Less than twenty questions with Bjorn Ekestaf, EMA Partners, Sweden
Each month, we interview consultants from EMA Partners offices around the world.
Web Meister (WM): Why did you decide to become an Executive Search Consultant?
Bjorn Ekestaf (Bjorn): Mainly because I wanted to run my own business. And on top of that it suits my personality, because there is a beginning and an end of each project. I mean it is not an ongoing process like organisation development is.
WM: What where you doing before becoming an Executive Search Consultant?
Bjorn: I worked with organisation development and recruitment as an employee.
WM: How many years experience do you have in the search business?
Bjorn: I started as an Executive Search consultant in the early 80’s in Stockholm, and in 1990 I set up a subsidiary in Russia, and the Check Republic in 1991. As a result of my co operation with Price Waterhouse I opened an office in Riga in the Baltics in 1995.
WM: It sounds as if you have quite a lot of international business experience….
Bjorn: Yes, and I have had the opportunity to be one of the founders of another international search network.
WM: What do you see as the main differences between that network and EMA?
Bjorn: We at EMA prioritize having a common corporate identity, and standards and procedures to ensure the high quality of our work. EMA is also a very open and friendly company making it easy to establish close working relationships and friendships with the partners.
WM: When did you join EMA?
Bjorn: I joined EMA in 2005
WM: What is it like doing business in Stockholm?
Bjorn: In spite of the small size of the country there are many large international companies based in Stockholm. Keep in mind, Sweden has always been a test market for international companies. Sweden is also known for having democratic and delegated leadership, the result being each foreign subsidiary makes its on decisions as to which search firm they will hire.
WM: Tell us a bit about your family and hobbies.
Bjorn: I am married to Pam from Atlanta, and have three children. One son 19, and two daughters 17 and 13 years old. We live in a small village in the countryside south of Stockholm. We enjoy playing tennis, golf and horse back riding. Training and competing in reining with our American Quarter Horses is our biggest and favourite hobby.
WM: What are your best memories from that time?
Bjorn: Winning the gold medal in the Swedish Championship on our stallion and winning the first prize in the freestyle reining with my family with the theme of Lion King!
WM: What is the lifestyle like in Sweden?
Bjorn: It is common to invite friends and family to one’s home as opposed to meeting at a restaurant. There are several occasions to meet and have celebrations such as Midsummer, which includes decorating the May Pole, dancing and singing and of course eating herring and drinking snaps. Sports and athletics are quite popular including skiing, golf, tennis, hockey, soccer, swimming, boating and fishing, among others.
WM: What movies have had biggest impact on your life?
Bjorn: Rain Man and Stepmom.
WM: What book has influenced you most in your life?
Bjorn: Existentialism Is a Humanism by Jean-Paul Sartre.
WM: What makes you the happiest?
Bjorn: Having the whole family together celebrating Thanksgiving, at sports events, etc. It doesn’t really matter what we are doing as long as we are together.
WM: What annoys you the most?
Bjorn: Having to start an assignment over because it falls apart during the final phase!
WM: What are your goals for the future?
Bjorn: Winning the Bronze Trophy and retiring!
WM: Do you mean from competing horses or from consulting?
Bjorn: That is up to the reader to judge!
WM: Thanks for answering my questions!
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