"Computer Science Is in My DNA."

Zeller is a German with Persian roots who grew up in Aachen, and her enthusiasm for automation and efficiency led her to study computer science at an early age: "I'm an efficiency-driven person, so I like to ask myself the question: How can digital solutions help us?" After graduating with a degree in computer science with a focus on software engineering, Violett Zeller began a doctorate in mechanical engineering, because she saw, rather by chance, a call for proposals from the Research Institute for Industrial Management (FIR) for project management in the field of "Digitalization for Logistics and Production." She was immediately excited about the opportunity to work on projects with industry and to do her doctorate on the side. "I've always been interested in thinking outside the box on a topic. But it was also important to me to have a real connection to industry when I was doing a doctorate."

Focus on drinking water

Viega GmbH & Co.KG is a member of the international "50 Climate Leaders" initiative, which takes its cue from the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations (UN). As a contributor, Viega focuses in particular on solutions and products relating to drinking water. "Over time, it became more and more important for me to pursue a professional activity that makes a sustainable contribution to society and the environment. Drinking water is a relevant topic, not only in terms of availability for society, but also in terms of energy efficiency for the environment," says Violett Zeller, offering another reason for her involvement with the Sauerland-based company. In Germany, she said, you can simply turn on the tap and help yourself to drinking water - and this is not the rule worldwide, even in industrialized countries like the USA and China. Drinking water quality is determined by several factors such as temperature, circulation, nutrient supply, and water exchange. Zeller's task is to bring in digital solutions to support temperature profiles, pressure and flushing digitally through electronic components such as fittings or circulation valves in an effective and energy-efficient way. "Drinking water is an essential resource that we must protect and preserve. My work contributes to our corporate goals and equally means identifying with my own values."

For all her enthusiasm and fascination with digitalization, however, Violett Zeller has also become more critical. "Digitalization is not a panacea and it always means investing not only in a technological solution, but also in changing other business mechanisms, such as processes, competencies, or cultural understanding. The question therefore arises as to what extent a significant contribution can be made by digitalization. Ultimately, digitalization is there to support decision makers, not the other way around."

The investment Violett Zeller made in her academic education was well worth it. Adegree in computer science, plus a doctorate in mechanical engineering with distinction, at the same time co-founder of a start-up and finally Director of Product Management Digital Products at Viega - Violett Zeller's professional development to date has been very successful indeed. What are her success factors and strategies? At a RWTH Career Center workshop for female students last year, she answered the question: What helped me? Violett Zeller’s first answer was: "Understanding the expectations of different people you work with. Meaning: What is your counterpart's problem right now? What motivates them? How can we bring about a win-win situation in a joint task? The key principle is that a competent leader asks questions – which fits very well with one of her other success factors: Communication. "You can never spend enough time communicating with each other again and again to get your meaning across to the person with whom you are working.”

In the near future, Violett Zeller sees herself continuing in the role of an intermediary, bringing about added value for customers through digitalization and driving forward digital business models. "Being a computer scientist is coded in my DNA," she says. She feels most comfortable in her current management role of bringing together many different groups of people – researchers, developers, customers, sales people and board members – to achieve an application-oriented digital solution. "It gives you a broad perspective on things, which is something that I like."

Where will her career path take her in the long term? Maybe to a professorship at RWTH? She gives herself a little bit of time to formulate her answer: "Never say never. If I were to pursue a professorship, it would be important for me to share my industry experience with students. For me personally as a student, I got the most out of the lectures that defined practical use cases." But at the moment, she has more of a desire to take advantage of the opportunities and challenges of digitalization in industry. "There is a lot of potential for this in German industry. So there's still work to be done."

– Dietrich Hunold