Our interlocutor is a former OTP outplacement program participant, whom we successfully accompanied in her professional reorientation up to the foundation and take-off of her own company. She was well qualified in her last long-term position as Clinical Trial Manager in a medium-sized pharmaceutical company with good and secure employment. 

Until a sudden merger with an international pharmaceutical company terminated her position. Suddenly, as a “late-bloomer” in her early 50s, she was faced with change: a new employment or a risky new start with her own company?

We met with her for an interview!

How did the basic idea for your current company come about? 

It became clear to me during the last 6 months as an employee that I wanted to go my own way in the future and bring my know-how to the market as an independent entrepreneur in the field of clinical research. Although the termination came unexpectedly, it was a sign and encouraged me to definitely take my future into my own hands. Fortunately, I was able to use my previous positions for targeted networking, which also allowed me to plan my self-employment.”

What was important for you, especially during this not so easy time?

First and foremost, the valuable support of OTP, whose team brought me together with promising interlocutors and thus expanded my personal contact network. I particularly appreciated the structured and flexible coaching process, in which topics could be brought forward as needed. I got on very well with my coach and appreciated her motivation to intensify my contacts with potential clients in the pharmaceutical environment during the planning phase!

How did you experience the change from employment to self-employment?

In my “garden-leave” I was able to make an accurate assessment and also emotionally digest everything that was happening around me.  Especially in this not so easy phase, the support of my OTP coach was very valuable. The chance was presented to me to take on something new and to be active, in what I am good at and in what I find meaningful and fun.

Business plan? Financing issues? Competition? USP? In which way was your OTP coach able to support you and what did you appreciate most?

Especially as a “late bloomer” I was particularly grateful to be able to benefit from the experienced OTP coach at this difficult and decisive stage of my career. Her many years of expertise in supporting company founders was palpable and very valuable to me.

I greatly appreciated her dedicated approach. From the structured coaching and constant reflection, I always felt challenged and motivated at the same time. Also, the availability by phone between our face-to-face coaching sessions always helped me when answering time-critical questions. 

What were some difficult situations you had to deal with in the early stages?

Fear is always involved. But together with my coach, I found a way to motivate myself and reduce fears by using her mental training.

What is your formula for success in the start-up phase?

I think that it has helped me enormously to stay in the market and with my customers by means of consistent networking, thus building and consolidating trust. Acting, not reacting, being present on the market and proving that promised quality and deadlines are met!  

Ideas for the future: where would you like to be with your company in a few years?

This question will probably be answered by the future. Within a very short period of time, we have had success in acquiring various interested parties and orders are developing. 

Your conclusion of our coaching?

I found the coaching to be extremely appreciative and at eye level. Delicate topics and “off-topics” could be addressed and reflected upon. And it was fun to be accompanied throughout this process with empathy and drive. The OTP coach was able to attune herself to me very well; I am enormously grateful to her for that. I will never forget the first contract and the journey that led to it. 

What does the future hold?

The number of orders is good and when it comes to expanding, I will definitely come back to OTP. They will then be able to support me perfectly in the recruiting process with their TopScore® services. This, I am also convinced of!

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