Yrittäjänä Suomessa

To succeed as an entrepreneur in Finland it is important to be familiar with the norms, attitudes and customs of Finnish business culture. Having identified the basic characteristics of Finnish business culture you can better serve your customers while coming to understand the expectations placed upon you as an entrepreneur.

There are many characteristics of western, individual-based culture in Finnish society. Finns endeavour to make sensible use of their time. They follow timetables and other plans faithfully and expect the same from others. Finns are careful and gather background information in advance, but they make decisions quickly. Power and responsibility are flexibly distributed.

The Finnish way of thinking and working is very consistent. As a result they sometimes shun unfamiliar modes of operation. In Finnish society all are treated equally. Power distances are low, the use of first names universal, and men and women equal. There is a desire to solve conflicts by negotiation, seeking a result that is the best possible for all parties.

The immigrant entrepreneur’s particular strengths lie in his knowledge of foreign languages and understanding of cultural differences. It is important to remember that both you and your Finnish colleague or customer have individual cultural backgrounds which influence the way you see things. Open communication prevents misunderstandings, and placing oneself in another’s situation facilitates understanding of culture-bound issues. For his own part the immigrant entrepreneur represents the internationalisation of Finnish business culture!

Read more about Finnish customs