Scandinavian Business Awards 2023 EdTech Company of the Year 2023 - Nordics Maria Bauer is an award-winning violence expert who has spent 20 years training in approach towards aggression and conflict management. She has over 30 years of experience in the legal, care, and social care sectors. Alongside sociologist and criminologist, Axel Fors, she founded Framvik in 2017, an education and innovation company developing a ground-breaking VR software called D-escalator, which provides training in conflict management. With great interest from Swedish media and a great number of clients. D-escalator has also been appreciated abroad and tried out of the judiciary in New York and Austria.
EU Business News proudly presents the return of the Scandinavian Business Awards in 2023! For a third consecutive year we celebrate the outstanding achievements and unrelenting resilience of the broad plethora of Scandinavian businesses! Norway, Sweden and Denmark continue to show strength when faced with economic obstacles. As several doors of opportunity closed, the three nations found ways to open new ones. When the vitally important tourism and labour sectors faced challenges, Scandinavian businesses harnessed existing technology and capitalised on their ability to develop new innovations. As one of the most digitally competitive global regions, it is no surprise that technology has helped Scandinavia to maintain stability. Additionally, 2022 marked the end of pandemic restrictions in these countries, providing hope for the future of Scandinavia’s less digitally focused sectors. As an influx of international tourists emerges once again, eager to explore this region’s profound beauty and rich culture, a major component of Scandinavian economies begins its restoration. Equally, the removal of cross-border complications has increased labour market mobility between the region’s constituent nations. There is no doubt that with Scandinavia’s continuous ingenuity and robust work ethic, its economies will go on to thrive in the coming years. Sofi Parry, Senior Editor Website: www.business-news.eu Scandinavian Business Awards 2023 AI Global Media, Ltd. (AI) takes reasonable measures to ensure the quality of the information on this web site. However, AI will not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, correctness or completeness of any information that is available through this web site. If errors are brought to our attention, we will try to correct them. The information available through the website and our partner publications is for your general information and use and is not intended to address any particular finance or investment requirements. In particular, the information does not constitute any form of advice or recommendation by us or any of our partner publications and is not intended to be relied upon by users in making or refraining from making any investment or financial decisions. Appropriate independent advice should be obtained before making any such decision. Any arrangement made between you and any third party named in the site is at your sole risk and responsibility.
4. Framvik: EdTech Company of the Year 2023 - Nordics 8. DUFFBEAUTY: Beauty Brand of the Year 2023 - Denmark 10. PayRule: Payroll Management Experts of the Year 2023 - Sweden 12. Travelport: Most Innovative Worldwide Travel Retail Platform 2023 - Scandinavia 14. Passage2Pro AB: Global Executive Coach of the Year 2023 (Sweden): Tina Persson 16. Podbike AS: Most Innovative Urban Mobility Company 2023 17. Learn To Move AB: Best Children's Healthcare Education & Consultancy Firm 2023 18. CultureCatch: Best Team Building Company for Culturally Diverse Teams 2023 19. The Oslo Desk: Leading Online Journalist Magazine 2023 20. Surfaced A/S: Best Floor & Surface Design Company 2023 - Denmark 21. Svenskt Kött: Best Circular Food Production Knowledge Platform 2023 22. Trontveit ApS: Best Hair Care Products Distributor 2023 - Europe 23. RightHub ApS: Scandinavian Legal Tech Company of the Year 2023 24. AGICON ApS: Leading Innovators in Ferry Port Automation 2023 - Europe 25. Norlyk Destilleri Aps: Gin & Rum Distillery of the Year 2023 - Denmark Contents
4. No one should have to encounter violence at work, however, reports of threats and violence against staff in social services are on the increase. According to the Lloyd’s Register Foundation World Risk Poll, all five Nordics nations are among the top ten countries where individuals experience violence and harassment at work: Finland (48%), Iceland (42%), Denmark (42%), Norway (42%), and Sweden (37%). It is also found that women are more likely than men to experience abuse while working in customer-facing sectors. While threats and violence in the workplace are unfortunately becoming more common, they can also be difficult to EdTech Company of the Year 2023 - Nordics Maria Bauer is an award-winning violence expert who has spent 20 years training in approach towards aggression and conflict management. She has over 30 years of experience in the legal, care, and social care sectors. Alongside sociologist and criminologist, Axel Fors, she founded Framvik in 2017, an education and innovation company developing a groundbreaking VR software called D-escalator, which provides training in conflict management. With great interest from Swedish media and a great number of clients. D-escalator has also been appreciated abroad and tried out of the judiciary in New York and Austria. Framvik is no stranger to praise. Now seeing success within the Scandinavian Business Awards 2023, we learn more about this cutting-edge technology and how it can transform the workplace. Apr23524 deal with. It can cause one’s subconscious stress response to kick in, where they may freeze or feel a need to fight or escape. With the help of virtual reality, it is possible to retrain your brain to not fall into that fight or flight response, but to shut down the situation before it can escalate to violence. Maria Bauer has a behavioral science degree and is a trained advisor, author, and Sweden’s leading lecturer in professional approach, treatment of threats and violence in the workplace. She has trained more than 200,000 people in Scandinavia, and for more than 20 years, has been trying to raise the question of how to treat and respond to violence and threat, and she has successfully got it on the agenda. Maria is an international violence expert and board member of UN Women Sweden, with Framviks’ edtech solution, D-escalator being an extension of her lifelong work against violence. She is joined at Framvik by co-founder, Axel Fors, who is a trained social worker with a Master of Arts in Criminology. He has worked at The National Board of Forensic Medicine and the Swedish Prison and Probation Service with violence prevention, as well as participated in various studies on the treatment of addiction and violent crime. Axel educates and supervises staff in fields such as social work, judiciary, healthcare, and welfare. Axel and Maria have come together to create the innovative D-escalator technology, which is an entirely one-ofits-kind and pioneering concept designed for employees working in sectors such as police, social services, private care, education, retail, hospital, security, and more. Also playing an ongoing key role in the software’s development is a team of 20 experts whose specialisms extend from medicine and behavioral science to criminology, law, and economics. This is in addition to civil engineers, 3D artists, and programmers. The mission for the whole team is to contribute to creating peaceful and inclusive societies, with an ultimate goal to end violence in the world. “We are unlike every other edtech, putting knowledge about violence before everything else. Our VR training is the perfect solution to give the user experience-based knowledge. But the solution is not the most important thing; the mission is. We have ground-breaking technology that is unique.”
