Values

Mierisch, head of Arvato in the U.K. and Ireland. Creating
such standardization is anything but easy, but Arvato is properly
equipped to do it.
Under Mierisch’s leadership, Arvato was recently able to
get Microsoft on board for a major new contract; now it manages
entire business process chains worldwide for the world’s
largest software company. “I’m sure that other companies are
interested in such all-in-one solutions,” says Mierisch, pointing
to the extensive expertise bundled at Bertelsmann’s service
arm. “In the area of online payment systems alone, we’re
already handling billing processes in up to 220 countries
around the world,” he says.
It’s still not known which of the current steps being taken
today will emerge in a few years as milestones in the corporation’s
development. What is known is that there are huge opportunities
for entrepreneurial talent to unfold – and that’s
something that is being actively supported.
One example of this is the Bertelsmann Entrepreneurs Program,
in which selected young managers are offered opportunities
to grow their skills in various areas of the corporation. Anabelle
Long has already fi nished the program. When the young
Chinese woman completed her MBA at California’s elite Stanford
University in 2005, she had plenty of offers from top banks
and well-known consulting fi rms. “I didn’t really want to go back
MAGAZINES
IN CHINA
China is one of the fastest-growing
magazine markets in the
world. Gruner + Jahr has been able to
successfully position itself there with
the help of two valued joint venture
partners. G+J and its partner publishing
house Ray Li are leading the
market in the women’s segment,
and “Leon,” a men’s title,
launched last year.
to the media branch,” remembers Long, who had previously
worked in television in China. But after meeting with various
Bertelsmann managers, she changed her mind. In New York,
she gained experience at the Random House headquarters, at
the television production company Fremantle, and at
Bertelsmann’s investment fund for digital media. At the end of
2006, she was transferred to Beijing – yet another station in the
Entrepreneurs Program. It might surprise outsiders to hear that
one year later, the 35-year-old was entrusted with the management
of a fund with assets in the nine-fi gure range. But her analytical
skill and the concept which she so meticulously researched
and presented left no doubt that the Bertelsmann
Board could hand her such responsibility – a sign of their confi -
dence in her ability. Quite simply, it was about presenting a talented
entrepreneur with an extraordinary opportunity.
That was one of Reinhard Mohn’s great strengths – and it’s
something that will continue to be a distinguishing characteristic
of Bertelsmann in the future. “No one can say for sure
which talents will prove themselves, and which business ideas
will be successful, even after the most careful consideration.
But it’s a risk we’re willing to take, because it’s part of how
Bertelsmann defi nes itself,” says Chairman of the Board Hartmut
Ostrowski, adding: “I’m sure that we’ve already planted
the seeds today for the milestones of tomorrow.”
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