We’re happy to introduce Kalle Härkönen, a Best Best Talent Platform Member who has completed a successful interim assignment through us at Ferovalo. Kalle recently finished a 6-month assignment at Dieta, receiving high praise for a job well done.
We sat down with Kalle to hear about his experience on the assignment.
"My role was to step in and lead the after-sales business unit, define strategic initiatives, and start implementing them. The business unit was loss-making, so I needed to implement a step change quickly. It was a full-time leadership position, and I was also a member of the company’s management team. I had full responsibility for driving the necessary changes."
"The situation of the business unit required expertise in managing demanding turnaround cases and engaging people in the change process. I have extensive experience in driving change across various companies and industries. I have also held several senior management and CEO positions where involving personnel in the transformation has been essential."
"Planning a change is often straightforward, but getting the staff fully on board is usually the most demanding part. This was the biggest challenge of the assignment and also critical to achieving the desired results. In the end, I managed to engage the team effectively, and their commitment became a key factor in the turnaround’s success."
"The role required a quick grasp of the business, clear prioritization, and strong change management skills. I have led around a dozen turnaround cases during my career, which has helped me develop my own approach to achieving fast and sustainable results. It’s important to remember that real change is driven by people, not by processes or techniques."
Q5: What stood out to you most during your time with the company?
"Even though we went through challenging times, a strong and positive team spirit made it possible to achieve significant change together. I was genuinely impressed by the staff’s commitment to the company and their determination to move it forward. I place great emphasis on open communication and involving people in the process, which helped build trust and engagement throughout the organization. It was truly a great community to be part of — the people are the real driving force behind the company’s progress."
"Trust your people during times of change. Give them meaningful responsibilities and support them throughout the process. When trusted and empowered, people will shape their own future — and the company’s as well."
"I am a developer by nature and passionate about helping companies reach the next level of performance. I’m looking for opportunities where I can combine strategic thinking with hands-on leadership, whether as a business unit leader or CEO. I enjoy driving transformation, building strong teams, and creating sustainable growth through clear direction and active engagement."
We thank Kalle Härkönen for sharing his takeaways from this assignment. We wish him all the best in his search for his next challenge.
Ferovalo helps companies find the right interim manager, board professional, or other executive-level expert for the job at hand.