Book Ilja

BOOK ILJA as your keynote speaker

Because hundreds of enthusiastic customers can’t be wrong

Ilja Grzeskowitz is the perfect keynote speaker for your event
(not according to us, but hundreds of enthusiastic customers worldwide)

Most audiences expect two things: 1) They want to learn something valuable, which they can immediately use in their daily business and 2) They want to be entertained, feel inspired and have a good time. Ilja’s job is to make sure you do just that and present important messages in a way that your audience will love. In an intensive briefing, you will work together on the special features, challenges and topics that are important to you and discuss the objective of your event so that Ilja, as your keynote speaker, can present all of this in a way that stimulates thought and action and is memorable.

The new generation motivational speaker knows exactly how challenging it is to book the right speaker and puts all his experience, passion and heart and soul into making you happy that you worked together and that he was able to help you turn one of your events into an extraordinary experience. Live and of course also virtually.

But since we have a lot to tell you, you will find a list of enthusiastic customers on this page, many of whom book Ilja Grzeskowitz as a keynote speaker and lecturer again and again, and recommend him to others with enthusiasm and conviction. And if you prefer original sound bites, you can access the testimonials here.

According to our employees, the best presentation ever!

Elisabeth Tanke Sugimoto - Senior Manager Culture & Change / SWISS Airlines

Awards
Honors, awards and accolades

  • 2025: SPIEGEL-Bestseller Badge for „Im Kopf beginnt die Freiheit"
  • 2019: Fellow of the PSA, awarded by the Professional Speaking Association UK & Ireland
  • 2018: Best Business Book Award for selling over 100,000 copies of "Think it. Do it. Change it."
  • 2016: Speaker award "Best Brand"
  • 2016: Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), awarded by the National Speakers Association in Phoenix/Arizona
  • 2016: Admission as the first German to the C-Suite Book Club in New York City
  • 2014: Speaker award "Best Performer"
  • 2013: Speaker award "Best Media"
  • 2013: Audience Award for Outstanding Speaking Achievements

"Oh yes! Your inspiring and encouraging words were a highlight at our management conference.”

Testimonial DPD Group Boris Winkelmann
Boris Winkelmann, CEODPD Germany

“Ilja Grzeskowitz was simply great as our keynote speaker. We have received consistently positive feedback. He left a lasting impression.”

Testimonial Nespresso Christin Kohnke
Christin Kohnke, HR DirectorNespresso Germany

“Thanks, Ilja, you touched and encouraged our SWISS audience with your witty life and business anecdotes. Audience reviews stated it was the best event of this kind ever!”

Testimonial SWISS International Air Lines Ltd. Elisabath Tanke Sugimoto
Elizabeth Tanke SugimotoSWISS International Air Lines Ltd

"Ilja's presentation at our kick-off was great! He integrated the previous presentations excellently and inspired and motivated the team even more. I look forward to many more events with his support.”

Logo Neuraxpharm
Phillipp Pohoralek, Country Manager Germanyneuraxpharm

“We were all excited! The lecture was very relaxed, appropriate to the audience, very descriptive and with a very important message for us.”

Testimonial Mercedes Christine Heims
Christine Heimes Manager Global Service and Parts OperationsDaimler AG / Global Service Training

Ilja added lots of value to our conference and he nailed it with his closing keynote speech. He was the perfect choice as a speaker. Because of his content, but even more for his personality.

Testimonial Cancom Katja Dietrich
Katja Dietrich Event Marketing Manager Cancom GmbH

"Ilja's keynote at our General Management Meeting exceeded all expectations"

Testimonial Primepulse Beate Rosenfeld
Beate RosenfeldPRIMEPULSE SE / Head of Group Brand & Communication

"Best in class - that's the only way to express the excellence of Ilja's presentation. The positive feedback was overwhelming.”

Testimonial Kao Andreas Spiess
Andreas Spiess Vice President Business ManagementKao Salon Division - Global Goldwell I KMS

"Ilja Grzeskowitz knows how to convey the topic of change differently than many others! How? Quite simply so that you feel like it!”

