Finding my way in work life
Hi, I’m Martina Caputo, and I was born in Milan. From an early age, I have been eager to take on a mix of diverse roles that over the years have taught me a lot. My first job was as a pet food delivery driver. I was young and still in the process of setting my own career goals. I started a long journey in finding my way, always eager to learn and take on new challenges. In many ways, that journey is still ongoing.
I started a long journey in finding my way, always eager to learn and take on new challenges.
After studying international commerce and economics, I worked in a mix of roles in smaller companies. Eventually I entered the pharmaceutical industry as a marketing officer. Working in smaller companies and within the pharmaceutical giant allowed me to gain experience in broad roles in small organizations while also learning the ropes of a large organization. Later, my curiosity led me to join an agency supporting expats. It was a huge learning curve in diverse cultures, which was both exciting and challenging.
Overcoming personal challenges and finding new directions
In 2004, a dramatic event impacted my family life. Everything came to a halt, and I resigned from my job to take care of a relative for over a year. The future was unclear, and I was not sure what my next job would be or where my dreams would take me. At the end of this difficult period, I came across a job advert for a role at KONE and eventually joined the company in September 2005.
KONE was attractive, because of its international scale, and the vast number of opportunities for personal development it offered. For a person like me, who is constantly seeking challenges and learning opportunities, it represented the right place at the right time. When I joined KONE, I already had 10 years of experience behind me, but I was excited to have found a new adventure to embark on. My motto, “Never say: I know everything!” reflects my commitment to always learning and growth.
My motto, “Never say: I know everything!” reflects my commitment to always learning and growing.
Growing and evolving at KONE
At KONE, I started as a data entry clerk in customer service. I was excited about my new role, but after a couple of months, I was already craving more challenges. I approached my manager and asked for more work. I started working as a shipping specialist on top of my data entry duties, focusing on France, Belgium, and Switzerland, despite not speaking a word of French. I was grateful to be given the chance to grow and take on more responsibility so early in my KONE career.
Over the years, I switched roles within the logistics world, becoming a material management planner and logistics super user, specializing in processes and systems for the logistics module in SAP. I eventually joined the logistics network process development team as a process developer. In this role I got a taste of business travel, taking trips to China and Finland, to learn about different logistics processes across the world. This culminated in participating in a global logistics process harmonization project in 2012.
Newfound courage to follow my dreams
In 2014, I moved to a totally new area for me, variant configuration in R&D, becoming a team leader for the first time in my career. This new people-focused role not only challenged me but also inspired me to pursue my dream of learning more about psychological aspects and start university studies in psychology at the age of 43.
I hold a bachelor's degree in social psychology and I’m currently studying for a master’s degree in cyberpsychology. I often find inspiration for both my work and personal life from the course materials and lessons. I encourage others to keep learning as well – it doesn’t have to be confined to a university setting. Learning can be done through books, traveling, being curious, and asking questions. For me, the key has been to choose a topic that aligns with my personal interests.
I encourage others to keep learning through books, traveling, being curious, and asking questions.
In 2023, it was once again time to embrace change, when I joined a just established team within KONE R&D, taking on a brand-new role as execution project manager. This role is a real challenge, as it involves navigating new areas and shaping the role day by day. As part of the execution team in R&D, I meet new people and learn new things. The best for me in this role is collaborating and reaching the goal together with colleagues by clearing the roadblocks, solving issues and delays. Each day is unique - we plan, schedule, set the pace, remove impediments.
Motivation and resilience: key drivers in my life
In my career I have always been eager to learn and face new challenges. For me, it has been important to see different aspects of company life. I believe in many ways this is why I’ve felt so at home at KONE. Since starting in 2005, I have been provided many opportunities for career development, growth, inspiration, and change of direction.
Falling is not a failure, but getting up is a success.
Motivation and resilience have been my main drivers throughout the years. I have learned that motivation is not innate; we need to put ourselves in positions where we can learn and grow. No one else can give us motivation, it is up to us. Resilience has taught me a positive perspective on life: falling is not a failure, but getting up is a success.