It was January 2020. As key players, we were on the brink of big things. We were working on a strategy for 2020-2023. The consultant and everyone involved. Thank you, Ane Ahnger, you also contributed to what we are today. The guidelines were already quite clear when we considered the challenges we would face. We called the most critical of these the Must-Win-Battles, the battles we must win to ensure our strategy is realised.

In working on the strategy, we recognised that our management system was not at A level. In fact, it was not even close. So we set out as one of our battles to get our management system to A level. The A has been an important part of our identity all along the way and it still appears on our logo, even though the A suffix has disappeared from the name. For us, the A on the rigid foundation bar symbolises a step up in terms of quality, customer and employee satisfaction and other various stakeholder needs. 

I dare say that our current robust certified management system is significantly ahead of the criteria that were being considered at the time. The strategy has also been refined year on year as the environment has changed. The direction is still being considered and, of course, robust decisions based on analysis are being taken. At the moment, the strategy is being updated for the period 2025-2029. There will of course be changes, but the value of firmness is something that must continue to be upheld in our day-to-day work. When values are experienced first-hand, they are reflected in all activities.

Once I was asked a question; "What to do when the customer has carried out a significant amount of work for us under contract and has also purchased the materials?". With the euro in sight, it's easy to fall into the trap of wondering what better place to improve project margins. I thought of that too. However, the questioner and I stared at each other for a while, until we jointly concluded that the answer could probably be found on the corridor wall in the strategy table. 

Firmness - We stand by our promises and take feedback constructively. Our straightforwardness reassures customers.

- Marko