Questions & Answers Valentina Temporelli SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES What was your first automotive job and why were you interested in the industry? I started as a marketing and sales analyst, which included market research and organizing trade fairs and events. I was drawn to the industry because it allowed me to be a global player in a dynamic and challenging environment. I remain enthralled by the industry because it will play a key role in defining what mobility will be as we move toward the launch of autonomous cars. Your greatest achievement? My greatest achievement is the idea and the introduction of a new department at the company. I wanted to experiment with something and created a pilot project to approach the global automotive customer in a new way. Because of the results we achieved, my company allowed me to set up a new marketing department that sets its focus on customer relations, creating marketing initiatives and communication tailored to each customer. That was two years ago. My team is international and is made up of 22 people who are based on four continents. We work by my motto: The most powerful and reliable engines are powered by enthusiasm. What was your biggest failure and what did it teach you? My biggest mistake was assuming that everyone works as quickly as I do. Some members of my team were becoming discouraged because I was going too fast. Therefore, I borrowed something from basketball legend Michael Jordan who said: "Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships". What is your current challenge at work? Coping with globalization and digitalization. When it comes to globalization, marketing plays an increasingly important role because it helps a company differentiate itself from the competition. Digitalization has drastically changed marketing activities by bringing the focus on the customer to an entirely different level. Digitalization will significantly transform the entire economy, but if it is approached properly it can offer endless opportunities. Another challenge is balancing my personal life and work life. It isn't easy but I am succeeding at making the most out of every minute of my day by being creative and, sometimes, making sacrifices. What about the auto industry surprises you? I'm amazed at how fast and how profoundly the auto industry is changing. The concept of mobility is transforming. Everyone working in the industry today is lucky because we have the opportunity to influence the mobility revolution we are undergoing. What is the best advice you have ever received? One of my former bosses told me to listen to people and to take care of them. That advice helped 90