Secure your spot and showcase your brand at the unforgettable celebration when Finnish Business Council marks it’s 20th Anniversary on November 22nd! The event will welcome approximately 150 guests in a gala dinner setting with live entertainment, delicious food and delightful surprises at Gardens at Hilton Dubai Jumeirah. We also warmly welcome raffle sponsors to take part in the event. Please contact erika@fbcuae.fi
FBC member in the spotlight - Meet our new board member Ulla-Maija Simola, NOKIA, Head of Commercial Management Middle East & Africa
1. Having worked at Nokia for over 25 years, how have you seen the company and the tech industry evolve during that time?
I think the biggest change is the shift from voice via SMS to data. Nowadays, data is the most important thing for our customers, and 50-70% of operator revenues come from data.
The data explosion is still continuing, and in African countries, it is even amplified by the increase in users, driven by population growth and the affordability of the service. Affordability is another significant change over the last 20 years. If we consider how many people could afford to use mobile services 20 years ago, it was just a fraction of those who can use them now. This is crucial, as many countries—including less developed ones—are striving to digitalize governmental and community services. However, we still have some way to go to bridge the digital divide globally.
Another related change is the emergence of social media. Its influence is unimaginable.
2. What advice would you give to young professionals looking to build a long and successful career in a global company like Nokia?
A big company has lots of departments and policies, but also offers lots of opportunities to expand your experience. So don’t be scared of what might appear complex. You will quickly understand the structures and your interfaces. After settling in, actively explore the opportunities to continuously learn more. Even after 25 years in Nokia, due to the ever developing technology, I take a couple of trainings every week.
3. In what ways has your experience at Nokia shaped your leadership style?
I think I was not very patient and run to conclusions quickly before. In Nokia I have learned to listen, reflect and ask for multiple opinions.
I have never been a promoter of micro management and I like Nokia way of empowering the people who have the best knowledge of the topic to decide.
4. What lessons from your long tenure at Nokia do you believe can benefit the Finnish Business Council?
I can bring in news and trends from the Communication Industry. Communication technology is behind all those data services, which are a must for all of us nowadays.
I have also been working with people from many different cultures. I have lived in 6 countries in 4 continents and as per Nokia style, had colleagues from tens of countries.
5. We understand that you have a passion for running, how do you balance your demanding career with your hobby?
This is easy! I do my running in the morning, as I can manage my morning schedules (go running 1,5 hrs before you need to leave), but not the evening schedules. You never know which customer call or request pops up during the day.
Welcome our new member Sparky / PBE Performance LTD
Sparky® | PBE Performance LTD provides organizations with innovative, technology-enhanced solutions to sustainably improve their performance. Our game-changing solutions elevate an organization’s capability to leverage its visible and latent potential to new levels. We offer high-impact consulting, coaching and SaaS services, including:
From Meeting Madness to Impactful and Efficient Meetings | 52S SaaS
From Peak Performance to Sustainable High Performance in Teams
From Top Leader to High Impact People Leader
Sustainably High-Performing and Productively Thriving Work Community
For more details about how we can cooperate please contact us to:
Psychologist and Founder
Verneri Wirenius
tel. +358 40 821 4824
email: Verneri@sparky.fi
June 2024 Newsletter
Check out the summer deals at Radisson Red for service apartements!
Are you relocating for the summer months? Don't worry about the bills and move to Dubai without hassle.
You are coveRED - stay in fully furnished serviced apartments.
The long-stay apartments here come in studio, 1-bed and 2-bed configurations with access to the hotel’s gym, rooftop pool as well as with 25% off spa treatments and 20% off total bill at RED bars and Jones The Grocer @Radisson RED Dubai Silicon Oasis .
The hotel is also pet-friendly, so your furry friends can stay with you.
Prices:
Studio – AED 7000/month (including taxes, excluding breakfast and Tourist Dirham)
1-bedroom apartment – AED 8000/month (including taxes, excluding breakfast and Tourist Dirham)
2-bedroom apartment – AED 13000/month (including taxes, excluding breakfast and Tourist Dirham)
For more details drop a line to julia.paslyon@radissonred.com
Are you searching for the perfect team to organize your corporate events and host your exhibitions?
Elevate your events with our expertise!
Partner with Finnish Business Council for flawless events and exhibitions that leave a lasting impression. We specialize in professional event organizing and exhibition hosting, bringing a wealth of connections and deep market knowledge to every project we undertake.
Why Choose Us?
Expert Event Organization: We handle every detail, ensuring your event runs smoothly and successfully.
Seamless Exhibition Hosting: We create impactful and memorable exhibition experiences that captivate your audience and highlight your brand.
