Operationalizing Strategy

The CHALLENGE

Maersk Line needed to adjust its strategy which prompted a need to initiate a range of new strategic initiatives.

The challenge was to also make adjustments to the existing number of ongoing projects. Top-management needed to clearly de-select and prioritize the full strategic portfolio to ensure clear focus on the most important initiatives while also ensuring sustainable value to the bottom line within set timelines.

The solution

As director and head of strategy execution office in Maersk Line: For the first time, a map of all ongoing projects was established, clear criteria for selection/de-selection were agreed, and a roadmap “on-a-page” with all prioritized strategic projects was developed incl. their individual contribution towards the set strategic targets.

Further, a new strategy execution office (SEO) was born and tools and processes were developed to support top-management of Maersk Line in managing the portfolio of strategic projects on an ongoing basis. This was a radically new way of securing strategy execution.

“Helle has worked directly for me as CEO of Maersk Line first as my Personal Assistant and subsequently in key roles in developing, coordinating and executing strategies and other major projects. Throughout, Helle has displayed a profound understanding for the issues at hand. Combined with a very disciplined and structured approach to the work, a desire to deliver results and good stakeholder management, be it in relation to peers or other members of the C-suite, she delivered highly valuable contributions to the company”.

Eivind Kolding, former CEO of Maersk Line and member of the Executive Board of A.P. Møller - Mærsk

“Helle worked with me on the creation of a Strategy Execution Office for Maersk Line. She consistently delivered an outstanding performance and is a very driven person who gets things done and is not afraid of taking the necessary stand. Results are achieved through strong personal dedication and never by compromising our values.”
Mads Brønden Wijngaard, Senior Director Maerks Line: