Why Trust Outperforms Control

Executive Insight | Ægir Thorisson, CPO

Trust is often described as a value. Something cultural. Something aspirational.
I have come to believe that this framing is too narrow.

Trust is not just how people feel inside an organization. It is how the organization actually runs. It shapes how decisions are made, how authority is distributed, how quickly problems surface, and how fast teams learn.

In practice, trust determines execution speed.

Executive Insight | Ægir Thorisson, CPO

Every leadership team I meet wants the same things.

Better decisions.
Faster execution.
More innovation.
Stronger ownership.

The assumption is straightforward. Put smart people together, give them clear goals, and performance will follow.

I used to think that too.

Executive Insight | Ægir Thorisson, CPO

For years, we have talked about burnout as if it were the defining workplace crisis of our time.
And to be clear, burnout is real. I have seen it. Most leaders have.
But when I look at the data, I see something else as well.

According to global engagement research from Gallup, employee engagement worldwide has declined. Europe sits at the bottom of the ranking. Just thirteen percent of European employees report being engaged at work.

Thirteen percent!

When the Norwegian police recently selected Advania to supply PCs, Macs, mobile phones and tablets with associated equipment, they cited one reason: the best quality offer. For a force responsible for public safety across an entire nation, "good enough" isn't an option. But this single procurement decision points to something larger. Across Northern Europe, Advania supports essential public services in environments where downtime isn't just inconvenient, it's impossible.

Advania has earned over 130 awards and recognitions in four years across the Nordics and the UK. From Microsoft, Cisco, Dell, HP, HPE, Lenovo, Fortinet, VMware by Broadcom, Salesforce, Oracle and several others.

But the real story isn't the number. It's where they come from.

Across Europe, the new EU cybersecurity directive (NIS2) is being implemented into national law, but not everywhere at the same pace. Denmark and Finland have already completed the process, while Sweden and Ireland are in the final phase of preparing their legislation. Iceland and Norway, though not EU member states, will also implement the directive through the EEA. The UK is likewise updating its national cybersecurity framework to align with the core purpose of NIS2.

Why shadow AI use is the corporate risk no one wants to talk about.

You probably have employees using ChatGPT at work right now. They might be summarizing a contract, rewriting emails, or analyzing client data. Maybe they even paid for the subscription themselves.
It feels efficient. Productive. Smart.
It might also be illegal ...

The allure of artificial intelligence can be overwhelming. With headlines promising revolutionary transformation and vendors showcasing impressive capabilities, many organizations find themselves rushing to adopt the latest AI tools without a clear roadmap. This approach, while understandable given competitive pressure, often leads to disappointing results and wasted investment. The most successful AI implementations follow a different path: strategy first, tools second.

Four fundamental shifts are reshaping how organisations operate, compete, and create value. Drawing from insights in our 2024 Annual Report, we explore how these forces are creating new opportunities and challenges – and why we're already building the solutions our customers need to thrive in this new landscape.

Note: This interview is featured in the 2024 Annual and Sustainability Report.

Fish, fuel, and fjord routes – Advania’s new tool is leading to cost-savings and sustainable choices for a Norwegian fishing industry giant Pelagia. "With this tool, we are saving double-digit percentages on fuel," says Frode Vatne, Chief Information Officer at Pelagia.

Note: This interview is featured in the 2024 Annual and Sustainability Report.

Advania has had a year of remarkable growth. But unlike many IT companies that scale through centralisation, Advania has done the opposite – proving that local autonomy fuels success. In this conversation, Chairman Gestur Gestssonand CEO Hege Støre discuss how 'The Advania Way' drives expansion while staying true to its core values.

Note: This story is featured in the 2024 Annual and Sustainability Report.

The role of Chief Information Security Officer at Advania is newly established, but Henric Skalberg has a clear vision for its purpose: driving collaboration across markets to address shared cybersecurity challenges. 'Each of our markets has strengths, but by working together, we can achieve more and offer even greater value to our customers,' says Henric.