Fazer - The Swiss Man who changed Finnish Food Industry

Fazer is the location where innovation, sustainability, and customer experience are merging.

During our visit to Fazer, we explored how this historic company seamlessly blends tradition with modernity to address the evolving challenges of the food industry.

Fazer’s approach to innovation in food production is evident in its commitment to developing new products that incorporate local ingredients, alternative proteins, and cutting-edge food technology. By prioritizing health-conscious options, the company continuously adapts to shifting consumer demands.

Sustainability is also at the core of Fazer’s strategy. The company integrates sustainable sourcing, waste reduction initiatives, and eco-friendly packaging solutions to minimize its environmental impact while maintaining product quality.

Beyond product innovation and sustainability, Fazer excels in marketing and customer engagement. Through experiential marketing, including its visitor center and immersive brand presentations, the company creates strong emotional connections with its audience. By combining heritage storytelling with a forward-thinking mindset, Fazer successfully maintains authenticity while embracing change.

Reflecting on Fazer’s approach, several key takeaways emerge. Sustaining the supply chain requires attention to every detail, from packaging and design to distribution and sales. The use of immersive experiences and storytelling not only strengthens brand identity but also deepens customer loyalty. Research-driven innovation remains a crucial element in both product and business development. By prioritizing authenticity and meaningful experiences, companies can enhance customer engagement while staying relevant in a rapidly evolving market. Fazer’s ability to balance tradition with innovation serves as a compelling model for brands looking to merge sustainability with commercial success.

From Vision to Reality: Mastering Startup Growth at Innovation Lab

Hosted by Maria 01, START Helsinki, and the Chamber of Commerce Finland-Switzerland.

The Innovation Lab provided valuable insights into the key elements that drive a startup forward. Effective communication emerged as a cornerstone, with an emphasis on leading without blame. Passion and storytelling play a crucial role in engaging stakeholders, while resilience—falling and getting back up—proves to be an essential trait for any entrepreneur. The iterative process remains fundamental, ensuring continuous improvement and adaptation.

Launching a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) without a budget requires relentless pitching, leveraging every opportunity to bring the project to life. Entrepreneurs must maximize their resources, exchange knowledge, and engage in regular growth-focused meetings. Confidence, even with a slight tendency to oversell, can be a powerful tool when presenting ideas. Finding the right incubation environment, gathering customer feedback, and organizing events to test market potential are crucial steps. Having an Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) also plays a vital role, alongside clear communication strategies.

Pitch tailoring and storytelling emerged as fundamental skills. The key is authenticity—being oneself while practicing and continuously refining pitches. Realistic narratives, backed by solid numbers, enhance credibility. The weight of words, strategic comparisons, and engaging questions foster audience interaction. Seeking and incorporating feedback strengthens future presentations. Entrepreneurs must adapt their pitches to different audiences, treating pitching as a dynamic, almost flirtatious process where words convey meaning and evoke emotions.

Several pieces of advice stood out. Olivia Matinlauri highlighted the need to stop overthinking and embrace action, as true direction emerges through execution. Roberta Robin Gilardi stressed the significance of maintaining high energy and surrounding oneself with the right people. Karim Bahez reminded us that this journey is a long one, requiring preparation and endurance.

Reflecting on these lessons, several applications come to mind. Developing multiple, audience-specific pitches will enhance communication effectiveness. Maintaining contact with mentors like Roberta and Karim could provide long-term guidance. Implementing structured feedback loops within the team fosters growth, while prioritizing accountability over blame strengthens collaboration. Pitching as frequently as possible remains a key driver of success. Finally, creating a motivating environment and filtering out distractions will ensure sustained focus and progress.

Haaga-Helia - Where Future is Growing

Haaga-Helia is a well-known university of applied science in Helsinki. I met a lot of interesting people.

Our visit to Haaga-Helia highlighted the diversity of opportunities in both academic paths and practical applications. The university places experimentation and hands-on learning at the heart of its methodology, incorporating innovative approaches such as an Escape Room to teach finance and a 3D Lab for technological exploration. This strong emphasis on learning by doing fosters creativity and practical skills, making innovation a central pillar of the educational experience.

One particularly intriguing aspect was the possibility of pursuing an MBA in Finland, a topic I explored in depth with Sami Krogerus. The program’s structure offers a dynamic and immersive learning environment that aligns well with entrepreneurial and innovation-driven mindsets.

Beyond these insights, I also had a compelling discussion with Heikki Hietala about the role of IoT in 3D Lab projects, opening the door to potential collaborations. Moving forward, I plan to follow up on these conversations, further exploring MBA opportunities and keeping in touch with Heikki regarding a potential project idea.

The Swiss Embassy in Helsinki - Let's cross the Cultures

I had the honor of being welcomed by Daniel Rueger at the Swiss Embassy in Finland.

Our visit to the Swiss Embassy provided valuable insights into the mechanisms supporting Swiss companies in their international expansion. Switzerland Global Enterprise and the Swiss Business Hub play a crucial role in facilitating exports and helping businesses establish themselves abroad. Once companies are implemented, the Chamber of Commerce takes over, fostering relationships, networking, and long-term collaborations.

Switzerland and Finland share numerous joint projects, reflecting strong economic and institutional ties between the two countries. Another key takeaway was the recognition of Finnish Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Switzerland and internationally, opening up interesting academic and professional opportunities.

Tiimiakatemia Global - Where all began

The Tiimiakatemia Global session provided valuable insights into leadership, team dynamics, and project structuring. The Popcorn Technique, where everyone speaks when they feel ready, encourages fluid discussions and spontaneous contributions. The concept of Friend Leadership was particularly interesting, emphasizing the balance between leadership and team member responsibilities. The five key steps include leading oneself first, sharing the team’s vision, managing energy within the group, introducing new ideas and challenges, and practicing mindfulness to stay present.

A key takeaway was the balance between a candle and a big fire—a metaphor for managing team energy. Leaders must know when to boost motivation and when to let the team find its own pace. The Hedgehog Method introduced a practical way to structure projects by dividing them into three categories: community projects (collaborative initiatives), heart projects (passion-driven endeavors), and money projects (financially sustaining activities).