Päivi Vikström: Opportunity to Grow and Change Perspectives Has Been Valuable 

As Päivi Vikström retires, she reflects on her diverse career at Samlink and the valuable opportunities she has had. She leaves behind an important message: trust and stellar customer experience are always at the heart of operations. 

Valuing Customers as the Foundation 

 A career of over 30 years in IT and banking industries and 16-year career at Samlink has provided Päivi Vikström with opportunities to grow, learn new things, and view the company’s operations from different perspectives. 

“At Samlink, it has been great to have opportunities to change roles – it has deepened my understanding of both customer needs and the overall business,” Päivi says. 

She emphasizes that valuing customers is a key cornerstone of Samlink.  

“At the heart of Samlink’s culture has always been valuing customers and collaborating with them. This has strongly carried us through various phases,” she emphasizes. 

Long Experience is an Asset 

Päivi joined Samlink in 2008, bringing with her experience from the banking sector. She started as the head of the Service Channels department, contributing valuable expertise to the NEXT service development program.  

After that, she moved to the role of Development Director, and eventually, she moved to service production and maintenance, first as a Service Manager and then as a Business Unit Director. 

“I started as a Business Unit Director in June 2018 and was impressed by the incredible strength and collaboration within the team. Everyone was dedicated and driven to achieving success together, making it an inspiring environment to grow and contribute,” Päivi tells. 

“In recent years, I have found that gaining diverse perspectives on business and people has been a valuable asset, making it easier and more efficient to carry out tasks both with customers and within the company,” Päivi says. 

A lot has happened throughout her career, but one case related to the tendering of a key service for the banking business has especially stayed with her. 

“It was an important tender for an online banking provider, and the process involved weeks of testing and development, during which consultants evaluated the effectiveness of our agile operating model,” Päivi recalls. 

Finally, there was a demo version presentation for the customers. 

“The demo presentation meeting arrived, and a large team of experts was ready in the background to keep the demo running smoothly. The presentation went well, and the customers were impressed because they got something that others didn’t offer. Samlink showed innovation and reliability, which are important competitive advantages for companies even nowadays. The deal was made”, Päivi proudly recounts. 

Changes increase competence 

 Over the years, Samlink has evolved, introducing new practices, processes, and a stronger impact.  

“Each new phase point has been an opportunity to growth. Being actively involved in the process enhances one’s own competence and understanding,” Päivi emphasizes. 

On the verge of retirement, Päivi’s message to colleagues is clear: enjoy your work and cherish the stellar customer experience. 

“A stellar customer experience is a goal worth holding onto. Satisfied customers, strong collaboration and trust are the foundation of everything,” she reminds. 

With retirement, the time and energy freed from work will be dedicated to spending time with family and loved ones, and engaging in various outdoor activities.