5 Secrets Nordic Entrepreneurs Have In Their Back Pockets and Why You Should Care - RePost from Linkedin
Xceleration Labs Guest Blog by Mitch de Leon, European Lead. Reprinted from his Linkedin post:
People from both Asia and North America where I used to live and work write to me often and ask about the Nordic "unicorns", start-ups and all the innovation buzz around the Nordics.
Having spent some time working side by side Nordic Entrepreneurs both men and women, CEOs, founders and their teams, I can tell you there is something really special here. You have to also understand that the Nordics is changing and while you think it is a homogenous mix of typically blond fellows, this isn't the case here. Cognitive, gender and ethnic diversity is alive and well in the Nordics.
I wrote recently that folks in the Nordics simply "Get Shit Done".
Here's 5 Secrets Nordic Entrepreneurs Have In Their Back Pockets and Why You Should Care:
1. Nordic Entrepreneurs are Laser-Focused. Once they've identified a big problem to solve, worked out their access to decision-makers, they seem to be able to streamline a lot of their processes and be singularly-focused. This is apparent in the very early stages of their formation, growth and eventual rocket-ship trajectory.
2. They GET-SHIT-DONE quietly and efficiently. People will point you to
Jantelagen (Law of Jante). I don't think they give a hoot about that. There is little desire to draw attention to themselves and care about what other people think. It's ingrained that they have to do quality work and spend time with their family. They want to have a life. The majority of Entrepreneurs I have worked with have deep sense of integrity i.e. doing the right thing even if no one is looking.
3. Consensus doesn't slow them down. Once Entrepreneurs find the right team members their strategy isn't about making elaborate plans, often their strategy is about their core beliefs. Once everyone is aligned, they do work efficiently, effectively and in tight unison and with consensus often at warp speed.
4. They care (period). It's not just empathy or social sensitivity. They care about their employees, customers, the environment and the good of humanity.
5. Shieldmaidens. You've heard about the Vikings and the Viking mentality. The burning of the viking ships to get them to be focused on the task -- that part is true. What you probably have not heard too much about are Shieldmaidens. They were women who are chosen to fight as warriors. There is little doubt in my mind that the Women Entrepreneurs from the Nordics shall be the leaders of tomorrow. While the corporate world has only 3% penetration in Sweden at least, I am seeing more women led entrepreneurial teams in the Nordics -- I see this in Asia as well but the Nordic women like their Asian counterparts are fearless, uber-Smart, creative and most importantly they really really care. Historical accuracy of Shieldmaidens may be hard to prove but in my mind Shieldmaidens are reincarnated in spirit through women I have worked with here. Personally, I am biased. I grew up with 8 sisters and a University professor mom who had a PhD and an MBA while raising 10 kids. I am comfortable working with strong, independent and smart women. Perhaps, you didn't grow up in that environment and may not be ready for this paradigm and reality.
Nordic women are poised to change the world. In truth and in fact, in a technology laden world, where computers might outsmart us like Cylons, I personally think a Shieldmaiden mom will discover how to make computers more human.
You should care because while Nordic Entrepreneurs don't purposefully set out to eat your lunch, they probably will if you don't take notice.
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