When curiosity meets opportunity: Stefanie Mbanefo on growth, GLOW and Digital Sales
When Stefanie Mbanefo joined Konica Minolta in 2014 as an apprentice, she couldn't have imagined that her career would one day take her into the heart of Digital Sales – or all the way to Australia.
Working today as an eCommerce Marketing Manager at Konica Minolta Europe, Stefanie’s journey is a powerful example of how personal ambition and the right opportunities can grow in harmony.
“I started at Konica Minolta as an apprentice straight from school,” recalls Stefanie. “Looking back, that phase shaped me the most. You grow incredibly fast when you’re given responsibility early on.”
Growing with the company
Stefanie’s career path reflects what internal development at Konica Minolta can look like in practice. After completing her apprenticeship, she moved into a Junior Marketing role. She then decided to pursue a degree in Business Administration, and later returned to the company as a working student. In 2022, she transitioned seamlessly into her current role in Digital Marketing and eCommerce.
“The desire to develop myself always came from inside me,” she says. “But you can only make it happen when your employer supports you. Konica Minolta offers all the opportunities – you just have to be open to grasping them.”
Stefanie's openness paid off. She became part of a strategic European eCommerce project, supporting the rollout of online shops across multiple NOCs. Today, 11 country shops are live, and there are more to come.
Stefanie Mbanefo
eCommerce Marketing Manager
“Being part of something completely new at the company, a new digital sales channel, was a huge milestone. You really feel like you’re helping to shape the future”
Shaping the future of Digital Sales
As an eCommerce Marketing Manager, Stefanie plays a key role in driving Digital Sales, one of Konica Minolta’s strategic growth areas. Her work spans many areas: from supporting country launches to optimizing customer journeys, coordinating campaigns, improving SEO and content, and continuously developing the shops in collaboration with IT and local teams.
“What excites me most about eCommerce is that it makes us rethink how customers interact with us,” she explains. “Small businesses in particular want a simple, intuitive B2C-like experience, even though we operate in a complex B2B environment.”
Through Digital Sales, Konica Minolta can reach new customer segments, especially micro and small business customers, offering them a modern, flexible sales experience.
“We cover the entire customer journey digitally, from the first click all the way through to service and support. This saves customers time and shows that we're a modern, forward-thinking provider,” says Stefanie.
Learning beyond borders: GLOW and Australia
One of the most defining chapters in Stefanie’s journey was her participation in GLOW, Konica Minolta’s global development program, which saw her spend six months in Australia, developing an eCommerce strategy for the local market.
“That experience changed me both professionally and personally,” she says. “I found myself working much more strategically than before, and I gained a completely new understanding of how different parts of the organization interact.”
Presenting to leadership, collaborating across departments, and adapting European solutions to local market needs pushed her far beyond her comfort zone.
“I was nervous before the leadership meetings, but I had so much support," says Stefanie. "And that’s how you grow: by being challenged but not being left to cope alone.”
What impressed her most was realizing how strong the One Konica Minolta culture truly is.
Stefanie Mbanefo
eCommerce Marketing Manager
“Even on the other side of the world, the values were the same. From day one, I felt welcome. My experience really showed me that One Konica Minolta isn't just a slogan, it’s lived globally.”
Pride, purpose and perspective
Asked what makes her most proud, Stefanie doesn’t hesitate.
“Seeing something you’ve worked on for months go live, and knowing it's generating sales – that’s an amazing feeling. When we reached our first sales target, it really hit me: this work makes a difference.”
She also highlights the freedom that comes with working on new things.
“Because Digital Sales was new for the company, we had room to think beyond traditional approaches. That creative freedom, combined with clear goals, was incredibly motivating.”
Advice for future talents
Stefanie’s message to young talents starting at Konica Minolta is clear: be open, be curious, and be brave.
Stefanie Mbanefo
eCommerce Marketing Manager
“Don’t limit yourself to your job description. Look outside your own department, ask questions, and speak up about your aims and ambitions."
“And don't just wait for opportunities to happen. Sometimes, you have to ask for them.”
One more thing she has learned along the way:
“Give yourself more credit. We often move straight on to the next task without acknowledging what we’ve achieved. Taking a moment to reflect on successes, both as a team and individually, is incredibly important.”
A journey that reflects transformation
Stefanie’s story mirrors Konica Minolta’s own transformation from traditional structures to a more digital, customer-centric, and globally connected organization. Her journey shows what becomes possible when curiosity meets opportunity, and when a company truly invests in its people.
“To me, Konica Minolta combines internationality, strong collaboration, and a great working culture,” concludes Stefanie. That’s why I've stayed with the company, and why I'm proud to be a part of it.”