Karolis believes that motivation and proactiveness is a key to successful career growth. He joined SEB 9 years ago for a temporary 3-month contract. After showing enthusiasm and good performance his manager offered him a Client Services manager position at the Large corporates department at SEB Global Services. Now Karolis is a team manager for Cash Management Client Services Norway. He says that his motivation comes from the feeling that here at SEB you can make a change – and this change will directly affect both employees and the clients.
Tell me your story. How and when did you join SEB?
I joined SEB in 2014 for a temporary 3-month position in the Audit statements team. After those months, my manager asked me if I would like to stay at SEB longer. I agreed and continued to work in the Accounts Administration Unit with cash management products. After almost 3 years it was reorganization happening in SEB when one of my managers offered me to join a new project and that’s how I became a Client Services Manager at the Large Corporates department. This project was where Cash Management Client Services Vilnius started – we took over client services function centrally to Vilnius to work directly with the clients. It was a big and challenging project. We started with only four people here, but in 4 years we grew to 80 people and 6 countries’ client services working fully from Vilnius.
So, I worked as a Clients Services Manager for Denmark for almost 3 years. After those years, I became a team manager for Denmark and UK for a several years. Currently, I am a team manager for Cash Management Client Services Norway.
Karolis Stankevičius
Title: Team Manager for Cash Management Client Services Norway
Education: Public administration
Personal Interests: sports, BBQ
It looks like you went through a lot of changes in the company – what were the most challenging ones?
The biggest challenges started when the Cash Management in Vilnius project started. We knew that we had high expectations from the management, that a lot of people invested in the project, but at the same time, not all the people believed that it would be a successful one. For me, it was a challenge to fulfill all the requirements and expectations. Moreover, it was a driving force – we wanted to show that we can do it!
Why did you join SEB and why finances interested you in the first place?
I have studied public administration, but when I was doing my internship at a public sector company, I understood that it is not for me. So, after university, I was a little bit lost because I was not 100 % sure where I wanted to work. I had a hobby – I was constantly going to the gym and then I decided that I wanted to work in something related to sports. I started to work as a consultant in the sports store, but then again, I met some bad management examples.
When I joined SEB, I did not have much experience related to finance.
I took this temporary contract to gain some knowledge and move on. And it was successful. I remember when I had a job interview at SEB, I was asked: “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”. And I answered that I see myself in a manager’s position. And it happened exactly after 5 years after working at SEB – I became a team manager.
9 years already at SEB. What do you like here the most?
People. I am still working with some of the colleagues with whom I started working at SEB. And they also became the team managers. I am incredibly happy about it. I could say we are real friends now. Working 9 years together – we know each other quite well; we grew up together. Another thing is those challenges and projects that are coming – that is what keeps me moving. Staying in one position is a comfort zone, but from personal development, it does not give you much. I think if you are showing your hard work, you are saying to your manager that you would like to try something new – the offer will come. But you need to take the initiative. There are so many opportunities, you just need to look around.
I also really like the SEB culture. We have no ‘bosses’, but we have leaders. We are sitting together in open spaces, there are no separate work rooms for managers. We are having a fun time as a team – joking together, having coffee, etc. The SEB culture is also that thing that people miss a lot after leaving SEB.
What are you looking into the most as a manager when hiring new employees?
It is a myth that if you want to work in a bank you need to have an economics degree. Of course, there are positions in the bank where you must, but not in all the positions. What we, as a Cash management client services department, usually require is experience with the clients. Time management is also particularly important, because we have different clients and diverse needs, so it is important to prioritize. Client services manager is a very individual position because you have your own client portfolio, and you need to collaborate with it. And usually, a manager does not stand behind your back and micromanages you, so you need to deal with your day yourself.
Stress resilience is also important. You are on the front line with a client, so you are the one who must bring both good news and unwelcome news. But at the end of the day, it is very awarding when the client is happy. And here we are talking about one of the largest clients in the world. It is a huge responsibility, but also an extremely rewarding one.
What is your style of leadership?
Each manager has their own style. I had some leadership training at the IMD Business School. It was a good opportunity to study there for 4 months. It really opened my potential. In that course, I was identified as a people manager, but who is result oriented as well. I really like to talk with people, just be with them, and have a lot of informal conversations, but at the same time, I require results. We have a very good relationship in our team, but also, we work hard together to reach goals.
What motivates you most? What are you excited about in the future?
I feel like I can make a change here. And this change will directly affect the people working here and our clients. I really believe in the success story of our department, and I hope it will become more advanced, more knowledgeable, and improve every day. For my personal development, I am trying to be a better manager. I still have a lot to learn. It is a never-ending story to be a good manager.
What do you like to do in your free time “recharge batteries”?
I like to go to the gym – it helps me to relax and release stress. During the day I talk with so many people, so the gym is the perfect place to spend some time alone and recharge. Also, the family – we have a 4-year daughter, so I love spending time with her. I feel this very strong bond between us, so I am trying to spend as much time as possible together. During the weekend it is family time, BBQ, meeting with friends etc.
