Scan Magazine | Business | Column / Calendar
Three things to like about Scandinavia There are of course an infinite number of good things about Scandinavia, but since my remit is to write about business culture and communication, here are three of the virtues I particularly appreciate about the Scandinavian world of work. The first is the work environment. Scandinavian offices tend to be light and spacious, with plants and personal touches. There is a sense that someone has actually thought about the design and about how to make real human beings feel comfortable. Second comes work relations. Consult Geert Hofstede’s measure of power distance (degrees of hierarchy) across cultures, and the Scandinavians come top for flatness. An absence of deference does not translate into rudeness, as British nostalgists might suspect. On the contrary, people treat each other with a respect that derives from notions of equality embedded in the Social Democratic tradition. Senior managers feel
less need to separate themselves from other lesser mortals, like they do elsewhere. Scandinavian society is traditionally more collectivist or group-oriented than others, and so decision-making is more consensual. I think people listen to each other more across organisational levels. Third, I find gender relations mercifully less complicated. Scandinavian women have a natural sense of empowerment, which makes them open, friendly and easy to get on with. Unlike in parts of the UK at least, the business culture does not seem to make them feel that they are always having to prove something or do more than male colleagues in order to get the same recognition – again the product of a more egalitarian society. May British women gain equal power and wages in the workplace very soon. Yes, I know these are massive generalisations, but they are three reasons why I
Business Calendar
By Steve Flinders
personally always enjoy doing business in Scandinavia. On the other hand, Norway, for example, might seem so relaxed simply because the country closes for the weekend at lunchtime on Fridays. Steve Flinders is a freelance trainer, writer and coach, based in Malta, who helps people develop their communication and leadership skills for working internationally: steveflind@aol.com.
By Sanne Wass | Photo: DUCC
Scandinavian business events you do not want to miss this month Nordic Future Days The Nordic Future Days are all about “bridging the Nordics with the world”. The event will bring together local entrepreneurs, global investors, thought leaders and innovation communities for three days of networking, debates and events in Sundsvall, Sweden. Each day has a theme, the first exploring sustainability in business and the second covering women and social entrepreneurship, before finally rounding off with a day focusing on digital innovation. Date: 20-22 March 2018 Venue: Grönborg, Storgatan 73, 852 30 Sundsvall www.nordicimpactweek.org
Branding workshop The Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK and its Young Professionals network invite you to an evening about marketing and branding. The event will include interactive workshops with industry experts, followed by a pitching session where the best idea is
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awarded. The evening will culminate in networking over drinks and canapés. Date: 6 April 2018, 6.30-9pm Venue: Home House, 20 Portman Square, Marylebone, London W1H 6LW www.scc.org.uk
Going Global Live Going Global Live is one Europe’s biggest shows for businesses looking to expand internationally, export products or set up overseas operations. In addition to a two-day programme packed with talks by experts from around the world, you can set up one-to-one meetings with marketing specialists and network with exhibitors and thousands of other visitors. Going Global Live runs at the ExCel London alongside the Business Show, the Business Startup Show and the Foreign Direct Investment Expo. Date: 16-17 May 2018 Venue: ExCeL London, Sandstone Lane, London E16 1XL www.goinggloballive.co.uk
Anglonordic Life Science Conference The 15th Anglonordic Life Science Conference gives European investors and research and development companies from the Nordics and the UK a unique opportunity to connect with each other. More than 60 investment firms attended last year’s event. The conference will host panel discussions, parallel technology and biotech investment rooms, one-to-one meetings and a networking reception. Date: 24 May 2018 Venue: The County Hall, Belvedere Road, London SE1 7PB www.anglonordic.biopartnering.co.uk