STEFAN BAEHR
„When others say it will be difficult, then it becomes exciting for me.“
I grew up in Hamburg and was fortunate to have a very sheltered childhood. Sport has always been a part of my life: football up to the second division, windsurfing, and to this day, a passionate tennis player. After studying economics, I initially built and ran my own company. This experience taught me to take responsibility and think entrepreneurially. After various positions, I eventually found my way into the packaging industry. For almost three decades, this field has fascinated me because it's never just about packaging, but always about getting sophisticated products safely to their destination and finding the best solution for every customer.
I would describe my work in sales as a passion. I don't believe you can truly learn sales. If you were to ask a thousand people if they could work in sales, probably 950 would answer, "Yes, I can." But maybe only thirty are really good at it. I believe sales is primarily a matter of personality and a specific style of communication that relies heavily on empathy. I start by listening and trying to understand what's being said. I want to understand who the person I'm speaking to is, what the company does, what challenges it faces, and what is truly needed.
Good solutions don't arise from loud pronouncements or the lowest price, but from experience, honesty, and trust. What's far more important is that the customer recognizes that our proposals are backed by genuine knowledge, performance, and conviction.
Stagnation has never been my thing. I believe in staying curious, taking responsibility, and treating others with respect. For me, the glass is always at least half full, and when a challenge arises, I prefer to consider how we can solve it together. Customers are usually very sensitive to this and understand that good packaging isn't just about the purchase price—it also generates costs. There's much more to it than that. It reduces damage, complaints, and rework. Handling is improved. Many of these benefits aren't fully considered from a purely commercial perspective. It's definitely worth highlighting this in conversations. You have to be aware of your own limitations while remaining open to other people's viewpoints. This is exactly what helps in sales.
I have followed NOVAPOR's development over the years and have always held it in high esteem and respect. I have always been impressed by the courage with which NOVAPOR invests and how consistently it shapes its future. Today, I am delighted to be a part of it. Here, we can offer our customers significantly more than just a trading product, because we develop solutions with genuine added value. This naturally expands my portfolio considerably. I can now offer my customers a completely different range of options than before. For me personally, this also means that my horizons have broadened and will continue to do so.
important for me:
Interpersonal relationships – family – dog – literature – nature – football – tennis – skiing