Testimonial Ritter Sport Jürgen Herrmann
Jürgen Herrmann Marketing DirectorKnight sports

"The lecture by Ilja Grzeskowitz was excellent, especially the individual orientation."

Testimonial Biogen Martin Skoda
Martin Skoda, Head Medical Science Liaison biogenic

"Thank you very much for your refreshing, very inspiring and spirited presentation at the DA-CH conference in the Audi Forum Neckarsulm. The messages fitted perfectly and went down well with everyone.”

Testimonial Unilever Food Solutions Jörg Barth
Jörg Barth CD Capability Manager DA-CHUnilever Food Solutions

“Change starts in the mind. Ilja Grzeskowitz inspired us for 1.5 hours and gave important impulses for this."

Testimonial Telekom Franz-Josef Scherl
Theodor MicklinghoffTelekom Germany GmbH

"Dear Ilja, THANK YOU for your inspiring keynote speech. This was by far the best keynote. We were truly inspired and energized. Oh YEAH! Again, big thanks, it was awesome!"

Testimonial Pall Corporation Salwa Abbound
Salwa Abboud HR Manager/HRBP EMEA FTAPPall
Ilja Grzeskowitz Referenzen Kunden

References
An overview of enthusiastic and satisfied customers

3M Germany GmbH

7S Group

abbvie Germany

Accor Germany GmbH

AKDB

akquinet

Albert Handtmann Maschinenbau GmbH

Albis Plastic

Allianz SE

Allianz Technology

allegation

AOK Plus – The health insurance company

Advico Academy UG

ALTANA Chemie GmbH

Aqua Lounge

Asklepios Services

Astellas Pharma

Audi AG

BASF SE

Bayer AG

Baxter D/A/CH

BAKO Weser Ems

Baresel GmbH

BCTTechnology

Beauty Alliance

Bechtle PLM

Beiersdorf

Bestseller A/S

Belcando Dog Food

Berlin Hyp

Berliner Volksbank

Bewital group of companies

biogenic

BIT. Group Ltd

BIZ Concert Moldova

bofrost

BOSCH Engineering

BMI Group

BMW Switzerland

BMW Switzerland Financial Services

Bolton Adhesives

Bredent Group

Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs

BWGV

BWGV BYK Additives & Instruments

Campus02 Graz

Cancom GmbH

Capgemini inventory

Capgemini Germany

Capri Sun Holding Ltd

Careum Education Center

Catrice

Collect AI

Concordia Insurance

Contec GmbH

Continental Automotive

Continental SSL

Contitech OESL

Cosnova

covendos

CP Gaba GmbH

CSL Behring

Dagema Export Ltd

Daimler AG

Datev eG

Delta Pronatura Group

Deutsche Bahn AG

German fiber optics

German Lufthansa AG

Deutsche Messe AG

German MTM

German Post AG

Deutscher Fürsorgetag

German Savings Banks and Giro Association

Deutscher Verein

German pension insurance

Deutsche Telekom GmbH

Digel AG

DIIR – German Institute of Internal Auditing

DFTA Flexographic Printing Association

DPD Group

DUH Lab Austria

Duo Write & Play Association

Dymatrix Consulting GmbH

DZR German dental data center

EBM GmbH

Edwork GmbH & Co. KG

EGYM

EHMA European Hotel Managers Association

One.all.clean.

EK / servicegroup

e.dialog Netz GmbH

e.discom GmbH

e.kundenservice Netz GmbH

Elijah Grid International

Elite Facilities GmbH & Co. KG

ELO Digital Office GmbH

Emerson Germany

Emerson Global

Engie Germany

Eon Grid Solutions

Eon Energie Dialog GmbH

ERGO

Ensinger GmbH

Essence

Euler Hermes

Europe furniture

Association for the hotel and catering industry

FBMA registered association

Rock works

Festool Germany GmbH

Fischer Automobile GmbH & Co. KG

Flowoo GmbH

Association for the Promotion of Primary Banks Austria

Forum Future Winter Austria

Fresenius Kabi

Franconian Wine Tourism Symposium

FujitsuNext eV

Gas grid Hamburg

GC Consulting Symposium

Global PETS Forum

GlaxoSmithKline

gfo congress

GeVaS Vermögens AG

Getrag International GmbH

German Council of Shopping Centers

Gemba Austria

GD Holzhandel eV

Gothaer Solutions GmbH

HAGEBAU

Hamburger Energiewerke

Hamburg Port Authority

Hamburg Water

Harting Group

Harz PET/CT Symposium

Hectas Facility Services & Co. KG

Hella KGaA

Hewlett Packard Enterprises

HIMA – Smart Safety

Hitachi

Hofer AG

HWR Berlin (university)

