What is your working day like?
I have a reasonably varied everyday life. At NTT DATA, we are lucky enough to have several exciting projects running at the same time. Some projects are Norwegian clients, others are Nordic, and in addition we have more and more projects that are international. The latter is very educational and fun to work with. Then you get the opportunity to work with project participants from different parts of the world, and the learning curve is quite steep for someone like me, with 3 years’ work experience.
Many people ask me what I do on a daily basis. It is a lot about understanding the customer’s challenges, and together with my skilled NTT colleagues, finding out what we should do to solve the customer’s challenges. During a working week, I encounter many different challenges. In the course of a week, I can do everything from designing a project plan for the customer, holding a workshop, configuring the solution, and then testing that the solution actually works. It is easy to think that an IT consultant works very independently, but the fact is that we almost always work in teams, where together we find good solutions and can discuss more complex issues with each other.
How is the environment at the workplace?
The environment in NTT DATA Business Solutions is completely unique. I look forward every day to going into the office, and working side by side with the most skilled logistics consultants in the industry. Sometimes I have the feeling that we are a big family, and there are several of us who meet in our spare time and do pleasant things together.
In the office, we operate with the idea that we should have fun while we work. When we have a break, we quickly gather in the kitchen area to play foosball or shuffleboard. There is always something social going on, preferably combined with professional skills development. Once a month, «Office Thursday» is organized, where, for example, we share experiences from projects, trends in the market or the like. Afterwards there is food and drink in the office, and we get to know all the nice people who work here better.
We recently established a welfare committee at the workplace, various employees who pull the strings for everything that happens outside of specific work tasks. They arrange weekly paddle tennis, field trips, annual ski trip, and yoga sessions to name a few. They also organize Christmas and summer parties and regular social Fridays. In addition, we have two kick-off events a year, together with our Swedish colleagues. So here with us there are more than enough opportunities to get to know all these wonderful people who work here better!
What are the opportunities for development in NTT DATA Business Solutions?
I have been lucky enough to get many opportunities within the company. I started as a junior in 2021 and have already been promoted to senior consultant after 2 years of employment. I think there are several reasons why my own career has progressed so quickly. Perhaps the most important is the foundation we lay during our 12-month Graduate Program. This program gets better and better every year, and it was fun to see that this year there were as many as 40 juniors/graduates across the Nordic region. In such a group, you get the opportunity to establish long-term networks in the organization, and not least you get a proper introduction to what is required of a consultant and how to present a winning message to the customer.
Another thing I value in our company is that there are so many opportunities for those who stick their heads out a little. In the Norwegian organization, we are not very many, just under 100 employees. We have a flat structure and you are listened to when you come up with good ideas. I constantly experience a willingness from the management to hear what we younger people think, who come from outside and have a different view of how we can best develop both the business and the people. Last year I was lucky enough to take part in reverse mentoring, this was a successful trial project, where several new employees were able to sit down with the management and make suggestions for adjustments and/or improvements.
Over the next few years, I want to develop further in NTT DATA Business Solutions. Some of my colleagues have had the opportunity to work and settle in other countries. I might even imagine it in a few years. Such a transfer, combined with increased responsibility, is something that really appeals to me.
Eivind has the following advice for anyone considering a career in SAP logistics:
Feel free to apply for one of our positions on our website. It does not necessarily have to be within the logistics area. We need skilled consultants in all areas – from project management to innovation and tech. We are a fairly flexible organization, there are several people who switch from one subject area to another. It really just gives you more breadth and a better understanding of all the exciting things we are doing in our business. I can say with my hand on my heart that this is a workplace where you will definitely grow and thrive!
