Interview with Daniel Kellermann, Managing Director of greenValue GmbH
Review, insight and outlook on greenValue’s business
“We manage sustainable energy projects to success”
46-year-old Daniel Kellermann founded greenValue in 2002. What began as an information platform for green investments has now developed into a specialized consulting company. In the interview, the business owner talks about his company’s milestones, the topic of sustainability at greenValue and how he convinces a potential new customer of the advantages of his company within 30 seconds in the elevator.
What has brought your company forward the most in its development so far? What were the 3 most important milestones?
Daniel Kellermann: In 2008 we expanded the scope of our advice at that time. We evaluated the first photovoltaic and biogas projects on behalf of the customer and accompanied them as project managers. A few years later, on behalf of the customer, we coordinated the first biogas plant with biogas processing from the greenfield to the first feed into the gas network. At the turn of 2020/2021, the fifth biogas plant with processing, which we support as project controllers, will be put into operation.
If you had to describe your company philosophy in 3 sentences, what would you say?
Daniel Kellermann: As a service provider, we have specialized in the area of renewable energies. Tailored to the needs of the customer, we are the piece of the puzzle that docks seamlessly into the client’s processes and is characterized by experience and professional expertise. We also bring in our own ideas and entrepreneurial dynamism and are fully involved in project implementation. Professionalism, openness and reliable service delivery are top priorities.
What is greenValue’s main activity today?
Daniel Kellermann: Our main activity is currently project management of biogas plants, primarily with biogas processing technology. We also work as a service provider for mergers and acquisition activities with a focus on biogas.
When it comes to developing new business areas: do you do this regularly? And where do you get your input from?
Daniel Kellermann: We continuously monitor the market. If we find topics and developments exciting for new business areas or as input for our day-to-day business, we delve deeper into the topic. My personal attitude is that we always think outside the box and are not narrow-minded with our current business areas, but instead use synergies from neighboring business areas.
The boss of a software development company recently wrote to me by email: “The dissatisfied customers move us forward.” Would you agree with this theory?
Daniel Kellermann: Absolutely! We have had ourselves certified according to ISO 9001:2015. An important aspect of quality management is the willingness to continually improve and criticize. We also analyze between the lines and draw conclusions for improvement. “The greatest praise for us is when follow-up orders arise from a customer”
How do you deal with criticism?
Daniel Kellermann: For us, justified criticism is an incentive to improve. We are partners with our customers and vice versa, open criticism and praise are part of it. The greatest praise for us is when follow-up orders arise from a customer.
You know the term “elevator pitch.” The following fictitious situation: You are standing in an elevator and suddenly you have a possible new customer next to you who is describing the name of his company and what he does during a telephone conversation. What would you tell him about greenValue in the elevator within 30 seconds before he leaves the elevator?
Daniel Kellermann: I’m spontaneously thinking of Elon Musk, the boss of Tesla: We are a specialized service provider in the field of renewable energies. We act as a link between investors and project operators and coordinate projects for implementation on time and within budget. If you need active support with a current project, we can provide you with dedicated support.
Her field of activity extends to renewable energies, in which sustainable business always plays an important role. How does sustainability manifest itself in your company?
Daniel Kellermann: We have been working predominantly digitally since 2018, and paper consumption has fallen by around 90%. By working mobile we avoid traveling to and from the office. We get our electricity from 100% regional hydropower. We highlight the aspects of sustainability in our sustainability report, which will be published in the first half of 2021.
“For us, sustainability also means long-term business partnerships”
In fact, it all seems very authentic and sustainable…
Daniel Kellermann: Yes, it is. But let me add something else: For us, long-term business partnerships are also sustainable. This means that it is a matter of course for us to provide our services so professionally and responsibly that follow-up orders arise
When you look back on 2020, what is your conclusion in three or four sentences?
Daniel Kellermann: Despite the pandemic, 2020 was a good year for us; fortunately there were no project cancellations. All employees adapted to the extraordinary situation quickly and with commitment and continued to pull together, whether in the office or from home. We hardly felt any negative effects due to early digitalization.
