Just Say Yes
Breaking the Routine: As the Head of Marketing and Business Development at grow platform, Julia Pesch faces new challenges every day – and that’s exactly what she thrives on! Thanks to a culture of trust within the company, Julia can seamlessly balance her demanding role with her family planning.
When Julia was asked in April this year to take on Business Development in addition to Marketing, she didn’t have to think twice before saying yes. The fact that she was already pregnant at the time wasn’t an issue at all – even though everyone knew she would soon be off for a few months. “Everyone reacted positively, saying, ‘We’ll make it work,’” Julia recalls. “It’s really a privilege to have these kinds of opportunities at a big company like Bosch.” Even though she didn’t quite know what was in store for her, she took the leap into the unknown. The company culture at grow platform gave her the confidence that she needed: “We trust you and your skills – and together, we’ll find a solution.”
A little courage goes a long way
This mindset, which places equal emphasis on both business and people, captured Julia’s imagination right from the start. So, when a maternity cover role opened up in Bosch’s Corporate Communications department at the end of 2016, she didn’t hesitate. “I already had a lot of friends working at Bosch who had only great things to say,” she recalls. The chance to join this team was too good to pass up. She quit her permanent position at a prestigious company for what was initially a temporary contract at Bosch. “It was the best decision I could have made,” Julia says. For two years, she successfully advanced digital communications initiatives such as paid media, campaign management, and digital analytics.
Between start-up and corporate
Before joining Bosch in 2016, Julia, a trained communications manager, had already worked with two start-ups (including MyMüsli) and two large corporations (Daimler and DEKRA) in marketing and communications. After two years as a Digital Communications Manager in Bosch’s corporate team, she transitioned to the grow platform team in late 2018, where she became Head of Marketing in June 2020. In April 2024, she also took on Business Development at grow platform.
The freedom to shape her path
Julia’s move to grow platform in 2018 wasn’t entirely surprising. Even before Bosch, she had experienced both the start-up and corporate worlds. The challenge of blending these two environments was something that intrigued her deeply. “It wasn’t even the job profile that excited me so much, but the whole concept. How do you bring the dynamism of an early-stage start-up into a huge, established corporation?” She started in marketing at grow platform and by mid-2020, took over the department. Since then, she has achieved a lot, including building an international team that now supports Bosch Intrapreneurs all over the world. “I love the freedom to shape things myself. To set my own direction, choose who to work with, and how – that’s what makes this job so special,” Julia enthuses.
Empowering women to pursue senior roles
With her additional responsibilities in Business Development, new challenges arise every day, requiring strategic thinking: Where are we headed? How can we support our goals? What skills do we need? This is exactly the kind of challenge Julia relishes. “What drives me is the new, the innovative. Building things and processes from scratch, especially in uncertain situations – that might scare some people, but I find it incredibly exciting.” With this mindset, she approaches her upcoming maternity leave with ease. “I have full confidence in my deputies; they’re going to do an amazing job. And when I return, there will be new challenges waiting for us to tackle together.”
Despite some hard-fought gains, women’s representation in senior and leadership roles is not keeping pace as identified by Harvard Business School, McKinsey, in partnership with LeanIn.Org, or the World Economic Forum.
Talented women tend to avoid applying for advanced positions unless they meet every single qualification. Overcoming self-doubt requires a shift in mindset and the development of self-confidence. Addressing self-doubt is essential for achieving gender diversity in leadership positions. At grow platform, we are aware that gender diversity in the workplace is important for business success and innovation which is why we constantly work towards taking proactive measures to address gender inequality and create a more inclusive work environment. Supporting women's career development, providing mentorship, and implementing flexible work policies are key strategies for promoting gender diversity.
“In a work environment like ours, where people believe in you, sometimes the best thing you can do is just say yes. Having the chance to try things out for yourself is one of the greatest opportunities at grow platform.”
A solution for every situation
Julia’s ability to continue pursuing her professional goals, even while expecting a child, has been an incredibly positive experience for her. Bosch’s company culture made it all possible: whether it’s maternity leave, parental leave, or flexible working models for those caring for family members, there’s a solution tailored to every employee’s life situation. “At Bosch, business and people truly go hand in hand,” Julia confirms.
