How does it feel?

I am very happy and proud of all of the nominations. Personally I am very excited and proud to have made the list of the most influential women, particularly since I am originally from Italy and the only foreigner on the list. I am also only two women on the list who work at foreign companies. It is a great recognition which will benefit the Bisnode Group and the company in Slovenia.
It was also very exciting to be selected the second best “Manager of the Year” in Slovenia. I am convinced that the attention I get will contribute to Bisnode remaining a popular source of information for the press. Bisnode Slovenia already is the company that media turns to when they want an opinion on credit, and we will keep it that way!

As a Managing Director, and as a woman, I am also extremely proud and delighted that we are in the final round in the contest for “Most women friendly company.”

What makes Bisnode Slovenia a women friendly employer?

First of all, 53% of the employees at our company are women. But most importantly, we have the same ratio of men and women in leadership positions. About half of the business units and departments are headed by women. For me personally it has never been difficult finding women for management positions. Our management team is made up of 4 very competent women and 2 equally qualified men.

Another element is the fact that we have a significant number of women who are below the age of 40, which indicates that it is possible to combine a successful career at Bisnode Slovenia with family engagements. Our experience is that women are eager to come back to work after their maternity leaves. I would also like to highlight our “High heels movement” that serves to inspire and encourage women not only to be better managers, but also to lead in a way that suits them as women.

It would be very exciting to be named most women friendly company.  However, I am sure that the positive attention already generated by the nomination makes us an even more attractive company to do business with, and will help us attract and retain both male and female top talent.

Name: Maria Anselmi
Title: Country manager at Bisnode Slovenia and Director of BIS Competence center
Age: 46
Family: 9 year old son
Nationality: Italian
Education: MBA from Publitalia (in cooperation with Bocconi and Catholic University in Milan) and a PhD in Historical Linguistics

ABOUT MARIA ANSELMI
Maria Anselmi is Country manager at Bisnode Slovenia and Director of BIS Competence center.
Her education includes an MBA from Publitalia (in cooperation with Bocconi and Catholic University in Milan) and a PhD in Historical Linguistics. Prior to entering the business world in 1993 she conducted university level research, specialized in Ancient Persian. Anselmi joined Bisnode Slovenia after moving from Italy to Slovenia 10 years ago, and has contributed to the growth of the company from 11 to 115 employees.

Maria Anselmi, maria.anselmi@bisnode.si