Elli Pyykkö joins Columbia Road

Hi Elli, How did you get good at what you do?

I studied at the legendary Information Networks degree program at Helsinki University of Technology (currently Aalto University) which combines technology, business and social sciences → perfect combination for a consultant at the interface of digital and business. During studies I worked as a project manager at SimLab Enterprise Simulation Laboratory at the university which was unofficially titled as “the consulting school” due to so many graduates ending up with business consultancy jobs.

Where have you earned your spurs?

My most important educators have been my great colleagues and clients. My first proper job (Conmio) was managing mobile software development projects for local and global media companies – this is where I learned the whole arc of digital service development, from idea to production as well as working in a high-pressure environment. I also got to work with ambitious clients in New York and Rio de Janeiro, whilst learning about their business environment and culture. Next I spent six years as an IT strategy consultant at Gartner, helping large enterprises in various industries with projects ranging from acquiring new solutions to transforming their business with digital technologies.

Why Columbia Road?

I love our way of thinking: tech itself doesn’t bring any value - it’s only valuable when we apply it as a part of a solution to solve our client’s business problems. I’m a strong believer in breaking silos and thinking from customer perspective. Columbia Road’s approach in working with the whole funnel from marketing and sales towards the best customer experience is a perfect example of this.

Sampo, what will make our clients love Elli?

“Elli is a strategy consultant veteran – she is strongly data-driven and organised, which helps her to define our clients’ underlying business problems. She possesses a very comprehensive business consultant’s toolbox, tried and tested with many clients. Bringing clarity and focus to messy situations is her bravura, whilst exemplifying the big picture from several small streams of data and insight,” says Sampo Hämäläinen, Managing Partner at Columbia Road.

What makes your heart beat a little faster?

“In my free time I love to spend time with my family, which means a lot of kid-friendly activities. Being an aesthetic, my happy place is on an art museum bench or at a seashore on a summer day, taking in the views. My secret vice is playing Pokemon GO, which is actually a great way to explore new surroundings and meet new people!” says Elli.