No "resting on their laurels"

They can look back on a wealth of experience, are more relaxed, and their career is no longer their top priority. Many "young olds" from the baby boomer generation are still motivated to make a contribution and move the bank forward.

Hear from two colleagues, each around 60, on why retirement is not yet an issue for them.

Anke Fischdick has also been with the company for almost 30 years. Anyone who puts on a major event knows and appreciates the group leader and her colleagues from event management. "My motivation has always been to ensure that customers and guests feel just as comfortable as the Board of Management and colleagues – that they have fond memories of a bank event." Organizing such events cannot be done alone, of course, but only as a team.
 
This also includes the external service providers, some of whom she has worked with for many years. "Here, too, we attach great importance to working together as partners, and feedback from our external service providers is very important to me." After the pandemic-related dry spell, the 59-year-old is pleased that more events are once again being scheduled locally. Like, for example, the bank's Annual General Meeting, which took place last year in the Palmengarten (a botanical garden in Frankfurt) after two years of virtual events. "Organizing our AGM is always a lot of fun for me. However, we have to approach it in a new way, as many people are still reluctant," Fischdick knows.

Looking back, what has changed the most? "It's clearly the amount of administration that regulatory requirements entail – even for the smallest details. On the other hand, digital tools make our work much easier. Today, you can change presentations right up to the last minute," Fischdick smiles.
 
Digitization has helped event colleagues grratly, especially during the pandemic. "I'm glad to have young colleagues on the team for whom working with technical tools comes naturally. It's a nice give and take and we complement each other well."
 
What the group leader appreciates about getting older is that you can look back on a treasure trove of experience and that nothing can easily faze you . "That conveys a certain serenity." But the most important thing for Anke Fischdick is to always remain authentic – and she advises young professionals to do the same.

Dirk Elsner joined the bank at the end of 2015 as employee number four in the newly established innovation department in the Strategy and Group Development unit. "The new unit and its tasks sounded super interesting right from the start, so there was no question for me to change jobs again at 52," says the innovation manager. He is fascinated by digitization and innovation every day. "I enjoy supporting the bank and the Cooperative Financial Network on their journey into the future," says the 58-year-old.
 
"I'm also excited about the collaboration in our team and in the division. Age doesn't matter at all here – at least that's my impression," Elsner smiles. Advising other colleagues on their way to digital solutions entails a lot of exchange – within the bank and the entire Group. "It's great to see how topics develop in the Group, some of which we helped bring into the world with the Innovation LAB."

Looking back, Elsner finds that professional life rushes by quite quickly. "Every change has taken me down a new path that has brought the unexpected and introduced me to a lot of great colleagues." His advice for young professionals:
"Go with your gut feeling and don't do anything that isn't fun." Elsner had the luxury of living that way he feels - for the most part at least.