”I was craving more knowledge and wanted to broaden my perspective”
Entrepreneurship is in Andreas’s blood, and he has always been driven by his passion for building businesses and seeing things grow. At the start of the new year, Andreas will take over as CEO of the nearly 100-year old HVAC company. For him, this transition means creating long-term growth together with the company’s 450 employees.
“As a decentralized organization, Radiator understands that its economic success is made possible through its skilled professionals who are spread across nineteen branches around the country. My goal is to continue to develop the company with that understanding as our foundation”, Andreas Bogren says.
At an early age, Andreas started working on his family’s dairy farm – an experience that would give him valuable insight into how to manage and run a business. After several years as a plumber, he worked in project planning and orders within HVAC, among other things.
The Importance of Utilizing Employees’ Knowledge in your Company
Since 2018, Andreas has worked as the branch manager for Radiator Mariestad/Skövde and is now vice CEO of the entire company. In fact, it was Radiator’s current CEO who recommended that he do a program at SSE Executive Education. Andreas chose the Executive Management for Construction and Real Estate – SBL program primarily because he wanted a broader understanding of both the business and the leadership role in the industry.
“Since I don’t have too much experience with managing companies, I was craving more knowledge, while also wanting to broaden my perspective. It’s exciting and enlightening to hear how different businesses are run, from municipal organizations to giant construction companies.”
This fall, he will work on completing the management program, spending a large amount of the time getting to know his organization better.
“I learn so much when visiting our branches, and my goal is for us to fully utilize the knowledge that our skilled professionals bring to the table,” Andreas explains, and continues:
“If someone wants to grow within the company, there should be development opportunities for them. I, myself, am a great example of that.”
What Challenges Do You Face that the Program Helps with?
“One challenge we have is attracting the right skillset and retaining it, as well as streamlining processes. Hearing how other people work with digitalization and automation is really inspiring. We have a technical department in our head office where we plan projects for everything from schools to office buildings. We’d really like to be at the forefront of project planning in the industry.”
Getting the chance to share his journey and hear how others approach their challenges in a learning-centered environment has given him new insights.
“I think the program is the perfect blend of theoretical and practical exercises, with a few highlights sprinkled in. Receiving leadership coaching has given me more tools that I can immediately use in the company – for example, how to ask questions and listen. The lecturers in the economics portion of the program are also brilliant.”
Feel More Confident in your Leadership Position
Andreas shares that he has really benefitted from the discussions that he and the other course participants are able to have with the program director, Sigurd Eltvik, regarding the content of the program.
“It’s really exciting taking part in the discussions with Sigurd, and they are extremely effective at driving the program’s content home.”
With new knowledge and more tools under his belt, Andreas feels more prepared than ever to take on the role as CEO.
“As a leader, I think it is important to be receptive, while also being able to motivate and light a little fire. I am really looking forward to growing together with all of Radiator’s employees”, Andreas says.