Fireside Chat with Juha Kokkonen

Juha Kokkonen is an innovative and results oriented leader with a wide international experience in companies such as Microsoft, Nokia and Nokia Networks. Since I have known him, he has been inspiring people and building high performing teams. He has a long experience in global collaborations with partners, suppliers and customers alike across the US, Europe and Asia.

Juha is currently CEO of Canatu, a high-tech carbon nano company. He has taken the company through investment rounds with VC companies, DENSO Corporation,?Faurecia and 3M Ventures and increasing its market leader position in the ADAS heaters for automotive industry and EUV membranes for semiconductor industry in addition to 3D touch surfaces.

We are delighted to catch Juha in this rare moment with our virtual interview on board a plane as he was flying towards Frankfurt.

Nicole: What is your passion in work and business?

Juha: My passion has been to successfully to bring new innovative products and technologies to market. Another passion has been to help and inspire young talents - women or men - to grow to the next level.

Nicole: What is the biggest change you have seen in the automotive space in the last 10 years?

Juha: The change has been huge particularly over the last five years. Three major trends are happening at the same time: electrification, digitalization and self-driving (in broad terms) and at different levels. Like Daimler’s CEO told me one day, even one of them was a huge change factor, but all happening at the same time is probably the biggest change since the first Ford model! Due to these changes, the importance of software is growing. A similar thing happened in the mobile phone industry with smart phones.

Focus on a business domain where you expect a major future trend and focus on product areas where you can provide significant customer value.

Nicole: Based on your last five years of driving a hot scaleup business, what are some learnings you can share with other entrepreneurs in the B2B business sector?

Juha: FOCUS, FOCUS and FOCUS. Focus on a business domain where you see or expect a major future trend. Focus on product areas where you can provide significant customer value. Focus on customers who are ready for the change, as in Canatu case, EV vendors have been the fastest adopt. OEM must be interested in and part of the project, Tier1 interest is typically not enough to drive change. Additionally, your team and investors need to be patient as this industry continues to progress slowly.

Nicole: What has been the best decision you have made in terms of strategy and direction for a company?

Juha: The best decision has been to focus Canatu’s strategy on products, customers, and select customer cases. Canatu used to do numerous technology and demonstration projects with automotive Tier 1 companies. They seldom converted into real business. Nowadays, Canatu accepts only customer projects where an OEM is involved. Secondly, in addition to the automotive segment, we made a conscious decision to focus on the semiconductor industry with a dedicated product for the EUV ecosystem.

Nicole: What do you think is an area of improvement for Finland to grow its economic presence in Europe and internationally?

Juha: I would like to develop labour regulations for tracking working time. At Canatu, we want to emphasize work culture where what you achieve and how you achieve are more important than the amount of time you spend in the office or at work. This is supported by a bonus system for everyone and we offer company options broadly. Employees benefit when the company succeeds. Meanwhile in Finland, the working system regulates that employees report their daily working hours. These are in great conflict and therefore, I would want to help develop these regulations.

Nicole: If there is one thing that you can do to change how Finland is promoted, what would it be?

Juha: It is very important for Canatu to get international talents to move to the metropolitan area. I believe that the right things are being promoted, such as the quality of higher education, equality, safety, well-functioning society and nature. But moving to Finland must be made easy, speedy, and economically attractive.

Actively seize the opportunities. You grow together with the role. You do not need to be an expert when you start a new job.

Nicole: What advice can you give to mid-career professionals who are looking for their next challenge?

Juha: I have not personally done long term career planning. I have actively seized the opportunities that have been offered to me. You grow together with the role. You do not need to be an expert when you start a new job.

Nicole: Which are the areas where you could help others in the Kaato group?

Juha: I have managed to create a significant network of contacts in the automotive and semiconductor industries as well as in the telecommunications industries worldwide. That contact network can be helpful for someone. Additionally, I have some experience in how to raise funds, especially from strategic partners vital for the business.

Nicole: What is your pet project or something you like to do?

Juha: Personally, I love spending time, relaxing and exercising with my family at our holiday home in Himos. My activities include skiing, running around the lake and sup-boarding. The latest hobby is training our terrier puppy, Jakke. My newest challenge this winter will be to learn snowboarding!

Thanks, Juha, for doing this interview and chatting with me. We look forward to seeing the businesses you run scale to greater heights.

https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/jkokkonen

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