Volker Jaeckel

Key Account Consultant for Germany | B2B | D2C

AUTOMOTIVE SALES & MARKETING LEADER | 24 YEARS U.S. MARKET EXPERTISE

I've spent over two decades transforming how luxury automotive brands connect with customers in the world's most competitive market. One of my greatest achievement? Leading Mercedes-Benz of Temecula to 30% market share growth during the 2020/2021 pandemic, recognized by MBUSA as the ONLY dealership worldwide that grew while others stagnated.

PANDEMIC SUCCESS STORY
- Generated $2.16M additional revenue during COVID-19
- Achieved 300% marketing ROI through AI-driven strategies  
- Increased service revenue by 297% and parts revenue by 174%
- Grew internet leads 39%, inbound calls 89%

HOLISTIC BUSINESS APPROACH & EXECUTIVE COACHING
I don't see dealerships as separate profit centers – I see them as symphonic business systems. As a Certified DISC Business Executive & Marketing Coach, I help C-level executives understand the correlation between R&D, Marketing, Sales, Service, and Customer Experience, using data analytics to optimize total organizational health.

BUSINESS COACHING & ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP
- Affiliate Business Coach: Randall W. Lewis Center for Entrepreneurship, CA 
- Executive in Residence Coach: California State University, San Marcos
- Founder & President: FocalPoint Business Coaching & Training Temecula Valley
- Featured Speaker: "Communication Breakthrough" & "DNA of an Entrepreneur" programs
- International coaching for automotive companies in Germany, Italy, and the U.S.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP & SPEAKING
- Author: "The Digital Dealership" (2014) 
- Co-Author: "How to Survive and Thrive" (2024) with Reebok founder Joe Foster
- International Keynote Speaker: Autohaus eMarketing Days & DEKRA Gebrauchtwagentage (Germany), Internet Motors Milano, Digital Dealer Conferences
- Monthly workshops: Entrepreneurial Resource Center, Chamber of Commerce events

MULTI-BRAND EXPERTISE
Latest: Successfully managed 8+ luxury brands simultaneously - Mercedes-Benz, AMG, Sprinter, Audi, Volvo, Polestar, Jaguar, Land Rover with $9.8M budget responsibility.

CERTIFICATIONS
- Professional Certified Marketer® (American Marketing Association)
- Certified Digital Marketing Professional (Digital Marketing Institute, Dublin, IRL)  
- International Business Executive Coach (Brian Tracy International)
- Certified DISC Behavioral Analyst (FocalPoint International)

Currently seeking strategic leadership and digital marketing opportunities with progressive European automotive groups ready for digital transformation and executive development.

German Citizen | EU Work Authorized | Fluent German & English

Member of the Digital Sales & Marketing Advisory Board | B2B

➤ Serving an advisory role thru strategic reviews, suggestions, and program support to continuously enhance the quality of Volvo's national online exposure and programs.
➤ Consult Volvo's national manager suite through monthly meetings to enhance dealer network offerings.

Can you believe it? 17 years later, more gray set, wrinkles - nope, and still on the mission to change the digital automotive strategy here and abroad. To the next 17 years!

Volker Jaeckel - Top-10 automotive eCommerce Directors in the U.S. in 2009

Marcus Aurelius made one of history's worst leadership decisions. He chose his son Commodus as successor, and Rome paid the price. His private journal reveals why smart leaders make catastrophic choices. 

Spoiler: It's probably running your leadership team right now. 

Part 2 of my Marcus Aurelius series is live in The Pursuit of Leadership.

#Leadership #ExecutiveLeadership #Communication #ThePursuitOfLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #CultureMatters

View newsletter: In the Pursuit of Leadership

Part 2 of 3: What Marcus Aurelius’s Private Journal Reveals About Modern Leadership Last week, I told you about binge-watching Gladiator and Gladiator

Open article: When Ego Runs the Show (And Nobody Tells You) by Volker Jaeckel • 8 min read

When Ego Runs the Show (And Nobody Tells You)

Weekend plans: Gladiator (I + II) movie marathon. Unexpected result: Leadership wake-up call. Marcus Aurelius wrote himself daily reminders about not screwing up as a leader. The once most powerful man in the world needed these notes. What makes you think you don't? 

Part 1 is live in my newsletter "The Pursuit of Leadership."

#leadershipdaily #leadermindset #leadershiplessons #focalpointcoaching #CoachVJ

Part 1 of 3: What Marcus Aurelius’s Private Journal Reveals About Modern Leadership I spent last weekend doing something I rarely do. I binge-watched 

Open article: The Self-Awareness Crisis Destroying Your Leadership by Volker Jaeckel • 7 min read

The Self-Awareness Crisis Destroying Your Leadership

You've read about the self-awareness crisis. You've seen how ego destroys teams. Now here's what to actually do about it. Marcus Aurelius practiced this for decades. Most modern leaders won't touch it. 