5. EdTech Company of the Year 2023 - Nordics D-escalator is an efficient and modern solution which enables staff to learn stress reduction and management in a completely new way, giving them the opportunity to practice and improve on their responses to threatening behaviour. The content of this training is based on science and Maria’s long and successful efforts in preventing and managing conflicts, threats, and violence. Since the beginning, Framvik has placed great importance on research and development, working hard to ensure the solution is adapted to suit the client’s needs each and every time. Together with the customer, Framvik can develop realistic scenarios that are relevant to the client’s working environment and physical conditions, tailoring it to their employees’ experiences of violence at work. D-escalator provides an evidence-based education that is engaging, effective, and appealing to all ages. When using this technology, the individual will enter an exact copy of their workplace and be met with an angry and frustrated avatar who will respond to their behaviour. If they act in the wrong way, for example, by behaving arrogant or disinterested, the avatar will become more aggressive. If the user is calm, then the avatar will also calm down. In the worst case, the VR situation can escalate and result in violence, or “game over”. One employee working in dementia care who has used D-escalator provided her feedback: “So fun to see and try one of Framvik’s newest VR scenarios, where I, as an employee at a special residence for people with dementia diagnoses, meet the upset, confused, and most likely scared man, Tage, who does not want to have his bandage changed. “Practicing in realistic environments the scenarios that often arise when you meet people who are feeling stress and fear strengthens the ability to manage your own reactions and maintain a low affective response.” She continues, “I have now followed Maria Bauer and her team’s work with the VR tool, D-escalator for several years and have seen many scenarios emerge that are created for different types of activities such as schools, social services, elderly care, and more. It is my firm belief that the more employees who can be equipped with the knowledge and resources to deal with people in a low affective way, the greater the chance of reducing the number of violent interventions. A win for all parties!” Framvik’s VR training can pose a variety of benefits for companies and create sustainable workplaces. By supporting staff to handle violent situations, it can make them feel more confident when it comes to diffusing them and enhance their customer service skills. It can
6. enhance their expertise in what triggers and calms customers and patients. As a result of knowing how to deal with hostile behavior in the correct way, employees may feel happier to stay working at the company, and reduce the amount of sick leave they take. A notable example of organisations making use of D-escalator has been a shelter for victims of violence. Framvik tailored the VR solution for use by private and public sector teams who come into contact with those experiencing domestic violence. This enables employees to gain increased knowledge and understanding in order to support individuals who need their help. Meanwhile, Södertälje Hospital was the first hospital in Sweden to test D-escalator, an investment that it made to equip its staff for the increasingly demanding work environment, where relatives of patients have been showing threatening behaviour towards healthcare staff more and more. “It feels real and you get stressed,” comments one nurse after having a go at using the VR technology, where she experienced being scolded by a man whose mother was being cared for. Another exciting project developed by Framvik has been for Sahlgrenska University Hospital, with the purpose of training its adult psychiatry staff to deal with patients who become violent. Framvik’s VR scenarios are used in several studies at the hospital in emergency healthcare, psychiatry, and forensic psychiatry. D-escalator’s capabilities go beyond dealing with abuse, though; it can be adapted to a range of different situations, including schools, supporting educational teams to spot mental illness in children and young people early on. Framvik runs an innovative VR project with Matthew School in the Norrköping municipality, the idea behind this being that teachers and teaching assistants can step into a realistic situation and learn how to identify when a student is struggling with their mental health and how to respond to them. The client says, “A reason we have chosen to work with the Framvik scenario is that the employees can be educated on their own or in small groups in the workplace. VR training does not require special trainers who come out and maintain equipment and training. Very effective and resourceful.” Framvik’s offering doesn’t end with D-escalator, either. Maria also offers a variety of training options that can be adapted to the client’s needs, including education on how to face threats and violence, an in-depth training package for the management of conflict and threatening behaviour, and training and advice for management on preventing conflicts and motivating employees to strive in the same direction. And those who have attended her lectures and training can’t say enough positive things about their experience. One person shares, “Maria is an amazing person. Knowledgeable, warm, funny, and smart. Her lectures on difficult subjects are enchanting. She challenges the subjects in an exciting way. Go Maria!” Another person comments, “Straight forward, honest, knowledgeable, absolutely fantastic! She inspired us to want to know more, to read more, to study more, to be better. Super!” Also pleased, someone else says, “Maria does not allow the difficulty of the subject stand in her way, and instead she uses her problem solving talents and throws herself straight into the heart of the problem, pinpointing the concerns and finding the solutions.” Ultimately, it’s easy to see how Framvik has come to be named EdTech Company of the Year 2023 – Nordics, with its offering Photography by Anna Lauridsen.
