|
|
 |
Business
Business Profile
Helsinki’s geopolitical position and political neutrality make it the Baltic region’s commercial gateway to Sweden and Russia. It rates as one of the world’s top 20 conference centres and has played host to events such as the first US–Soviet summit in 1990, when George Bush met Mikhail Gorbachev.
One of the fastest growing cities in Europe, Finland has recently been rated as Europe’s most competitive country by the Swiss research institute, IMD, who praised it for its business practices, skills and its ability to be highly adaptable in adverse circumstances – adversity has characterised much of the city’s economic history over the last decade. When the regulated financial market was liberated at the end of the 1980s, the economy went into overdrive. The bubble burst at the beginning of the 1990s and over half a million jobs were lost almost overnight. The unemployment rate became the second highest in Europe, at a staggering 20%. In 1997, the city still suffered an unemployment rate of 17%, however, now boasts ‘just’ 8.5% – a comeback attributed to the government’s spending gamble – in line with the national unemployment rate of 8.2%. Cutting back on everything except education and research (one-fifth of all Finns have a university degree or equivalent) enabled Helsinki to become one of the world’s leading telecom equipment producers, making everything from mobile telephones to GSM networks.
The telecoms industry now vies with the country’s traditional exports of pulp and paper (each account for 40% of Finnish exports). Helsinki Technical University experts predict that within seven years, Finland’s software developers will employ as many people as the forestry industry does today.
Finland’s main international companies include Stora Enso, Finnair, Merita Nordbank and Leiras. Nokia is perhaps the country’s biggest success story, it is now the second-largest manufacturer of mobile phones and forecasts sales of 600 million units by 2004. The company has its headquarters in the Helsinki region. Business is centred on the Kamppi-Töölönlahti area, in the heart of Helsinki, while new high technology centres are breathing business life into Ruoholahti and Pitäjänmäki.
Business Etiquette
Standard office hours are 0800-1700, although flexible hours are very common. Lunch is the main meal of the day and is taken usually between 1200-1400. Helsinkiläiset are punctual to the minute, always alerting a colleague of an impending delay, even if it is a matter of minutes – lateness is seen as a discourtesy.
Bertold Brecht is famed for saying that the ‘Finns are silent in two languages.’ They are a naturally reserved people and do not like speaking for the sake of it. Garrulous people are viewed with suspicion. When meeting for the first time, a handshake is customary, as is formal dress (suit and tie for men) but Helsinkiläiset are not flashy; dress is more smart-casual and women often wear trouser suits. Business cards are vital.
Meetings and business deals are often conducted by telephone or at a sauna. Although these places are traditionally regarded as retreats, meetings often take place in these relaxed and less formal environments. Helsinkiläiset are completely unabashed about going au natural into the sauna, which are sometimes mixed gender, although there are usually separate saunas for men and women and some sort of wrap is on hand. Saunas are never mixed in a business connection.
If invited to someone’s house for dinner, lateness (over ten minutes) is seen as a discourtesy. Shoes are usually removed before entering the house and a gift for the host, such as a bottle of wine or a bunch of flowers, is seen as courteous.
Business Services
Business Contacts: Helsinki Chamber of Commerce
Keskuskauppakamari, World Trade Centre, Aleksanterinkatu 17, PL 1000, 00101 Helsinki
Tel: (09) 696 969. Fax: (09) 650 303.
E-mail: keskuskauppakamari@wtc.fi
Website: www.keskuskauppakamari.fi
Finland Trade Centre (UK)
177-179 Hammersmith Road, London W6 8BS
Tel: (020) 8600 7260. Fax: (020) 8600 7261.
E-mail: london@finpro.fi
Website: www.finpro.fi
There are no official chambers of commerce for the USA, Canada or Australia; visitors should contact Helsinki directly.
Business library
Helsinki School of Economics Library
PO Box 149, Leppäsuonkatu 9E, 00101 Helsinki
Tel: (09) 4313 8425. Fax: (09) 4313 8539.
