When Robert Karlsson started on Microsoft 2016 was Microsoft Teams still hadn't launched, and the term "Copilot" was mostly associated with the aviation industry. Today, after eight successful years at Microsoft, he's making a new career move - to Tele2.
What do you take with you from your time at Microsoft?
“Above all, the experience of working at a company that is truly at the center of both events and development,” says Robert Karlsson. He tells how he went from Telia to Microsoft to develop the telephony part of the Skype for Business business, which shortly thereafter transitioned to Teams.
– When Teams was launched, everything changed. It started as a simple platform for chat and collaboration, but through intensive product development and competition with other players, it has become a central part of our customers' work lives. Read more about Teams' journey on Microsoft's official blog.
Four years of Microsoft Teams Room (MTR)
For the past four years, Robert has focused on building Microsoft's business in Microsoft Teams Room (MTR) in Europe.
– It has been incredibly rewarding to see MTR solutions become a central part of the UC (Unified Communications) stack, which you can read more about in this the guide to MTR solutions.
What attracted you to Tele2?
Robert says he was attracted by Tele2's fast-paced and customer-focused organization.
– As both an operator and an integrator, Tele2 offers a breadth that no single platform provider can match. In addition, I have missed having close contact with end customers, something I look forward to getting back here, he says.
He also emphasizes that the role at Tele2 provides the opportunity to contribute both strategically and operationally:
– I want to be a clear value creator and help customers digitize and transform their businesses. Here, Tele2 has a unique position to deliver comprehensive solutions within networks, telephony and collaboration tools. Read more about Tele2's offerings here.
What are you going to do at Tele2?
Robert will work with business development in a team with both business developers and technical specialists.
– My work will include close cooperation with the sales organization, where I support customer meetings and share my specialist knowledge. In addition, I will play a public role in spreading Tele2's message to customers and partners. Last but not least, I will contribute to building the business by identifying trends and opportunities together with customers.
He highlights the importance of combining platform expertise with traditional telecom experience, which is crucial to meeting today's demands for digital solutions. You can read more about trends in telecom in this report from GSMA.
How does Tele2 fare internationally?
Tele2's product portfolio is one of the strongest on the market, according to Robert.
– Tele2 combines a solid infrastructure for all types of business with a broad portfolio of value-added services, from classic telephony platforms to advanced UC solutions. There is enormous potential here, especially when it comes to integrating solutions such as Microsoft Teams as a foundation. Read more about the UC solutions of the future in this analysis from Gartner.
Sweden and the Nordic countries in the telecom world
Robert emphasizes that the Nordic region is one of the most mature markets in Europe.
– Customers here are curious and want to try new solutions. Back in the 2000s, Sweden was at the forefront of innovations such as Nokia's mobile switchboard, and during the pandemic we were quick to adapt to working from home. You can read more about Nordic successes in telecom at Nordic Innovation.
The future vision at Tele2
In two years, Robert hopes to have broadened his skills further and helped Tele2's customers create the best possible meeting experience.
“I want to contribute to developing room solutions as a natural part of the UC offering, while helping customers integrate unique business functions and solutions. It's about creating a whole that no other player can match,” he concludes.
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