Business Finland

Successful change with the help of coaching and knowledge-based management

A continuously changing organisation takes care of its functionality and employees by investing in change management. Through change coaching and measurement, Business Finland was able to establish a common language for change and re-organise itself as required by the new law.

OBJECTIVE

Turning change into an inspiring experience

Business Finland is a Finnish public-sector organisation that provides innovation funding and internationalisation services and promotes tourism and investments in Finland. Its operational environment is constantly changing, which requires good change management, monitoring change implementation and adapting to changes.

“The legislative amendment meant significant changes to our work processes and staff roles. We wanted to learn more about change management methods and establish a common language to implement these changes. Our goal was to turn the change into a positive and inspiring experience for as many people as possible,” says Laura Ylä-Sulkava, Executive HR Director at Business Finland.

The aim was to grow the change capabilities of the management, managers and the entire organisation of Business Finland. Furthermore, Business Finland wanted to ensure regular monitoring of employee experiences in change management so that the organisation could react in a timely manner and identify the required measures during changes.

SOLUTION

Engage, listen and be open

Gofore’s change management coaching began with a sparring path for the senior management, followed by four coaching paths for 60 managers and shorter coaching for all employees. These different target groups were taken into account and provided with targeted content. For the senior management, the focus was on clarifying the direction, for the middle management it was on working under pressure and other employees focused on developing their own change capabilities.

The change was monitored in real time using the Celkee Insight measurement tool. Its data was utilised in change management and in the development of a communication plan and methods. It led to the adoption of short info sessions in change communication, which received good feedback.

The employees could also use the measurement tool to leave comments for the management to answer. This communication channel provided the necessary transparency and openness in the midst of the change initiated by the new law.

“I appreciate how well Gofore facilitated the coaching and got people involved. Their coaching sessions were concise and well-prepared, but they also took our organisation’s situation into account and provided sufficient room for manoeuvring”, says Ylä-Sulkava.

I appreciate how well Gofore facilitated the coaching and got people involved. Their coaching sessions were concise and well-prepared, but they also took our organisation's situation into account and provided sufficient room for manoeuvring.

Laura Ylä-Sulkava / Executive HR Director, Business Finland

END RESULT

An organisation ready for change and success

Change coaching and measurement helped Business Finland organise itself as required by the new law.

“We learned a lot about the methods of human-centric change management, which was also our goal. We received tools for managing both ourselves and change, and we were able to establish a common language. This proved to be incredibly valuable to us when involving people from different backgrounds. Confronting the change would have been far more painful without Gofore’s help”, says Laura Ylä-Sulkava.

Another valuable contribution of the project was peer support, which eased the mental burden of the change journey. Co-operation also makes it easier for Business Finland to welcome future changes, which is vital for an organisation that is constantly changing, according to Ylä-Sulkava.

Confronting the change would have been far more painful without Gofore's help.

Laura Ylä-Sulkava

Business Finland is a hybrid made up of two organisations: the Innovation Funding Agency Business Finland and Business Finland Ltd. The responsibilities of these two organisations were specified as a result of the legislative amendment that entered into force in 2023.

Project highlights

Challenge

The aim was to support Business Finland during the changes imposed by the new law by developing the organisation’s change capabilities. Furthermore, Business Finland wanted to ensure regular monitoring of employee experiences in change management so that the organisation could react in a timely manner and identify the required measures during changes.

Solution

The change management coaching began with a sparring path for the senior management, followed by four coaching paths for managers and shorter coaching for employees. Each target group was taken into account and provided with targeted coaching content. The Celkee Insight measurement tool was used in the real-time monitoring of the change and to develop a communication plan and methods.

Result

Change coaching and measurement helped Business Finland organise itself as required by the new law. The organisation was given the tools and insight to manage change, and a common language for change was established as well as opportunities for peer support. As a result, Business Finland is now ready to welcome future changes as well.

Important figures

6 conducted employee pulse surveys
3 coaching paths carried out (management, managers and employees)
237 people signed up for employee workshops

Expertise

The skills & competences utilised in the project

Change management
Development of change capabilities
Celkee Insight change measurement

Get in touch

Ville Suvanto

Digital Society

ville.suvanto@gofore.com

+358 40 765 6158

You might also be interested in these success stories

FINAVIA