Hello Managing Director: Per Gustafsson, HiQ Mälardalen

Exciting, educational and at times challenging. This is how Per Gustafsson describes his first two years as Head of Region Mälardalen at the tech consultancy HiQ, Headqarters of tech.

- I have had the opportunity to lead a committed team, and it is a journey where we have really had to use both brain and heart to drive development forward and see concrete results," says Per Gustafsson.

The recession has put HiQ, like many other companies, to the test, but it has also made the team grow, develop its offering and deepen client relationships.

- At the same time, it is clear that the core of what we do is strong regardless of the economic situation - technology is developing faster than ever and many clients realize that they simply cannot afford to pause their innovation and digital development. This is where we have continued to be involved and make a difference. It is precisely in such situations that you really see the power of combining creativity, technical expertise and team spirit.

How would you describe the corporate culture at HiQ?

- For me, HiQ is a combination of deep technical expertise and a lot of creative energy. There is a curiosity and joy in solving problems that is contagious, and where client benefit is always at the center. You quickly sense that there is something special here - a culture where diversity, team spirit, personal development and a willingness to try new things go hand in hand. We usually say that we want to be more than just a workplace, and I think it shows. Here you can both develop as an individual and help shape the future with the help of technology.

What is high on your agenda right now?

- When we talk to customers, it is very much about the movement that virtually all businesses are in - where software is becoming an increasingly central part of the business and where many see opportunities to both streamline and create new value. AI is obviously part of the conversation - how we can use technology in a smart and value-creating way. Equally relevant are the discussions on how we build robust and sustainable solutions, where cybersecurity and resilience are crucial. Internally, of course, we are also working to improve and streamline our processes. But above all, it's about continuing to strengthen our customer relationships, developing our services in digital transformation and innovation, and attracting and retaining talent.

What challenges do you see for HiQ's continued development?

- One of the biggest challenges is to maintain and develop our competitiveness in a rapidly changing market. As a consultancy, we put a lot of focus on our clients and the solutions we develop, and this needs to be constantly balanced with our own innovation, skills development and staying at the forefront of technology. It's also important to attract the right talent in an industry where competition for the best brains is fierce.

What are the benefits of your membership in TechSverige?

- "We at HiQ Mälardalen are relatively new to TechSverige but already see the value of membership. We see that it will give us the chance to exchange experiences and find collaborations with other innovative companies and industry colleagues, while at the same time we get to participate in important policy influence, stay up to date on industry trends and participate in activities that strengthen our position in the digital ecosystem.