People behind Tallence: Michael Gniffke

Michael: I need to give you some background on that. It all started with an apprenticeship at Deutsche Telekom (back then still called Deutsche Post), since my dad suggested I go there, saying I'd become a civil servant and have a comfortable life later on. But just two weeks in, the company was split into Deutsche Telekom, Postbank, and Deutsche Post and privatized - the fundamentally secure civil service path changed dramatically. On top of that came German reunification, which led Telekom to invest in rebuilding the East, while apprentices in the West were no longer taken on permanently. I still remember that my apprenticeship pay of 520.23 Deutsche Marks was paid out by cheque. Next came the Bundeswehr - since mandatory military service still existed back then and I "had to" go anyway, I signed up voluntarily for 6 years in advance and trained as an aircraft systems mechanic specializing in electronic warfare. The international deployments of the Bundeswehr at the time, particularly in Afghanistan, ultimately prompted me to end my service after 6 years and reorient myself professionally. After a year of further training, I started at Mannesmann Mobilfunk in the User Help Desk. A year later, Vodafone acquired the company, and that's how my journey with Vodafone began. I had the opportunity to contribute to the rollout of KIAS2000 (Customer Information and Billing System) and eventually took over on-site service and VIP support. After 6 years, I moved into the Vodafone Group, where I got to lead projects around the world - with three years in India being something I'll always remember. After 14 years, the fun had gone out of working for the corporation, and then Tallence came along.

Michael: “Give Frank Moll a call” - that’s how it all started. That’s what my former Vodafone manager Flo Riedl, one of the founders of Tallence and now a good friend, texted me after I resigned from Vodafone. That must have been around February 2014.

And yes, you can probably guess what happened next. I called Frank, we met at the Frankfurt office - back then still located at the airport - and two months later I was already working on my first project for Deutsche Telekom.

Michael: “Trust the process” is not just my professional motto, but also my personal philosophy in life. Trust is the key element here - trust in life situations as well as in the people around me. It’s one of the values that shapes my actions and decisions.

Michael: I would say that project management is one of my greatest strengths. I also have a knack for connecting people and bringing teams together. Okay, I’m also quite skilled with Excel and MS Project. And I’m someone who speaks their mind - very directly, actually. But only when it comes to topics I genuinely know about and care to discuss.

Michael: Two things: first, the people I get to work with every day. And second, continuously meeting new colleagues and discovering the people behind them. I find it fascinating every single time to see how very different personalities come together as teams, grow into a unit, and achieve great things together.

Michael: There really is no typical workday, which I absolutely love. Every day starts with a good coffee and a walk with my two dogs. Everything in between is different every day. Most days end with a CrossFit session.

Michael: The incredibly amazing people! Every single person is special and valuable to Tallence. On top of that, there’s the freedom to shape my job the way I believe is right - and my employees have that same freedom as well.

Michael: Continuing to professionalize the company and actively shape its growth without “losing” the people along the way - in other words, preserving the family-like atmosphere.

Michael: Optimism and the belief in finding solutions together. I fundamentally view challenges as something that can be overcome.

Michael: Sports, and of course spending time with my dogs. Since I recently moved into a new house that has a piano, learning to play the piano has moved pretty high up on my to-do list.

Michael: Just about to retire (well, almost) - and hopefully still in a company that continues to be appreciated for its people and achievements, where everyone feels comfortable and welcome.