Jussi Rautiainen is a board member of Mincon Group Plc, an Irish-based engineering company specialized in developing, manufacturing, and servicing hard-rock drilling tools for a variety of applications. He also serves on the board of Nor-Maali, a Finnish industrial and marine paints manufacturer located in Lahti.
“I would not call myself a professional board member, not yet. I am still at the beginning of my board career. I feel you need to be on a board for at least 5-10 years before you can call yourself a professional. I am an enthusiastic student of board work,” he emphasizes.
Rautiainen recently participated in Aalto EE’s Board of Directors program, while also simultaneously studying in the Diploma in Corporate Financial Management program.
The Board of Directors program seemed like a first-rate opportunity to learn about board work from the top minds in the field."
“I have always been an avid supporter of life-long learning. I have three degrees so far, and I feel that consistently improving your competence is the best way to ensure your work keeps interesting and your career moves forward,” Rautiainen says.
“Aalto EE has a great brand and an excellent reputation. The Board of Directors program seemed like a first-rate opportunity to learn about board work from the top minds in the field,” Rautiainen explains.
Rautiainen has a long track record of steering companies to growth. For example, between 2005 and 2015 he worked as CEO for Robit, during which time the company expanded its number of export countries from 25 to 115, and Robit had a successful IPO. In 2018 Rautiainen began a new chapter in his career when he joined both Mincon Group Plc and Nor-Maali’s Board of Directors.
“It was a good idea to take part in Aalto EE’s Board of Directors program just as I was starting work as a board member, it was an excellent kick-off for me,” he says.
“The content of the program was excellent. A diverse group of top experts with decades of highly relevant experience shared their insights and ideas with us. We heard colorful examples of success stories and failures from some of the greatest names in the business. The experience was highly rewarding. I learned a great deal and thoroughly enjoyed the program,” Rautiainen affirms.
I enjoyed learning about board roles and effective board dynamics."
Rautiainen mentions globalization and learning about trends in corporate deals as a highlights of the program.
“The program gave me an excellent overview of board work and great insights on how to develop a global mindset as a board member. We had such outstanding speakers with marvelous insights, I would have gladly listened to them for many more days,” Rautiainen reminisces.
Rautiainen says that notions regarding board dynamics were also highly beneficial, as were ideas about how board members can learn from each other.
“I enjoyed learning about board roles and effective board dynamics. The examples were very concrete and gave me a great deal to think about. This topic has already proved useful in my new work as a board member,” he points out.
“We also received great tips on how to learn from your fellow board members. You should strive to be interactive and proactive: make an effort to get to know the other members and meet with them also outside work, and consider starting a mentoring program,” he mentions.
Rautiainen says the program met his expectations very well and affirms that he is happy to endorse Aalto EE’s Board of Directors program.
“I am pleased to recommend this program. I think the best moment to take part is immediately after you get the first spark – it does not matter whether you are thirty or sixty, you should take the step the moment you get the first signal that board work might be a possibility for you. Be proactive,” Rautiainen encourages.