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Diversity is a precondition for the growth of Novo Nordisk

During the last decade the number of employees in Novo Nordisk was doubled, now totalling more than 29,000 people globally. The number of people outside of Denmark actually tripled in that period, and we have now more people in the company working outside DK than inside DK.

We are still growing in Denmark, where we will host most of our research & development and corporate functions also in the coming decade. In management we believe that diverse teams foster innovation and also make the best business decisions. Consequently, it is also our aspiration that all senior management teams should be diverse in terms of gender and nationality. We have initiated a range of activities and programmes to accomplish this, while always selecting the best qualified individual for the particlar position, and we are proud of our progress.

We have been fortunate to attract a lot of qualified people from all over the world to move to Denmark and work for Novo Nordisk, and it is a precondition for our continued business success and growth that we can continue to do so.. Thus, we have a range of programmes and networking activities, as well as supportive measures, to make the move to and onboarding in Denmark a succesful experience for our people and their families. We also have an international club with 300 members from 50 nationalities. The activities such as e.g. training in intercultural awareness do not only apply to our people coming from abroad, but are as relevant for their Danish colleagues as well.

Although we do a lot as a company, we are also dependent upon the framework provided by the surrounding society. However, we unfortunately have quite a few things to be somewhat embarrassed about in this respect:

Most public information is only available in Danish - and so is the voicemail you receive when trying to phone a public office. Even for EU citizens it takes currently up to one month to get a residence permit - with subsequent delays in CPR registration, social security, credit cards etc.

The lack of capacity in international schools is a major problem which indeed can be a show-stopper for people moving to Denmark, and I am pleased to see the recent initiatives being undertaken towards providing opportunitites for expanding the capacity - but the definite outcome still remains to be seen.

We do live in a wonderful country, and we do have a lot to be proud of. Let's all join forces to ensure this also translates into a more inclusive society to live in for our international colleagues and their families.

Lars Christian Lassen

Senior Vice President, Corporate People & Organisation, Novo Nordisk A/S

www.novonordisk.com

Posted at 1/8/2010 12:00 PM by Peter Andreas Lemmich

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Why do I love Copenhagen?!

Anne Drouet-Majlergaard I love Copenhagen mainly because of its quality of life, which you cannot find in so many places around the world.

Tell me: where do you find a capital with such a human face as Copenhagen?!

A capital where you can bike all around the city on biking lanes without risking of being hit by a car.
Where you can actually bike or take the metro to the nearest beach
Where you don’t have to struggle everyday with hours of traffic jam to come to work
Where you don’t really need a car because the public transports are so well developed.
Where it is ok to leave your work at 4:00 PM to pick up your kids at school or just because the sun is shining!
Where family life weighs as much as professional life
Where you can meet celebrities or Danish politicians on their bike
Where you can also meet them in your local supermarket (!)
Where you see so many Christiana bikes around full of children
Where there is nearly no criminality compared to other big cities in the world
Where you feel safe biking home in the middle of the night
Where people look happy (and are actually happy following the recent international poles) and satisfied with their life.
Where people try to get the best out of their leisure time and plan their daily activities depending on the weather and their mood…
Where you find so many parks, green spaces and water in such a small surface
Where you experience so much cosiness, especially in the dark winter months with all the lights and candles everywhere and smells of Glögg and Æbleskiver at Christmas time.
Where you can dress as ever you want to and color your hair in green if you wish without feeling un at ease or awkward.
Where you have the opportunity to re-experience the simple and forgotten pleasures of childhood by spending time in Tivoli, Bakken or the Experimentarium.
Where people seem to live a simple and down to earth condition without too many expectations.

Personally, even though I have lived in different countries and have experienced different way of living, Copenhagen is the place where I feel most in balance and in harmony. This is the place where I have chosen to bring up my children because of the high quality of life and because this country is the kingdom of childhood!

