Employees

At the end of 2003, IFS had 2,684 employees working at the IFS sites around the world. Customer projects are often conducted over country boarders, which makes close cooperation a critical success factor.

Exciting encounter between cultures

Akiko Aoki — Marketing manager for IFS Japan,
has worked at IFS since 1997

“I think that what typifies the IFS approach is its interest in the individual. I’m allowed to be myself. The emphasis at IFS is on what you can do, not what you have done. Even during the early stages of IFS’ presence in Japan, we were discussing the way forward —and my views were considered important. That’s a very IFS trait. People listen to you; they hear you out. In fact you’re expected to comment, to make a contribution.

At IFS you’re encouraged to grow and develop. I’ve been faced with challenges over the past four years that I’d never have dreamed of before, tasks that were outside my formal competence. But management showed that they believed in me and were confident in my ability. I soon realized that at IFS you’re allowed to make mistakes! That’s how you make progress.

It’s not easy—or always desirable—to transplant a corporate style from one culture into another, very different, environment. But the fact that our area manager, Stefan Gustafsson, is of Swedish-Japanese origin has helped to bridge the cultural divide. I think that the positive aspects
of IFS culture are slowly but surely gaining ground. These include a simple, direct and very professional approach to doing business and a deep respect for the integrity and competence of the individual.”

International knowledge transfer

Kelum Ferdinandez — Systems developer at IFS R&D
in Sri Lanka, has been working at IFS R&D since 1999

“I work with the development of the Windows® and web interfaces for IFS R&D in Sri Lanka. I arrived in Sweden at
the beginning of December 2001 to help out in a project for a customer in Germany in my specialist area, customer orders and inventory software.

We’re customizing our solutions according to customer specifications. My specialist competence enables me to
see at a glance if a requested specification is possible.
We see problems faster, and the direct contact between me, the project manager and the customer makes the project more effective.

Working in projects is also good for us at R&D because we get a chance to work more hands-on with areas related to our specialities. We also get to work more closely with our colleagues who work with customers daily. This is important because better communication with our applications consultants, who understand a specific customer’s requirements very well, leads to better solutions for the customer.”

Working abroad—an adventure for all the family

Kicki Sthengel-Lund — Zone Director for Region West,
has been an IFS employee since 1993

“A few years ago our family and I decided we wanted a change, wanted to try something new. Working at IFS meant that I could do this and still work for the same company. Thanks to the exchange program we run, the entire family was able to come with me when I transferred to IFS in Chicago, U.S.A on a two-year contract.

Moving to the U.S.A. has given me new perspectives on my work. I had previously worked at IFS R&D in Linköping, Sweden, for 6 years. Now I see how incredibly many people worldwide are dependent on what is done at R&D, and the effects a decision made in Linköping may have on people around the globe. I think it’s extremely important that we have the opportunity to work at other IFS offices so that we can see how the product is used. You get closer to the customer, too, which is very positive because it gives you
a completely different insight into product development.
The exchange program also enables us to share experience with IFS offices worldwide, which is very valuable.

Moving to a new country has been very educational for the whole family. The great variety of nationalities in the U.S.A. has been very interesting and instructive. Coming here meant that everything was new—although a lot of things are similar, too. My husband has looked after the children and the home, which was necessary to ensure that the practical side of things worked. We have decided to prolong our stay here for a while, but we’ll be moving back to Sweden again.”