5 Questions with ... Sébastien Anselment of Stadtwerke Karlsruhe
Withsixtraining sessions in a relatively short period of time,Sébastien Anselment, Head of Service Management,couldalmost be called a regular at our Academy. We spoke with him to find outwhy heprefers online training for some formats and in-person sessions for others,and what he particularly values about the Academy.
Sébastien, you’ve already completed quite a few of our training courses. How often have you attended our sessions, and why did you choose our Academy?
There wasn’t really anything to decide, because Consulting4IT was alreadya partnerwhen I joined the municipal utilities in 2018, so it was clear that I would take the training courses with you.At the time,there were a few challenges related to Matrix42 that needed to be overcome. TheEnterprise Service ManagementSystem, or ESM,wasadaptedwithin the companyto match the way we were used to working with the previous ticketing system, which meant it deviated from the standard.A wide variety of peopleworkedon italongside their regular duties. Isimplywantedtounderstandthe ESMat a fundamental levelsoI couldreally masterit. I wantedto knowthetheoreticalbackgroundand how it is reflected in the ESM, and to understand the possibilities and interrelationships.Basically,I just wantedto be able todo everythingas quickly as possible so that we could achieve optimizations efficiently through our continuous improvement process. That’s whyI’vealready attended six of your training sessions—withinabouta year.
Have you already taken similar training courses with other providers, and if so, how does the C4IT Academy’s training program differ?
I haven’t reallyattendedany training sessions quite like this before, at least not in a comparable format. But what I can sayis that it truly felt as though the trainer was sitting right across the table from me, sharing his knowledge directly—much like in aone-on-onetutoring session. In addition,the infrastructurealways worked perfectly;thesystemwasupandrunning, and theconnectionwasalwaysstable.The preparationand communicationbeforehand werealsovery good. I don’t think that’s something to be taken for granted.
Self-study vs. Academy – How would you rate the effectiveness of both options?
To be honest, self-study has generally been the most effective method for me so far. However, it’s not the most efficient, since it takes a lot of time. With a packed work schedule, it’s difficult to devote time to new topics and incorporate them into your own work in a sustainable way. With a good trainer, on the other hand, it’s easier, and you quickly gain a solid overview and a wealth of knowledge thanks to their guidance. Of course, they can also just cover the basics and whet your appetite. You then have to revisit the materials on your own later to solidify everything and be able to apply it. But when it comes to your Matrix42 training courses, I have to say: 0% self-study, 100% Academy training! These courses are a power boost delivered by exceptionally well-prepared trainers who address every point raised with well-founded answers. I could never have acquired on my own the concentrated knowledge imparted over the course of those three days. Of course, I couldn’t remember every single detail, but what I took away got me a long way. It really feels like this every time: open the funnel—full load in. More efficient than any self-study on this topic.
Which type of training (online/in-person) do you prefer, and why?
Both, depending on the topic! I’d always take specialized courses, like the Matrix42 trainings, online—I find that works better for me because I’m not distracted and I simply prefer being in my own space. A real surprise during the online trainings was your care package, which included lots of materials, supplies, and snacks. The welcome here is also very warm and appreciative. However, MS Teams lacks the casual interaction, the networking, and your impressive and superbly organized social program. Worth mentioning is your catering, from breakfast to lunch and the “classic” dinner at the Kesselhaus in Karlsruhe.
I would always prefer to attend other training sessions—such as the one on Lean Service Management, which I also recently participated in—in person, because it makes much more sense to sit down with the trainer and the other participants and go through the material together. These are two completely different worlds. The SSM training therefore could not have worked online at all. It’s a truly great and exciting format that, beyond IT, conveys a holistic, value-adding approach to transforming into a service- and customer-oriented enterprise.
And our final question—the one close to our hearts: Would you call yourself a true fan of our Academy, and if so, what was the deciding factor behind your enthusiasm?
Yes! And the reason is quite simple: it’sthepeopleat Consulting4IT.You make me feel like a new member of the C4IT family right away.I’ll be happy to stop by Waldbronn every now and then and enjoy the atmosphere.The spontaneous invitation to your employee event with laser tag and dinner at the Italian restaurant is further proof ofthisbeyond just the work itself.That’s allit takes to be a fan.