E-mail: library@hkkk.fi
Website: http://helecon.hkkk.fi/index_eng.html
Convention and meeting planners
Helsinki-Finland Congress Bureau
Fabianinkatu 4 B 11, 00130 Helsinki
Tel: (09) 668 9540. Fax (09) 6689 5410.
E-mail: hfcb@hfcb.fi
Website: www.hfcb.fi
Bennett BTI Nordic
Congress Service, PO Box 1149, 00101 Helsinki
Tel: (09) 685 850. Fax: (09) 6858 5280.
E-mail: marketing.finland@bennettbti.com
Website: www.bennettbti.com
Congrex Blue & White Conferences
PO Box 81, Sulkapolku 3, 00371 Helsinki
Tel: (09) 560 7500. Fax: (09) 5607 5020.
E-mail: congrex@congrex.fi
Website: www.congrex.fi
Congreszon Ltd
Helsinki Itälahdenkatu 22A, 00210 Helsinki
Tel: (09) 5840 9350. Fax: (09) 5840 9555.
E-mail: congress@congreszon.fi
Website: www.congreszon.fi
TSG Congress
Kaisaniemenkatu 3B, 00100 Helsinki
Tel: (09) 628 044. Fax: (09) 667 675.
E-mail: info@tsgcongress.fi
Website: www.tsgcongress.fi
Convention and meeting venues
Finlandia Hall
Mannerheimintie 13E, PL 300, 00099 Helsinki
Tel: (09) 40241. Fax: (09) 446 259.
E-mail: finlandiahall@fin.hel.fi
Website: www.finlandia.hel.fi
The hall is in Hesperia Park, within walking distance of the larger hotels. It has capacity for up to 2000 people and seating in the main auditorium for up to 1700.
Helsinki Fair Centre
PO Box 21, 00521 Helsinki
Tel: (09) 15091. Fax: (09) 142 358.
E-mail: info@finnexpo.fi
Website: www.finnexpo.fi
The centre has several restaurants, cafés and private dining rooms, with total seating for up to 2940.
Paasitorni Conference Centre
Paasivuorenkatu 5A, 00530 Helsinki
Tel: (09) 708 9611. Fax: (09) 708 9658.
E-mail: myynti@paasitorni.fi
Website: www.paasitorni.fi
This centre has large conference halls and room for up to 2000 banqueting guests.
Office equipment hire
Regus Business Centers
World Trade Centre, Aleksanterinkatu 17, 00100 Helsinki
Tel: (09) 251 2250. Fax: (09) 2512 2666.
E-mail: helsinki.wtc.39@regus.fi
Website: www.regus.com
Secretarial service
Proffice Finland Oy
Eteläesplanadi 24A, 00130 Helsinki
Tel: (09) 8568 8800. Fax: (09) 8568 8860.
E-mail: helsinki@profficefinland.fi
Website: www.profficefinland.fi
Translation services
Regus Business Centers
World Trade Centre, Aleksanterinkatu 17, 00100 Helsinki
Tel: (09) 251 2250. Fax: (09) 2512 2666.
E-mail: helsinki.wtc.39@regus.fi
Website: www.regus.com
Translations are provided for the following languages: Swedish, Finnish, English, German, French, Spanish, and several other languages. Word processing is also available.
Dynaline
Iso Roobertinkatu 10 A 4, 00120 Helsinki
Tel: (09) 681 1800. Fax: (09) 6811 8080.
E-mail: info@dynaline.fi
Website: www.dynaline.fi
Unusual conference venue
Gustvelund Conference Hotel
Kirkkotie 36, 04310 Tuusula
Tel: (09) 273 751. Fax: (09) 273 7440 (reception) or 7550 (sales).
E-mail: reception@gustavelund.fi
Website: www.gustavelund.fi
A lakeside venue, with a sauna and indoor garden, 30km (19 miles) from the city centre.
|
|
