Työplus Yhtiöt Oy is a group providing occupational health care services from Ostrobothnia and Central Ostrobothnia, which focuses especially on preventive activities. The Group is municipally owned and operates equally strongly in both the private and public sectors. The Group has nine offices and employs more than 120 people from health professionals to administration.

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According to Thomas Björk, CEO of Työplus Yhtiöt Oy, there was a bit of luck involved in the collision with Corporate Development: the call to arrange the meeting came with perfect timing, as clarifying the company's strategy was timely and utilizing external support had already been decided - only the service provider was not selected.

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Harri Turunen of Finnish Business Development submitted his proposal for the growth strategy of Työplus Yhtiöt Oy and the company's Board of Directors decided to select the Business Development offer for strategy work. The project started in early 2020.

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"If we had tried to do it on our own, let alone know-how and experience, my and our resources would not have been enough."

-Thomas Björk, President and CEO, Työplus Yhtiöt Oy

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The project resulted in a clarified growth strategy, which was recently approved at the board meeting. There was a long way to go through the strategy process and, despite the surrounding situation and the summer holiday season, the strategy work progressed according to the planned schedule.

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Creating a growth strategy for a diverse group requires a broad understanding of the company's business and industry. The project was promoted through different working methods: meetings were held both face-to-face and remotely. In addition, workshop work, mapping questionnaires and intermediate tasks were utilized with the company. Decisions and project progress were approved at board meetings along the way.

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A successful project does not only consist of working methods. Työplus says that the important factors for a successful strategy were effective communication and smooth cooperation between the consultant and the company. The consensus of the parties is also supported by the consultant's response, which emphasizes the same issues.

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"In hindsight, it's very hard to believe that someone else would have done so well - that cooperation and trust… It was very smooth and flexible to deal with Harr. Like calling a friend anytime, he's always had time and things have moved forward flexibly . "

-Thomas Björk, President and CEO, Työplus Yhtiöt Oy

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The project often also faces challenges as well as learning experiences on both sides. From the consultant’s perspective, the lessons were in administrative work. Työplus Yhtiöt Oy's Thomas Björk, on the other hand, names the importance of background work in strategy work as his greatest lessons. He has extensive previous experience in implementing strategies, but the background work highlighted in the design work was surprising.

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"I learned more about municipal decision-making and how to take decision-makers at different levels into account. Municipal decision-making required a wider range of information, processing and approval practices than normal."

-Harri Turunen, Management Consultant (CMC), Partner, Suomen Yrityskehitys Oy

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The extent of Harri's background work succeeded in surprising and convincing other members of the company as well. The consultant's industry experience and solid expertise in the field, as well as strategy work, spoke throughout the project, but the scope of the groundwork took strategy work to the next level. In his work, Harri managed to highlight things that have been perceptible in the company in the past, but which had not been said out loud.

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Careful groundwork also gives the growth strategy a clear factual basis from which to build a plan that is genuinely suited to the company's situation.

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"It's worth starting with the right things and situations, looking at what looks like at the moment. It brightens growth. For example, we have such a strong market share on the public side that no growth can be found, meaning measures need to be directed elsewhere."

-Thomas Björk, President and CEO, Työplus Yhtiöt Oy

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Implementing strategy work with a committed company makes the project smooth. Harri Turunen especially praises the company's commitment to strategy work.

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"The workshops had a good dedication and feeling. A genuine enthusiasm for new procedures and operating models was evident throughout the development work."

-Harri Turunen, Management Consultant (CMC), Partner, Suomen Yrityskehitys Oy

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Illustrations Työplus Yhtiöt Oy.

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The unfortunate truth, however, is that the stumbling blocks of strategy work are often encountered during the implementation phase. This phase is the next step for Työplus Companies. However, the company is well aware of the demanding nature of the phase. However, Thomas Björk has credit for the success of the implementation - compared to the previous strategy, there are no major and dramatic changes in the permit, but the growth strategy was specifically intended to clarify and strengthen the strategy.

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The growth strategy process implemented with business development covered the planning phase, but the company is not left to fend for itself. Työplus The companies feel that they have also had a good lunch for the success of the implementation phase.

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"Strategy work as a product is a kind of risk, because it can be achieved until the paper product is made and approved but what after? Now there is a feeling left, promised and agreed to ensure that the next and more important phase starts successfully."

-Thomas Björk, President and CEO, Työplus Yhtiöt Oy

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Overall, the growth strategy process has been very successful and both sides say they are very pleased with what has been achieved and how. Työplus Companies' CEO Thomas Björk admits that the company had a lot of expectations when it came to strategy work - but they have even managed to exceed it.

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"In Ostrobothnia, positive feedback may not always be directly expressed, but now it has become quite clear - Harri has managed to exceed expectations quite significantly in all respects. It's fun to be positively surprised, this customer experience has been extremely good. I find this quite unique."

-Thomas Björk, President and CEO, Työplus Yhtiöt Oy

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Pictured: Työplus Yhtiöt Oy CEO Thomas Björk.