Meet Gunnar
My mission is to help smart leaders to connect and engage with their networks online and offline beyond just relying on word of mouth referrals. For many people, meeting strangers is far outside their comfort zone. When I came to Australia, I didn't know anybody. Building a strong network quickly, I'm sure you can do that as well.
I am curious to learn how I can connect with you - and learn from you!
Partnership & Alliances
I enjoy the collaboration with the channel and alliance partner ecosystem in the software industry in Asia Pacific after 16 years in various IT roles in Europe.
In April 2024 I joined ActiveCampaign as Senior Partner Manager working with marketing agencies, web programmers, SEO experts, copywriters and other marketing partners to help small teams power big business.
Personal Branding & Social Selling
This blog is my platform to share my journey about building and cultivating a personal brand. Combining this with my experience in sales and marketing, I developed a passion for Social Selling.
I'm helping leaders in smaller organisations and Board members to leverage these powerful principles to advance their business agenda.
Strategic & Professional Networking
When I started my new life in Sydney not knowing anyone, I couldn't rely on old friendships or former workmates. For many this is a scary situation, especially at 40+.
I saw strategic networking as the ideal chance to moving into a new place quickly. Using my natural curiosity towards others, I realised that being open to helping them works better than asking them for help in finding a job.
Leadership & Management
The Sydney campus of the Australian Institute of Management became my first professional home. This institute was the ideal place to formally improve my leadership skills after a solid foundation as Sales Manager in Europe.
As a fellow member of the Institute of Managers and Leaders (IML), I obtained the accreditation as Chartered Manager (CMgr), a huge motivation to continue on the "lifelong learning" journey. I write regularly for leadership blogs and contributed 2019 to the institute's book "Leading well".
Board Director & Governance
Applying my passion for historical architecture and travel to cities and cultures worldwide, I published a range of tour guide books and hotel guides.
Combining this background with my leadership experience, I joined the Board of Directors of the Castlereagh Boutique Hotel in Sydney in 2021. A perfect way to learn the challenges and responsibilities at the level above the C suite.
Lifelong Learning Down Under
Attending and completing the Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management at AIM has been the perfect intro into Australian business and lifestyle
Some Fun Facts
What's not written in a resume:
- I write regularly about opera and musicals for nearly 25 years, published in magazines in Austria, Switzerland and Germany
- After moving to Sydney, I built the Opera House as a Lego kit - it is never too late to have a happy childhood
- As a student, I have been working as a tour guide in London and Venice, later became a destination manager and team leader in Prague
- I run a small travel blog on www.habitz.ch in three languages
- As a born introvert, I changed over time into the ESTJ personality type
