The Short Version…

I was born and raised in Wangen, a small village just outside of Zurich, Switzerland.

In my mid 20s, I moved to the United States to explore a new culture. I have lived there for sixteen years, and enjoyed traveling the nation and around the globe as a technology evangelist. I moved to Thailand in 2008. From here, I’m helping people all over the world to give more compelling product demos.

I am the co-author of Giving Memorable Product Demos, published in June, 2009. Demonstrating high tech has always been my passion. I love the buzz of a trade show as much as the atmosphere in a meeting room, the butterfly inducing moments before a stage presentation, and the unpredictable nature of online presentations. I have worked for prominent technology companies, like AT&T, NCR, SanDisk, and Symbol Technologies.

To contribute locally in Thailand, I’m also teaching English and keep busy managing Baan Ajarn, a boutique agency for English teachers in Thailand.

The longer version…

I grew up in a village outside of Zurich, Switzerland. My father was an entrepreneur who imported electronic novelty items, such as transistor radios, calculators, and LED watches. As a child, I learned to love these gadgets. I enjoyed taking them apart and learning how they worked. I soon started selling these novelty items in school and quickly learned the power of a compelling product demo. This love for technology and interest in persuasion was the beginning of a life-long passion.

When I was 16, I entered a business apprenticeship with NCR, the second largest computer company in Switzerland at that time. The program was designed to give business school students an opportunity to absorb knowledge and gain hands-on experience rapidly.

After serving mandatory military service in 1987, I returned to NCR to manage their 10,000 square foot product demo center. Soon, I was promoted to sales manager, leading a team of highly effective sales people into new markets and territories.

Our small Swiss team sold more pen-based computers than any other NCR team in the world. As a result, the company brought me to the United States to replicate this success at their headquarters in Dayton, Ohio. For the first three years, I worked as a Marketing Specialist at the Personal Computer division, before taking on global business development positions with Symbol Technologies, U3, and SanDisk.

My technical focus remained on mobile computing, and I was considered an industry expert in this increasingly popular part of the market. Because of this position, I was a frequent presenter at large industry events and a sought-after speaker and subject matter expert on “bleeding edge” technologies marketing.

Over the course of my career, I have conducted business on all continents and have demonstrated products at more than a hundred trade shows and industry events. Living in the United States, and now Thailand, has added to my understanding and sensitivity of other people’s cultures, beliefs, and ideas.

In my spare time, I enjoy being behind the viewfinder of my camera – or simply hanging out with friends, enjoying good food, drink, and conversation.