Learn how Lauri persevered to get his first assignment and proved himself as a top-tier interim professional.
Before stepping into interim management, Lauri Vihonen built an impressive corporate career. From programming to sales, business management to project management, and beyond— Lauri gained insights from a diverse set of roles and global business settings.
“It’s been a journey where I’ve done a number of jobs and looked at business from a number of perspectives. I didn’t even realize what an asset that would be until I started my own company and took on interim roles."
Lauri's wide range of work experiences gave him a unique edge. He became known for being able to step into almost any new role and achieve results. However, he found himself becoming stir-crazy in corporate employment. His constant itch for new challenges led him to interim management.
In 2013, Lauri decided to carve his own path and launch his own business. While he was confident in his widespread expertise, finding that first assignment took longer than expected.
“When I started out as an interim, I was a very accomplished person. Still, setting myself up wasn’t that easy. How do I promote myself? What are my core competencies? Where do I add value? It took almost a year before I figured out how to market myself independently.”
In the attempt to find his first client, Lauri was reminded of his previous experience as a New Accounts Sales Rep. After every cold call and every conversation with a potential client, he would reflect on his talents and fine-tune his sales pitch.
After many months, Lauri started focusing on three core competencies. A three-pronged specialty of IT, procurement, and change management became Lauri’s foundation. He finally won his first client.
"My first client was someone within my network and the first invoice was 400 euros. I'm super proud of that. It was the first order I ever made on my own and I worked with their company for the next two or three years. To this day, I'm still doing projects with them."
Lauri credits the slow start with teaching him perseverance and humility, both vital traits in interim management.
“It really takes many months to see the fruits of your labor. The hard work I do now—marketing, promotion—will aid my workload and opportunities six months down the road.”
From humble beginnings to a successful interim career— today, Lauri is regarded as one of the top procurement experts in Finland and has a consistent flow of independent assignments. Whether he is working on a procurement project or anything else in his vast wheelhouse, Lauri replies on a structured approach to achieving success.
“From the beginning of an assignment, I put things into buckets—important and less important—and determine the sequence of actions from there. Within seven days, I document and present this to the client. Often, it sparks a deeper discussion about what they really want.”
This framework allows Lauri to align quickly with client goals and navigate assignments effectively from start to finish. Lauri’s approach to interim management is built on two-way transparency and delivering value daily.
“I tell my clients, 'If you don’t like me, tell me not to come back tomorrow.' If I don’t create value, I don’t belong there.”
This value-driven mindset not only keeps Lauri accountable for creating value, but it also holds his clients accountable for being involved in the assignment.
“By saying, 'kick me out if I'm not meeting your expectations', the customer needs to get curious about my work. It gets them to start communicating about how they can get the most out of my time and helps me obtain valuable feedback throughout the assignment.”
After going independent, Lauri quickly learned that interim management requires flexibility and speed. His corporate experience provided valuable processes and frameworks, but adjustments were necessary to meet the compressed timelines of interim roles.
“Things that take two months in corporate, we have to do in three weeks. What used to take a week now needs to be done in a day or two. Interims are squeezing time.”
By blending his corporate toolkit with an agile mindset, Lauri developed a knack for creating value quickly
“It isn’t for everyone, but short-term assignments are where I excel. I push as hard and fast as I can to deliver results for my clients."
In public references about Lauri's work, clients praise his ability to help individuals, teams, and businesses develop better services and make wiser decisions.
For Lauri, growth is a continuous process. His long list of returning clients and success in obtaining assignments through Best Best Talent Platform has not come without hard work. Lauri routinely reflects with a business coach, seeks professional development opportunities, and shares his wisdom with others.
“I believe in lifelong learning. Every experience, every connection, every story adds to my journey.”
Through his dedication, Lauri Vihonen exemplifies what it means to succeed in interim management—blending expertise, agility, and a relentless focus on creating value.
Lauri Vihonen's #Way2InterimManagement is an excellent example of the different skills and value interim managers can bring to companies. If you are ready to utilize the services of an interim manager, BBTP can help you get started.
Is Lauri the expert you are looking for?
At Best Best Talent Platform, we provide ourselves on cultivating a supportive community of C-level experts who are encouraged to make direct relationships with companies and hiring managers. Lauri is a BBTP Member and also an independent talent. To begin working with Lauri, you are welcome to get in touch with him directly using the information below:
Lauri Vihonen
Leader's Beacon Group Oy
https://en.leadersbeaconedu.com/
lauri.vihonen@leadersbeacon.fi
https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurivihonen/
+358 50 438 1912
Best Best Talent Platform hosts a community of over 1500 experts, including Lauri Vihonen. If you would like to advertise an assignment on our platform, get in touch with our team. We are always happy to help the best companies find the best talent.
Are you an interim manager with a story to share?
Best Best Talent Platform’s #Way2InterimManagement campaign is an opportunity for BBTP Members to share their experiences and highlight their talents.
If you would like to be highlighted in the #Way2InterimManagement campaign, contact BBTP’s Community Manager, Leah Martin: leah.martin@bestbesttalentplatform.com
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