Meet our newest WOL Coach: Tim Beckmann
Aside from his ever-positive demeanor and charm, the thing I love about Tim Beckmann is his unwillingess to give up on a good idea.
More than 7 years ago, Tim started to spread WOL within, of all places, German retail banks. He had early successes in regional banks, until COVID and economic challenges came and the momentum was lost.
When I announced the new WOL Coach program, Tim was one of the first to raise his hand.
“I believe that WOL can have a magical effect, especially in the public sector.”
Tim is a natural-born salesman in the best possible way, helping others to see the positive future he envisions and take a step towards realizing that future. He has already embarked on his mission with renewed vigor (here is a recent post and an upcoming event), quoting one of his early Circle members:
"I recommend Working Out Loud for public administration because it is a hugely effective and communicative way to achieve goals and expand your personal network at the same time."
- Jürgen Frantzen, Mayor of the Titz Rural Municipality, WOL participant
For each new WOL Coach, I ask three questions so you can get to know them and what drives them. You can also visit Tim’s WOL Coach profile on workingoutloud.com. Or connect with him on LinkedIn or at timboo@gmx.de.
I am convinced Tim will be a great Coach, and I can’t wait to see what he does with WOL!
Note: Below Tim’s responses in German is an English translation via Deepl.
1. Please share 5 facts about you so people get to know you.
1. Kölner im schwäbischen Exil: Ich bin in Schatten des Doms geboren und lebe nun schon seit 32 Jahren in Baden-Württemberg aka the LÄND. Lebe aber hier auch ganz munter nach dem rheinischen Grundgesetz – et kütt wie et kütt. :-)
2. Gelernter Schriftsetzer: 1986 habe ich eine Ausbildung als Schriftsetzer gestartet. Bin also quasi ein Jünger Gutenbergs. Nach Jahren in der Druckindustrie war ich dann 15 Jahre im Sparkassenverlag tätig. Nun arbeite ich für das dänische Softwareunternehmen FrontDesk und spare BürgerInnen und Mitarbeitenden in der Verwaltung Lebenszeit mit einer ausgefeilten Soft- und Hardwarelösung.
3. Basketballer: Als Student war ich in der Regionalliga aktiv, nun noch ein bisserl in der Kreisliga B (ganz unten). Aber auch als engagierter ehrenamtlicher Vorstand bei der TSG Backnang für Marketing & Vertrieb zuständig.
4. Kochen: ist mittlerweile zu einer Leidenschaft geworden. Zuletzt habe ich mich an Pastrami versucht, selbst gepökelt & gesmoked. Kochen ist gut für die Seele und bringt die Familie an den Tisch.
5. Familie: Meine Frau und meine 3 Kinder sind das Größte für mich und geben mit Kraft & Motiviation für mein Leben.
2. What positive difference do you aspire to make?
Ich möchte möglichst vielen Menschen im Public Sector die Möglichkeit geben Digitalisierung und Vernetzung zu erlernen.
Meiner Meinung nach kann eine Digitalisierung nur erfolgreich sein, wenn sich die Menschen vernünftig miteinander vernetzen.
Möchte meine Erfahrungen aus meinen vielen WOL-Zirkeln gerne weitergeben.
3. Why WOL?
Working Out Loud bedeutet mir sehr viel, da ich sehr viele liebe, offene, nette, wertvolle Menschen kennengelernt habe.
Außerdem macht es mir persönlich eine große Freude WOL selbst zu praktizeren und mich immer wieder aufs Neue mit neuen, spannenden Menschen zu vernetzen.
Auch finde ich, dass WOL gerade im Bereich Public Sector eine zauberhafte Wirkung entfalten kann. Wir denken viel zu oft in Software, Tools & Co – und vergessen den Menschen – dass tut WOL nicht.
***
1. Please share 5 facts about you so people get to know you.
1. A Cologne native in exile in Swabia: I was born in the shadow of the cathedral and have now been living in Baden-Württemberg—aka “the LÄND”—for 32 years. But I still live here quite happily by the Rhineland motto: “Et kütt wie et kütt.” (“A hunter is a hunter.”) :-)
2. Trained typesetter: In 1986, I began an apprenticeship as a typesetter. So I’m basically a disciple of Gutenberg. After years in the printing industry, I spent 15 years working at Sparkassenverlag. Now I work for the Danish software company FrontDesk, helping citizens and administrative staff save time with a sophisticated software and hardware solution.
3. Basketball player: As a student, I played in the regional league; now I still play a bit in the Kreisliga B (at the very bottom). But I’m also a dedicated volunteer board member at TSG Backnang, responsible for marketing and sales.
4. Cooking: has become a passion of mine. Most recently, I tried my hand at pastrami—cured and smoked it myself. Cooking is good for the soul and brings the family together around the table.
5. Family: My wife and my three children mean the world to me and give me strength and motivation in life.
2. What positive difference do you aspire to make?
I want to give as many people in the public sector as possible the opportunity to learn about digitalization and networking.
In my opinion, digitalization can only be successful if people network effectively with one another.
I would like to share the experience I’ve gained from my many WOL circles.
3. Why WOL?
Working Out Loud means a great deal to me, as I’ve had the chance to meet so many wonderful, open-minded, kind, and valuable people.
I also personally take great pleasure in practicing WOL myself and constantly connecting with new, exciting people.
I believe that WOL can have a magical effect, especially in the public sector. We think far too often in terms of software, tools, and the like—and forget about the people—but WOL doesn’t do that.
