This time, in our series of "Meet the Fairowners", you can get to know Jane Ilm, our Head of HR.
It's important for Jane to work at a company that values its employees and sees that there is no way to succeed without them. That also attracted Jane to Fairown: "I felt like it is a workplace where people come first."
Jane's biggest motivation is the ability to make an impact by staying true to her core values - seeing and trying to bring out the best in the workplace and people. Her personal goal at Fairown is to create a child-friendly work environment where parents feel that they can fulfil their career ambitions without sacrificing their relationship with children.
Tell us about your professional background.
I started my career while studying at the university. I have had the opportunity to work both abroad and in Estonia. As I’ve been active in the HR field, my experience is related to people and I’m thankful for that.
However, some of my most interesting projects date back to when I was working at recruitment agencies, for example, the cooperation with the motorcycle factory Triumph in the United Kingdom.
Why did you choose Fairown, what stood out for you?
It's important to work at a company that values its employees and sees that there is no way to succeed without them. Before I joined the team, I had the opportunity to meet each manager at Fairown and validate that they all share this mindset. I felt like it is a workplace where people come first. The fact that I knew one of the founders, Taivo Türnpu, and had worked with him previously made joining Fairown an easy choice.
What was it like creating the HR framework? What challenges did you face?
Ensuring that the HR framework aligns with the overall strategic goals can be challenging. HR policies and practices need to support the company's mission and vision while contributing to its long-term success. Also, tailoring the HR framework to fit the organisation's unique culture can be difficult. Companies have different values and ways of operating, and HR practices should reflect and reinforce those aspects.
Tell us more about the traditions that bring the team together.
Traditions play a vital role in bringing a team together by fostering camaraderie, boosting morale, and creating a sense of unity among team members.
There are many activities we do together here at Fairown. I would especially bring out our monthly book club and charity that we run during the winter to make a positive impact on the community. We also establish team traditions that reflect our identity and values, for example, a weekly "thank you" to a team member who stood out.
The key to successful traditions is to ensure they are inclusive and align with the team's values and culture. They should also be flexible and open to evolution over time as the team grows and changes.
What drives and inspires you the most in your daily work?
My biggest motivation is the ability to make an impact by staying true to my core values. That is seeing and trying to bring out the best in the workplace and people. I feel that my presence makes a positive impact on people and for Fairown, and it truly makes my days here more valuable.
I have the opportunity to create a work environment that fosters growth, collaboration, and employee well-being. It is important for me to work in a team where I have the possibility to create an environment that respects and values everyone.
Name some fun facts that we can’t find on your CV or social profile.
I need to use Waze whenever I’m on the move as I have no real sense of direction.
Sometimes when I see wild animals, I find myself wondering what they are up to and where they might go. And to be honest, I spend quite some time thinking about it.
I need something sweet every time I eat, otherwise I just can’t feel full.
I love flowers, but cannot stand bouquets.
I am terrible at public speaking, but love singing :)
Where do you see yourself and Fairown in a couple of years?
I want to see Fairown expand across Europe and I want to build people operations to support it. My personal goal is to create a child-friendly work environment where parents feel that they can fulfil their career ambitions without sacrificing their relationship with children.