Business trip to Helsinki, Finland
Helsinki, is not only the political but also the commercial capital of Finland, generates approximately 30% of the Finnish GDP. Most of the economic activity of Finland is carried on around Helsinki harbor and metropolitan area with important worldwide businesses having their headquarters here.
Helsinki is a modern and vibrant city amongst other European metropolises. Its service sector is the dominant industry, as is the case in most other metropolises. The largest service based employer is the public sector followed by information technology. While in the sector of market services Helsinki specializes predominantly in transport and communication.
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The manufacturing sector is no less with industries such as shipbuilding continuing to employ a substantial number of people. Helsinki also specializes in graphics industry and electronics.
The Trade shows sector of Helsinki is an another feather on the crown of Finland’s economy. With some of the internationally renowned expos like Educa Helsinki, Automaatio and Finn Build-Helsinki International Building Fair, to its benefit, Helsinki surely is a important trade and business destination.
Though Helsinki’s location is said to be remote as compared to the extensive markets of western and central Europe, however, sophisticated communication technology and modern transport infrastructure have effectively eliminated this disadvantage. While a high level of education among the labor force together with systematic investments in R&D and in other human capital have made it possible to specialize in high technology export products. Helsinki is located optimally from the point of view of national markets as well as the markets of northwest Russia and the Baltic States.
Therefore, while the mid-term prospects for Helsinki are reasonably optimistic. Helsinki faces several challenges if it wants to remain a competitive location for firms and also provide adequate welfare for its citizens in the longer run.
For more in-depth information I suggest you buy and read the "Global Business Etiquettes" book.
- Communication:
Use formal names and academic titles.
Finns are direct, do not confuse this with rudeness.
Never interrupt somebody.
I you get an invitation to a sauna; accept it.
Dress formal and conservative. - Meetings and negotiations:
When making appointments use the 24-hour clock time format to avoid misunderstandings.
Be very punctual, if you suspect you will late, call and explain the situation.
Never cancel a meeting at the last minute.
Shake hands with everyone upon arriving at the meeting and leaving.
Remain standing until invited to sit down or others do so.
Little time is spent to getting to know you before the business conversation begins.
Agenda’s are strictly followed.
Make your presentation complete, to the point, accurate and precise, do not exaggerate.
Follow up a meeting with a letter with all agreements outlined. - Table manners:
If unsure on how to behave, mimic the behavior of others.
Wait until you are appointed a seat.
Avoid alcohol if possible, otherwise drink little.
Put a napkin on your lap, eat not too much but finish your plate.
You can eat only scrimps and bread with your hands.
Keep your hands above the table when eating.
After finishing your plate lay your knife and fork parallel on your plate with the handles to the right.
Thank your host at the end of the meal.
Since joining the European Union in 1995, Finland which has a population of 5,3 million, once viewed as a remote northern outpost, has become a strong competitor for international business.
Finland is an EU member state and shares its longest border with Russia. Finland has a unique position as the center of a rapidly evolving market formed by northwestern Russia, Scandinavia, and the Baltic republics, with over 80 million prospective consumers. Finland was also the first Nordic EU chairman country in 1999 and was the only Nordic country to replace its national currency Finnmark with Euro in the beginning of 2002.
Almost everyone has of course heard about the mobile revolution in Finland. The latest studies show that Finland’s mobile communications standard-bearer, Nokia, is one of the world’s most valuable, and prominent brands. However, Finnish high-tech is much more than just mobile phones and telecommunications technology, high-tech has also been an important factor in driving the impressive growth in Finland’s GDP typical of recent years.
According to the Global Competitiveness Report, Finland is the most competitive economy in the world. Besides holding a leading position in Information Technology, Finland has a strong paper and shipbuilding industry. Every fourth cruise line ship in the world is made in Finland.
