Building cultural bridges makes teams more innovative

How did you get your job at ING and what is your current position?

I work in the Business Banking division of ING. I’m a data analyst in the Marketing Analytics & Pricing department of the Sales & Customer Interaction Tribe.

Before joining ING in Germany, I worked for a Chinese bank in Shenzhen. I heard about ING through LinkedIn and applied for the Data Analyst position. After three rounds of online interviews, including a case study and presentation, I got the offer and moved to Berlin with my three pets.

If you had to describe your job to your grandparents, what would you tell them?

It’s like working in a bakery. At the end of the day, I analyze which breads are the most popular or which cakes bring the most profit to the bakery. And then I adjust my production for the next day. But what works in the spring doesn't necessarily work in the fall, because there are seasonal differences. That’s why I also do monthly and yearly comparisons. I try to include everything that can be counted in my analyses.

You work in a multicultural team. How does communication work for you?

Working in a multicultural team is a rewarding and educational experience for me. I find clear and precise communication very important; I’m open to learning from others, but also willing to receive and give feedback. The diversity of the team enriches our collaboration and often leads to more innovative results.

I particularly like the fact that we not only grow together through a common language – we all speak English in the office – but also through activities like sports. Like playing table tennis in our “Fun Area”, it’s a great way to build team spirit and just have fun. Also just watching the European Cup or the Olympic Games together this summer and cheering on our favorite teams and athletes. Things like this brought us closer together.

What do you think are the benefits and challenges of working in a multicultural team?

There are nine colleagues on my team, eight of whom originally come from a different cultural background than German – both an advantage and a challenge.

The advantage is that I felt like I belonged from day one. Most of my team members come from a different country, so we all had to overcome the same challenges: the relocation and the cultural differences. Having experienced similar things, my colleagues have been very open-minded and helpful.

The challenge? We don’t really have the same knowledge of the market or the regulations as our German colleagues. In addition, language barriers can arise in external communication or research. That’s why we often need to draw on the specific expertise of our German colleagues and rely on their support.

You are originally from China. What do you like most about working in Germany and what do you still struggle with?

I grew up in China and have had the privilege of studying and working on three continents, in five countries and in eight cities. I’m all the happier that I can now call cosmopolitan Berlin my home. I appreciate the straightforward communication, the clear separation of work and private life and the well-organized processes. As a commercial bank, we’re subject to many regulations, which are right and important, but they sometimes slow down decision-making processes. In order to implement innovations and changes, we have to carry out thorough analyses and a consensus must be reached throughout the bank.

Which ING benefits do you value and use the most?

I like the health budget, the LearnING budget and the opportunity to work abroad in the EU for 30 days. Also I pretty much use the “getAbstract” app every day. It provides short summaries of books, articles and reports and as an ING employee it’s free to use. Instead of spending hours reading whole books, I can get the most important ideas and insights in just 10 to 15 minutes over a cup of coffee every morning – a great way to start the day.

What advice would you give to someone looking to join ING?

I would recommend reading the book “The First 90 Days” – maybe even summarized via the app “getAbstract” 😊. It’s about strategies for adapting to corporate culture, setting clear goals and building strong relationships with key stakeholders. For anyone joining ING, it’s important to know that we place great emphasis on personal responsibility – thanks to our agile approach and hybrid working model.