Anna comes from a family with an entrepreneurial business background, so a hard-working attitude comes in her blood. Already at a young age, she knew she wanted to be a boss. "It's very natural to me in a group to take the lead as I am not very good at waiting, and it's easy for me to make the things happen." She holds a degree in Industrial Management Economics from Vaasa University and Specialist Qualification in Management. In her career, she has been part of just two companies since she graduated from university.
Jan 17, 2022
Leading with positivity
Anna Prusi’s story in the company started in 2012 when she joined Metso Outotec as a Purchaser in Distribution Center Europe. After four short months, she received the offer to lead her own team on the parental leave of her manager. Anna stayed in that position for three and a half years. She has been able to perform in different roles during these years. “I have been presented great opportunities so far in the company, and I believe there will be new challenges to take up when it is time for that.”
I really like to build stuff, renovate the summer cottage, or build a playhouse for the kids, and I am always looking for some new thing to do with my hands. It's a nice balance with the office job.
Anna lives in Kangasala, Finland, near our Tampere office. She spends most of her free time with her family, consisting of her husband, two boys (4 and 6 years old), and a dog. In her free time, she plays with her boys and exercises. Anna has her gym in the garage, so "No excuses for me for not going to the gym."
"I really like to build stuff, renovate the summer cottage, or build a playhouse for the kids, and I am always looking for some new thing to do with my hands. It's a nice balance with the office job. At the moment, we are restoring my dad’s 1969 Ace Capri scooter with my family."
Anna loves renovating.
Before moving from Customer Logistics to Market Area Europe, Anna was leading Operative Purchasing in the EMEA region. During the merger, she chose to move to the market area to widen her scope. After working with purchasing for seven years, she wanted to learn something new and get closer to our customers. She was presented the opportunity to start as Inside Sales Manager in the Aggregates aftermarket in Nordics. One year later, she was promoted as Director, Aggregates Aftermarket Sales and Services.
In a company this big, it is important to have internal movement to spread know-how and build bridges.
Anna thinks we should have more people switching from Global to Market Area positions and vice-versa. “In a company this big, it is important to have internal movement to spread know-how and build bridges. We have many people working quite far from the customer, so it’s essential to bring up their voice and needs. It is valuable that people have different backgrounds and strengths.”
Anna spends most of her free time with her family.
Anna is leading a team where there are a majority of men, but she is not giving that a lot of thought. It's a field that traditionally is more interesting to men than women. "People in the team are doing a great job and they know about our business. There are good and multiple initiatives ongoing, and everyone is focusing on delivering good service."
“Customer in center” being the obvious leading value, “Getting it done together” comes right behind it. “Best decisions are done together with a group of experts. No one can do so much by themselves, and results are achieved by a team working well together.”
Best decisions are done together with a group of experts. No one can do so much by themselves, and results are achieved by a team working well together.
“You get what you measure” is an essential leadership principle for Anna. “I base my decisions on facts, I like to challenge people, and that cannot be done without understanding the operations on quite a detailed level. Our business must run smoothly on an operative level. It is tough to build anything on a shaky foundation.”
Positivity in the working environment for her is essential: “Positivity creates positivity, and positive environment is fruitful for success and excellence. I want to be a leader who inspires my team to reach their full potential by creating clarity and by setting an example.”
Positivity creates positivity, and positive environment is fruitful for success and excellence. I want to be a leader who inspires my team to reach their full potential by creating clarity and by setting an example.
Anna pictures herself with Metso Outotec also in the future. “I have been presented great opportunities so far in the company, and I believe there will be new challenges to take up when it is time for that." At some point, she would like to work abroad. Right now, she wants to focus on continuity, master her new role and get the business to a new level.