What happens when an outsider takes over AI and digital leadership?
I worked as an interim head of digital and AI at Onnibus for six months.
The Approach
You could say that I conducted an audit of Onnibus’s digital presence and projects, created a new digital strategy and recognized AI opportunities.
In reality: I went in, poked at everything digital they had, asked a ridiculous amount of questions, killed a few zombie projects, drew half the strategy on post-its and whiteboards, and only then turned it into something that looked like a “proper” plan – with a couple of AI experiments sneaking in almost naturally.
The Challenge
Onnibus, a leading Finnish express coach operator, faced a temporary gap in digital and AI leadership due to their current expert going on parental leave.
Results
A digital project that had been dragging on for years finally got over the finish line.
The way the digital team works was refreshed almost across the board.
The data architecture was redesigned.
The big strategic moves on the digital side are now planned, budgeted and approved.
And on top of that, hiring for new kinds of digital and data skills has been kicked off.
“Niina is, quite simply, the best digital and AI leader I’ve worked with. She challenged us in all the right ways, earned the trust of the team quickly, and left Onnibus clearly stronger and better prepared for the future.”
– Joona Hurmerinta, CEO, Onnibus
