Johanna Främberg … on asking questions
She has the best of both worlds. A highly-structured project manager who likes to step out of her comfort zone in “uncontrolling creative spin-offs”.
“Hee, hee, I’m not lazy. But I like to work smart, not reinvent the wheel over and over again. Usually there is something you can reuse or change a bit, so that it works again,” says Johanna Främberg.
She loves asking questions. And, as a colleague calls it, ‘thinking aloud’. Like, for example, why should the item start like this? Is this what you put in at the beginning of the story to get the best results at the end? Yes, she works as a logistics developer.
It is easy to see Johanna Främberg’s pride when you talk to her. Which is why she is praised by colleagues and managers for being an engaged coordinator and attentive project manager. Having the humility to understand the difference between a boss and a leader is a good start. The first is a title, the second is a natural aptitude. A knack for bringing others on board. The type of person who engages and inspires. Who offers herself. Who dares to think out loud and ask a lot of questions.
“I am actually a logistics developer, but work more as a project manager now. I like trying to unravel things, see the flows. How does it all fit together? How do we get this done?” she says.
“I hold the project together, but we do it together. I am passionate to get others to grow and accept new challenges. That’s how it’s been throughout all the years here at the company, regardless of the role I’ve had. It has made me see people around me grow into new roles and become confident in it.
In recent years she has project managed the building of Alligo’s logistics centre in Vestby outside Oslo. Two logistics centres have been moved and merged together into one new one. Her projects have grown each time. This is the largest to date, after two previous relocations of Swedish warehouses to Örebro.
After four sub-projects with four project managers and a total of 50 people involved – the centre in Vestby will soon be ready. Johanna Främberg has been a cohesive project manager throughout the process.
Keeping 50 employees from different places warm and engaged has involved much more than keeping things in order. Structure may be Johanna’s forte, but projects like these also awaken her more creative sides.
“I am very structured. I always find everything and know where I have saved information. I always know how to find things and who to call.”
“In Vestby I worked a lot on building up the structure for the employees. But in order to also inspire everyone to think more freely and influence the situation themselves, I had to use my creative side. I usually call it my brain making some kind of uncontrolling “spin-off”, she says and laughs.
The results of Johanna’s “spin-offs” included workshops. In one, the participants were given different pieces of a puzzle with a picture of the half-finished logistics centre and the challenge: ‘Can we build a warehouse in a day?”. In another, they had to identify their superpower, and received the associated Superman medal.
“My colleagues don’t always think my spin-offs are as much fun as I do, but the aim is get people to step outside their comfort zone. For the puzzle, they were given three pieces each and had to work together, and really talk about the challenges. We actually built it in half a day.”
She has worked at Swedol/Alligo for 15 years but never stood still. From logistics development via support, through reorganisations and changes, she has always accepted the challenge. She has always chosen the opportunity to learn something new and be a driving part in a change.
“It’s not brain surgery we are doing. You shouldn’t make the problem too big. I’ve also had good bosses who saw me for who I am.”
She is pretty much the same at work as she is in private. The structure, project management and sense of logistics already existed from an early age in the stable. Horse girls are not afraid to roll up their sleeves,” as she puts it.
“Things always happen when you deal with animals. You become more independent, more determined and humble towards both animals and people.
She has two horses today, but only rides occasionally. Instead, she takes care of the basic jobs for her 18-year-old daughter. She calls it “a breathing space and something they do together.” When she is not in the stable, she is a committed supporter of her youngest daughter in both soccer and handball. And, as she says with a laugh, “sometimes a little too committed”.
At home, she can take a step back, although there will be some creative spin-offs there as well.
At work, she has no problem introducing herself. She feels confident after all the years and different roles, after taking on different challenges. It has also led her all the way onto the company’s board of directives, where she is a staff representative.
“There I get to learn even more things, which I love. We employees are Alligo’s most important resource, so it is important that I dare to say what we think and feel. We are all human beings too, regardless of our job title. If we treat everyone one with respect, it will be fine.”