7. EdTech Company of the Year 2023 - Nordics nothing short of extraordinary. Led by experts, Maria Bauer. Framvik couldn’t be better positioned for success and for changing the working lives of so many by making them feel safer and happier while doing their job. We’re excited about the inevitably bright future ahead of Framvik and what else it has in store for the world of VR! Company: Framvik Contact: Maria Bauer Email: [email protected] Website: www.framvik.com
8. Apr23491 Beauty Brand of the Year 2023 - Denmark Born from the minds of two brilliant Iranian sisters who held an absolute adoration for beauty, DUFFBEAUTY is now heralded as the leading beauty brand within Denmark. It is 100% self-funded, and has managed to garner an immense amount of success despite its humble beginnings, and is now sold in over 400 stores throughout Scandinavia. Among which are notable names such as Sephora, Iyko, and Matas, who clearly understand just how special DUFFBEAUTY is. And, with its increasing popularity and online presence, it’s guaranteed that we’ll be seeing more of it in additional stores in the future. Developed as a means to give people the opportunity to spend a little more time on themselves, and indulge in the joy that such a sensation brings, DUFFBEAUTY provides a wide variety of products, each replicating the salon experience from the comfort of your own home. Despite the professional impression that the products give, DUFFBEAUTY has managed to strike the perfect balance between ease of application and achieving flawless results. This is, in part, thanks to its cosmetics’ outstanding quality, but also due to its resolve to deliver innovative products that can be worn by anyone who loves all things beauty. Its specialty Extended Lash Collection, however, is the real showstopper among its myriad of cosmetics. Developed to be an alternative to eyelash extensions, Extended Lash exists as a way for anyone to enjoy longer lashes, whilst still appreciating a natural result. Regardless of the effect you’re wanting, there are a variety of options for customers to choose from, each as enjoyable to apply as one another. And, above all else, Extended Lash intends to deliver a gentle and easy application and removal process, whilst maintaining a gorgeous and sultry effect. And, if you’re a stranger to applying eyelashes, DUFFBEAUTY has a collection of tutorial videos and step-by-step instructions to assist you in getting the A salon experience is always lovely, but what if you could bring that experience into your own home? Specialising in makeup, nail, and eyelash products that’re reminiscent of popular salon treatments, DUFFBEAUTY has manufactured a way to recreate a professional effect from your personal makeup bag. We take a peek into DUFFBEAUTY’s wide array of products, and how it’s managed to set the standard of beauty brands throughout Denmark. perfect result. It encourages patience, and insists that the key to an enjoyable makeup application is time, care, and gentle attention, and this is reflected through each and every one of its tips and tricks. You can’t rush beauty, and DUFFBEAUTY is at the forefront of promoting this message throughout its online presence. Of course, Extended Lash isn’t DUFFBEAUTY’s only star-studded product. As well as false eyelashes, DUFFBEAUTY presents an insight into giving yourself salon-like nails without having to spend a fortune. Its Instant Pro Press-On Manicure nails replicate the look and feel of a traditional gel nail manicure, all whilst producing lasting loveliness that’s simply unbeatable. Made from only the highest quality materials that are able to miraculously mimic the texture and durability of a real gel manicure, these little wonders hold the potential to completely transform your nails at half the price of a salon manicure. However, if you’re looking for a style that can be used again and again, its Reusable Press-On Nails are a must-have. These nails have the capability to be applied multiple times throughout their lifetime, given proper treatment and care, whilst still maintaining their initial out-of-the-box beauty. As a result, if you find a style you like that fits your aesthetic, you can continue rake in those compliments without ever having to dish out your earnings on refreshing your nails at a salon. Additionally, DUFFBEAUTY’s range of eye products spans an incredible lineup whose worth is simply impossible to deny. It’s mastered the art of self-care in a way that’s genuinely heartwarming to witness, and allows for any individual who holds beauty close to their hearts to empower themselves through its products. Whether you’re using DUFFBEAUTY’s renowned mascara, or applying eyeliner with its award-winning and innovative stamping pen, you’ll be treating yourself to a luxury makeup experience each and every time. Contact: Nadia Jun Company: DUFFBEAUTY Web Address: https://duffbeauty.dk/
Beauty Brand of the Year 2023 - Denmark Its award-winning formulas never miss the mark, and it’s clear to see through the application process of each of its masterfully crafted cosmetics. What adds to DUFFBEAUTY’s admirable brand, however, is its incredibly concise team. Comprised of only 10 people, it represents a potent mix of wonderfully skilled individuals, each with very diverse lifestyles and cultures. And with 4 out of 10 members of the staff having diagnoses spanning from Aspergers to ADHD and Autism, it’s managed to encourage an understanding workplace that allows staff to discover what workload works for them. As a result, the internal culture is one that the brand is immensely proud of, and fosters creativity and productivity in an inspiring way. DUFFBEAUTY has a proven track record of brilliance, and it’s clear to see that it’s a result of the plentiful passion of two sisters who love makeup. It’s a dream that’s come true, and serves to provide members of the beauty community with the means to spoil themselves, without having to break the bank. Its mission to uplift those who love makeup has come to life before our very eyes, and we genuinely can’t wait to see what this brilliant brand will bring to the beauty world next.
