Göran Karlsson

CEO

Oslo, Oslo, Norway33 yrs 3 mos experience
Highly StableAI Enabled

Key Highlights

  • Proven leader in driving organizational transformation.
  • Expert in leveraging technology for business innovation.
  • Strong advocate for meaningful change and growth.
Stackforce AI infers this person is a strategic leader in the SaaS and digital transformation space.

Contact

Skills

Other Skills

CommunicationEmpathyPublic RelationsBusiness AnalysisMarket ResearchData CollectionCollaborationBusiness IntelligenceCRMBusiness DevelopmentSolution SellingStrategyBusiness StrategyCloud ComputingProject Management

About

Being an ardent advocate of change, swimming in safe waters has never been an option for me. People around me say I am; fun to be with, positive, strong, extrovert, a knowledgeable leader, experienced transformation executive and a passionate relationship builder with excellent communications skills! I am here to portray a picture helping people to understand the importance of innovation, transformation and meaningful change leveraging exponential progress. It took me a while to understand that being the conductor can be equally fun as playing the trumpet in an orchestra, having seen first-hand the power of scaling, not only by yourself, but also by making other people great. Inertia is the evil of any organisation! Great people, innovation and smart strategy in combination with meaningful change and technology is the key enabler for the successful businesses of tomorrow. The rapid pace of growth in digital technologies and their network effect is reshaping industries. Technological platforms that have been built to be intelligent, agile, on the cloud and automated are driving this transformation. Key areas that I am interested in are: Innovation, "Future of Work", AI, Cloud, IoT, BlockChain and how the introduction of such technology disruptions are effecting humans and organisations. Some of my favorite quotes: "There is no intelligence where there is no change and no need of change" - H.G. Wells, The Time Machine. "30 steps linearly gets you to 30. One, two, three, four, step 30 you're at 30. With exponential growth, it's one, two, four, eight. Step 30, you're at a billion." - Kurtzweil "In God we trust; all others bring data!" - W. Edwards Deming "It's So Obvious in Hindsight; Why Was It So Hard to See at the Time?" - McAfee / Brynjolfsson

Experience

33 yrs 3 mos
Total Experience
3 yrs 10 mos
Average Tenure
3 mos
Current Experience

Netcompany

Partner

Feb 2026Present · 3 mos · Oslo, Oslo, Norway · On-site

Tata consultancy services

Futurist & Sales Director

May 2016Feb 2026 · 9 yrs 9 mos · Oslo Area, Norway

  • I was the Norway Country Sales Director for almost 10 years. I am proud to have been a TCSer and humbled by the sheer number of phenomenal people I’ve had the privilege to work with. TCS is truly more than a company — it’s a community built on trust, diversity, and deep-rooted values that run through the entire Tata family. The purpose-driven mindset here is something I will always carry with me, both professionally and personally.
  • The organization has shaped me in countless ways, but even more importantly, the people around me have made the journey meaningful. I am leaving behind true friends, mentors, collaborators — people who challenged me, supported me, laughed with me, and helped me navigate both the Norwegian and Indian parts of my professional life.

Cxense

Senior Vice President Business Development

Feb 2014May 2016 · 2 yrs 3 mos · Oslo Area, Norway

  • Cxense was a global software as a service company, positioned in the Gartner magical quadrant for Digital Marketing Hubs. (It was acquired by Piano Software in 2019.)
  • I was responsible for Strategy, Sales and Business Development in Europe working with leading companies in the Nordics, Germany, Benelux, Portugal, Italy and Turkey.

Accenture

Senior Director - Business Development & Client Partner

Jan 2009Feb 2014 · 5 yrs 1 mo · Oslo Area, Norway

  • With Avanade, I was responsible for the Nordic client relationships and Business Development within Resources (Oil, Gas, Utilities and Energy) and Financial Services. I was a part of the Accenture Nordic Financial Services client team and the Accenture Norwegian Financial Services leadership team.
  • I was nominated and participated the company's Senior Directors Round-table in 2011 and the Executive Leadership Forum in 2013 (both excellent and very inspiring leadership programs chaired by the CEO and Executive Management team).
  • I was the client partner for several large projects both delivered from offshore and onshore in the Nordics.

Microsoft

Vice President - Business Development - Strategic Accounts @ Fast Search & Transfer

May 2006Jan 2009 · 2 yrs 8 mos · Europe

  • I was responsible for the strategic accounts in EMEA. My responsibility was helping our customers optimizing their online revenue streams. FAST was probably the very first unicorn in Norway, and got acquired by Microsoft for 1.2 bn USD in 2008.
  • Working with some of the most successful and challenging companies in Europe I had three fantastic years with FAST - both before and after Microsoft acquired the company.
  • I was awarded the company "Star Performer of the Year" both in 2007 and 2008.

