Interview with Magdalena: Behind the Scenes at XTRAS forward thinking.

 KLAUDIA: Hello Magda, you’ve been with XTRAS for 11 years and have been part of the company from the very beginning. Before we talk about your professional life, can you tell us a little about yourself?

 

MAGDALENA: Of course! I studied Management and Logistics at the Technical University, but the best time during my studies was definitely my Erasmus stay at FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg. There, I made some good friends and experienced the international, multicultural student life. I also gained my first professional experience in process optimization. In everyday life, maintaining balance is important to me. I love to travel and cherish every minute with my family. When I want to unwind, I enjoy reading crime novels or watching movies – “Seven” and “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” are among my absolute favorites. In general, thrillers captivate me the most. To stay fit, I jog with my dog Tiara, do Fitness Thairobics, Strong Nation, and play volleyball. Sports give me the energy I need to juggle everything.

 

KLAUDIA: That sounds like a great work-life balance Now, onto your professional role: You’ve been a core part of XTRAS forward thinking since its founding in 2013. Can you tell us about your work and career development?

 

MAGDALENA: I started at XTRAS as a management assistant and now I also work as a sales manager. In recent years, I’ve become increasingly interested in project management and have further developed my skills in this area, especially in agile project management and Agile Business Analytics. I really enjoy managing projects, especially since we at XTRAS work in an agile way ourselves. It’s exciting to implement agile principles in practice and see how they help make our projects more efficient.

 

KLAUDIA: Agile project management seems to be an important factor in an IT company. What is the main difference between agile and traditional project management?

 

MAGDALENA: The main difference lies in flexibility and adaptability. Traditional project management often follows a rigid plan, while agile project management focuses on iterative processes and continuous improvements. This allows us to respond more quickly to changes and better meet our customers’ needs. We believe that EVOLUTION is the most effective R-EVOLUTION in a company’s digital transformation.

 

KLAUDIA: You’ve also completed training in change management. How important is this area in your work environment?

 

MAGDALENA: Change management is a key success factor, especially with new projects. Change is often inevitable these days and happens more frequently. In logistics IT, we are constantly introducing new technologies and need to ensure that we comply with current regulations so that our software in supply chain management stays up to date.
This brings many challenges, particularly in ensuring a smooth transition. Effective change management ensures that the whole team is on board and that the changes positively impact the project. For example, when a new software tool is introduced: Only when the team is properly trained, and the transition is well planned can the new technology reach its full potential.
Through my training, I’ve learned how important it is not only to plan changes but also to implement them strategically, step by step, so that all stakeholders are optimally supported.

 

KLAUDIA: Additional to the training courses, you also took part in various workshops. What experiences did you gain from these?

 

MAGDALENA: The workshops were a perfect complement to my newly acquired skills. Topics like “Effective Meetings” or “Feedback as a Work Tool” gave me practical tools that I can apply in my day-to-day work. I particularly enjoyed the workshops on Scrum Master tools and the practical application of AgilePM, as I can directly apply these methods to our projects. It was a great opportunity to expand my knowledge and immediately put what I learned into practice.

 

KLAUDIA: What are the latest trends in agile project management?

 

MAGDALENA: Two of the most exciting trends in agile project management for me are the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven technologies, as well as the growing use of hybrid project management methods. AI helps automate project processes, analyze data, and make predictions about project progress. This allows us to identify risks earlier and plan actions more efficiently.
Data intelligence technologies enable us to make informed decisions based on large data sets, which is particularly beneficial in complex projects.
Hybrid approaches that combine agile methods with traditional project management techniques are also becoming more popular. They offer more flexibility and can be tailored to the specific project. These trends help manage projects more efficiently and effectively while engaging the team to the fullest.

 

KLAUDIA: How would you describe the work culture at XTRAS?

 

MAGDALENA: Working at XTRAS is fun. We have a lot of freedom to continue learning and the opportunity to bring new ideas to the table. The work environment is pleasant, and although we operate at two locations and many colleagues work remotely, we have a strong sense of team spirit. We meet for after-work events, and last year we had an unforgettable company trip to Mallorca. This year, we’re planning a Christmas party, and I’m already looking forward to it.

 

KLAUDIA: In closing, tell us, what are your plans for the future and what is your next project?

 

MAGDALENA: Our next big project is the implementation of a new project management tool. At the same time, we’re working on two large projects: one in the field of freight forwarding software and the other in the area of terminal operation systems. It will be a big challenge, but also very exciting.

 

KLAUDIA: Thank you, Magdalena, for the interesting conversation.