What does VfB Stuttgart have to do with Harvard University?
As a site leader, I was looking for junior managers for our operations in the industrial park near Frankfurt. I was interviewing a promising candidate when he approached me. “Mr. Scharbert, are you a fan of VfB Stuttgart?”
“How do you come up with that?”
“Your tie!”
I was amazed to find that I was wearing my Harvard tie. The one with a red and white emblem and the lettering “Veritas”. This has nothing to do with VfB, but looks somewhat similar to the VfB emblem from some distance.
The tie is almost 40 years old and a very personal collector’s item. Only rarely worn anymore, because ties are no longer in such demand. It reminds me of my post-doc time at the Chemistry Department of Harvard University and the Harvard Coop Store. Merchandising perfected. Even back then.
In addition to the tie, I also own a baseball cap with the Harvard identification mark and some discreet stickers for the car rear window.
When I wear these trademarks, I perceive cultural differences. In Germany, they are fashion accessories. Interchangeable. And the cap helps as sun protection. Nothing more.
Change of perspective: ⏭️ When I’m wearing them in the USA, it’s a statement. A sign of recognition as an alumni. ⏮️
And another experience as a site leader at a town hall meeting in Frankfurt, where the management of a business unit after a new acquisition was also present for a “Q&A session”. In the conversation afterwards, the American business director actually spoke to me: “Bernd, you were at Harvard University?”
When I looked at him questioningly, he pointed to my tie. So he had immediately recognized the symbolism and interpreted it correctly.
And we hired the applicant with the VfB reference. As luck would have it, I actually have a concrete connection to the Württemberg Football Association and am therefore also very close to VfB Stuttgart. But that wasn’t the reason for hiring, just a synchronicity of events.
➡️ Alma Mater merchandising? How do you see that – do you like to participate or do you think it’s silly?
My name is Bernd Scharbert and I support leaders and managers with my experience from over 30 years of leadership experience in the corporate world. Incidentally, not only on the topic of sustainability, but also on aspects of intercultural leadership. If you are interested, feel free to follow me at LinkedIn, #prepare4landing or contact me directly.
