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  • Johannes Schmidt Tophoff
  • Laurent Ledoux
  • Luiz Kaufmann
  • Massimiliano Masi
  • Peter Laurin
  • Thomas Comstedt
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Why did you start working for Arthur D. Little?
I started working for Arthur D. Little (ADL) after I finished University. Funnily enough at the time I wanted to work in industry rather than consulting. I came across ADL by chance. ADL's focus and expertise in innovation management and sectoral strength in Chemicals was something that appealed to me as these were the main areas I specialised in at University. There were many interviews to pass and the more I got to know the staff at ADL the more I wanted to work for them. I was struck particularly by the special atmosphere in the interviews and the values of the personnel that I met. In the end my decision to join ADL was very much based on my need to learn and work in this fruitful and encouraging environment.

What did you learn from Arthur D. Little?
I learnt how to structure problems and create concepts in an entrepreneurial way. The time I worked for ADL was also an interesting one as it was during the fascinating turnarounds of the former state-owned conglomerates in Germany immediately after the wall had come down. My project team members taught me how to solve complex business problems. I guess it goes without saying that it also strengthened considerably my industry know-how and built up much expertise in a very short time. Developing personal responsibility and entrepreneurial thinking in large organisations and their staff added to my own entrepreneurship knowledge.
Last but not least I realised one of my dreams when ADL put me forward for my Russian classes and I went to Moscow to open and build up the office there. I got the chance to transfer the knowledge that I had acquired while privatising Eastern-German enterprises to an even bigger market. In my opinion this entrepreneurial touch is what makes ADL so special.

What have been the main highlights of your career after leaving Arthur D. Little?
After five years with ADL I took up an opportunity as Business Development and M&A Manager at General Electric in Paris, and became member of the worldwide Executive Team less than a year later.
In 1999, I founded the Curagita AG in my living room of all places! I had developed the idea during my time at GE: System services for radiologist abiding the motto "Cura et agita" (Latin: Cure and Manage). We initiated the largest cooperative network of radiologists in Germany. The number currently stands at 40 big radiology centers with 120 radiologists. Our product range is wide: We supply them with bundled procurement of contrast agents including development of generics and reimports, as well as, films, software and equipment. We have created a network of teleradiology (i.e. CT is taken in Göteborg, Sweden and diagnosed in Germany) and link up with health insurances for innovative Managed Care Projects. Another area we focus on is consulting services for M&A and turnaround management for radiology centers and outsourcing in hospitals. We now start to roll-up, manage and operate own radiology and interdisiplinary medical care centers.
Today, Curagita, as the market innovator and leader in the radiology services market, has 30 employees and a turnover of 10M, without any debt or Venture Capital. We have always grown organically and doubled our sales every year. We sponsor a non-for-profit information portal www.radiologie.de which explains more about radiology, computer tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance therapy (MRT).

What do you enjoy most about your current position?
The adrenalin to aggressively innovate and grow as an entrepreneur with my own money and mature personally in parallel.

What advice would you give to young consultant at Arthur D. Little?
Definitely to take up entrepreneurial consulting projects either new consulting products or new markets. By doing this a young and hungry consultant can grow and develop much more quickly and move into new and interesting consulting tasks, project leader experience and project acquisition responsibility.
I would recommend to make the most of the global networking opportunities, especially within a global consulting firm like ADL. Leverage your contacts and experience from international projects, trainings and friendships during your time at ADL and afterwards.

What are your interests outside of work?
My family: wife and four children are my priority. I also enjoy socialising with friends and colleagues. ADL still figures largely in my life and I have not lost contact with many of the people I met there - we see each other several times a year and catch up on all the latest news.