Category: Business Development

Global Finland – How Can a Global Climate Catastrophe Be Avoided?

by Anne-Maria Yritys, posted in Business, Change Management, CSR, Digital Marketing, Global Economics, Responsible Investing, Thought Leadership

Global Finland, communication unit for development of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, arranged a summer school day in Pori on July 16th, 2014. 

Pori Theatre

 

Agenda of the day: 

10-10:15 a.m. Opening

Minister for International Development Pekka Haavisto and rap artist Signmark

10:15-11:15 a.m. Can Climate Catastrophe Be Avoided?

Rachel Kyte, The World Bank

Jukka Uosukainen, UNEP

Kaisa Kosunen, Greenpeace

11:20-12:00 Workshops

1) Why is democracy needed? Demo

2) Human rights and taxes in developing countries – The ABC of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility). SASK and FinnWatch. 

3) The World Post 2015. UNA of Finland and UN Youth of Finland. 

12:00-13:00 Lunch

13:00-13:25 A World of Conflicts – Is Peace a Utopian Dream?

Minister for International Development Pekka Haavisto

13:30-14:45 Workshops

1) Somalia/Finn Church Aid actalliance

2) Syria and exile/Red Cross Finland

3) Middle East/CMI (Crisis Management Initiative/Martti Ahtisaari Centre)

15:00-16:30 New Challenges of Finland´s Foreign Policy

Minister for Foreign Affairs Erkki Tuomioja,

Minister for International Development Pekka Haavisto, 

Minister for European Affairs and Foreign Trade Leena Toivakka, and 

Researcher Hiski Haukkala. The discussion was lead by Press Counsellor Leena Brandt. 

Can Climate Catastrophe Be Avoided?

Notes taken based upon the discussion: 

– In terms of Climate Technology, a positive signal is that technologies are available, although we are running out of time.

– The public sectors and governments must take the initiative, but of course also the private sector and corporations need to take action.

– A New Green Economy (renewable energy sources) is emerging, and the time of negotiations is hectic at the UNEP which is also serving developing countries, and (thanks to which) whole new bodies have been found in order to accelerate development.

– Implementation must be taken care of quickly, all over the world, since we are running out of time. 

– Climate change has to be fought against in order to assure prosperity for everyone.

– In the past 20 years, remarkable improvements have been made in terms of pollution control (see e.g. OzonAction Programme). 

– Incentives must be taken in the economy, both on macro and micro levels. Currently not even the G20 discuss the topic enough. The IMF and finance ministers of the world do discuss to some extent, although not enough. 

– NGO ́s need to create change and pressure. 

– The coal boom of China is coming to an end faster than thought since people understand their need of clean air.

– The trends of alternative energy sources are amazing, and costs are coming down fast. The amount of wind energy worldwide has tripled in a short period of time, and solar energy is now used tenfold. 

– Paris 2015 deal? => End of fossil fuel era? The breakthrough of renewables is now unstoppable. 

– Consumers can create pressure by expressing their opinions, and providing politicians with constructive feedback. Networks can be helpful when communicating needs. There are many ways of influencing.

– There are many new faces in the climate scene throughout societies. 

– Change can be made visible through education. Long-term decisions need to be made NOW. Children can also teach their parents e.g. in terms of recycling. Students change their own schools and universities through demanding renewables.

– Correct choices must be made in politics, although e.g. in Finland there are not so many environmentalists in the parliament. However, more and more climate groups exist on a national level and people are more busy acting than debating. 

– EU 2030: More radical actions needed. 

– Business coalitions (e.g. Richard Branson ́s coalition of companies). 

Pori, Finland.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What Makes Some Worth Millions?

by Anne-Maria Yritys, posted in Business, Change Management, Digital Marketing, Life Coaching, Online Strategy

How far are you willing to go in pursuing the career of your dreams? Or in being successful? 

