Mrs Catarina Fant, Director, Brand and Communications, Wasaline, says that it is important to have an inspiring job and not be afraid of taking risks. Mrs. Fant enjoys working at Wasaline, being responsible for the marketing of their new environmentally friendly passenger vessel, considering that environment is a key priority in B-to-C and B-to-B marketing.
As she explains, Mrs Fant enjoys remote working since it has given her the freedom to work from other places than the office and also explore new ideas and think outside the box.
SAFETY4SEA: How did it come about that you joined shipping industry and your field of expertise specifically?
Catarina Fant: My first “real job” was at Wärtsilä, Marine. I have a Masters in International Marketing. I have been working with Brand Building, Marketing and Communications in different kind of companies. Some of them in Marine, some having a marine segment. I would say that Brand Building is my speciality. Also all kind of events are my speciality and I have been involved in arranging hundreds and hundreds of events, both small and big ones.
S4S: What about your current job/ role most excites you and why?
C.F.: Wasaline has a new ferry, which is among the most environmentally friendly passenger vessels on earth. It inspires to do marketing and brand building for such a vessel. Environment become more and more important both in B-to-C and B-to-B marketing.
S4S: When you think of the word successful who’s the first person who comes to mind and why?
C.F.: I cannot name one as there are many women and men who are successful in their own field of expertise.
S4S: Who is/was the most influential person/mentor to you & why?
C.F.: Vacon, a company where I worked for many years started from scratch and I was lucky to be there as Brand Director to build a successful global brand. It requires a lot of work with committed people. Also, Wasaline, where I work now, is a small company, where there were many odds against you, but we have succeeded in building a strong brand.
S4S: What is the most worthwhile career investment (in energy, time, money) you’ve ever made?
C.F.: Education is of course an important investment and my Masters in International Marketing is one. Another one is working in other countries. I had the privilege to work in the United States, building up a new brand from scratch. Very interesting and I learned a lot. Also from the point of view working in a subsidiary and not always in the HQ gives you new insights.
S4S: If you could give a piece of advice to your 18-year-old-self one thing, what would it be and why? What piece of advice should you ignore?
C.F.: Making a career path is of course a good thing to do, if you really know what you want to do. For myself, one thing has led to another and you really don’t know where life brings you. I think it is important to have an inspiring job with an inspiring boss. Also one should not be afraid of taking risks and jump into new things.
S4S: In the last five years, what new belief, behavior, or habit has most improved your business life?
C.F.: I have always been a workaholic and when I am inspired I just can’t stop. Today, when you are free to work from other places than your office, it gives you more freedom and also I think maybe in the future working from other places than your home or office might give you new ways of thinking outside the box.
S4S: What is your personal motto?
C.F.: It’s all about the attitude.
The views presented hereabove are only those of the author and do not necessarily those of SAFETY4SEA and are for information sharing and discussion purposes only.