HSH Nordbank

Hugendubel GmbH

Hugendubel GmbH

Hypovereinsbank

iBan First

IGA Optics

Infineon

Inno Systems GmbH

Innovation Congress

Interflex

Investment and marketing company Saxony-Anhalt mbH

Ipex bank

IP Service World

IT House

ItSMF Congress

Jagenberg Group

Jocoon GmbH

Jack & Jones D/A/CH

Janssen Cilag

Jobcenter Germany

Kao Germany GmbH

Kassel savings bank

Kampmann GmbH

Kelvion Ltd

KF Andersen Leadership Academy

KfW Bank

Kölner Verkehrsbetrieve (KVB)

Köster GmbH

Koblenz Touristik GmbH

Konradin media group

Krahn chemistry

Künig GmbH

Cumavision

Lactalis Group

State Association of the Transport Industry Thuringia

Lamilux Heinrich Strunz Group

Lapp Holding Asia Pte Ltd

Lapp Holding Ltd

LEAG Energy

Libri Ltd.

Lidl Hellas

Love Mecklenburg

Lohmann and Rauscher

Ludwig Bertram GmbH

Lufthansa EMEA region

LBS Saarland

Linde Material Handling

Lyreco Switzerland

Magna Steyr

Management Circle Ltd

Striking

Marketing Club Orthenau / Offenburg

Marriott Hotels International

MEA building systems

Mederer Group

medl GmbH

Mercedes Benz

Mercedes-Benz io (MBIO)

