We recently had the opportunity to interview Peter Kristensson, Founder of ImpactEmpower, a professional training and coaching institute in the UAE. With a strong background in the hospitality industry, the passion to help others in their transformation journey was Peter’s calling.
With ImpactEmpower, Peter offers his clients extensive tools and new skill sets to become a better version of themselves. In this insightful interview, Peter shares his career trajectory, meeting market requirements, offering unique services, and the impact of technology in this industry.
Advent Of Peter’s Professional Journey
To learn more about Peter Kristensson’s journey that led him to the current position, we asked, “Could you describe your career journey and the pivotal experiences that shaped your path to becoming a leader in your industry?”
Peter Kristensson shared, “My career journey has been an exhilarating ride across three continents and multiple industries, each experience shaping my leadership style and approach. Starting in the world of hospitality, where I first honed my skills in customer service, teamwork, and organizational management. Working in various roles within the hospitality sector provided me with a solid foundation in understanding diverse cultures and customer needs, which would later prove invaluable in my leadership roles.
This was followed by a variety of growth opportunities in industries as diverse as financial services, manufacturing, and fashion. It all culminated for me to transition to leadership advisory and consulting work. Here I’ve been able to apply my cross-cultural and industry experiences to help organizations navigate change and conflict resolution through improved understanding and communication development.
Transforming Business Priorities
We were eager to learn how Peter’s business goals have transformed over these years. We asked, “As your company has grown and faced various challenges, how has your original vision evolved to meet these changes?”
Peter Kristensson shared, “When ImpactEmpower was launched, the vision was rather straightforward. Entering the market with a passion for making a difference but soon realized that our offerings lacked the depth and differentiation needed to truly stand out in a crowded landscape.
This realization prompted some serious self-reflection, during which I recognized the importance of adding value and finding unique ways to address the needs of our clients. By reconnecting with someone from my past – a partnership with Aperian Global was formed, allowing us to utilize their proprietary products. This in turn, has allowed us to strike the right balance in what we could offer our clients, enabling us to provide comprehensive solutions that truly make an impact.”
An Untapped Potential
To learn about a trend that Peter believes can become the next big thing in the industry, we asked, “Looking at the horizon, which emerging trend do you believe is undervalued but will significantly impact your industry in the next few years?”
Peter Kristensson replied, “I believe that there will be an increased reliance on AI, like the use of Chat GPT, for our clients in their daily interactions. But companies such as ours, who work with the traditional ‘soft skills’, while I prefer calling them ‘Power Skills’, will find an increased demand for our services. How will an up-and-coming leader differentiate themselves if everyone can present like a pro thanks to AI? It will be in how they connect, how they deliver, and how they understand people across borders. And I see this as a huge opportunity to expand our business.”
Filling Market Gaps
To stand apart from the competition, it is paramount to identify and offer unique solutions for market requirements. So, we asked, “Was there a specific moment when you identified an unmet need in the market that inspired you to start your venture? How did you turn that idea into reality?”
Peter shared, “After nearly three decades of serving customers, primarily within multinational companies, I reached a pivotal moment where I recognized a significant unmet need in the market of leadership development.
Having previously owned several companies and harbored an innate entrepreneurial spirit, I felt compelled to once again embark on the journey of building something of my own. Drawing from the foundation of my earlier work in consulting, I began to conceptualize how I could create a venture that not only provided valuable services but also incorporated my interpretation and appreciation for cultural diversity and communication.
I saw an opportunity to offer solutions that went beyond conventional approaches, recognizing the importance of understanding and embracing cultural nuances in today’s globalized world.”
Assessing The Right Strategy
We further asked, “In the transforming environment of your industry, how do you assess when it’s time to pivot your strategy versus when to stay the course?”
Peter Kristensson continued, “In the dynamic landscape of our industry, the decision to pivot our strategy or stay the course is based on our commitment to understanding the needs and challenges of our clients. Our approach to providing customized solutions means that we have cultivated a keen ability to listen intently to our clients, enabling us to be good at pivoting when and if needed.
Ultimately, our decision to pivot or stay the course hinges on our ability to deliver value to our clients.”
Setting An Exclusive Approach
We were intrigued to learn about the factors that Peter Kristensson prioritizes to set his company apart from the competition. So, we asked, “With so many players in your field, how does your service offering distinguish itself? Could you share the inspiration behind one of your key services?”
Peter Kristensson shared, “In a crowded field where many competitors rely on theoretical frameworks and abstract ideas, we pride ourselves on prioritizing practical, hands-on experience. Rather than simply discussing theories, we firmly believe in the power of real-world experience to drive meaningful development for our clients.
Drawing from my own extensive experiences navigating different countries and cultures, I bring a unique perspective to guiding my clients through their journey of growth and development. This firsthand knowledge allows me to offer insights and strategies that are grounded in practicality and relevance.
Incorporating the Globe Smart tool allows our clients to assess and compare their communication styles, cultural preferences, and other key touchpoints with those they interact with. Using this tool, we provide clients with actionable insights and personalized recommendations tailored to their unique needs and challenges.”
Following The Core Ethics, we asked Peter Kristensson
“Sustainability and social responsibility are critical in the current business world. How have you integrated these principles into the fabric of your company, and why do you think it’s essential for your sector?”
“For our company, it is critical that we’re viewed as an ethical partner in our dealings with our clients. We believe in being transparent and honest in our client dealings, and any campaigns we may run. Whenever possible, we give back to the community, offering free support and development to groups or individuals that could benefit from working with us.” Peter replied.
Impact Of Technology – Transforming Businesses
Technological advancements are reshaping every industry. We asked, “How is technology playing a role in helping your company move forward?”
Peter Kristensson responded, “Since the pandemic, the biggest impact I feel that technology has brought to our business is the use of platforms such as Zoom to deliver programs virtually, that in the past were delivered face to face. This has meant adjusting the duration – to be shorter and more intensive for our clients.
But it has also allowed us to increase our delivery yield-for example I could now deliver sessions in India, UAE, and France all in the same week-this would have been impossible in the past. We also use an industry-leading online tool, Globe Smart to help our clients identify their preferred work styles and how they interact with others.”
Positioning The Business To Flourish
We ended the session by asking, “As we look into the future, faced with both opportunities and uncertainties, how are you positioning your company to not just survive but flourish?”
Peter Kristensson concluded, “We are positioning our company not just to survive but to flourish in the years ahead. Anchored in principles that underscore our resilience, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to serving the needs of our clients. We have cultivated a culture of flexibility and responsiveness, enabling us to adjust and pivot on short notice in response to evolving market dynamics and client needs.
As we work on customized solutions for those we serve, we must be adaptable! We recognize that our success is intrinsically linked to the success of our clients, and thus, we must prioritize understanding their unique challenges, aspirations, and goals. Our communication with our clients, like actively soliciting feedback, ensures that our solutions remain aligned with their evolving needs and expectations.”
Follow Peter Kristensson on LinkedIn.
Find Impact Empower on LinkedIn and visit their website http://www.impactempower.com/
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