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Karel Dörner

Senior PartnerMunich

Karel Dörner

Senior PartnerMunich

Uses his extensive experience in digital transformation, digital marketing, multichannel technology, and e-commerce to help retail and consumer-goods clients

A leader of McKinsey Digital in Germany, Karel also leads McKinsey Digital labs in Western Europe. He helps clients to discover and implement unique technological and cultural solutions that lead to rapid, sustainable results.

In his broad digital transformation and marketing experience, Karel has led retail, media, consumer goods, and B2B companies in developing and applying digital transformations, e-commerce strategies, and multichannel technology and marketing efforts.

Karel’s recent work includes the following:

  • defining the digital strategy of a €40 billion global transport and logistics company—by helping it to launch a secure online communications system and to set up a digital business and a digital lab
  • helping a €20 billion European retailer develop its multichannel operations, including IT and logistics
  • supporting and guiding a global €22 billion retail leader in implementing an IT transformation, including IT portfolio management, governance, sourcing, and architecture strategy

Karel has addressed digital leaders at NOAH conferences and maintains a large, intensive network within the European start-up community. Before joining McKinsey, he cofounded and was managing director of eBay Europe. Karel also established Aventeon Inc., a US-based mobile ERP-software provider where he served as CEO. While he enjoys staying in close contact with business founders and entrepreneurs, he most cherishes his role as father to four true digital natives.

Published work

Reinventing our economy from within,” McKinsey & Company, November 2023

From owner to user: Why consumers want more flexible car access models,” McKinsey & Company, September 2023

Customer lifetime value: The customer compass,” McKinsey & Company, October 2021

Entrepreneurship zeitgeist 2030,” McKinsey & Company, October 2021

Five traps to avoid: The long game of DTC and e-commerce,” McKinsey & Company, September 2021

Europe’s innovation wunderkinds: The rising B2B start-up ecosystem,” McKinsey & Company, April 2021

Can’t buy love: Corporate-start-up partnerships in the DACH region,” McKinsey & Company, September 2020

What ‘digital’ really means,” McKinsey & Company, July 2015

Past experience

eBay Europe
Cofounder and managing director

Aventeon Inc.
Founder and CEO

Education

Otto Beisheim School of Management
MBA, international business, finance