What is your name and what do you do at Arvid Nordquist?

💬 My name is Lisbet, and I have been the Export Manager for our own product, our beloved coffee, since 2019. The goal is to bring our coffee to the wider world so that more coffee lovers can enjoy our outstanding products! The world is quite big :) — for now, the focus is on Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, and the USA. I have many different tasks, but everything is aimed at creating business in new markets, where networking with distributors and potential customers is central to the role.

What qualities are important in your profession?

💬 I have worked in export for 20 years, and during my career, I’ve learned to be a generalist, the 'spider in the web,' and curious about different markets and cultures. To break into new markets, you must have an open mind, but also a strong ability to prioritize. There are many threads to pick up, but only a few will lead all the way to success. You need to scan the needs of a market early on to determine if it aligns with your offering. Adaptation is always a factor. On a product level, this can involve different certifications, language, product names, packaging sizes, labeling rules, and local regulations for BBD (best before date). It also helps to have a third language up your sleeve and a good ear for languages. English is, of course, number one in global business, but in local markets, you can quickly find yourself in situations where English is not as commonly used. It is greatly appreciated when you, as an outsider, show interest and effort in the local language.

What are you most passionate about in your role?

💬 The business of people! My job is social and dynamic, involving many contacts, cultures, and markets. There’s always something happening in one market or another, and keeping opportunities open is a challenge that requires good timing – a challenge I enjoy! I also love our products and our brand. It’s a fantastic category to work in, one that encompasses many tastes and styles, with various sales channels, and most people can relate to coffee in one way or another.

What is the best part of being an Export Manager at Arvid Nordquist?

💬

✅ It’s a privilege, and often an advantage, to work with a coffee that is so advanced in sustainability throughout the entire value chain.

✅ Arvid Nordquist is a family-owned company, and I think that shows in the workday and atmosphere. It’s not typically 'corporate' here, and that’s something I really appreciate.

✅ Besides being a coffee producer, we are also a distributor and sales company in the Nordics with many global brands in our portfolio. That makes us a fairly large company with many different roles and channels. Despite that, there’s still 'a small company feel within the big company,' if I can put it that way.

✅ The coffee. We make outstanding coffee, and of course, it’s a bonus that it’s present in our everyday work and not just in the business portfolio.