Sandra's 25-year Nordmann journey: growth and success
“Nordmann stands on a solid foundation, on a certain set of values that we’ve been building on as a company.” - Sandra Iris Spiegelberger
Sandra, you started as a trainee at Nordmann in 1999. It’s been almost 25 years now and you’re still with us. What makes you so loyal to the company?
Nordmann puts trust in you right from the start, allowing you to take responsibility and help shape your role in the business while
also encouraging and supporting you as an individual through ongoing training. Every day on the job is different and the world
of distribution itself is very multifaceted. I have contacts all over the world now and we deal with a colorful mix of exciting issues. Nordmann also operates on a personal level with its staff, so you’re not just a number. You’re given the sense that people are
interested and invested in you as a person and that your work is appreciated. That’s special!
Has Nordmann changed at all since 1999?
I say it’s like the Elbphilharmonie: Nordmann stands on a solid foundation, on a certain set of values that we’ve been building on as a company. By acquiring the new subsidiaries that we have over recent years, and through our 2019 rebrand and the changes that we’ve made to logistics and IT, a whole new structure has now been established on top of the original foundation. That’s had a major impact, too: Nordmann’s realignment has given us a brand-new image. We’re perceived differently now from the outside, we’ve become much more international and we’ve grown more closely connected with one another in the Group.
What has stayed the same?
Little company perks like the bag of Christmas treats that we receive at the beginning of December, or the book that we can pick out for ourselves for our birthdays – those are some traditions that haven’t changed. Neither has the office’s reception area (now a historic site) – or Nordmann’s commitment to merging the traditional with the modern. Some other colleagues, too, have become
constants.
Sandra Iris Spiegelberger, Business Manager Personal Care HI&I at
Nordmann Germany
In addition to your responsibilities at Nordmann, you’re also involved in several other organizations and associations. Can you tell us more about that?
Sure! I’ve been a member of the Sepawa Cosmetic Applications & Technologies Group for the past decade and have also been the second chairperson there for a number of years. All the opportunities this has afforded for networking and exchanging ideas with other professionals have helped a lot with my work in the cosmetics industry. In 2004, I also joined the “Wirtschaftsjunioren”, an organization that aims to promote entrepreneurial activity in a socially responsible way. After just one year with them, I began chairing their Economy & School Committee. I have been an alumnus since 2010, and I also led the board as its spokesperson from 2013 to 2019. In the beginning, of course, I was extremely nervous about speaking at meetings in this capacity in front of up to 200 business leaders, with high-profile individuals ranging in age from 30-90. That was a challenge, but I’m proud to say that I rose to it!
You also work with the Junior Chamber of Commerce. What makes that so worthwhile for you?
One of the biggest things for me is MADD (Make a Difference Day). It’s a special day that the Chamber designed together with and for disadvantaged individuals. More than sixty of Hamburg’s social welfare institutions are now involved.
Have there been any special moments?
One year while MADD was underway, a so-called “dream workshop” was also being held. This was for people to share their life dreams and wishes, and one autistic child expressed the desire to sail as fast as possible through the port of Hamburg. After taking a moment to consider, I thought that perhaps the harbor police could grant that wish – and it turned out that they were more than willing to! Seeing that child’s eyes light up and radiate joy was priceless – a very special moment in my life. I still get goosebumps when I think about it! It’s an experience that I truly will never forget.
