I grew up in an area which is known as the Optical Valley in Germany. Carl Zeiss, Otto Schott, and Ernst Abbe are well-known names and shaped the past and presence of Jena. Perhaps it was because of that regional influence, that optics and the behavior of light constantly caught my attention throughout my life. However, physics, mathematics, and biology were not my favorite subjects during school; I was not addicted to purely theoretical approaches and not made to be a scientist. Therefore, I chose to follow a more practically oriented study: business administration.

In my first job, I was fortunate enough to meet a lot of experienced and skilled people who encouraged me to deepen my scientific optics knowledge and to combine it with the strengths of my empathetic and driven personality. My current position as global sales director combines these two sides, putting me in a position to be able to moderate between customer needs, our technical capabilities, and the personal feelings of both parties. The overarching goal is always that our developed solutions help to create a healthier and better world, as well as empower our customers and ourselves.

My greatest career accomplishment has been to be a trusted and valued partner for my counterparts with PhDs in physics or engineering. At the beginning of my career, I was treated as an outsider; today, these academics come to me and ask for advice, often even regarding technical topics. The respect of my colleagues and customers is my driving force, and encourages me to deepen my knowledge even further every day.

In an organization dominated by physicists, sales is often not taken seriously. The product and the technical differentiation are seen as key to success. But in my career, I have experienced that sales and customer understanding often make the difference between success and failure. Throughout my career, this has been a constant obstacle, one which I have had to overcome again and again. Today, I am confident that the abilities of my team and myself are a key success factor of our strategic business unit.

Always believe in your own strengths and abilities.

Claudia Rabis
Global Sales Director, JENOPTIK Optical Systems GmbH
Born in Germany / Resides in Germany
Educational Background: Master of Business Administration, University of Cooperative Education Gera and Eisenach, Germany