Let’s Visit the Nordic Culture

The Scandinavia culture is embedded around a somewhat socialist concept, as such they are named the nanny state, this can be seen as a negative characteristic, but I see it as they care about their people. Most Nordic countries have free education, so they don’t see their students as customers and their colleges are not ran as a business, with a model like that I can imagine their teaching techniques are different from what I am used to in America. Professors have friendly relationships with their students and there is not a constant power struggle making both parties comfortable with communicating with each other. The Nordic culture is big on education, they provide free higher education for their residents with that societal structure their civilians develop strong critical thinking skills, characteristics needed to be useful. The government is deeply committed to its people and allows them to become their own person, in fact it is encouraged to develop your self-branding, which is seen through its entrepreneurial culture. We visited a startup sauna which consisted of mainly college students, which isn’t the traditional approach, usually start ups consist of middle-aged adults and older adults because most times they are known to have more experience and knowledge.

Technology is consistently changing and what better way to manage it than with an age group that grew up in the digital age. It is unique that’s the students consult with the older investors with much confidence because the investors have high faith in them, which can be explained by their flat structure working environment. The government also invest in these startup companies, how supportive is that, I’m sure they support startups because the entrepreneurs are mainly college students who happen to be the future. The best part about having college students running start ups and starting businesses is the fresh pair of eyes and fresh ideas, also depending on the target base college students know more about young adults and children than middle aged adults but all in all the team work between the two age groups helps the company thrive. Even though only a few startups maintain longevity the journey involved provides great experience and knowledge, that can be used to enrich a well-established company.

Most of the startup companies we visited were in Finland, but many are also located in Estonia. Two schools we visited were extremely involved in the startup culture, they offered office space, networking opportunities with companies already involved in a specific field and investors who are always interested in a good pitch. The office spaces weren’t your usual either, they were sponsored by companies whom either wanted to collaborate or invest because they trust the company. One school we visited had actual requirements, they only wanted to hear the best of the best they seemed more responsible than the other companies whom encouraged everyone everywhere to start a business. Everyone can’t start a business because everyone can’t be a CEO but one professor explained just because you are a founder doesn’t mean you have to be a CEO, a company consist of many important roles, plus if you helped found a business you can add that to your resume and become a CEO, CFO, or COO, at a popular company where you be very insightful.