With the support of Kai Rutkowski, we have achieved cost savings of 30% by outsourcing the application management of our publishing production even with 20% more operating time, higher availability, additional disaster recovery and improved service quality.
We have been working with Kai Rutkowski for more than 20 years both in publishing and in IT. His knowledge of IT and publishing systems is incredible and is always up-to-date. He knows the requirements of publishing houses inside out. He can link both worlds ideally, a fact that has resolved many internal conflicts of interests or avoided them even before they arose. I particularly value the intensity of his analyses and his courage in always asking the right questions, even uncomfortable questions if necessary, when the cause of problems is being investigated. For the reorganisation and ongoing development of our publishing production we proceeded according to a roadmap which we developed together – it proved to be a reliable and future-oriented guide as shown by the fact we had begun to develop it four years ago. His business case centric approach to project management also helped us to keep our main objectives in focus.
Stephan Garre, managing director, Pre-Press-Services GmbH
Rheinische Post Mediengruppe, Düsseldorf, Germany
Kai Rutkowski is one of the best project managers in the world of publishing.
The FUNKE Mediengruppe has introduced SAP IS-M/SD for its sales and distribution. Kai Rutkowski took over this enormously demanding project in a critical phase after it had been running for one and a half years. As overall project head he steered it to successful operation. His project management and team forming ability are really excellent. He structured, planned and directed in masterly fashion. His acceptance within the team and throughout the company was equally important. His know-how and his clear communication earned respect from all sides and with his solution orientation he brought the teams with him even in difficult project situations. His commitment was crucial for the success of the entire project.
Michael Kurowski, CIO
FUNKE Mediengruppe, Essen, Germany
Kai Rutkowski made real changes in our publishing house possible.
Kai Rutkowski is a valuable sparring partner for me. Over six years, we worked together on the reorganisation of our entire publishing system – he supported me as responsible project leader in the Project Support function. His structured approach in the evaluation of systems was crucial to our success in finding the solutions precisely suited to our business processes. His impressive knowledge of IT architecture and publishing processes guided us through all phases of introduction and implementation. We also benefitted greatly from the risk management developed jointly with him – that was, in my view, a very decisive factor in the success of the project. We will certainly work with him again if the start of new pay-for digital products is concerned.“
Oliver Walz, managing director VRM Digital GmbH
VRM, Mayence, Germany
Kai Rutkowski’s contribution as cornerstone of the project management team was crucial in securing our considerable investments in the Czech Republic and Poland.
Kai Rutkowski supported the Verlagsgruppe Passau in several major projects in the Czech Republic and Poland. We benefitted greatly from the fact that he enjoyed a high degree of acceptance among the local participants of each country in the projects. He undertook a wide range of tasks in various functions. No matter what arose, his methodical approach and focus on the strategic objectives were always equally consistent. For myself, he was an important support in contract negotiations – not only is he a very skilful negotiator, the demands of the project are also appropriately reflected in the wording of the contract due to his know-how. He is also therefore the ideal contact partner for the lawyers involved.
Alexander Diekmann, managing director/shareholder
Verlagsgruppe Passau, Passau, Germany