After successfully graduating as an accountant (IHK Frankfurt/Main), André Scharmann advised tradesmen, service providers and industry, as well as aid and independent welfare organisations, on the rollout and use of systems for accounting, cost accounting and controlling, As an expert on accounting and taxes, he also worked in consulting for start-up companies.
Since 2009, André Scharmann has been supporting our team in consulting for international aid organisations and especially in developing and conducting seminars. André Scharmann travels regularly, including to project countries in Africa and Asia.
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Pakistan, Rumania, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, Yemen, Zimbabwe
What has been your most memorable experience as a WINPACCS consultant and trainer abroad?
For me, every training format we offer is a meaningful opportunity to connect with our users around the world. Whether it’s webinars, on‑site seminars in Wetzlar or individual trainings abroad, I value the encounters with the people who use WINPACCS.
As an example, we regularly welcome international guests to our head office in Wetzlar, but I also travel frequently for individual training sessions abroad. One of these experiences has stayed with me in particular. During a training session abroad, word had spread quickly and far more users joined than expected — around 40 to 50 participants in total. What impressed me most was their eagerness to learn and the genuine curiosity they brought to every question. The conditions were far from ideal, with about 20 people in a very small room and many more joining online, yet the atmosphere remained positive and motivating.
Moments like these remind me how deeply people care about understanding WINPACCS and how the software supports organisations working under difficult conditions in their valuable work. These encounters with our partners also strengthened my conviction that hybrid and online formats are incredibly valuable. Today, users across the world can access WINPACCS training easily through webinars, on‑site sessions and hybrid events, allowing us to support many more users as effectively as possible.
If WINPACCS had an animal as a mascot, which one would it be and why?
Off the top of my head, I’d say an elephant is a surprisingly good fit for WINPACCS. Elephants symbolise strength, reliability, an amazing memory, and the ability to keep track of things – even when things get complex. That’s exactly what WINPACCS does on a daily basis: many countries, many processes, lots of data – and yet everything remains consistent and traceable. The elephant conveys this ‘we’ve got it under control’ message in a very appealing way.
If you prefer something a touch more dynamic and modern, the ant would also be an exciting idea for a mascot. It stands for teamwork, structure and efficiency. Many small tasks mesh perfectly together, and in the end the whole thing works. That reminds me very much of WINPACCS: individual modules on their own – and together a system that keeps organisations running reliably. As someone from Central Hesse, I find elephants even more exciting than ants, which is why I propose the elephant as the mascot for WINPACCS.
What do you appreciate most about the WINPACCS team culture?
What I appreciate most is the constant sense of encouragement and support. Whenever you need advice, whether it’s “How did that work again?” or “What’s the best way to approach this?”, there is always someone willing to help and think things through with you. That kind of openness and collaboration is something I really value and never take for granted.
And those who have been around for a while know my occasionally quirky sense of humour and still manage to stay kind to me.
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