Employees Success Story : Klaus Moucha

Meet Klaus Moucha, a vibrant and dynamic new leader at ICAPE Group. With his optimism, humor, and unwavering determination, Klaus embodies the essence of a young professional on the rise. Discovering his inspiring story to understand what it takes to thrive as a young leader in our organization.

Could you share your journey at ICAPE from joining the company to becoming the managing director?

My time at ICAPE started in March 2021 after BA-Elektronik, our family-owned German company, was acquired. At first, I was a sales engineer where I focused on understanding our clients’ needs and delivering tailored solutions. I became a sales manager in just a year and a half, in October 2022. Then, on January 1st, 2024, I got promoted to managing director.


How do you feel about your new role as managing director?
I’m really pumped up about it. It’s like a breath of fresh air for me, jumping into a whole new set of jobs and challenges. What’s particularly appealing is the strategic aspect of the role—it’s more about problem-solving than just focusing on sales. This change has made me see things differently, from caring about myself to caring about how well the whole team does. In the end, what makes me happy now, is watching my team do well and to reach our goals together.

What difficulties did you encounter on your path to this position, and how did you overcome them?

Switching from being a salesperson to a manager came with its own set of challenges. In sales, doing well usually means getting new customers, landing big orders, and seeing tangible results. But as a director, doing well is more about how the whole company is doing. Specifically, in the German market where I work, the hardest part has been putting together different companies we’ve acquired into one solid group. It’s like putting together different puzzle pieces to make one big picture.

Additionally, it was important to always believe we can find answers for our customers. When you’re committed to a mission, and you believe in yourself, you become the driving force behind overcoming obstacles. It’s about taking on the challenge and giving it your all. With determination, confidence, and effort, you will always find a way to solve problems.

Klaus Moucha and ICAPE Group's teams at Electronica Munich 2022

Can you share a project or achievement from your time here that you’re proud of? How did it help your growth?

When I worked at ICAPE as a sales engineer, I had the opportunity to significantly expand our customer base and drive up our bookings and billing. One notable accomplishment was improving relationships with key-account like Vossloh-Schwabe. Through proactive customer engagement and problem-solving, I managed to rebuild their trust and increase their business with us. Witnessing customer satisfaction was truly rewarding and contributed to my personal and professional development.

How did the company help you grow? Did you receive mentorship or training opportunities that contributed to your success?

I’ve got an amazing mentor with Dr. Albert van der Wijk. He’s been incredibly supportive since the start of my journey. Having someone like Albert to lean on has really helped me handle the tricky parts of my job.

As a young leader, how do you balance leadership with earning the respect of more experienced colleagues?

It’s quite a tough situation, especially because most of my colleagues have been working in sales for a long time, like 15 to 20 years. Some have been at it for over 30 years. It’s not easy for them to accept someone younger as their leader. But I believe that proving myself through good results is what earns their respect. Once my team sees that I have positive outcomes, they’re more open to following my lead.

It’s true that older colleagues might struggle a bit at first, but good and open communication with them is really important. By listening to their concerns and helping them out with problems, I can build trust and make them feel more confident in my leadership over time. It’s not something that happens quickly, it is a process to build the respect.

What personal strengths helped you excel and get promoted?

I think you should ask this question to our management team. 😉

But I think I am goal-oriented. If there’s a task that needs to be done, I do it. And if it’s not my responsibility, I find the person who’s supposed to handle it and offer to help to fix the problem. I believe it’s important to continuously improve, and never be okay with just being okay. There’s always a chance to improve and be a better version of yourself every day.

Another thing I’m good at is staying positive. In sales, being optimistic is super important. I always try to stay positive and I’m ready to deal with any challenges with a mindset of “yes, we can do this.” That positivity has helped me move up into a leadership position in our team.

Plus, the management team in our group might appreciate that I’m always reachable and flexible. When there’s a decision to make, they can reach out to me anytime. They see being available, prepared, and flexible as good qualities in my person.

What skills do you think are essential for young professionals in the sales team who want to achieve the same success as you?

I think there isn’t any exact skill set that sales engineers must have. The most important thing is to work hard and keep trying to get better. There’s always a chance to learn and grow, so it’s good to keep pushing yourself. Having fun at your job is important, too. When you enjoy what you’re doing, it makes the work more satisfying and keeps you motivated. Stay positive and aim to be good at what you do. You make progress by always moving forward. Remember, it’s your choice if you want to succeed or not. When your bosses see how dedicated and motivated you are, they’ll give you chances to move up in your career. At ICAPE, a fast growing company, there are lots of opportunities. My advice to young professionals is simple: do your best at work, gain the respect of your colleagues and bosses, and have fun every day.


Are there any goals or milestones you’re working on?

My primary goal is to contribute effectively to ICAPE Group’s success, aiding the team in achieving our target of reaching $500 million as soon as possible.

If you could only give one piece of advice to the young employees in our group, what would it be?

Do your best and find joy in what you do.

 

Interview : Huyen Trang TRAN – ICAPE Group