MERKUR Handelswaren AG

Exhibition staff north

Exhibition staff south

messefrankfurt

Hanover Fair

Merz Lifecare

Ministry for Schools & Education North Rhine-Westphalia

m&i Klinikgruppe Enzensberg

Mülheimer Wohnungsbau

Mylan

Nespresso

Netto Supermark GmbH

New action AG

Network Winter Austria

Nibe Systemtechnik GmbH

Niederrhein Gold GmbH

NTT Data Germany

East German Savings Banks Association

Higher Finance Directorate Hesse

O2

ONLY

Omnicom Media Group Germany

OÖ News

Oracle

Orange Moldova

Oskar Patzelt Foundation

Otto Krahn Group

PALL Corporation

palmolive

Paperworld Academy

PayPal

Pentax Medical

PERI Germany

Pernod Ricard Germany

Pfaff

Pfalzwerke GmbH

Pluradent AG & Co. KG

Post Company Cars Switzerland

Price of the Economy MV

Primepulse SE

Per acoustics

Pro Pharma Group

Proxalto life insurance

Prism Holding AG

Procme GmbH

Procter & Gamble

Provincial Rhineland Insurance GmbH

Raiffeisen Landesbank Upper Austria

R+W Antriebselemente AG

Ringana

RE/MAX Europe

REWE

repecon media conception

Knight sports

Roche Diagnostics

Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG

Rolls Royce Power Systems

Rhenus AG & Co. KG

Roto Smeets

Rydoo

RWE AG

Sanivita Group Germany

SAP User Congress

SAP

Schiedel GmbH & Co. KG

Schiesser AG

Schönherr Attorney at Law

Schleupen Inc

Schüco

Siemens AG

Siemens Energy

SIL Forum

Singer

SHD Group

Sievert AG

Solidline AG

Sonova

Schmachtl GmbH

Schmitz works

SRH Health

SRH Hochschule Berlin

SIP Personalservice GmbH

Sopra Steria

Sparkasse Ingolstadt

Sparkasse Cologne

Savings Bank Mönchengladbach

Savings Bank Insurance

City Marketing Bergneustadt

Stadtwerke Geesthacht

Stadtwerke Lutherstadt Wittenberg GmbH

Stahl und Verbundbau GmbH

Starface GmbH

Starkey

Stegmann personnel service

Straumann Group

STRABAG

Hamburg power grid

SVP Worldwide

SWISS International Airlines

Takeda Pharma GmbH

Tech Masters Germany GmbH

Techniker Krankenkasse

Telefónica Germany

Tetra Pak GmbH & Co. KG

TEEKANNE GmbH & Co KG

tesa SE

Thales Group

Tobit Software GmbH

Top 250 conference hotels

Total Energies

Tourist information Iphofen

Trolli

TU Graz

TUI

MOT South

Unicredit Bank AG

Unilever Food Solutions

Unitron

Unitymedia GmbH

Entrepreneurs Association Mülheim adRuhr

Vario Drive Netherlands

Vattenfall

Association for Printing & Media Northwest

Vero Moda

VII Healthcare

Visable GmbH

Vivea Hotels

Volksbank Goeppingen

VRG GmbH

VSM Germany

Wanzl GmbH

WEBASTO SE

Weber Machinery Ltd

Wendweb GmbH

Wintershall DEA

WKO Upper Austria

WWK Insurance

Willenbrock Holding GmbH

Winston Golf

Economics Ministry of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania

Women Power Congress

Zalando

ZARA Germany

Zenjob GmbH

Central cooperative

Zieroth & Kindermann GmbH

Future staff fair

Züblin

Vita

Überblick über Iljas bisheriges Berufsleben
  • 1975: Geboren in der schönen Hansestadt Lübeck
  • 1994: Abitur am Carl-Jacob-Burkhardt Gymnasium zu Lübeck
  • 1994: Zivildienst am Universitätsklinikum Lübeck: Arbeit mit behinderten und lernschwachen Kindern in einer integrativen Einrichtung.
  • 1995 – 2001: Studium der Wirtschaftswissenschaften in Greifswald, Mannheim und Hamburg. Schwerpunktfächer: Marketing, Wirtschaftspädagogik und Organisationstheorie. Abschluss: Diplom Kaufmann
  • 1995 – 2001: Diverse Jobs, u.a.: Dolmetscher für amerikanische und nigerianische Unternehmen, Barkeeper, Businessplan Schreiber, Consultant für Start-Ups, Business Development Manager
  • 2002 – 2008: Geschäftsführer für insgesamt zehn Standorte von Karstadt, Hertie und Wertheim
  • 2008 – 2009: Storemanager IKEA in Hamburg
  • 2009: Gründung von Ilja Grzeskowitz – Veränderung. Einfach. Machen.
  • 2013-2015: Lehraufträge an der Berlin School of Law and Economics und der SRH Hochschule
  • Seit 2009: Internationaler Keynote Speaker, Bestsellerautor von 12 Büchern und Change Berater
  • Seit 2013: Initiator und Gastgeber des Change Awards
  • 2023: Gründung der Change Leaders Academy

Mission

Unternehmensphilosophie

Die Unternehmensphilosophie basiert auf unserem gesamten Denken, Handeln und Wirken. Unternehmen verändern sich, wenn die Menschen sich verändern. Deshalb glaube ich fest an zwei Dinge: An die Kraft der individuellen Persönlichkeit und die Magie einer von starken Werten getriebenen Veränderungskultur. Wenn sich die individuellen Bedürfnisse der einzelnen Menschen mit den übergeordneten Organisationszielen im Einklang befinden, entsteht ein magischer Cocktail aus Leidenschaft, Commitment und operativer Exzellenz. Dies haben wir in unserem Mission Statement zusammengefasst:

“Mein Businessansatz ist radikal menschlich, denn ich bin der festen Überzeugung, dass der Mensch in Zeiten der immer schneller werdenden Veränderung der wichtigste Erfolgsfaktor der Zukunft ist. Ich helfe Menschen dabei, ein auf Selbstbestimmung, persönlicher Freiheit und Sinnhaftigkeit basierendes Leben zu führen. Ich unterstütze Organisationen und Unternehmen, die großen Chancen der Veränderung zu nutzen und eine Change Kultur zu etablieren, die von geteilten Werten, Diversity und Sinn geprägt ist. Die individuelle Definition von Erfolg ist dabei der kraftvolle Fixstern, der Weg dort hin die Veränderung.”

