TPI Control Ltd. is a Finnish building technology company specializing in data-driven property management. In March 2025, Aalto MBA alumnus Joni Salo was appointed as the company’s new CEO.
“TPI Control is doing really well – and so am I. My new job has started on an inspiring note. We have strong expertise, a can-do attitude, and a proven track record. I’m excited to see what we can accomplish together,” Salo says.
Salo emphasizes that the Aalto MBA has clearly influenced his career development.
“Of course, my own efforts have played a significant role too, but I wouldn’t be where I am now without the Aalto MBA. It expanded my skills and understanding across all areas of business,” Salo affirms.
Plumber, engineer, MBA
Salo notes that his path to the MBA was less conventional than most.
I wouldn’t be where I am now without the Aalto MBA."
“In the early 2000s, I qualified as a plumber through vocational school. I worked in the trade for a while, but after I finished military service, I decided I’d had enough of plumbing. I enrolled in a university of applied sciences to study engineering,” he explains.
As an engineer, Salo held a variety of interesting specialist roles. His first experience in team leadership and people management came in 2017, when he was appointed Service Manager in Siemens’ Smart Infrastructure business.
“That was a turning point in my career. I realized I was interested in leading people and business – and that I wanted to grow into more demanding roles with greater responsibility. However, I felt that due to my vocational and engineering background, my business acumen wasn’t strong enough to drive my career forward,” Salo reflects.
“My wife asked if I had considered MBA studies. I hadn’t, but I took a look at the Aalto MBA program brochure. I remember thinking that this is exactly what I need. It ticked every box.”
Salo says he was already quite certain that the MBA was the right choice for him, but he still wanted to make sure he could manage the academic demands alongside a full-time job. He decided to test the waters with a few individual Aalto EE study modules, which could later be credited toward the MBA.
“One of my first modules at Aalto EE was Leading Change, taught by the now-late Pekka Mattila. It was a powerful experience. Incredibly inspiring and useful,” Salo describes.
Although the teaching was grounded in deep academic expertise, everything was tailored to serve practical working life."
“The ability to lead change is an essential skill for any leader today. Although the teaching was grounded in deep academic expertise, everything was tailored to serve practical working life. It was hugely motivating to notice how many of the tools, models, and ideas Pekka Mattila shared were immediately applicable in my daily work.”
The positive experience convinced Salo that he was in the right place.
“It was empowering to realize that I’m cut out for this. My ability to learn, absorb, and observe was more than enough. I held my own among other leaders and aspiring leaders. After that experience, the decision to pursue the MBA was easy. And to top it off, my employer at the time, Siemens, agreed to support my studies, for which I’m extremely grateful,” Salo underlines.
A strong foundation in finance
Salo says he enjoyed learning and attained valuable insights for his work from every MBA module.
“I gained very meaningful knowledge, for example, on corporate responsibility. Sustainable development was a recurring theme across nearly every module. It gave me a strong foundation for understanding how ESG topics are woven into both everyday business and strategic decisions.”
“The communication studies offered practical tips that have proven highly effective. It was fascinating to learn how much impact body language and nonverbal cues have in leadership and persuasive communication. How you say something is often even more important than what you say. We also received excellent advice on how to communicate convincingly in online meetings,” Salo mentions.
In shaping his professional capabilities, Salo found the finance modules most influential.
“My main goal was to build up my financial competence, so I chose as many finance-related modules as I could – the full package, so to speak. The lessons from finance professor Matti Suominen left a particularly lasting impression. I now have a clear understanding of key business metrics and their interdependencies,” Salo remarks.
“I also gained useful knowledge about economics in general. Studying macro- and microeconomics opened up interesting perspectives on the major forces driving economic development.”
Among the advanced finance courses, the M&A module was a particular favorite.
“Toward the end of my MBA, I switched jobs and became Service Unit Director for Bravida Finland Ltd. in the Helsinki metropolitan area. The M&A module turned out to be extremely helpful in that role, as Bravida made two acquisitions in quick succession, and I was involved in both integration processes,” Salo notes.
An MBA takes motivation and the right mindset
Beyond strengthening his business skills, Salo says the Aalto MBA also gave him time to think.
“In the rush of everyday life, there’s rarely time to pause, plan, reflect, or have deep conversations. The Aalto MBA offered that space. We had marvelous group spirit and exceptionally sharp people. I always looked forward to the next in-class session to exchange ideas with everybody else,” he reminisces.
It provided me a solid foundation to lean on: the confidence to take that next big step on my career path."
“Learning at Aalto EE was exciting, but it wasn’t a walk in the park. Balancing a full-time job and demanding studies took grit. Pre-tasks, in-class days, final assignments – the MBA tests your motivation and mindset. But at the end of the day, it’s an investment in yourself.”
Salo says he is pleased to endorse the Aalto MBA program.
“It provided me a solid foundation to lean on: the confidence to take that next big step on my career path. I warmly recommend the Aalto MBA if you’re ready to put in the effort, and want the tools, confidence, and capabilities to move forward.”
Salo has three practical tips for anyone considering the program.
“Making time for your studies is essential. I’m fortunate to have a fantastic wife who fully understood what I was committing to. If you have a partner, be sure you’re both on the same page about what life will be like during your MBA studies. A supportive partner makes all the difference.”
“During the in-class days, the key is to be brave, active, and respectful of others’ views. If you have an opinion, share it – and listen with genuine interest to what others think. The group discussions are truly enriching and will definitely broaden your perspective,” Salo highlights.
“I also recommend taking notes. Aalto EE provides excellent materials that you can revisit whenever you want to deepen your knowledge. But alongside those, it’s beneficial to compile your own observations about the most important insights and tools. They can be very valuable down the road.”