The Group provides guidelines, or ways of working, aimed at ensuring a good working environment and business success. There are four of them in total: “Passion for success, openness and sharing, enthusiasm for learning and developing new things, and promoting customers’ success,” says Annika Parkkonen, Vice President, HR.

“These ways of working are the building blocks of the Nordic Morning culture, which is shared by the entire Group. These four priorities were identified quite easily and naturally by the companies’ management teams. We are now in the process of putting them into practice for all employees by means of a social online game.”

Before the four core ways of working were fleshed out, it was necessary to create a leadership model. It is built on the frame of reference of emotional intelligence and three characteristics of good leadership defined by the Group management team: human interaction skills, understanding oneself, and social skills. These are all very human values. Could this be the Swedish ingredient in Nordic Morning?

“It’s true that Swedish discussion culture has a strong emphasis on broad participation and engagement,” Parkkonen says. “Everyone’s opinion counts, and there is a lot of emphasis on sharing. For example, before a new project is launched, the aim is to have all participants strongly committed to the project. This orientation toward engagement and being open to everyone’s input is something we want to introduce to our leadership style in Finland as well.”

According to Parkkonen, Swedes are also characterized by a genuine desire to understand the views of others and the capacity to openly assess one’s own. Finns, on the other hand, may think projects through almost entirely in their own heads, and then become defensive when others suggest changes. To their credit, Finns are good at sticking to agreed schedules and making quick decisions.

“Finnish precision is something of a cliché, but it’s true,” Parkkonen says. “Finns deliver on their promises and do so in a timely manner, and their progress is clear and straightforward. This efficiency is something we want to introduce to our Swedish operations.”

Parkkonen sees the differences between Finns and Swedes as an asset, even if it may give rise to conflicts along the way. Diversity is enriching. Of course, we should not seek out conflicts on purpose, but when they do arise, they should be perceived as creative opportunities.

“The more diversity there is, the better,” Parkkonen says. “Diversity maintains and strengthens creativity, which is a requirement for success in our industry.”

Parkkonen enjoys seeing people, phenomena and cultures collide. She is pleased that Nordic Morning’s Swedish companies are in the process of moving under one roof, and hopes to see a similar development in Finland.

“Physical proximity is tremendously significant,” she says. “When you meet people at the coffee machine and learn to know each other, you also start to generate ideas together spontaneously. A shared physical space provides opportunities for innovative and creative pursuits and mitigates concerns over losing your own organizational identity.”

Text: Sari Kuvaja, Corporate Responsibility Advisor