From Analyst to Partner – Lukas’ Journey at H&Z
Lukas shares how H&Z’s culture, client focus, and continuous development shaped his path from analyst to partner and how he approaches leadership today.
Looking back at the start: You started at H&Z as an analyst in 2019 – what convinced you to start here back then?
‘When I started at H&Z as an analyst in 2019, I already had a clear focus on purchasing topics – a topic that had already inspired me during my studies. What particularly convinced me were the opportunities to work directly on-site with the customer, the dynamic project atmosphere and the respectful interaction within the team. Added to that was the steep learning curve, which has sparked my curiosity again and again. At H&Z, I was able to learn from the best – that’s exactly what made my start here so exciting and formative.’
H&Z culture: What do you particularly appreciate about the culture at H&Z?
‘What I particularly appreciate about the culture at H&Z is that it is truly value-driven. Our colleagues are inspiring, down-to-earth and always willing to help – a real team spirit that makes all the difference. At the same time, we are all united by the same goal: continuous development, no complacency with the status quo and the aspiration to get a little better every day.’
Looking ahead: As a partner – what are you most looking forward to in your new role?
‘As a partner, I am particularly looking forward to working even more closely with our clients on the issues that matter to them. The opportunity to solve strategic challenges together and create sustainable added value is a key motivator for me. At the same time, the new role also means more management responsibility within H&Z – a task I am very much looking forward to because it will enable me to actively contribute to the further development of the company and our team.’
Partner role: As a young partner, you are faced with new expectations in a new environment. How do you assert yourself and develop your own style as a partner?
‘For me, the new role as a partner doesn’t mean fundamentally changing who I am, but rather staying true to my principles. Even as a project manager, I stood for pragmatic and impact-driven implementation – with the aim of creating sustainable change. I want to continue to do things my way as a partner.’
Tips for young consultants: What advice would you give to new juniors starting their careers at H&Z? What are the key success factors?
‘I follow the philosophy of ‘love what you do’. If you don’t love what you do, find something you really love. Passion is the best motivation.’
Working with clients: How has your way of working with clients changed over the course of your career – and what makes a client relationship truly successful for you today?
‘Over the course of my career, my way of working with clients has changed from a rather reactive to a proactive approach. While in the beginning I was mainly focused on responding to specific requests and challenges, today I attach great importance to identifying potential and opportunities at an early stage and developing forward-looking strategies together with the client.
For me, the focus is on a partnership approach. A successful customer relationship is based on trust, transparency and an understanding of the customer’s individual challenges.
I see myself primarily as a sparring partner at eye level – someone who provides impetus, highlights new perspectives and supports the customer in achieving long-term success.’