10. When running a company, no matter its size, payroll processing is a time-consuming task that, thanks to technology’s advances, no longer needs to be. Many companies in Scandinavia are realising that outsourcing their payroll function can bring forward some great benefits. It makes available digital systems which are accurate, efficient, and help reduce costs. Founded in 2015, PayRule is a cloud-based payroll and HR software provider based in Stockholm, Sweden. It offers various services, including payroll, time and attendance tracking, and HR management. It has automation capabilities, so it is able to calculate taxes, deductions, and generate payslips. PayRule provides solutions that help increase confidence within the workplace, increase employee motivation, and control numbers and results. The software is user-friendly and customisable, allowing users to tailor the payroll and HR processes to their unique needs. This means it is scalable making it suitable for small and large businesses. Currently, PayRule has clients with 5-1500 employees. Most of its clients are engaged in restaurant operations, biometrics, technology, construction, and staffing but it has experience in several more industries. PayRule aims to simplify the payroll and HR processes for businesses as it can leave room for them to focus on their core operations. This can lead to a significant increase in revenue given that they have more time to invest in profitable areas of their business. PayRule is much more than just a service provider, it is a partnership – and everyone in the company benefits from this. When it comes to its clients’ employees, it has a mobile app so they can access their payroll and HR information from anywhere, at any time. It features time tracking, vacation requests, and expense tracking. Payroll Management Experts of the Year 2023 - Sweden With over 100 years of experience in payroll processing, PayRule offers its expertise to customers all over the world. It assists companies, employees, and organisations with labour law matters so they have a safer, happier, and more secure payroll process. Here we find out more about the company as it is recognitised in the Scandinavian Business Awards 2023. May23065 “We carry the backbone of PayRule with us in every step we take – proactivity, responsibility, professional pride, integrity, development, and team spirit. Coaching and self-leadership are part of our everyday life." PayRule’s experts successfully manage systems and operations, they are highly skilled and talented individuals that are supportive and collaborative. If something needs fixing, the team will make the necessary adjustments to ensure that clients are getting exactly what they need. Employees at all levels can reach them on a daily basis via chat, phone, or email. Managers always have useful information directly from its tools, as well as support and advice from PayRule’s team, which includes help with budgeting personnel costs. Having access to knowledgeable professionals is incredibly valuable for any company as dealing with complex regulations that are often changing can be confusing and stressful. In order to deliver the needed support for its users, PayRule’s consultants are continuously going through training to best support clients. Additionally, they follow the changes in regulations and laws to ensure that they are following them accordingly. Having a second pair of eyes that are monitoring these shifts provides companies with peace of mind that enables them to focus on other areas that can help elevate their business. The company’s internal culture is a positive environment where its employees are more than colleagues, but also friends. Working within a team where everyone celebrates and supports each other makes room for great things to happen. They are able to work together seamlessly, communicate effectively, and achieve goals as a team. PayRule’s Founder, Micaela Strindlund affirms, “We are proud of our team and the positive culture we have created. We believe that this culture is the foundation of our success and will continue to drive us forward in the future.” Committed to its clients, PayRule easily adapts to the changes that are needed to better its services. The dedication to improving and delivering great solutions for its users has led PayRule to receive the title of Management Experts of the Year 2023 – Sweden. It has helped companies make their payroll management the best it has ever been while also improving their employer brand. For example, a client shares, "PayRule has been a fantastic help and asset for Indiska in several rounds. They have supported us with modernising and structuring our payroll process and stepped in and helped with recruitment gaps. They always deliver top service for our staff in stores and at headquarters in Sweden as well as for our employees in Norway. The possibility of being able to manage salaries for several countries and collective agreements at the same time is a huge advantage and security for us." The future holds exciting new adventures for PayRule as it is looking to expand its customer base by reaching out to new markets and demographics. It believes that its services can be of great benefit to a range of individuals and businesses, and it wants to make sure that those who need its services have access to them. If you are interested in its services, head over PayRule’s website to get a free quote on your individual needs and discover a new way to manage your business’ finances with PayRule. Contact: Micaela Strindlund Company: PayRule Web Address: https://payrule.se/ “You get the skills you need when you need them all year round.”
11.
