When NRC Norway needed additional procurement support, the solution was found within the Group itself.
For two months, Fanni Valkama, a Project Engineer from NRC Finland, has been working in Norway, supporting procurement and sustainability activities. Her exchange highlights how NRC Group is sharing expertise and knowledge across its Nordic operations.
The opportunity arose when Norway needed additional support within procurement. Having worked for NRC Finland for five years, Fanni was well positioned to contribute from day one.
- As there is no procurement team in Norway at the moment, they wanted someone within the Group to help support the consultants. I had also been discussing sustainability work and the possibility of a work exchange, so it was the perfect opportunity to combine the two, she says.
During her stay, Fanni has supported procurement operations and sustainability-related activities, including Transparency Act reporting and tender material preparation.
According to CFO Åsgeir Nord, the exchange demonstrates the value of looking internally first when new needs arise.
- Fanni's exchange is a good example of how we can address our business needs by tapping into the expertise we already have within the Group. Operationally, it means continuity and good understanding — someone who knows NRC's culture, systems and ways of working from day one.
Beyond addressing an immediate business need, Nord sees internal mobility as an investment in the Group's long-term capabilities.
- Financially, reducing reliance on external consultants is an obvious benefit, but the longer-term value is the capability we build internally. Knowledge flows both ways: Norway gets procurement support, and Fanni brings back insights that strengthen the Finnish organisation too.
The exchange was also made possible through relationships built across NRC Group's Nordic organisation, including through the Navigator leadership development programme.
- The Navigator Programme is exactly the kind of investment that makes exchanges like Fanni's possible. It builds relationships across borders before the need arises, so when an opportunity opens up, we already know who to call. Developing people who are both skilled and connected across the Nordic organisation is a great way of building our strength and flexibility for the future.
Fanni's exchange is a good example of how we can address our business needs by tapping into the expertise we already have within the Group.
Åsgeir Nord
Sharing expertise across borders
Head of Procurement Tiina Reynish believes employee exchanges are an effective way to strengthen procurement capabilities across NRC Group.
"When people work in different countries, knowledge sharing becomes real and immediate. Best practices, tools and ways of working are shared through day-to-day collaboration, while new ideas and experiences are brought back to the home organisation."
She adds that strengthening collaboration across the Nordics allows NRC Group to make better use of the expertise that already exists within the organisation.
Tiina Reynish, Head of Procurement in NRC Group.
She adds that strengthening collaboration across the Nordics allows NRC Group to make better use of the expertise that already exists within the organisation.
- Instead of relying on external consultants, we can learn from each other and share our own knowledge across borders. This helps build internal capability and reduces our dependence on external support over time.
For Fanni, one of the most valuable aspects of the experience has been gaining insight into how NRC Group operates across different markets.
- It has been interesting to see how different practices and systems we have in different countries, even though we are part of the same Group. By strengthening Nordic collaboration, I think we could learn a lot from each other.
She has also appreciated the opportunity to get to know colleagues in person.
-It's been great to meet colleagues face-to-face instead of just seeing a photo in Teams. I've felt really welcome here, and outside work I've loved exploring Norway and its mountains.
For Fanni, the experience has reinforced the value of learning from colleagues across the Group and sharing knowledge across borders. As NRC Group continues to strengthen collaboration across its Nordic operations, exchanges like this create value for both individuals and the business.
Fanni Valkama while in Norway