We are excited to continue with our “Stories of purpose and values” which shine a light on several of our employees who embody our purpose and values in their everyday actions.
In this collection, we focus on our “Better together” value. Better together means we take our diverse expertise to new heights and team up to grow stronger. Being better together means that we create connection through partnership and co-creation, we value different strengths and perspectives, and we learn and grow together.
Meet Robert, Oliva, Yumi, and Olena who champion our “Better together” value. Their stories are powerful reminders of the collective strength in the Amer Sports community and how we all contribute to our purpose of elevating the world through sport.
Robert Runfors
Senior Retail Concept and Experience Project Manager, Peak Performance, Sweden
With a background in retail concept development, Robert’s expertise lies in creating immersive consumer experiences that resonate across all commercial channels.
“It’s about seeing things from the consumer’s perspective,” Robert emphasizes. “We need to create environments that not only reflect our brand but also speak directly to the consumer’s heart.”
His work involves operational hands-on tasks and strategic concept development, ensuring that each Peak Performance store is a unique representation of the brand’s premium quality.
“By putting on the consumer glasses, we align our efforts and ensure that every decision is made with the consumer in mind.” This perspective allows Robert to work seamlessly across direct-to-consumer (DTC), wholesale, and retail channels. “I’m not just a desk clerk—I thrive on being in the field, with a computer in one hand and a screwdriver in the other.”
In his role, he fosters an environment where new ideas are not just welcomed, but actively sought. A practical example of this is the development of Peak Performance’s evolving retail concept.
“When we started off the new retail concept project a few years ago, we had people from the whole business being part in discussions on the store concept at different stages. We had a big reference group from the retail fleet with store managers and salespeople who were talking about their perspective of a store concept.”
Robert’s philosophy on teamwork is rooted in the belief that innovation stems from challenging the norm and embracing the unexpected. “It’s about doing things differently, and that’s where true creativity lies, and the fun begins.”
Oliva Vargas
Senior Manager, Supply Planning, Wilson, USA
Oliva’s journey at Wilson, spanning over two decades, is marked by her commitment to creating a collaborative culture where transparent and open communication is the foundation. Her days are a whirlwind of troubleshooting, project management, and communication, aimed at aligning her team with our company’s short-term, mid-term, and long-term goals.
“I always take the direct communication approach, the transparent approach,” she asserts, ensuring that her team is in sync.
The essence of working better together, however, is more than just communication for Oliva; it’s about alignment and action towards a common goal.
“It’s about steering a fleet of ships in the same direction. If our goal is to reduce inventories, that’s top of mind. That’s what we’re doing.” I’m committed to ensuring that every team member is not just aligned, but also equipped to act proactively and collaborate effectively,” says Oliva. This method does more than just set targets; it cultivates a culture where team members are encouraged to take initiative and work together.
“My aim is to instill clarity around our objectives and the rationale behind them. By doing so, I empower my team to make strategic decisions that are aligned with our collective goal, fostering a sense of ownership and a proactive mindset.”
Yumi Sakamoto
Store Manager Retail, Arc’teryx, Japan
Yumi stepped up to lead the renewal opening of the Fukuoka Tenshin Brand Store, and ensured her team’s diverse perspectives were not only heard but valued. She achieved this by prioritizing continuous communication and integrating individual opinions into a unified team vision, leading to significant improvements.
“Open communication and shared challenges brought us closer and helped us see in the same direction,” Yumi reflects.
Her approach to enhancing staff interactions with customers is centered around her vision of a communicative and unified retail team.
”Every interaction with a customer is an opportunity to build a relationship, not just a transaction,” says Yumi.
This approach led to a more cohesive team effort, with Yumi guiding her team to not only communicate effectively among themselves but also with customers. “It’s about creating a connection with each person who walks into our store, making them feel valued and understood.”
Yumi’s customer-centric mindset has been instrumental in transforming the store into a welcoming environment, encouraging repeat visits. She believes that when a retail team works better together, it improves customer satisfaction and loyalty. “When teams work together to provide consistent service, customers feel more comfortable.”
Olena Berest
SAP FICO Consultant, Amer Sports, Poland
Transitioning from accounting to the SAP team, Olena’s experience on both sides of the SAP interface has given her a unique perspective that enhances her ability to understand and support her colleagues.
“Working together and sharing knowledge is at the heart of our success,” Olena states.
Olena’s role involves collaborating with colleagues to ensure smooth operations and effective problem-solving within the system. In her daily work, Olena often finds herself in situations where she needs to solve challenging problems, requiring her to either provide support or seek it from others.
She describes her work as a series of collaborations, where presenting issues to someone else can lead to quicker solutions.
“It’s so common that when you show something to someone else, you present your issue, you are able to find the solution together much faster.”
Olena’s belief in the collective is evident in her approach to teamwork. “When we collaborate within the team, we have a rule that two minds are better than one, and it truly helps,” she says, emphasizing the strength found in unity.
Olena highlights the importance of listening in assisting peers and strengthening the team’s ability to tackle challenges and innovate solutions.
“Active listening is extremely valuable. It’s about truly understanding what people are telling you, not just hearing them in the background.”
