I work as a consultant on the Group project responsible for integrating Finnish-based Sampo Bank, which Danske Bank acquired in the autumn of 2006. For example, I sit on the steering committee that assesses new proposals and ideas and considers business development. When all technical and system changes have been implemented, the most important tasks will be planning and carrying out staff training. A team has already started on these tasks because staff must learn the Danske Bank way of doing business as soon as possible. Afterwards, I will continue my country responsibilities for Sampo Bank, just as my nearest colleagues are responsible for Sweden, Norway, Ireland, etc. I travel a lot and draw on my international experience from my previous job.
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Christina Madsen, 33 years |
Qualifications: MSc (financial marketing)
Job title: Senior Consultant
Location: Group Business Development & Marketing
Experience: Eight years as a project manager with Wonderful Copenhagen |
Results are quickly apparent
The integration of Sampo Bank is a huge project, but we can quickly see the results of our work. The conversion process involving new IT systems, products, marketing material, letterhead and bank signs is gigantic. Everything will be changed in just a few days. And everything must interact at the right time – just like a band playing together.
We have a very open culture that welcomes new ideas. So there is no saying ”we did that seven years ago – and it didn’t work out”. My immediate superiors listen to what I have to say, and my contributions affect the process, allowing me to leave my mark on decisions.
High level of professional standards
I applied for the job because I really wanted to do something completely different and because I have always considered Danske Bank a professional organisation with a high level of professional standards. The pressure of work is high, and you often get carried away by the many tasks. However, Danske Bank also leaves room for humour and funny comments, and this suits me really well.
I have a flexible schedule and can organise my work independently. Of course, there are deadlines to meet, but nobody frowns at colleagues rushing off to pick up their children. In return, you sometimes turn on the PC at home and do some work later in the evening. Working at home is also OK if you have a lot of reading to do or if you need to prepare a strategy draft that requires concentration and peace and quiet.
Getting and providing feedback
My colleagues and I each have our individual responsibilities, but we remember to co-ordinate our work so that none of us gets flooded with tasks. We have different backgrounds and qualifications, and working together with individually competent and committed colleagues is rewarding. We often use each other as sounding boards to get a more balanced view of the projects in which we are involved.
Getting to know the big organisation has been an exciting challenge. We are all pursuing the same goals even though we have different ideas about how to reach them. When the Group makes a decision to do something, the resources are available, and it’s full steam ahead. This is a great feeling.