Would you have guessed that our CEO Juhani JĂ€rvensivu took the role of CEO when he was still studying at the university? Actually, he was not dreaming of becoming an entrepreneur at all. But as it turned out, he is just the right person to lead our team in the fight against food waste. How has Juhani become the leader he is today? What kind of thing does he focus on to get our team to thrive? Juhani's story is a testament to the unexpected paths life can lead you down, and the extraordinary things you can achieve if you trust your gut!
When Juhani JĂ€rvensivu was a student of industrial engineering and management at Aalto University in 2016, he had no grand plans to become an entrepreneur. Like many of his peers, he envisioned a future in one of the big strategy consultancies post-graduation.
âThe thought of leading a fast-growing company was far from my mindâ, Juhani smiles. But life, as it often does, had other plans.
It was during a second-year school project for Fiskars, that Juhani was tasked to streamline logistics. That project set the wheels of destiny in motion because Richard âRickeâ Lindroos, co-founder of FiksuruokaâFoodello was at that time working in Fiskars, and Juhani unintentionally showcased his potential to Ricke.
âI immediately recognized he had very good leadership skills, he supported others, he was diplomatic and could rationalize things in a really nice and smart wayâ, Ricke says.
Ricke saw a potential partner in Juhani and they got talking. âAt the time, Ricke had the business idea in place and was piloting our service with a warehouse in his own garageâ, Juhani explains. After a month and a half of discussions and trust-building, they decided to shake hands and Juhani became the CEO and co-founder of Fiksuruoka.
The early days of FiksuruokaâFoodello were humble, to say the least.
âIn the beginning, we operated out of Ricke's garage. I took on multiple roles â procurement, marketing, financing â running the show single-handedlyâ, Juhani says. Fast forward to 2024, the team of enthusiastic waste warriors has grown to around 60 and Juhaniâs role has changed quite a lot.
What is it like to lead a company like FiksuruokaâFoodello?
âItâs both a challenge and a thrill. Leading a company is just extremely interesting. Particularly when it comes to optimizing it through numbers, building a winning organizational culture, and building a team willing to learn and develop continuously and shaing the same values. Taking this kind of responsibility, making an impact with a great team, and guiding like-minded professionals are the things that thrive and motivate me", Juhani says.
âOne of the most motivating things in my role is to inspire and help others to succeed and grow. Iâm a strong believer in the potential of our team who are eager to grow and take ownershipâ, Juhani says.
How do you build a team that works together for a common goal?
Firstly, Juhani believes in the inclusive decision-making process that allows people to take ownership and make decisions about their work. âWe have created joint forums where decisions are made collectively, not just by the management. Decisions about our daily operations are done where the immediate effects of decisions are seen â on the operating teamsâ, Juhani abbreviates.
âDecisions about our daily operations are done where the immediate effects of decisions are seen â on the operating teams.â
This participatory approach, he believes, encourages the team to bring their perspectives and insights to define the right actions and makes people more motivated about what we as a company are doing.
Secondly, the not-so-secret sauce to Juhaniâs team-building recipe is sharing his enthusiasm for our mission to fight against food waste. âI really love our mission. Itâs easy to motivate the team when we are building something I truly believe inâ, he emphasizes.
To fulfill the mission, Juhani believes in data-based decision-making and fast testing. âWe have built a strong culture where decisions are based on data and testing culture to make sure we wonât just stand still but find new and better ways to take steps toward the bigger goalâ, he says.
As said, one of the rewarding aspects of Juhaniâs role is mentoring his team and witnessing their growth. He is results-oriented and has a vision for greater things â lucky us!
Juhani's leadership strength comes from sticking to our defined strategy and goals, acting based on those, and making firm decisions.
That said, he acknowledges that the growth journey hasn't been without its challenges. During tougher times, when the work we're doing doesn't show results right away, it can be tough to keep spirits high.
"This is when having a strong culture and good leadership really matters. It's important to keep the faith and keep encouraging people to continue the systematic work on defined main priorities. We might not always see the effects right away, but in the big picture, we're making progress and the results will come" Juhani emphazises.
One distinguishing factor that Juhani is keeping an eye on is that things are planned well in advance and broken into easy-to-grasp pieces.
âWhen we plan a project carefully and break it down into smaller tasks, we trust that it will succeed and push it forward. Of course, we will test, learn and adapt on the go, but in the bigger picture you need to believe in the chosen strategy, stick to it, and execute it well to succeedâ, Juhani says.
When asked about his leadership philosophy, Juhani's answer is clear: "I believe in leading through positivity".
He emphasizes celebrating successes, learning from mistakes, and fostering a sense of ease and positivity even under pressure. âI want to create an environment where our team feels trusted and encouraged to develop their areas of expertiseâ, he adds.
Juhani strongly believes in giving ownership to his team and trusting their decisions. He encourages and challenges them, but ultimately, he allows them to make their own decisions. "Even if they choose a path I may not fully agree with, their excitement and belief in their choice outweighs my decision," he says.
But as no one is perfect, what would you like to get better at, Juhani?
âWell, I do have strong opinions and occasionally can be a bit inflexible, which can sometimes hinder my openness to new ideasâ, he smiles and continues: âBut I always have good intentions. I make sure we have a clear direction and priorities to reach our goals. Constantly changing direction doesn't lead us anywhere. We must choose what we're best at and stick to it."
In his quest to create a better work-life for his team, Juhani does the following daily:
Believing that asking "How are you doing?" is crucial, Juhani ensures he's always there for his team. âI focus on our teamâs well-being, regularly checking in and making sure they're managing well. One example is our bi-monthly personal growth conversations. The bottom line is that I don't want anyone to sacrifice their well-being for professional successâ, he says.
When you are fighting against food waste and testing new things, work can sometimes be overwhelming. âIâm always willing to help my team to reprioritize tasksâ, Juhani says. He places their well-being first and encourages them to do the same. You'll receive the support you need to handle your tasks effectively without compromising your health and happiness.
With Juhani, you get to experience leadership that respects your expertise and enhances your decision-making abilities. âI will trust you on your decisions, spar, and ask questions, but in the end, I will let you do it your way. Leading people is a continuous journey and I feel like I am learning new things every dayâ, Juhani sums.