Kai Hakkarainen

2022-2024 Responsible for sales in the Finnish enterprise sector for transformation leaders

In 2021, I started sales negotiations with the transformation management of ABB's generator division in Finland for the use of Howspace for a local project. After seven months, we managed to secure a global license agreement with the customer. Now, after two years of systematic sales efforts, ABB Motion now relies on Howspace along with all seven of its global divisions for large-scale ERP projects. Its use has rapidly expanded to other parts of the organisation.

In 2024, Howspace was chosen as a global vendor for Accenture. From 2022 through 2024, I led Accenture’s sales efforts and personally negotiated the contract from its inception.

My personal SaaS new sales were between 197 and 375 thousand euros ARR per year

2019-2022 Responsible for sales in Finland for public administrations

After two years of sales, Howspace was selected as the common collaboration platform for all Finnish ministries. This has significantly enhanced collaboration within and between all ministries, as well as the ability to solve large-scale, phenomenon-oriented challenges. Use has been extended to all key government agencies, including Government ICT Centre Valtori

My personal SaaS new sales were between 385 and 420 thousand euros ARR per year

Founded and led the first integrated service agency group in Finland, combining customer research, brand advertising, healthcare, environmental communications, and e-learning.

Scaled operations to become a leading healthcare communications agency in Finland and among the top 5 in Scandinavia, culminating in the successful sale of Impressionist Group to Healthworld Worldwide (WPP) in 2000.

Guided strategic vision, managed P&L, and developed a high-performing team to support sustainable growth and client retention.

I successfully negotiated for our agency to lead marketing communications for all of Pfizer’s key products in Finland from 1997 to 2003.

I led daily operations and sales at a co-creation service agency.

After two years of sales and cooperation, Idea Factory was chosen as Nokia Corporation's global supplier in 2018. With the client's legal and finance department, we created a new structure for the corporation to acquire SaaS licenses from operators under 1 M€.

I led daily operations and sales at a b-to-b and consumer research service agency.

We developed Finland's first consumer network panel for the newsroom of MTV, Finland's leading private media company, and the industry's first customer panels for leading companies in the field, including the leading pension insurance company Varma.

I successfully sold the Impressionist Group, a market research and communications agency group, which I had founded, to WPP and continued to serve as its Country Director, overseeing a healthcare-focused marketing and communications agency and managing all sales responsibilities.

I integrated the first potential blockbuster product from Orion Pharma—the largest pharmaceutical manufacturer in Finland—into the Healthworld global network at its Phase III stage. This collaboration helped make Orion’s flagship product, Comtess/Comtan, a global client.

In addition, I successfully negotiated for our agency to lead marketing communications for all of Pfizer’s key products in Finland from 1997 to 2003.

Founded and led the first integrated service agency group in Finland, combining customer research, brand advertising, healthcare, environmental communications, and e-learning.

Scaled operations to become a leading healthcare communications agency in Finland and among the top 5 in Scandinavia, culminating in the successful sale of Impressionist Group to Healthworld Worldwide (WPP) in 2000.

Guided strategic vision, managed P&L, and developed a high-performing team to support sustainable growth and client retention.

I successfully negotiated for our agency to lead marketing communications for all of Pfizer’s key products in Finland from 1997 to 2003.