Anne Drouet-Majlergaard
French
Has been living in Denmark for the last 20 years
In charge of the Job Service at the French Embassy in Denmark (www.ambafrance-dk.org)
E-mail: jobservice@ambafrance-dk.org

Posted at 10/13/2009 1:00 PM by Peter Andreas Lemmich

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Saturday in Dyrehaven

Originally posted on Denmark.dk by Jennifer & Paul
October 1, 2009

It’s autumn and we, coming from Austria, are used to do long walks in the forest during that time of the year. So we went last weekend with our half-expat-half-native friends to the Dyrehavn north of Copenhagen. Our friends took us there by car but if you take the S-tog (train) it only takes 25 min. from Nørreport station. You arrive directly at the entrance to the park from where you also can take a carriage drawn by horse. We decided to walk and followed the good paved paths into the large semi-wild woods. This park is called Dyrehavn because you actually get to see dyre - deers! Many of them! Close! In Austria due to the fact that habitation disturbs wild nature it’s rare that you come that close to deer’s if you just go for a walk. Of course Dyrehavn is not nature but still it’s very impressive to stand 10 m away from a roaring large stag!

Besides this performance of nature you can visit the world’s oldest amusements park Bakken with a beautiful old wooden rollercoaster and many other nice places to have fun. Unfortunately this time of year it’s closed so be patient till next spring! (But it’s worth a visit)

What would a nice park be without nice café’s and restaurants? I’d like to point out two of them. One is the Peter Lieps Hus which we haven’t visited yet but we’ve seen the cakes passing by and it looked quite promising! The other one you see on the lowest picture is the Kirsten Piil restaurant where we had a little lunch with a soup and smørrebrød which was very delicious. (If you visit the restaurants homepage you’ll see a little video of the deer’s)

So Dyrehavn seems to me a one of the most prominent weekend-walk spot’s for Copenhageners and it’s worth a visit!

Posted at 10/1/2009 1:11 PM by Peter Andreas Lemmich

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Christiania's 38th Birthday

Originally posted on Denmark.dk by Li Yuan Wu
September 30, 2009

Last Saturday the 26th of September was Christiania’s 38 years birthday.

Some of you might know about Christiania, but for those who don’t know that much about it, here is a little general information.

Christiania is a very special place. The whole thing started from when a group of people occupied an empty military area in 1971. Then slowly the spirit of Christiania quickly developed into a hippie movement, collectivism and anarchism. The purpose was to create a place where creativity, openness and freedom was embraced. And Christiania is indeed an artsy place which is full of creativity.

There are around 850 people “legally” living at Christiania, some pursue very self sufficient and alternative lives, whereas others have completely regular jobs in the city. But that’s not really the reason why Chritiania is so famous.

The real reason is that Christiania is an open drug market located almost in the heart of Copenhagen. Christiania’s pusher street has 50 something stall and tiny shops selling all kinds of Hash or other “light drugs”.

These drugs are illegal in Denmark, and in principle they are also being sold illegally in Christiania, but even though the police go into Christiania once in a while, it seems like the drug trade there is more or less commonly accepted.

So on Saturday Rune and I went to Christiania with some of our friends to check it out.

There were really a lot of people, and it was almost too crowed to walk around. But it was also a very relaxed and happy atmosphere, and our friends even did a little clothes shopping. There are a lot of small shops that sell second hand things. In Danish we call it loppemarked. I think one of my girlfriends bought a pretty nice dress for 50kr.

So we drank some Christiania beer and jumped around, screaming at a D.A.D concert. We really had a lot of fun.

Maybe you don’t believe me, but this was only my second time in Christiania in the 7 years I have been living here in Denmark. It’s a very nice place. People are very friendly. So you can always find a lot of fun, no matter when you go there.

I can hardly imagine that a place like Christiania exists anywhere else. Tell me what do you think

Posted at 9/30/2009 1:04 PM by Peter Andreas Lemmich

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How happy are we/you..?

