Vesa Nissinen was born in Finland in 1963, and he has a PhD and Col (ret.). He’s the proud developer of the Deep Leadership coaching program and Founder of Deep Lead Inc. since 2002.
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Today, we sit down with Vesa to learn a bit more about his journey as an entrepreneur.
Q. Tell us a little more about your journey as an entrepreneur – how did you get started?
Vesa: The role as an entrepreneur came surprisingly. The Finnish Defense Forces started to use the Deep Leadership program in 1998. As we still have general conscription, the new program created an interest in society. The program gained a lot of positive feedback, and the only way to answer the training requests of the business companies was to establish a business company to provide these services. So Deep Lead Inc. was born in 2002. It was also pretty complex to continue the service in the FDF and run the business company simultaneously. But for many years it worked out well.
Q. What entrepreneurial tricks have you discovered to keep you focused and productive?
Vesa: There are three main lessons learned when doing leadership coaching as a business. First of all, concentrate on doing the things you are the best. Secondly, use feedback to listen to the customers and develop your services continuously. Thirdly, select the right people you want to work with.
Q. How do you stay organized with such a busy schedule?
Vesa: Maintaining a highly disciplined time management has been a must to keep the show running smoothly. In the beginning, we had a strict rule for all the coaches: the coaching day is ready only when you have analyzed the participant feedback and returned it to them (usually late in the evening). Shared calendars are a good tool in case of changes and urgent situations.
Q. What is the most memorable thing you’ve done since you started your business?
Vesa: The most memorable thing in my leadership coaching career would be the first time (twenty years ago) when a person told me that the Deep Lead program had changed his whole life. At that moment I realized the power of the program.
Q. If you were to write a book about yourself, what would you name it?
Vesa: I have been thinking about that book for many years. Maybe the name of the book could be “Kutsumus.” In English “Your country is calling”.
Q. What motivates you?
Vesa: I get highly motivated when creating new things with a feeling of importance and the possibility to improve something I feel is valuable. As a coach, being able to help other people learn and seek their hidden potential is very motivating.
Q. What is one of the best or most worthwhile investments you’ve ever made
Vesa: Our new Deep Lead Academy is an online learning platform with developing AI-based virtual coach services. It has been a big investment for a good reason. The future of effective change management is visible.
Q. What key activities would you recommend entrepreneurs to invest their time in?
Vesa: Analyze your strengths, find the right customer focus areas, and be really active in contacting new customers.
Q. What is your ‘one-sentence’ piece of advice you’d like to give to someone who wants to become an entrepreneur, coach, or business owner?
Vesa: Don’t be afraid; just start doing things and ask for advice when needed.
To keep up to date with Vesa and his journey, connect with him on LinkedIn.