Pieces of Me - An Inside Zalando podcast

Anna Wilk, Retail Manager for Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Slovenia at Zalando, joins Janine to in the studio to explain the importance of a retail manager in the industry, juggling content, the commercial calendar, and local sales strategies and combining an understanding of Zalando’s international strategy with local expertise. Anna explains the collaborative nature of her role, shining a light...

Janine sits down with Jan Bartels, SVP of B2B at Zalando, to hear the story of ZEOS, a concept that revolutionises logistics for the fashion and lifestyle retail industry. ZEOS is Zalando's new B2B brand that offers a one-stock-pool solution for brand partners, and the entrepreneurial journey of the last few months has been unique. Because the story of how ZEOS was initially conceived, then b...

Meg Greenhouse, Senior Vice President at Zalando Technology Foundation (ZTF), joins Janine in the studio to discuss the role of ZTF in providing all the necessary tools and support employees in the modern workplace need, giving us a peak behind the scenes of how an organisation like Zalando functions. Meg leads a team whose role is creating a seamless and enjoyable workplace, from physical infrast...

Jette Stempel, Head of Central Retail and Sales Campaigns at Zalando, visits the studio to talk with Janine about her career and responsibilities, the changing shape of the industry and her three “Pieces of Me”. Jette’s experience offers all kinds of insights for anyone considering a career in fashion, tech and online sales. She discusses the changing face of e-commerce, the importance understandi...

Leon Retief, Team Lead, Broadcasting and Video Production at Zalando, sits down with Janine to discuss his role and where live streaming, video production, and content creation fit in a a fashion and tech retail business Leon explains the process of building up the broadcasting and video production team from scratch at Zalando and the challenges they faced.  Leon and Janine talk through the increa...

In this episode, Janine interviews Thorsten Wehrend, the company doctor, to shed light on the crucial role company doctors have in a company like Zalando. As he explains, not everyone at Zalando - or other organisations - is aware of the role company doctors play and better promotion and awareness of their role will build better employee health and well-being. Thorsten explains how prioritising th...

Dan Persa, is Head of Engineering for ZEOS logistics and in this episode he talks to Janine about his role, his career, his approach to leadership and of course his three "Pieces of Me". The conversation covers the groundbreaking ZEOS logistics project at Zalando, which has the potential to transform E-commerce for brands across Europe, as well as Dan's perspective on motivating you...

Janine sits down with Dusan Radojevic,  Director of Engineering for Customer Facing Applications at  Lounge by Zalando, to discuss his career to date and why mentorship and support are so vital for of personal and professional growth. Dusan explains his career to date, why Lounge by Zalando stands out in fashion and tech retails and  how the"start-up" mentality at Lounge is a key compone...

In this episode, Janine interviews Maria Dodevska, Engineering Manager in the Site Reliability Engineering department at Zalando.  They discuss the role of Maria’s team in building reliable software and providing a seamless customer experience, the evolution of the e-commerce industry over the last five years, and the need for a modern fashion and tech retailer to offer inspiration and stories via...

Caitriona Bermingham and Hala Al Kuwatly sit down with Janine to discuss the issue of the lack of diversity in tech roles globally.  In an episode that focuses on Employee Resource Groups at Zalando, Caitriona and Hala explain how the Women in Tech ERG helps create a voice, advocacy, events and opportunities for women in the tech field, at Zalando and beyond. They explain how making tech accessibl...

As part of our ongoing series looking at how Employee Resource Groups can empower organisations and individuals to reach new levels of engagement and cooperation, Janine talks to Karoline Bamberowicz and Sandra Dobiosch from the  Mental Wellbeing ERG at Zalando. Karoline and Sandra unpack why they became involved in the ERG, the four pillars behind it's purpose, and how the ERG has benefited...

This conversation with Alexander Dohmen gives a fascinating insight into how sustainability regulations are shaping the fashion and tech retail sector. Alex, who is not your typical lawyer, explains how Environmental and Sustainability Law is growing to ensure operations run in line with the world's sustainability goals. Understanding and navigating these regulations is essential for business...

