Santeri Rinta-Rahko believes the best customer relationships are built on clarity and trust

When companies need accommodation for their employees, their expectations are usually the same: the process should be simple, everything should be handled as agreed, and there should always be a dedicated contact person available when needed. These are the expectations Santeri Rinta-Rahko strives to meet in every customer interaction.

As an Account Manager at Kotimaailma, responsible for Southern Finland, Santeri helps companies find the right furnished accommodation solutions across the country. In recent years, large-scale data centre projects in the Helsinki metropolitan area have created extensive accommodation requirements, where success depends on experience, responsiveness, and close collaboration with customers.

What motivates Santeri most is working on large-scale projects and building long-term customer relationships.

”It’s rewarding to create solutions that genuinely make our customers’ everyday work easier. Even more rewarding is when the partnership continues long after the project has ended.”

Santeri describes himself as approachable and straightforward. He believes that the strongest customer relationships are built on honesty, openness, and clear communication.

”For me, it’s important to communicate openly and clearly. Our customers should always know what has been agreed, where things stand, and what to expect. If something unexpected happens, we address it immediately and keep the customer informed every step of the way.”

His goal is to make life as easy as possible for his customers. With one dedicated contact person managing all accommodation arrangements, customers can focus on running their own business.

Some of Santeri’s most memorable successes have come from situations that initially seemed impossible.

”There have been several occasions when our booking calendar looked completely full, yet we still found a solution that met the customer’s needs. Those are the moments that stay with you.”

His colleagues describe him as reliable, respectful, and sociable, someone who works well with people from all backgrounds. Santeri considers his greatest strengths to be his approachable manner, quick response time, and ability to understand each customer’s individual needs.

Even under pressure, he stays calm.

”I always try to remain calm. When you don’t panic over small setbacks, solutions usually come much faster.”

After work, you’ll often find Santeri on the golf course. For him, golf is more than just a hobby it’s a way to unwind, clear his mind, and recharge for the next day.

Although no two working days are the same, one thing is part of every morning.

”Coffee. Before that, not much happens.”

Above all, Santeri wants his customers to feel confident that everything agreed upon will be taken care of. When communication is clear, cooperation is effortless, and solutions can be found even in challenging situations, it creates a partnership that customers are happy to return to.

 

Quick questions

Early bird or night owl?
Night owl.

Black coffee or coffee with milk?
With milk.

Teams meeting or phone call?
Depends on the situation, but usually a phone call.

Meticulous planner or spontaneous doer?
Spontaneous doer.

City break or a weekend at the cottage?
City break.

Spotify or radio?
Spotify.

Sweet or savoury?
Savoury.

What’s the first thing you do at the start of your workday?
Coffee. Nothing much happens before that.

What’s your ideal day off?
A morning on the golf course, followed by dinner at a great restaurant—and maybe a couple of beers on a terrace.