Anni Santala, Finland
Tell us a bit about your academic background.
I studied Information and Service Management at Aalto University School of Business both during my bachelor’s and master’s degree. In my master’s studies I had a minor in Digital Marketing and Analytics. I was also an exchange student in Viña del Mar in Chile and completed an international minor while studying there.
What attracted you to Visma’s MT program?
A couple of people I went to university with had worked at different Visma companies. They always said good things about the work environment and their interesting projects. So I figured that Visma as an international software company would be a good fit for me as well considering my study background. This January I was just looking for open positions for summer jobs at Visma’s website when I found out about the Management Trainee program. I got interested in the diverse opportunities we get to try out by participating in five different projects in different countries throughout the MT year.
What’s your first project?
My first project, which I just started working with, is about creating a product marketing framework for Mystore. The aim is to create a framework that stakeholders can use when in the process of launching a product to improve internal communication. So basically the idea is to make guidelines so that each party participating in product development and launch knows what is expected from them at different phases. I will interview the internal key stakeholders working in different departments of Mystore and, based on the gained information, we’ll create a new framework for this purpose.
What do you bring to the table that’s a little different from the other MTs?
As far as I know, I seem to be the only one with marketing studies. Maybe that’s something that differentiates me in the group. I’m also a very atypical Finn/Visma worker since I don’t drink coffee and therefore won’t unfortunately utilise the (supposedly) amazing barista we have here at the Skøyen office in Oslo.
Louis Jonckers, Belgium
Tell us a bit about your academic background.
I studied Business Engineering at KU Leuven in Belgium. For my master, I majored in finance and data science, more specifically statistics and optimization. I wrote my thesis with KBC Bank on Exposure at Default modelling. Every opportunity I got, I went to study abroad. In 2019 I did a semester at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and in 2021 I did another semester at the Nova School of Business and Economics focusing on finance.
What attracted you to Visma’s MT program?
There are many attractive sides to this program. First off, there’s the international aspect. As a trainee you get to work with various companies in all the different countries where Visma is active. Secondly, you get a very broad view of the large organism that is Visma, as you work in very different divisions and learn more about their activities. Finally, Visma provides a lot of opportunities in the future for their Management Trainees and has proven to be a great environment for young graduates.
What’s your first project?
My first project is about the strategy process for the medium and large enterprises (MLE) segment. I’ll be sitting in on the board meetings of many different companies within this segment. The main goal is to work on a strategy presentation for the Visma board meeting and in later stages for management and new companies. On top of that, I’ll get a very good overview of the entire MLE segment and gain a better understanding of the Visma structure in general.
What do you bring to the table that’s a little different from the other MTs?
This is a hard question to answer since I’m writing this after only having known the other MTs for five days. One obvious difference is the fact that I’m the first Belgian MT ever in the program. Although Belgium shares a lot of similarities with the Nordic countries, we also differ in some ways, which could lead to a refreshing outlook on certain subjects.
Also read: Meet our Management Trainees 2021/2022
Mathias Johansson, Sweden
Tell us a bit about your academic background.
During my five years at Uppsala University, I completed a Master of Science in Sociotechnical Systems with a specialisation in machine learning. Additionally, I finished a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration & Economics.
What attracted you to Visma’s MT program?
I’d summarise it in two major parts. Firstly, the people I met and the culture I experienced during the recruitment process. That experience made me feel at home from the get-go and gave me positive reinforcement that pushed me toward choosing to take part in the program. Secondly, the opportunities it provides. I believe that it’s rare to get as much responsibility and chances as you get in this program. Getting the possibility to interact with so many different parts of a big company like Visma creates value for me as an MT.
What’s your first project?
During my first project I’m following board meetings for various Visma companies in one of our segments to extract common strategies. The end goal of the project is to present a representative strategy of the segment, which will then be handed over to the board of Visma representing the segment in question. This is done in collaboration with various leaders of the segment as well as my fellow trainee, Louis. Getting the opportunity to immediately work this close to big strategic questions and having an actual impact on Visma speaks to what attracted me to the MT program as well.
What do you bring to the table that’s a little different from the other MTs?
I’d say that my previous experience in the role as a leader in completely different environments, one coming from the Swedish Armed Forces and one coming from Engineers Without Borders, has taught me the value of being responsive and understanding different needs within a group. This is something I strive to contribute with in my daily work as an MT.
I believe that it’s rare to get as much responsibility and chances as you get in this program.
Maren Larsen, Norway
Tell us a bit about your academic background.
I have a Master of Science degree in Industrial Economics and Technology Management from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim. During my studies I specialised in artificial intelligence and finance. My third year was spent abroad, where I had one semester in Copenhagen and one in Brisbane.
What attracted you to Visma’s MT program?
The opportunity to try out different fields of business and technology! Through five different projects, I can figure out what I like doing before choosing a permanent position. I also wanted to work abroad, something that’s possible during the MT year.
What’s your first project?
My first project is for Visma Enterprise. They’re soon implementing a new CRM system, and are interested in knowing more about what information is important to understand the customers’ state and health. In addition, they want to know if this information could be used to improve internal communication and cooperation within Visma Enterprise. My job is to investigate what data should be collected and how this data should be presented. I’ll identify the relevant data through interviews with customers and employees at Visma Enterprise. Further, I’ll present guidelines for how the company should use this information when in dialogue with existing and potential customers.
What do you bring to the table that’s a little different from the other MTs?
I was a Summer Intern in 2021, meaning that I already have some experience of how it is to work at Visma. The summer internship was great, so I’m really looking forward to this year as a Management Trainee.
Mads Gadgaard, Denmark
Tell us a bit about your academic background.
I have a Master of Science degree in Economics & Business Administration from Copenhagen Business School. I have specialised in Accounting, Strategy & Control and wrote my thesis about strategic alliances in the fintech industry. Besides that, I spent a semester during my bachelor’s degree studying finance and M&A in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
What attracted you to Visma’s MT program?
Definitely the opportunity to try out different areas. It’s a unique opportunity to, hopefully, discover the best future path for me.
What’s your first project?
A really exciting one! Rackbeat, an Inventory Management System, became a part of the Visma family about a year ago. Since then, they’ve been focusing primarily on the Danish market. Now, however, it’s time to explore the rest of the Nordics. I’ll help them create a go-to-market strategy for the Nordic countries Norway, Sweden and Finland.
What do you bring to the table that’s a little different from the other MTs?
Well, I’ve actually been a part of the Visma family for more than three and a half years already. I worked at Visma e-conomic throughout my studies and absolutely loved the Visma atmosphere. And then I am the only Dane – with everything that comes with it 😉
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In addition to the five MTs interviewed above, we have 15 other MTs working across our core markets. They include Alexander Strid, Sverre Skjauff, Dyveke Bergh Poulsson, Haakon Jyranoja, Isak Haugen, Julia Walden, Maria Hallgren, Pieter Bijl, Rasmus Niemi, Sjoerd Jousma and Sondre Sønsteby.
Thanks MTs!
We appreciate your answers, and we wish you the best of luck in your new roles!
Want to learn more about our Management Trainee program?
