weak and unfavourable 2023 spring. The industry as a whole is optimistic that the growth will now continue: "After a satisfactory start to 2024 and an inventory reduction, the industry will soon return to normal. E-bikes, company bike leasing offers and increasing workshop orders continue to have a positive effect," explains Florian Schöps from BBE Handelsberatung. So, the German market is reflecting the same upward trend in workshop results, which belies more people riding more bikes, more often. Also of note, non-self-identifying-cyclist type P&A sales drove the category to growth in 2023: eBike buyers are accessorizing with phone holders, helmets and spare parts; also driven by the boost in workshop turnover. Nobody is expecting artificial corona-year growth figures any more, however, just like in any city or trail - eBikes are making the market climb by making it easier and accessible to everyone. The upward trend is expected to be reconvened again in '24 shop result, but not however, at manufacturers yet. "High inventories at bicycle dealers are currently leading to large price discounts, which is leading to a drop in orders for manufacturers. In the coming years, however, the market will stabilize and record constant growth," says Christoph Lamsfuß from IFH Cologne. My summary and expansion on this nice article by SAZ Bike, in German:

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Last week we talked about the deal between the German football/soccer association and Nike (who will sponsor the German national team in the future). gObviously Nike wouldn’t have offered so much money if they are not confident still making a sound business case here. But even at the high prices for these shirts and shoes you might be surprised where your money goes… While I have actually have done sourcing in Herzogenaurach, I won’t share any insider information (sorry!) but refer to information publicly available. Already back in 2014, when Germany defeated Brazil in the most memorable semi-final and became champion against Argentina, spiegel.de reported that a shirt sold for 80€ had the following cost structure: <10% for material, production AND transport (sic!), 16% VAT, 6% DFB license, 5% Marketing & Sales, 19% profit for adidas and 44% for the retailer. Now, the latter looks enormous, but isn’t (at least if you are not an online-retailer): they need to pay their rent on High St., their employees, their own Marketing AND most importantly, they take the risk, whether (potentially hefty) discounts are needed to sell the stock. With designs changing almost as quickly as in the fashion space, and demand very depending on the team's performance, risk is huge. Similar with sport shoes. Tagesanzeiger.ch just recently reported that a mid-class running shoe sold for 200 CHF needs ~15% for R&D, prototyping, patent cost etc. In this competitive market, innovation is a key differentiator, and so companies invest a lot. But not all development paths lead somewhere useful, some come to a hard stop just because a competitor is a little faster and files a patent,… but even when innovations work, volumes are often not huge. You might need to sell your first >100k shoes just to cover R&D! Material & Production cost are, again, a fairly small part (16-17%), so is logistics, insurance and tolls (3-4%). Sales & Marketing (in particular star sponsoring) make another 17—18% and the retailer gets ~42%. Again, that is not their gross margin. On average, the retailers’ net margin is 5-10 CHF per pair, which is on similar level as the net margin for the brand manufacturer. In some segments like the upper-end 600 CHF carbon fibre shoes from adidas, it can take years before such expensive innovations become profitable at all. Now, myself being specialized in “advanced sourcing”, I promise there still are savings possible. But when you look into these cost structures, you will agree: just playing the given game a little BETTER won’t make a huge difference. Looking at it from a Game Theory perspective however, there are ways how one could CHANGE THE GAME to accomplish unprecedented impact. If you are with #adidas, #Puma, #Nike, #On, #Decathlon, #Scott, #Mammut,… or any other company where cost savings from sourcing are diminishing, let’s talk! We might have some disruptive ideas that you are not getting from traditional strategy or brand consulting firms 😊

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Save the Date

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It was a pleasure to participate in the panel on Innovation for tomorrow's customer at the SCORE! conference for retail and e-commerce yesterday. Thank you Toni Kurz and Nicole Blum for the very interesting perspectives shared and Malte Polzin for moderating the discussion. Innovation is the future and the only way to not get stuck in the past! #score24 #innovation #ecommerce

