people+places: One of us

Auerbach is already making an impact. Since the start of this year, T-Systems North America has been recording positive earnings. “Now we’re making a profit again, we aim to focus on rapid growth.” But she concedes, “We can’t win every deal. We’re still relatively unknown on the vast US IT services market. So when it comes to bids, we’re still the underdogs. But we’re going to change that over the next few years.”

When she speaks, the keen golfer reveals a enthusiastic, hands-on attitude that would perhaps be expected from the boss of a mid-sized enterprise. And to an extent, that’s how she sees herself. Auerbach explains her own role as part of a larger organization: “T-Systems North America has 600 employees. We are part of a global network, but we are small and agile enough to respond flexibly to our customers’ specific requirements. We have the best of both worlds.” Auerbach deals with a broad customer base, including oil giant Shell, sister company T-Mobile, carmakers Daimler and Volkswagen and Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier.

To maintain existing contacts and forge new ones, Auerbach practically lives out of a suitcase. “My office is the airport and vice versa,” she laughs. “On average, I’m on the move four or five days a week.” Her trusty companion is her Blackberry – mobile office, telephone and alarm clock in one. “I have a pretty much paper-less way of working,” she says. She only deals with written documents if they require a signature. “When I arrive at my hotel late in the evening, there’s usually an envelope waiting for me.”

This mobile world of work is far removed from what Auerbach encountered when she arrived in Johannesburg in 1997. “Back then, we had three employees, no office and I don’t think we were even registered with the chamber of commerce. We had to build up the business. It was an exciting time.” When T-Systems expanded following an acquisition, there was more ground-breaking work to be done. “There was no underlying support structure for the new employees. There was no HR or legal department, no marketing team.” Auerbach and her team had to find practical, effective solutions – and they were successful. “By the time I left the country in 2005, we had moved up to position number 5 in the ICT provider ranking. And colleagues in South Africa are currently working hard to make it to number 1.”

It was during her time in South Africa that Auerbach discovered golf. “It really is a fascinating sport. You can only play a good round if you remain focused and don’t lose heart over a few poor shots.” She continues, “And just like in business, you are more successful at golf if you have a sense of humor and keep thins in perspective.”

Auerbach doesn’t believe in a one-size-fits-all formula for personal success. In fact, she says, “I don’t think you should plan your career too precisely. People who are too focused on one particular path miss opportunities that arise elsewhere.” Auerbach thinks her strength lies in her ability to cope with change. “I can fit into an environment even if the conditions or circumstances aren’t perfect. I’m an optimist through and through,“ she says smiling.

Part one of article