Jul22546 12. In an industry that’s overly complex, it can sometimes be difficult to find a way to efficiently navigate the latest changes whilst trying to remain as steadfast and helpful for your customers as possible. Travelport recognised this all-toocommon pattern, and sought to develop a solution – to simplify a complicated industry that it holds incredibly dear to its heart. But, instead of simply reorganising pre-existing retailing structures by adding new merchandising features, Travelport has taken the initiative and strives to invent new solutions to help agents deliver a modern, more effective retailing experience. This is accomplished through Travelport’s agility and flexibility when it comes to the travel industry. It recognises that the opportunity for change is constant, and places itself on equal footing with these changes as they arise. In fact, Travelport is unique in its mindset towards change – it doesn’t wait for it to occur, but actively looks to forge a new path forward in innovative and effective ways. As a result, Travelport places a resounding focus on connecting buyers and sellers of travel through a single, independent marketplace, all as part of the journey to reinvent the travel retailing sector through a masterful application of advanced technology. Its retailing platform, Travelport+, give the industry the power to help people see the world, and its partnerships with air companies like American Airlines, Lufthansa, Emirates, and Air France KLM, as well as its connections with hotel brands such as Marriott and Hilton, stand as a testament to this. While Travelport’s most powerful tool is undeniably its Travelport+ platform, it is important to note that Travelport+ is the only travel retailing platform built for agencies to empower them as modern retailers and uplift the industry to new heights.. From agencies and TMCs, to online booking tools and travellers themselves, Travelport+ encompasses everything that travel retailers need to enhance and modernise the experiences of searching, booking and managing travel. As explained by a representative that we spoke with whilst compiling this article, Travelport+ acts as a way of “…working with the entire industry to gather feedback on technology and accelerate innovation, elevate customer voices, and share the most valuable insights”. Travelport is able to provide such services through a wholly collaborative effort designed to engage with travel agents throughout the world, and its reach is already impressively expansive. Most Innovative Worldwide Travel Retail Platform 2023 - Scandinavia Times are changing, and with it comes the need for travel agencies to rethink the way they approach retailing and customer experiences. Though there’s a wide array of opportunities available through a myriad of technology companies, it’s essential to partner alongside a travel technology provider who’s determined to stay ahead of the curve. One incredibly noteworthy travel retailing technology is Travelport, a renowned company who’s at the forefront of pioneering change within the industry in ways that have never been seen before. This is no doubt thanks to the brilliant team behind Travelport. Comprised of experienced travel professionals who are adept in working alongside partners to create industry changing technological solutions, Travelport’s team has accomplished astounding feats that have truly reinvented the wheel when it comes to travel retailing technology. And with a long list of partners ranging from travel agencies and leisure specialists, to airlines and rail providers, it’s mastered the art of modernising technology to suit the overwhelming demand present in the current industry. Throughout the last year alone, Travelport has taken even wider strides towards spearheading change. Not only has it launched a multitude of product releases, each in tune with the current needs of agents and partners from all walks of life, but it’s been able to consistently evolve the Travelport+ platform at the same time. This has resulted in some of the most impactful innovation that the industry has seen, all whilst it maintains a tight focus on who it initially set out to assist. When discussing the future of Travelport+, Jen Catto, CEO at Travelport, had this to say: “This next phase of our Travelport+ evolution is all about making our next-generation travel marketplace work and feel more like the Internet, with more selfservice and automation, so that our customers can activate their own modern digital retailing experiences… We’re also expanding on NDC capabilities with our partners, to go above and beyond the ability to just book NDC content by really improving how flights are shopped, sold, and serviced, with new add-ons, paid seats, and bag opportunities.” Travelport truly is wholeheartedly focused on delivering the best possible services to its partners, and this is incredibly evident through its Productivity Automator tool. The development of this invaluable asset has provided agents with a means to complete their manual tasks in far more efficient and manageable ways. The Productivity Automator gives customers more time to focus on advising travellers and upselling for suppliers, and has already resulted in 14% of overall time being saved on manual tasks within the working day. Additionally, as if the Productivity Automator tool wasn’t impressive enough, Travelport+ has since broadened its reach to introduce a modernised self-service kit of tools for agency customers and developers, including a completely redesigned MyTravelport developer portal. This portal was designed with modern travel retailers in mind, and offers useful support in the I Contact: Peter Cramon Company: Travelport Web Address: https://www.travelport.com/ May23258
13. form of knowledge-based searches and online community connections. This all results in every Travelport user gaining access to a sped up digital support journey that’s simply essential in today’s era. Within Scandinavia, technology is constantly advancing. There isn’t a day that goes by where technology isn’t taking a step forward towards the future. Travelport is the only tech company, however, that’s investing in empowering agencies to become their best selves, and is heralded as the best possible choice for any of your travel retailer needs. Its innovative platforms and streamlined services act as an invaluable asset for any travel agent. Travelport knows how its partners think, what matters to them, and what they think is necessary to excel their company, and utilises this knowledge to provide a platform that’s never going to lose its use. It’s a timeless strategy forged from the brilliant minds of the most experienced members of the travel industry, and with ambitious plans for the future, there’s no doubt that Travelport is Scandinavia’s best travel retail platform. Most Innovative Worldwide Travel Retail Platform 2023 - Scandinavia
