When people decide to work at Specsavers, they’re joining a company with a purpose to change lives through better sight and hearing – hence why more Australians and New Zealanders choose the optometry provider over any other.
As one of the largest employers in the ANZ optometry sector, Insight sits down with an employee each month to hear about their growth trajectory within the company.
Specsavers stats
Name: Henny Jaakkola
Current position: Partner engagement and development manager
Location: New Zealand
Years within the business: 14
Why did you pursue an optometry career, and how did you enter the profession?
When it was time to apply to university (some time ago), I happened to walk into an optometrist to buy a new pair of glasses and realised working as one would tick all the boxes about what I’m interested in – maths, communication, commerciality, being with people, healthcare, some physics and being a part of a team. Also, it was ‘siisti sisätyö’, as we say in Finnish, meaning something exciting but safe with decent money, something an 18-year-old me aspired to have.
How did you come to work at Specsavers, and what attracted you to the business?
I used to be a Scout Leader on my free time, and one of my cub scout’s dad was a store manager in Specsavers. One day he called me and asked if I’d be keen to join. I was not sure at first, but after visiting the store in my hometown in Lohja, Finland, I was sold right away.
What was your first role within the business, and what did it entail?
My first role was working as an optical assistant for the first three months while I was still finishing my optometry degree. After working part time as an optical assistant for the initial period, I joined the team officially as an optometrist.
Since then, what growth opportunities have presented themselves?
Where do I start? I have been blessed with so much, starting with post-grad studies through Uni for contact lenses and diagnostics (ask me about how that used to work back in Finland and I can explain). Most recently I joined a group of Specsavers Emerging Leaders to join a Mini MBA. I have been able to gain multiple accreditations that helps me to deliver in my current role, like Organisational Coaching Level 2 through to International Coaching Federation.
Can you outline your top career highlights since joining Specsavers?
The biggest highlight would have to be the opportunity to move from Finland to New Zealand. But even just last week some feedback I received from our store partners feels like a career highlight. In our role supporting partners there is so many highlights, I live vigorously through their successes.
What is your most interesting clinical case?
It’s been so many years since I have been testing, but there is one case that I will always remember. She was a little girl who was struggling in school, but no one had been able to figure out it was her vision causing her trouble. After we fixed her prescription, she became a totally different student – and a child even. Her dad ended up writing in the local newspaper as a thank you.
What excites you most about turning up for work each day?
Adding value. The support, info, skills, perspective, knowledge, challenge, and confidence I can add for our partners as a partner engagement and development manager. My role helps ensure they can be their best for their teams and customers. Every day.
More reading
Specsavers Stories – Maardavi Patel
Specsavers Stories – Jin Woo Lee
Specsavers Stories – Michelle Du
Specsavers Stories – Hamdi Saadi
