Heljä Franssila, Specialist, Knowledge Work

My multidisciplinary educational background and extensive experience of developing work in both the private and public sectors give me the tools for developing the productivity of knowledge work. My technological, scientific and information science training has taught me to view work as chains, processes and networks of information-based value creation, which can be both rationalised and questioned in a myriad of ways. The utilisation of digital opportunities is still in its infancy in the value chains of knowledge work – even at the individual level. I hope that my work experience as a social psychologist and teacher helps me understand the conditions and limitations of developing work with my heart as well as my brain.

Knowledge work performance measurement is an important tool in my client work. A growing number of government organisations is participating in the measurements and enabling peer learning. Together with my clients, we are able to both identify concrete opportunities for change and see the larger trends in their organisation’s knowledge work. By analysing hundreds and hundreds of staff answers and drawing conclusions from them, we gain an intimate understanding of the everyday work of our clients’ personnel with all of its pitfalls and hidden resources. Measurement enables the knowledge-based management of knowledge work and the wiser and more sustainable use of resources.

My goal is to put the systematic and agile development of universal knowledge work methods and practices based on measured data on the agenda of every expert organisation’s senior management. In what areas could the performance of knowledge work be improved now, and probably well into the future? Knowledge work is a diverse and creative endeavour, which still has enormous potential for simplification and – paradoxically enough – digitalisation in individual and organisational value creation processes alone. I want to help our clients rationalise their routines and free up time and energy for more valuable and demanding tasks, which are and will continue to be performed by humans!

Our specialists

Riikka Manninen, Workplace Adviser

Thinking about the future is an integral part of my job, as work environment solutions are intended to be functional for decades. For this reason, our projects combine comparing various options with predicting the effects of technological development and seeking solutions linked to mitigating climate change. In addition to customer projects, my work includes internal development work, such as further developing Senate’s Sesam into an even better co-working space.

Anne Sundqvist, Specialist, National Facility and Workplace Concepts

The development of work environments always focuses on people. In cooperation with a multidisciplinary network of partners, I produce customer-focused and activity-based concepts for the central government, with the goal of renewing the customer’s operations and facilities. The key aspects of my work include comprehensive examination and design thinking, as well as making use of data. The most important aspect is to develop concepts based on the needs of the users of the service or facility. I’m responsible for ensuring that the people related to the change can participate in the development work in many ways and that they are heard.

Anne Korpi, Specialist, Indoor Climate

Indoor conditions at the workplace are likely to be appropriate if they require no attention. However, the users of our facilities report cold indoor temperatures in the winter, draughts caused by air conditioning and stuffy indoor air. In my work, I develop practices and measures to ensure good indoor air quality and the effective management of indoor conditions at government workplaces, to create pleasant work environments that promote health. In practice, this means producing instructions, models and guidelines, to name just a few examples.

Reetta Ripatti-Jokela, Head of Workplace Solutions

When our clients make comprehensive changes to their workplaces, we support them from beginning to end. A few decades ago I was offered the opportunity to become one of the pioneers of workplace development in Finland. My strengths are that I have a comprehensive understanding of the overall view of the sector and of the directions of future development. Over these years, the concept of workplace development has grown from space planning to being a multidisciplinary speciality area. There is now also a greater understanding of the strategic possibilities offered by work environments in the management of organisations.

Esa Halmetoja, Specialist, Maintenance Digitalisation

I usually describe myself as an electrician through and through. I started working as an electrician on building sites when I was 18. After working for various employers and gaining further qualifications, I ended up working as a specialist developing smart workplaces at Senate Properties. I’m a determined and curious person. Fortunately, in my current job, I have plenty to study and experiment with. In fact, challenges are my passion and finding a solution to a problem is the best reward.

Selja Flink, Construction Project Manager

Even as a child I was fascinated by old buildings. They oozed history and beauty that you can’t see in new buildings. That is why I have spent practically all my career as an architect working on historical buildings. For the past ten years I have specialised in a combination of fields that is quite rare in Finland: restoration and construction contracting. Accessibility became an important feature when I was in charge of castles and museums, as I believe that everyone must have equal access to buildings that are maintained by the taxpayer.

Pertti Siekkinen, Specialist, Change Management

My goal is to create comfortable work environments of tomorrow that boost productivity. I cooperate closely with our customer companies’ management and employees. In modifying a work environment, the major change usually only begins once people move to the new facilities. This requires interaction between people: discussion is important. A work environment consists of many aspects. When facilities are modified, the importance of digital solutions and new ways of working cannot be stressed enough.

Show all