Which project were you most excited about in 2020?
Daniel Kellermann: At the end of 2019, we were able to support the takeover of a biogas project that was under construction. We were then given responsibility for project management. Despite the difficult circumstances, the system will go into operation as planned at the turn of 2020/2021.
You say that you started digitizing many processes in the company in 2018. One advantage: a lot of time savings! But to what extent did “Corona” influence your business development this year?
Daniel Kellermann: Business development was hardly influenced. Internal and external communication was and is currently taking place more than 80% digitally. In any case, the decline in personal conversations at trade fairs or other events is regrettable. Unfortunately, interpersonal relationships are neglected. “Our challenge was to think even more forward-looking!”
Does it all sound like you didn’t have a big challenge in 2020?
Daniel Kellermann: That’s the case with office processes. Our challenge at project level was to act even more proactively. This applies, for example, to contractor supply chains in the current project management mandate.
What do you have planned for the next year when it comes to business development?
Daniel Kellermann: Even if we mastered 2020 well, that doesn’t mean that things will continue like this. We want to successfully complete ongoing projects and further expand our project management and mergers and acquisitions services. We are very concerned with the topic of transport and traffic and want to contribute knowledge and networks to biomethane projects, but also to the implementation of hydrogen projects.
Is there anything you are excluding as part of your business operations for the time being?
Daniel Kellermann: I don’t want to impose any restrictions on renewable energies and sustainable projects. For us, backward-looking technologies are a “no-go”.
Give two examples!
Daniel Kellermann: By that I mean coal and nuclear energy, for example!
Are there any special occasions or anniversaries in 2021? Or any other “highlight” that has already been determined today?
Daniel Kellermann: We will be celebrating our 19th anniversary next year. What makes me happy: We will have completed our fifth biogas project with biogas processing at the beginning of 2021. We implemented this project for a corporation. We are very proud of this.
Would you speak of this as another milestone in this case?
Daniel Kellermann: Yes, absolutely.
What goals are you pursuing by 2025?
Daniel Kellermann: At greenValue, continuous business development always takes priority over overly ambitious goals. New customers and participation in as many sustainable projects as possible – that’s what we strive for. Our goal in the future will continue to be: We will steer sustainable energy projects to success!
Does that also mean that you will remain at the location in Schwaig until further notice?
Daniel Kellermann: Yes, that’s right. Thanks to the digitalization achieved, it ultimately doesn’t matter where we provide our services from. International project support is also conceivable; we will create the necessary conditions.
“Continuous expansion of knowledge for many years”
What will definitely be different at greenValue in 2025 than it is today?
Daniel Kellermann: Our level of digitalization will continue to increase. Our know-how will be broader than today and our list of references will then be richer in many projects.
Is there some kind of knowledge platform at greenValue?
Daniel Kellermann: Yes, it has been around for many years. We create knowledge compendiums for internal processes and on topics that affect day-to-day business. Especially when it comes to developments in funding policy and technological innovations, it is important to stay on the ball and recognize opportunities.
Stefan Beck asked the questions, Pressebeck.de
greenValue – “short and concise”:
greenValue was founded in 2002 and currently employs 5 people. As a consulting company, greenValue has been involved in projects with a wide variety of tasks in almost all renewable energy areas. The reference list includes photovoltaic systems in the multi-megawatt segment and five biogas plants with biogas processing and feeding into the gas network.
Pressebeck – “short and succinct”:
Stefan Beck is the owner of Pressebeck in Kitzingen. The PR agency, which has been on the market since 2004, has specialized in written external communication and writes, among other things, press releases, specialist articles and blog articles, especially for owner-managed companies from various industries. Organizing press conferences (offline + online) is another focus.
greenValue GmbH
Wieseneckstrasse 26
90571 Schwaig b. Nuernberg
Germany
Tel: +49(0)911-507166-0
E-Mail: info@greenvalue.de
Internet: www.greenvalue.de
Twitter: twitter.com/greenvalue02
Instagram: instagram.com/greenvalue_gmbh
Source: 18 December 2020, www.greenvalue.de
