Meet our guardian of excellence: Jari Lehtonen. With commitment and attention to detail, Jari ensures that every aspect of our work meets the highest standards, reinforcing our reputation as a trusted and reliable provider in the ERP industry.
Curious by nature, Jari is always seeking knowledge and trying to stay ahead of the curve. Here's what he has to say about his role and daily work in SprintIT - go ahead, Jari!
My career journey...
... started as a service technician at a global IT company, where I honed my skills in after-sales and service.
Over the years, I've taken on various roles, from hands-on operational tasks to leadership positions.
One pivotal moment was when I became a service manager and got introduced to Lean through an in-house training program.
I'll be honest, at first, I was a bit skeptical, but it didn't take long for me to become completely sold on it.
I stumbled upon SprintIT...
...and their announcement through some channel (I can't remember exactly which one), and it felt like the perfect opportunity to combine my two passions: technology and quality.
What caught my attention was not only the company's warm and inviting atmosphere reflected on their website, but also the size and the exciting product Odoo ERP they offered.
As the Quality Lead at SprintIT...
...my main focus is on fostering operational excellence and driving our company's transformation into a leading ERP project house.
To achieve this, I design and implement a comprehensive quality strategy that revolves around efficiency, profitability, process optimization, and customer experience, leveraging Lean methodology.
Drawing upon Lean principles, I contribute to process improvement by identifying waste, streamlining workflows, and implementing lean practices across the organization.
I promote a culture of continuous improvement where every employee is empowered to identify and eliminate non-value-added activities, resulting in increased efficiency and effectiveness.
In addition to process improvement, my responsibilities encompass monitoring performance, managing change, collaborating with stakeholders, providing training and development, measuring and reporting performance, and facilitating the sharing of best practices. I lead initiatives to enhance customer satisfaction, streamline processes, and improve overall business performance, utilizing Lean tools and techniques to drive sustainable results.
By actively driving quality-driven practices rooted in Lean methodology, maximizing customer satisfaction, and optimizing operational effectiveness, I have a central role in contributing to the company's success and establishing our position as an industry leader.
My typical workday...
... involves analyzing data, ensuring its accuracy, optimizing process flows, and learning Odoo.
I start by diving into relevant data to identify trends, areas for improvement, and potential issues, gaining valuable insights into our organization's overall maturity level.
I collaborate closely with relevant teams to verify data inputs and address discrepancies, ensuring a solid foundation for decision-making and process improvement.
I also dedicate time to designing and evaluating processes, working with cross-functional teams. Together, we identify inefficiencies, map process flows, analyze bottlenecks, and gather insights from stakeholders. Based on these evaluations, I implement strategies to optimize processes, streamline workflows, and introduce automations and validations for efficiency and productivity.
I guide employees on effectively utilizing quality tools like 5 WHY and Lessons Learned to address quality-related challenges.
One of the recurring challenges I encounter in my role...
...is the presence of the "we have always done it this way" mentality. It's a mindset that can emerge from various directions, including surprising instances where even senior management may be influenced by it.
I have to admit that I'm not immune to this way of thinking myself, as it's a natural human tendency. However, I've learned that consistently reflecting on our processes and questioning whether they represent the best way of working is crucial.
Another significant challenge is the considerable variance in processes between different departments and teams. Over time, each team may have developed its own approaches and methods, which can create inconsistencies and hinder collaboration.
It's important to embrace an environment where ideas and perspectives can be shared openly. Overcoming these kind of challenges requires a combination of self-reflection, open-mindedness, and effective communication. By continuously questioning the status quo and encouraging collaboration, we can strive for continuous improvement and ensure that our processes align with our organizational goals.
I have an insatiable curiosity...
...that drives me to seek knowledge and stay ahead of the curve. Whenever there's something I don't know or understand, my phone becomes my trusty companion as I dive into a world of information and exploration. It's amazing how much I can discover with just a few taps on the screen.
To ensure I stay on the path of continuous learning, I actively pursue online courses that cover the latest trends and best practices in quality work and operational excellence. These courses not only keep me up-to-date but also challenge me to grow and refine my skills.
I must admit that it can sometimes be overwhelming, too. With so many fascinating topics to explore, it's a constant battle to balance my thirst for knowledge with the limited hours available, especially as a dedicated father of two wonderful girls.
Thank you, Jari!
This is also just the tip of the iceberg - Jari's work is so much more, and we could easily come up with a series of blog posts instead of just one. We could delve into our quality gate and peer review system, as well as explore our methods for collecting client feedback, go deeper into Lean and quality tools... Perhaps a story for another time ;)
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