Some facts in a list:| Currency | EUR |
| Time zone | GMT +2 |
| Population | 5.244.749 |
| Area | 338.145 km² |
| Population density | 15,5 / km² |
| GDP | € 125.290.000.000 |
| GDP/per capita | € 23.900 |
  | Product tip: There are also nice looking laptop bags on the market! A laptop bag doesn’t have to be a dull conservative black bag. There are lot’s of great looking bags on the market these days. Special laptop bags with the protection that is needed for your laptop but also with nice designs in models and materials. |
Address
Helsinki-Vantaa Airport
P.O. Box 29
FIN-01531 Vantaa
Finland
Telephone: +358(0)982 771
Fax: +358(0)982 773 296
Email: information.efhk@fcaa.fi
www.helsinki-vantaa.fi
Airport codes
IATA airport code: HEL
ICAO airport code: EFHK
Lost property
For items forgotten at the airport or aboard aircraft passengers can contact Finland’s Found Property Service by telephone or by completing an online enquiry form. The best time to enquire about lost property is the following day.
Finland’s Found Property charges a fee for lost items stored.
The Service can be reached on phone number +358 600 41006.
Terminal info
There are two terminals: one for domestic flights (T1) and one for international flights (T2). T2 was expanded and modernized in 2004, with the expansion of the airport, the shopping area, among other utilities, were increased. The terminals are 250 meters from each other and are connected by a covered walkway. Helsinki Airport processes approximately 13 million passengers annually.
Connectivity from the airport
Bus
The Finnair City Bus departs every half hour from the International Terminal and also stops at T1 and two airport hotels. Upon request the bus can take you to various places in Helsinki, the rate is €5.20.
Various city buses (lines 415, 451 and 615) also go to and from the airport, there are also bus connections with various other places. For information about public transport in Helsinki (tel: +358(0)100 111).
Taxi
A taxi ride to the center of Helsinki takes approximately half an hour and costs approximately €30.00. You can share a taxi with other passengers for a fixed price (tel: +358(0)600 555 555). In Arrival Halls 1 and 2 there are service counters for taxis.
Keep the following tips in mind if you need to order a taxi during your business trip to Helsinki.
Taxis can be obtained by telephone (see telephone directory under Taksi) or from taxi ranks. The central taxi reservation number in Helsinki is 0100 0700.
| Company name | Phone number |
| Mr. Taxi | 760760 |
| Taksipalvelu Halen Oy | 400601003 |
| Helsingin KTK | 77787213 |
| Paakaupunkiseudun Taksit | 2252800 |
| Suomen Taksi Service | 7571544 |
Restaurant Linna
The Restaurant Linna’s famously delicious dishes take their influences from French cuisine, and what better place to enjoy the meals than the magnificent Art Nouveau style dining room, the wonderfully atmospheric restaurant cellar, or the privacy of the cabinets. Those craving for a truly great experience can dine above the rooftops in Linna’s tower cabinet. If you are on a business trip to Helsinki, this is a great restaurant for entertaining your hosts.
Lonnrotinkatu 29
Helsinki 00180
Tel. +358 10 3444 111
(No website available)
Restaurant Maithai
The small restaurant is located at the very centre of Helsinki affording wide catalog of traditional Thai cuisine from drinks to dinners.
Annankatu 31-33
00100 HELSINKI
Phone 09-6856 850
www.maithai.fi
Restaurant Demo
Restaurant Demo is a high quality restaurant that opened its doors January 2003. Demo serves their guests high class home made food combined with personal and friendly service. Demo is owned by two talented chefs Tommi & Teemu. Their goal is to offer a chance to top quality dining, in a relaxed and cozy environment.
Uudenmaankatu 9-11
00120 Helsinki
(09) 2289 0840
www.restaurantdemo.fi
Tips to save money on hotel costs during your business trip to Helsinki.
To get the best price for a good hotel room during your business trip to Helsinki it's not only important to compare the prices the hotel charges for a room, but also compare the prices of the different booking agencies.
This can save you, or your company, a lot of money!
- Go to this hotel listing for Helsinki.
- Select the "Check-in" and "Check-out" date.
- Select filters like: "Hotel brand", "Ratings", "Location" and "Price ranges".
- Select the hotel you like.
- You will get an overview of the prices from up to 24 booking sites
- Select the best offer in the list and book the room!
We have selected the following established business hotels for your convenience:
Hilton Helsinki Kalastajatorppa Hotel
Stay at the peaceful Hilton Helsinki Kalastajatorppa hotel, overlooking the Gulf of Finland, just 10 minutes’ drive from central Helsinki. Do business in 17 meeting rooms or with wireless Internet access throughout. Unwind in the gym, indoor pool or the private beach in summer. This hotel is the perfect base for business travelers.
