Six months of AI, hard work and the most important insight as CEO

1-minute summary

In this episode of his CEO diary, Christoph Standl takes listeners through the past six months as CEO of Tourismus Interaktiv. From January to July almost everything revolved around artificial intelligence and automation; especially from April to the end of June the time was incredibly intense – working almost every day, often in several blocks, weekends included. His goal: to position Tourismus Interaktiv so that the opportunities of AI are not only understood but used consistently. The biggest game changer was Claude Cowork: for the first time, AI could work directly with local files and intelligently connect different systems via so-called MCP servers. Step by step, this is how the Tourismus Interaktiv Company Brain emerges – the company's digital brain, a central knowledge platform through which customers, investors, suppliers, tax advisors, auditors, sales partners and employees can easily access knowledge and processes. An intelligent company no longer stores knowledge in individual heads, but where it is needed. Small teams can thus achieve things that used to require much larger companies. But he also tells the other side: there were days when he felt burnt out. Enthusiasm alone isn't enough – anyone who wants to perform at the highest level over time has to look after their mental health. For him, exercise is the balance: several times a week a walk of around five kilometres to clear his head. Success comes not only from hard work, but also from taking care of yourself. In August and September the internal transformation is to be completed – the foundation on which Tourismus Interaktiv wants to grow sustainably and internationally over the next three years. Big changes often begin with small daily steps.