In every global company, there’s always someone who becomes the  #bridge : Between engineering and sales. Between HQ and the region. Between Germany and the U.S. Between strategy and reality. Sometimes you choose it. Sometimes it chooses you. Here’s what I’ve learned about being the “bridge person”: 1️⃣ You see things earlier than others. Not because you’re smarter - but because you stand between worlds. You pick up signals before they turn into issues. You sense misalignment

One thing I learned quickly after moving from Germany to Detroit: #PlantVisits  here are not just tours — they’re  #storytelling  moments. In the U.S.  #automotive  ecosystem, a factory floor is more than machines and processes. It’s where credibility is built, where innovation becomes tangible and where journalists decide whether your  #story  is worth telling. Here’s what I’ve seen work — again and again: 1️⃣ Lead with the  #story , not the steel: Detroit reporters don’t ge

When I moved from  #Germany  to #Detroit , I didn’t anticipate how profoundly this ecosystem would reshape my understanding of communication, leadership and visibility in the U.S. market. Detroit teaches you quickly that technology alone doesn’t move markets - clarity, relevance and presence do. Here are the lessons that shaped how I work today: 🚗 1. In the U.S., your  #narrative  drives your relevance. German engineering often outperforms competitors - but the story behind

In a world obsessed with automation, metrics and efficiency, one thing still creates the biggest opportunities: Real  #relationships . Whether you’re winning customers, entering new markets, leading teams or building strategic partnerships - relationships consistently outperform algorithms, ads and cold outreach. Here’s why: 🤝 1.  #Trust  moves faster than any sales cycle. People buy from people they trust. A strong relationship can shorten decisions from months to days. 🤝

Working between the #USA  and #Germany  has taught me that great #teamwork  isn’t about everyone thinking the same way — it’s about balancing differences that complement each other. In the USA, teamwork thrives on energy, openness and initiative. People jump in quickly, brainstorm freely and value enthusiasm and optimism. “Let’s try it” often comes before “Let’s analyze it.” In Germany, teamwork shines through structure, depth and precision. Meetings are well-prepared, decisi

In #Germany , #automotive  is still synonymous with engineering excellence, precision and tradition. It’s about #heritage  and #perfection . Cars are cultural icons — a reflection of quality and identity. In the #USA , automotive is about #freedom , #progress  and #reinvention . It’s a symbol of movement — personal, social and technological. The industry celebrates boldness and innovation more than legacy. Both perspectives are powerful — and both matter. The future of mobili

When I founded #PilonPR , it wasn’t just about starting a business — it was about continuing a journey. A journey that began in Germany and found its purpose in #Detroit  — at the crossroads of automotive, technology and innovation. After more than 20 years in international #communications , working across #Germany  and #NorthAmerica , I saw the same pattern again and again: Great companies with great technology — but struggling to tell their story across cultures. That’s why

I used to think  #sustainability  was only about CO₂, batteries and materials — about the next regulation, the next certification. But after working with so many passionate teams in the  #automotive  and tech world — engineers, designers, marketers, communicators — I’ve learned it’s also about  #people . How we build, lead and communicate. Because sustainability isn’t only in the products we create — it’s in the culture we create around them. It’s in the way a company treats

Every day, we see companies trying to be heard: louder campaigns, flashier slogans, bigger promises. But noise isn’t the same as  #impact  and  #visibility   alone doesn’t create  #trust . The  #brands  that truly make a difference are the ones that communicate with intention — that pause before they speak, that listen before they answer, that focus not just on what they sell, but on what they stand for. Especially in the  #automotive  and  #mobility  world, where innovation

For decades,  #success  in the  #automotiveindustry  was measured in numbers —  #horsepower ,  #productionvolume ,  #efficiency . We celebrated speed, precision and power. Today, success looks different. It’s no longer just about how fast we move, but about how meaningfully we  #connect  — with customers, technology and society. 💡  #Innovation  that’s human:  #Technology  that solves real problems and builds  #trust . 🌿  #Progress  that’s  #sustainable :  #Responsibility  i

One of my favorite parts of working in #marketingcommunications is helping #innovators tell their #story — not just through # features , but through # feelings. Recently, I spoke with a passionate team developing a smart Bluetooth solution for the #automotiveworld — technology built to solve a surprisingly simple, but universal pain: lost keys, lost time, lost trust. It’s a perfect reminder that #innovation doesn’t always start with something flashy. Sometimes, it begins with

When I first entered the  #automotiveindustry , I didn’t see many women around me.  In meetings, at tradeshows, in boardrooms — the faces were mostly male. At times, it felt lonely. You learn to navigate the dynamics, to find your place and to speak up — even when you’re the only different voice in the room. But along the way, I met incredible people — mentors, colleagues, leaders — women and men — who believed in  #inclusion ,  #collaboration  and new  #perspectives . Becaus

When I first moved from Germany to Detroit, I expected to find a different business culture — but I didn’t realize how different it would feel. In  #Germany ,  #communication  often starts with facts, structure and precision. We plan carefully, document thoroughly and build trust through consistency and performance. Every statement is backed by data. Every promise, delivered with care. In the  #US , the rhythm is completely different. People lead with energy and possibility.

At home, our two little ones (2️⃣ & 4️⃣) switch effortlessly between  #German  and  #English  — sometimes in the same sentence.  💡To them, it’s natural. To me, it’s a daily reminder of what true  #communication  across  #cultures  looks like: They don’t translate — they  #connect . They don’t overthink tone — they  #adapt . And somehow, both sides of their world make perfect sense together. 🌍 That same ability to bridge worlds is something I also value deeply in my professi

When  #German  companies enter the  #US  market, the biggest challenge often isn’t product quality — it’s  #communicationculture . German  #brands  are admired for precision, reliability and engineering excellence. In the US, business success often depends on connection, confidence and  #storytelling . Here are a few cultural pitfalls that can make or break your US market entry:  1️⃣ Logic over Emotion: German marketing: “Here’s how it works.” US marketing: “Here’s why it mat

Life rarely unfolds in straight lines. For me, the journey from  #Germany  to the  #US  was full of twists, challenges and unexpected blessings. 🌎 I was transferred from  #Kiekert  Germany to the  #US  to build a marketing and communications unit. It was a thrilling opportunity — but also a step into the unknown. New culture, new responsibilities and a lot of pressure to deliver. Every day was a lesson in  #resilience ,  #adaptability  and #leadership . Then my personal life

Looking back on my  #journey  — from studying and working in  #Germany , earning my  #MBA  at Steinbeis University Berlin, leading global...

My career has taken me from  #Germany  to  #China , across  #Europe  to the  #USA  and  #Mexico  — working with global  #automotive  brands, innovative  #tech  companies and ambitious  #startups . Every market taught me something new about  #people culture  and the power of  #marketing  and  #communication . One thing has become clear: great marketing and communication is never just about campaigns — it’s about human  #connection . Here are the  #lessons  that continue to gui