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Michael Meier

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+49 211 13999 22

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Michael Meier is co-head of the firm’s global Family Business Advisory. He works closely with numerous family entrepreneurs and management on succession planning and in situations involving disruptive change. Michael also advises shareholders, chairpersons and CEOs on the selection, appraisal and development of senior executives and board members. He is passionate about drawing up succession processes, both for non-family management as well as next-gen development, to develop best-in-class leaders for family and public enterprises. He also specializes in working with “difficult” teams.

Activity is not the same as achievement. I offer creative solutions and candid advice to help leaders and owners solve their unique challenges in succession planning, digitalization, and personal growth.

A certified Executive Coach, Michael is a trustworthy advisor for members of all generations within family businesses as well as for top management. Michael brings agility and positivity to these conversations, and clients particularly appreciate his honest advice. His industry focus extends from consumer goods to industrial products and services and he is a member of the firm’s Consumer, Industrial and CEO Succession practices. Prior to joining Egon Zehnder, Michael spent four years with Hilti AG in Liechtenstein and also worked for BBDO and Bertelsmann.

Michael earned an MBA from OUBS in the UK and, having originally obtained his MA from the University of Munich, he went on to complete a PhD there with a thesis on digital publishing in the academic sector.

Based in Düsseldorf, Michael has published a range of books and articles, not least in Harvard Business Manager and in specialist magazines including return, Absatzwirtschaft and Horizont.

Michael Meier leitet die deutsche Family Business Advisory. Er arbeitet eng mit zahlreichen Unternehmerfamilien bei der Nachfolgeplanung und in Situationen tiefgreifender Transformation zusammen. Weltweit berät er Gesellschafter, Aufsichtsratsvorsitzende und CEOs bei der Auswahl, Evaluierung und Entwicklung der obersten Führungs- und Aufsichtsgremien. Mit Leidenschaft entwickelt er Nachfolgeprozesse für die erfolgsentscheidenden Positionen komplexer Organisationen. Ein weiterer Schwerpunkt ist die Arbeit mit „schwierigen“ Teams.

Der zertifizierte Executive Coach ist sowohl für Mitglieder aller Generationen in Familienunternehmen als auch für Führungspersönlichkeiten vertrauenswürdiger Sparringspartner – in Phasen der Orientierung ebenso wie in komplexen Entscheidungssituationen. Michael Meier ist dabei humorvoll und agil, Klienten schätzen seine unabhängige Perspektive und klare Meinung. Sein Branchenfokus erstreckt sich über Konsumgüter, industrielle Produkte und Dienstleistungen. Er ist Mitglied der Praxisgruppen Consumer, Industrial und CEO Succession.

Vor seiner Tätigkeit bei Egon Zehnder war Michael Meier vier Jahre bei der Hilti AG in Liechtenstein sowie bei BBDO und Bertelsmann tätig.

Michael Meier erwarb einen MBA an der OUBS, UK, und wurde, nach dem M.A. an der LMU in München, dort auch mit einer Arbeit zum digitalen Publizieren im Wissenschaftssektor zum Dr. phil. promoviert. Der Düsseldorfer Berater ist Autor diverser Bücher und Beiträge, die etwa im „Harvard Business Manager“ und in Fachmagazinen wie „return“, „Absatzwirtschaft“ und „Horizont“ erschienen sind.

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Thought Leadership

Thought Leadership by Michael Meier

Leadership in the Age of AI

Leadership in the Age of AI

The age of artificial intelligence (AI) has erupted into our world, marking its presence with striking advancements. AI models are demonstrating new capabilities almost… Read more

Growing the Family Office Future with Talent and Compensation

Growing the Family Office Future with Talent and Compensation

Family offices have existed for generations and there are more now than ever before. With the market growing and changing, the question of talent… Read more

Different Generations, Same Ideals: What Workers of All Ages Value in their Jobs

Different Generations, Same Ideals: What Workers of All Ages Value in their Jobs

A survey by Egon Zehnder and Kearney debunks the generational divide myth between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X and Boomers in the workplace. Read more

Embracing Sustainability – From Challenge to Change

Embracing Sustainability – From Challenge to Change

Study on sustainability in family businesses 2021 Read more

CMO Redefined

CMO Redefined

“Cladogenesis” is a term used by evolutionary scientists to describe the relatively sudden division of an existing species into two or more separate lines… Read more

Fluid Boundaries, New Challenges

Fluid Boundaries, New Challenges

Legacy organizations must respond – or risk their survival. While each organization will transform itself in a different way, each transformation is certain to… Read more

Architect of Consumer Centricity

Architect of Consumer Centricity

Markets are merging; smart, self-confident consumers are networking with one another and sharing their views online. Read more

Kasper Rorsted - The value driver

Kasper Rorsted - The value driver

In an exclusive interview with Egon Zehnder, Kasper Rorsted discusses the state of leadership today and tomorrow. Read more

Leaders of the Future: Navigating Disruption in Consumer Goods and Retail

Leaders of the Future: Navigating Disruption in Consumer Goods and Retail

Egon Zehnder was privileged to be part of the 60th annual Consumer Goods Forum global summit on 15-17 June 2016. Held in Cape Town,… Read more

W&V online – How CEOs Master Social Media

W&V online – How CEOs Master Social Media

How CEOs Master Social Media Social media like Twitter and Facebook have reshaped the communications landscape by offering CEOs a direct link to consumers… Read more

From Brand Custodian to General Manager

From Brand Custodian to General Manager

In the age of digital media where the power of brands of all sizes has been democratized, customer focus has become a strategic imperative… Read more

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