Kalastajatorpantie 1
Helsinki, Finland 00330
Tel: 358-9-45811
More info about Hilton Helsinki Kalastajatorppa Hotel
Best Western Hotel Carlton
Best Western Hotel Carlton is a cozy 19-room hotel in central Helsinki. All rooms are equipped with a shower, hair dryer, mini bar, trouser press, LCD TV and free wireless Internet access.
Kaisaniemenkatu 3
Helsinki, 00100, FI
Phone: 358-968-41320
More info about Best Western Hotel Carlton Helsinki
Scandic Marski
In the heart of Helsinki, the Scandic Marski hotel is 30 minutes’ drive from the airport.Do business in the 7 meeting rooms for 2-200. There is wireless internet access throughout at no extra charge. Unwind in one of the 3 saunas, gym, restaurant or bar. Market Square and the Cathedral are 10 minutes’ walk away.
Mannerheimintie 10
00100 Helsinki, Finland
Tel: +358 9 68062
More info about Scandic Marski Helsinki
The Stockmann and Sokos department stores on Mannerheimintie are musts for shoppers.
Both department stores have a diverse selection of Finnish and international brands, anything from fashions to souvenirs, from food to interior design. Generations of people in Helsinki have met under the clock outside Stockmann’s main entrance.
The nature in Suomenlinna is a mixture of Finnish archipelago nature and flora planted during the centuries. Many migrating birds stop in Suomenlinna and some, such as swans and barnacle geese also nest on the islands.
Suomenlinna is open to visitors year round and is visited by over 600.000 people yearly. There are 6 museums in the fortress and many restaurants and cafés, some also open during the winter. During the summer months many events take place in Suomenlinna: open air theater, children’s tours and theater, Viapori Jazz, a regatta, and many concerts.Transport connections: ferry from market square and maintenance ferry from Katajanokka all round the year: Tourist boat in summer. Maintenance tunnel for emergencies. Visitors’ moorings. If you have enough for sightseeing during your business trip to Helsinki, this would be the place to visit.
When you have less time to spend during your business trip to Helsinki, go and visit the Sibelius monument which is dedicated to the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius (1865–1957). The monument is located at the Sibelius Park (Sibeliuspuisto).
The monument consists of series of more than six hundered hollow steel pipes welded together in a wave-like pattern. The purpose of the artist was to capture the essence of the music of Sibelius.
Make sure your health care insurance is sufficiently covered.
Maybe this is already covered in your regular health care insurance but often you will need to cover this with the travel insurance. Also a good travel insurance should cover the costs of travel for a relative in case of seriously illness or an accident.
The business trip travel insurance should also cover the costs of search, rescue and repatriation.
When you go on business trips on a regular basis, the easiest way to get insured is with an annual multi-trip insurance.
Keep in mind that you can also use this insurance for your pleasure trips so don`t forget to include to insure your leisure activities.
| General emergency number | 112 |
| Sea rescue | 0204 1000 |
An emergency hospital is the Helsinki University Central Hospital, Meilahti Hospital (for both medical and surgical care), at Haartmaninkatu 4 (tel. 09/4711).
The language in Finland is Finnish, Finland is one of three independent countries where an Uralic language is spoken by the majority, the other two being Estonia and Hungary. Most people in Finland also speak excellent English.
Although most people speak some English, some Finnish phrases can always come in hand....
| Good morning! | Hyvää huomenta! |
| Good evening! | Hyvää iltaa! |
| Welcome! (to greet someone) | Tervetuloa! |
| How are you? | Mites menee? |
| I’m fine, thanks! | Kiitos hyvin! |
| Good/ So-So. | Hyvä |
| Thank you (very much)! | Kiitos paljon! |
| You’re welcome!(for "thank you") | Ole hyvä |
| Good night! | Hyvää yötä! |
| Good bye! | Näkemiin! |
| Can you help me? | Voitko auttaa minua? |
| I’m looking for John. | Etsin John:ia |
| One moment please! | Hetki pieni |
| Write It Down Please! | Kirjoita se ylös, kiitos? |
| Yes/ No | Kyllä / ei |
| I Don’t Understand! | En ymmärrä! |
| My name is ... | Minun nimeni on |
| I’m Sorry! | Anteeksi? |
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