Sales and leadership professional with 16+ years of experience

Nikolai Pietiläinen

I have an extensive network and experience from sales manager position into a global coo role. From startups to enterprise. MOSTLY but not only from media and ad tech industries.

I am a challenge driven leader and B2B sales professional. My strengths being in change leadership, motivating people, developing and implementing commercial strategies and transforming long term visions into measurable actions and results.


My passion to grow is not limited to any size of business or length of the title. I am motivated and experienced whether it is closing the first deals myself in a startup or leading the growth of a larger enterprise.

As a curious person I am always interested to grow my network so do not hesitate to Contact Me if you want to change views or have a coffee.

WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT ME

“Nikke is a modern leader, with seniority. Nikke is inspirational and is one of my best sales mentors. If I have some issues and concerns, without any friction I can address this to him with almost a guarantee that things will be solved.”

— Andreas Akesson

“Nikke is one of my favorite managers I've ever had. He's an active listener, and empathetic, while still having the utmost willingness to solve the problems of the people he manages. Nikke would never let anyone be alone with their worries or questions, and he would always look for not only a solution but also ways to uplift you.”

— Raita Ampuja

“Nikke is an all star sales man, and an even better leader. Maybe too good for his own sake because he demands so much from himself. He is good at being a manager (strategic ) and great at leading other people in good and bad times. Nikke is the person you would go into a war with, because you always feel safe with him. He can lead a troop of five or five thousand. But most important Nikke is a great person with a huge heart.”

— Mikael Englund

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Curriculum Vitae

  • Studying evenings and weekends while advising companies by my consultancy.

  • Growing the sales of retail media at S-group. S-group is Finlands largest retail cooperative with over 14B EUR turnover.

    As Senior Key Account Manager I was responsible for the strategic accounts of our unit as well as taking part of developing our sales strategy.

  • Launching the business from an idea into a global and award winning creative ad tech platform. Did the whole journey from selling, designing and copywriting the first ads into launching and leading the global sales and commercial operations for 10+ markets. www.cavai.com

  • Helped Vapaus Bikes in sales, strategy and launching the business. Vapaus Bikes is supporting businesses in creating a happy and active work culture through the benefits of cycling as a service. www.vapaus.io

  • During my years at Widespace (Azerion) I had multiple roles in commercialising mobile advertising technology.

    I started as key account manager and succesfully climbed the ranks in short time, eventually running Widespace office at London, UK.

    2017 - 2018 Commercial Director, UK and EMEA.

    Managing all operations within UK and business lead from UK to EMEA region. Full responsibility for profit, revenue, cash and quality targets.

    2016 - 2017 Client Director, Nordics.

    Created a direct advertiser sales strategy to Widespace on Nordic level and implemented it successfully through training.

    2015 - 2016 Head of Sales, Finland.

    Managed all commercial operations. Implemented and developed global sales strategy to Finnish market. Reported on revenue, cash and profitability on quarterly and annual basis to HQ.

    2014-2015 Key Account Manager, Finland.

    Sales responsibility on named key clients.

  • Sanoma era marks my first steps in the world of sales and sales leadership. I was chosen as a trainee out of 200+ candidates and ended up leading the team that was responsible of the biggest accounts of Sanomas magazine business.

    2012-2014 Sales Group Manager

    Managed a media sales group that consisted of sales managers and research manager. Was responsible for the sales of our group and we were able to make great results. Coached sales to a more solution oriented approach.

    2010 - 2012 Key Account Manager

    Responsible in selling and growing a portfolio of key advertiser accounts. Was able to make growth by serving, listening and creating new content driven solutions for brands and advertisers.

    2009 - 2010 Media Sales Trainee

    Was one of the six trainees chosen from 200+ candidates to participate in Sanomas Media Sales Trainee program. During the program I did:


    -Media sales to magazines and online medias at Sanoma Magazines Finland. Mainly worked with brand marketers.

    - Media sales to Oikotie.fi -online marketplace. Selling online recruitment advertisements to Oikotie jobs -portal.

    - Media sales to newspapers such as Metro and Vartti at Sanoma Kaupunkilehdet. Mainly worked with SME businesses / tactical marketing.

Character

I see challenges as opportunities. I like to laugh a lot. I believe in team effort. I am an ambivert. I can be both silent and ponderous as well as energetic and spontaneous. I value fairness and honesty and expect myself and people around me to aim to be the best versions of themselves.

Key-Skills

  • Leading and motivating people around me.

  • Transforming strategies into results. (Sweetspot in implementing the given strategies to daily habits)

  • B2B sales from leading to closing a deal.

  • Change leadership and problem-solving

Nikke off-duty

Embracing my soon to be middle-age age (born 1983) I enjoy sports (gym, running) to balance the hectic work. I enjoy nature, strolling in nature, fishing etc. Listening to music and trying not to neglect my large network of friends and family is also close to my heart.