Swedish Human Resources manager of the year

Rolf Norin has been elected by Management Events as HR manager of the year in competition with other HR managers from some of Sweden’s best-known companies.
Age:53
Place of birth: Mjölby, Sweden

Work assignments
Since June 2003, Rolf has been HR Manager at Sapa Profiler with the task of developing HR issues within the company.

News
Last week, Rolf was elected ”HR Manager of the year” at an event in which approximately 170 HR managers from Sweden’s large and mid-size companies participated including Ericsson, IKEA, Telia/Sonera, Volvo, Nordea, SEB, SAS, Banverket, Billerud, Sveriges Television and Manpower.

What was the rationale underlying the selection?
“With a distinctly visionary focus, Rolf Norin has contributed to the development of HR issues at Sapa Profiler AB from being a small operative department to becoming a modern, efficient and strategically significant management resource. By looking at the big picture and taking a long-term approach, the entire company has grown into a competitive operation within its industry. By linking together lean production with the promotion of preventive health care and personal development, the processes pertaining to HR work were ensured. Employees have greater opportunities for preventive health care and competency development, while continuous improvement is always in focus. This has contributed to an increase in the Employee Satisfaction Index and a decline in sick leave. Today, a modern company must continuously work on the long- and short-term development of itself and its employees in order to cope with increasing competition and continuous change. Rolf Norin has understood that if the change process is kept under control, this will be reflected in the development potential of employees. People in change is his most distinct goal.”

What does the distinction mean?
We gain confirmation that our work is moving in the right direction.
What makes the HR unit so successful?
We are an excellent department that works together. I do not want to be the type of manager that delegates. Instead, we jointly decide how to work and we try to continuously improve ourselves.

What is principal aim at present for HR at Sapa?
We must continue along our current route. It is now a matter of getting the Second and Competency modules in position in a positive fashion so that all employees will recognize the benefits of these new tools as support for the individual and the operations. The continuous updating of the competency module is a prerequisite for the continued development of employees and the company. 

What is the best aspect of the job as HR manager?
Being involved and contributing to the development of employees and the company.
What is less satisfactory about your job?
We sometimes get stuck in old ruts. It is the individual manager that is personally responsible – the role of HR is to support managers in this effort. Unfortunately, we are frequently expected to administrate what someone else has decided. But, our assignment is not to administrate but to develop the function.
atmosphere. Everything is large, the country, the people, the food portions and the hospitality.

My strong points
I am positive and committed and I believe that I am very convincing. 

My weak points
I have a distinct body language, which demonstrates how I feel.
Which of Sapa’s core values is most compatible with you? (Entrepreneurship, innovative focus, commitment, customer-orientation).
Innovative focus – I see the possibilities instead of the problems.

What is best about Sapa?
Sapa is a good and “warm” workplace with pleasant colleagues, where you have the possibility to develop.

What could be better at Sapa?
We frequently act as though we are isolated islands without seeing the big picture. We must work together across borders. Genesis is an excellent tool for merging the company and developing together.

My most enjoyable memory from Sapa?
I enjoyed meeting Nils Bouveng and Lars Bergenhem and listening to their speeches about Sapa. On one occasion, Nils Bouveng told me that I should try to become the new “Lars Forsell”, who was a very successful HR manager. 
How do you contribute to a better environment? At work or at home.
I sort my household waste and my car runs on diesel.

Recreational activities
I exercise, do a little orientation and play golf. I am also a grandfather to Augusta, who is 2½ years old.

Favourite sports/team
Football: IFK Norrköping, Ice hockey: Linköping

Recommend a movie/book
Any of Raymond Chandler’s detective stories, for example, “The Big Sleep” or “Lady in the lake”. Great movies = “Kill Bill 1” and “Kill Bill 2”.

Dream destination
Australia, it has a beautiful and pleasant