Stepping into the CEO role comes with its surprises, but for Jesper Lyndberg, now at the helm of Alphabet International, the journey has been an inspiring affirmation of the company's solid foundations. Just over three months into his leadership, he's already shaping the future with a clear focus on growth and innovation. In a candid interview, Jesper offers insights from his first 100 days making sure the company not only keeps up with industry changes but also sets new standards.
Jesper, how’s the new role as CEO of Alphabet International been so far? How would you describe your first 100 days?
The past 100 days have been exhilarating and challenging. I'm grateful for the warm welcome from the central team and European markets. It's been a hectic period of learning the nuances across our diverse operations. The support and feedback from employees has been invaluable in quickly getting up to speed. I'm energised by the opportunity to lead Alphabet International forward and confident that together, we can achieve great things.
What’s been the biggest surprise in your role so far? Anything that caught you off guard?
Honestly, I've been impressed but not surprised by our team's professionalism and dedication at Alphabet International. Their hard work behind the scenes ensures our customers receive top-notch products and services. The commitment and expertise of our employees are evident - they're passionate and strive for excellence. Although I've faced a steep learning curve, there haven't been any unexpected challenges. I've gained a greater respect for the daily operations of our organisation, which adeptly manages the complexities of diverse markets. This has deepened my appreciation for the engine that drives Alphabet International, ensuring we deliver quality experiences to our customers globally.
Now that you’re settling in, what’s currently at the top of your to-do list as CEO?
As I get used to my role, my first task is to fine-tune our strategy. We’re keeping Alphabet International’s main strategy as it is, because it’s solid and well-defined. But we’ll keep adapting and tweaking to make the most of new chances and respond to our customers’ changing needs. We’ll be reviewing our current plans and making necessary adjustments.
The aim is to stay flexible and alert, while also providing the consistent service our customers and partners expect from us. I’m working closely with my leadership team to look at our activities, find where we can do better, and come up with fresh ideas to advance our business.
Alphabet has a strong focus on sustainability. What’s been one of the most exciting innovations you’ve seen in the company’s approach to helping customers meet sustainability goals?
One of the most exciting innovations I've seen is the Carbon Manager tool we developed in partnership with Plan A. This solution gives our customers unprecedented visibility and insights into their emissions footprint. The Carbon Manager allows customers to get a comprehensive overview of their current CO2 emissions across their vehicle fleets. But more importantly, it provides data-driven recommendations on how they can reduce their emissions going forward. By analysing their existing fleet composition and driving patterns, the tool suggests targeted actions they can take to lower their carbon impact. It's a great example of how we're leveraging technology and data-driven insights to deliver real value and make a positive impact.
With all the change happening in the industry, how do you personally see Alphabet adapting to customers’ evolving needs and new regulations?
Our core strategy and value proposition are a strong starting point. We have a diverse portfolio of mobility solutions, underpinned by deep expertise and a commitment to innovation. This provides us with a solid foundation to build upon as the market evolves.
However, you're also correct that we need to remain nimble and continue refining our offerings to meet customers' changing requirements. This means constantly evaluating our products and services, gathering customer feedback, and making targeted adjustments. We as a company have the capabilities and agility to adapt to any reversal the market may throw at us. By staying intricately connected to our customers and the broader market, we can ensure our solutions continue to deliver maximum value.
This customer-centric mindset is a key competitive advantage that will allow us to navigate industry changes and cement our position as a trusted partner.
We’ve seen AI and digital tools take the lead in many industries. How do you think innovations like the Alphabet AI Assistant are enhancing the customer experience? Any other exciting digital innovations we should expect?
You're right that AI is currently transforming many industries, including our own. At Alphabet, we firmly believe that leveraging these innovative technologies is key to enhancing the customer experience and driving value for our customers.
The launch of our Alphabet AI Assistant has been a game-changer in this regard. The sheer volume of data and information available to our customers can be overwhelming. Our AI-powered assistant helps them cut through the noise and quickly surface the most relevant insights to support their decision-making.
The assistant can rapidly analyse data, identify trends and patterns – saving our customers significant time and effort and empowering them to get a much more streamlined view of their operations. But this is just the beginning. We have an exciting roadmap of digital innovations in the pipeline that will further elevate the customer experience.