Claus Steiner, General Manager at Hilton Copenhagen Airport

When I arrived in Copenhagen more than a year ago, I was very curious to discover Denmark, especially due to its image of being the “The World’s Happiest Nation”. How different would it be compared to Germany (my home country) and Austria (where we happily lived before)?

And yes, life in Denmark is diverse. It’s not only the high standard of living, negligible poverty and a broad range of public and social services that make Denmark top the happiness map. It’s more. Danes succeed in balancing out private life and work – in all levels of employment.

What I find remarkable about Denmark and what a survey of Britain’s University of Leicester pointed out too is that nearly everybody speaks English; education is on a very high level.
Danes love their country - of course the small community gives a strong sense of identity, but where else do people indicate to neighbours and friends that they are celebrating a birthday by raising the national flag?

Furthermore, Denmark is a beautiful country - which forms a great backdrop to daily life, despite the fact that the weather is a bit tough, though - rain boots were one of the first things I bought here in Denmark. And not to talk about Danish design and architecture - how beautiful it is to stroll around any of the many design shops in town - or just to visit the Opera, a milestone of modern architecture.

I can only say that my family and I are feeling well integrated into “The World’s Happiest Nation” and enjoy living in Frederiksberg / Copenhagen. It also makes me proud to live in a city where the UN Climate Change Conference 2009 is going to be held – in our days a “green” way of thinking and living is essential and based on the recent “Happy Planet Index” study there is still room for improvement for Denmark and all of us to become also a “green leader” on ecological footprint.

My trade is the hotel business and I live and breathe it with passion 24/7. We work first of all with people and with different cultures - fabulous! To give hospitality to nationalities from around the globe (a “home” away from home) is our key focus and it is fascinating to see that all the local and international people surrounding us, make the difference to our daily work and also give a lot of inspiration to our life.

Claus Steiner, 43
Born in Soltau / Germany
Married, 1 child 2 years
Member of the Expat in Denmark Advisory Board since 2008

Posted at 9/29/2009 2:37 PM by Peter Andreas Lemmich

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46 ways to find a job in Denmark

Below are 46 suggestions to finding a job in Denmark, originally posted by Leonardo on the To love, work, live and study in Denmark blog:

Go personally to as many companies in your city, and in the other cities of Denmark, as you can to deliver your presentation letter and CV.
That somebody recommends you from your previous job.
With letters of recommendation.
With the state employment service
With your social network (friends and family)
From friends already working in a company
Networking at a social event
Speak with your neighbors about your situation
Try to contact your former bosses
Try to contact former teachers for advice or job opportunities in your field.
Send unsolicited applications.
Apply as a trainee
Apply offering to work for free the first months
Seasonal work in Denmark
Use the schools and universities public blackboards to find job opportunities.
Try to look for jobs in the newspapers of Copenhagen and in the other cities of Denmark
Try by answering job opportunities in newspapers appropriate to your field.
Try by answering job opportunities in professional journals or newspapers appropriate to your field.
With temporary employment agencies in Copenhagen and in the other cities of Denmark (adecco, randstad, etc)
Register with personnel or headhunting agencies in Copenhagen and in the other cities of Denmark.
Going to professional private employment agencies in Copenhagen and in the other cities of Denmark
Try to use career advisory services in Copenhagen and in the other cities of Denmark
Use social networking sites (linkedin, twitter, etc)
Start your own blog
Comment on blogs and forums introducing yourself and expressing your need for a job
Set up a your own website and show the world what you can do.
Using the Internet to post your own resume.
Place your own ad in a newspaper or on the Internet.
Advertise yourself in professional association publications
Post your CV in a database of a job portal
Post your CV in a database in a recruitment company.
Post your CV in a database of a company
Using job portals to look for specific job opportunities that you can send your CV to (see Expat in Denmark's links).
Try with small and medium companies and not just the big and international companies.
Find any unpublished job opportunities.
Try with online career round table in the big companies.
Go to career fairs in Copenhagen and in the other cities of Denmark
Try asking in your embassy
Go to places where employers go to pick out workers, for example: unions.
By yourself, using yellow pages to call employers in those fields you are interested and ask them if they're hiring.
In a group with other job-seekers.
Turn a hobby into a job.
Become a local handyman.
Become a Freelancer
Offer yourself as a consultant.
Work as a volunteer, hoping to get a permanent job later on.

