Theo Herzog is one of the Top 10 Coaches profiled in November 2019 in a dedicated supplement of Lufthansa Exclusive Magazine and in January 2020 in Manager Magazin. As part of the “Top 10 People” feature the editorial team selected and profiled ten coaches from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. As an “expert in lean engineering and construction”, Theo Herzog explains on page two of the Top 10 Coaches booklet how innovative consulting approaches lead to long-lasting partnerships between him and his clients.
Consequent. Results-oriented. Partnership-based.
The basis of his consulting practice: deep expert knowledge, a clear approach and, above all, measurable results. That combination has produced long-running partnerships with mid-sized and large industrial companies in process plants, mechanical engineering, shipbuilding, infrastructure and building construction.
Research meets practice
Theo Herzog cooperates with academic partners to bring modern approaches such as advanced analytics, data-driven execution and hybrid project management into industrial practice. Initial applications and dedicated training programmes are already running successfully.
Philosophy and stance
Inspired by Ray Dalio’s principles of “radical open-mindedness and radical transparency,” Herzog deliberately challenges his clients to leave behind familiar mental models. This is about more than just methodological knowledge — it is about a performance-oriented company culture, resilience under pressure and targeted restructuring where necessary.
Smart. Lean. Agile.
By founding Lean Maritime, Lean Plant and Lean Construction, Theo Herzog set a clear focus: operational excellence in capital-intensive major projects. For more than 15 years he has been supporting organisations in cost reduction, process improvement and profit growth.
The combination of Smart, Lean and Agile puts project organisations in a position to decide faster, act more efficiently and respond flexibly to market change. The result: high-performance teams with start-up mentality — even in the industrial major-project environment.
Voices from practice
Clients — including managing directors, board members and project directors of well-known companies — particularly praise the consulting team’s quick grasp, high adaptability and solution-oriented way of working: “constructive, structured, reliable and creative — also outside of the familiar.”
Personal background
Theo Herzog studied civil engineering and business administration in Darmstadt and Karlsruhe. He gained his first consulting experience at Porsche Consulting in lean construction. In 2010 he founded his first own company. Today he runs international mandates from Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Singapore and Miami. Outside of consulting, he enjoys downhill mountain biking and gardening — physical activity and time outside as counterweight.