Steps Ahead

Solutions

• Innovation commercialization & go-to-market programs planning
• Services system design and innovation
• Scenario working and strategy design
• Transformation and training facilitation
• Project management, hybrid workshops facilitation
• Hybrid simulations method
• Sales and commercial concept upgrades
• CX & customer frontline research in B2B
• Key account management
• Scrum, LESS, SIAM, DevOps (principles applied with simulations)

References

Valmet Technologies (7+2 projects 2017-2024), Elcoline (2022-2023), Etteplan (2020-2022), Valmet Automation (2018-2020), Konecranes (2017-2018), Jyväskylä University eMBA program (2005-2019), Lassila-Tikanoja (2018), Finavia (2016), Moventas (2014-2015), DNA (2008, 2014), Antalis Group (2010-2012), Nokia Strategic Marketing, Nokia Ventures, Amer Group, Fortum, OKO-OP Group, Elisa, Sanoma Group.

Hannu Mattinen

My name is Hannu Mattinen. M.Sc., Econ. from Helsinki School of Economics and Business Administration. At Steps Ahead, I am a senior business designer and managing partner.

My thinking model: Customer empathy. My approach: Simulate! Rethink! Innovate!

I am one of the leading experts in Finland concerning hybrid simulation methodologies for various business, commercial, and competence design contexts. Simulation applications are: service innovations, go-to-market programs, change management and training sales teams. I have created methodology called HybridSims™ for facilitating the simulations. These are realized as combinations of online and offline co-creation environments.

Work in progress: Innovation Commercialization Gamebook, to be released August 2026.

I have moderated over 170 simulation workshops. Besides on the domestic markets, in Brazil, France, Germany, Mexico, United States, China and UAE.

My books deal with Customer Experience Design (WSOY 2001 with Kaj and Oskar), Listening to the Customer (Talentum 2006) and The World´s Best Loyalty Marketing cases (Tutkimusmatka lojaliteettimarkkinointiin Talentum 2009 with Sinikka), Innovation Commercialization Design (2026).

 

PUBLICATIONS, RESEARCH AND PRESENTATIONS

Innovation Commercialization Gamebook (August 2026)

Blog stepsahead.fi / blog

Book: Hannu Mattinen – Sinikka Sierla: Tutkimusmatka lojaliteettimarkkinointiin – Kuinka edelläkävijäyritykset uudistavat markkinointikäytäntöjä (Casebook on Best Practices and Trends in Marketing and Customer Relationship Management), 2009, (Talentum).

The book Tutkimusmatka lojaliteettimarkkinointiin was rewarded by MTL Finland (Mainostoimistojen liitto) with silver medal in Hopeasulka writing competition (2010).

Book: Asiakkuusosaaminen – kuuntele asiakastasi (Listening to the Customer) 2006, Talentum.

Pro Oeconomica 2006 competition finalist with the book ”Asiakkuusosaaminen”.

Book: RED, Relationship Experience Design (Storbacka, Mattinen, Korkman, WSOY, 2001).

Research: Moderator, researcher and concept creator for a multi-client research project, concerning the future of sales, at Haaga-Helia Business School of Applied Sciences, 2012-2013.

Research: Doctoral research work (1998-2004) at Swedish School of Economics and Business Administration in Helsinki, Topic: integrated marketing communications.

Research: Mattinen, Kalliola (2008): Strategian sujuva maastouttaminen: strategian kalibrointimalli (Focus&Visionin publications).

Research: Mattinen, Kalliola, Sierla (2006): Tietämyksen kolme kuilua – kvalitatiivinen tutkimus tietämyksen johtamisesta (Focus&Vision publications).

Research: Mattinen, Strandvik (2002): Identifying the Executive Team´s Role in Customer Relationship Management, Svenska handelshögskolan.

Research: Interactivity 2002 – Onnistuneen asiakkuuden anatomia (Mattinen, Strandvik, Raulas, 2001, Institute of Direct Marketing Excellence).

Key note speaker at “Asiakas 2002” in October 2002 with the topic: “Monikanavaisuus pintaa syvemmältä”.

Key note speaker: Planning and co-moderation of Nokia Retention World Tour: France, Brazil, Mexico, US, UEA, China, Kirkkonummi.

Contact info:
Steps Ahead Oy, Ahomäentie 3, 00780 Helsinki.
firstname.lastname (at) stepsahead.fi , +358 <040> 164 9694.