Alfa Laval is a leading global provider of premium products for heat transfer, separation, and fluid handling. At its global headquarters in Lund, a dedicated team manages the company’s global IT infrastructure. When team manager Cassandra Candin needed an IT networking specialist, she turned to Unicus.
The team is comprised of IT specialists and solution architects, some with decades of experience at Alfa Laval. Their deep knowledge of the systems enables a relatively small team to manage numerous critical functions. Cassandra quickly realized how challenging it was to find someone with the right skills and mindset. After attending a presentation by Elin Blom from Unicus, a new opportunity emerged—bringing in a consultant for six months.
“It’s important to access different types of expertise,” Cassandra explains. “Unicus refines exceptional technical skills, and that’s a win for companies like ours. All major companies in Lund should take advantage of this opportunity.”
She underscores the value of diverse skill sets within a team and ensures that everyone finds their place. While her team doesn’t require micromanagement of technical details, they do need structured routines to encourage collaboration beyond individual areas of expertise.
“It’s more beneficial to strengthen what you excel at rather than focusing on weaknesses. Everyone has weaknesses, but there are ways to compensate for them.”
At the time of recruitment, the team urgently needed to fill a position. Cassandra found Unicus’ approach—from selecting the right candidate to providing managerial support—refreshingly different from other consulting firms. With the IT sector facing a persistent skills shortage, exploring a new route to recruitment proved to be an effective strategy.
“It’s crucial to leverage people’s unique abilities. It’s easy to assume that a certain type of person has always been successful in our team, but that’s not necessarily true—sometimes you need to shake things up.”
Cassandra emphasizes that teamwork is central to their success, enabling them to manage complex IT environments with a small, agile group. Thanks to a stronger focus on sharing knowledge within the team, hiring a junior IT consultant proved to be an excellent solution.
“It’s more important to find someone with the right work ethic and mindset than to match an exact skill set.”
Alfa Laval’s culture of innovation encourages thinking outside the box, and the company has already brought several Unicus consultants on board. How can more leaders be encouraged to embrace alternative recruitment methods? Cassandra believes that support from her employer is crucial, as is strong communication within the team. Additionally, defining team culture is essential. As a leader, she stresses the importance of fostering collaboration and building cohesive teams.
“People often stereotype IT specialists as rigid thinkers, but I see the opposite: Everyone on my team is incredibly creative and solution-oriented. They thrive on collaboration and problem-solving.”
She notes that traditional hiring processes heavily rely on applications and interviews, with the risk of excluding valuable talent too quickly. Instead of focusing on differences, companies should recognize what each individual brings to the table. It is also essential to avoid generalizations, even among Unicus consultants. Cassandra appreciates the support from Unicus’ consultant manager, which fosters a safe environment for discussions and strengthens collaboration.
“We need alternative recruitment strategies that aren’t based solely on networking skills or first impressions,” she concludes. “More companies would benefit from flipping this approach and focusing on where the real talent lies.”