From Hamburg to Riyadh

What motivated you to participate in the Connect@Logwin program, and how did you prepare for your assignment?

Working abroad had always been a personal goal of mine. During my annual employee meeting in early 2025, my supervisor and I discussed the possibility of an international assignment. One year later, I was on a plane to Riyadh and that goal had become reality. To prepare, I researched the country's culture, business environment, and social customs. I also spoke with colleagues who had previously participated in the program to better understand what to expect. This preparation helped me feel confident and excited about the experience from day one.

What were your main responsibilities during your stay in Saudi Arabia?

My focus was mainly on sales and business development activities. One of my key objectives was strengthening the connection between our Global Accounts and Logwin LLC Saudi Arabia. I worked extensively with our CW1 and CRM systems, supported onboarding activities, and shared best practices with local colleagues. I also participated in sales meetings, customer visits, and reporting activities. These tasks gave me valuable insights into the local market while allowing me to work closely with the team on site.

What impressed you most during your time in Riyadh?

What stood out immediately was the pace of the market. Decisions are often made very quickly, creating exciting opportunities but also requiring a high degree of flexibility and responsiveness. I also learned how important a strong local presence is for building trust, maintaining relationships, and identifying business opportunities. Beyond the business environment, I was particularly impressed by the hospitality and openness of the people. The combination of a fast-moving market, significant logistics potential, and genuine welcome made the experience incredibly valuable.

What were your biggest learnings from the program?

One of my key takeaways was gaining a much deeper understanding of the Saudi Arabian market and its business culture. I learned how important it is to react quickly to changing opportunities while maintaining close relationships with customers and partners. The experience also strengthened my awareness of the region's growing demand for logistics solutions and the significant growth potential it offers. Equally important was the intercultural aspect. Building relationships across different cultures requires openness, adaptability, and strong communication skills, all of which I was able to develop further during the program.

How has the experience influenced your day-to-day work back in Hamburg?

The experience reinforced three important principles: speed, local presence, and relationships. I now have a much stronger understanding of how quickly opportunities can develop and why responsiveness is crucial for success. I also better appreciate the value of being close to customers and understanding local market conditions. Most importantly, the relationships I built during my stay showed me how trust and personal connections can make collaboration more effective. These insights continue to influence how I approach customer engagement and international cooperation today.

What would you say to colleagues who are considering applying for Connect@Logwin?

Take the opportunity if you get the chance. An international assignment provides insights that simply cannot be gained through calls, emails, or virtual meetings alone. Being on site, meeting customers and colleagues face-to-face, and experiencing the local environment first-hand gives you a completely different perspective. As we say in football, "The truth is on the pitch." The same applies in business. Stepping outside your comfort zone helps you grow professionally and personally, build stronger relationships, and develop a much broader understanding of our global business. It is an experience I can highly recommend.