Thank you and goodbye, Dear Crasman. This sums up the feelings of Mika Sormunen, who has been with the company for a long time and is now continuing his professional journey forward. Before departing, he wanted to share how difficult the decision to leave was and what a workplace Crasman has been.

December 2018. I found myself at the threshold of a new career path for the first time in a long while. Over a decade in digital work at an advertising agency was left behind, and the electronic signature on the Crasman-Sormunen employment contract gleamed brightly on the screen. 

Now, almost exactly four years later, I'm in the same situation. My signature is engraved on a new employer's contract, and it’s time to bid farewell to Crasman.

The upcoming job is a significant leap forward in my career. Professionally, it’s precisely what I’ve aspired for. It’s both exciting and nerve-wracking, but as I write this, I mainly feel sadness and longing as I prepare to leave the Crasman folks behind. Miss you already! 🥺 

Let's go back to 2019, when I made four observations about the Crasman people that have remained unchanged

In February 2019, I stepped into Crasman's Helsinki office and was greeted by a group of smiling faces and warm hugs. People who had become quite familiar during a long, rewarding, and refreshingly non-corporate recruitment process. The Joensuu office (to which I belonged) was rapidly expanding, and I had been involved early on in the housewarming and cleanliness inspection of the upcoming office space. 

Side note: We North Karelians are a hospitable bunch, but apparently, even IT company executives from inside the ring road know how to host gracefully 😉 cheers to Pasi and company!

After the initial workdays and onboarding, I realised I was part of a significant change where a company with a strong developer background was looking to expand its expertise into the growth marketing playground. Not being locked into systematic processes myself (see: advertising agency background), I found myself thriving.

As a new, eager and talkative type, I spent my first work weeks networking incessantly with colleagues, clients, and, of course, clients’ partners. 

At this stage, I made some observations:

Observation 1: What a bunch?!

I thought I had seen every possible type of person in my career (having done nearly 10 years of teaching in polytechnic). I was wrong 🤣. You might have noticed that Crasman uses this “Creative Nerd” slogan? Well, it fits quite well. The place is full of Nerds and they are indeed creative! I was amazed by the variety of skills and personalities! 

How to summarise this... Colourful and a bit restless group, yet extremely professional and smart. I noticed feeling very comfortable from the first days of work.

Getting acquainted with Crasman's ways was quick, and I was engaged in work from the first days. I quickly got involved in a few client projects and discovered another valuable aspect:

Observation 2: No quick wins

Crasman has been owned and managed by a few individuals for over 25 years. This is reflected in the long and deep client relationships. I quickly noticed that this firm does not seek quick wins and fast projects, but instead focuses thoroughly on efforts that have the most significance for the end result and the whole. 

It's worth noting at this point that