Oct 13, 2017 8:35 AM CET

International day for failure

Everybody loves a good failure story. 

So do we at Tele2. We're firm believers that only those who dare to fail miserably can ever achieve greatly. You could even say that it's a vital part of our identity as fearless challengers.  

Needless to say, this is a great opportunity to do something that honors failure and personal growth at the same time.  We asked our Leadership to share their best stories and they make up for an interesting read. But we want to hear your story! Post it under #wearetele2 in a social channel of your choice and be a part of the movement and the chance to win grand prices.

Locked up

Early in my career, I got the opportunity to work as a bank clerk in one of Sweden’s largest banks. It was great fun and I truly enjoyed handling the range of customers that enter a bank. However, one time I managed to get (unintentionally – I hope) locked in by my colleagues in the bank when shutting it down one afternoon. I was sorting out the last paperwork and my colleague thought I had already left. So he shut the lights, locked up and I was trapped in a dark bank until I set off the alarm and the police came and got me out of there. This actually led to the bank globally rolling out new security routines. Probably the biggest legacy I left from my years with the bank…

Viktor Wallström, Vice President Group Communications

Working Capital matters

My failure was to drop the project of the creation of a private company called 'Micro Sim'. I worked on the project of this company in 2001. It was meant to be a fully automated, digital based, french postpaid distributor. It would have been providing early commission payments to small dealers, offering handset purchase and collecting mobile operator payments. After 6 months of hard work, I came to the conclusion that the Business Case didn't work because the more successful the company was, the more cash and working capital it needed. The concept was a failure and stopped at the Business Case. I learned two things. One Working Capital matters. Two, work hard on the Business Case and if it doesn't work drop the project even if you take the project personally.

Guillaume van Gaver, EVP International