The 2019 Global Leaders in Consulting: Walter Sinn

"One of the accomplishments I feel really proud of is our ability to provide our clients with holistic and global advice and to support them with outstanding quality in such challenging times," Sinn says. "In particular, I'm proud of our success this year in positioning ourselves at the cutting edge of digital transformation with our "VECTOR" brand into which our digital competence is bundled. Digital transformation is one of the greatest challenges facing our customers, and the innovative and groundbreaking intellectual property we provide puts us at the forefront of this transformation."

During his tenure as managing partner, Sinn has increased Bain Germany's revenues and head count, each by 50 percent. He also expanded the firm's German customer base across existing businesses, such as banking, and into important new areas, including automotive. His team now works for the largest German and European banks and for the largest automobile manufacturers and suppliers in the world, many of which are headquartered in Germany. Under Sinn, the firm has expanded its physical presence, opening a fourth office in Germany in 2018, located in Berlin. 

"I am proud of the exceptional growth that Bain's German offices have achieved over the last year," he says. "We have succeeded in sustaining our double-digit expansion, despite the subdued economic outlook, and have continued to attract senior industry hires to the firm. I believe that we now boast some of the best minds in the industry, a factor that has helped us to win major projects."

A soccer player his entire life, Sinn says the passion he feels for everything he does has been a huge factor to his success. "I'm a resolute type driven by the will to win. Crucial to my success is being part of the right team," he says. "In soccer, I know that it's the team that wins and not only the individual players." 

The profession, he says, is about offering clients exceptional solutions. "You have to deliver outstanding performance," Sinn says. "And so it is that I remain restless, never satisfied with the status quo and always ready to explore new avenues. I find it enormously motivating to work in a team of high achievers and to attract and develop the best talent."

Q&A:  What do you enjoy most about your work and the consulting profession?

"I consider it a privilege to work in consulting. I'm fortunate to work on some of the most important and interesting topics that are having a major impact on business and the economy—not just in Germany or Europe, but around the world and across industries. I am also lucky in that, every day, I get to collaborate with some of the best minds, both on the client side and here at Bain."