Partner
Strong Partnerships for Effective Learning
“Methodological diversity is not an end in itself. It arises from collaboration with strong partners—and serves a single goal: to choose the most precise learning and development design for every challenge, not the most convenient one.”
— Priv.-Doz. Dr. ès sc. habil. Alexander Schiller
Thiagi is internationally regarded as the most influential figure in interactive learning and simulation-based training design.
Over four decades, he has demonstrated that learning is effective when participants think, decide, and act—not when they listen. Thiagi is the author of more than 40 textbooks, the developer of over 90 educational games and simulations, and hundreds of field-tested learning architectures used worldwide in education, science, and organizations. His contribution lies not in individual methods, but in a consistent design principle: content is not explained, but discovered through activities.
I have been working closely with Thiagi for over ten years. Our partnership stands for consistently effective learning architecture: clear learning objectives, minimal instruction, maximum engagement. I specifically apply Thiagi’s methods—from structured interactions to simulation-based learning formats and card-based decision-making processes—in leadership, team, and transfer formats. The result: high engagement, robust insights, and sustainable transfer into everyday work.
Seminar with Thiagi: Interactive Training and Teaching Strategies & AI
Together with Thiagi, I have been offering an intensive 3-day (online) seminar on interactive training and teaching strategies for many years. The seminar is aimed at trainers, teachers, professors, facilitators, and instructional designers who want to make learning more effective—moving beyond lecture-style formats, PowerPoint routines, and arbitrary methods.
The focus is on the consistent design of learning activities: structured interactions, games, simulations, jolts, card and frame games, as well as interactive lectures. This is complemented by the thoughtful use of AI assistance systems in learning and training design. The goal is not “more methods,” but better decisions in the design of learning processes—situationally appropriate, scalable, and transfer-oriented.
The seminar is held regularly on an international basis, live online, with extensive materials, recordings, and access to the digital learning platform. It bears the BDVT’s “Recommended Seminar” seal.
Prof. Dr. Axel Koch is one of the leading change psychologists in the German-speaking world.
He holds a Ph.D. in psychology, is a professor of Training & Coaching at the University of Applied Management in Ismaning, and specializes in the topics of learning transfer and sustainable change. He is the author of the business bestsellers “The Continuing Education Lie” and “Change My Ass,” as well as the books “The Transfer Strength Method,” “Logbook: Changing Habits Sustainably,” “Morgen fang ich aber wirklich an!” (I’ll Really Start Tomorrow! How We Finally Implement Change) (awarded Book of the Year 2025 by the eLearning Journal).
For more than thirty years, he has worked in training, coaching, and organizational development, with deep insights into change processes, leadership, and sustainable behavioral change.
With the Transfer Strength Method®, Axel Koch has developed a unique, scientifically grounded model that describes the self-management skills and attitudes people need to successfully and sustainably implement desired behavioral changes. An indispensable skill for transferring what has been learned from behavior-oriented training into practice. The method was awarded the German Continuing Education Prize in 2011 and forms the basis for numerous coaching, training, and human resources development formats. It also helps empower people in times of constant change and transformation.
Simdustry stands for simulation-based learning in complex organizations.
Together with Stefanie Flecke and Dirk Fröhlich, I work in areas where abstract relationships need to be made tangible: strategy, collaboration, leadership, and decision-making dynamics.
Simdustry simulations, such as SimComplexity, make systems visible. Participants experience in a condensed form how decisions play out, where coordination fails, and why good intentions come to nothing without an understanding of the system. Learning does not come from explanation, but from consequence.
The partnership combines simulation-based organizational logic with facilitation, reflection, and transfer design. The result is training formats that change mindsets, not just train behavior.
Training Circle – Community of Practice for Complex Large-Scale Client Formats
The Training Circle is a well-established Community of Practice for the design and implementation of extensive training and development programs for major clients. It was established to implement not individual workshops, but scaled learning architectures: multi-stage, consistent, adaptable, and effective over extended periods.
The Circle comprises experienced trainers, facilitators, and organizational developers who share a common approach, compatible models, and coordinated teaching methods. Content, methods , and language are adaptable—regardless of who is in the room. This enables parallel workshop series, modular programs, and reliable quality even in highly complex situations.
The core team includes:
• Dr. Alexander Britz
AI Empowerment, Leadership, Project and Time Management
Dr. Alexander Britz is a trainer and facilitator whose mission is to equip scientists with the methods and tools they need to succeed in their careers. As a physicist with a Ph.D., he previously worked in interdisciplinary research spanning physics, chemistry, and materials science. In his workshops and training sessions, he focuses on digital skills—including data science and artificial intelligence—as well as effective communication, presentation, and leadership.
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• Dr. Juliane Handschuh
Diversity, Career, Self-Presentation
Juliane Handschuh holds a Ph.D. in neurobiology and has over 10 years of experience in research and teaching at university and non-university research institutions. As a freelance trainer with over 5 years of experience in scientific human resources development, she supports scientists in the areas of communication, leadership, career development, and time and self-management—and is particularly committed to promoting diversity and equal opportunity in science.
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• Dr. Jan Schmidt
Leadership, Conflict Management, Agile Work Techniques
After 14 years in academic administration—including over 10 years in leadership roles—he took the leap into freelance work: that is the short version of Dr. Jan Schmidt’s professional biography. Today, he works as a trainer and consultant for universities, public administration, and companies, and has firsthand knowledge of the dynamics between strategy, culture, and everyday practice. As the founder of the European Institute for Academic and Professional Development (EIAPD), he combines international perspectives with pragmatic implementation.
For over 10 years, he has been designing and facilitating training sessions on leadership, communication, conflict management, and the meaningful use of AI—always with a focus on what truly makes a difference in everyday work. His style is engaging and dialogue-based: He consistently draws on participants’ prior knowledge, brings humor and energy to the room, and ensures that learning takes place not just through slides, but through real conversations, exercises, and clear steps for applying what’s learned.
• Dr. Christian Baron
Team, Organization & Systems, Projects
Dr. Christian Baron is a trainer, consultant, systemic coach, and author specializing in academic and research contexts. With a Ph.D. in materials science and 10 years of leadership experience in academia and industry, he understands the unique pressures faced by researchers—from publication pressure to career uncertainty. As the founder of zusammen-weiterdenken, he has been supporting scientists and their research teams for the past 5 years in career transitions, improved collaboration, and sustainable work practices.
The shared mission: to serve major clients professionally, with clear governance, coordinated roles, and high methodological precision.
The Training Circle stands for reliability in the background—and impact within the system.