New Nokia CEO Rajeev Suri sees great challenges ahead

Rajeev Suri has quite an unenviable task, that of managing a company that’s lost one of its key identities. Nokia’s mobile business is now under Microsoft, though the company still has a healthy network equipments business as well as a stake in the future of location-based services thanks to its Here suite of applications.   Suri realises the company has to take on the challenge head on. In an unsentimental letter to Nokia employees Suri urged them to move on. “The Nokia that I grew up in, and that many of you grew up in, is no more. That is the simple reality,” he wrote, according to the Economic Times.   In a video message on the company’s site, **the new CEO** also said he was excited about opportunities ahead for the company, comparing them to the creation of the Internet. He also said he takes on the role with a great deal of humility, knowing that the challenge ahead will not be easy by any means.  “As we set off on this journey together, we need to have the ambition to become a truly great company. If you set big goals, sometimes you are disappointed, but more often than not, you get big results,” he continued in the letter.   In a separate press statement, Suri mentions that Nokia’s legacy of connecting people and services will hold them in good stead in the future.  “Nokia, with its deep experience in connecting people and its three strong businesses, is well-positioned to tap new opportunities during this time of technological change.”   Earlier, Suri had told a news agency that he would be open to acquisitions, **though this is not the time for it** . “In terms of larger players, if there is something that makes sense, of course I will recommend that to the board. But it needs to make sense, it needs to be a wisely thought-out thing,” Suri said. “We will be open to the opportunities but (there’s) no need to rush.”   He also outlined the key areas for Nokia, talking about Here and Technologies division. “As I know Networks extremely well, those of you in HERE and Technologies can expect that I will be asking a lot of questions, and for your full support,” he wrote.   “As part of this, Networks needs to turn its new strategy into a bolder financial plan; Technologies must prioritize its efforts while not missing a beat in leveraging our strong patent portfolio; and HERE must ensure that our heavy investment is set to deliver the right returns,” he said.   Suri talked about implementing a company-wide “Nokia Business System” which will fine-tune management, operations and make sure that day-to-day operations do not face obstacles, and deadlines and goals are met on time.