#Christmas talk with Dagfinn

Brief summary of 2024 – Cegalway?

The year 2024 has been both busy and exciting. Cegal continues to grow, with strong momentum internationally and numerous significant opportunities in the pipeline. Cegal possesses immense potential that we have only just begun to tap into, which is both thrilling and invigorating. At the same time, like most other companies, we face some "hairball" challenges that need addressing. We constantly strive to deliver strong results while transforming the company to be more resilient for global growth and tougher competition. Transform while perform. Therefore, we are heavily investing in people, products, technology, and service platforms to achieve our goal of building the world's best technology company for energy, helping our customers increase efficiency, reduce costs, and enjoy better peace of mind.

What is the best thing about Christmas?

A typical answer, but like most people, I enjoy unwinding with family and friends and indulging in delicious food. I also like to read a couple of books during Christmas, as it's a great time to reflect on where you are in life, appreciate what you have, and consider how you can help others. This year, I plan to read "Kan du høre byen puste" by Don Martin and Zeshan Shakar. It’s about growing up in Oslo East, where I’m from, and how, despite the challenging circumstances, we had a wonderful time. And I always seem to get sick during Christmas, which will probably happen again this year 😅😷

What are this year's plans for the Christmas holiday?

This year, my children, the rest of the family, and I will celebrate Christmas at my sister and brother-in-law's cabin in Sauda. It's a great advantage that Espen Espedal, a colleague from Cegal, has a neighboring cabin, so I can pop over to him for some Christmas treats and maybe a drink.
On our way back, we'll spend a few days at my own cabin in Gaustablikk. I love being there, so it will be wonderful.

Is there anything you can't do without during Christmas?

Dried lamb ribs, gingerbread men, and clementines 🍊

Best Christmas food?

Lamb ribs, but fresh and smoked (not salted and dried). They have a milder flavor than the usual lamb ribs and are absolutely fantastic. It's a tradition from my great-grandmother on Utsira, and I have to purchase them at a specialty butcher shop back home in Oslo.

Best Christmas drink?

Pepsi Max is always the best drink, no matter the season. However, an ice-cold beer and a small aquavit also pair well with the Christmas meal.

What is the best Christmas movie?

It has to be Love Actually. It's become quite a cliché, but it's both a lovely and funny film. And I also think Tim Burton’s A Nightmare Before Christmas is really cool. It's quite a different film, to say the least.

What is the best Christmas music?

I have quite a broad taste in music and listen to everything from Dimmu Borgir and Metallica to Michael Bublé and the Oslo Gospel Choir. In the summer, I attend Tons Of Rock. During Christmas, I go to the Oslo Gospel Choir at the Oslo Concert Hall. They are a wonderful Christmas tradition, and I enjoy listening to smooth jazz and beautiful Christmas songs during the holiday season.

What is the funniest thing you've done during Christmas?

On the third day of Christmas, I gather my closest childhood friends for what we call Romjulshockeypoker. We meet outdoors to play pond hockey for hours, then head back to my place to play poker, enjoy pizza, and reminisce about the good old days. I cherish these friends, and it's the most fun day of the year.

However, the most amazing Christmas Eve was in 2009 when my son, Daniel, was born, making it the best Christmas gift ever. 💙👶

Do you have any childhood memories from Christmas?

There was a time when immense disappointment turned into euphoria and happiness as I opened a gift from my parents and found a bath towel inside. How could they just give me that? Then I felt something inside the towel and discovered the Kiss Alive II LP record. An iconic album that was played to pieces over many years of my childhood.

Hopes for 2025 - #Cegalway?

I have dedicated my entire future to Cegal, and I am passionately committed to our shared success. As Cegal celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2025, I hope we mark the occasion by achieving our best year yet. This means continuing to excel globally while boosting sales at home and ensuring that employees are satisfied at all locations and in every country. If we accomplish this, there will be more celebrations, fun, and increased career and development opportunities for everyone in 2025. 🚀🚀

Dagfinn and childhood friends from Vålerenga enjoying themselves at Romjulshockey, a tradition on the third day of Christmas.