Posted at 9/15/2009 2:00 PM by Peter Andreas Lemmich

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The personal responsibility

By Niels Balslev Wendelboe

Photo by: Jens Fink-Jensen

One of the most exciting times of year at the university is early September where all the new students begin. What might be even more interesting – at least in this context – is that the number of international students is going up. From 2008 to 2009 the University of Copenhagen has seen an increase of 10 % in the number of international student. About 65 % are from EU and the Nordic countries – the last 35 % from the rest of the world.

So why choose the University of Copenhagen? A recent international study shows that many factors are important when international student decide where to study. For the students choosing the University of Copenhagen the 5 most important are teaching quality, location, research quality, country and reputation.

At the same time the number of international employees is growing. In April 2009 the University had 747 international scientific employees – roughly 20 % of all scientific positions at the University. This makes the University one of the largest international employers in Denmark.

But the increase of international student and employees also present organisations with challenges. In the Danish newspaper Information you could on August 31st read the results from another recent study. This shows that 75 % of international students find it difficult to make Danish friends. This highlights a challenge for many internationals coming to Denmark. In order to create a great experience it’s not enough to work or study, it’s not enough to simplify the administrative processes – it’s also about helping the internationals form social contexts and networks.

Many organisations have taken on the challenge; creating mentor networks, arranging social activities expats and their families etc. But there’s also an individual responsibility that lies with each of us - the responsibility to reach out and help the internationals settle in.

Being part of an international organisation is a joy; it’s a melting pot of languages and cultures, of different perspectives and experiences, of diverse backgrounds and traditions. It’s an opportunity for personal and professional growth and development – but it’s also an obligation. Integration does not happen by it self.

Have a great fall!

Niels Balslev Wendelboe

43, Married to American Annelise Goldstein, two children 7 and 11.
Head of HR & Organisational Development,
University of Copenhagen

Posted at 9/3/2009 9:00 AM by Peter Andreas Lemmich

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109 non-exciting reasons and facts why Denmark is COOL!

By Leonardo

See the original post at the To love, work, study and travel in Denmark blog

Photo by Flemming Christiansen, Flickr

As an outsider, researcher, new immigrant or tourist in Denmark it is very easy to be amazed and fall in love with Denmark since the beginning. This is because of its beauty, modernity, social welfare, people, culture, design, etc. One can see many reasons why Denmark is cool, and be impressed by the informational facts about this country.

I have been living in Denmark for some years now and the excitement I felt in the beginning is fainting a little bit.

I can feel I don’t have the same excitement anymore, as I had in my first encounter with Denmark and its culture.

For example, I can feel I don’t get so impress and excited anymore, as I did in my first time:

When I visit Nyhavn
With the fact that it is possible to get high quality medical attention always for free
To use the Danish design products in my everyday life
To live in a country that is so focus with the environment.

I see everything in Denmark as normal now and I start taking everything for granted. I have stopped realizing how lucky we all are for living in Denmark. I understand this is a natural thing and process. People gets used to everything in life (except to not to eat, drink and breath). People tend to become used to everything, even to beauty and greatness. It happens with many different things in life, for example when we buy a new and amazing house, car, sofa, etc.; when we have a good job in a good company; and with marriage...

After a while of having them, we stop giving them the right value. We stop being so amazed and excited with them, as we were the first time we got them.

I think it is important to make a stop and remember all the good things that made us buy or use something, commit with someone, work somewhere, etc. I am very happy to be writing this article about Denmark, because it is like falling in love again.

