Nice to meet you, Martin! Could you tell us a bit about your background and how you ended up in your current role?
I’m a Master of Science in Engineering by education. Most of my career has been in consulting, though I also did some interim roles early on. My background is in manufacturing industry.
I share some history with Mantec’s owners—we met while working at an American consulting firm. They founded Mantec in 1997 and approached me in late 2004 to start operations in Finland. The company already had a strong reputation in Sweden, satisfied clients, and my own expertise aligned well with Mantec’s offering. I was the first Mantec consultant in Finland and put together the team for our first local assignment.
Could you tell us more about your current role at Mantec?
I lead our operations in Finland and serve as Country Manager, which means I’m responsible for both strategic and operational aspects of the business. I also participate in client projects and sales. I want to be involved in project execution, because I truly enjoy it – it energizes me and balances out the administrative work. Client work also keeps me up to date and grounded in practice, which is crucial from a leadership perspective. I know what it takes for our team to perform at its best.
How do you view working with experts – surely not the easiest group to manage?
Being an expert comes with the ability to challenge – and I actually expect that, because we have sharp minds and strong opinions on our team. HR management can be demanding, and dialogue plays a crucial role. What unites us are shared values across the team, which is a powerful and constructive force.
RESTLESS FEET LED TO A GLOBAL CAREER
What initially sparked your interest in management consulting?
It was partly by chance. At the beginning of my career, I worked at Kone Corporation, where I was being guided toward a design engineer role. But I had restless feet – I didn’t want to settle down. I longed for a field full of energy, with opportunities to travel and see the world. I saw a job ad from an American company looking for consultants. The job offered variety, challenge, great clients, top-tier talent, and most importantly, demanding assignments. I’ve had the chance to work internationally across many different industries.
From a Finnish perspective, which work culture has been the most unusual?
The most unusual culture I’ve encountered has been the Russian one. Our cultures differ in so many ways that it was quite a challenge to reconcile them. That said, the solutions we implemented there were still quite standard – after all, the same business principles apply everywhere. The Nordics are my home turf, though I’ve also worked a lot in Central Europe.
PEOPLE-FOCUSED VALUES DRIVE SUCCESS
What would you say are your strengths in such a demanding job?
Definitely my ability to get along with different kinds of people. That’s absolutely essential in this line of work. Also resilience – when facing headwinds, you need to adapt and build trust. You must believe in your mission and be able to get people on board. That requires a lot of dialogue and communication.
Have these traits always been a part of you, or have you developed them consciously? These traits have always been part of who I am, though they’ve certainly grown stronger over time. They’ve helped me succeed from the very beginning.
What motivates you most in your work, and what do you find most rewarding?
Positive client feedback and successful assignments are the most rewarding. Fulfilling client expectations and promises brings great moments of pride and gratitude. Our team sometimes achieves incredible results – so impressive that even we are surprised, even though that’s exactly what we aim for. We’re able to carry out large-scale projects in a short time and help clients achieve significant results.
What values matter most to you at work, and how are they reflected at Mantec?
Commitment – doing what we say we’ll do. Keeping promises to clients is our number one priority, and we’ve succeeded in that. “Treat others as you’d like to be treated” is an old but still valid value in our thinking. We operate very close to the client interface, and it’s important for us to consider the individual. This may partly come from Swedish culture – the desire to listen, engage in dialogue, and build solutions together. The best results always come from working collaboratively.
Have there been any specific learning experiences or turning points in your career?
Every project teaches you something new. The experience builds steadily over time, and in this job, you’re never completely finished learning.
THE FORMULA FOR SURVIVAL – TWO KEY FACTORS OF SUCCESSFUL COMPANIES
Right now, the situation is tough for companies in Finland. What do you think separates successful companies from the rest?
The key capability at this moment is execution. We see a lot of good analysis and plans related to development, change, and continuous improvement. But in the end, execution determines success – whether those good plans are actually put into action.
Another key differentiator is a clear and focused strategy. A company needs a clear direction that keeps it on course and prevents it from straying. A clear strategy also strengthens the ability to adapt to change. When the overall direction is clear, a company can better anticipate changes and make strategic moves early enough.
There are many advisors – what sets Mantec apart from others in the field?
Our values set us apart. This is reflected in the fact that a significant majority of our revenue comes from repeat clients. We fully commit to our projects and work closely with clients, genuinely listening to them. Differentiation is key. Our ability to execute is also on another level. Consultants can produce professional analyses and reports, but that’s not enough – the real question is whether we can support the client in implementing those insights in a way that truly stands out.
Mantec has just joined global Andersen Consulting. What does this mean for clients? And for Mantec?
This marks the beginning of a whole new chapter – a great new phase is starting for us. Andersen Consulting brings with it a global network. AC currently has around 3,500 consultants and a global presence in over 60 countries. We now have access to even more diverse expertise and tools, enabling us to offer our clients even more comprehensive solutions. I’m particularly impressed by AC’s strong focus on leveraging and applying artificial intelligence.
At the same time, we remain agile and customer-oriented – what has made Mantec strong will continue. Our clients can expect the same direct and hands-on collaboration, but now backed by a broader and more international knowledge base.
For the Mantec team, this means new opportunities to develop and grow within a larger global company – while holding onto the values and ways of working we all believe in.
STRENGTH AND SERENITY FROM THE ARCHIPELAGO
It’s clear that your work is rewarding but also demands a lot. How do you recharge?
I stay energized through sports and outdoor activities – skiing in the winter and golfing in the summer. I also spend summers living the archipelago life at our cottage in Nauvo. I draw strength from it and enjoy everything that comes with life by the water: boating, fishing, chopping firewood, and heating the sauna. Life in the archipelago is something I grew up with – we used to spend long summers there, taking part in the local lifestyle. Early on, I learned how the mind can refresh and recharge.
Thank you so much for the interview, Martin!
Are you looking for a reliable partner for your business change or development project?
Find out how we can support your business – contact us at mantec@mantec.eu
