One of the founders of Rocket doesn’t even like computers that much. This Rocket founder, known for initiating several creative projects at a time and wanting to break stereotypes, reveals that a consultant’s most important asset may be responsive creativity.

I, an anonymous journalist, am perplexed by a riddle. Who really is Jarno Laine, one of the founders of the Rocket?

I am waiting for Jarno before our agreed interview. Will the big cheese of the company saunter in wearing a dressed-to-impress suit, chattering away on his phone with a hint of hypertension in his tone, all while the consultants’ money jingles happily in his pockets?

I mean let’s face it, we all know what the top-tier expert advisors of the consulting world are like.

The truth, however, is quite different. Jarno shows up for the interview sporting a jumper and no shoes, casually takes a seat on the couch with a cup of tea in his hand and kicks up his feet onto the coffee table.

"Hah! Everyone works on an equal footing here. The founders get their hands dirty and swear just like everyone else. If there’s someone who falls short, it’s the CEO, who only knows Visual Basic,” Jarno says straightaway, cleaning up the spilled Oolong that has splattered everywhere.

“IT consulting is an industry that people tend to take all too seriously. Right from the start, our goal was to shatter the stereotypes of the consulting world,” he continues, taking a more comfortable position on the couch.

Can the stereotypes of the consulting world be broken?

My interest is piqued. Jarno seems to know the secrets to breaking persistent stereotypes.

“From the get-go, we have wanted to provide our clients with practical solutions in a laid-back setting over a cup of tea. We don’t take ourselves too seriously because, let’s face it, when you know what you’re doing, there’s no need to stress out unnecessarily,” Jarno says, recalling the times before the Rocket was founded in 2010.

Right. Imagine being able to walk into a meeting in your socks and settle into a cosy sofa with a cup of tea in hand. It probably used to be a utopian idea back then. But a lot of time has passed and things are different now, or is it just me?

Back to the story. Rakettitiede was established when four out of the five founders were wrapping up their involvement in a start-up whose story was coming to an end. The friends came to the realisation that consulting could be a productive and interesting pursuit.

“We decided to set up a company and continue with IT consulting,” Jarno says.

“We had a steep learning curve but also experienced a lot of success in the early days of the Rocket. The demand for the type of consulting we were offering was huge. This was when Nokia phones began to be supplanted by iPhone and Android – all kinds of ideas sounded really amazing. During the 2000s tech bubble, three of us had been involved in making TV chats in the same company. So we had probably already seen the worst of it at that point” Jarno says.

“I started working with our first client even before the company was registered with the Finnish Patent and Registration Office” Jarno says.

12 years later, Rakettitiede is known for its offbeat humour, staff who love cat memes and corporate culture that prioritises comparatively soft values such as mental health.

“We have always tried to be a bit different and put our own developers’ well-being first. Rumour has it that in the field we are reputed for our competence and expertise,” Jarno says.

Okay, I’m convinced. But I’m still curious to unearth the enigma that is Jarno. What keeps Jarno going?

Coder, founder, caretaker and the Rocket’s creative ideamonger

I’m sitting with Jarno at Epicenter, where he works with his current client, an under-the-radar game company.

Over the years, Jarno has solved numerous technical challenges for large corporations, start-ups and banks. Like other rocket scientists, Jarno builds lasting and meaningful relationships with his clients, often working together for several years at a time.

“I like creative challenges and problem-solving that enable me to make a difference in people’s lives,” Jarno says. He confesses that deep down, he’s not even that keen on computers.

“It is still a superior tool that can be used beyond creating entertainment to solve any number of problems,” Jarno explains.

In addition to client work, Jarno gets involved in sales, marketing and recruitment at the Rocket. Furthermore, he acts as a caretaker for a few consultants.

“In sales, my job is to provide arguments and support, in recruitment I’m one of the technical interviewers. I may have more of a vested interest in marketing since I like making videos with our Elina. Although she often has a way of grounding my ideas just as they’re about to take flight,” he snorts.

Creativity and curiosity seem to be characteristics that are deeply ingrained in his Jarno’s soul. During the interview, he has already shown me a mobile application that monitors the prices of luxury cruises, which he coded for fun.

For a few years, Jarno dabbled in textile arts, and spent a while longer studying acoustics and sound processing at the Helsinki University of Technology “before it was rebranded as Aalto University.” In his spare time, he enjoys pursuing his hobbies, which include making films, expanding his knowledge of wines, and the aforementioned cruises. Jarno mentions that his dream job would be to captain a riverboat travelling through the vineyards of Europe.

During the interview, Jarno has already shown me a mobile application that monitors the prices of luxury cruises, which he coded for fun.

“I’ve told our salespeople to they should find me a riverboat company to work with if they want to make me happy,” he says.

I can’t help but wonder how Jarno finds the time to pursue all his interests. He assures me that he takes care of his well-being at work and that he finds motivation in his interests and his curiosity about the world.

Envisioning a workplace for ideamongers and problem-solvers who are passionate about technology

Over the years, the mother ship has also evolved, and the number of moon suits needed has grown steadily.

“We’ve become more professional in how we do things. A wise person once said that the level of a company can be raised by hiring smart colleagues. That’s the tactic we live by,” Jarno says.

“We always put the expert’s health, joy and happiness first.”

According to him, the goal has always been to offer a unique consulting experience for experts in the field.

“We are seen as competent and skilled, but what sets us apart is our down-to-earth and friendly approach. We always put the expert’s health, joy and happiness first,” he says.

New ideas, a fearless attitude and the development of concepts seem to unite all rocket scientists.

“Rocketeers are generally interested in many things, and they pursue a wide range of hobbies and passions. For example, we have guys who are really into 3D printing or small electronics who often come up with all kinds of new things. This type of activity is something I would like to encourage even more,” Jarno says.

As Jarno is finishing his second cup of tea, the conversation shifts towards the topic of the future.

“I hope clients will continue to approach us with their most intriguing challenges,” he says.

According to Jarno, creativity and creative problem-solving will help experienced consultants in the race against the rapidly advancing field of artificial intelligence. Cultivating a deep understanding, fostering the ability to generate unconventional ideas, and nurturing the unique human spirit that sets consultants apart from machines should be a top priority.

“I’m always striving to awaken people’s creative side.”

Are all consultants creative then, in Jarno's opinion?

“Yes. But sometimes that creativity may require some coaxing to emerge. Coding is creative, but it rarely shows. Recently, half of the company attended a Paint & Wine event. An event like that gives you a glimpse of some of the really unexpected things people can produce. I’m always striving to awaken people’s creative side,” Jarno explains. "To be fair, that’s what wine does as well.”

As the interview comes to a close, a picture of Jarno as a creative, compassionate, and resourceful software developer begins to take shape. With the tea finished, it’s time to return to work on the client’s code. We bid farewell, and Jarno and his socks sneak back to his work station.

The author of the story comes from outside the Rocket.

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