That is why I am calling the following reasons and facts of why Denmark is cool as non-exciting. I have gotten used to them. But even though I have gotten used to them and I don’t get so excited so much any more by them, I still can recognize they are very cool.

After my excitement period ended here in Denmark, a new feeling has replaced my initial emotions towards Denmark and it is: happiness.

I came to Denmark for the love I feel for my great wife, which happens to be Danish. But after living in Denmark for some years I have to recognize that it does make me happy and satisfied to live here, in my second home.

It is truly the country of bicycles. It is possible to see people biking everywhere all year round. Actually only a small percent of the population in Denmark DOESN’T have a bicycle.
Copenhagen has been named Bike City. This represents the every day effort to become the world's best biking city.
Denmark it is a very environmental-friendly country. I like to live in a country where the focus in the environment and recycling it is very high; it makes me feel good. Everyday at home and in the cities there are many possibilities to be environmental –friendly.
All the cities are very clean in general.
You can still drink the water from everywhere in the country.
Supermarkets all around the country have fresh and quality products
Here in Denmark people are very focus in organic and ecological products.
Denmark is ranked 10th for the greenest countries to live in the world.
To mitigate environmental degradation and global warming the Danish Government has signed the following international agreements: Antarctic Treaty; Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol; Endangered Species Act. These agreements have helped in the reduction in CO2 emissions by Denmark.
Denmark has historically taken a progressive stance on environmental preservation; in 1971 Denmark established a Ministry of Environment and was the first country in the world to implement an environmental law in 1973.
The country's capital Copenhagen is recognized as one of the most environmentally friendly cities in the world
Copenhagen is the focal point for more than half of Denmark's 700 cleantech companies and draws on some 46 research institutions.
Denmark is also home to five of the worlds ten largest central solar heating plants (CSHP). In fact, the worlds largest CSHP is situated in the small community of Marstal on the island of Ærø.
Denamark will host the COP 15 United Nations Climate Change Conference, Copenhagen 2009
Denmark has a record high share of wind power in the electricity mix.
The electricity is very stable. It doesn’t just go off once every month.
Good and secure ferries.
Denmark is the second-most visited destination in Scandinavia, with aproximadely 4.7 million visitors every year
Copenhagen is Europe's 2nd most attractive business travel destination
The capital and largest city, Copenhagen, has been ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world. For me Denmark is much more than just the beautiful and amazing Copenhagen. Every city or town in Denmark it is ok to live or visit. I have lived in Copenhagen some years and it was very nice, now I live in Århus and it is also very nice.
Denmark has many big cities that are great, besides Copenhagen. For example: Århus, Aalborg, Esbjerg, Odense, etc
Denmark has also many beautiful and cozy small cities. For example: Silkeborg, Dragør, Skagen, Ribe, Ebeltoft, etc
In Denmark it is possible to visit and enjoy: The Tivoli Gardens, Nyhavn, The Viking Ship Museum, Legoland.
In Denmark it is possible to visit and enjoy beautiful castles. For example: Fredensborg Palace, Kronborg Castle, Castle of Amalienborg, Christiansborg Palace, Rosenborg Castle, etc
In Denmark it is possible to see and admire beautiful and modern buildings. For example: Copenhagen Concert Hall, the black diamond library, etc.
In Denmark there are good and modern bridges. Many of the larger islands are connected by bridges; the Øresund Bridge connects Zealand with Sweden, the Great Belt Bridge connects Funen with Zealand, and the Little Belt Bridge connects Jutland with Funen.
The transportation by train across the country is good.
The public transportation in the cities is also good
The metro in Copenhagen is very cool, modern, clean and safe.
The airport in Copenhagen is also very cool, modern and clean.
It is very difficult to have NOTHING to do in Denmark. There are many options of things to do and places to go in the cities. For example: Visit Copenhagen, Visit Arhus, aok, aoa.
Denmark has more than 100 festivals and events every year. For example: Roskilde festival, Jazz festival, the fashion week, etc.
