Radical Renewal: Turning Your Background into a Competitive Advantage
In the world of business, we often talk about linear progression: climbing the ladder rung by rung, following a predictable stream. But in reality, the most significant shifts often happen when the tide turns unexpectedly, forcing us to decide: do we stay on the shore, or do we jump into the waves?
The Radical Leap
For the past four years, I’ve often said that I’ve become “radicalized” at Growth Collective Finland, where my work focuses on what makes companies scale and how to lead through a culture of radical renewal. For me, this radicalization is about having a unique vantage point to dive deep into the world of Finnish mid-sized companies and becoming passionate about steering the direction of our entire nation. However, my most defining professional shift happened earlier, in a way I could never have planned.
I was comfortably working in change management consulting when I received a surprising call. A company I had worked for years ago during my studies was in crisis and needed someone to lead them through the storm. My primary responsibility during that student project, Design goes Global, had been to pitch the company’s new product collection to the lead buyer of London’s largest department store. Without knowing it then, I was building a bridge of trust and a unique competitive advantage by proving my ability to deliver under pressure on an international stage.
At the time of the call, I was just finishing my parental leave. It would have been safe and easy to return to my familiar consulting role, but instead, I took a “once-in-a-lifetime” leap into the unknown. For three intense years, I navigated that crisis and rebuilt the company from the ground up. The circle was completed in a way I could never have imagined: years after pitching a single collection in London, I found myself pitching the future of the entire company to a group of business angels at Helsinki Design Week. Those three years were incredibly demanding and exhausting. By the end, I felt I couldn’t give another day but the journey was undoubtedly the most transformative experience of my professional life. Every challenge, even the most radical ones, prepared me for the next big wave.
Navigating Change: “Put Yourself Out There”
What did this experience teach me? My absolute mentality has become: Put yourself out there and say yes whenever possible. The reason I was offered that life-changing opportunity was a seed I had planted as a student. They remembered the person who had the “can-do” attitude and the courage to represent a brand on a global stage.
For anyone wondering how to find their place in the Finnish job market, your situation will change the moment you start building bridges. Whether it’s through student organizations, hobby groups, or networking, every interaction is a potential future lead. Finland’s job market can feel hidden, but it is deeply rooted in trust and previous connections. Your unique background is not a hurdle; it is the very bridge that can lead to your next radical renewal.
Diversity as a Superpower
At Growth Collective Finland, we recently published a study titled Vision for Finland’s Growth (2025). Our findings prove that cultural and international backgrounds are not just individual assets; they are essential drivers for business success and innovation. We have seen that investing in creativity is directly linked to a company’s will to grow, and this creativity inherently requires diversity and a multidisciplinary approach within the organization.
Furthermore, diversity is a feature that significantly strengthens the decision-making process within leadership teams, providing a specific, tangible benefit for companies aiming for international markets. Ultimately, the diversity of thought needed for sustainable growth and innovation is best born when there is cultural diversity present within the company and its leadership. In short, Finnish companies need your international perspective to remain creative, resilient, and competitive on a global scale.
Advice for the New Wave
I want to be honest: the “Finnish tide” can feel cold at first. Historically, Finland has not been the easiest environment for international talent to break into, and we still have a long way to go in making our recruitment culture truly inclusive and fair. However, I want to encourage you by sharing that there is a massive, concerted effort happening behind the scenes. Within the wider business community, we are working tirelessly to change these mindsets and ensure that opportunities become more equal for everyone.
Don’t wait for the perfect job posting or a perfect market. Reach out, join projects, and show how your unique perspective can help a company innovate. Your background is a superpower that Finnish companies desperately need to grow. Embrace the change – the tide is turning, and we are working hard to make sure you have the best possible conditions for your swim in the waves!
Writer profile:
- Name: Irene Burmansson Krohn
- Current Position: Growth Lead at Growth Collective Finland
- Studies: M.Sc. (Econ. & Bus. Adm.), University of Eastern Finland
- Thesis Topic “Beneath the Surface of the University of Eastern Finland: A Discourse Analysis of Organizational Identity Following a Merger” (2013)
- Interests: Community development, multi-generationl memory, business biology and nervous system regulation
- Motto: Put yourself out there and say yes whenever possible!