Werte-Codex

Diese Werte treiben uns an
  • Verantwortung: Nur wenn jeder persönliche Verantwortung übernimmt, können wir gemeinsam erfolgreich sein.
  • Dankbarkeit: Wir gehen mit einer Attitude of Gratitude durchs Leben. Wir geben, bevor wir nehmen.
  • Diversity: Wir respektieren jeden Menschen so wie er ist und behandeln ihn individuell.
  • Integrität: Wir lassen Taten sprechen und tun, was wir angekündigt haben.
  • Unterstützung: Niemand gewinnt allein. Deshalb ist uns das Team heilig.
  • Familie: Erfolg hat bei uns eine klare Reihenfolge: Family First, dann kommt das Business.
  • Bedeutung: Für uns ist Job nicht nur Job. Unser gesamtes Wirken beruht auf Sinnhaftigkeit, um die Welt jeden Tag ein Stück besser zu machen.
  • Humor: Wir lachen gerne und viel, besonders über uns selbst. Denn für uns muss Arbeit vor allem eins: Spaß machen!
  • Qualität: Wir haben hohe Ansprüche an unsere Produkte, unseren Service, besonders aber an uns selbst.
Natürlich gibt es für uns auch einige NO-GO‘s:

Gleichgültigkeit. Beliebigkeit. Feigheit. Egoismus. Rumeierei. Zynismus. Humorlosigkeit. Schwarzmalerei. Gewalt. Hass. Dogmatismus. Besserwisserei. Opportunismus.

Vision

Diese Überzeugungen treiben uns an
  • Wir glauben, dass Unternehmen sich verändern, wenn die Menschen sich verändern.
  • Wir glauben, dass eine Kultur der Veränderung jede noch so ausgetüftelte Strategie schlägt.
  • Wir glauben, dass wir für unsere Ergebnisse verantwortlich sind. Für die guten, wie die schlechten.
  • Wir glauben, dass in jedem Problem eine Chance steckt.
  • Wir glauben, dass Motivation auf Sinnhaftigkeit und Werten basiert und nicht auf externen Faktoren.
  • Wir glauben, dass in jedem Menschen ein großes Feuer lodert, das nur darauf wartet, entzündet zu werden.
  • Wir glauben, dass sich alles verändert, wenn Sie sich verändern.
  • Wir glauben, dass innovatives Denken, harte Arbeit und Commitment die Grundlage für Erfolg bilden.
  • Wir glauben an Individualität und Diversity statt an Gleichmacherei.
  • Wir glauben an einfache Lösungen und nicht an komplizierte Probleme.
  • Wir glauben an Klarheit, Entschiedenheit und Integrität.
  • Wir glauben an Ergebnisse und nicht an Ankündigungen.
  • Wir glauben, dass der Umgang mit Veränderung die wichtigste Schlüsselkompetenz der Zukunft sein wird.

Awards

Auszeichnungen, Awards & Preise
  • 2013: Publikumspreis für außergewöhnliche Rednerleistungen
  • 2013: Rednerpreis „Best Media“
  • 2014: Rednerpreis „Best Performer“
  • 2016: Aufnahme als erster Deutscher in den C-Suite Book Club in New York City
  • 2016: Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), verliehen durch die National Speakers Association in Phoenix/Arizona
  • 2016: Rednerpreis „Best Brand“
  • 2018: Best Business Book Award für über 100.000 verkaufte Exemplare auf der Frankfurter Buchmesse
  • 2019: Fellow of the PSA, verliehen durch die Professional Speaking Association UK & Ireland

