"Don't be afraid of starting your own business. It's always worth trying, and even if it fails, you'll get valuable experience", says Piotr Mielcarek encouragingly. A native of Poland, Mielcarek himself took the plunge as an entrepreneur after studying at JAMK University of Applied Sciences.
Managing Director Piotr Mielcarek is a busy man. First, a meeting in Tallinn, then a trade fair in Germany, followed by a trip to Riga and eventually home to Jyväskylä for a meeting with a Polish business partner.
The overflowing diary underlines that the company part-owned by Mielcarek - Horn Wellness Group Finland Oy - is expanding. The company imports, sells and handles the marketing in Finland of Panasonic's health and wellness products, such as blood pressure monitors, electric toothbrushes and massage chairs.
"The model for the business was taken from Poland. An enormous amount of background work had to be done, since we started from absolute zero", says Mielcarek of the company's beginnings in 2006.
He had come to Jyväskylä the previous year to take the Degree Programme in International Business at JAMK University of Applied Sciences.
Mielcarek explains that he came to study with the idea that his future could well lie in Jyväskylä. He had visited Finland previously and developed a liking for the country. Studying on the international degree programme and in a cosmopolitan group of students provided a firm foundation for the leap into entrepreneurship, and Mielcarek had no fear about starting a business in Finland when a Polish friend and entrepreneur suggested it. Mielcarek had already had a business of his own in Poland, so he did not have to start from scratch without experience.
Horn Wellness Group Finland is an international company that trades internationally and has owners in both Finland and Poland.
"When starting the business there was no problem with the paperwork. Everything proceeded rapidly. In contrast we did a lot of hard work to get into partnership with Panasonic", Mielcarek states.
In his view studying on the International Business degree programme boosted his understanding of the basic mechanisms involved in business. He says he obtained a good picture of both the way markets operate and cultural differences in various countries.
"The programme gives students the proper preparation for working in Finland. Companies operating in international markets would benefit from using international students, since they are familiar with the business culture and language in their home country", points out Mielcarek, who has assisted companies in Jyväskylä with an interest in the Polish market.
Mielcarek is familiar with the ins and outs of Finnish business life, which makes him just the right person to provide tips to foreigners planning on doing business in Finland.
"It is vital to be open to Finnish business culture. It pays to take into account how matters are handled in Finland and how to deal with customers here. If you do not speak Finnish, you have to trust the Finns. It is worthwhile asking for help if necessary", says entrepreneur Mielcarek, who himself is studying Finnish.
He sees two sides to the Finnish business world. The market is fairly small and costs higher than in some other countries, but on the other hand Finland offers a high level of security in all areas of life and the number of competitors in many branches is relatively small. Mielcarek emphasises that every country has its own ways of working, and that these have to be learned and accepted.
"The Finnish lunch break bothered me at first, but now I consider it a good thing. It may even boost efficiency on the job. In Poland the corresponding tradition is not so widespread."
The International Business degree programme at JAMK University of Applied Sciences is proving a hit.
In 2008 there were no fewer than 730 applicants for the 40 places on the course. Of those accepted half were Finns and half from other countries, including Russia, China, Germany, France, Ethiopia and the United States.
The Degree Programme in International Business provides students with the skills and knowledge to be successful in international business. The programme consists of project management, teamwork, communication, analytical tools, core business skills and languages. "Basic skills are not enough, there has to be an ability to apply these to practice. Studies focus on current requirements in the business world", says Matti Hirsilä, Head of Department. In the autumn of 2009 the programme will be offering a new area of specialization, Global Operations Management, which examines the business and operating culture of a company active in a number of countries.
Since 2005 students have had the opportunity to specialize in HighTech Management. Subsequent to the three and a half year programme some students have continued their studies at institutions of higher education in other countries, some have remained in Finland to work, and some have returned to their home countries. A few IB students have also set up their own business.
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- Music and Media Management, the only programme of its kind in Finland, offers preparation for graduates seeking employment and early progression within diverse management structures of the international music and media industries.
- Facility Management, which offers the ability to produce customer-oriented facility services related to different business premises, for example, in tourism and hospitality.
- Nursing, aimed at developing expertise in nursing. This programme also provides an opportunity to work in the international health care branch.
- Logistics Engineering, which prepares students for careers in logistics within industry, trade and logistics service businesses. It also provides the opportunity to specialize in the field of aviation logistics.
- International Business, providing students with the skills and knowledge to be successful in global business.
Words by Tommi Salo Photos by Petteri Kivimäki