Denmark has very nice hotels. For example: First Hotel Skt. Petri, Front Hotel, D’Anglaterre, Skallerup Klit, Falsed Kro, etc.
It is possible in Denmark to find really good restaurants. Copenhagen is Scandinavia’s culinary capital with 11 Michelin-starred restaurants.
In Denmark it is possible to fully enjoy the 4 seasons.
Christmas in Denmark
There is freedom of speech
Everybody is free to do what ever they want
In Denmark all the young people can take their own decisions regarding the different aspects of their lives. They have the opportunity to create their own future and not having to live in a future that was given to them.
The welfare system. Of course we pay very high taxes, but at the end of the day, it is a fair deal for everyone.
One can get a lot of free services like: free education, health care, etc. Plus you also receive economic assistance for different reasons like: for having children, studying, etc.
If by any chance you paid too many taxes one year, they return you the excess at the beginning of the next year. It works like a clock. They give you the opportunity to double check yourself, but actually it is not really necessary, because they make their job very well.
One can expect high quality services almost everywhere: kinder gardens, schools, hospitals, police, governmental institutions, etc
It is possible to get high quality services all around the country, and not only in Copenhagen.
Everybody is equal in Denmark.
There isn’t discrimination because of social status, economic level, professional occupancy, race or gender
In Denmark it is possible to have a good, decent and satisfactory live; no matter which is your line of work or position in a company. Your basics needs and of your family will always be covered.
Denmark has a nominal GDP per capita higher than that of most European countries.
Denmark has achieved a very high social equality.
The levels of envy in this country are very low. It is possible for everyone to achieve their goals. Everyone has the opportunity to buy or do what ever they decide to. If your dream is to have a Rolex, you will have a Rolex at some point. The only thing it is that it is very, very difficult to be so rich to have many luxury things at the same time, because here the more you earn, the more taxes you pay.
People choose to be friends with each other, because they like each other, disregarding social and economic status.
Denmark, with a free market capitalist economy and a large welfare state, ranks according to one measure, as having the world's highest level of income equality.
Out of 100 Danish households in 2007, 59 owned their house or flat, 81 a washing machine, 63 a dishwasher, 71 a microwave oven, 85 a home computer and 94 a mobile phone.
Danish are ok in sports. (I am happy to live in a country that has had famous athletes and big sports victories and that in the present still has a good level)
The most successful driver on the 24 Hours of Le Mans race ever, with eight 1st places is Tom Kristensen, who comes from Denmark. In speedway Denmark has won several World Championships. Other notable Danish sportspeople include American football's National Football League all-time leading scorer Morten Andersen, cyclists Bjarne Riis, Rolf Sørensen, and Michael Rasmussen, badminton-players Peter Gade and Camilla Martin, table tennis-player Michael Maze, poker Hall of Fame player Gus Hansen and Peter Eastgate, football players Michael and Brian Laudrup and Peter Schmeichel. Teenager Caroline Wozniacki is rising up the rankings on the WTA tennis tour. Denmark is also the home and birthplace of former WBA & WBC Supermiddleweight boxing champion, Mikkel Kessler and Europeantour golfer Thomas Bjørn who has won several events on the international stage. In 1992, the national football team were crowned European champions.
Denmark has presence in the world and it is military respected.
Denmark is a founding member of NATO and the OECD. Denmark is also a founding member of the European Union.
Denmark it is a very small country, but when it comes to help economically and with assistance to other countries in need, Denmark becomes a real giant.
According to the Center for Global Development, Denmark gives a large amount of foreign aid as a share of its income and has a high quality foreign aid program
The police don’t move around in the cities with big guns. Actually you don’t see police officers almost at all in this country. But in the case they have been need, they have given good, fast and eficient results.
In Denmark we have an emergency number (112) that we can use in case of need.
In 2008 the Global Peace Index survey ranks Denmark as the second most peaceful country in the world, after Iceland.
