Name: Elaine Bittencourt Nordbyhaug
Position: Senior Sales Executive
Worked at Orange Business since: Since March 2021
Based: Oslo, Norway

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you first came in contact with Orange Business?
I take immense pride in the story of how I got to know Orange! I served Orange as a vendor for over a decade before becoming part of the team. Over those years, I built strong relationships with individuals at Orange Business, and as I was leaving my previous employer, my contacts at Orange advocated for my profile internally. This is what led to the start of my journey here. Building these connections and my network has been my greatest asset as a foreign woman during my 20 years in the Nordics. Having people vouching for me based on their experience of working together with me, along with my education and qualifications, brings me tremendous joy!

Before joining the Digital Services business line of Orange Business, I was part of the branch with focus on Telecom, Connectivity and the Fiber Network segment of the business. The digital division, with, for example, cloud-based solutions, was entirely new to me. It has been an enriching learning experience, and I am thrilled to have been invited to be part of this dynamic segment!

Can you tell us a bit about your position as Senior Sales Executive and what your responsibilities are?
I operate in sales and within the business areas by engaging with our clients, aligning our offers and solutions as well as bringing concrete value proposition in the hope of satisfying our client’s needs and strategies. In addition, eyes open for new opportunities never goes wrong in sales. 

Was it a conscious decision from your end to go into the tech industry and what is it that you enjoy about working within this line of business?
I entered the industry in 1997, and initially, it was not a conscious decision. However, I did seek something innovative, and once I got started, I realized that I really enjoy the technical world and that the rapid technological advancement within this industry excites me. The aggressive pace of development that has speeded up even more in the last 10 years has necessitated staying up to date, which has added an extra layer of excitement.

What do you enjoy the most about your position?
Building relationships with my clients is one of the aspects I enjoy the most. The sense of fulfillment from supporting them in their needs and challenges, collaboratively working to finding solutions is incredibly rewarding. Working with clients does not only enhance my understanding of our business but also provides insights into their business and viewpoints, giving me the benefit of a double learning experience.

You are also part of WIDE in Norway (Women in Tech for Diversity and Equity), can you tell us a bit about the work the group does and how it came about that you joined?
Even before joining the Digital Services business line, I engaged in interesting discussions on the topic of Women in Tech and what we as employees can do to support. Upon joining Digital Services, I joined an existing small group in Norway, which at the time mainly focused on social activities. I spoke to people active in the group and proposed collaborating on projects to address diversity comprehensively. WIDE was then created, which is an independent initiative from Orange Business Norway employees with the mission “Together for change”. We hosted three events during 2023 focusing on DEI awareness. The event themes varied, mostly focusing on workplace diversity, inclusion and belonging with a special emphasis on neurodiversity. It has been an incredible feeling to know that we have touched hearts! And while there is more work ahead, the positive impact we have made is evident, and we are looking forwards to continuing this work and expanding our initiatives by involving more partners.

What do you personally enjoy the most about working at Orange Business, the Digital Services business line?
I believe we are positioned well for the future, providing offerings crucial to all industries! Our continuous improvements, innovation, and effective communication is of big importance, and it is the communication on this with clients the makes my work both exciting and fulfilling.