Anders Jakobsson
We spoke with Anders Jakobsson about air handling units, why technical knowledge needs to be made more accessible, and why a strong customer dialogue often starts by going back to basics.
How would you describe your area of expertise?
I would describe myself as a generalist within air handling units. My strength is not necessarily to go deepest into every technical detail, but rather to understand the broader picture and make specialist knowledge easier to grasp for others. In many situations, that means helping people communicate at the right level, especially when highly technical explanations need to be translated into something more accessible and relevant.
Why is that perspective valuable in Swegon’s business?
We often work in environments where the level of knowledge in the room varies a great deal. One person may need a basic explanation of what an air handling unit actually does, while another wants to discuss advanced control functions or system settings in detail. In those situations, it is important to begin with the fundamentals and not assume too much. If we want to reach broader target groups, including property owners and decision-makers outside the technical core, we also need to speak in a way that is clear, relevant and easy to follow.
What are the three most important parts of your work?
A large part of my role is about understanding problems, understanding solutions, and then helping others understand both. Just as important is being able to assess what really matters. Not every issue is part of a bigger pattern, and not every request should become a development priority. So another key part of the work is to evaluate what is specific to one situation, and what points to a more general need that should influence our future development plans.
From a customer perspective, why does your role matter?
From a customer perspective, my job is to understand what the real need is, and whether there is a gap between that need and what we currently offer. That could lead to product improvements, new development projects, or a clearer way of explaining the value of an existing solution. The important part is to listen carefully, bring that insight back into the organisation, and judge whether it reflects a one-off situation or something more widely relevant.
What do you think property owners and other decision-makers need to understand better?
I think many people would benefit from a clearer understanding of the basics, both of what ventilation actually does and of how different technical choices affect energy use and long-term performance. We sometimes assume too much prior knowledge, but in reality, many people appreciate simple and straightforward explanations. When we explain the fundamentals well, it becomes much easier to have meaningful discussions about energy efficiency, system performance and what creates value over time.
What have customer visits taught you?
One of the clearest lessons is that you have to start from the beginning every time. Customer groups are often very mixed. Some want a broad introduction, while others are looking for very detailed technical answers. In a short visit, you rarely have time to go deep into everything, so it becomes even more important to focus on the essentials and explain them well. That is a challenge, but also a reminder that clear communication does not mean removing the technical depth. It means finding the right level, so the knowledge becomes relevant to the people in the room.
What motivates you most in your work?
What motivates me is the opportunity to connect different perspectives, between specialists and broader audiences, between customer needs and technical development, and between today’s questions and tomorrow’s priorities. Having worked across several industries has taught me that many challenges are shared, even if they appear in different forms. That wider perspective is something I value, and it helps me contribute in a way that is both practical and strategic.