The calm, silence and tranquillity, that exists when walking in the streets, parks, busses, metro, etc. It gives calm and inner peace.
Good political stability
The queen of Denmark and her family are very cool and charismatic.
High level of quality in all its products
Denmark it is the land of Hans Christian Andersen. (He wrote really amazing timeless tales).
Great movies have been made in Denmark. For example: Babette's Feast, After the Wedding, The Celebration, Dancer in the Dark, arven, etc
Denmark produces really good tv programs constantly. For example: Matador, krønniken forbrydelsen, klovn, etc
Denmark has well known philosophers. A good example is Søren Kierkegaard.
Denmark has had no less than 14 Nobel laureates, including 4 in Literature, 5 in Physiology or Medicine, and one Peace prize
Danish design it is know all over the world. Danish design it is beautiful and at the same time practical. For example: Arne Jacobsen, Poul Henningsen, Georg Jensen, Ole Lynggaard, Lindberg, Jesper Holm, Bang & Olufsen, Pilgrim, Bodum, Bestseller, Rosendahl, etc
Denmark has well known architects. A good example is Jorn Utzon, he designed the not so famous Sydney Opera House.
All college education in Denmark is free.
People in Denmark chose their fields of education, because of genuine interest in the education, and not just driven because of future economic and status benefits.
Only a small percent of the population DOESN’T have an education.
Only a small percent of the population CANNOT speak English.
There are several carriers, schools and universities to choose from around the country, all with high level of quality.
It is possible to find information about everything in the Internet.
You can pay all your bills using the Internet, so it is not necessary to spend half of your day in a line somewhere.
Denmark is the world's most IT developing country.
Denmark has an advanced telecommunications infrastructure.
Denmark is the fourth most innovative nation in the world.
Open Access to scientific research speeds up scientific discovery and advances humanity, Denmark is the 7th most open country in the world.
Denmark has an excellent working culture.
People that live in Denmark can enjoy a healthy balance between their jobs and their personal and family live. We work 37 hours a week, and have right to 6 weeks of paid vacations a year.
There is a lot of support for parents from the work places in general, to combine career and children.
People in general like working in Denmark (although sometimes it can be stressfull).
The unions in Denmark are always there to protect the workers rights. Also the unions have done a good job in giving the workers of Denmark very good working conditions.
In Denmark, if you accomplish success at your work, you don’t feel it was at expenses of your other colleagues of your clients. You feel it was absolutely because of your own effort. Everybody has the same chances to advance professionally.
It is not necessary for the directors and managers to be checking constantly the productivity of the employees. All the workers like to be productive, because they like their jobs and they like the feeling of being productive.
People in Denmark chose their jobs, because of genuine interest in the job, and not just driven because of the economic and status interests.
Here in Denmark it is possible to work at some of the best companies in the world in their field. For example: Mærsk, Vestas, Carlsberg, Lego, ISS group, Novo Nordisk, Grundfos, Danisco, Arla, etc.
Denmark is one of the most competitive economies in the world according to World Economic Forum
Forbes magazine, has voted Denmark, as one of the Best Country for Business in the world.
There is a low criminal rate.
In Denmark it is possible for individuals and families to feel safe and secure.
You feel you can trust in others.
Denmark has ranked as the least corrupt country in the world in the 2008 Corruption Perceptions Index.
Danes speak up their minds.
Denmark has an honest society.
Danes are fair people.
People from Denmark are very good looking. Only a small percent of the Danes could NOT be models. External beauty here in Denmark it is actually not so relevant for the society)
The Danes are very helpful. In case of need, you ask them, and they will try their best to help you.
Denmark is constantly trying to make an effort to help immigrants integrate.
Denmark is constantly trying to make an effort to help immigrants learn the Danish language (Danish it is very difficult to learn but not impossible).
Denmark has cultural diversity. Approximately 10% of the people living in Denmark has foreign citizenship.
Denmark is home of the beer Carlsberg.
Denmark has me living here!

