Federik von Hagen

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF—YOUR EDUCATION, PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE, AND HOBBIES.

My name is Federik and I am currently pursuing my Executive MBA at IE Business School. I am German and Uruguayan, and although I live in Frankfurt, I am constantly living between both cultures. In that sense, it’s probably not surprising that I enjoy traveling and exploring new cultures in every way, from cooking to learning new languages. 

Regarding my professional experience, I am pursuing my career at Deutsche Börse Group, which is the leading financial market infrastructure provider in Europe with established brands such as our Eurex derivatives exchange. I am currently heading a small but international business strategy team for our market data segment, after having worked in the Group M&A for multiple years.

WHAT EXPERIENCE SPARKED YOUR DECISION TO PURSUE A CAREER IN BUSINESS, SPECIFICALLY ONE RELATED TO DATA, STRATEGY AND MERGERS & ACQUISITION?

I always try to get a helicopter view of new topics. I am very curious to understand things in their breadth and the interconnection between different areas.  The fields of mergers & acquisition, as well as strategy development, allow me to pursue this approach at a very high quality, especially as I believe comprehending a wide variety of elements of a company or industry in depth is key. 

Personally, it was my internship experience at my current employer that initially sparked my interest. The subsequent rapid responsibility for transformative projects also played a role in my decision. I traded my first shares when I was 12 years old, so it was a dream of mine to work for the stock exchange.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOU’VE FACED IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR? HOW DID YOU OVERCOME IT?

The biggest challenges have been long projects with very intense working hours and no optimal solution in sight. I approach these situations as a marathon, with patience and endurance. After a few attempts, you learn to gain confidence in your abilities to solve such complex situations and ultimately reach a positive outcome for yourself and the company. 

Ultimately, you  learn how to turn stress and adrenaline into a positive tool that allows you to reach new heights you didn’t think were possible before. It feels very rewarding to look back at such challenges and see the learning curve.

WITH YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND MULTILINGUAL CAPABILITIES IN BOTH GERMAN AND SPANISH, YOU HAVE ALREADY BUILT AN IMPRESSIVE INTERNATIONAL PROFILE. HOW WILL COMPLETING THE EXECUTIVE MBA ADD VALUE TO YOUR CAREER?

My bachelor’s degree in the multicultural city of Amsterdam provided me with a strong international network, in addition to my bicultural background. However, the Executive MBA brings connections like these to a new level, with a network of experienced mid-management colleagues who contribute their knowledge from various industries. It has been a very enriching experience for me to get back in the classroom after several years of work experience—helping me refresh concepts, learn from other experienced professionals and develop a better version of myself. The Executive MBA is an essential part of a life-long learning journey, and it’s allowed me to optimize and accelerate my learning skills even beyond the end of the program.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS?

It’s hard to say where exactly I see myself in five years, but what I can say is that the Executive MBA opens the doors to an immense number of opportunities that I previously didn’t imagine. On one hand, I am able to broaden my network, allowing me to have the opportunity to change industries, pursue new jobs or relocate to a dream destination. On the other hand, the program helps me develop a new mindset and gain soft skills, giving me the chance to chase entrepreneurial opportunities, such as creating a startup or advancing my career in my current company. Overall, I feel well equipped to face a dynamic job market that is ever increasing in competition and where skill sets that are currently in demand will soon be outdated.

AFTER LEARNING MORE ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR PROFESSIONAL CAREER WE WANT TO KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT WHAT GLOBAL IMMERSION WEEK MEANT TO YOU. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO TAKE PART IN GLOBAL IMMERSION WEEK? AND WHAT GUIDED YOU TO CHOOSE DUBAI AS YOUR DESTINATION?

Ultimately, I wanted to actively take part in as many activities as possible offered during my Executive MBA in order to truly make the most of the program. For me, Global Immersion Week is an essential part of the program as it allows you to put theory to practice and further expand your network with real-life companies. I had the choice between Dubai, San Francisco and Berlin, but Dubai was my first choice because of the city’s mindset. Only a few decades ago, this was a small village in the middle of the desert, and now it has transformed itself into a global hub with people from all over the world. When looking at the Burj Khalifa—the tallest building in the world—you know that in Dubai, the sky’s the limit.

IN GENERAL, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY WAS THE MOST INTERESTING EXPERIENCE FOR YOU DURING THIS GLOBAL IMMERSION WEEK?

As the name says, Global Immersion Week truly immerses you in the local culture on all fronts. This goes beyond the professional scene as it also offers the unique opportunity to understand a culture in depth. In this respect, our visit to the local mosque was the most interesting experience for me. It allowed me to clarify any wrong preconceptions I might have had and enjoy the greatness this culture has to offer. My Arab friends helped me dress like a local to make this experience even more authentic.

GOOGLE, CISCO, UBER—YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO MEET WITH REAL HEAVYWEIGHTS FROM LEADING COMPANIES LIKE THESE AND MORE. WHICH BUSINESS LEADER INSPIRED YOU THE MOST? WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM THEM?

Global Immersion Week gave us the chance to connect with global heavyweights like Google, Cisco and Uber and understand how they approach their globalization strategy in the Middle East (instead of Gulf Cooperation Council) states. It’s unique to learn how a company like Uber manages to localize their offerings in the region, for example, by empowering women in Saudi Arabia after they were allowed to drive. 

But in addition to global tech companies, it was extremely interesting to meet regional players that scale out of Dubai. The speech by DP World highly impressed me as they structurally explained the role of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the world economy. As the port and logistics administrator of Dubai, they have expanded globally and own various ports across the globe. Furthermore, we received inspiring exposure to the local startup scene, where the rising FinTechs were of specific interest to me.

WHILE IN DUBAI, YOU ALSO HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH INDUSTRY LEADERS THROUGH VARIOUS NETWORKING EVENTS. HOW DO YOU THINK THIS NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY WILL BENEFIT YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE?

The broad coverage of industries will provide me with a firsthand contact person for many potential business opportunities. Many of the leaders we met are heading industry ecosystems or investment firms, so if you require a certain contact to the region, they will have the best network to connect you. 

Additionally, talking to local leaders and exchanging views with your local colleagues allows you to assess relocation options more specifically. It is very different to imagine yourself moving to Dubai while there instead of theoretically talking to a company via Zoom.

IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT ARE THREE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT INSIGHTS GAINED OR LESSONS LEARNED FROM THIS EXPERIENCE?

Some of the most notable insights from this short but intense week included:

First, think big! Dubai teaches you how to play in the champions league, creating world-class services out of nothing.

Second, the world is highly interconnected. Dubai is a hub between east and west and it attracts people from all over the world who are seeking excellence and opportunities. 

And third, Get rid of your preconceptions. Many people have their predefined and rigid image of places like Dubai, or the Arab world in general. It’s best to be there and experience it firsthand before judging.

HOW WILL YOUR TIME AT IE BUSINESS SCHOOL, AND ENRICHING EXPERIENCES LIKE THE GLOBAL IMMERSION WEEK, ADD VALUE TO YOUR CAREER?

Programs such as the Executive MBA add a meaningful professional network. But more than that, I am impressed by how the program changed my way of thinking—it really helped me find new innovative solutions and provided me with a holistic view on business challenges. I didn’t expect such a change in mindset before joining the course.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF ADVICE YOU HAVE FOR OTHER STUDENTS PURSUING, OR INTENDING TO PURSUE, THE EXECUTIVE MBA?

My advice would be to go into the Executive MBA with an open mind and the desire to learn something new in every opportunity that you get. Be ready to change and improve yourself by accepting feedback and using the safe environment offered by your colleagues. And last but not least, have fun and enjoy the ride!