We're back after a short winter break and in this episode we're celebrating the first Pieces of Me "pod-iversary". Janine is joined by Aditi Gupte, Employer Branding Team Lead at Zalando. Aditi is one of the main players behind the podcast and together they discuss the importance of great employer branding, why they started Pieces of Me and how a podcast fits into an employer b...

Martin Schwitalla, Engineering Manager at Zalando sits down with Janine to discuss how the unlikely inspiration of hours spent gaming  has helped shape his career to date. Martin also explains how inventory management works and why it’s a vitally important part of the logistical challenge for fashion and tech retail in the digital age. His three pieces shed light on how the culture at Zalando prov...

Kenneth Melchior, VP of Lounge by Zalando sits down with Janine and explains his current role at Lounge as well as his varied career to date, all across Zalando. Kenneth touches on the innovative "treasure hunt" and short-lived campaign strategies  that Lounge by Zalando use to enhance the customer journey. He then goes on to discuss the importance of agile ways of working and how e-comm...

Embracing diversity is vital for organisations to thrive in fashion and tech retail. Kerstin and Elke join Janine to discuss the “invisible diversity” of neurodivergent colleagues and the power and impact of the Neurodiversity ERG at Zalando. Kerstin and Elke explain our unconscious biases when it comes to neurodiverse colleagues and bring into the studio three pieces - including artwork created f...

Janine sits down with Pooja Chibber and Shannon Besim to unpick the old Hollywood stereotypes about assistants and  find out what skills are vital when it comes to keeping  leadership teams running effectively and efficiently. Pooja and Shannon discuss the importance of organisational skill, communication, personal resilience, and how the job is a little like Tetris. They also touch on the opportu...

On this special episode of Pieces of Me, Janine hears from Zalando colleagues from across the business to hear what it means to succeed in fashion and tech retail. Every year, around the anniversary of when the first customer order was made in 2008, Zalando celebrates it’s Founding Days with a special focus on a unique culture in the workplace. In this episode, we touch on everything from using AI...

Neha sits down with Janine  to explain Project Management in fashion and tech retail  and unpack what her role entails and why it's important. Neha touches on new projects that will transform the sector and opens up about the risks and best practice when it comes to new Project Management. Neha's "pieces" reveal her passion for travel and her reasons for moving to Europe, what...

In the second of our episodes looking at how employee resource groups can improve  employee experience and onboarding within large businesses, Janine sits down with Hassan Elseoudy and Noor Malik, members of the Muslim Community ERG at Zalando to unpack why the community is so important to them and to the company. Amongst Hassan and Noor's "pieces" are a football shirt, the abstract...

Cassandra and Lisanne sit down with Janine to discuss their Hopes and objectives for the Black Employee Connection ERG at Zalando, the effects of the Black Lives Matter movement in the work environment and the evolving roles of ERGs within organisations. From a Blackberry to The Matrix on VHS, the ‘pieces’ Cassandra and Lisanne bring into the studio reflect their passion for African American liter...

Janine sits down with Lilly Tonin from Lounge by Zalando to hear Lilly's insights into the home and lifestyle brands industry and how it works today as well as her career advice for anyone looking to take their first steps in the sector. Lilly's three Pieces of Me reflect her passion for writing, how continual learning is the most important part of great leadership, and the importance of...

Over the last few months we’ve heard some super-smart and inspiring pieces of wisdom and career advice from our guests. To make all this advice easily accessible, we have packaged them all together in this special episode.  Our guests give us the lowdown on what it takes to succeed in the fashion and tech retail sector as well as more general insights into achieving your career goals. They touch o...

Justin Rao sits down to talk to Janine to discuss the application of science in the world of fashion and tech retail. How do algorithms help drive customer value? How are the analysts in Justins team employed? How does Justin's background in economics shape pricing at Zalando. Justin also gives us a glimpse of the future of e-commerce and brings with him 3 pieces that reveal his approach to l...

Andreas Antrup sits down with Janine and explains how the fashion and tech retail industry has completely transformed during  the twelve years that  he has been with Zalando.  He also sheds light on the future of the industry as Zalando continues to evolve fashion and tech retail by connecting consumers and partners on the platform.   Andreas' three "Pieces Of Me" reveal not only hi...