14. Global Executive Coach of the Year 2023 (Sweden): Tina Persson May23002 With over 25 years of experience, Passage2Pro founder Tina Persson combines an academic and corporate career as a global ICF coach, author, and keynote speaker. She is a force to be reckoned with in the realms of executive, leadership, and team coaching, as well as an expert on how to thrive in your life and career. She empowers individuals and organisations to meet future challenges imposed by the technological shift impacted by AI. Typical topics Tina covers include: the power of emotional intelligence in leadership; the importance of effective communication in leadership; navigating change and uncertainty – the power of adaptability; and developing a growth mindset for career success. Tina founded Passage2Pro based on her own experience of finding herself unemployed, after 25 years in academia. She has published over 25 scientific articles specialising in cutting-edge RNA aptamers and catalytic RNAs. Her publications can be found in PubMed under the names Tina Persson and RNA. “My value stems from my experience of feeling alone and lost after leaving academia. It took me several years to discover myself and harness my inner power as a positive force.” Tina spent over six years at the Max-Planck Institute in Germany, and upon returning to Sweden established her research group. After some time, however, she realised that academic leadership and its environment were unhealthy, and this is what prompted her to make her leap. Little did she know how difficult it would be, though. She experienced times feeling misunderstood, isolated, and even fell ill during her journey. But it was during her darkest moments that her dream actually began to take shape. She realised she wanted to create a company to help and support others going through similar situations. She began by training herself to adapt to new circumstances, and working on overcoming her fear of failure by shifting her mindset. Instead, she focused on new opportunities, and becoming less critical of herself, both of which were crucial factors when it came to devising Passage2Pro. Dr. Tina Persson is the CEO at Passage2Pro, an educational coaching company that delivers services on a global scale. Its business model has been recently transformed to contend with the upcoming digitalisation process and the impact of AI, whilst continuing to encourage individuals to have personal hope for the future. These are values that continue to drive Tina as she leads her company today, and encompass transforming her biggest fear into motivation, taking risks, and embracing change. Passage2Pro offers a unique blend of services; operating in the global market; serving individuals; assisting many different nationalities. It recognises the significance of cultural differences, diversity, and inclusion in nurturing the next generation of leaders, and building effective teams in an AI-driven, rapidly changing world. The company is certified in advanced assessment tools including Emotional Intelligence and Adaptability. It also uses more traditional measurements, enabling it to offer comprehensive insights and support for individuals. It concentrates on helping professionals in the fields of Life Science, Biotech, Engineering, and IT across different levels in SMEs, corporate organisations, and academia. Passage2Pro AB stands out from the rest by providing end-to-end support and guiding professionals from academia to positions within industry. This unique perspective allows it to bridge the gap between academia and the corporate world, whilst aiming to stay at the forefront of emerging trends, and ensure it remains a trusted resource in the field. “Ultimately, resisting change is not an option if one wishes to thrive in the market.” Current market trends in the industry are predominantly characterised by the rapid implementation and influence of digitalisation, and the introduction of AI. An example is ChatGPT, which was relatively unknown before November 2022. Leading companies are incorporating AI tools into their business models, resulting in significant changes in work processes and the potential disappearance of jobs. On the bright side, this transformation will also generate numerous new job opportunities. The workforce must actively upskill and adapt to evolving circumstances to keep up with these changes. Having a coach during this transformative process will prove to be a winning strategy since seeking assistance, embracing re-learning, and adapting to the circumstances are essential skills for the Company: Passage2Pro AB Web Address: www.passage2pro.com Contact Name: Dr. Tina Persson
future. In the coming year, there will be a vast demand for upskilling and adaptation at all organisational levels, ranging from executives and middle managers to expert professionals. Those who fail to transfer and adapt will struggle to survive in the fiercely competitive market. Passage2Pro is based in Malmö, southern Sweden, which offers several advantages to its staff. Malmö is part of the Copenhagen Metropolitan, which includes Skåne and Copenhagen itself. In essence, this region provides the best of both worlds as it’s both close to the continent but maintains the charm and atmosphere of a small town. In Malmö, everything is easily accessible by bike, but the sea is on the doorstep, and the heart of Copenhagen is less than an hour’s travel away. Dr. Tina Persson feels as though she is, in effect, running two teams on a daily basis. The first is to support the Passage2Pro initiative, while the second is to help her coordinate a volunteer project called PhD Career Stories; a podcast project designed to inspire and motivate professionals from academic backgrounds in their career development. The Passage2Pro team consists of globally independent individuals, with Tina’s closest collaborator being, Nicola Brewvyn, from India, as her Social Media Manager and Executive Assistant. Nicola handles marketing strategies and oversees project management. On the other hand, the PhD Career Stories team is driven by a true volunteer team effort. Its primary objective is to equip individuals with future skills that enable and empower them to thrive in the upcoming job market. By engaging with PhD Career Stories, clients can enhance their skill sets, and learn essential elements such as effective teamwork, communication, utilization of new technological tools, and crucial human skills like adaptability, empathy, and enjoying the process. Passage2Pro aims to be at the vanguard of the technological revolution being driven by the emergence of AI and digitalisation. But it also feels it is majorly important to recognise that technology alone cannot drive entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity. It is, ultimately, people who drive these vital aspects. In light of this, Passage2Pro will expand its innovative approach by introducing a new and exciting coaching concept called Team Coaching. Additionally, it intends to develop fresh ideas centred around digital transformation. These will emphasize the significance and importance of introducing coaching and training around Adaptability and Emotional Intelligence to meet the future digitalisation process. Passage2Pro wants to motivate people, create hope, and build a future populated by happy minds. In today's fast-changing landscape, Passage2Pro believes that adapting and embracing new opportunities is essential. It is committed to being at the forefront of this evolution, offering individuals and organizations the support and guidance they need to thrive. Its goal is to transform and instil in its clients’ minds positive affirmations for the future. With Passage2Pro and award-winning Global Executive Coach of the Year 2023 (Sweden): Tina Persson by your side, you'll be equipped to conquer any uncertainty that comes your way.
