Have you met Stein?

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Sariba continues to grow, and this year we have expanded our project management team with an exciting and talented man, Stein Skogheim. He brings with him no less than 34 years of experience from the Navy and the Intelligence Service, as well as experience from both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and as Chief of Staff in the Norwegian Refugee Council in South Sudan. Stein is a man with a lot of experience, good values and with his heart in the right place.

We had a chat with Stein so you can get to know him a little better too.

Good reading!

-Can you tell us a bit about yourself, Stein? Who are you?

-Yes, I can do that. My education is from the Naval Academy and I worked as an officer in the Navy for several years before I became a civilian employee in the Norwegian Intelligence Service. Since then, I have worked both in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and as Chief of Staff in the Norwegian Refugee Council. Throughout my career, I have mainly been based abroad. It has been demanding work with a lot of travelling, meeting people, strong impressions, and experiences I carry with me forever. After all these years, away from family and friends, I decided that I wanted to come home. I have two great kids, a wonderful wife, and on top of it all, I now have the pleasure of being a grandfather. This is something I want to play an even bigger part in.

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Stone

<- Dette er Stein! En erfaren mann med hjertet på rett sted, ansatt som prosjektleder hos oss i Sariba.

- Many would think that it is a long way from both the Intelligence Service and the Norwegian Refugee Council to project management in Sariba. What are your lessons learned?

-Good question! I think if we take a step back and look at the big picture, I have been managing both large and small teams for most of my career. I think this is an important attribute a project manager should have. Getting a project team, consisting of different employees from both the customer and supplier side, to work in the same direction requires a steady project manager's hand.

In addition, I have a lot of useful experience. For example, it takes a lot for me to get stressed and consider something a huge problem! It's important to focus on what's really serious and to be able to bring calmness into projects. I would say I'm good at that.

And then there is the fact that there are always challenges and perhaps even unforeseen events in a project. I have a lot of experience with that - and the solution? It's to break it all down. You simply take it piece by piece, and before you know it, the problem is solved.

I also have a good idea of what the managers who are going to use SAP SuccessFactors are wondering about. I have worked as a manager for many years, and I therefore know very well where the shoe can pinch when it comes to managers' work with the HR system and HR-related tasks. I think that can give me a good angle into the projects.

- But why Sariba, Stein?

When I first came across Sariba, I was curious about Sariba as a company: Who (and what) is Sariba? What values are they committed to? What kind of people could be my new colleagues? Once I had this clear in my mind, I was simply triggered by the role of project manager. I have good and relevant project management methodology in my bag of skills, and Sariba gives me the opportunity to further develop this, while at the same time working with people. I like people, and being able to work with exciting people every day - that motivates me. My ambition is to have a good time at work and to be allowed to contribute. I get that so much at Sariba.

It's no secret that I come from a type of work where there are a number of challenges, such as discrimination and corruption. So it feels extra nice to come into an orderly and positive environment in Sariba. I find that everyone is pulling in the same direction, and you can ask anyone about anything - and you get good answers and help along the way. In Sariba there is a high ceiling and everyone wants to do each other good - I appreciate that.

I also find it enriching to have colleagues in several countries. My experience indicates that there are other ways of solving things than the Norwegian way. It is therefore incredibly important to be open to the fact that things can be done in other ways, and that we have a lot to learn from each other

- What motivates you?

That something needs to be solved! And that we are a group that figures it out together. I think that "we" is always more important than "I".

- What do you do when you're not at work, Stein?

Then I'm with my family. I plan to spend a lot of time being a grandfather in the future, because it is simply a happy job! I also have a boat, motorcycle and vintage cars, so there's plenty to keep me busy.

In addition, I am now getting used to living at home. It's really nice to be within walking distance of the kids, and to have friends and family nearby.

- What are you looking forward to, right now?

I am looking forward to being with my family! I'm excited to have an exciting job that doesn't require me to be away so much. I'm also looking forward to getting to know both customers and my new colleagues even better.

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Christian Olsen

Team lead projects

With Stein on the team, we have gained new and exciting expertise. Stein comes in with a new perspective and lots of experience, and the customers who get to work with Stein can certainly look forward to it!

Would you like to know more about how Stein can help you? Then you are welcome to contact Stein's manager, Christian.