Interview with alumnus Oliver Hoffmann, Managing Director and owner of Northwind Filmagentur GmbH
Oliver Hoffmann, born in 1985, graduated from Ludwigshafen University of Applied Sciences with a Bachelor's degree in Logistics, followed immediately by a Master's degree in Innovation Management. After completing his Master's degree in 2011, Hoffmann immediately took the plunge into self-employment and founded the film agency Northwind Visuals - first as a sole proprietorship, then from 2013 as a GbR with seven employees and since 2017 in the form of a GmbH. Today, the agency has fourteen employees. SPEKTRUM spoke to the "double alumnus" about his time studying in Ludwigshafen, the practicality of his studies and the leap into self-employment.
SPEKTRUM: Mr Hoffmann, you successfully completed two degree programs at Ludwigshafen University of Applied Sciences - the Bachelor's degree in Logistics and the Master's degree in Innovation Management. Almost immediately afterwards, you ventured into self-employment and founded the film agency Northwind Visuals. Did your studies provide you with crucial skills and impetus for self-employment?
Oliver Hoffmann: Definitely! During my studies, I learned to think like an entrepreneur and gained important knowledge in marketing, innovation management, accounting and many other areas. I gained many important insights during my studies that gave me the qualifications, courage and motivation to set up my own company.
What made you decide to study at Ludwigshafen University of Applied Sciences back then?
I was simply convinced by the university. It has a good reputation and a good ranking, but what I found most appealing was that most of the work is done in small groups. As a result, there is always a family atmosphere instead of the usual anonymity that you often find at larger universities and colleges.
Do you have fond memories of your time at Ludwigshafen University of Applied Sciences?
Definitely. My time at Ludwigshafen University had a huge impact on me both professionally and personally. Particularly during my Master's degree, I gained an incredible amount of insight into exciting topics through project work, among other things. I also made a lot of friends there that I still value and maintain today. And during my semester abroad on my Bachelor's degree, I met my current wife, with whom I now have two wonderful children.
Today you are Managing Director of your own film agency. What interesting projects are you currently working on?
Our clients currently include around a hundred companies from many different sectors - SAP, DHL, MVV, ... Our main work consists of making complex content simple for the viewer in order to bring it closer to the company's customers and employees. We are basically a communications agency that expresses itself through film. We are in contact with very different specialist departments and communicate a wide variety of topics such as digital transformation, change management, products or services that require explanation or even recruiting topics. We are currently working on 50-60 different film projects.
Have you ever regretted taking the leap into self-employment?
Of course, on some days (especially in the first few years) I doubted myself and my decisions a lot, but in the end I always came to the same conclusion: I have fulfilled my dream of having my own successful company and can try to improve and advance myself and my company every day. I can take full advantage of my freedom by deciding for whom and with whom I work, which is a great privilege. Of course, a company comes with a lot of responsibility, but I've gotten used to it and am very happy with my professional situation.
What advice would you give to students who want to set up a start-up?
I would recommend three very important points:
1. make sure you have a good idea and a viable business model for which there is also a market.
2. position yourself well in the professional market by deciding early on whether you would prefer to produce more products at lower prices or fewer products at higher prices.
3. in my opinion, the most important decision you will make in the process of setting up your business is hiring your employees. Make sure as best you can that you hire team players and compatible people. Because at the end of the day, a small business always stands or falls with the people behind it.
On what occasions did you return to your "old" university after your Degree?
I shot a few more film projects there, gave lectures on e-learning, attended an alumni meeting and paid visits to colleagues and friends - special greetings to Prof. Dr. Stefan Bongard!
Is there anything else you would like to say to the university management or your old Department?
In general, I would like to see even more support for business start-ups. In addition to the technical issues, it also takes a lot of courage and personality. Of course, the university and the Departments can provide good support here. The topic of business start-ups is much more widespread in other countries and is more deeply rooted in the culture. We in Germany still have a lot of catching up to do. I would therefore like to say to the current students: Be brave! Pursue your passion! Everyone is responsible for their own path and even if it's not always easy, it will be one hundred percent worth it in the end.
Thank you very much for the interview!
