Aaron Licht’s Post

We’re ensuring new standards — all around the world. But for once, I’m not talking about our products. I’m talking about HR — the heartbeat of any company. Tirelessly working to ensure employee satisfaction, HR addresses all personnel concerns, facilitates growth, and juggles all aspects of the employee life cycle — true heroes, if you ask me. That’s why I am happy to announce that as we continue to expand as a company in general, we are also reinforcing our HR team specifically. In addition to Boyana, Sandra is now also supporting us in the HR team. By doing that, we are able to set new standards. For example, we are striving to implement standardized processes in our global onboarding and offboarding protocols. That way, we want to establish consistency and excellence simultaneously across all offices. This includes ensuring that every new hire receives a warm welcome, comprehensive guidance, and the tools they need to succeed from day one. I look forward to seeing this aim unfold and can’t thank our growing HR team enough — you rock! #HR #employeeexperience #growthanddevelopment

I was 17 when I first attended Cebit. Before then, my interactions with potential clients and business partners had been confined to phone calls and the exchange of product samples. It goes without saying, that amongst these bustling halls of one of the largest tech expos out there, I felt like the tiniest fish in the ocean. Telecom giants were occupying entire halls, extravagant stand parties had people on stilts, live bands, and immersive simulators were on display. I was starstruck — and terrified. Meeting people face-to-face and engaging in conversation on this level felt daunting. To be honest, a bit like a first date. The nerves, the uncertainty — it felt too much. But you know what? It turned out to be one of the most impactful experiences for my business. It’s where I learned that sales isn’t just about making deals over the phone; It’s about building genuine relationships whilst personally shaking hands and sharing coffees with people in real life. And I discovered that — just like dating — the more I put myself out there, the more confident I became. Even in those couple of days, I witnessed first-hand how stepping outside my comfort zone, allowed me to build trust, foster collaboration and ultimately drive my company’s success by engaging with people I had never met before. Why am I telling you this? Take this as encouragement to attend those events you’ve been postponing, strike up that conversation, and make those connections. You just need to put yourself out there. #networking #businessgrowth #stepoutofcomfortzone

Imagine yourself as the administrator of a complex computer network. You’re navigating through a maze of interconnected systems and devices. Each decision you make, each glitch you troubleshoot, has the potential to optimize your system’s performance or lead to complete system failure. How do you determine which technical challenges are worth addressing? When do you tackle the software bugs head-on, and when do you prioritize other tasks? Now transfer these thoughts to managing teams. The same questions occur: How do you know which battles are worth fighting? When do you address a conflict head-on? When do you let it simmer on the back burner? In my opinion, the answer lies in a careful balance of strategy, empathy, and emotional intelligence. First, you must consider the overarching strategy of your company. Is this conflict directly impacting your goals and objectives? Will addressing it help move you closer to your desired destination or not? Then you must consider the emotional impact of this conflict on your team and your company as a whole. Is it causing unrest or toxicity? Could it escalate into a larger problem if left unaddressed? And then it’s all about the right timing. When do you choose to address conflicts within your company? In which setting? Picking your battles wisely and addressing conflicts with empathy and foresight, will help you steer your team towards success while fostering a positive and productive work environment. That’s at least what worked for me — after a lot of trial and error. One last tip: Try bundling related conflicts together and addressing them in a focused manner, instead of addressing every issue individually. How important is empathy in your conflict management? #conflictmanagement #empathy #team

We’re like bamboo. At least when it comes to our unhinged growth. Bamboo starts as an insignificant twig, and before you know it, it’s grown to such a large bush, that you can no longer see through it. The company development at be quiet! feels similar. On the one hand, I’m incredibly proud and stoked. On the other hand, I want to prevent my team from feeling overwhelmed. We all know: Growth is change, and even when change is good, it can be scary.  Previous experiences have taught me, that the faster a company grows, the better the organizational structures need to be. Not in terms of production processes, but in terms of the support system companies install for their team. We attempt to offer as much stability as possible and to ensure the team maintains a healthy work-life balance, wherein everybody gets to unleash their full potential. Whether it's setting up an Amazon-specific department, streamlining cross-departmental processes, or establishing a presence in the US, we’re now focussing heavily on bolstering expertise where needed, expanding individual teams, and ensuring everyone can keep up with the workload. The fact is, we need to scale up. On all accounts, and I can't wait to push be quiet! to the next level – thanks to the best team right beside me. #buildingforgrowth #teamwork #structuralchallenges