Posted at 8/21/2009 3:00 PM by Peter Andreas Lemmich

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Home is where you hang your hat!

In the darkness and cold of January I had a colleague ask me if my family and I went home for the Christmas holidays. I responded that no, we went to America and spent time with family and friends in Florida and that Denmark was (and is) home! A bit to my surprise, my colleague, a South African national, was shocked that I consider Denmark home! After giving it some thought there are many reasons why I said this. A few of them are:

It’s easier than thinking through the 17 cities I have lived in and figuring out which one is “home”.

Where home is today is always subject to change, so why over complicate it.

Copenhagen is a nice place to live so why not call it home!

But the best reason is that home is as much a state of mind filled with friends, immediate family and simple activities, like Sunday dinner or a trip to Tivoli etc. While no place is perfect place to live, and I have called many places home, Copenhagen is a European capitol city that is a nice safe place to live and to raise two teenage boys.

Basically home is where you hang your hat, or your rain coat!

Who am I?

Bill Allen, 51
Born in Plainfield, New Jersey, USA
Resident of Denmark since 2006
Married to an American, 2 children 15 and 17 years old
Head of Group HR, A.P. Moller-Maersk

Posted at 5/12/2009 1:31 AM by Ulrich Gerting Bojko

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Parking in Copenhagen

Copenhagen, like so many other European and Nordic cities, faces the challenge of transport infrastructure growth. While being unique in some ways (a small city that has been able to maintain the visual impact of its historical architectural heritage), nevertheless Copenhagen does face similar problems as so many other capital cities, such as:
Population growth and a need for more affordable accommodation.

An increase in traffic (public and private).
Maintenance issues (roads, railways, buildings etc…).
Specific carbon footprint challenges.
Branding Copenhagen to attract tourists.
Ensuring that Copenhagen remains an attractive business model.
Other…
These are all real issues and meeting them as investment challenges requires a combination of short-term and long-term planning. In a modern capital city with a global reach, patchwork planning and damage control is unlikely to provide the most successful infrastructure development policy, where ineffective planning can have drastic consequences.

Copenhagen is a city that has a very positive image for many reasons – its renovated buildings, its clean streets, its many bicycles, its parks, its museums, its waterways and much more. All of these add to the charm of a quaint little city like Copenhagen with a population similar to an average German city.

My concern is that some of the elements that have made Copenhagen so successful, especially from a ”tourist’s eye view”, have also justified local government transport infrastructure policy that is dedicated to decreasing the number of cars in the city. There may be many good reasons for doing this in a responsible way, however, local government must also recognise the role played by the automobile in the growth and development of a city.

In its recently published city report on Copenhagen (“Territorial Review Copenhagen March 2009”), OECD points out that Copenhagen is an unusual city in relation to its traffic – one third are bicycles, one third are public transport options and one third are cars. OECD has observed that cars are used more in Copenhagen than in other comparable cities.

This may actually come as a surprise to a lot of people who I imagine would probably have assumed that there are fewer cars in Copenhagen than in comparable cities.

While I am sure that all would agree that limiting levels of carbon monoxide and dioxide in a capital city is clearly a necessity for environmental sustainability, it is also important that politicians look at all the issues and find a sustainable balance that will view environmental issues in relation to the overall progress and growth of a city.

Copenhagen City Council has for many years systematically decreased the number of places where cars may legally park within the city limits, while the number of cars in the city and around the city has increased dramatically. There is a real potential risk that an urban transport infrastructure policy that ignores or underestimates the reality of its transport infrastructure needs could trigger a process that will lead to an increased number of companies placing their offices outside the city, which will not help Copenhagen if this does happen.

What do you think?

British Chamber of
Commerce in Denmark
Mariano A. Davies
President

Posted at 4/15/2009 1:30 AM by Ulrich Gerting Bojko

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