Interview with alumnus Oliver Hoffmann, Managing Director and owner of Northwind Filmagentur GmbH.
Oliver Hoffmann, born in 1985, graduated from the Ludwigshafen University of Applied Sciences with a bachelor's degree in logistics, followed directly by a master's degree in innovation management. After graduating with a 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 already seven employees and since 2017 in the form of a GmbH. Today, the agency comprises fourteen employees. SPEKTRUM spoke with 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 courses of study at Ludwigshafen University - 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 you take away decisive skills and impulses for self-employment from your studies?
Oliver Hoffmann: Definitely! During my studies I learned to think entrepreneurially 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 start my own company.
What made you decide to study at Ludwigshafen University at that time?
I was simply convinced by the university. It has a good reputation and also 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 is so often found at larger universities and colleges.
Do you have fond memories of your time at Ludwigshafen University?
Definitely. My time at Ludwigshafen University had a very strong impact on me, both professionally and personally. Particularly during my master's studies, 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 in my bachelor's program, I met my current wife, with whom I now have two wonderful children.
Today you work as Managing Director in your own film agency. What interesting projects are you currently working on?
At the moment, our clients include about a hundred companies from many different industries - SAP, DHL, MVV, ... Our main work consists of presenting complex content in a simple way for the viewer, in order to bring it closer to the company's customers and employees. Basically, we are a communications agency that expresses itself through film. We are in contact with very different departments and communicate a wide variety of topics such as digital transformation, change management, products or services that need to be explained, 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 every day to improve and advance myself and my company. I can take full advantage of my freedom by deciding for whom and with whom I work, and that is a great privilege. Of course, a company brings with it an immense amount of responsibility, but in the meantime I have gotten used to it and am very happy with my professional situation.
What advice would you give to students who want to found a start-up?
I would advise three very important points:
1. make sure you have a good idea and a viable business model for which there is a market.
2. Position yourself well in the professional market by deciding early on whether you would rather produce more products for lower prices or fewer products for higher prices.
3. In my opinion, the most important decision you will make in the process of starting your business is hiring your employees. Make sure as best you can that you hire people who are team players and compatible. Because at the end of the day, a small business always stands or falls with the people behind it.
On what occasions were you back at your "old" university after graduation?
I shot a few film projects there, gave lectures on e-learning, attended an alumni meeting and visited colleagues and friends - a very special greeting 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, this also requires a lot of courage and personality. Of course, the university and the departments can provide good support here. The topic of starting a business is much more widespread in other countries and is more deeply anchored 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 courageous! Go after 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!
