Alexandra's 10 years at valantic DXA

Alexandra celebrated her 10th anniversary with valantic DXA in 2022. This is particularly remarkable when you consider that she originally only wanted to buy a car...

How would you describe your time at valantic DXA in a few short sentences?

Fun. Experiential. It was a really great time here. It doesn't feel like 10 years yet, I have to be honest. It was always very friendly, totally relaxed and casual. You don't get the feeling that you've been going to work for 10 years. So, sure, there were days that were stressful - but on the whole it was really just always familiar and friendly. You just had the feeling that you were going somewhere where you felt comfortable, where you liked to spend your time, and so it really didn't seem like 10 years to me.

What has changed in the 10 years since you started? (personal & related to valantic DXA)

First of all, the office has changed. There are many more locations, there are many more employees. The old core is still there, but it has just grown so much. The company has grown and the people have also become older, which is part of it. 

And just as long as I've been with valantic DXA, I've been with my husband just as long. So I got together with my husband in August and with DGLTS in September. And in the meantime I'm still with both of them. So over the 10 years, somehow nothing has changed. :D
Both started in 2012 and both are still there. I've gone with both over the years. Once from girlfriend to wife and mother and once from trainee to senior art director. So I've developed both relationships, so to speak.

Exciting development. I still remember how we were all in the open-plan office in Pilgersheimerstrasse at the beginning. There were only 3 individual offices and they belonged to the bosses and that was all there was.

We all used to sit at one table at lunchtime. Sometimes they cooked lasagne for everyone or something. That was also only for 10 people. And imagine organising a team cooking for everyone now! That would be crazy. You'd have to rent a large room or something.

What has been your biggest challenge in the last 10 years?

Growing with the projects and getting this independence in the work was a huge challenge. And that the creation has become more important. So that you are no longer just the one who cuts the pictures, but that you really get a standing with the department. That was a big challenge. 
In the beginning, it was very IT-heavy, I have to say. There was no marketing, there was no PM and just as marketing and PM had to establish themselves here, creation had to establish itself. So to grow from being an "assistant" for IT to an independent department was a huge challenge.

In the past, the websites and projects were simply not as big and time-consuming for marketing and creation. For marketing, it was "do some SEO and think about some texts" and that was it, then the project was finished. And it was the same in creation. There was no social media, no "own website" and "let's think about something", none of that existed. And so the departments - although they had always been there - had to be created from scratch. And that was challenging. Questions came up like: Where should we go? Where do you want to go yourself? And are we going along with it?

What was the most beautiful/exciting thing you experienced in the 10 years with us?

That you've met so many new people over the years. And also that the team - especially in creation - has grown so much and you've just met really nice people over time - and many have become friends as a result. So it's no longer just colleagues, it's also become friends and that's actually nice here.

What are your goals for the future at valantic DXA?

That the atmosphere stays the same, despite the home office and everything. The atmosphere in the team, that you keep in touch with people. But at the same time it would be nice - on a project level - if there were more big creative projects where you can let off steam. That you can simply take a bit more knowledge with you and also educate yourself further. Just don't stand still. I hope that despite "getting older", the head will remain just as young and fresh as it was before and that the team will also remain young and dynamic.
We don't all have to grow old, that's enough on paper. :D

Can you still remember your early days here?

Well, I never came here with the intention of working here. Actually I wanted to buy a car. I wanted to buy Stoffi's old Mini, which I did in the end. 
When I contacted him, he said "yes, we'll meet in the underground car park and have a look at the car". Then I asked myself "who is this guy anyway?" and googled him first - so I did a little background check. And by chance, he had advertised exactly the job as a training job that I had applied for in other companies. So I thought to myself, "Hey, cool! Then I'll give him a call" and asked if the job was still available. Then he actually said you already had someone, but I can still apply. The whole thing was relatively spontaneous and I sent off my application on the way to the airport - because I was flying to France on holiday at the time.
I was then invited to the interview and went straight from the airport to the interview with my suitcase, so to speak.
After some time, I got a call in the evening telling me that I had got the job.