"Setting clear goals and priorities is critically important."

On Sept. 1, 2009, Larry Rosen was appointed to the Management Board responsible for Finance and Global Business Services at Deutsche Post DHL. Before joining the Group, he was the CFO of Fresenius Medical Care, the world's leading supplier of dialysis products, for six years. Today, he is presenting the quarterly results of Deutsche Post DHL to investors for the first time. Deutsche Post DHL News talked with Larry Rosen about his first weeks on the job at Deutsche Post DHL.

Deutsche Post DHL News: How have your first weeks at DP DHL been?

Larry Rosen: Very good. I have been here for two months now and have learned a lot and gathered a lot of impressions: On the company, its employees, the organization. Overall: It has been an excellent experience for me.

Deutsche Post DHL News: How did you initially react to being offered the job of CFO at Deutsche Post DHL?

Larry Rosen: I was really excited about it because of the size and complexity of the company. These start with the business itself and the leading position our company has in its markets. Second, the team. I had a chance to meet several members of the Board of Management and Supervisory Board in advance, and I was convinced that this would be a winning team. For these reasons, I am really pleased about being appointed the CFO.

Deutsche Post DHL News: What do you think are the keys to being a successful CFO?

Larry Rosen: Hard work certainly it is a factor. The company has definitely accomplished much, but there is still a lot to do. Setting clear goals and priorities is critically important, particularly because the company is so big and complex. The process includes making decisions about the issues we intend to address and on where we can best spend our time. This is the key to success. Integrity is very important, too. It is essential that employees trust me and that we create a working relationship characterized by cooperation and teamwork. This also includes empathy, that is, the ability to put yourself into someone else's shoes, no matter whether it is an internal business partner, a customer or an investor. The ability to view problems, challenges and opportunities from their point of view is really a key to success. And, last but not least, you need a little luck, just like most things in life - for example: that the economy gets back on its feet and the recovery picks up speed in 2010.

Deutsche Post DHL News: Both Fresenius Medical Care, your former employer, and DP DHL are global companies with German roots. Is it easy for an American to work at a German company?

Larry Rosen: I have indeed spent a good part of my career working at German companies. First at Hoechst in the United States and then 10 years in Germany. I then worked for six years at Fresenius Medical Care and now Deutsche Post DHL. Compared with other business cultures, I think the American and German business cultures have many things in common. Above all, this means that management decisions are made on the basis of logic and facts. Such an approach also reflects my personal style and approach of good management.

Deutsche Post DHL News: What hobbies will you pursue in Bonn?

Larry Rosen: I want to work out and jog. I hope I will have enough time for it and that I will not put on too many extra pounds. I love to play golf. But you need a lot of time to play golf. I hope I will have enough time to play once a week or once every couple of weeks.