Finnish powerful ”sisu” is the best attitude in today’s business world
Altyn Shakirkhanova started as the head of EastCham’s Almaty office at the beginning of August. Six weeks later, EastCham organized a Team Finland visit to Almaty, where Altyn played a key role.
Text Satu Niemelä Photos EastCham
Over 100 Finnish and Kazakhstani companies from various industries participated in the two-day event. Altyn’s autumn has also included advising Finnish companies and establishing local contacts in Almaty. Now, almost four months later, she shares thoughts on her work, Finnish companies in Kazakhstan, and the Finnish way of working.
Altyn says that Finland was only distantly familiar to her. She could place the country on the map, knew the name of the capital city, and had read about Finnish history in school. Probably a similar picture to what the average Finn has of Kazakhstan. Altyn knew about Finnish brands such as Honka, Nokia, and her favourite chocolate, Fazer’s Geisha, as well as Finnish F1 drivers like Kimi Räikkönen. Now, with a few months of experience, she says she knows Finland much better. Interest and motivation have helped her learn more about Finland and Finnish culture. In addition to orientation and teamwork, colleagues have been helpful in opening doors to Finnish culture.
– I have learned a lot about the Finnish way of working. There is no difference between Finnish speech and action. If Finns say something, they mean it and act accordingly. I feel that it is easy to work together because of this and I feel myself confident, says Altyn Shakirkhanova.
With the international experience, networks, and strong local expertise she has gained over the past 12 years, Altyn is now helping Finnish companies in Central Asian markets. There were Finnish companies long experience in the Kazakhstan market participated in the Team Finland visit to Almaty in the fall. There were also companies that were just exploring business opportunities. Altyn says she has followed with interest how some Finnish companies have taken their first steps in understanding the market, business environment, and local culture.
– Making a business decision requires time and market knowledge. My task here in Almaty is to support Finnish companies in getting to know the local markets and networks. I believe that the whole of Central Asia can become an interesting market area where Finnish companies could offer the expertise, products, and technologies needed in the region. Local government reforms and projects will certainly attract more companies to the market.
Altyn has already coached several Finnish companies. These have sought information and local contacts as well as advice on how to work with banks, among other things. Questions have also arisen about registrations and logistics.
The image of Finland must be raised further
After the autumn Team Finland visit, Altyn received good feedback from local companies and city administration of Almaty. They were positively surprised by the technological solutions offered by Finnish companies. Kazakhstan now knows that Finns are ready to work. However, it was already clear that, for example, Germany and France are very interested in the market. According to Altyn, seven international events have been held in Kazakhstan during the autumn. The competition is tough.
– We must continue to increase the awareness of Finland, Finnish companies, and the technologies they offer, as it has a significant impact on business opportunities and, consequently, the creation of contracts.
Finland is a good choice for partnership in terms of high quality, green solutions, and reliability compared to many other countries. In Central Asia, the government has a significant impact on international business. Working relationships must be established with state authorities, ministries, city leaders, organizations that help companies, and banks.
Altyn’s speeches often contain names that may sound a little strange to Finnish ears, such as Akimat, Damu, and Baiterek. Akimat is the city administration, Damu is Entrepreneurship Development Fund, and Baiterek is National Management Holding. All of these work with local businesses. So cooperation with them make it easy to find local partners. EastCham has now been linked to these organizations through Altyn, which also benefits Finnish companies.
– The work is familiar to me from my previous roles. I have worked with the governments of Central Asian countries and followed changes and reforms. Kazakhstan has many state projects and state-owned companies. You need to know how to talk to them and open the right doors.
Kazakhstan is the world’s largest landlocked country. The population of Central Asian countries is over 78 million, so the markets are huge. Taxation and capital costs are low, the company registration process is relatively easy, and the preparation of financial statements is clear. Finnish products are quite expensive by local standards. The market is not easy, logistics are challenging, and you need to be careful with sanctions. In addition, we live in very turbulent times, which make it difficult to plan and make business decisions. All this increases the costs and expenses of doing business.
– However, government reforms and the implementation of international standards are making Central Asian countries more attractive to foreign business nowadays. Finnish companies need to assess their own opportunities, and I am happy to help with this.
There is a strong demand for green technologies and equipment in Central Asia’s oil and gas industry, as well as mining and agriculture.
– Finland is one of the leading EU countries that can bring in high standards, solutions, equipment, and technologies. In addition, the reputation of Finnish education is high here. The Finnish education sector has good opportunity to rise to the level of other EU countries, such as France and Germany. I believe in the success of Finnish companies in the market in the long term.
Powerful and effective Finland
Altyn says that she likes sisu pastilles, but also that she understood what the famous Finnish sisu is. Finnish determination, honesty and trust have impressed him. According to Altyn, sisu is the best attitude in today’s business life.
– During the Team Finland visit, I met quite many Finnish companies, which also affected my understanding of Finland. I appreciate the honest conversation style and the fact that problems are solved together, which is contrary to the stereotype of Finns as introverts. Finns may not be the best at small talk, but instead they keep their word.
Altyn says she appreciates efficient work, where the entire organization works with the help of Teams and the CRM program. She is surprised by how technologies have been implemented and integrated into every step of the processes. One decisive difference is also in the e-mail culture. It doesn’t require too much time in her current job. Clear communication and transparency have helped her a lot with work.
– I liked that every colleague, including the CEO, was part of my induction process. I got to know each one of them and got a complete package of information about the organization’s strategy, mission, processes, and most important stakeholders. It helped to integrate quickly. I felt welcome. I am part of a team that cares and wants me to succeed in my work.
Altyn has wondered before why Finland is the happiest nation in the world. Now that mystery is slowly opened.
– I have noticed that Finns are very proud of their country, respect it and take care of it and each other. In addition, Finns’ words correspond to actions. Maybe this is the secret why little Finland is doing so well globally, says Altyn.