On My Desk: Rune Marki, OSRAM UK Managing Director

Born and raised in Drammen, Norway, Rune started out his career as an electrician. “I have always liked working with my hands,” said Rune. “I’m a practical man.”

Rune eventually landed a job at ABB as a sales engineer and worked his way through a Master in Business Administration.  Rune stayed with ABB through seven different positions, eventually became Managing Director of 3 different ABB companies in Norway.

In 1999, Rune was contacted by OSRAM Norway’s Chairman and was offered the opportunity to take on the role as OSRAM Norway CEO.  Rune accepted the position and stayed there until 2008 when he was made another offer – Managing Director of OSRAM UK and Ireland.

The relocation has been an important and beneficial change in Rune’s career. “This is one of the most challenging markets and I thought it would be difficult for a Norwegian to get accepted, but here in the UK there are so many opportunities to network like the EDA events, Scottish Function, Distributors Supplier dinners, LA and LIF meetings and events. Wherever I go I meet clients and peers,” said Rune, enjoying the warm industry welcome.

Rune’s first day on the job at OSRAM UK, his predecessor had him attending a Voltimum Country Committee meeting, where he instantly met 14 key players from leading manufacturers in the electrical industry.

Continuing to move OSRAM UK forward, Rune wants to be selling ‘more than just lamps’; he wants to sell intelligent lighting systems and solutions to customers.

“In the lighting industry we have a lot of challenges,” said Rune. “With the recent incandescent lamp phase-out and introducing new lighting technologies, we need to continually change.  And the biggest challenge is to communicate these changes to customers / consumers and to have them understand what ‘quality’ is.”

1. Blackberry: Fresh from its box, Rune has just added a new Blackberry to his desk.  This device is very important, as it keeps Rune up-to-date with emails and information, especially when he is travelling throughout the UK and Germany (where OSRAM HQ is located).

2. Fruit: Living a healthy lifestyle is important to Rune. He eats well (including lots of fruit) and enjoys regular exercise.

3. LIF Card: These cards are used to help recruit new members to the Lighting Industry Federation.  Rune is Vice President of this organisation, which is involved with Government / associated Agencies lobbying, technical support, marketing support and training for the lighting industry.

4. Global Positioning Model: Covering OSRAM’s values, visions, strategies and guiding topics, this model is key to employee/company success and is well known by the OSRAM team.

5. OSRAM Online Light Consultant: Found on the OSRAM website at www.osram.co.uk, here users can calculate energy and cost savings for a particular building or room – a helpful tool for industry professionals involved in lighting.

6. Photograph of Wife Post-Fishing: Rune and his wife are big enthusiasts of the great outdoors.  This photograph was taken during an annual summer salmon fishing trip. “We like to do team fishing,” said Rune.“ I catch it and my wife reels it in.”

7. ‘Nearest to the Pin’ Golf Trophy: Rune is a big fan of golf and showed off his skilful swing at the WF Charity Gold Day at Warely Park, where he won this trophy for his outstanding performance.

8. Lord’s Souvenir Ball: Rune got this souvenir ball whilst spectating his first game of cricket.  A customer brought Rune there to watch the England vs. South Africa match in August 2008. “It was a fantastic atmosphere and very special,” said Rune, who enjoyed the sport so much, he now watches it on television.

9. OSRAM Golf Ball: When Rune heads to the green, he is sure to bring his OSRAM golf balls, which stand out from the crowd.  “The UK is a mecca for golf,” said Rune, who recently purchased “The 100 Best Golf Courses in the UK”.  He still has 94 to go.

10. Green Fork: This tiny piece of golf equipment is used to repair the green.  Rune uses this OSRAM one when he’s playing golf.

11. ‘Consequences of Discounts’ Calculator: This laminated card is a reminder of how a price decrease effects the margin needed for profit. These numbers are incredibly important for the sales team to understand.
 
12. OSRAM Buyers Guide 2009/2010:  All of OSRAM’s products can be found in this detailed guide, along with helpful technical information.

13. Photograph of Norway Holiday Home: This snow covered landscape surrounds Rune’s holiday home in the Norwegian mountains. A three hour drive from Oslo, this timber cabin is the perfect getaway for Rune and his family.  During the winter months they enjoy cross-country skiing in the snow.

14. Photograph of Granddaughter: Also known as “Granddad’s star” and/or “Julia”, Rune keeps a photograph of his adorable three-year-old granddaughter on his desk.  She lives in Norway with Rune’s son and daughter-in-law.

15. The Worshipful Company of Lightmongers Certificate: Rune was admitted as a Freeman into this livery company in September of 2008. ‘The Worshipful Company of Lightmongers’ brings together people with many varied skills in the industry to promote goodwill through charitable, educational and professional activities.

16. ‘Getting Light Right’ Energy Saving Product Guide: This lighting guidebook is to help educate professional customers choose energy efficient and cost saving lighting solutions.  Guides can be requested by contacting the  OSRAM.

17. Lighting Magazines: Due to the fact he is heavily involved in the lighting business, Rune makes sure he keeps up to date on what is going on in the industry through reading these magazines.  He finds them not only informative, but “very interesting” as well.

18. UK Strategy 2010 Documents: The preparation of strong strategic plans is vital for company success and Rune reviews these with his team throughout the year.

19. Mug of Tea:  Rune used to be a coffee man, but has now incorporated tea into his daily beverage intake.  He’s now 50/50.  Since moving to the UK, Rune has also assimilated in how he takes his tea – milk instead of lemon and sugar, which is the popular tea preference Norway.

20. OSRAM USB Pen: Part pen, part USB, this innovative little piece of technology combines everything you need at a meeting in one.  Along with being handy, this USB pen is also green, cutting the carbon footprint through cutting the need of paper.  OSRAM hands these pens out at meetings.