“For me, work and leisure have never been separate”

PERSONAL: Exclusive questionnaire interview with HBB Managing Director Harald Ortner

What does the ideal Sunday look like for you?
First, sleep in as long as our dog allows (our son now sleeps longer than we do ;-)), then have a leisurely breakfast. After breakfast, exercise in the fresh air and go out for a delicious meal in the late afternoon.

Which of your hobbies do only your family and close friends know about?
Hobbies are something you share with family and/or friends. Since I don't do anything indecent, my hobbies are well known. I used to love comics. Not all of my friends know that.

What is your dream of happiness?
I am living my dream of happiness.

What has come true that you dreamed of when you were 18?
Family, heir, own house with garden, financial independence – everything was achieved.

What would you have liked to be if you hadn’t ended up in the real estate industry?
Actually a teacher, because of the amount of free time he has.

What advice would you have liked to give your 18-year-old self?
Since I rarely listened to advice at 18, it's better not to take any.

What detail from your biography would you like to delete?
Actually none, because I have learned from all the mistakes and embarrassments of the past.

The defining moment of your career so far was…
... the change from theory to practice. My consulting work during my studies with my small but very successful market research company MSE (market research and location analysis for the Euro market) was forward-looking until 1993, even in terms of its name, but my concepts were not or only insufficiently noticed because I was still too young for many people. At Rewe I was then given the tools for practice and was finally able to turn ideas into bricks.

What was the best decision in your professional career?
The change to my current company. Otherwise I wouldn't have been here for so long.

What will be your next professional challenge?
Dealing with the ongoing crisis and restructuring the company towards more orders from third parties.

Are you constantly working more?
For me, work and free time have never been separate. To be successful, you always have to be online at work. But work doesn't stress me out. On the contrary: when I've finished something, it relaxes me.

What was your greatest personal success?
My time as dorm president. That was the name given to the self-administration of the student dorm where I lived. There, together with a team of 12 other volunteers, I created many benefits for the other residents and increased the dorm's self-administration's cash balance to a considerable level.

What is your favorite place in Germany (and why)?
Sylt, because the island has everything that makes life good. You can relax with long walks on the beach and good food and of course have a lot of fun.

Which city in Germany would you like to visit?
My job means that I have been able to visit all the cities that are beautiful.

Your favorite place outside Germany?
France, because I like the French way of life.

Which city abroad would you like to visit?
Beijing, but I'll postpone that for a while.

In which sea did you last swim?
North Sea.

Your favorite food?
Sauerbraten and dumplings.

Gym or climbing stairs?
Studio, is supposed to be good for the whole body. At the moment I am combining both, as my physiotherapist recommended it.

How often do you still write by hand?
Almost every day.

How good are you at small talk?
That's up to my conversation partners to judge, but so far no one has run away from me.

Which language would you like to master?
English, because unfortunately I only know parts of this language because I was educated in the humanities. However, I can't get very far in conversation with Latin and Greek.

What work of art has most recently impressed you?
The self-painted picture that my son gave me for my birthday.

Who is your favorite artist – and why?
My son – any questions?

What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
During my time at university, I drove from Saarbrücken to the Cote d'Azur with two friends at 2 a.m. because of a spontaneous bet about a crate of beer. It was a wonderful trip. But back then, you would do anything for a crate of beer.

When was the last time you did something for the first time?
Hard to say, since I'm always trying new things.

What is shown in the last photo you took?
A bill that needs to be paid.

Who did you have a good conversation with recently?
I always have good conversations. The best ones are with very good friends, because nothing is kept secret in them.

Which film/series have you enjoyed most recently? And why?
Actually, almost all productions by Marvel and Co. I am excited that what the comics showed 40 years ago can be implemented with special effects today.

What book did you most recently enjoy? And why?
By Jan Weiler “Kühn is hungry”. Subliminal humor at its best, a must-read. Many people probably know him: Maria, he doesn't like it.

How do you slow down your everyday life?
Through regular exercise.

What little things can you enjoy?
Everyone who makes me laugh.

What is on your personal to-do list this year?
Improve my golf handicap, achieved my interim goal last year. This year I want to get under 20.

What do you regret missing in your life?
Nothing that can't be done later.

What have you always wanted to shout out loud to the world?
Schnibbeldischnabbeldibup – because then everyone starts to wonder what that means.