Chinese market lifts Schindler to success

Is air pollution a problem for you?

Of course, these are issues that we do have in Shanghai and in Beijing, and there is room for improvement. I personally feel nothing. I have never had any health issues due to pollution. In the future, I am very sure that air pollution will be reduced because I think the government has brought in the right policies to control emissions from factories and reined mining industry.

I believe that the country is taking the right steps. And personally, I don't feel negatively affected.

I know others, they look at an app about the air pollution index everyday in the morning before they leave home. It is also a question of mindset. You can become psychologically disabled, just because you're focusing so much all day, at the end, you almost feel bad.

I have to say I also have an app, but I look at it maybe once a month, because I believe the more you think about negative aspects, the more you start to feel them. I am a positive man, much more forward-looking and interested in improvement.

What is your management style like?

My management style is also like that. When I try to explain how to lead an organization, I have a definition, it's performance-oriented and fun-cultured. At the end, fun is very important. If people do not enjoy work, or do not have fun at work, then it's a miserable life.

How do you spend your weekend amid your business schedule?

The first question is what is a weekend? We have to say we work very hard and hence do not have much free time. The number of weekends that I really have free are not as many as I sometimes would like. But when I do have time, I tend to spend it with my family.

Is your family based in China?

My family consists of my wife, two sons and a daughter. The older son is here and enjoys China. He has also worked here to gain experience. The others are in Europe.

At least once a month, I travel to Switzerland to attend our global meeting. I spend the whole week during that time with my family, when I am free. During the weekends, I try to be fully there for the family. When I'm here in Shanghai, I very often work on Saturday and partly on Sunday.

What are your hobbies?

In fact, there are two things. I like sport. In summer I like soccer, and in winter I like skiing. Here I tend to go to Changbaishan or to Harbin in the north, which is lots of fun. Besides sports, I like to read. If I cannot read a few pages everyday, 10, 20, 30 or sometimes even more, then I don't feel balanced in my life. So I need the time just to sit and read a book. I don't read management books. I like historical novels. I like to read about other periods and other cultures. And I like biographies. At the moment, I am reading the biography of Mao Zedong. Very interesting man. Reading and being outdoors for skiing and soccer. That's what I like.