Jens Mueller: Associate Professor at Waikato Management School, Company Director

Jens Mueller provides professional services to leaders, entities and Governments worldwide. He specialises in governance and entrepreneurship strategies to develop the performance of organisations. A large part of his work is to effectively connect entities to their stakeholders, and to focus on outcomes rather than outputs.

ABOUT Jens Mueller

He had the chance to run his own business as President/CEO in the Chicago area which he did for 5 years until he was again head-hunted but this time to California to bail out and grow a half-billion dollar Healthcare company. He stayed there for the next six years.

He decided to retire to New Zealand but got bored and began to ‘give back’ through teaching, working as a Consultant to the many CEOs of very large global firms that he knew well. He travels extensively in Europe, Asia and North America and understands how cultural nuances create effective platforms for growth and performance. He is a superbly effective “Ambassador” for foreign-owned firms.

He focuses on enthusiastic and well-motivated people to create stunning growth. Whether joining a Sales Rep on the road, or wandering through a manufacturing plant, Jens understands the core needs of businesses. These days, he provides professional services to Leaders, Entities and Governments worldwide.

He says his biggest coup in life so far? He has raised a fabulous 20 year old daughter.”

5 KURIOUS KIWI QUESTIONS

Do you have interesting friends? I do. I’m a kurious kiwi, so in this LifeStyle section I ask them 5 Questions. Their responses are sometimes startling yet always thought evoking. I ask each of them a common question relating to a Cause they believe in and why it matters to them. Read on to share in their take on what they think really does matter.

For you, what’s the end-game of how you teach?

Good teachers are Employment Consultants. My job is to make sure that everyone who spends tens of thousands to get an MBA has skills and abilities that propel them into a better role in life.

Tell us about a business person(s) you admire, what is it about their moral compass that you admire?

I admire Rob Fyfe for the personal engagement he brings to the jobinfectious. Rob Fyfe joined Air New Zealand at the start of 2003 as Chief Information Officer and led the Business Transformation team. He then held the position of Group General Manager Airlines from October 2003 until his appointment as Chief Executive Officer in October 2005.

I also admire Tony Ryall for relentlessly staying focused on the end game of providing better healthcare in New Zealand. The Hon. Tony Ryall represents the Bay of Plenty Electorate. He was first elected as MP for East Cape in 1990. After schooling in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, he graduated from Massey University with a Bachelor of Business Studies (Accounting and Finance), also with a Diploma in Business Studies (Accounting).

In 1997, he was promoted into the Shipley Cabinet and held the portfolios of Minister of Justice, Minister for State Owned Enterprises, Minister of Local Government, Minister of Youth Affairs and Minister Responsible for Housing New Zealand Ltd. In the National-led Government, he is Minister of Health, Minister for State Owned Enterprises and Minister of State Services.

Is there a Cause you believe in? Why does it matter to you?

I believe in ‘giving back’ and a large portion of my time is spent teaching, which is to enable others. I believe in SIFE  which enables University students to act like Managers during their studies and learn abilities they need to hit the job trail running.

In your travels around New Zealand, where in your opinion, can you find the best combo of vista, vino and adventure? 

I have come to love the Pinots of NZ, which is a new experience for me. Mount Difficulty would be my top choice, and nothing better than to sit on top of Mount Maunganui at dawn and be proud of what such a small country has achieved in the world.

Last film you saw that’s worth recommending?

The Descendants with George Clooney. It was totally different to what I expected from a Clooney movie, and I admit I cried towards the end. A totally moving account of how a family grows together through incredible trauma and adversity.

The VIDEO