Exclusive interview with Patrik Selin: Strategy behind new office & recruitment push

Rebecca Liggero
Rebecca Liggero
December 16, 2010
6 Comments

patrik_selinOn the heels of the Bodog Europe new London office and recruitment push announcement, I decided to take a few steps into Bodog Europe CEO Patrik Selin’s office in Oxford Circus and talk to him about his organization’s latest developments.

According to Selin, he is looking to add the best people to his London based team so Bodog Europe will be fully prepared to execute in 2011. The compartmentalization of the industry in ’10 has forced many organizations to change their strategies and Selin predicts ‘11 will be the year of execution and getting to end points.

For more on Selin’s strategy for Bodog Europe, why Oxford Circus is his London office location of choice, and just how many he plans to add to his team, please take a look at our interview below.

Interview with Patrik Selin, CEO, Bodog Europe: The strategy behind the new Bodog Europe London office and recruitment push

RL: You have two offices in Oxford Circus – why did you choose this location?

PS: Everybody knows it and its right in the centre of London which in turn is the centre of the online gaming industry. We are in a global industry and, therefore, wanted offices in a location that is attractive to everybody wherever they are from which is important both from a recruitment point of view and for all the things you need to run a business.

Equally, once you’re here, there are a variety of excellent restaurants and shops to suit anyone’s taste and budget and you can easily run all your business needs in office hours. Essentially, who doesn’t go to Oxford Street when they visit London?

RL: The recruitment drive before ICE is already pretty intense, what’s the strategy going forward?

PS: Even more recruiting. The future of the industry lies in companies who execute the best and hire people who help them do that. We’re the first operator to have a recruitment booth at an iGaming show such as ICE and we are hiring even more HR staff to help us manage the recruitment process. Basically, we will continue what we are doing, which will help us deliver on our strategy better.

RL: Why did eGaming Review describe Bodog Europe as “THE dream place to work”?

PS: This is a hard one for me to answer, but I hope its because we’re getting a reputation for being a brand that wants to be a winner and people are attracted to that type of environment. We are lucky to be in a position where we have a lot to invest in space and talent and we take pride in making fast decisions and in the people who are responsible for our success.

RL: Do you have a recruitment number in mind that you want to reach?

PS: We have 100 vacancies in mind right now so probably many more than that by the end of 2011.

RL: Now that we’re at the crossroads of 2010 and 2011, what would you say has been the most significant industry ‘turning point’ in 2010 and what do you think 2011 will bring?

PS: iGaming companies have realized in 2010 that the industry is becoming compartmentalized and that we all have to act with that in mind. Companies can no longer have just one license and expect to take over the world – there must be a turning point in strategies – and companies are now trying to adjust to this. 2011 is all about execution and the ability to react quickly to changes. Companies must be in a position to execute and, as I have said before, the best way to do this is to must have the best people in place. It’s no longer about a company’s starting point…in 2011 it’s all about how a company gets to the end point.

If you have any further information related to this story that you would like to share with us privately please click here.

Can't get enough CalvinAyre.com? Follow us on Twitter and Facebook, then you'll never miss out on the latest gaming industry news.

Share
Tags: Article, Bodog Europe, Patrik Selin
Views and opinions expressed are those of the Author and do not necessarily reflect those of CalvinAyre.com