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If you plan to hire your C-suite executives in Finland or the Nordics based solely on their CVs—or relocate an executive from your headquarters elsewhere—you could be setting yourself up for failure.
Why?
Because leadership in Finland and the Nordics differs significantly from Southern Europe or the U.S. Without a deep understanding of the region’s leadership practices, business culture, and customer expectations, assembling a strong management team can be an uphill battle.
The Solution?
Hire seasoned local leaders who understand the Finnish business landscape, embrace Nordic work culture, and can align with local market demands. Here’s how you can build a robust management team in Finland and the Nordics:
Finnish business culture is rooted in trust, autonomy, and sustainability, aligning closely with broader Nordic values. For example, Microsoft’s expansion in Finland—focused on emission-free data centers—demonstrates how sustainability is a key business driver in the region. At the same time, Finland’s emphasis on work-life balance mirrors practices in Sweden and Denmark, where organizations that prioritize flexibility see higher employee engagement and productivity. However, compared to Sweden, Finland tends to have a more reserved communication style and a stronger emphasis on punctuality and adherence to formal agreements.
To succeed in Finland and the Nordics, companies must integrate these key elements into their management teams while recognizing country-specific differences.
1. Embrace Finnish and Nordic Leadership Principles
Leadership in Finland is based on low hierarchy, trust, and independence. While these values are shared across the Nordics, Finnish leaders tend to focus more on precision and efficiency, whereas Swedish leadership places a stronger emphasis on consensus-building.
Your management team should:
- Encourage independent decision-making while maintaining clear accountability
- Support work-life balance as a core value
- Foster open communication but respect Finland’s more reserved business culture
A leader who understands these nuances will be better equipped to succeed in Finland and across the Nordics.
2. Align with Finnish Business Culture
Finnish business etiquette is characterized by punctuality, transparency, and humility. Compared to Sweden, where business meetings often involve lengthy discussions to build consensus, Finnish professionals prefer direct and efficient decision-making.
Additionally, while English is widely spoken, learning some Finnish can be beneficial. While not mandatory, Finnish language skills can foster stronger relationships with local colleagues and customers and signal long-term commitment to the market.
3. Understand Local Market Demands
Finland, like other Nordic countries, prioritizes innovation, sustainability, and technology-driven solutions. Your management team should be able to:
- Adapt strategies based on Finland’s strong technology and sustainability focus
- Leverage emerging technologies for business growth
- Recognize differences within the Nordics, such as Sweden’s strong emphasis on fintech and consumer brands versus Finland’s leadership in industrial technology and clean energy
Hiring local experts ensures a nuanced approach, improving decision-making and customer engagement.
4. Leverage Strategic Partnerships
Strong management teams recognize that success isn’t achieved in isolation. Instead, they actively seek strategic partnerships to enhance efficiency, innovation, and problem-solving.
For instance, if your business aims to attract a niche audience in Finland, partnering with local micro-influencers can strengthen trust and brand recognition. In contrast, Sweden’s market offers broader opportunities for large-scale influencer marketing and digital partnerships. Your C-level hires should be adaptable and open to forming collaborations that drive business growth.
5. Prioritize ESG & CSR Initiatives
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives are deeply ingrained in the Nordic business ecosystem. Finland, in particular, has ambitious carbon neutrality targets and a strong commitment to renewable energy and sustainable innovation.
Your management team should be committed to:
- Supporting employees with lifelong learning opportunities
- Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives
- Setting carbon neutrality and emission reduction targets
- Integrating renewable energy and sustainability-focused strategies
Companies that prioritize ESG and CSR not only contribute to a sustainable future but also enhance their brand reputation and customer loyalty in the region.
Wrapping Up
Building strong management teams in Finland and the Nordics doesn’t have to be a challenge. Every situation is naturally different and requires specific profiling. The key is to hire leaders, who for example:
- Understand and embrace Finnish and Nordic leadership principles
- Align with local business culture while recognizing country-specific differences
- Have deep market insights
- Are open to strategic partnerships
- Prioritize sustainability and social responsibility
Need help assembling the right management team for your Finnish or Nordic expansion?
Get expert guidance from Mikko Knuuttila, CEO of InHunt World. Connect with him on LinkedIn or via email at mikko.knuuttila@inhunt.fi.
This article was written by InHunt World