Stefan Wallin, Reputation and Trust Analytics’ new advisory partner: “As a politician, I was completely dependent on both reputation and trust, but so is every single company”

Stefan Wallin joined Reputation and Trust Analytics as a consulting partner in October. In our blog, he introduces himself and shares his thoughts on reputation and trust.

Hi, Stefan! Who are you and where are you from?

I am Stefan Wallin, the son of a bookseller and museum guide from Vaasa, and a former politician who is now recovering.

Today, I draw on the expertise and networks I have built up over a 20-year political career to take on various roles as an entrepreneur: as a consultant, speaker, and report writer. I also serve on various boards.

My background as a journalist also comes in handy in my current role. Before entering politics, I spent a few summers as a summer reporter for a newspaper, and during the five-year break I took from politics, I worked as a full-time reporter—and for a time also as editor-in-chief—at Finland’s oldest newspaper, Åbo Underrättelser.

As a journalist, I learned to extract the key points from large amounts of data and focus on what really matters. This was undoubtedly useful in politics as well.

Could you tell us a little more about your political career?

I spent 20 years in politics in various roles: as a special advisor, a state secretary, and finally as a minister in four different governments. I served as Minister of the Environment, Minister for Nordic Cooperation, Minister of Culture and Sports, Minister for Gender Equality, and finally as Minister of Defense.

I served as a member of Parliament elected from the Southwest Finland constituency for a total of 12 years, and in Parliament I served as chair of the Committee for the Future and chair of the Swedish People’s Party’s parliamentary group. I also served as chair of the Swedish People’s Party for six years.

Politics is a pretty exhausting field, but you only realize that in hindsight. After six years of nonstop work in the government, you get used to a routine where you’re at work every day from morning till night. It doesn’t make much sense, but you only realize that later on.

Still, I wouldn’t trade a single day of it. It was a unique experience to be involved in national politics, and in so many different areas at that.

However, I believe that ministerial positions are not privileges to be held onto, but rather roles entrusted to us by the people, by the voters. These positions are not meant to be permanent homes, nor should they become a way of life. We do our work in politics well, and then someone else takes over.

These days, I make sure my schedule is just the right amount of full, and I try to avoid getting caught up in the rat race. Been there, done that.

How did you end up partnering with Reputation and Trust Analytics?

I have seen the strengths Reputation&Trust as a management tool during my time on the YLE Board; the method is used there, and we regularly review reputation metrics and trends that build trust.

When Harri Leinikka happened to ask me last spring if I would participate in a panel at Almedalen on trust in NATO in the Nordic countries, I agreed right away. I’m also interested in building and fostering trust at the Nordic level. Besides, I felt that there might be some new and interesting challenges on the horizon.

And so I took part in the panel discussion on Reputation and Trust Analytics aboard their beautiful ship. As expected, the conversation turned to how nice it would be to continue this budding collaboration.

As autumn approached, Harri and I continued our discussions, and I realized that collaborating with Reputation and Trust Analytics would fit quite well with my current role as an entrepreneur. As an advisor, I can leverage my networks, and I also bring to Reputation and Trust Analytics my perspective, which is based on everything I’ve picked up along the way.

What attracted you to bring your expertise to Reputation and Trust Analytics?

I got a great vibe right away when I met the team: the company has a very ambitious spirit but a laid-back atmosphere. And above all, Reputation&Trust developed by Reputation and Trust is extremely smart.

Reputation and trust are abstract concepts, but they are vital to every organization, and they can be measured in a very concrete, credible, and scientifically accurate way using Reputation&Trust research Reputation&Trust. This is an extremely significant and positive development: Reputation&Trust aims to help clients succeed in the best possible way and identify their own areas for improvement.

It has been a pleasure to learn about this research model. I learn something new every day when I talk with the experts at Reputation and Trust Analytics.

What do you personally think about the importance of reputation and trust?

As a politician, I was, of course, entirely dependent on both reputation and trust, but so is every single business. In practice, every industry is a trust-based industry.

It certainly matters how companies that offer products and services—and their leadership—present themselves to potential customers and partners. In politics, reputation is measured in terms of trust every four years; in companies and organizations, it is measured every day. People vote with their feet and their wallets if they don’t trust a company.

I am also interested in building trust in society. Finland and the other Nordic countries are societies based on trust, where every organization depends on its reputation—and is responsible for doing its part to maintain that trust.

Trust is a multifaceted and holistic asset that trolls and hybrid influencers seek to undermine. In such a situation, it is important that public authorities maintain a good reputation and that citizens can trust in the integrity of their actions.

Thank you for your time, and welcome to Reputation and Trust Analytics!

Thank you! I sincerely hope that my experience, insights, and network will help Reputation and Trust Analytics achieve even greater success in this multifaceted social ecosystem in which we live.

 

 

Stefania was interviewed by Anu Räsänen, a communications specialist at Reputation and Trust Analytics.

Photo: Vesa Koivunen