On June 26th June 2018, four Volvo colleagues arrived at the Volvo Group site in Curitiba to make history. Their names are Meelis Smeiman, Madis Reinpold, Maksim Golenkov and Lauri Raamat, and together they make up the VISTA team Viies Ratas. They are the first ever Estonian team to win VISTA, and they can now proudly call themselves the VISTA World Champions for the next 2 years!
Our VISTA Communications Team caught up with the guys from Estonia to see how their life had changed since being crowned as the best VISTA team in the world.
VISTA Interviewer
Viies Ratas! Welcome! It’s so great to catch-up with you guys!
Congratulations on being the first ever Estonian VISTA Champions! How does it feel to be the best Service Market team in the world?
Lauri
It feels totally awesome!
Maksim
From one point of view I don’t believe we won, but from another it’s really cool that we did!
Madis
To be the first winning team in Estonia is a very special feeling for us. I am extremely proud to be part of the first winning team from this country.
VISTA Interviewer
Great to hear. Tell the VISTA audience, how did you prepare for the final? Do you do lots of preparation and training?
Meelis
We didn’t prepare especially for the final, all our knowledge is gained by working for Volvo.
Lauri
Yes, exactly, we didn’t do any special preparation for the final. You can say that working at Volvo every day is preparation and training for VISTA.
Madis
We were working. It’s our everyday job. So we train every day!
Maksim
That’s right, our preparation is our work. Every day I learn something new, every day is something new.
VISTA Interviewer
Wow, that’s amazing – You must have some very satisfied customers!
What advice do you have for future VISTA teams that want to win the competition?
Madis
For me, I think the most important thing is to keep calm and take the competition as an everyday job. Nerves and taking things too seriously can have a bad impact to your performance.
Maksim
I agree… At work, you have to go to the end by yourself. You have to understand how to do something by yourself. Don’t wait for that someone who will point you in the direction, and show you how to do everything point by point.
Madis
Exactly, it’s important to just do your thing!
Meelis
For me, the keyword for winning VISTA is teamwork!
Lauri
I’m with Meelis… Teamwork is key. Along with good knowledge of different programmes and applications such as Impact, VDA+ and Tech Tool.
VISTA Interviewer
Good to know guys, thanks.
Tell us, how did you enjoy the final in Brazil? What was your favourite part?
Madis
For me the best part of the competition was the Virtual Reality, and of course meeting new people. The best part of the free time was the leisure time on the beach.
Meelis
It was a good week, and especially I liked the Club Med Hotel. In the competition day we had some interesting exercises. Like Madis, I most enjoyed the Virtual Reality.
Lauri
The final was great! My favourite part was dinner at Batel Grill in Curitiba.
Maksim
Everything was fantastic. My favourite part was the moment that we were announced as winners… I’ll never forget that.
VISTA Interviewer
And what’s the thing you love most about VISTA?
Lauri
I think it’s that you learn new things every time.
Meelis
Yes, you gain new knowledge and see new countries.
Maksim
I agree with the guys, every time you get something new.
Madis
For me now, my favourite part is probably winning!
But, what the guys are saying is true, we always meet new people and learn new things too.
VISTA Interviewer
That’s great to hear, it’s always fantastic to meet new people and learn new things.
Let’s talk about Volvo for a minute. Can you tell us what it’s like to work for Volvo Truck and Bus?
Madis
Working for Volvo can be fun, but it’s also very hard. The work is always interesting, and we never have the same day twice! There can be similar days, but different issues appear every day.
Lauri
Yes that’s right. It’s always interesting, but sometimes can be very challenging. It’s also a lot of fun!
Maksim
We understand that Volvo is one of the leading companies in the market, so we know we have to push really hard.
Meelis
I am also very proud to work for Volvo Estonia.
VISTA Interviewer
And what about the next VISTA? Will you guys be entering?
Maksim
For sure I will!
Lauri
Me too, of course I will.
Meelis
I think so too!
Madis
If I work in the Volvo Group then, yes. But you never know where life and time takes you!
VISTA Interviewer
And tell us, has being the VISTA Champion changed your day-to-day work in the dealership?
Lauri
No it hasn’t changed much yet, but we’ll see when the Summer ends.
Madis
Well, we have double pay now, so that’s new! Only joking!
There’s not much change in our everyday work, but we had a great welcome back from our co-workers.
Maksim
For me I understand that I have to increase my knowledge. I now want to know everything I can about Volvo Trucks.
VISTA Interviewer
And what about your customers. Have you told them that you’re VISTA Champions?
Meelis
Some of our customers know now, yes.
Lauri
We didn’t tell them, but we have a great marketing person who has been telling people. Also we have the trophy on display for the customers to see.
Maksim
Some also found out through Facebook, which is cool. Some of our customers mentioned it and said they hope that we can fix their truck if it’s necessary.
VISTA Interviewer
Final question guys, thanks for your time so far.
What would you say to a team that was thinking of entering VISTA?
Meelis
Participate boldly, because everybody can win.
Maksim
Participate without any regrets!
Lauri
Do it because it’s the best way to learn new things about the work you do at Volvo.
Madis
It is a must to enter VISTA! It doesn’t matter how you do, entering is the most important. It gives you knowledge about different things and systems in Volvo. It teaches you how to do things faster but keeping the quality. And of course remember, “Performance Is Everything!”
