When Jouni Salmi started as a project manager in 2017, there were about a dozen employees at Hoivarakentajat. Quite quickly, he moved from technical tasks to working with customers.
With an engineering education as a background, Jouni Salmi once thought the construction industry was unattractive, hence its poor reputation in the early 2000s. Instead, he spent a long time working in security technology.
– I had become familiar with wood construction and the use of wood from my small building projects. When Hoivarakentajat contacted me, I thought I'd at least like to hear what it was all about, even though I had a good job.
Over the past seven years, Salmi has noticed the progressive nature of the industry. In particular, energy efficiency requirements have forced improvements in running. He is enthusiastic about the changes deriving from EU regulation, which is moving the construction and real estate sector surprisingly fast towards a lower-carbon future.
– The regulation is ambitious and will lead to an increase in responsibly implemented building projects. Wood and eco-friendliness have become mainstream, he enthuses.
What goes around, comes around
Salmi is particularly interested in developing and embedding customer-centric thinking throughout the organisation.
– It's especially rewarding to see people enthusiastic about their work and to see how each person grows in their role. Working with people is a particular source of strength. It's not worth staying alone for too long to reflect. Hoivarakentajat encourages personnel to always take someone as a ball and chain. This way different perspectives can help to clarify the best solution.
The model created by Jouni and partners is geared towards long-term client relationships rather than maximising the returns from individual projects. Everything is easier when you have a good understanding of your clients and their needs, and use the processes that work.
– Our goal is that all our customers would feel comfortable recommending us to others. Every encounter that leaves a good impression creates a lasting competitive advantage for us.
Own or bought expertise?
It can often be better to buy skills than to build them in-house.
– A growth-oriented care company should focus on its core business, on the nooks and crannies and challenges of the care side. Trying to be a good builder at the same time can backfire.
According to Jouni Salmi, Hoivarakentajat is not an average construction company.
– We get the funding, talk to the wellbeing services counties and municipalities, manage the planning, select the contractors and take responsibility for the overall construction. This is what inspires me.
Even though he finds work meaningful, it's not the most important thing in life for Jouni – family and friends are more important.
