“Every problem can be solved, one way or another! It permeates everything that we do.”

Team Communication

Melissa Karlsson

Melissa, could you tell us a bit about your role here at Skolon?

I’m responsible for Skolon’s communications, both in Sweden and abroad and that’s been my role from the start, which was in 2015 when I joined the company. So, I’ve been around from the time when nobody knew our name until now, when we are one of the Nordic region’s most rapidly growing edtech companies. What an exciting journey it has been, too!

…could you share a bit more about who you are and what you do outside of work?

Well, I love life and I laugh a lot. I’m genuinely interested in people and look forward to each new day and all that it might bring. I’ve always got a list of things to do, which is constantly changing. It’s filled with all the positive things a person can do in life, from going out in nature to hear the first bird twitterings in spring to coming up with the right answer on quiz night.

I’ve heard it said that something you were passionate about as a kid can influence your choice of career later on. I absolutely loved school and when I was in grades 4-6, I was publishing my own newspaper that kids in the class could subscribe to. That later evolved into a radio show that I recorded on cassette tapes and after that, an online magazine. I dreamed of becoming a journalist and teacher. So, winding up in communications and edtech feels spot on! Otherwise, in my free time, you might find me meditating on a yoga mat, with a book out in nature or in the audience at a cultural event.

Looking back, what factors do you think have led Skolon to success?

I’ve been asked this question many times and in my opinion it boils down to two things. First off, we have a service that is clearly needed both now and in the future, when everything that is technically advanced basically needs to be as easy to use as possible. For example, what would music listening be like today without Spotify’s technical platform? Or films and TV without all the new, smart platforms for content? What they both have in common is collecting content one place for the user and it’s all available at the push of a button, like so much else these days. We live in an era when we expect everything to simply work, immediately, with no hassle. So, if technology is making things easier for teachers and students in their private lives, the same should hold true at school and in the classroom. You should be able to pull something up immediately, with one click. That’s where we’re at right now, which is a huge improvement from how things once were. What’s even more important, is that it is truly making a difference. The other thing I usually mention, which is just as important, is our teamwork. We have the right people in the right positions and together, we can always make it happen!

What’s it like working at Skolon?

When I think about Skolon as a company, I think of drive, commitment and dedication. A mindset that anything is possible! And these aren’t just pretty words. One of my colleagues, Ole, really nailed it when, in one of our team meetings he said: “Not once have I ever heard anyone in this company say no, that’s not possible.” It’s exactly this mindset that everyone in the team has. Every problem can be solved, one way or another! It permeates everything that we do.

How would you describe our company culture?

Energetic, inspiring, friendly. We all look out for each other and there is a spirit of “everyone should join in”. You feel it while working and when we just hang out with each other. We are good at getting colleagues and our other teams involved in the work and we have an open, accepting culture where everyone’s opinion has equal weight. And you know what’s best of all? We laugh a lot and have an incredibly fun time at work!

Meet some of Skolon’s employees

Melissa Karlsson

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