Set your priorities and then accept them. Let me ask you a question: What is your number one priority? Most of you will probably answer: spending time with your family and friends.  A no-brainer (in the best way possible). At least in theory. Because in reality, that’s a lot easier said than done. I’ve known times when I have had to choose my job first, and family next. And you know what? That’s ok too. Priorities change and shift. It’s the dose, so the time spent on this priority shift, that makes the real difference. If you are attaining a specific goal and need to drop other things for a short amount of time, to achieve this, that’s fine. You know it will end by a set date, can communicate this transparently, and thus don’t need to feel guilty. Of course, vacations and family celebrations are by definition intended for family and personal recreation and emergencies are a whole different set of circumstances, but if you choose to finish work assignments during those times, be sure to be honest with yourself and know why you’re following through. That way, you’ll always be able to set your priorities right and accept them. #priorities #familyandwork #myway

I just wanted to create something of value. I was 16 and deeply driven by curiosity and a relentless desire to innovate. From tinkering with remote-controlled cars to customizing my own computer rig, my thirst for progress and new challenges was insatiable. Be it the art of overclocking, modification, or customization of tech gear — I spent hours in my parent’s basement turning ideas into reality and practising problem-solving. It was in this process that I discovered that Germany displayed a noticeable void in resources catering to this niche. I decided to fill that gap myself. Shortly after, I began documenting my experiments and modifications, sharing detailed guides and tutorials on a website I built from scratch. Little did I know, that this would soon attract both attention and traffic from enthusiasts and industry players alike. Soon I found myself fielding offers from companies eager to advertise on my platform. With a makeshift office in my bedroom and a burgeoning network of freelancers and contributors, I began navigating the complexities of running a business. Over time, my one-man operation then blossomed into a larger business. I even hired freelancers to add their stories to my blog. Why am I telling you this story? As a motivational push. If you have a passion, find yourself spotting an opportunity, and have the drive to follow your idea through, then you can make your vision become a reality. Fun fact: My first ad customer was in fact Listan, the company I’m shaping with my team today. #throwback #sweetsixteen #companybeginnings

We don’t follow new trends. At least not blindly. Why? I’ll give you three words: Our customer base. At be quiet!, we pride ourselves on always being in tune with our customers. Our brand is a steward of trust and reliability, and I would never take a chance in compromising these values, because of a silly, temporary trend. Don’t get me wrong: new things are extremely tempting, especially in the tech world, but at be quiet!, we choose a more calculated and customer-centric approach. Let me share an example with you: our flagship Dark Power series. This premium line caters to a discerning audience that values top-of-the-line performance and efficiency. Features that improve the products’ efficiency ratings are essential here, as they align with the expectations of our clientele. However, these same features might not be necessary for products like our Pure Power series, where incomparable reliability takes precedence. So how do we approach product development? Well, when it comes to evaluating new technologies and trends, our team leaves no stone unturned. We meticulously analyze each potential addition to our product line-up, considering factors such as performance gains, cost implications, and most importantly, the value it brings to our customers. But our commitment to excellence doesn't stop at product features. We also prioritize customer safety and satisfaction, integrating essential features across all our product lines, regardless of price point. As a team, we approach this question with a collaborative effort, where product management, market analysis, and our executive team all get an equal say. It’s a collaborative effort, that ensures that everything we do aligns with our brand ethos and target audience. And sets us apart in the market. #productstrategy #customercentricity #innovation

The success of your company depends on the people you have on board. In my eyes, that’s an undeniable fact. No matter how ingenious you are, without a functioning team, you are nothing. They are the driving force behind your company’s achievements, innovations, and growth. In other words: they bring ideas to life.  So, in order to grow as a company, your team has to grow too — not only numerically in size, but also in terms of professional and personal development. An aspect that we have dedicated ourselves to, especially this year. We envision a future where our team members have ample opportunities for growth and advancement within the company. From tailored training programs to guest lecture series, we aim to foster a culture of continuous learning and professional development. Not because we have to. But because we believe this to be the only correct way to honour and improve the greatest assets we have - our team. #HR #employeeexperience #growthanddevelopment

When one door closes, two new ones open up. Sounds too simple to be true, right? Surely, you can’t just accept that an opportunity has vanished into thin air and you go just chasing after another one. So what is the most useful translation of this advice? In my opinion, the key lies in how we approach the closed doors. It’s not just about brushing off setbacks and eagerly seeking the next opportunity. It’s about taking a moment to reflect on why the door closed in the first place. What can we learn from the experience? How can we grow and improve from these insights? Now, this can be a really tough thing to do. Sitting down, questioning yourself to the core, and analyzing what went wrong, whilst taking responsibility for your actions is a sticky one. But whether it's for your personal growth or in the professional realm, whether it’s a product launch that didn't meet expectations or a team project that faced obstacles, honest reflection is the only way to future success. Of course, this isn't to say we should dwell on negativity or wallow in self-pity — quite the opposite, actually. It's about recognizing that every closed door presents an opportunity for growth and learning, but only when we put the work into it. #growthmindset #opportunity #positivethinking