Markus Linnenberg is the Finance Executive at the AI startup E-Bot7. That makes him responsible for all finance-related tasks – accounting, controlling and investor reporting. A specific focus of his job is on establishing scalable processes so E-Bot7 is well-equipped for further growth. The Munich startup already has more than 65 employees working in its offices in Munich, London and Paris.
Munich Startup: What does your morning routine look like?
Markus Linnenberg: Pretty boring, but tried and tested: After getting up, I stretch for a few minutes, brew some coffee and have breakfast. During breakfast, I read the paper and check my emails so I know what to expect. That helps me organize my day. When I’m not working from home, I ride my bike to the office, check my to-do list and prioritize my tasks for the day.
Good hardware and the right setup help
Munich Startup: What is your favorite tool at work?
Markus Linnenberg: I’ve just recently started using Wavebox, a Chromium-based browser that makes it easier for me to work with numerous SaaS tools. I also think that good hardware and the right setup are important for working productively, especially when working from home. A good keyboard and several monitors help me increase my productivity.
Munich Startup: Which three apps are must-haves?
Markus Linnenberg: Ticktick for my to-do lists, Slack for internal communication and Spotify for when I’m concentrating on a topic and want to be in the “zone.”
E-Bot7 has a library with books
Munich Startup: What book would you recommend?
Markus Linnenberg: I’ve read lots of books over the years, several of which were about finance, investing and behavioral economics, but there were also some startup and productivity classics. I’ve learned that not every book is a good match for every person. Books that are revolutionary and life-changing for me might not be relevant to someone else. That’s why I would recommend reading lots of books and creating your own “system” with the subjects that are relevant to you. At E-Bot7, we have a small library with books about different subjects and it’s very popular. It almost doesn’t matter what you’re reading, it’s more important to be reading at all.
Avoid misunderstandings in meetings
Munich Startup: What is your favorite kind of meeting?
Markus Linnenberg: I don’t have a favorite kind of meeting, but meetings should be efficient and focused. It should be clear what results are expected by the end of the meeting. It’s also good when participants take notes and then send them to the other participants with follow-up comments. That helps avoid misunderstandings. I also like to have lunch or coffee with people that I want to talk with about subjects in general. Because the E-Bot7 team is so diverse, you truly can learn something from everyone.
Munich Startup: What is your biggest stumbling block in daily business?
Markus Linnenberg: Ad hoc inquiries or sudden problems.
Markus Linnenberg: “It’s surprising to find out a finance person can be involved in so many topics”
Munich Startup: What gives you a boost of motivation at work?
Markus Linnenberg: When after hard work, things function just like you imagined they would. I also think talking with colleagues is important, even if you work in different departments and don’t interact very much during your workday. Especially when working from home, that becomes even more important. For some, it’s also surprising to find out a finance person can be involved in so many topics.
Munich Startup: How do you end your workday?
Markus Linnenberg: I generally update my to-do list and briefly organize my next workday. Then I go have a beer with a colleague, go to the Eisbach or exercise.