by: Tatiana P
Thu, 16 Jan 2025 09:42:00 +0000
Discover your passion for technology and pursue it with all your heart!
My name is Leena, and I am a Business Advisor Consultant and Development Manager at BearingPoint Finland. I have a passion for people leadership and technical development. With over 18 years of experience in the banking industry, I specialize in card payments.
As a consultant, I work on projects for our commercial customers, sharing our expertise through various company initiatives. My customer projects typically involve card payments, where I have served as an Epic Lead, Capability Lead, Project Manager, and Architectural Lead.
In my role as a Development Manager, I ensure the professional growth and engagement of our employees with the company and their projects. I take great pleasure in enabling people to succeed and grow, and I am proud to help customer companies implement more secure, flexible, and efficient solutions. It is important to me that the outcomes of my work lead to meaningful improvements.
Finding my way in technology
I hold a Master’s degree in Economics and a Master’s degree in Technology. However, my study path wasn’t clear from the start. When I graduated from high school, I didn’t initially see technology as my field. I was good at math, but at the time, it was more connected to business than technology. I first studied economics, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, and began my career in a bank. I was 21 when I graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration. After working in various positions in a bank for seven years, I realized that having a Master’s degree would be beneficial for gaining more expertise in finance. Therefore, I pursued a Master’s in Economics.
After graduation, I transitioned into digital solution development within the bank. These assignments involved digital development and improving processes, services, and products, which required a better understanding of technical solutions. I noticed a gap between engineer coders and top management economists in the finance industry. They spoke different languages, and I wanted to bridge that gap. This realization led me to pursue a degree in technology. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and then a Master’s in Technology, focusing on digital services.
As you can see, my study path has always followed my work. I have studied according to the needs I observed in my field. Technology has become increasingly important in the financial sector over the decades. Understanding the technology behind banking and financial services is crucial. I found my drive and passion by expanding my knowledge from business to technology.
Working at BearingPoint
At BearingPoint, I feel heard. I can express my interests and where I want to grow. I have a say in where I work and the types of projects I take on. The best part of my job is diversity. I can focus on leadership and people engagement through traditional organizational leadership as well as customer projects. I work in areas that interest me, and I always learn a lot when moving from one customer to another. We also have the opportunity to expand our expertise based on our interests and customer requests.
BearingPoint is a global management and technology consulting firm that bridges the gap between business and IT for our clients. Our approach is hands-on, working as part of the client’s delivery teams. Additionally, I can participate in other BearingPoint initiatives according to my interests and take on roles within the company that align with my development goals and capabilities.
At our company, people are our most valuable resource, so they are at the centre of everything we do. We work across team lines and countries, and we are encouraged to express our interests for personal development. I feel that I can be open about my work preferences and responsibilities.
Leena Latvala-Heinonen, Business Advisor Consultant and Development Manager at BearingPoint Finland
Keeping yourself updated
I use various techniques to stay up to date. It’s important to keep track of vendors who are developing different solutions. Collaboration with them is crucial. Additionally, self-motivation, exploration, and observation are always beneficial. In short, vendor collaboration and proactive thinking are essential for integrating new technology into different types of companies.
When I listen to podcasts or read blogs, I focus on how people feel when they face changes in the technical setup. In technology, we sometimes forget that we are leading people, not just technology. It’s important to understand why there is resistance at times and why there can be a gap between top management and the people enabling technical development.
On the impact of AI
AI enables people to work more efficiently through automation. It allows us to use our time better, focusing on decision-making instead of manual reporting or monitoring. I also see significant benefits in AI’s ability to process data, supporting decision-making and risk management activities.
I don’t see AI replacing people’s jobs. Currently, customer experience is often enhanced by AI-supported chatbots, which free up time for more complex customer cases. AI can handle simpler questions and administrative tasks, allowing us to focus on more interesting and engaging work, thereby improving employee engagement.
However, it is crucial to clearly define and communicate AI usage to ensure data privacy, ethicality, and accuracy. This transparency will help secure common acceptance and understanding of AI’s benefits among employees and customers.
Skills in IT and technology
When working with IT and technology, you need a variety of skills. One of the most important is problem-solving. I am a problem-solver both at work and in my private life. In problem-solving, it’s crucial to understand the real issue, which people can’t always articulate. I have tried to follow advice from one of my previous managers: “Stand tall and represent what you believe in, but be humble and respectful towards others, as they are the ones who can help you grow and succeed.”
This highlights another important skill: the ability to listen and understand. Listening is crucial in the IT field. You must grasp the real problem, as people often need help to express their actual issues. Sometimes, the reasons they give are not the real reasons. Therefore, the ability to listen and identify the root cause of problems is pivotal.
Understanding and solving problems also requires expertise in solutions. With technical solutions and software developing rapidly, you need to be a quick learner of current solutions and technical possibilities.
Project management, change management, and stakeholder management skills are essential if you want to lead technical development and innovations. During projects and technical changes, there might be resistance to change. Not everyone likes change, and people cope with innovation differently. It’s important to understand why this resistance occurs. This is a crucial skill to consider when undertaking any technical project or working with people in general.
Life outside work
Work-life balance is very important to me. When you have a good work-life balance, you become more proactive at work. It’s also important to take breaks and spend your free time with friends. Focusing on something completely different from your line of business can be beneficial. You might even discover a new passion.
Playing the guitar is my relaxing hobby. When I play, I focus entirely on the music and forget about work, which helps me maintain a good balance in my free time. Playing an instrument has made it easier for me to achieve work-life balance because it requires me to set aside my work thoughts while I learn and practice.
Work towards your passion
We all spend a significant amount of time studying or working, and it can sometimes be hard or frustrating. To stay energized and satisfied, it’s important to find your passion. Don’t be discouraged if you haven’t found it yet. Keep exploring what inspires you and pursue it wholeheartedly. Ignore excuses or blockers like “no time” or “not good enough.” Try new things and discover where your passion lies.
From my experience, the field of technology offers a broader range of assignments and positions than commonly understood. Don’t confine yourself to a predefined career path. Listen to yourself and your passions. This will guide you to the best career path uniquely suited for you.
The post Role model blog: Leena Latvala-Heinonen, BearingPoint first appeared on Women in Tech Finland.
Recommended Comments