Last week we got the change to strengthen our Nordic cooperation within the IIC Partners Network. Our colleagues from Sweden, Norway and Denmark were our guests at the IIC Nordic Meeting in Helsinki for a few days. We had a series of effective and fruitful meetings to take our cooperation forward to another new level.

We are in an excellent position to succeed together with our customers in all the Nordic countries.

JFP’s long history stands as proof of our long-term commitment to our clients’ strategic objectives and continuous development. Our Research function has been an integral part of our service process from the very beginning, and the team’s role is reflected in every stage of the customer experience. Client-driven expertise and in-depth research create the JFP recipe for a successful executive search project.

Over the decades, the way our Research team operates has changed, with technological advances and digitalization in particular bringing the most visible changes to our day-to-day work. Whereas in the 1980s, data was collected by telephone and from printed sources such as the yellow pages, today we have a wide range of digital tools and platforms at our disposal. The efficiency brought about by LinkedIn in 2002, for example, has been just one development among others.

New tools have not reduced the importance of expertise however – quite the opposite. The unique ability to assess a wide range of data, identify the relevant factors and dive into specific client needs is where our Research team excels. While advances such as AI have opened up new opportunities for efficiency, human interaction and in-depth dialogue with clients and candidates remain key to our success.

Consultants and our clients can rest assured that our Research team works in an efficient, professional and innovative manner behind the scenes of every search process.

You can familiarize yourself with our team here.

The energy sector is undergoing a major transformation, driven by global megatrends. These trends not only affect the technology used by the sector, but also shape the business models on which future success will be built. These changes are challenging the ability of industry players to proactively develop their skills and leadership capabilities. Companies may need to invest in continuous training, seek new talent across industry boundaries or develop innovative strategies to support growth and innovation. An agile future leadership team will include key talent with not only deep technical expertise, but also the ability to adapt and innovate.

Pressures for sustainable development and the fight against climate change have been driving the energy industry strongly towards renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and hydro for some time now. These technologies require leaders to have deep expertise, not only in technical skills but also in project management. An understanding of environmental policy, sustainability strategies and corporate social responsibility has been increasingly emphasized in our executive search assignments for energy sector leadership over the past few years.

Linked to sustainable development, consumers’ increased environmental awareness and desire to switch to clean energy means that companies must also be able to market their sustainable solutions and investments more effectively to differentiate themselves from their competitors.

Energy storage solutions and smart grids are another key development that will require strong technical capabilities from the leadership. In particular, understanding IT solutions, data analytics and cyber security are critical areas. Energy leaders need to understand how to seamlessly integrate these technologies into their business and manage complex infrastructure projects, the success of which is crucial for competitiveness. As in many other industries, the energy sector needs visionaries who can harness the potential of digitalization to drive significant business transformation.

The energy sector faces ever tighter regulation, which directly affects business models and investment decisions. In-depth experience of national and international energy policy and a natural ability to operate in a complex regulatory environment are qualities that have been integrated into search profiles we have more recently built with clients.

JFP actively serves companies in the energy value chain, alongside a wide range of industrial sector players across Finland. We act as a partner to our clients as they consider issues related to competitiveness and we identify key talent from the market who fit company needs.

Together, we can build a forward-looking, energetic management team that reflects the energy sector, one with a clear vision, strategic expertise and the ability to take advantage of industry disruption in a way that ensures your company’s competitive advantage and long-term success.

* Update: Beware of regular SMS contacts using a misspelt version our company name and unverified personnel names. If you’re unsure whether our contact is legitimate, you can always email us at jfp@jfp.fi.

It has come to our attention that our company name is being used as a part of a WhatsApp scam to fish for information. These contacts are being made from a number with a foreign area code and the text is written in English.

We would like to notify you that these are not legitimate attempts to contact you on behalf of JFP and we have nothing to do with this apparent scam. JFP will always be confidential and transparent in our contact with you, and our phones are tied to the Finnish area code +358. Our first contact with you will never be via WhatsApp.

If you’ve received a suspicious phonecall or a message from someone identifying as an employee of our company:

1. Do not respond.
2. Notify WhatsApp directly:
   1. open the contact
   2. tap on the name associated with the contact, scroll down and tap “Report”
   3. Follow the instructions and choose to Report and Block the scammer.

If you have been affected by this, feel free to send an email to jfp@jfp.fi and attach any screenshots if you are able to do so. We appreciate your help!

Read more about online safety here: https://www.kyberturvallisuuskeskus.fi/en/ncsc-news/instructions-and-guides/how-protect-yourself-against-online-scams.

Enhancing board effectiveness is crucial for the success of a company’s strategy and the achievement of long-term goals. In order for a company to achieve more together, it is important for both executive management and the board to focus on key questions that enhance collaboration and strategy implementation.

Questions for Executive Management

What are the significant trends and their impacts on the strategy?

Executive management should consistently assess changes in the market and operating environment. What are the major trends that could be relevant to the company? Analyzing these trends from a strategic perspective is important to ensure that the company and the board stay updated and can react quickly to changes.

How are markets evolving, and what are the expectations of customers and actions of competitors?

Management needs a deep understanding of market evolution, changing customer expectations, and competitor actions. This requires continuous market monitoring, analysis, and the ability to adapt quickly to new situations. It is management’s responsibility to explore new growth avenues with customers and develop various scenarios to foster growth.

How does the company lead and organize innovation and research and development (R&D)?

Leadership in innovation and R&D is crucial for a company’s competitiveness and long-term success. Are the company’s organization and leadership models optimal for supporting continuous innovation and development?

Does the management possess the necessary expertise for strategy implementation?

Successful strategy implementation requires diverse expertise. The breadth of the management team’s expertise and their ability to apply strategic decisions in practice are crucial. Does management require additional training or external expertise?

How to ensure management commitment and energy levels for goal achievement?

Management commitment and high energy levels are crucial for goal achievement. How does management motivate themselves and their teams, and what incentive systems are in place?

Questions for the Board

Does the board have a common understanding of the company’s status and market situation?

Board members should have a unified and clear understanding of the company’s current status, as well as the market and value chain in which the company operates. This unified understanding is the foundation for effective decision-making.

Is the strategy aligned with the big picture?

The strategy should align with market changes, competitor actions, and significant markets for the company’s success. For example, if the significance of a certain market (such as Russia) is substantial, how are risks identified and managed?

How are new initiatives supported, and does the board sponsor key initiatives?

Supporting new initiatives is critical for achieving innovation and strategic goals. The board should ensure that key initiatives have sponsors who can guide and support their progress.

Effective board work requires active and continuous dialogue between executive management and the board. By asking the right questions, both strategic planning and implementation can be evaluated and improved. Creating a shared vision and aligning the strategy with the market situation helps companies succeed in an ever-changing operating environment.

The services provided by JFP are particularly valuable in this regard, as we provide crucial support and help identify development paths for the future competence of the board and management. This ensures that your company has access to the best possible expertise and experience, which enhances strategy implementation and strengthens your competitiveness.