Part 3 of my series is live in The Pursuit of Leadership newsletter.

#Leadership #CultureTransformation #ExecutiveLeadership #ThePursuitOfLeadership #LeadershipSkills #TeamBuilding #focalpointcoaching

Part 3 of 3: What Marcus Aurelius’s Private Journal Reveals About Modern Leadership This series started with a weekend binge-watch. Gladiator and Glad

Open article: The Ancient Solution Modern Leaders Won’t Try by Volker Jaeckel • 8 min read

The Ancient Solution Modern Leaders Won’t Try

IQ gets you into the boardroom, but only EQ allows you to lead it effectively. When you are wondering why your team is hitting a wall, the culprit might be a lack of emotional resonance rather than a lack of talent. 

I’m breaking down the findings from Daniel Goleman’s book "Primal Leadership" and how they apply to modern DISC behavioral assesment dynamics in today’s post.

#DISC #FocalPointCoaching #BehavioralAssessment #newleadership #PrimalLeadership

I believe we’ve all seen it. A C-suite filled with the “smartest people in the room.” They have the MBAs, the 10-year growth strategies, and the most 

Open article: The Ghost in the Boardroom: Why Your KPIs Are Crying for Help by Volker Jaeckel • 3 min read

The Ghost in the Boardroom: Why Your KPIs Are Crying for Help

Hey Managers, on which side do you see yourself? More on this can be found in my latest NL article "The Ghost in the Boardroom" - link below 👇 

https://lnkd.in/gxm_Ms-d

If we look past the geopolitical headlines, there is a subtext that every executive needs to hear: The Doomsday Clock is a scoreboard for failed leadership.

#focalpointcoaching #leadershipcoach #wakeup

The Doomsday Clock moved to 85 seconds before midnight this week. The closest it's been in 78 years. Reason? Scientists cite "failure of leadership" at the highest levels.

I read that announcement and saw the same patterns playing out in every boardroom I've worked in. Failed leadership looks the same at every level. The scale changes. The behaviors don't.

You're not negotiating nuclear treaties. But you are making daily choices that either move your organization forward or push it closer to its own midnight.

I wrote about the five specific changes executives can make tomorrow to break these patterns. Read it here ...👇 

#failedleadership #leadershipdevelopment #leadershipskills #5vor12 #eleventhhour

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists moved the Doomsday Clock to 85 seconds before midnight this week. That's the closest it's been in 78 years. The 

Open article: When Scientists Warn Us About Failed Leadership by Volker Jaeckel • 4 min read

When Scientists Warn Us About Failed Leadership

Your leadership style hasn’t evolved since 2016?
Sorry, you aren’t leading!
You’re reminiscing.

A decade ago, we were obsessed with "engagement surveys," "climbing the ladder," and the "globalization" of the office. 

In 2026, those concepts feel like relics. We’ve moved from the Engagement Era to the Augmented Era, and the rules of the game have fundamentally changed.

Leading today isn't about having all the answers.

It’s about being the person who knows how to ask the right questions. Whether addressed to a human team or your AI partners.

The shift from managing to orchestrating is the defining challenge of this year. 

Below is what that looks like in practice:

AI Fluency > Digital Literacy: It’s no longer enough to "use" tools. 
You need to partner with AI to augment your strategy and decision-making.

Psychological Safety > Employee Engagement: Retention isn't about perks; it's about creating "brave spaces" where failing fast is safe, and wellness is a core KPI.

Skills-Based Agility > Corporate Ladders: The ladder is broken. We’re now building internal talent marketplaces based on "adaptability & learnability."

Real-Time Coaching > Annual Reviews: The feedback "sandwich" is officially stale. In 2026, we thrive on continuous, AI-assisted feedback loops.

Check out the visual breakdown below for the full "Then vs. Now" comparison.

#Leadership2026 #FutureOfWork #AILeadership #ManagementTips #CoachVJ  #FocalPointCoaching

Leadership Tips 2026 vs. 2016 by Coach VJ (Volker Jaeckel) @ Focal Point Business Coaching Temecula Valley, California

How did Leadership evolve in the last 10 years?

My vision loss in high school changed how I experienced technology and shaped the way I think about product experiences. It pushed me toward a career focused on human-centered, innovative tech and the marketing that helps people understand and adopt it. 

I started in sales at GoSite and moved quickly into marketing at TASCO MTB, where I ran performance marketing campaigns, influencer programs, and event marketing. I later shifted into assistive technology and accessibility, creating my YouTube channel Adapting Sight to share user experience insights and help teach about assistive tech tools, and grow my creative skills..

My work with Blind Institute of Technology, Open Inclusion, and Fable introduced me to deep user research and accessibility testing across web and mobile apps. That experience taught me how to translate real user needs into actionable product and marketing improvements—skills that now shape how I approach messaging, product positioning, and customer understanding.

