Aging Well: A 10-Year Journey at Norex
Olli Lindsten has worked at Norex for ten years. He started his career at the company as a product manager, from which he progressed to commercial director. The alcohol industry is deeply familiar to him, as before joining Norex, Olli was responsible for Finnair’s wine selection on the duty-free side. “The transition to Norex was natural, as I had already worked with them before. One day Tumppi got in touch and that’s how it started,” Olli recalls.
Olli’s background as both a former buyer and now on the sales side has given him a unique perspective on the needs of both parties. “My experience helps me find the best solutions that benefit all parties. It has been eye-opening to understand what the other party thinks and needs,” he says.
The Right Drink for the Right Occasion
Working with wines, you learn a lot about the beverage. For Olli, the color of wine is not a significant factor, nor does he have a clear favorite. “Choices depend on the situation and the season. I like classics, but I want to experience new things and be surprised. It’s nice to visit knowledgeable restaurants and let others guide and teach me something new. Among my friends, I’m the black sheep, as I’m more interested in quality than quantity,” Olli jokes, but quickly becomes serious. “I feel I’m in a privileged position to be able to work with these products.”
Olli admits that a label can influence purchasing decisions, but emphasizes that he is not immune to its effects. “The label matters, but it can also backfire. Glitter and sparkle can sometimes even turn a purchasing decision in the opposite direction,” he notes.
“I succeed when my team succeeds”
Olli often spends his workday sparring with his team and shuttling between different tasks. “My goal is to ensure that product managers can do their work as smoothly as possible.” As the best thing about his job, Olli highlights how his own contribution can help others. “My sense of achievement comes from seeing others succeed in their own work,” the leader states. “It’s important to me to be a good listener and supportive, both as a manager and as a colleague.”
“I’m still hungry to develop Norex’s operations. The technological revolution and the development of artificial intelligence are interesting things. It’s also important to see how sustainability develops globally,” he reflects on the future. “Also, the fact that Norex’s work atmosphere is people-oriented, warm and genuine means a lot to me. We just celebrated Norex’s 43rd anniversary with a family brunch and all employees’ families were there. That says a lot about the company.”
