Kay O Kissling
Executive Consultant
If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough...
Mario Andretti
Turning complex industrial solutions into profitable, scalable businesses.
From market validation to operational excellence: bridging strategy, engineering, and execution.
What I Do
Two complementary pillars — uniting strategy, execution, and measurable results.
Focus Area – Commercialization & Growth
Turning technical excellence into market traction and scalable revenue.
I help organizations validate markets, model business opportunities, and build repeatable go-to-market systems that convert engineering strength into commercial performance.
Every engagement starts with strategic insight — market and competitive analysis, SWOT and readiness assessments, and business modelling to define the right value proposition and growth path. From there, I translate strategy into action through sales architecture, channel design, and execution support.
Typical results: validated markets, first revenues, structured sales processes, and aligned teams.
Core competencies:
Market Validation · Business Modelling · Go-to-Market Design · Sales Architecture · Expansion Strategy
Focus Area – Operational & Cost Excellence
Driving sustainable profitability and operational performance.
I apply design-to-cost, modularization, and complexity-management frameworks to optimize products and processes from development to delivery. Each initiative is structured as a project with clear milestones and ownership — combining strategic alignment and hands-on project management to deliver tangible outcomes.
Typical results: 30–50 % cost reduction, higher efficiency, and improved margins across engineering and operations.
Core competencies:
Design-to-Cost · Modularization · Process Optimization · Project Management Execution · Complexity Reduction
Together, these pillars form a complete path from market validation to profitable scale. Anchored in strategy, executed through structured projects, and measured by results.
How I work
Commercialize — From Insight to Opportunity
Every project begins with clarity. I analyze market potential, customer needs, and competitive dynamics to validate opportunities and define the right business model.
Core activities: Strategic Market Assessment · Business Modelling · Value Proposition Design · Readiness Assessment
Outcome: validated growth opportunity and an actionable roadmap to market entry or expansion.
Scale — From Strategy to Sales Performance
Once direction is set, I help organizations translate strategy into repeatable commercial success. This includes designing go-to-market systems, structuring sales processes, and leading implementation through focused project management.
Core activities: Go-to-Market Architecture · Sales Enablement · Channel Design · Project Delivery
Outcome: scalable sales engine, aligned teams, and first sustainable revenues.
Optimize — From Execution to Sustainable Profitability
With growth established, I ensure long-term efficiency and profitability by embedding cost and operational excellence. Using design-to-cost, modularization, and continuous-improvement frameworks, I help clients strengthen margins and organizational resilience.
Core activities: Design-to-Cost · Modularization · Process Optimization · Complexity Reduction
Outcome: avg. 30–50 % cost reduction, streamlined operations, and enduring performance culture.
From validation to execution, each step connects strategy, people, and measurable impact — ensuring progress that lasts beyond the project.
Proven Results across Industries
Tangible outcomes from strategy, commercialization, and operational excellence projects in industrial and technology-driven sectors.
Commercialization & Growth
Industrial Tech (AM) / Aerospace
10× revenue growth within 12 months, major pre-launch orders and accelerated international commercialization
Defined and executed the aerospace BU’s go-to-market strategy, aligning direct and channel sales, refining product-market fit, and leading cross-functional sales project teams. Initiated strategic partnerships with aerospace OEMs and managed pre-launch customer engagement for advanced AM systems.
Result: Secured pre-launch contracts covering a significant share of global production capacity and strengthened recurring SaaS revenues.
Industrial Tech (AM) / Aerospace
Strategic shift from indirect to direct sales in EMEA
Developed and implemented the commercial transformation roadmap for the EMEA aerospace segment, shifting from channel-led to direct sales. Conducted competitive benchmarking, refined value proposition, and strengthened strategic relationships with key aerospace OEM accounts.
Result: Recovered major OEM business, stabilized BU profitability, and restored revenue trajectory.
Aviation MRO Services
Expanded long-term revenue base and strengthened customer portfolio
Designed and executed customized key-account strategies, restructured deficit contracts using ERP-driven profitability analysis, and negotiated multi-year extensions with airlines and OEMs. Developed a global-standard account-management reporting tool to improve transparency and margin discipline.
Result: Achieved meaningful revenue increases, reduced financial exposure by 50%, and secured contract extensions that multiplied long-term revenue potential.
Telecommunication Industry
Stabilized revenues and re-established growth trajectory in a consolidating market
Implemented a complete sales framework including advanced sales-process architecture, competitive benchmarking, CRM enablement, governance, and KPI dashboards. Led targeted business development initiatives to break into new customer segments and compensate for revenue losses in a highly competitive, cost-sensitive market environment.
Result: Revenues stabilized and new business secured within six months, strengthening commercial resilience and positioning the organization for renewed growth.
Sales Excellence Program (US West Coast Sales Organization)
Built and implemented a scalable sales system for nationwide B2B growth
Designed and implemented sales concepts, processes, and tools for a US East Coast sales organization targeting the continental US. The project included sales-process architecture, pipeline governance, sales enablement, and data-driven decision frameworks to strengthen the commercial engine and improve customer acquisition.
Result: Improved sales structure, clearer commercial governance, and a scalable foundation for nationwide revenue growth.
International Go-to-Market & Market Entry Programs
Delivered market-entry strategies enabling readiness and commercial traction
Developed US onshoring plans for AM companies, German market-entry and staffing strategies for Eastern European tech firms, and sales excellence frameworks for US-based organizations. Conducted market validation, readiness assessments, and operational blueprints across industrial and high-tech sectors.
Result: Clients gained structured go-to-market architectures, strengthened sales systems, and earlier access to new markets.
Dental Industry SaaS Platform (Stealth-Mode Start-Up)
Developed investor-ready business plan and commercialization roadmap
Conducted full strategic diagnosis including profitability sizing, competitive benchmarking, and customer research. Validated product-market fit, designed the value proposition, aligned stakeholders, and built a phased go-to-market and operational execution roadmap.
Result: Delivered a fully validated business model and commercialization strategy enabling fundraising readiness and accelerated time-to-market.
Operational & Cost Excellence
Telecom Production (Process Optimization)
40 % reduction in process lead-time
Restructured workflows, implemented AI-based training, and designed change-management roadmap for 300+ employees.
Result: measurable efficiency gains and staff performance improvement.Aerospace Components
>50 % cost savings through design-to-cost initiatives
Introduced target-costing framework and modular repair procedures for turbine components.
Result: embedded cost transparency and sustainable margin uplift.
Cross-border Organizational Restructuring
Operational turnaround during management transition
Acted as interim GM, leading EMEA operations for an additive manufacturing firm.
Result: restored stability, aligned leadership, and ensured continuity of business operations.· 20 + years experience · 10× growth delivered · > 50 % cost reduction ·
· Clients across aerospace, manufacturing & technology ·
Ready to explore how your business can grow and scale more profitably?
Available for consulting and interim mandates across Europe and North America. Book an introductory call or send a direct inquiry.
Book a 15-Minute Call
Select...
