Finland: Let's Make a Deal!
From ExecutivePlanet.com
Let’s Make a Deal!
The working style is individualistic, and people are used to working alone and hard. Team working is becoming more common, though, and interest in social and communication skills is growing.
Finns believe in a meritocratic system, but connections are important and they can open doors.
Business cards can be printed in English alone, but also in English and in Finnish on the reverse. Exchanging cards is an abrupt affair with no rituals.
Nowadays, it is common practice to have lawyers go over all business contracts. Finnish lawyers are experienced in dealing with foreigners and fluent in English.
Finns believe in continuous learning and work very hard to upgrade their skills continuously. Usually Finns are rather pragmatic and not very conservative when it comes to new ideas as long as the ideas make sense.
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Meetings are usually matter of fact where everyone who wants to speak should present their case factually. In Finnish meetings, people state facts, even unpleasant ones, rather bluntly without any softening or beating about the bush.
Brochures and promotional materials are usually printed in Finnish, but nowadays in the metropolitan area of Helsinki, solely English language materials are also frequently used .
Presentations in Finland typically consist of Power Point recitals with facts presented in bullet points and the presenter talking. The other people in the meetings listen quietly while taking notes and interrupt only occasionally. Questions and comments are left for the session after the presentation when there is discussion.
The typical pace of business in Finland is rather brisk with things happening in clearly visible phases. Finns at work are thorough and sincere. A saying that gives a good picture is “Everything that is worth doing, is worth doing well”.
An agreement is considered final when a paper contract is signed. The country has an independent and well functioning judiciary to take care of contract disputes.
Finns are typically analytical thinkers and tend to focus more on technical facts rather than emotional appeal.
Company policy is followed rather strictly and exceptions are not made easily. When there is overwhelming evidence that the policy has to be changed, it is changed. This change is transparent and publicly visible.
