- Marianne

Let’s get personal!

What are you most proud of? 

It has to be my children. I have two little boys aged 2 and a half and 6, and they are my biggest achievements! 

‍

Hva er det nærmeste du kommer magi? 

That feeling in the summer, when you're on summer vacation, it's gloriously sunny, and then you come out on the porch in the morning; you look out to sea and the sun reflecting and sparkling in the water, and then it's so strong you can hardly see, and it's warm even though it's early. It's magical.  

‍

Hva er det mest ubrukelige talentet du har? 

*Extremely long pause for thought and reflection* I don't know if this can be called a talent, but I can do a stand to stand bridge! I did it last time at a party and I was actually the only one who made it. At 37, I wouldn't call it a given, so it's a pretty useless talent that's useful as a party trick! 

‍

… og det mest nyttige?

My most useful talent is perhaps more of a trait, but I am very positive. When things are tough and tiring, I will always find the positive in the situation. The weather can be really bad and the kids are crying, but then I will think, for example, "yes, but we're going to have a burger for dinner later anyway". It's a quality I really appreciate, because things can be difficult enough sometimes with all the thoughts, expectations and everything you have to do, but in occasionally absurdly awkward situations, I manage to find joy in the little things.

‍

If you could change one thing about the industry you work in, what would it be? 

I've only been in this business for two years, but it can be just as useful to have some fresh eyes on it. What I have noticed is that there are quite a few replacements; people jump between companies a bit. I think it's about people wanting to be part of small and close professional environments and work closely on their projects. 

‍

I myself like working in small companies, because you often get more responsibility more quickly that you might not get (as early) in larger companies. So it is perhaps a negative thing that many tech companies become very large very quickly, and then they lose some of their identity: There is a lot of IT, less personality. 

‍

I think Axdata has managed to keep that aspect despite the fact that we  are growing as well. At least that is my experience; that someone has seen me, seen my potential and pushed me forward so that I have grown a lot in a fairly short time!  

‍

What is your most memorable moment from your time at Axdata ? 

I can't really name one specific memory. For me, it's more about the continuous wins that we have as a team: The times everything runs smoothly, the times you've had that customer meeting and you've nailed it! It is that feeling - the feeling of mastery - that is fun and motivating in everyday life. 

What are you passionate about? 

I have a master's in development studies, so I am very interested in sustainability and how to use resources in a better way. This is linked to both economic and ethical issues, and finding better solutions to these is something I care a lot about. 

‍

Both as an economist and as a private person, I tear my hair out a little at how many cases there are where resources are used in a bad way. And then there is a limit to what you can do as a private person. Much is up to the politicians, but it also applies to business. That is why I have now also joined Axdata's newly started sustainability group, where myself and two others will work on concrete goals and activities to make the company more sustainable. 

Marianne Weitemeyer Firings er forretningskonsulent innen finans og prosjekt, hun har en bachelor i ledelse og internasjonal business og en mastergrad i utviklingsstudier fra London.