Hans Klingbeil joined UBS in 2003. In his role, Hans Klingbeil manages complex relationships with ultra-high-net-worth clients in Latin America, as well as with clients in Europe and the United States. He helps orchestrate bespoke client solutions powered by the firm’s globalized institutional ecosystem, focusing on holistic, well-rounded coverage models. He has enjoyed considerable success with his client portfolio, more than tripling his business in just three years.
Hans Klingbeil has garnered several professional certifications and accreditations during his career in finance, including the Series 7, 24, 55, and 63 licenses. His professional training has yielded a comprehensive knowledge of critical financial services, products and solutions, including securities, investments, financing, alongside supervisory and management skills.
Mr. Klingbeil earned a MS in Finance from Universidad Anáhuac, in addition to his Business Administration degree, both in Mexico, setting the academic foundation for a global perspective that enables Hans to navigate, understand and cover complex client relationships with that same global reach and approach.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
Wake up at 4:25 am. Either go for a swim and a run or do an indoor bike ride.
I’m usually in the office between 7:30 and 8:15 am. I usually start either hosting or joining internal calls at 8:30 am. In my role, I have to be in permanent communication with several internal stakeholders and senior managers. I have client calls at least three to five times a week.
I always wrap my calls outlining any specific action points and follow-up items, which creates structure and accountability. I also travel a lot for work, so I’m constantly either planning business trips and/or going through lists and activity trackers, as well as client individual performance. I try to take a Pareto approach: if 20 percent of my clients generate 80 percent of revenues, then I should focus my time accordingly, in between existing clients and the bigger prospects and opportunities in the pipeline.
I listen to classical music on the train while commuting, and I either go through pending work emails or I read.
I’m usually home between 6 and 7 pm.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Thorough research, brainstorming with key stakeholders, and a comprehensive analysis of pros and cons.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The growing influence of my role and my team within my organization.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
The 3 C’s: consistency, consistency, consistency.
What advice would you give your younger self?
It’s all about the BIGGER (long-term) picture. Be loud(ER). It’s not about timing the market, it’s about time in the market. In all aspects of life.
Tell us something you believe that almost nobody agrees with you on.
In the long run, my role within my organization will become even more relevant with full rollout of AI.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Being honest, always.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
Slow down, rethink. When and if possible, go for a run.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Always be prepared and well-versed on specific subjects, understand client profiles, their asks and their needs, opportunity sets, solutions.
In general, be honest, be consistent, be empathetic, project self-confidence.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
When I was the internal candidate for a senior position, I should have positioned myself better. I reinvented myself professionally and changed roles within my firm. Lesson: be louder, make sure key people know who I am when I am not in the room.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
A business that provides professional financial advice focused on women only.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Copilot: finding and summarizing.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
Books. Pretty self-explanatory.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
Book: What Went Wrong with Capitalism. Very pragmatic and very well documented description of our current economic system.
Podcast: Cracks (Oso Trava – Spanish). Very well-structured interviews with prominent Mexican businessmen and entrepreneurs.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
Point Break. Reminded me of my younger days. My favorite movie.
Key learnings
- Be honest—always.
- The only short cut is hard work.
- Productivity is rooted in the 3 C’s: consistency, consistency, and consistency.
- Discipline and structure are valuable in life and careers.