Lars Hildebrandt

Interview with Lars

‍What do you enjoy most about working at Tuleva?

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What I really like the most is that everyone here genuinely wants to give their best. There are no rigid processes, and if you have ideas, you can share them and make a difference. You're heard, and I find that super important because it motivates me.

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How would you describe the company culture and work environment in general?

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We always say in interviews that we have a flat hierarchy, and it's true. You don't feel any real hierarchy here, whether it's Nino or someone from the management team. Everyone can approach anyone, and the atmosphere is super open and direct. It's all about working together, not against each other. And even though we all have a lot to do, everyone takes the time to listen and help when someone needs it.

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What sets this company apart from others you've worked for?

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One difference is the size. We're a small company, which gives us a lot of flexibility, especially when it comes to processes. We can change and optimize things without having to overcome massive hurdles. The short communication paths make a huge difference, especially compared to large corporations, where you often can't really make a change. I really appreciate that here.

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Which values are particularly important to you in your daily work?

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Respect is key. Without respect, I don't think you can work together at all. Then comes curiosity—always being hungry for new things, never standing still, always moving forward. But respect is at the top, because without it, nothing works.

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How would you describe the leadership style here?

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The leadership style is very collegial. People meet each other on equal footing. It's not top-down; instead, things are explained, like why they are the way they are. I think that's very important because every employee is an informed person and can understand why certain decisions are made. Even when it's tough, you have to talk openly about it and find solutions together.

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Which of Tuleva's benefits do you particularly appreciate?

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For me, the company car is a real benefit because it makes life a lot easier. The home office equipment is also great—for example, I got a height-adjustable desk. But I'm not the kind of person who values gym subsidies or a company bike.

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What are your responsibilities, and what is your area of expertise?

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I'm a developer at heart and have been immersed in the Microsoft world for many years. I love solving customer problems and looking at their processes to improve them, always with a focus on solutions. My specialty is software development and the Power Platform, but I always keep an eye on the process, because software alone doesn't help if the process isn't right.

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Can you tell us about a particularly exciting project you've worked on or a memorable success?

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Every project has its own challenges. But it gets really exciting when you're working in a team. I'm currently in a project with 30 developers, and that's really thrilling. It's not just about the technical aspects but also about teamwork and organization. That's a lot of fun.

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What was the biggest challenge you've faced during your time here, and how did you overcome it?

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Not every project runs smoothly, and in 2018, we had a particularly difficult one. It challenged me both technically and personally, and I realized I was reaching my limits. What helped me in that situation were my colleagues—Nino, Thorge, and others—who supported me. Together, we found a solution that both we and the client were happy with. The biggest lesson I learned was that you're not alone and that you have to find solutions together.

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How does your work provide value to clients, or can you share a moment when you felt you made a real difference for a client?

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I have a broad knowledge of many areas of the Microsoft world and a quick grasp of process-related topics. This allows me to offer solutions quickly and work directly with clients in workshops. This ability has earned us a lot of trust from clients over the years because it allows us to achieve good results quickly. I think that's something that sets me apart.

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What do you appreciate most about working with our clients?

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Many of our clients work with us on an equal footing. They don't just see us as service providers, but as partners who help them overcome their challenges. They trust us and speak openly about their problems and motivations. That's very important because it's the only way we can deliver great solutions. We're not a company that solves a problem and then disappears. Our goal is to support our clients long-term and be seen as partners. We do that pretty well.

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Which innovative technologies or methods have you recently used in your work?

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I've been working with the Power Platform for some time now. The topic of process mapping in the Power Platform, whether in the CRM module or the Service module, is very exciting. Microsoft is driving this development massively, and I think we'll see a lot more of it in the coming years. The whole Copilot topic is also jumping on this bandwagon. There's a lot happening, and it's exciting to implement these developments with our clients.

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How has your career developed at Tuleva?

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That's an interesting story. Before I joined Tuleva, I was a team leader at Bauer and was getting less involved with real client projects. That was one of the main reasons I joined Tuleva—I wanted to work on projects again and solve problems. From day one at Tuleva in 2017, I was involved in exciting client projects. Although I originally didn't want to take on any more management responsibilities, the situation changed after about a year. We reorganized the company a bit, and I eventually took over an area that I'm now responsible for. I'm very happy with that.

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What do you value most about working with your colleagues?

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The respectful and easy-going way we interact with each other is very important to me. We joke around sometimes, but it's always respectful. I also think it's great that everyone is always striving to improve and learn new things. That's incredibly helpful and motivating.

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What support do you receive here to help you grow professionally?

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On the one hand, I have the freedom to manage my projects the way I see fit. On the other hand, we have the opportunity to attend conferences, continue our education, and earn certifications. That's an important point for expanding knowledge. For me personally, self-motivation plays a big role. I often sit down in the evenings and keep learning about the topics that interest me.

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Can you give an example of how you've grown in your position since you started here?

That's hard to pinpoint with one example, as it's more of a continuous process. Every month brings new challenges that help you grow. At 47, I'm no longer the "young wild one," but someone who brings a lot of experience to the table and applies it to projects. This experience helps me present myself differently and make more informed decisions.

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Tuleva means "future." How do you experience the company's vision in your daily work?

The focus on the projects we do is an important aspect for me. Before I came to Tuleva, I worked a lot with on-premise solutions, which often meant old technology. At Tuleva, we have the opportunity to work on the latest cloud-based technologies, and now the AI topic is taking off in a big way. The opportunities for learning and development here are endless. You just have to want it.

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What are your goals for your professional future, and how does the company support you in achieving them?

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It's a mix. I have a lot of fun with technology, and the company gives me the freedom to fully immerse myself in this area. Working with colleagues like Thorge, who's just as passionate about technology as I am, and Nino, who takes great care of his employees, is ideal for me. I don't have any specific personal goals right now, other than hoping that Tuleva grows bigger. We need more people to take on even more great projects.

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What new technologies or trends do you find particularly exciting for the future of the industry?

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The Copilot topic is definitely very exciting. It's going to accelerate our work life immensely, especially in IT. But it's also going to be interesting to see how these technologies affect the overall work process for people. This is something that will keep us busy for the next one or two years.

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Thank you for the great interview, Lars.