If you have seen Clint Eastwood´s movie “Million Dollar Baby”, you know what I mean. In the film, Maggie (Hillary Swank) is determined to succeed as a female boxer, and ends up breaking her neck in a million dollar match against the WBA women´s welterweight champion.

She dedicates her entire young life into becoming something extraordinary, and ends up with losing it all, including the most important: her health.

Abandoned and exploited even by her own family, the only one standing by her side until the end is her coach and trainer Frankie, who never leaves her side.

In the film, Maggie claims having reached everything she ever wanted. Perhaps that´s true for her, but would you be willing to risk it all, including your life, for the thought of fast money, fame, and suddenly being a falling star? 

Or do you prefer leading a stable and enjoyable life, with all pieces of your life in perfect balance, and no need to fight? 

Lessons from “Million Dollar Baby”: 

1) Working hard will help you reach your goals

2) Risk-taking can be very rewarding

3) You can achieve anything you set your mind (and body) into

4) Focusing too much on your career can lead to suffering in other parts of your life

5) Don´t risk your health when pursuing your goals! It is the most important you have, after all.

 

Picking Yourself Up And Dusting Yourself Off

by Anne-Maria Yritys, posted in Business, Change Management, Leadership, Life Coaching, Online Strategy

What makes someone a skillful leader? And who is qualified to be a leader? 

The response to the second question is easy, but the first one requires a bit more of reflection. In my opinion, the list is never-ending, and a great leader never ceases to develop him or her.  

Some important skills for any leader: 

HUMANITY

Any leader needs to remember that we are all equal on this planet, despite of our backgrounds.

HUMILITY

Leadership is not about position – it´s about character. 

ACCOUNTABILITY

Keep your promises and don´t let people down. 

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

This is perhaps one of the most difficult of all including not only language and speaking skills, but also other means of communications such as writing, reading, and listening skills + gestures and expressions.

DECISIVENESS

Sometimes decision-making takes time, but please don´t let it take forever! Sometimes a bad decision is better than no decision at all. 

TEAM-BUILDING SKILLS 

Team-building is necessary because no one of us can survive alone, nor do all the work by ourselves. 

TEAM WORKING SKILLS

The team is only as strong as its weakest link so make sure to empower all your team members.

Team work is key to success.

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

This is probably one of the most important. Take time to develop your emotional intelligence – it is possible.

CAPABILITY OF WORKING ALONE

Ok, team work is important, but you also need to be capable of working in solitude.

EMPATHY

You don´t have to carry all the problems of the world, some empathy won´t harm you either.

SENSE OF HUMOR

Life is not always easy so a good proportion of humor and an ability to laugh at yourself and your mistakes is important when coping in different kinds of circumstances.

ABILITY TO PRIORITIZE

Work first, then the fun.

FLEXIBILITY

Many unexpected things may happen so be prepared for obstacles.

OPENNESS

If you are not open-minded, how can you see all the possibilities in front of you?

ANALYTICAL SKILLS

The more complex the business, the more important to know how to analyze.

RELIABILITY

Stick to your deadlines!

SELF-DISCIPLINE

Learn to lead yourself before leading others.

GOOD MANNERS

A “thank you” does not cost you anything.

SENSE OF MORAL/ETHICS

Great leaders do the right things.

OPTIMISM

Essential if you want to thrive.

REALISM

Understanding the hard facts.

CULTURAL AWARENESS

If you´re into international/global business, it is important to know the etiquette and the customs of the country in question.

NEGOTIATION SKILLS

Essential in order to reach your goals.

CREATIVITY

Sometimes, creativity is the only way forward. If opportunity does not knock, build a door!

ACTIVITY

Great leaders don´t wait for things to happen. They make things happen! 

RESILIENCE

Things may sometimes be difficult and life provides many kinds of obstacles on our paths, but great leaders never give up.

EMBRACING FAILURE

We all make mistakes and fail sometimes, but great leaders pick themselves and their teams up and dust themselves off.