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“You got this” vs. “Just do it” I find it very motivating cycling past Declan Rice on my way to work in the new adidas #Euros2024 creative. The simplicity and the ambiguity of "You got this". Is Declan motivating me? Himself? Am I motivating him as I read the text in my head? I like the idea it’s mutual and we are spurring each other on. But I couldn’t help notice the similarity of these three, single syllable words to the iconic Nike slogan - “Just do it”. Both of them are highly motivating, and provoke an emotional response in the reader/listener. I think in a challenging era of covid, inflation, recessions etc. that the reassurance of “You got this” is more in tune with how I feel than the more "stop whining and get on with it" of the Nike original. What do you think? Which is your favourite? They even work well together. You got this. Just do it! #advertising #slogans #marketing

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4 things golf has taught me about business Last week, Alexander Kohler finally challenged me to a round of golf in Berlin. I as a complete beginner, against a future Tiger Woods. And the game went accordingly ;D Nonetheless, it was a lot of fun! And during the game, I noticed something: Golf and business have a lot in common. Here are my 4 observations: 𝟏. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲 In golf, you plan every shot carefully. You read the terrain, measure the distance, and choose the right club. It's the same in business. You analyze the market, weigh the risks, and keep an eye on the competition. In both cases: No strategy, no success. 𝟐. 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 Golf is a very long game. Occasionally hitting the sand instead of the ball is not a problem. You have many more attempts. Success in business also doesn't depend on a single day. It takes time to build a brand, develop a product, or assemble a team. 𝟑. 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 Golf is a gentleman's sport with strict rules. You shake hands with your opponent, honestly count your strokes, and make sure to leave the course in good condition. Respect for business partners and colleagues is also essential. You treat others fairly, keep agreements, and ensure a positive business environment. 𝟒. 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 Without the right rackets, you won't get far on the golf course. You need the right driver for long shots, the right wedge for short distances, and a putter for precise strokes into the hole. In business, modern technologies, well-trained personnel and efficient processes are the basic requirements to achieve goals. After this day golf is so much more than just a game to me. And aside from the fun rides in the golf cart, this sport is also a metaphor for life. PS: What lessons have you taken from your hobbies into your business?

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What color will 2030 be? 🌍 Today, I had the privilege of attending the Circular Economy Leaders Circle kick-off led by Prof. Dr. Karolin Frankenberger, Dr. Fabian Takacs and Anna Sophia Burch. On my way up to the meeting, I was impressed by University of St.Gallen's innovative approach to visualizing temperature changes from 1882 to 2022 using a color code. The journey from blue to dark red signifies the shift from colder to hotter temperatures over the centuries. A simple yet impactful message on climate change. What steps are you taking to drive change in your corner of the world? 👣 Let's work together towards a greener, more sustainable future. #CircularEconomy #ClimateChangeAction 🌿🌎

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🔥 Hidden Heroes: Elevating Team Success with Informal Roles 🔥 The European Football Championship kicks off in Germany today. An event that is being intensively covered and discussed in the media. One aspect in particular has been in the spotlight for months as a decisive success factor: The formal and informal roles within a team. 🚀 Formal roles are clearly defined positions such as associates or partners. Further divided into different areas, based on the operational structure. Each has specific responsibilities and expectations, ensuring progressive decision-making and accountability. Formal roles are vital for maintaining the operational backbone of our venture. 🚀 Equally important are the informal roles that naturally develop within a team. These include mentors, morale boosters, innovators and connectors. These roles often emerge organically and can significantly influence the team's cohesion, creativity and resilience. We've already covered the formal tasks in our team in previous posts, but did you know… ...that without Marco's ability to always provide us with excellent food, we would have starved long ago. 🍜 ...that without Julian's witty remarks, we would only have half as much to laugh about. 🗯 ...that thanks to Laura's ability to approach other people, we have created lots of new space in the office to always welcome new people. 👥 ...that Patrick's realism always gives us a new perspective on all our decisions, from buying sofas to new investments.💡 ...that it gives me great pleasure to use my creative skills to decorate our office and create a space where everyone feels comfortable and yet can perform at their best. 💯 We all take on different roles in our daily work and in our dealings with each other. It is the perfect mix of our diverse informal roles that enable us to achieve and celebrate successes together. So let’s play with the skills of France, the passion Italy and the tactical finesse of Austria to set new benchmarks. __ ROI VENTURES

