Hello from Stockholm!
After a busy morning of traveling from Skellefteå to Stockholm, we went to Saab in the afternoon. Saab, no longer the automotive company known to Americans, is a private defense firm headquartered in Sweden. Our meeting with Lars Tossman, a marketing savant and head of multiple marketing divisions at Saab, shed light on Saab’s unique approach toward defense business strategies. While defense companies in the US typically prioritize profit, Saab distinguishes itself by focusing on protecting people rather than destroying things or maximizing sales. Mr. Tossman spoke passionately about Saab’s dedication to public safety and its commitment to the well-being of individuals.
Safeguarding society and protecting people is among Saab’s core values guiding their decision-making process. Saab upholds an exceptional standard when it comes to manufacturing its products, not only in terms of quality but also in terms of ethics. For instance, before fully accepting a contract, Saab requires approval from the Inspectorate Strategic Products (ISP) when someone requests a specific product. Additionally, Saab maintains a policy of not conducting business with politically unstable countries, as they believe it could result in their weapons being used for harmful purposes.
This emphasis on safety and community aligns with the overarching Swedish culture we experienced during our visit. The people of Sweden place great importance on fairness and caring for others, as exemplified by their focus on green energy initiatives. They strive for a prosperous future for generations to come, and this communal mindset is evident in every company we have encountered.
In contrast, US defense companies rarely prioritize ethics over sales. It is not uncommon to witness companies engaging in practices such as employing child labor, only ceasing such activities when exposed by the media. Sweden’s unique approach stands out to me as prioritizing social safety nets over individual success is extremely different to the US. Here, individual success is everything, so I have been greatly enjoying learning more about a collectivist culture. Saab, in particular, exemplifies this mindset. Their aim is simply to ensure the safety of Sweden by creating reliable weapons for military use.
Overall, our visit to Saab has given us insights into their distinct approach to defense. Saab’s commitment to protecting people, adherence to high ethical standards, and dedication to societal well-being showcase its role as a vital contributor to Swedish security.
Thanks,
Sam
Ethan’s time in Sweden (cont’d):
Ok, we’re back. This time in Stockholm.
It’s been very eventful the past few days. Flew down, went to Saab, Spotify, and Challengermode, explored a little bit and, so far, I am loving it. Stockholm is such a cool city, a far cry from Skellefteå from an atmospheric perspective. Small city vibes vs big city ones. Whereas the latter was more quaint and peaceful, the former is bustling and expansive.
During my short time in Stockholm, I’ve been able to wander, my favorite way to travel. I had no plans going in, at least none that I had made. I’d heard of some interesting attractions that I may want to check out. But, in my opinion, the best way to do it is to walk around and take every detour you’d like. Through my roaming, I’ve found the architecture to be a mixed bag. Some of the buildings are very flat faced and bland while others I could stare at for hours and not get tired. The funny thing is that it all works together to create a very unique cityscape. The water running through it along with the trees and spires remind me of Budapest, one of my favorite European cities. I haven’t been able to try a ton of the local cuisine (probably because I don’t tend to like fish), but the bites I have taken haven’t let me down. All in all, a great experience so far. I guess I should move on though.
Here’s what we came here for (at least according to the university): Spotify and Challengermode. Sam touched on Saab, so I’ll skip that one. Both of these companies, like several others we’ve been to, had very modern office spaces. Spotify especially felt like a very chill space with lots to do when you are on a break. Their CEO even has his own little gaming area. Their culture felt very people-first and the presentation they gave helped inform me on a handful of fun tidbits about the company. One of these is that they get over 100,000 applications per month. I’d be lying if I said I haven’t been one of them at some point.
Challengermode on the other hand is less competitive, but also has its own quirks when it comes to hiring. The man we spoke with told us that he wants to keep the staff under 100 and he let us in on his secret personal rule for deciding who he hires. Most of the new employees, he said, were recommendations. He said he doesn’t look at CVs which is really interesting, but somehow makes sense for such a small company. He seems very passionate about the work that he does and it looks to be working for him.
Thus far, I’m impressed with Stockholm and can’t wait to see what’s on the horizon for us.
Also, if you visit, go see the city hall tower. It’s really cool.
Best,
Ethan