16. Most Innovative Urban Mobility Company 2023 A new style of transport is on the horizon. A fully enclosed and street-worthy bike which gives you the freedom to ride comfortably 365 days a year. Here we take a closer look as Podbike AS wins its title in the Scandinavian Business Awards 2023. Podbike AS’ Frikar e-bike is an imaginative take on the popular e-bike, as rather than a small frame and two wheels, it consists of four wheels and an enclosed pod. Quite simply, the Frikar e-bike is short distance commuting as we know it. Think Tesla but with bikes. This is exactly the standard of innovation that Podbike AS is aiming for. Indeed, it is introducing a new wave of innovative e-bikes to the market that not only compete with other e-bikes, but also with small cars for shorter distances. The Frikar e-bike currently maintains a following of + 45,000 followers and over 4000 pre-orders. The delivery of bikes started 1st of February this year. Conceptualised in 2016, the Frikar was developed with the ambitious goal to create an e-bike that acts as a realistic alternative to cars for short distance commuting, and its safe to say that it has achieved this goal. The e-bike has redefined urban mobility, offering a sustainable solution for short commutes and, in essence, promoting a tangible replacement for cars for your daily commute. Entirely unique, the Frikar e-bike promises a smooth ride, a great amount of space for cargo or a child, and low energy consumption. It will put the fun back into any journey. Moreover, despite its low weight – it weighs less than 100kg – the e-bike boasts four wheels, an independent suspension, a multilink steering system, serial hybrid drive with re-generative braking, and a connected solution with over-the-air updates. The Frikar’s design further provides protection against harsh weather conditions. Safety is, of course, Podbike AS’ priority,and it recognises that the majority of bike accidents are single vehicle incidents, with instability. Its four wheels ensure that the risk of tipping over is drastically reduced, as they provide a great amount of balance. The Frikar’s sturdy capsule-like body, in the event of an accident, guarantees better security and protection compared to a regular bike. Designed by the Podbike AS team, the Frikar benefits from a support network of an abundance of backgrounds, including experienced engineers, creative enthusiasts, and businessoriented persons. Over nine nationalities make up the Podbike AS team as the company searches for the very best global talents. This approach has aided Podbike AS towards its dream of becoming a world-class development organisation. Operating across a flat hierarchy, the company guides its employees towards creativity and innovation, and strives to empower its team through challenging them. Podbike AS’s team is one of a number of factors that makes the company standout. Podbike AS utilises European manufacturers, and as a result over 70% of the materials it uses are of European origin. Its focus on personal ownership, sustainability, and vow to continue creating has increased its competitiveness. Henceforth, 2023 will be an important year for Podbike AS and, subsequently, the Frikar e-bike. Delivery of the first bikes started 1st of February in Norway. It is expected to start delivery in Germany as well this year. As the company continues to grow, it will provide a plethora of premium additions to the e-bike in order to make it as convenient, safe, and eco-friendly as possible. In the future, these instalments could potentially include plans fora semi-autonomous control system that would be able to park the e-bike and charge it. Contact: Janet Jørmeland Company: Podbike AS Web Address: www.podbike.com Apr23509
Jul22493 17. Jul22493 Swedish company Learn to Move is an educational business offering deep knowledge of children’s motor development, and the way this is linked to cognition, attention, and learning. It uses physical therapy to assist, and provide hope of a better prognosis for those with motor disabilities. Learn to Move is a creator of innovative devices to help teach balance, hand function, and other important prerequisites for moving. Its product Learn to Walk is making independent walking a possibility for a group of children who currently use assistive devices. Learn to Move is also an important teaching aid for children with ADHD, DCD, Autism, or other cognitive challenges. It helps teach how to pay attention and learn, as well as supporting parents in understanding what is required to help grow a happy, strong child with good physical self-esteem. Learn to Move helps children excluded from participation in motor activities to learn and become involved. It creates movement friendly and challenging environments, and assists architects and landscape architects, as well as product designers, to create fun and inspiring products and environments. It has a passion and vision to spread its knowledge high and wide, enabling all children to be able to reach their full potential. Learn to Move services clients who come from a broad spectrum, such as children and parents, healthcare workers and educators, pre-school and school personnel, product designers, city planners, landscape architects, standards committees, and engineers. Its core values are to promote the equal worth of every individual, and to champion children's rights to learn and develop. It especially values children with disabilities, working to create a new way of moving forward to the benefit of all. It wants to redefine problems, moving away from compensating and accepting to making participation in play a possibility, along with lifelong learning experiences. Learn to Move believes it can teach the brain to control the body, and as such its steps mainly focus on the combination of technology with knowledge about how the body develops from newborn to grown up. The main thing that separates Learn to Move from its competitors is its unique knowledge, combined with a passion for learning. Putting this together with creative innovations, makes positive changes to real lives. The company’s experience comes from a unique mixture of research, teaching, and practical work, which is complemented by patient feedback. Learn to Move is aware it is working in a field that is not necessarily as popular as areas such as sports medicine, or other adult diseases, but the fact that its patients are commonly left feeling powerless and without knowledge, is something it finds inspiring and wants to change. For example, there