Meet Anna | Senior Specialist
“Why standard-profiles are not necessary”
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diconium has many faces. In our interview series, we want to tell the stories behind our work. Today we’re with Annemarieke Kostense, Senior Specialist at diconium in Stuttgart. Annemarieke works for diconium since summer 2021. She brings international perspectives and ideas to local challenges. Annemarieke or Anna, as we may call her, is a high-energy professional and a positive thinker.
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Anna, you joined diconium a few months ago as a Senior Specialist. What are your responsibilities?
I have lived in Beijing for nine years. In my role as Senior Specialist, I bring with me extensive expertise on the Chinese market. Among other things, I have assisted in setting up joint ventures in China and worked in production and project development. I’ve learned how to use just one mobile app to manage your daily life and how large, digital ecosystems function efficiently. The Chinese are ahead of us in Europe in so many ways! At diconium, I advise clients on their transformation and guide agile projects. My day consists of client meetings, coordination, and elaborations. In addition, I also provide sales support. Furthermore, I am a manager and work on developing our company practice groups. My everyday life never actually looks the same.
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That sounds like a versatile job. What kind of background do you bring with you?
I originally studied European Politics in Amsterdam, but I wanted more action, more impact and concrete results from what I do. Out of curiosity, I moved to China. It was a world for me where anything was possible. I learned a lot in Beijing that I can now bring to the table as a Senior Specialist. The cool thing about diconium is that you can fulfill a role even with this career path: I can use my China expertise, deepen it, and incorporate it into my projects. That’s also what makes diconium so attractive: we don’t have a standard consultant profile. In our team, there is an interesting mix of people and profiles that also reflect the industries in which we are active. They are very colorful and very diverse — just like diconium itself.
“IT’S THE FIRST TIME I’VE NOTICED THAT A COMPANY LIVES ITS CULTURE SO STRONGLY AND CLEARLY — YOU REALLY FEEL AT HOME AND THE COMPANY DOES A LOT TO MAKE YOU FEEL THAT WAY.”
You bring 15 years of professional experience on an international level. Is there anything that makes diconium stand out from the other companies you have worked for?
Yes, even in many points. Learning by doing is very present at diconium. We don’t just deliver slide decks; we know what we’re talking about because we’ve been through it ourselves. It’s also the first time I’ve noticed that a company lives its culture so strongly and clearly — whether in its dealings with customers, colleagues or partners. You really feel at home and the company does a lot to make you feel that way. I think that’s very important, because you can only do good work if you feel good.
You are also mother of a young child. How do you reconcile your new job and your family?
I’ve been a mother since 2020, so it’s also important for me to spend time at home in Stuttgart. I work four days a week and am very flexible with my schedule. This work-life balance is also exemplified from the highest level at diconium: it is important for everyone that personal goals — whether at work or at home — are also achieved. I am valued for what I do and no one makes a fuss when I plan my work flexibly so I can also devote myself to my family.
“I AM VALUED FOR WHAT I DO AND NO ONE MAKES A FUSS WHEN I PLAN MY WORK FLEXIBLY SO I CAN ALSO DEVOTE MYSELF TO MY FAMILY.”
The past year has turned our work lives upside down due to the Corona pandemic. What have you learned since then about your preferred way of working?
I can concentrate well in my home office. So, for me, it’s not essential to have a fixed work environment. But of course there are moments when I need direct exchange with colleagues, especially when it comes to creativity or redesign. When you sit together in a room, you have a different energy. That’s why I find the combination that diconium has provided in the Hybrid Workplace ideal. And what I find great, at least in Europe, is the possibility of working from different places for a change — whether from Portugal, Greece or elsewhere. Because different environments also give you different input and new ideas that you can bring into your work.
Which of the diconium values can you best identify with: Courage, Mindfulness, Collaboration or Impact?
For me, all the values are equally important, with courage standing out a bit. It takes courage to break new ground: I moved to Germany without knowing the language. I’m also very proud of our customers and feel it’s very courageous when they for example found a start-up as a traditional family business and push the digital transformation to get ahead. Therefore, the combination of all values just fits well together for me.
“IN OUR TEAM, THERE IS AN INTERESTING MIX OF PEOPLE AND PROFILES THAT ALSO REFLECT THE INDUSTRIES IN WHICH WE ARE ACTIVE. THEY ARE VERY COLORFUL AND VERY DIVERSE — JUST LIKE DICONIUM ITSELF.”
diconium’s claim is “Creating Digital Champions”. What is a digital champion for you?
For me, a digital champion is someone who is very courageous and does not shy away from digitization to the greatest possible extent. He is willing to learn and open to new things. In the best case, he or she is also able to inspire internal and external enthusiasm for change. In short, a digital champion is a guide and role model for others, but without being uncritical.
Last but not least: What advice would you give newcomers to diconium?
If you have the opportunity, you should take the time to get to know as much of the company as possible. It’s important to understand what diconium does, because that’s the only way to find out which projects are a good fit for you. And that ultimately benefits everyone. So my advice is to bring a little patience.
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