Name:	Hao Pan
Duty:	Head of Region Western Europe
Location:	The United Kingdom
Orioneer since:	2002

 What do the Orioneers in the United Kingdom, and Ireland have in common? Besides their Head of Region, Hao Pan, they share the values of Orion.

– Common values are very important. Although people joke about the differences between nationalities, they do not matter when we have the same goals, he emphasizes.

Hao implements Orion’s strategy in Western Europe by making country specific plans. Together with his teams he is also responsible for putting it into action: running the operations cost-effectively, keeping the sales ongoing and delivering products to customers on time.

In order to succeed Hao has to build a bridge between the theory and the practice and the different countries alike.

– I represent the company and its identity at the local level. On the other hand, it is also important to take into consideration that countries have their own ways of doing things, Hao Pan describes.

Hao visits the Head Office in Finland regularly. Only about half of his time he is working at his own office; the rest he is traveling to other countries or within the UK. His job requires ability to make independent decisions, although support is available whenever needed.

– The responsibility makes the job rewarding: I feel that I am giving my contribution to the company while being developed at the same time. Orion trusts its employees, which is great, Hao thanks.

He also describes the company very transparent: the strategy is communicated openly for example in the management blog in the intranet.

– In addition, Orion has a flat organizational structure especially in foreign countries. The teams are quite small, so we need multi-skilled people. 

For Hao Pan it is also important to build well-being of his subordinates, for example through individual and flexible working arrangements.

– It is my responsibility that my teams in different countries feel well. When employees are happy and committed, everyone benefits.

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