Awards

Honors, awards & prizes
  • 2013: Audience Award for Outstanding Speaking Achievements
  • 2013: Speaker award “Best Media”
  • 2014: Speaker award “Best Performer”
  • 2016: Admission as the first German to the C-Suite Book Club in New York City
  • 2016: Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), awarded by the National Speakers Association in Phoenix/Arizona
  • 2016: Speaker award “Best Brand”
  • 2018: Best Business Book Award for over 100,000 copies sold at the Frankfurt Book Fair
  • 2019: Fellow of the PSA, awarded by the Professional Speaking Association UK & Ireland

vision

These beliefs drive us
  • We believe that companies change when people change.
  • We believe that a culture of change beats even the most elaborate strategy.
  • We believe that we are responsible for our results. For the good and the bad.
  • We believe that in every problem lies an opportunity.
  • We believe that motivation is based on purpose and values and not on external factors.
  • We believe that in every human being there is a great fire just waiting to be ignited.
  • We believe that when you change, everything changes.
  • We believe that innovative thinking, hard work and commitment are the basis for success.
  • We believe in individuality and diversity instead of equality.
  • We believe in simple solutions and not complicated problems.
  • We believe in clarity, decisiveness and integrity.
  • We believe in results, not announcements.
  • We believe that dealing with change will be the most important key competence of the future.

code of values

These values drive us
  • Responsibility: We can only be successful together if everyone takes personal responsibility.
  • Gratitude: We go through life with an attitude of gratitude. We give before we take.
  • Diversity: We respect everyone as they are and treat them individually.
  • Integrity: We act and do what we promise.
  • Support: Nobody wins alone. That’s why the team is sacred to us.
  • Family: Success has a clear sequence for us: family first, then the business.
  • Meaning: For us, a job is not just a job. Everything we do is based on meaningfulness in order to make the world a little bit better every day.
  • Humor: We like to laugh a lot, especially about ourselves. For us, work has to do one thing above all: be fun!
  • Quality: We have high demands on our products, our service, but especially on ourselves.
Of course there are also some NO-GO’s for us:

Indifference. arbitrariness. Cowardice. Egoism. bumbling. Cynicism. lack of humor black painting. Force. Hate. dogmatism. know-it-all. Opportunism.

mission

corporate philosophy

The corporate philosophy is based on our entire thinking, acting and working. Businesses change when people change. That’s why I firmly believe in two things: the power of individual personality and the magic of a culture of change driven by strong values. When the individual needs of each person are in line with the overarching organizational goals, a magical cocktail of passion, commitment and operational excellence is created. We summarized this in our mission statement:

“My business approach is radically human, because I am firmly convinced that in times of ever faster change, people are the most important success factor for the future. I help people to lead a life based on self-determination, personal freedom and meaning. I support organizations and companies to seize the great opportunities of change and to establish a change culture characterized by shared values, diversity and meaning. The individual definition of success is the powerful fixed star, the way there is change.”

resume

Overview of my previous professional life
  • 1975: Born in the beautiful Hanseatic city of Lübeck
  • 1994: Abitur at the Carl-Jacob-Burkhardt Gymnasium in Lübeck
  • 1994: Civilian service at the University Hospital in Lübeck: work with disabled and slow-learning children in an integrative facility.
  • 1995 – 2001: Studied economics in Greifswald, Mannheim and Hamburg. Main subjects: marketing, business education and organizational theory. Degree: Diplom Kaufmann
  • 1995 – 2001: Various jobs, including: interpreter for American and Nigerian companies, bartender, business plan writer, consultant for start-ups, business development manager
  • 2002 – 2008: Managing Director for Karstadt, Hertie and Wertheim with a total of ten locations in Lübeck, 2x Hamburg, Kassel, Mönchengladbach, Frankfurt/Oder and 5x Berlin
  • 2008 – 2009: Store Manager IKEA in Hamburg
  • 2009: Foundation of Ilja Grzeskowitz – change. Simple. Do.
  • 2013-2015: Lectureships at the Berlin School of Law and Economics and the SRH Hochschule
  • Since 2009: International keynote speaker, bestselling author of 12 books and change consultant
  • Since 2013: Initiator and host of the Change Awards
  • 2020: Founding of the Solopreneur Club
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