I must admit that I was a bit nervous when I first joined the Danske Bank Group in 2005. I thought that I would find a rigid system, but was still convinced that it would be a good place for me to start my business career. This turned out to be true, but I have also learnt that the Group is a flexible and open organisation that has room for me even though I can be a bit rowdy at times.
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Jesper Kjærsgaard-Nielsen, 29 years |
Qualifications: MSc in international marketing and management
Title: Head of section
Location: Nordania Leasing
Experience: Since 2005 |
From sales trainee to manager in four years
This is my fourth job in the Danske Bank Group. I began my career as a sales trainee, moved on to become a financial adviser and was then appointed product manager. Today, I head a sales force of seven people in our sales unit. A lot has happened since 2005, and my responsibilities are now quite different. In my first jobs, I was primarily responsible for my own tasks. Today, I am responsible for a group of people.
Liason between management and employees
Basically, my duties are twofold: I perform strategic tasks such as sitting on various steering committees that help decide Nordania's future direction, but my primary duties are to manage and allocate work among the seven sales people.
This is an exciting but demanding challenge for me. When I leave the office at the end of the day, it is often with a sense of pride because I am responsible for a group of highly competent employees who perform very well - in fact, they perform even better than what is expected of them. This makes up for the fact that the job can be hard at times. As a middle manager, I must learn to liaise between management and employees, and I have had to adjust to the fact that my employees sometimes need to discuss personal matters with me.
Appreciation on several fronts
I really enjoy working for a market leader. We offer a wide range of products so customers do not have to look any further. It is good to be appreciated by customers, and also by both colleagues and management. There is also personal recognition. My friends and family all know Danske Bank and what I do for a living.