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📊 ... and its out! 📈 We have just released our Q1 2024 results. If you want to learn more, head to our Investor Relations page for further insights; otherwise, here are some highlights below! 🎉 Dirk Graber Stephan Schulz-Gohritz Mister Spex #Misterspex #Investorrelations #IR #Spexies #financialreporting #highlights #videohighlights

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🌟 Exciting News! 🌟 At Sparrks, we've been on an incredible journey with Mammut Sports Group AG over the past years, supporting their talents and leaders in their professional development. Today, we kicked-off the talents of Mammut's global Talent Development Program (TDP) for the third consecutive year, alongside the talents and leaders in Mammut's Expert Sponsorship program. Mammut has integrated Sparrks coaching into these well-designed programs, amplifying their impact and fostering lasting development among their talented individuals and leaders. Through our collaborative efforts, we're driving tangible results, empowering individuals to unleash their full potential and achieve remarkable individual and organizational growth. Some numbers: ✨ 93% of Mammut talents and leaders express a desire to continue utilizing Sparrks ✨ 83% self-reported performance improvement - a testament to our focused coaching approach ✨ 9.2/10 satisfaction with coach (NPS) - highlighting the quality and effectiveness of our coaches We couldn't have achieved these outcomes without the visionary leadership and unwavering commitment of Mammut's Charlot Pagel, People and Culture Manager, and Ursula Ollmaier, CHRO. Your dedication to nurturing talent and fostering a culture of growth is truly inspiring, and we're honored to partner with you on this journey. 👉 Curious to learn more about our collaboration with Mammut? Dive into the details of our success story here: https://lnkd.in/dUrYJJ9u

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🇩🇪 Who outside Germany has noticed? Ambush Marketing at its best. Now that the European Championship in football is over, at least for Germany, we have to say that the clear winner is Check24. It was the marketing coup of the year. For all those wondering what I'm talking about. In the run-up to the European Championships, Check24 gave away 5 million free shirts, which look like a Germany jersey but, of course, with Check24 as the sponsor. This jersey was ordered millions of times because it cost nothing except the personal data you had to pay with. That was the first goal: millions of personal data. In addition, this jersey was worn everywhere and was accordingly present in all media, including the "sponsor" Check24. Goal number 2: endless reach. And because Check24 was not an official sponsor of this event, the whole thing is called ambush marketing. "...is a marketing strategy in which an advertiser "ambushes" an event to compete for exposure against other advertisers." Incidentally, the jerseys are now being offered on eBay. Goal number 3: These jerseys will be around for years to come. We should copy the concept for the next major event, such as Aquatech Amsterdam 2025. I'll think of something. Who's taking part? PS to all non-marketers: Spain, France, England, and the Netherlands are in the Semi-finals. Who will win the trophy? #water #technology #marketing Photo credit: JOERG CARSTENSEN/AFP via Getty Images

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Hockey prepares you better for management than any corporate training: The lessons I learned from the sport are ones that the office or job can’t teach. 🏑 Did you know that I played field hockey for over 20 years, including in the 1st Bundesliga? 🏑 This might come as a surprise to some, but this time significantly shaped me – not just athletically, but also professionally and personally. 1️⃣ Teamwork and perseverance: These two terms might sound like clichés to many, but for me, they are the foundation of my career. Winning as part of a team requires more than just individual skills. It’s about fighting together, learning, supporting each other, and never giving up, even when times get tough. 🔥 2️⃣ Challenges and victories: Field hockey taught me that success doesn’t come overnight. 🥇 It’s the hard training sessions, the setbacks, and the defeats. For me, perseverance is not just a trait but a way of life, meaning always getting back up and moving forward, even when the outlook is bleak. These lessons have not only advanced me on the field but also in my professional career. As a managing director and now as a partner at EO Executives - Results through people, I use these principles daily. The ability to work as part of a team and show endurance is crucial to succeeding in the dynamic business world. 💡 Sport, in any form, can teach us so much. It’s not just about physical fitness, but above all, about our mental strength, discipline, and the ability to collaborate with others. Today, I’ve swapped my hockey stick for a golf club 🏌‍♂️, but the passion for sport and the principles I’ve learned remain. What have you learned from sports? 💡

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