At Clusiv, I served first as Accessibility Manager and then as Growth Manager. I helped launch multiple web and mobile products, supported product teams unfamiliar with accessibility, and increased MQLs by 200 percent through multi-channel growth campaigns, webinars, PR, partnerships, and paid media. This blend of product experience and go-to-market work grounded me in balancing strategy and execution.

My consulting roles further strengthened my product marketing background. At Fable, I humanized the brand through tester stories and content campaigns. At Olark, I improved usability and produced product tutorials. At Aira, I combined user research with product marketing—leading the Aira AI Advisory Group, supporting launches like Access AI, and contributing to major partnerships including Meta Ray-Bans and Walmart. Much of this work centered on mobile app experiences and helping users adopt new technology.

Beyond these roles, I’ve collaborated with Sony, Adobe, and OC Sports & Entertainment on accessibility research and training, and I’ve spoken across K-12 schools, universities, CSUN Conference, and the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.

My career blends product marketing, storytelling, user insight, and accessible design to help companies build innovative, human-centered products—and communicate their value clearly. I’m excited to continue supporting mission-driven tech companies by creating marketing that elevates their message, strengthens user engagement, and drives meaningful growth.

Blake Steinecke

If all technology were made "accessible" in 2026,

It wouldn’t have the impact you might expect unless this happens.

In addition to technology becoming more accessible,

People with disabilities need to learn how to use technology.

Whether it’s consumer tech, assistive tech, or a combination of both.

It can be so challenging, both emotionally and technically to learn these tools. 

Don't get me started on how many times I've wanted to throw my computer off the roof.

Technology companies need to meet people with disabilities in the middle.

In light of this, technology should be developed in a way that is usable and intuitive.

On top of good design, I’d love to see more resources, tutorials, screen reader guides, etc. to make it easier for people with disabilities to use technology.

From your experience, what’s the biggest barrier between accessible tech and people with disabilities being able to use it?

#Accessibility #AssistiveTechnology #InclusiveDesign

Helping innovative, mission-driven tech companies create human-centered products that connect with users through collaborative marketing | Product Marketer | Public Speaker | Inclusive AI| Blind Athlete

I love seeing CSUSM hosting this upcoming event.
It made me want to share how my journey through CSUSM had a dramatic impact on my social mobility as a student with a disability. 

Going in to college being new to vision loss I was filled with doubts.

How could I keep up in college?
Could I get a job while in school?
Could I get a job when I graduate?
Would someone want to date me?
How would I navigate a social life?
And more...

Before I even started my classes, I was embraced with support.

My Disability Support Services counselor/academic advisor, saw my strengths and connected me with suppport.

I met with two blind students that showed me the ropes and answered my questions.

Although there were many accessibility barriers, I was given the people, resources and support to succeed.

When faced with doubts, there were people that believed in my when I couldn't.

I got my first jobs on campus and learned so much. 

I got involved on campus...and ended up meeting my wife.

I ended up graduating a semester early with my degree in marketing, minor in Spanish, 3.77 GPA, and the Dean's award for the marketing department. 

Since graduating five years ago, I've done all sorts of jobs, gotten married, grown as an athlete, public speaker, started a family, and more.

This social mobility wouldn't have been possible without my journey at CSUSM, and the support of family and friends. 

Looking back, the biggest value I got from CSUSM was not the things I learned in a text book.

It was:
Learning to adapt and overcome accessibility barriers.
Advocating for myself.
The people I met and the support they gave.
The confidence I built.
Resources I was given towards my academic and career success.
And all sorts of other soft skills.

Hopefully my story can capture how well deserved it is for CSUSM to host this event. 
Beyond the school's statistics and awards for social mobility, there are students and stories like mine that can help shine a light on that impact.

California State University San Marcos CSUSM College of Business #CSUSM

President at California State University San Marcos

I’m pleased to share that California State University San Marcos will host the 2026 National #SocialMobility Symposium on February 6, 2026, a virtual gathering focused on the vital role higher education plays in expanding workforce and economic mobility. This year’s program will examine how colleges and universities can serve as engines of lifelong success, featuring a dynamic panel discussing employer expectations, talent pipelines, systemic barriers to career readiness and innovative policies shaping mobility nationwide.

Register here: https://lnkd.in/gshcbFfZ

Hosted annually by CSUSM, the National Social Mobility Symposium brings together leading voices from academia, think tanks, industry partners and policymakers to explore how higher education can advance social and economic mobility. By leveraging expertise from across the nation and across sectors, the symposium inspires new ideas to help students from all backgrounds succeed.

Registration is free for all attendees thanks to the generosity of sponsors, including the Stone Brewing Fund for Social Mobility at CSUSM. I encourage you to register and join the discussion.

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The Battle

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Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Volker Jaeckel's LinkedIn Performance

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