fluidminds is Patrick Stähler.
He is founder and partner of fluidminds that he founded in fall of 2008. For larger projects, fluidminds works together with a small network of freelancers that have a deep understanding of the clients’ industry.
Passion for outside-the-box thinking
Patrick is passionate about new things and new opportunities for companies to differentiate themselves from their competitors. He is curious and likes to ask the “Why” question. He tries to understand underlying economics of a business and what drives customers. In 2001, he “invented” the business model innovation method when he finished his Ph.D. at the University of St. Gallen.
He is not satisfied by just thinking. His real challenge is to bring change and innovation into the market. And he likes that challenge. Only the results in the market count.
He is a lecturer in the executive and master programs at several prestigious universities (University of St. Gallen, Zeppelin University or Stuttgart Institute of Management and Technology) for business model innovation and strategic innovations. He runs also several internal training programs for large corporations like Evonik, Otto Group or RUAG.
Background
Patrick holds a Ph.D. in management and information management from the University of St. Gallen. He wrote his thesis about Business Model innovation in the digital age (Business Model Innovation).
In his thesis, he developed the concept of business model innovation. He wondered if the classical units of analysis for strategy “the firm” and “the industry” were suitable for understanding the changes he saw in the digital economy. And his answer is No. With the business model concept, managers have new boxes to think differently about their business and Patrick loves to find new boxes.
At St. Gallen he also received his Msc. in Management. He holds a minor in East-Asian studies. During his studies he attended also the Stockholm School of Economics and Yonsei University in Seoul. He started his professional career in banking initially at Deutsche Bank and later as an analyst in corporate finance at Lazard Frères where he was a member of the high-tech team.
From 2002 to 2008 he worked as a business developer for Swisscom IT Services AG in the units of IT for Banks and field service. Both business units are now No. 1 in Switzerland.
You can contact him at patrick.staehler@fluidminds.ch.