All employees of Electrolux are encouraged to take their career into their own hands. No different for Michael Earl, who started at Electrolux in May 2001 as a JDEdwards Finance Project Analyst in Australia.

Michael Earl liked the work and culture of Electrolux, and felt he wanted to do more. He approached his superiors about the possibility of increasing his responsibilities within the organization.

"My superiors were very supportive. I was advised that experience in a Group Staff role would increase my prospects for promotion within the Group, and that meant taking a role outside of Australia," he says.

When, months later, the role of finance manager based in Stockholm opened up, Michael Earl interviewed for the position and got the job.

Gaining Insight

Earl moved to Stockholm in 2006 and spent the next three years at headquarters. He started off as a finance manager in Group Treasury where he provided financial support for the pension group. After two years he became the business controller for Europe, a completely different job, which exposed him to the European organization and furthered his global perspective.

Moving back in a new role: CFO

After three years in Stockholm, Earl returned home to take his new seat as the Chief Financial Officer of Electrolux Major Appliances Australia and New Zealand.

"My leadership style is very much about bringing people together and finding common sense solutions. I also believe in trying new ideas/solutions. While not all ideas will go as planned, we must take risks, otherwise we risk being left behind."