I work as a Software Specialist in Murata Finland’s R&D and recently had the opportunity to participate in Murata’s global Expert Training (MEXT). The goal of this training program is to enhance the expertise of professionals and develop them into global technical influencers.

The training consisted of two active sessions in Finland and France, as well as independent work between the sessions.

The first training session in Finland included lectures, interactive exercises, management presentations, factory tours, and networking opportunities. As a relatively introverted engineer, I was pushed far out of my comfort zone during workshops: Participants were placed in a circle in the middle of the room and the trainer initiated discussions by directing questions to different people. After the initial shock, this setup proved to be highly effective – sales experts helped lighten the mood, and everyone actively participated in discussions. Personal action plans were created through exercises. For me, a key goal was to strengthen collaboration between Murata Finland and Murata’s R&D organizations located in Japan.

At the end of two days of intensive training, we received homework assignments to be completed before the start of the second training session. Self-study, presentations, panel discussions, and “virtual coffee breaks” continued via Teams. By the way, I recommend Stephen Lundin’s book FISH for inspiration on finding meaning and creating a positive culture. Your attitude is crucial!

The second training session took place at Murata’s factory in Caen, France. In this session, we focused on working on our personal development plans. Personal goals were aligned with company expectations through Global Leadership Competencies (GLC). I also learned a new Japanese term – “Ikigai” (the purpose of life) – which combines passion, mission, profession, and vocation.

Overall, the training was rewarding. Many companies invest heavily in leadership development for managers but there are not always such development programs available for professionals working in specialist roles. I feel that this training provided me with excellent tools to develop my specialist role globally at Murata. The training broadened my understanding of what management expects from specialists and what skills are required from us. I had opportunities to develop my influencing skills and network globally. This sets a good foundation for future collaboration planning.

Murata’s Global Expert Training – First session in Finland

Sami Nurmi
Software Specialist