From technical merchant to self-employment to managing director
The Thermalbad Zurzach, which is known throughout Switzerland, knows how to attract attention with surprising ideas and offer the whole family lots of bathing fun. Managing Director Dominik Keller reveals more about his vision and his career.
Mr. Keller, you can't miss the figure of Papa Moll at the Zurzach thermal spa. How did this connection come about?
Dominik Keller: That's how it happened: The creator of Papa Moll, Edith Oppenheim-Jonas, was commissioned by Pro Juventute in 1952 to develop comics. She lived nearby, and her stories have been inspiring young and old ever since. Our common roots provided the impetus for cooperation. In the children's bathing area, for example, we have taken up the theme of Papa Moll. And next to the restaurant, there's the Papa Moll Museum, which appeals to young and old alike: original paints and brushes by Edith Oppenheim-Jonas are on display, and of course the matching book entitled "Papa Moll goes swimming" is not missing.
Who should visit the Zurzach Thermal Baths and why?
All those who seek rest and relaxation and want to have a good time. The original fathers of the thermal bath wanted to offer a bath for the people. We have remained true to this basic idea. The entrance fee is only 19 francs for two hours, and our guests can use all the facilities. What was once a bath for the people is now an oasis of well-being for the people.
Mr. Keller, what is your vision?
In a nutshell: We want to be number 1 as a wellness thermal spa and thus become the total provider of a health and relaxation destination for the whole family: For example, the father does a metabolism check, the children have fun with Papa Moll, and the mother gets pampered in the cosmetics area. The goal of all of us should be to maintain our quality of life into old age. We are moving so fast, we don't feel body and mind anymore. However, lying in 36-degree water has great effects and triggers memories of prenatal times when we lay in amniotic fluid. This knowledge is new - we are still at the beginning with it, but the effects are striking.
Let's talk a bit about your background. Why did you become a technical merchant 20 years ago?
My colleagues had started a year earlier and had been raving about the TC ever since. That's how I got involved. But the teachers were also "fans"! The VWL lecturer, for example, always cut out an article from the newspaper "Cash", which we then dealt with. The Anavant association managed to make fans out of us! This is certainly also due to the fact that the exam is difficult and the pride is great for all those who pass it.
What did you do in the first years after the TC?
I founded a consulting firm and a company in the solarium and wellness sector. Thanks to the TC, the respective company foundation was easier and the training gave me a lot of security for the demanding company management.
How does the TK deal at the time influence your current role as CEO?
The advantage of all TCs is the holistic view. Because the TCs have enjoyed practical training in advance. That is also the case with me. I can talk to all 135 employees at eye level, even though I'm not a specialist in anything - you don't need to be as managing director. I was offered my current position because, as a self-employed person, I wanted to sell fitness equipment to the thermal spa for a few thousand francs. But as a TC, you can see and think outside the box. That's why I didn't offer fitness equipment, but a concept. That was well received, and although I was not yet 30 years old and therefore rather too young, I took up the challenge with the TC behind me. Originally, I thought I would be involved for 2 to 3 years, but that has now turned into 17 years.
Can you still remember the TK exam?
Yes, especially the nervous atmosphere in that big room in Basel. In the evening, we were so frustrated because of the difficult questions that we climbed onto the hotel roof and jumped into the swimming pool from there! People must have thought we were suicides!
Are there still situations in your everyday life today that you can connect with the TC training?
There are always those. Actually, whenever things need to be questioned, questions formulated and topics reflected upon.
Who do you think should do the TC?
Actually, anyone who has a good basic technical education and wants to become self-employed or aspires to a management position. Today, our country has far too many specialists and far too few generalists who see the big picture. Thanks to TC, the interrelationships of all specialties become more tangible and feasible. Because of the practical training, TC students benefit from the very beginning of their education by linking theory with practice.
Do you think you can pass the TC exam today with a grade of 4 off the top of your head?
I don't know, I'd probably do well verbally, but not so much in writing (laughs).
Bad Zurzach http://www.thermalbad.ch
ANAVANT http://www.anavant.ch/de
Dominik Keller joined Thermalbad Zurzach AG as Managing Director in 1998. He developed the company from 45 employees at the time to over 135 today. In total, well over 40 million Swiss francs have been invested during this time. The former aircraft tinsmith graduated in 1995 with a federal TK.
Sustainability is close to Dominik Keller's heart. Under his leadership, for example, it was possible to completely dispense with oil heating at the Zurzach thermal baths and thus with more than one million liters of heating oil per year. Instead, an environmentally friendly wood chip plant supplies energy, coupled with heat recovery. As a subsidiary, Thermalbad Zurzach operates the unique Airport Fitness & Wellness Center at Zurich Airport as well as a new project in Baden - always with the philosophy "by people for people".