For several years, the combination of project and personnel management for a smaller department was fine for me. But I realised that my main interest lay with the technical part of the projects, whereas administrative procedures didn't have the same place in my heart, tells Kim Borch, Science Director in Novozymes' Research & Development. He actively went for a specialist career after several years as a people manager.
Kim Borch, 38, MSc (Chemistry and Physics) and Diploma in Business Economics (HD) within Marketing. He came to Novozymes 12 years ago directly from university. In 2000, after several years as manager of Protein Discovery in Novozymes' R&D combined with the position as project manager for a number of larger and smaller development projects, he went for a position as senior specialist responsible for lipolytic enzymes for the detergent and food industries.
"I was a people manager for about six years and acted at the same time as project manager for different development projects. In many ways, this combination suited me fine. However, while my department grew from ten employees in the beginning to a little more than 20 persons in recent years, it became gradually clear to me that I had to choose with the heart and focus on the areas giving me the greatest possible prosperity and job satisfaction. Without it I simply don't think I will be able to live up to the expectations, neither from the company nor from my family.
During the same period my family had grown from two to five members, and today we have three kids 2, 6 and 7 years of age. It means an awful lot to m e that I am able to balance career and family life. So, in spring 2000, when I got the opportunity to change my manager job for a position as Science Director, there was no doubt in my mind.
One of Novozymes' strong points is the great opportunities to try out yourself in different roles - and if necessary to change direction depending on life stage and individual ambitions. I myself have really made the most of these opportunities. My present job is perfect for me; as always I am little too busy, but in return I enjoy great freedom in doing my work when it fits into my programme. In a family with young children, this kind of flexibility is extremely valuable.
I firmly believe that everyone has great development opportunities if we possess certain skills and sociability, but it also takes considerably hard work, flexibility and initiative and - not forgetting - being lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. Right now (summer 2002) I put the majority of my performance into one of the cross-organisational growth bubbles launched by Novozymes - this is really fascinating. At this time, I am particularly delighted to see that Novozymes is marketing a number of enzyme products which my good colleagues and I have worked hard to develop during the past ten years.
If there is a risk of becoming too specialised? Well, in the long term I have to face the fact that today my field of research is not cultivated at this level outside of Novozymes. However, as long as the company holds development potential for me, I don't this as a problem. Another possibility is that some day I will feel like resuming a managerial position in the line organisation or pursue my career outside Denmark."