Itera - make a difference

3 roles

EVP, Sales & Marketing, Objectware & Group EVP

Jan 2004Jan 2006 · 2 yrs

  • In addition to have the overarching responsibility for Sales & Marketing I was responsible for building a strong customer portfolio and brand awareness. Member of the executive management team in Objectware and the Group Management of Itera.
  • Operationally, I was also the client partner for several large customers and projects e.g. a large strategic project for a leading Nordic Insurance Company, in addition to a holistic portal project for a Finnish industry corporation. Additionally, I also found great interest in agile- delivery and project methodology hence I became one of the first certified SCRUM masters in the Nordic market.

CEO @ Xit Consulting & Group EVP

Promoted

Sep 2002Sep 2004 · 2 yrs

  • Led the turnaround of Xit Consulting as CEO, achieving a +15% EBITA in less than 18 months.
  • Implemented a new sales culture, transitioning from "farming" to "hunting" to drive growth.
  • Member of Itera Nordic Group Executive Management, contributing to overall company strategy.

EVP Sales & Marketing @ Xit Consulting

Jan 2002Sep 2002 · 8 mos

  • Led the transformation from farming to hunting approach, implementing Solution Selling methodology at Xit Consulting.
  • Established a sales-driven and customer-centric organization, driving revenue growth and market expansion.
  • Developed and executed strategic sales and marketing initiatives to drive business growth and achieve sales targets.

Nsa

Product & Alliance Manager

Jan 2000Jan 2002 · 2 yrs · Oslo Area, Norway

  • Led the effort to qualify NSA as the first Oracle Advantage Partner in the Nordics in 2001.
  • Implemented ITIL as the delivery method for NSA, ensuring efficient operations.
  • Awarded the Oracle EMEA Outstanding Sales Achievement of the Year 2001 - in Istanbul by Larry Ellison himself.

Digital contact int. asa

Chief Technology Officer

Jan 1998Jan 2000 · 2 yrs · Oslo Area, Norway

  • Developed and executed the strategy for the digital solution offering at an early-stage start-up, focusing on B2B Online Sales and Marketing tools.
  • Led the development of advanced classified functionality and social interaction engine, driving subscription-based sales on the internet.
  • Achieved significant growth in user engagement and revenue through innovative digital solutions.

Forsvaret - norwegian armed forces

Planning Officer at Norwegian HQ of Defence (Department of Informatics)

May 1997May 1998 · 1 yr · Oslo Area, Norway · On-site

  • Managed the NATO Communication Office, ensuring secure encrypted communication with NATO.
  • Promoted to corporal after 6 months of service for exceptional performance.
  • Received an honorable defense service certificate post my duty.

Geelmuyden.kiese

Trainee

Jan 1995Jan 1997 · 2 yrs · Oslo Area, Norway

  • Participated in and won a case competition at the Norwegian School of Management, securing a trainee position at Geelmuyden.Kiese.
  • Assisted in developing PR strategies and campaigns for clients in the Nordics.
  • Conducted market research and analysis to support client projects.
  • Collaborated with senior team members to execute successful PR campaigns.

Klp forsikring

IT Consultant

Jan 1995Jan 1997 · 2 yrs

  • Part time engagement working with daily IT Service Management and first level support (Service Desk).

Firma göran karlsson

Owner

Oct 1992Dec 1998 · 6 yrs 2 mos · Oslo Area, Norway

  • Established a small company selling PCs and peripherals to fellow students at BI - Norwegian Business School.
  • Expanded offerings to Colleges and Universities in Norway, providing "student packages" and small network solutions to businesses.
  • Provided consulting services on CRM and ERP solutions, driving efficiency and productivity for clients.

Education

Harvard Business School

Executive Education — Strategic IQ Executive Education 2013

Oct 2023Present

The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business

Executive Education

Sep 2022Sep 2022

The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business

Executive Education - June 2021 — TCSeLS

May 2021Jul 2021

University of Oslo

Interfacultary Cand Mag. — Computer Science

Jan 1995Jan 1997

BI Norwegian Business School

Bachelor of Business Administration

Jan 1992Jan 1996

Bandygymnasiet Sandviken / Sports High School

Highschool

Jan 1989Jan 1992

Gjettum Ungdomsskole

Jan 1986Jan 1989

Haslum skole

Jan 1980Jan 1986

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