PASSION

A great leader has a passion for everything he or she does. 

HUNGER FOR SUCCESS

Together with passion, a great leader is hungry for success and wants to achieve what´s important to him/her. 

In times of adversity, listening to a good song can be helpful in cheering yourself up: 

http://bit.ly/pickyourselfup

Lyrics for “Pick Yourself Up” (Original: Nat King Cole)

“Pick yourself up,
Take a deep breath,
Dust yourself off.
And start all over again

Nothing’s impossible, I have found
For when my chin is on the ground
I pick myself up, dust myself off
And start all over again

Don’t lose your confidence if you slip
Be grateful for a pleasant trip
And pick yourself up, dust yourself off
And start all over again

Work like a soul inspired
Until the battle of the day is won
You may be sick and tired
But you’ll be a man, my son

Will you remember the famous men
Who had to fall to rise again?

So take a deep breath,
Pick yourself up,
Dust yourself off,
And start it all over again

Work like a soul inspired
Till the battle of the day is won
You may be sick and tired
But you’ll be a man, my son

Will you remember the famous men
Who had to fall to rise again?

So take a deep breath,
Pick yourself up,
Dust yourself off,
And start all over again”

Virtues and Sins Part VI: Kindness vs. Envy

by Anne-Maria Yritys, posted in Authentic Leadership, Business, Change Management, Life Coaching, Thought Leadership, Virtues and Sins

“Don´t ever mistake my silence for ignorance, my calmness for acceptance and my kindness for weakness”. (Unknown)

“I´m not confident around compliments or being celebrated, and I am not comfortable with the thought of envy, which some people thrive on” (Rachel Weisz). 

Reflecting upon the word “envy” and its meaning brought up a few personal memories where someone had accused me of being jealous. I have never been a jealous person, but must admit that people sometimes behave in a way thinking they´d be entitled to being envied – which, of course, is not anything else but bragging. These people may also have a tendency to be fake and to let other people down, talking behind your back, two-faced, pretending to be your friend while the truth is far from that. Accusing other people of being something, in this context envious, is called projection in psychological terminology. Before judging other people, therefore, each one of us should take a look in the mirror.

Envy, often linked with the green color, can also be transformed into something positive:

ENVY – The Story of a Stray Dog and a Homeless Girl (http://igg.me/at/envy) is a short film where Nico, a homeless girl, is disappointed by humankind due to continuous lies and assaulting. She is found by Envy, a stray dog that leads her to her pack where she finds shelter, food and above all, love. Despite of being a dark and dramatic piece, the message of ENVY is hope and love. Sometimes, in our darkest hours, dogs can be our greatest companions. The film also points out the fact that sharing in the struggle of survival can lead to great results. (Source: ENVY – The Story of a Stray Dog and a Homeless Girl. Quoted 16.3.2014).

Kindness, on the other hand, is a value in many cultures and religions. Acts of kindness do not only benefit receivers, but also the giver whereas feelings of contentment and relaxation are released and physiological results of the process. Neither does a real act of kindness ask for anything in return. Think about a life-event or a personal experience where you selflessly helped someone, or where someone helped you. What kind of sensations did that memory bring to your mind?

There is always room for kindness around us. Perhaps you have heard about The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, which is an internationally recognized non-profit organization founded upon the belief in kindness, dedicated to providing resources, tools, and encouragement for various acts of kindness. The foundation aims at inspiring people to acts of kindness, to change the world through one-act of kindness at a time, to educate people, to involve and to let people share their personal stories about kindness. (Source: The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. Quoted 16.3.2014).

Personally I got acquainted with the foundation through no one else but a kind friend.

“Your greatness is measured by your kindness; your education and intellect by your modesty; your ignorance is betrayed by your suspicions and prejudices, and your real caliber is measured by the consideration and tolerance you have for others”. (William J.H. Boetcker).