Last week you got to meet Urban Windelen of the BVES. Now it is the turn of Michael Harre of LG Electronics Germany to answer our six questions:
1. How are you personally – and as a company – coping with the corona crisis?
Personally: In my experience, open and honest communication is most important. Within our family and when talking to friends, we admitted that this is a new situation and that we might not have all the answers and solutions. Having said that, I also tried to show confidence claiming that the world will find solutions and a way out of this crisis. Furthermore, it seemed rather important to my children to show optimism at times when bad news appeared to be overpowering.
Company: Above all, our company made it very clear that health is crucial. So, we did not make any compromises in risking the health of our employees and / or business partners. Therefore, we took action right at the very beginning of the Corona crisis (e.g. cancelling trips and trade fairs) even if that meant losing substantial amounts of money. In addition, we tried to be very transparent when talking to our employees and business partners; we openly shared how we saw and judged a specific situation. Despite the continuing pandemic, our employees and business partners have expressed their gratitude for our clear stance on “health and safety” and dealing with this unprecedented situation in a transparent manner.
2. What are you enthusiastic about, apart from your company?
I am most enthusiastic about how we can make the world a better place for everybody. Every day we hear a lot of negative stories in the news about horrible wars, poverty, violation of human rights, etc. Yet there are also very positive developments, such as the worldwide increase of renewable energy. This is what motivates me in trying to contribute making this world a bit better.
3. What social media account or podcast makes your life better?
There is quite a few social media that I like and enjoy to use. But for me it’s always essential to see the positive but also the challenging aspects since social media can manipulate and that’s why they need informed and thoughtful handling.
4. Whom would you like to meet/have met?
There have been many pioneers in solar, who have contributed to bringing solar to the stage where it is today. I started in this field 20 years ago and I would not have thought in my wildest dreams that solar energy would become one of the most important and most viable sources of electricity production. Many pioneers helped to make this happen, ranging from scientists (bringing module efficiencies to unexpected levels), sales people (here I am thinking of various company leaders of solar distributors and installers) and not to forget, visionary politicians (e.g. the “fathers of the EEG feed-in program”). Having said that, Mr Bequerel is the person I would have liked to have met the most, as he really started everything by discovering the solar effect as far back as 1839.
5. If you could change one thing in the world – other than the corona crisis, of course – what would it be?
If I can only decide on one aspect, then it would probably be to give all people (esp. children) in the world the same chance to fulfill their wishes and aspirations.
6. What aspect of your company’s work are you most proud of?
Our company’s slogan is „Life’s good”. And this is what I truly like about our company. We have a passion to make “life good” for everybody by providing products and services, which help people and enable them to have a good and better life. Solar is a prime example of how we try to make “life good”. (mfo)
