How Canadian Companies Can Set Up Remote Teams in Finland？

The global tendency towards remote work created numerous opportunities for businesses to tap into an international talent pool. With a vast tech ecosystem in general and gaming industry in particular, Finland presents an attractive destination for Canadian companies seeking to start a remote team there. This guide is aimed at helping Canadian ventures to deploy remote teams in Finland and will underline the benefits offered by outside support, such as an Employer of Record . Below, we will describe why hiring remote employees or forming an offshore team in Finland can be beneficial and offer useful tips for setting up a remote team in this country.

Why Finland is a Great Destination

A Central Player in the Tech Industry

The country provides a fertile ground for tech startups and mature firms in multiple ways. Even though the population of Finland barely exceeds 5.5 million, the country has already introduced a vast number of games that conquered the world, such as Angry Birds developed by Rovio or Clash of Clans or Brawl Stars produced by Supercell. Most recently, the Finish gaming industry secured a revenue of €2.9 billion in 2020. To put it in perspective, there are currently over 3,600 employees working (or rather creating) in this industry.

Time Zones and Vacation Rules

Finland’s time zone is Eastern European Time Zone (EET). This time difference can be seen as an advantage due to the opportunity to overlap working hours with your Canadian team. Vacation rules in the country are also advantageous and progressive, reaching the minimum of five weeks of annual paid leave. This fosters job satisfaction among Finnish employees and boosts their performance.

Considerations for Canadian Business

Cultural and Work Habit Differences

In comparison to the common business culture in Canada, firms, especially in the tech sector, in Finland have more flat organizational structures and empower and trust individual employees to make decisions by themselves.

Hiring Finnish Employees

When hiring Finnish employees, it is important to take into consideration the national preference for transparency and work-life balance. Clearly communicating job descriptions, setting realistic job expectations, and maintaining open channels of communication can be crucial for building trust and improving job satisfaction.

Case study – Metacore Games

Metacore Games is a well-known participant of the Finnish gaming market . As the company’s CTO, Sung-Min Hong explains the differences between the Finnish and Asian projects management. While Asian studios prefer a top-down approach, the international teams and Finnish companies take a more flat, decentralized approach that allows employees to act autonomously and be responsible for their own portion of the work. He also explained the peculiarities of Finnish management regarding retention since in many cases Finnish companies try to keep project performance decisions separate from individual performance evaluation and, thus, employee’s jobs remain secure regardless of the project’s outcome.

Steps to establish a remote team based in Finland

Conduct market research

Before establishing a remote team in Finland, it is necessary to conduct marketing research in order to understand the peculiarities of local talent pools and the business environment in general. Finland can be a relatively good location for establishing a tech business as it is one of the countries that places education and innovation as the number one priority.

Choose an employer of record

If you do not want to spend too much time on managing your work arrangement because you are not in the country, it would be a wise idea to consider an employer of records. Gonex is a good possibility to be your Employer of Records as it will take over all the responsibilities on handling legal issues, payroll payment, and employment in a most compliance way in Finland, facilitating you better care of your team .

Develop a clear onboarding process

A good structured onboarding process in the course of working at a distance is a necessity for integrating a new hire into company culture. Make sure that you provide proper training, resources, and regular check-ins for them to feel right at home. .

Use technology for new alternatives for team collaboration

Use effective communication and project management tools, such as Slack, Zoom and Asana in order to facilitate effective communication and implementation. Such tools as Google Cloud, Slack and Zoom call you can keep in touch with your employees, forgetting about the boundries that the geographical distance deems on you.

Promote inclusivity

Encourage cross-cultural interactions and celebrate diversity to promote inclusivity. Recognizing and respecting cultural difference will create a harmony work environment where employees feel value and felt like their opinion matter.

Monitor and evaluate performance

Observe and evaluate your remote team performance on regular basis to see what area of work of need improving. Make sure you also give constructive feed back and reward their farther like you would have done to your workers in Canadian. Benefits of partnering with GONEX Expertise in local regulations

Benefits of Partnering with Gonex

Expertise in Local Regulations

Gonex’s deep understanding of Finnish labor laws and regulations ensures compliance and minimizes legal risks. Their expertise allows you to focus on strategic initiatives rather than administrative tasks.

Streamlined Payroll and HR Management

Gonex handles payroll processing, tax filings, and HR management, ensuring accuracy and efficiency. This service reduces administrative burdens and ensures timely payments to employees.

Access to a Vast Talent Pool

Leveraging Gonex’s extensive network gives you access to a diverse talent pool, enabling you to find the best candidates for your remote team. Their expertise in talent acquisition ensures you hire individuals who align with your company’s values and objectives.

Conclusion

Creating a remote team in Finland can lead to Canadian venture accrue high productivity and innovation output and technology implementation. Understanding the Finish culture, use of acrement of the new approach to human resource will assist Canadian copes taken their business to global level in the Finish market.

How can you ensure a successful and mutually beneficial partnership? The answer is simple: by embracing the differences and promoting a culture of inclusivity. Therefore, if you are dreaming of expanding your business on a global scale, consider Finland as our next destination for remote teams! With the strong tech background and a lot of top talent, this Nordic country has exactly what your remote team needs to prosper. By trusting our knowledge of this market, you will be able to put all your efforts into building a successful remote team while we deal with legal and administrative matters.

Key Points:

International Staffing Agencies

When considering the expansion of your business globally, partnering with international staffing agencies can streamline the hiring process. These agencies have expertise in navigating the complexities of local labor laws, ensuring compliance and reducing legal risks. By leveraging their extensive networks, companies can access a diverse talent pool, making it easier to find skilled professionals who align with their business needs. For instance, Gonex’s deep understanding of Finnish labor laws and their comprehensive services can facilitate seamless international hiring, enabling Canadian companies to effectively manage their remote teams in Finland.

Best Global Employer of Record

Choosing the best global employer of record (EOR) is crucial for businesses looking to expand internationally without establishing a local entity. An EOR takes on the responsibility of legal compliance, payroll management, and HR tasks, allowing companies to focus on their core activities. Gonex stands out as a top choice due to its expertise in Finnish labor laws and its ability to provide tailored solutions for Canadian companies aiming to set up remote teams in Finland. With Gonex handling administrative tasks, businesses can ensure their operations run smoothly and their remote employees are well-supported.

Tips for Managing a Remote Team

Effectively managing a remote team requires strategic planning and the right tools. Key tips for managing a remote team include establishing clear communication channels, setting realistic expectations, and promoting inclusivity. Utilizing tools like Slack, Zoom, and Asana can enhance collaboration and ensure that team members stay connected despite geographical distances. Additionally, regular check-ins and performance evaluations are essential for maintaining productivity and morale. Gonex’s expertise in international HR management can provide valuable support, ensuring that Canadian companies can manage their remote teams in Finland efficiently and successfully.