Episode Summary
Mathias Imbach’s career has spanned the globe and a wide spectrum of organizations — and unique approaches to business. Discover what he’s learned about at every step of the journey
Episode Notes
People + Principles = Sustainable Success (ft. Mathias Imbach) (ft. Mathias Imbach)
Mathias Imbach’s journey from Switzerland to India and back — and what he’s learned along the way.
OPENING QUOTE:
A key success factor for us to check whether we are successful is whether people or stakeholders enjoy working with us. And that is not just the clients or investors. It’s also the media, it’s the suppliers we’re working with on the IT and other ways. It’s the people that help us in the office management, help clean, et cetera. Anyone.
—Mathias Imbach
GUEST BIO:
Mathias Imbach began his journey with his degree at St. Gallen University, where his involvement with the school’s international symposium led to growing contacts in India that kickstarted his career. He spent time in India with Tata and then completed his MSC at London School of Economics and Duke, then worked with Bain & Company for six years where he led advisory projects for private equity funds, family offices, and technology companies.
Mathias then returned to Tata as general manager at RNT Associates, Mr. Ratan Tata’s personal investment platform, where he led multiple venture capital and private equity investments and participated in global, blockchain-related equity deals. In March 2018, he became CEO of Sygnum Bank, the first digital bank in the world. Mathias also holds a Ph.D. from the University of St. Gallen.
CORE TOPICS + DETAILS:
[14:06] – Love What’s Before You
Lessons learned in the military and India
A saying in India roughly translates to the idea that whatever is before you, make it into the best outcome for you— even be grateful for it. In his time in the military, Mathias learned that adaptation is about endurance and persistence. Whatever comes, move through it and make it a part of your journey. That’s the best path toward success.
[16:56] – Data & Instincts
From Bain to Tata, from numbers to the entrepreneurial spirit
Both Bain and Tata brought Mathias priceless insights into organizational leadership and entrepreneurship. At Bain, he learned the importance of professionalism and precision in task management, communication, and stakeholder relationships. At Tata, he learned that facts and data won’t get you all the way when running a business. You need trust, instincts, and a willingness to lead with your heart at times.
[21:54] – A Culture of Entrepreneurship
Discussing the societal startup spirit of India
As a culture, Mathias speaks to the Indian people’s willingness and skill at coming together and building something from the ground-up. It’s made the country one of the most incredible incubators for new startups in the world, to the point that many people are leaving established enterprises to work in riskier roles at startups there.
[25:02] – Leading Big & Thinking Small
Implementing startup principles in large enterprises
To Mathias, the difference between big-business thinking and startup thinking is imagination. When you don’t have established processes, cultural inertia, and other roadblocks, you can turn your organization into anything you can imagine. By bringing some of that open-mindedness to established businesses, we can reinvigorate them and perhaps discover opportunities we might otherwise have missed.
[40:16] – Key Principles for Business Success
Mathias on attracting investors & inspiring people
Be genuine, Mathias says. “I’m just really trying to be myself and to be genuine, and to also have the willingness to show weakness when I am weak or when I don’t like something to just be honest and transparent and direct.” He also says that you have to truly believe in what you’re doing as more than just a path to profits. Your clients and stakeholders will embrace your passion themselves. Finally, put culture above everything. Cultures create legacies.
[45:51] – People First
From top to bottom, focus on how people experience your organization
From employees, clients, and investors to the media, suppliers, IT, and people who clean the offices— if you’re successful at making positive experiences for people, then your organization will be successful as a whole.
RESOURCES:
- [2:04] About Sygnum Bank
- [8:45] About Tata Sons
Follow Mathias Imbach:
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