Customized Solutions: We understand that every company has unique needs and goals. Our tailored services are designed to meet your specific requirements.
Professional Team: With years of experience in event management, we ensure every aspect of your event is executed flawlessly. We speak Finnish, Swedish and English.
Contact:
admin@fbcuae.fi
Welcome our new member IIMC
Impactful Innovations Management Consulting LLC
We provide professional innovative solutions, and unparalleled expertise which help to drive transformative change and shape the future through collaborative partnerships. By offers a wide range of business consulting services, such as:
Market access support to Healthcare, Pharmaceutical Industry, Med and Bio Tech and Diagnostics
Organizational restructuring and manpower development
Growth planning and long-term strategic planning
Channel partners management, development and re-evaluation
Marketing initiatives development
GenAI and future forecasting
For more details about how we can cooperate please contact us to:
CEO and Chairman of the Board
Dr. Marika Crohns
tel. +971 58 518 4358
email: marika@iimc.global
Board Member and Senior Executive
Tariq Abu Rous
tel. +971 50 656 1838
email: tariq@iimc.global
FBC member in the spotlight - Meet Co-founder and CEO of Astute Henrik Mattila-Kuusniemi
1. What is your career background and how did you end up in Dubai?
Most of my career has been in the Defense and Government Services (DGS) industry. I also have extensive experience in logistics and supply chain management, which is closely linked to the DGS sector. I have been calling Dubai home for well over 20 years, although my work and projects have taken me elsewhere as well. Initially, I moved to Dubai to manage business in Iraq and Afghanistan during military missions in those countries. Even then, Dubai was a major hub for our industry, and we wanted to open a regional office here to better support our field operations and clients. Our headquarters were in Monaco, so a regional office in Dubai was a natural choice, being much closer to the mission areas.
2. Can you share a success story where Astute’s skills in challenging location support services really made a difference in a project?
Astute is a fairly new company, initially founded to bring our extensive industry experience to the European market, where more and more defense-related activities are taking place. We also actively support our partner companies in the Horn of Africa region. Due to confidentiality and information security, I cannot share detailed information, but we have been trusted to participate in successful projects, such as supplying a military-grade field hospital to Yemen, air-lifting military equipment to the Lake Chad region, and providing logistical support for emergency food distribution in Central Africa.
3. You have been involved with FBC for many years. What are your thoughts then and now?
Yes, I was fortunate to be elected to the FBC Board more than ten years ago for a couple of terms. Since then, I have continued to follow and, where possible, participate in the events and evolution of the FBC. Both my wife Katriina (who also served on the FBC board some years ago) and I have been very pleased to see the great progress that FBC has achieved. FBC is even more professional today, thanks in large part to the active employed personnel, which I believe has made a significant difference in FBC activities.
4. What has been the best thing about living in the UAE for you and your family?
First of all, the obvious ones: safety and security, good schools, and excellent healthcare facilities. In my view, the UAE, being an international hub and a melting pot of nationalities, cultures, and religions, provides an excellent environment for children to grow up in. Personally, I also value the location’s proximity to Africa, where I grew up and where most of our business is located. Most destinations are just one flight away.
5. How does a perfect day look for you when you are not working?
We are a bit of a workaholic family, so any day will include some work, though in moderation. I very much enjoy taking part in our kids’ sports activities, especially around our rugby club. Friends, food, and drinks are also essential. The perfect day off for me in Dubai includes a brunch, a true Dubai institution. The perfect day off in Finland is during the summer by the lake or the sea
Welcome our new member Radisson RED Dubai
Dive into the vibes of Dubai Silicon Oasis
Discover a refreshingly different way to stay in Dubai’s tech playground at Radisson RED. Located in Dubai Silicon Oasis, our cool spaces are packed with personality. Get comfortable in our stylish hotel with 112 hotel rooms, 59 apartments, OUI Sports Bar, rooftop bar and our own Jones The Grocer.
We're pet-friendly—take your furry friends with you!
Energize with fresh, seasonal food in our vibrant on-site restaurants - OUI Sports Bar, REDRoof (rooftop bar) and our own Jones The Grocer. Chill out at the rooftop pool, fitness center, or over a game of table tennis. With boundless free Wi-Fi and 24-hour food and refreshments, you decide when the party starts and stops.
For meetings and events, choose from 13 indoor and 3 outdoor meeting spaces of total 6500 sq.m including a 600-square-meter multi-purpose space, perfect for throwing epic parties or getting meetings off autopilot.
Contact and reservations:
May 2024 Newsletter
Read it here