the PPI interview
PPI: The last time PPI interviewed you was when you won our CEO of the Year in 2008 after just 12 months in the job. Now you are a seasoned CEO in the pulp and paper industry, how does it feel to be awarded such a prestigious title again?
Karvinen: I am of course happy, humbled and feel privileged for receiving the award for a second time by the vote of true forest industry experts. But ultimately this is a team sport - and therefore I hope all my colleagues at Stora Enso will share a big piece of the recognition, no boat sails fast with the skipper only.
I think the definite high point has been the Stora Enso people – their loyalty, commitment and professionalism in a rather difficult environment. Otherwise I think the high point has been the increasing understanding that us starting our improvement actions early – the decision to move fast and not to wait for the environment to improve - has been crucial and the right path.
Our restructuring and improvement action has caused a lot of misery for many. Thousands of people have had to leave the company for reasons that they had really nothing to do with. Only with the conviction that this is all done to make tomorrow better than today for the company and the majority of its employees can one justify it to oneself.
Various analysts that we spoke to when receiving nominations for this award told us that you have something of a reputation for being able to sense when action needs to be taken, often taking drastic steps way before other companies in a similar position. What is your secret, a crystal ball, or some other secret visionary power?
I wish! It is actually as simple as waking up every morning and remembering that if we don’t improve our business today and every day – then we have lost a day, and will be weaker tomorrow. I also happen to think every morning that we are late, too slow. And then I remind myself that there is so much more we can do – there will never be a day when we say: “we
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