From uncertainty to engagement
The team’s first look at the case sparked a mix of excitement and hesitation. The topic was real, complex and closely tied to Nordea’s strategic priorities – so the stakes were high from the start.
Camille recalled: “We were excited and a bit overwhelmed, since we didn't know so much about the business area we were supposed to work on.” For Erik, the case felt like a true opportunity: “It was clear that the case was rooted in real strategic priorities and would require us to step outside our usual frames of reference.”
Despite the initial challenges, the relevance and potential impact of the task quickly pulled the team in. The task felt meaningful and offered a unique chance to contribute to something with long-term significance.
Collaboration across borders
The team was made up of five graduates from different countries and departments, with a mix of professional backgrounds – a challenge in itself, but ultimately the group’s greatest strength.
“We all came from different units within the bank, which would prove to be our greatest asset,” Sanduni explained. “We shared different ideas and grew as a team by learning from each other’s strengths.”
Working remotely for most of the process, the team learned to communicate clearly and supportively. When they finally met in person at the summit in Copenhagen, the connection they had formed remotely truly came to life. The team emphasised how openness, respect for different viewpoints, and the ability to give and receive feedback were crucial to their progress.
Crafting a solution that made sense
Their winning solution was grounded in realism. Rather than offering a flashy but impractical idea, they focused on something that could actually work, drawing on Nordea’s existing capabilities while proposing next steps that could be implemented.
“I think we won because our solution was realistic and didn’t require a lot of extra resources,” said Camille. “It made use of what the bank already had in a smart way.”
While building on Nordea's strong foundation their solution also re-imagined current structures. "We had to think outside the box to craft an innovative solution that delivered new value for both the customers and Nordea" Elliot mentioned.
Vaishali added that its strength lay in the details: “We read the case line by line, over and over again, to make sure nothing went unanswered.” Their structured, consistent and analytical way of working helped them create a solution that spoke to both strategy and customer value.
