© Shore

“Sales Is a Science” – How Stefan Bader of Shore Works

In our series ‘How They Work,’ startup founders and employees of Munich startups talk about their favorite tools, routines and work methods. This time, Stefan Bader gives us insights into his workday at Shore.

Stefan Bader is Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) at Shore, the Munich startup for digital appointment and customer relationship management. Bader is responsible for sales, marketing, customer success, growth & partnerships. He explains which apps are high up on his list, why sales isn’t an art for him and what is an absolute productivity killer.

Munich Startup: What does your morning routine look like?

Stefan Bader, Shore: My every morning starts with a nine minute snooze, which has turned into a kind of ritual for me. Before taking a shower while listening to music, I read an article or two on Google News in bed to catch up on the latest info from the US. For breakfast, I usually just have an oat milk coffee and a little something to eat. What I really enjoy is my ten minute walk to work, which helps clear my head and get my workday off to a good start. Once I’m at the office, I prioritize my tasks first before getting started.

Why Google Maps is essential for Stefan Bader

Munich Startup: What is your favorite tool at work?

Stefan Bader, Shore: It’s neck-and-neck for me between Slack and Notion, but Slack always wins in the end. Why? For one thing, it’s been proven that communication still has by far the greatest impact on collaborative success. Secondly, Slack has turned into an “app hub” where other applications can be integrated and processes can be automated – and GIFs obviously play a certain role, but that’s more about creating a good atmosphere in the team.

Munich Startup: Which three apps are must-haves?

Stefan Bader, Shore: Because I unfortunately have an extremely poor sense of direction, Google Maps is essential for me. And because I’m a big podcast fan, Spotify has also become one of my personal must-haves. And another thing I couldn’t imagine not having in my daily routine is WhatsApp.

While one group of Shore employees hold a meeting, others have their hair cut at the office – of course, only after making a digital appointment with their in-house tool (© Klaus D. Wolf Fotografie)

Munich Startup: Which Munich event is a must?

Stefan Bader, Shore: Without a doubt, Bits & Pretzels! The combination of internationally renowned speakers and that “Oktoberfest feeling” is pretty tough to top.

Sales as a data-driven science

Munich Startup: What book would you recommend?

Stefan Bader, Shore: “The Sales Acceleration Formula” by the former CRO of Hubspot, Mark Roberge, is one I would definitely recommend. It shows that sales is not an art, but rather a data-driven science. As for me, I’m more of a rational person and would rather fall back on data when decisions need to be made. Data has always been a key aspect of my workday.

Munich Startup: What is your favorite kind of meeting?

Stefan Bader, Shore: I’m a big fan of personal meetings. For internal meetings, it’s important to me to have a clear agenda so every participant can keep things as brief as possible and knows exactly what’s required. But that doesn’t mean personal interaction should be neglected. For external meetings, for instance with partners, it can also be a bit less formal during a meal or over some coffee or beer. In this case, my focus is on personal relationships, which I view as absolutely essential.

Munich Startup: What is your biggest stumbling block in daily business?

Stefan Bader, Shore: A productivity killer for any team are badly prepared and incoherently structured meetings that are too long. To counteract that, if necessary, I always keep an eye on the meeting structures, for example based on good preparation.

Productivity killer: drawn out meetings

Munich Startup: What gives you a boost of motivation at work?

Stefan Bader, Shore: I propose growth hypotheses and experiments with my team where we don’t know if or how well the whole thing will actually work. An example of such a hypothesis: Customers will accept a price increase of a specific product or service and not stop using it at a disproportionately high rate, for example an SaaS solution.

These kinds of test stages are obviously performed quite systematically: First, a concept and project plan are set up, success criteria are defined, tested and finally examined based on data to see if everything went as expected. That’s what’s also so nice about my work: Results are reflected directly in the relevant key figures, which makes them measurable. Or as Hannibal Smith would say: “I love it when a plan comes together.”

Munich Startup: How do you end your workday?

Stefan Bader, Shore: I like an orderly desk. That’s why the day ends with a bit of organizing before walking back home listening to electronic music – which is the best way for me to unwind. Another – unfortunately often unmet – goal is to empty my email inbox. I sadly only rarely manage to do that.