Shifting gears a bit to your personal experience: Stepping into the CEO role comes with its own set of challenges. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone who’s about to take on that responsibility for the first time?
Based on my own experiences over the past 100 days, the single most important piece of advice I would give is to trust the people in your organisation. The reality as a CEO is that you can't possibly know everything or make every decision on your own. What you can do is surround yourself with a talented, dedicated team and empower them to thrive.
Trust your leadership, your subject matter experts, and your frontline employees to bring their unique skills and perspectives to the table. Be curious about their insights, listen attentively, and create an environment where open dialogue and collaboration can flourish.
At the same time, it's crucial to be transparent about your vision and the goals you want to achieve as the new CEO. Share your strategic priorities, be clear about the changes you want to drive, and ensure everyone understands how their work contributes to the bigger picture. This alignment and sense of purpose will empower your team to execute with focus and agility. Ultimately, stepping into the CEO role is about striking the right balance.
If you had to sum up your first 100 days as CEO in one word, what would it be – and what’s the reason behind that choice?
If I had to sum up my first 100 days as CEO in a single word, I would choose “delighted.” This may come as a bit of a surprise, given the well-known challenges and complexities that come with taking on a new CEO role. However, the reason I've chosen this word is that I've been genuinely delighted by what I've experienced during this initial period.
When I stepped into this position, I was, of course, acutely aware of the responsibility and the need to hit the ground running. I am in awe of by the calibre of the people I've had the privilege of working with across the Alphabet organisation and of course their immense collaborative spirit. I've been able to lean on my colleagues, learn from their insights, and work together to chart the course forward. This has made the transition into the CEO role much smoother and more rewarding than I could have anticipated.
What’s your go-to productivity hack or tool that helps you stay ahead of the game?
That's a great question, and it's something I've put a lot of thought into as I've settled into the CEO role. One of my go-to productivity hacks is something I do on my commute to the office: I listen to podcasts. I find that this is an excellent way for me to stay up to date on industry trends, gain new insights, and get inspired, all while making the most of that otherwise idle time in the car.
The wealth of high-quality business and technology podcasts available these days is truly impressive. I make it a point to curate a playlist of shows that cover a range of topics relevant to our industry and company in order to expand my knowledge and identify emerging opportunities or challenges. But as you alluded to, I also make extensive use of the AI-powered tools and solutions that we've developed here in the Group. Our internal AI assistant has become an indispensable part of my daily workflow: It frees up mental bandwidth for me to focus on the strategic priorities and high-impact initiatives that will drive the business forward.
Looking at the bigger picture, what drives you personally to get up and take on the day? What motivates you to push forward?
At the core, my family – and specifically, my two young sons – are what drive and motivate me every single day. Being a father is the most meaningful role I've ever had, and seeing the world through the eyes of my children provides me with a constant source of inspiration and determination.
Knowing that my actions today will shape the world my sons grow up in is a profound responsibility that I take very seriously. When I'm feeling overwhelmed or uncertain, I think about my boys and the legacy I want to leave behind. That singular purpose grounds me and gives me the clarity, resilience, and sense of urgency I need to navigate challenges and capitalise on opportunities.
To wrap up, we’d love to hear your thoughts on a few light questions: What do you do to unwind after a busy day in the office? And is there anything about you that would surprise people to know?
One of the ways I unwind after a busy day is by biking to and from work, rain or shine. The daily commute allows me to decompress and transition from “work mode” to “home mode” in a healthy way. The fresh air, exercise, and sense of independence that comes with cycling is the perfect antidote to the fast-paced, technology-driven nature of my job. It's a surprisingly low-tech way for me to recharge, but one that I find incredibly grounding.
I think people might be surprised to learn how much I value work-life balance and the lengths I go to protect it. As a CEO, it would be easy to become consumed by the demands of the job. But I'm very intentional about setting boundaries and making time for family, hobbies, and personal interests outside of work. That balance is crucial to my ability to bring my best self to the office each day.
Claudia Bauer
International Marketing, Communications Manager
