#AtoZfellow of the month: Iiris

Who are you?

Iiris Sarpiokoski

What do you do at AtoZ and how long have you been an #AtoZfellow?

I switch hats fluently from one administrative role to another, but most of my time is spent working with HR and recruitment. I’ve been an #AtoZfellow for almost exactly 7.5 years now (which means next autumn I’ll already have 8 paid long-service leave days!!! 🎉).

How did you end up at AtoZ?

I didn’t quite make it to the very beginning of AtoZ. I jumped on the AtoZ bandwagon in autumn 2018 while working part-time alongside my restaurant job, when Jyrki Oksanen called and said they could use a bit of help. Like many #AtoZfellow at the time, I also had a Kilosoft background, which made joining AtoZ really easy.

Several years went by doing sommelier work and AtoZ HR tasks in a fifty–sixty split. After Covid, when both jobs would have required more of a sixty–seventy effort, I made a strategic move and switched fully to AtoZ. I also managed to get a very good friend to take over my role as a sommelier at Periscope and Dining 26, which made it easy for me to jump back into the IT world full-time with a clear conscience.

What’s the best part of your job?

Recruitment and various operational development projects are definitely the joy of this job! I love onboarding new #AtoZfellows into our culture and our ways of working with openness — and seeing people shine. Also, since the way we operate at AtoZ doesn’t follow any textbook, it’s been amazing to think together about what kind of company we want to be, and how our model can work as we grow. Emphasis on together <3

Share a technical insight related to your field, or something you’re currently excited about

“Technical insight” might not be quite the right term, but leveraging AI tools is a development focus for us in every role. In addition, salary matters — including collective agreement increases and the pay transparency directive — have been strongly on the agenda at the beginning of the year and are a real source of interest. I even wrote a blog post about this last week.

If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be?

Wine-Irkku’s superpower would be an infallible palate for identifying wines and pairing them with food. Although this might end up being more trouble than benefit — as superpowers often are :P

What skill would you like to learn next?

In my own opinion, I’m still a bit weak at using AI tools effectively. I’m planning to get better at that!

What song best describes your life right now?

Because ’80s are the best: Maniac – Michael Sembello

If you could spend a day with anyone, who would it be and why?

Young Irkku was an absolutely crazy Michael Jackson fan. As I’ve grown older, the man has revealed some peculiar nuances, and opinions about him can vary widely. Whatever the truth of his story may be, spending a day with him would be fascinating. I don’t see that same level of striving for perfection in myself — although I’ve occasionally fallen into perfectionism and learned to unlearn it. And I’m not particularly artistic either :D It would be amazing to witness that creative drive live.

What’s the best thing about AtoZ?

Freedom in how I work and develop, the ability to influence my workday and planning, and flexibility.

I’m in walking meetings weekly and may divide my workday clearly into several parts — sometimes even exercising in the middle of the day.

My role has continuously and meaningfully evolved in the direction I’ve hoped for.

Share a surprising fact about yourself that others might not know (and few would guess)

I’ve spent thousands of euros and almost 20 years to be a remarkably average horseback rider :D But I’m impulsive enough that I’ve spent 300 km riding through the Namibian desert, smiling almost nonstop with sand in my mouth (and I’m planning to go again; once in a lifetime — or maybe twice, or maybe… YOLO. These crazy adventures are worth doing while you still can!).

What do you most enjoy doing in your free time?

Spending time with animals: at the stables with my leased horse Kassu, or walking / in the dog forest / swimming / rally obedience / dog shows with office dog Sudo.

If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

A unique unicorn - Or corny pony? — shitting some rainbows together.

Finally, share your funniest work memory from AtoZ

We ended un in event with a sauna raft on a beautiful late-summer evening, the sun illuminating the Tampere skyline. That time — and many others — the conversation flowed, laughter echoed, and the warm lake water of Pyhäjärvi between our toes didn’t hurt at all. #AtoZfellows <3

Send greetings to the readers!

Have a lovely spring! Midsummer will be here again before you know it 😊