Experiencing trends firsthand
Agnieszka S. loves a challenge, which is part of why she enjoys her job so much. But she is equally fascinated by the unknown, the unfamiliar. In that sense, it’s no coincidence that she feels completely at home in the export division of Ludwig Schokolade. After all, analyzing new countries and their unique cultural traits is an integral part of her job. The export sales manager has been supporting one of the Group’s largest and probably most demanding markets for the last five years: the United Kingdom.
You’ve been working at Ludwig Schokolade for 16 years. What was the experience like when you were first starting out?
Things really came together for me back then. A former colleague recommended that I apply at Ludwig Schokolade; I had moved to Aachen for personal reasons anyway, and that’s where the company was headquartered at the time. I started as a clerk in the export division, but the company supported my professional development from day one. In the years that followed, I was responsible for France, Poland, and the Benelux countries, among others. Every country was like a whole new world for me, and I had to find my footing again each time.
What does your job in export primarily entail?
My focus day to day is on communicating with our customers in the UK.
On business trips, on the phone, or by email, I always precisely analyze how this market is evolving and what new needs might arise that could impact our products.
Additionally, developing sales concepts is an important part of my job, as is playing an active role in achieving our revenue and sales targets and acquiring new customers. I work closely with our sales team on the other side of the English Channel and share my insights with my colleagues in marketing and sales, which is essential for helping us keep our product strategy up to date.
“I’m so proud of the fact that we always have our finger on the pulse of the market—and a nose for innovative products is part of that.”
What’s the most exciting thing about your job?
I have so many opportunities to grow and to work independently, and there are new and exciting challenges every day—I still absolutely love my job. There’s so much variety. And I get to meet new people all the time. I’m proud of the responsibility I’ve been given—connecting customers, our colleagues in the UK, and our team here in Germany—and I’m just as proud to be able to experience trends firsthand. Conversely, the challenge is communicating those new insights to my colleagues in a way that makes them take notice. It takes a lot of tact and persuasion
Are there any aspects of your job that allow you to completely shut out the world around you?
When I’m focused on preparing for an important customer meeting, I shut myself off from my day-to-day and fully immerse myself in the world of the UK. And of course, I never do that without a pack of Schogetten on my desk! (laughs)
