Timo Kaul
For those who thrive on variety, get energized by learning curves, and are always up for a new challenge — you’ll feel right at home here. In our #behindthewheel series, we share personal stories of growth from within the FINN team.
Today, Timo, VP Car Lifecycle Management, shares his story — from corporate, investment banking, and consulting to his most entrepreneurial role yet: managing the entire car lifecycle at FINN to drive customer satisfaction, team collaboration, and sustainable growth.
VP Car Lifecycle Management at FINN
What's one thing you're especially proud to have built, driven, or improved at FINN?
My main task as a leader is to build a high performing team and enable each member. In my time at FINN, I contributed to building the strongest team I've ever worked with. Seeing people grow so fast within such short time periods makes me proud and very happy. When my colleague Lena started 3 years ago, she considered conceptual and analytical tasks being her weakness. In the meanwhile, these kind of tasks are her favorite ones and she considers it being one of her strengths. It shows me how people can grow when faced with the right challenges and being placed in a strong environment.
How do you define "ownership" in your role at FINN?
Ownership means that I am doing everything to deliver the results I committed to. It does NOT mean doing everything alone - in contrary, it means understanding where I (or my team) need others for support and to make sure to get any support that is needed for delivering the results. Recently the team took ownership of FINN's key strategic initiative to make more cars available earlier for our customer. The ownership of this initiative required intense cross-team and cross-department collaboration. Eventually, it led to a 3x increase of available cars on our website within just one quarter.
What gave you the courage to step up and lead?
FINN has a very strong growth mindset and good culture of handling risks and failures, which encourages confident leadership and decision-making. The trust that I feel from my team, my peers and the management is the key that is giving me the courage to step up and lead in any challenging situation.
I remember one moment of a very intense negotiation with an OEM, where I needed to make a decision on a tight timeline and which would have a 6-to-7 digit € effect on our business. I called my leader and asked for advice on the options that I prepared. His feedback was that he trusts that I will make a reasoned decision and he will have my back in any case. This moment strongly encouraged me to step up, lead and take calculable risks, while knowing that I'll have the support from my leader
Ready to shape your own story at FINN?
Thank you, Timo, for sharing your personal growth story with us today.
At FINN, we aim high, own it, win together, embrace openness, and are obsessed about customers. Ready to shape your own story? Check out our careers page – or connect with us directly to learn more. We’re excited to get to know you!
Ready to shape your own story at FINN?
Thank you, Timo, for sharing your personal growth story with us today.
At FINN, we aim high, own it, win together, embrace openness, and are obsessed about customers. Ready to shape your own story? Check out our careers page – or connect with us directly to learn more. We’re excited to get to know you!