Advisory at the Europe – Asia Interface
As founder of Von Solstein, I advise companies and institutions navigating the intersection of economic, political, and cultural complexity — particularly where European strategies meet Asian markets and partnerships, and the reverse.
My practice focuses on the wider Asia-Pacific region, with particular depth in Japan and Taiwan. It draws on 25 years of experience at the meeting point of Austrian foreign economic policy, international industry, and the Asian market.
Native Japanese, a network in ministries, chambers of commerce, industry, and academia built over more than two decades, and training in both law and foreign economic policy allow me to address the commercial, regulatory, political, and cultural dimensions of a mandate in parallel.
Areas of Practice
Strategic Advisory
Market strategy and market entry Asia-Pacific. Preparation of local structures, regulatory guidance, negotiation with Asian business partners and authorities. Positioning in the context of supply-chain resilience, export controls, and technology partnerships — themes that increasingly shape every European industrial strategy. Typical engagements involve companies preparing their next step in Asia, corporations restructuring their regional operations, or institutions requiring specific market expertise.
Governmental Affairs and Public Policy
Translation between corporate clients and the political-administrative environment — in Europe and on the Asian side. Preparation of delegation visits, position papers, formal submissions, and negotiation formats. Understanding the foreign economic policy mechanics that operate in the background of every bilateral business relationship.
Teaching and Executive Education
External lectureship at the University of Applied Sciences Vienna, alongside lectures and seminars on themes at the intersection of process optimisation, self-management, and East Asian thought. The proprietary Phoenix Kaizen concept combines the Kaizen methodology with other principles of East Asian philosophy, and Western approaches, addressed to students and practitioners interested in organisational change and personal work organisation as an integrated whole.
About me
As a consultant and coach, I bring a deep sensitivity to complex systems, cultural nuance, and human dynamics to my work. Born in Austria and raised between the former USSR, Japan, and Indonesia, I was exposed to different cultures from an early age — an experience that shaped a lasting international perspective and a particular affinity for East Asia. I am native fluent in German and Japanese and work fluently in English. My professional path spans nearly three decades in senior roles across the private sector and public service, with a consistent international focus and particular depth in Asia. Independent practice as consultant, thirteen years at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs on Directors level and over ten years of leading functions covering industries such as Life-Science, Automotive, Textiles, Building Materials and Tourism. This combination of trajectories has given me a layered understanding of how organisations actually work — their structures, decision-making logics, the unspoken rules of their cultures, and the moments at which they reach for outside perspective. Alongside my advisory work, I lecture and speak at conferences, corporate events, and the University of Applied Sciences where I teach in the Bachelor programme Public Management. I work with organisations, executives, and individuals at moments that require clarity — when orientation is needed, when sound decisions must be made, when change must be shaped to last.
My approach is strategic in substance, culturally informed in posture, and firmly rooted in practical experience.
I offer an initial complimentary consultation to explore whether and how a collaboration could be meaningful.
This conversation provides an opportunity to clarify objectives, expectations and potential approaches without obligation.
Please feel free to get in touch to arrange an introductory discussion.