has been a lack of development in how to treat issues such as cerebral palsy, with parents told early on told that their child will never walk, sit or be able to learn. Learn to Move knows it can do better, and brings higher expectations than the current norm suggests. It wants to change and improve learning expectations for its clients. Learn to Move is a trendsetter when it comes to working with neurological diseases. It also uses its specialist knowledge for work with neuro-psychiatric diseases. Other extensions of the company are used to work specifically with babies, and with children suffering from depression and anxiety. The company is happy to see that its unique knowledge is spreading further in Sweden, where it is becoming more acceptable to let children play and take risks, like they do in preschool environments in Norway and Denmark. The company likes to stay up to date with the latest fashions which it does through participation with research gate, the international play association, school-environment groups, and special interest groups in physical therapy. The team members at Learn to Move are united by passion and curiosity. Soon, the company is launching a new website with more digital learning courses and products for children in all parts of the world. At present, it is predominantly focused on Sweden and Scandinavia, but has had collaborations in Europe too, which it hopes to develop more of in the future. Having been awarded the title of Best Children's Healthcare Education & Consultancy Firm 2023 in the Scandinavian Business Awards, Learn to Move is sure to be providing help and guidance to a multitude of people within the healthcare industry for many years yet to come. Contact Details Company: Learn To Move AB Web Address: www.learntomove.se Contact Name: Ulrika Myhr Best Children's Healthcare Education & Consultancy Firm 2023 May23187
18. Jun23049 CultureCatch provides individuals and teams with understanding and managing the secrets of global agility required for international cross-cultural business success. One of the major areas the company is active in is supporting mergers and acquisitions, in their following challenges of cross-national ownership, conflicting leadership styles and building of new teams. Culture is a proven, highly significant factor in how well people and companies work together. CultureCatch designs and delivers workshops and presentations to educate, coach, and train companies of all sizes in cultural diversity and inclusion, to overcome cultural misunderstandings. This includes corporate level leadership development, organisational culture development, and diverse teambuilding. Its main focus is cross cultural communication, leadership, meeting management, conflict management and team building. Major clients come from a wide range of industries, energy, oil, nuclear, pharma, biotech, finance, shipping, travel, textile, the UN, foreign affairs & diplomacy. Clients of CultureCatch particularly value its second to none Diversity Teambuilding workshops, and its one- or two-hour long highlights package of keynote presentations. The presentations act as eye-openers to the cross-cultural field, while the Deeper Teambuilding workshop, which consists of at least one full day of training and coaching, is key to improving organisational culture and results. This session is usually built around personal cultural profiling and team overviews, and is designed to show attitude spreads for all significant topics affecting cooperation and results as well as how to bridge the gaps. “CultureCatch designs a tailored solution to each assignment, together with the client. A combination of needs analysis, inspiring lectures, interactive team workshops, coaching, profile mapping and various tools will give each project a unique design - always providing solutions to your precise needs.” CultureCatch is aware that Diversity and Inclusion have become buzz words and fashionable areas to offer services within. It has observed a plethora of ‘woke’ approaches, but without the competence and message focus they become meaningless, perhaps even causing more harm than good. CultureCatch’s founder Marit Imeland Gjesme adopts a different approach, putting all her pride and efforts into making sure all theories, research, methods, and teaching techniques used are based on solid foundations. In this respect, CultureCatch is able to provide clients with as much value as possible, whatever time frame they choose to invest in. It guarantees quality, authenticity and originality in design and concepts, as well as fully tailored preparations and follow-up procedures, to benefit its clientele. Within its product stable there are keynote speeches, workshops, training team sessions, and individual leadership coaching. This format is enduring, but it is not fixed in any way as the contents are subject to constant improvement, expansion, and careful tailoring to each client’s own situation, needs and conditions. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, CultureCatch has been revived. This is because it made the decision to resist delivering training services online, as Marit Imeland Gjesme did not think this format was conducive to producing top quality work and results, which are always the company’s main goal. Saying no to online work meant that CultureCatch had to postpone a great many clients, but things are strongly picking back up again now. This means that despite the enforced 2-year break, requests for services, and activity levels overall, have dramatically and very positively increased. CultureCatch’s founder has personally worked in a variety of industries, starting out with many years in the pharma industry, where she was building and leading a global training academy. Cultures she works with, span across Scandinavia and all of Europe, Australia, Russia, US, UK, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, the African continent, Japan, China, South Korea, India and several more - as well as in her home country of Norway. This is a good indicator of how the formats and content are useful and valuable to organisations and people everywhere. The far and wide company’s stretch leaves little doubt as to why it has been awarded Best Team Building Company for Culturally Diverse Teams 2023 for its outstanding services. Best Team Building Company for Culturally Diverse Teams 2023 Web Address: www.culture-catch.com Contact Name: Marit Imeland Gjesme
www.eubusinessnews.comRkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUyMDQwMA==