Frank Steinmeier

“At Continental you can make a lot happen–it just depends on yourself.”

How long have you been employed at Continental?
I began at Continental in 2000 as an engineer in the development department.

How did you start with the company? What have been your positions there?
Since automobile engineering is my passion, I actively sought the contact at the IAA in 1999 and was able to start as a development engineer. After different positions and assignments, I made a move sideways into the field of finance and from there into my current position.

What is a typical work day like for you? Is there such a thing?
Regular deadlines in the finance and development area, plus several steering committees and coordinating across divisional boundaries determine my scheduling framework. Added to that are the deadlines in which future products are discussed and decisions about them made. Every day, there is a great deal to prioritize, to delegate, to process, to decide and to communicate. There always has to be some leeway to keep improving your own usefulness to the company.

Why should someone decide for Continental as an employer?
Continental is one of the leading automotive suppliers in the world and at the same time offers a rather friendly working atmosphere. You can clarify issues without complications across hierarchic levels and business units. I think that is unique.

Which skills and knowledge should people bring who want to have a career at Continental?
For me, strength in management with team playing ability at the same time is the central point. It has to be combined with knowledge from a wide variety of business areas and a great ability to communicate–spiced with a passion for what we are doing here. Openness to feedback and the will to improve yourself constantly also can't hurt.

How important are experiences abroad for you?
This is very important in our globalized world. I have been traveling on business for years and have been able to accumulate a wealth of intercultural experiences.

You are involved in Formula Student. What does it involve exactly? What are your tasks?
Formula Student is an international design competition for students. Continental is one of the primary sponsors of the German event and also supports several teams. I am active in a dual role as ambassador for Continental and as cost juror for VDI. My job for the VDI is to analyze the economic concept, my job for us is to cultivate the company image. The students involved gather important experience very early on for their later professional life and we initiate contacts with potential auto-motivated employees of tomorrow–it's a win-win situation.

How do you rate the career opportunities at Continental?
If you are able to solve problems intelligently, rapidly and to the benefit of the company, all doors are open to you.

Describe your management style for us, please.
You have to master the entire repertoire, cultivate employees individually and at the same time challenge them. There should never be a dull moment, but many moments of pleasure in what you have achieved.

How do you strike a balance between work, free time and family?
That is not always easy to coordinate. I always try to keep a part of the weekend or even one evening a week free. Since I never feel work at Continental to be a burden, I have never had problems with my work-life balance.

How do you spend your free time?
Most of all with family and friends. For sport, I like jogging, particularly on business trips. If there is still time, I use it for go-kart and car racing to experience automotive technology myself and to measure myself against others.

How do you envision your professional future?
I don't have a master plan. My only goals are to complete the particular assignments optimally, to sustain my self-motivation and to be permanently on the lookout for challenges. The situation at Continental is very good in this respect.