Case story: Modern management style – When the CEO is also the janitor

At a time when flexibility and efficiency are essential for modern businesses, Nadia Lassen of Nuura illustrates a remarkable approach to leadership. Other owner-managers might say, "that's typical owner-manager stuff" - in short, she wants to provide good conditions for her employees, even if it requires her to literally "roll up her sleeves". Although she is the CEO, she has also taken on the role of office manager, ensuring that everything from lunch arrangements to office cleaning runs smoothly in the office.

Nadia gave us a fascinating insight into her everyday life and how she balances strategic decisions with daily operational tasks:

"I'm CEO and caretaker, we laugh about that."

Day-to-day operations under the wings of management

Nadia explains that Nuura doesn't have a dedicated HR or office manager, which means that many of the day-to-day operational tasks that would normally fall under these roles fall on her desk. This situation is not unique to Nuura, but the way Nadia handles it is an instructive insight into management and business operations.

Automation and overview with the Officeguru platform

Making the best use of her time is important to Nadia, and a key part of her role as "caretaker" is managing the company lunch program:

"If I want to make the best use of my time, of course I don't have to concentrate on lunch on a daily basis - it just has to run."

That's why Nadia benefits greatly from the Officeguru platform in her daily operations. The service allows employees to choose their lunch meals on demand, which takes a big burden off Nadia's shoulders, allowing her to focus on other aspects of running the business. She emphasizes the importance of being able to delegate and automate where possible to manage more effectively:"I really like that about the platform."

In addition, cleaning plays an essential role in day-to-day operations. By integrating the cleaning service into the Officeguru platform as well, Nadia has been able to simplify and unify the process and improve efficiency:"It was just a huge win for me to be able to put it in there because it's all in one place for me."

Technology solutions can certainly help streamline operational processes and improve the work environment, which is crucial for both employee satisfaction and operational productivity. Nadia also points out the communication benefits:

"It's nice to always have a contact person. We mainly do it via chat, which is really nice because I don't have to make those calls on the weekends."

The office is super important for employee well-being

Nuura's core product is their unique lamps and ability to create light in offices such as the headquarters of Nykredit and Danske Bank. It's an ambitious company with momentum, as evidenced by the Gazelle award in their entrance hall. That's why it's important for Nadia to optimize the time not spent on customers, products or colleagues. Nadia therefore appreciates not having to "hassle" with the running of the office. The advantage of centralizing both contracts and supplier communication in one platform with a helpdesk where you can easily see if the supplier has seen and acted on the message creates a good starting point for dialogue and collaboration. Down to earth, it saves headaches and time.

Nadia's ambition is for Nuura to remain a harmonious and productive workplace, and the office experience plays a role in this, as Nadia herself describes it:

"Everything outside helps you perform better in the workplace."

The management benefits of a hands-on approach

While it may seem messy to mix the two roles, it can have its advantages. The close involvement in day-to-day operations gives managers like Nadia a realistic picture of company operations and employee needs. This leads to more informed decisions and a stronger connection to both employees and the overall company culture. The platform also makes it easier for Nadia when she decides to hand over responsibility to someone else to create a great environment for her and her engaged employees.

If you want to learn more about how light contributes to wellbeing and productivity in the office, this interview we conducted with Nadia is a must-read.