Jonathan Ludwig 

Build yourself a second home

Jonathan Ludwig 

                 Build yourself a second home

''A lot is at stake, but you really feel that you can do it with your own style.'' - Jonathan Ludwig, trader at ACT.

Jonathan Ludwig is a sales consultant on the Nordic desk. Originally from Gothenburg, he moved to Amsterdam when he started working at ACT.
 Can you tell us a bit about your background and who you are? I grew up in Gothenburg, Sweden. It's a quiet place, but people are nice and welcoming. What motivated you to move? I always felt like I truly enjoyed meeting different people. Gothenburg was all I knew before moving here; I needed to get away and discover something new. I was looking for a job and I always saw myself in sales. To be honest, I applied in many places without a specific idea in mind. I just knew I wanted to be in sales, that's how much I love talking to people. I did not have a large background related to commodities or environmental services, but I had a good intuition, and I studied sustainability in my marketing degree. With ACT I found a unique combination of trading and sustainable products.

''A lot is at stake, but you really feel that you can do it with your own style.'' - Jonathan Ludwig, trader at ACT.

Jonathan Ludwig is a sales consultant on the Nordic desk. Originally from Gothenburg, he moved to Amsterdam when he started working at ACT.
 Can you tell us a bit about your background and who you are? I grew up in Gothenburg, Sweden. It's a quiet place, but people are nice and welcoming. What motivated you to move? I always felt like I truly enjoyed meeting different people. Gothenburg was all I knew before moving here; I needed to get away and discover something new. I was looking for a job and I always saw myself in sales. To be honest, I applied in many places without a specific idea in mind. I just knew I wanted to be in sales, that's how much I love talking to people. I did not have a large background related to commodities or environmental services, but I had a good intuition, and I studied sustainability in my marketing degree. With ACT I found a unique combination of trading and sustainable products.

''I love my team, we’ve shared some intense moments but also the funniest times.'' - Jonathan Ludwig.

''I love my team, we’ve shared some intense moments but also the funniest times.'' - Jonathan Ludwig.

What was your first impression starting here? It was overwhelming at first, but it turned out to be the best decision I ever made. I learned so much in very little time. I didn’t know how it could turn out, moving to a different country is a big step and it was my first real leap of faith to something unknown. Surprisingly I found another family here, in a different style. I work with friends, and that makes a huge difference in how you approach work. Sunday evenings don't feel the same. What impact do you feel your work has on the company’s overall goals and mission? Can you share an example? I would say the real impact is about the work style; we’re exploring new grounds. It’s extremely collaborative. People have a different vision and it's great to build on that. One of the things I was surprised by was definitely the amount of responsibilities I was given and the amount of opportunities I was free to create.
What was your first impression starting here? It was overwhelming at first, but it turned out to be the best decision I ever made. I learned so much in very little time. I didn’t know how it could turn out, moving to a different country is a big step and it was my first real leap of faith to something unknown. Surprisingly I found another family here, in a different style. I work with friends, and that makes a huge difference in how you approach work. Sunday evenings don't feel the same. What impact do you feel your work has on the company’s overall goals and mission? Can you share an example? I would say the real impact is about the work style; we’re exploring new grounds. It’s extremely collaborative. People have a different vision and it's great to build on that. One of the things I was surprised by was definitely the amount of responsibilities I was given and the amount of opportunities I was free to create.
I would have never expected to be able to advise and counsel such large companies, helping them make wiser decisions and take the best trajectories. Most of all, the process is fun. A lot is at stake, but you really feel that you can do it with your own style. It's about finding what works for you, everyone has a different way to connect and bond with each client. You can build your own brand within a larger vision; it allows you to test yourself but also to learn a lot from others. Here, no one sticks to the script. You're part of the Nordic desk: how is this one special? We’re quite good for keeping a light mood around the office. I love my team, we’ve shared some intense moments but also the funniest times, because we’re so close we have a lot of fun in the office, but it’s all about timing, we also stand together when hard work calls.. Overall we’re very caring for one another and people respect you for who you are, which is something really precious nowadays. Can you describe a moment when you felt proud to be a part of this company? What happened and why did it make you feel that way? After some time at ACT, I was invited to join the Human Element program. It's a training that focuses on self-development and learning. It was a big game-changer for me. I started to have more perspective on things, my approach to work and people changed, and I felt way more open and comprehensive. It comes down to evolve and get connection on a deeper level with yourself. After those days, I had a strong feeling, a wish to give it back to people around me. Just be kind, you know, try as much to create a better environment for myself but also for others. Everyone on the desk told me they saw a new person in me, and I also felt wiser. At that point, I was proud of myself but also proud to be part of an adventure that drives people to become a better version of themselves.
 It seems that you’ve developed a lot in a short amount of time already. How do you see yourself evolving with ACT? I wouldn’t be able to work anywhere else anymore. It's not a playground, but everything is up to you. Everyone trusts that you'll do your best, and everyone is so helpful. It's an extremely fun place to work at with a young and modern structure. We have lots of incentives, and if you perform well, you get reimbursed well. There's a lot of recognition. I worked hard to get where I am now and I am ready for more battles.
 It seems that you’ve developed a lot in a short amount of time already. How do you see yourself evolving with ACT? I wouldn’t be able to work anywhere else anymore. It's not a playground, but everything is up to you. Everyone trusts that you'll do your best, and everyone is so helpful. It's an extremely fun place to work at with a young and modern structure. We have lots of incentives, and if you perform well, you get reimbursed well. There's a lot of recognition. I worked hard to get where I am now and I am ready for more battles.