Allianz celebrates customer delight with a grand gala

Working with Allianz is simply a pleasure. Last night, I had the privilege of once again hosting the Allianz Gala of Customer Delight in the atmospheric Theatro Zelt in Munich—and once again, it was an evening full of emotion, appreciation, and great moments.

Customer delight as a strategic success factor

At Allianz, customer delight is not just a buzzword, but a clear strategic focus. Back in 2024, I had the privilege of accompanying the first-ever Customer Delight Roadshow in nine German cities with my keynote speech on the fan principle. So I was all the more delighted to be asked to host the gala for the second time.

During the evening, awards were presented for the best customer enthusiasts and for the most compelling customer story. The presence of CEO Frank Sommerfeld and the entire Executive Board impressively underscored the importance of this topic for Allianz: customer enthusiasm is lived and promoted at the highest management level here.

The circus is in town

The evening was themed around the motto “circus” – and it was my job to take around 220 office staff on this special journey. Day after day, they work not only to satisfy customers, but to turn them into true fans of Allianz.

Wearing a top hat and the opulent tuxedo of a circus director, I was able to conduct interviews, announce awards, and present extraordinary artists. From magicians to aerial artists who spectacularly rappelled down on their hair, the evening offered impressive show acts and an atmosphere that made the excitement palpable.

Always a pleasure

After the official show, the evening ended with an after-party – with lots of good conversations, familiar encounters, and new contacts. For me, this evening was further proof of how powerful corporate culture can be when it is lived authentically.

Evenings like this make it clear what is possible when customer enthusiasm is taken seriously. I look forward to the next step together. What does customer delight mean to you and how is it lived out in your company? Feel free to leave me a comment.