NordShield
NordShield is a Finnish biotechnology company that develops plant-based antimicrobial and odor solutions for textiles. The company’s innovative technologies offer a sustainable alternative to traditional treatments, which often contain heavy metals. NordShield solutions also enhance product performance and user experience. NordShield does not offer greenwashing to textile companies but genuinely sustainable products.
The need for the OKR model
In 2024, NordShield had undergone a significant organisational change. CEO Paul Wasastjerna recognized the need for unified objectives for the organisation and to improve communication among teams operating in multiple locations. He decided to implement the OKR (Objectives and Key Results) model to support the practical application of strategy and improve collaboration between teams.
Implementation of the OKR model
The implementation of the OKR model began in the spring of 2024 when NordShield enlisted Taskmill to support the change. The collaboration kicked off with training sessions for leadership and teams, where participants were introduced to the OKR framework. Together, they identified NordShield’s most pressing priorities and crafted a single cross-team objective to rally the organisation.
To ensure quick adaptation, the first OKR cycle lasted just one month — a perfect match for NordShield’s dynamic business environment. NordShield’s key personnel proactively included the objectives in their weekly meeting agendas, and the objectives were closely monitored.
The goals of the first period turned out to be somewhat overly ambitious. Although the key results were not fully achieved, significant progress was still made. Simultaneously, they learned to write more trackable key results, and through retrospectives, they identified areas for improvement.
Taskmill’s consultant Raija Harle is part of NordShield’s journey. According to Raija, the second round got off to a smooth start, and people enthusiastically embarked on the new period.
Midway through the second cycle, NordShield demonstrated maturity by deciding to abandon a less relevant key result. This flexibility allowed the teams to focus on what truly mattered, resulting in excellent achievement of the remaining objectives.
Benefits of the OKR model
In a short time, a lot has happened at NordShield, and the direction is clearly upward.
“OKR has helped us focus on the right things and made our achievements visible. It has also increased communication between our teams. We truly work together towards our goals.”
— Paul Wasastjerna, CEO
Retrospectives at the end of the period have served as excellent learning tools. They have learned both about the OKR model and solving work impediments. Lessons learned so far include:
- Common, concrete goals help focus individual efforts.
- Common goals facilitate collaboration between teams.
- The OKR model brings clarity to strategic objectives.
NordShield’s journey with the OKRs, as does its conquest of the textile markets.