Cultural Insights: When Finnish Trust Meets Hong Kong Efficiency

During my internship in Hong Kong, I had the opportunity to work closely with FinnCham Hong Kong and its member companies, attending events, meetings, and cross-company collaborations. This immersion allowed me to observe the city’s business practices and organizational culture firsthand.

During my involvement in the Nordic Christmas Market, Midwinter Magic – Celebrating Finland 108 Years, and other events with FinnCham Hong Kong’s member companies, I observed that Hong Kong’s business environment places a strong emphasis on structure, efficiency, and rapid decision-making. Even routine communication and coordination are carefully organized to support fast-paced execution.

This represents a dialogue between two business cultures: Finland’s “trust-driven” approach and Hong Kong’s “efficiency-first” mindset. After four months of immersive observation, I came to understand that successful organizations do not choose one over the other; instead, they learn how these approaches can work together in practice.

In Hong Kong, teams operate with a results-and-speed orientation; frequent reporting, immediate feedback, and clearly defined responsibilities are the norm. This operating rhythm enables swift coordination and execution in a fast-moving business environment.

Professional responsibility is equally important. During the Nordic Christmas Market, co-organized with SwedCham and the Danish Chamber of Commerce, FinnCham HK responded promptly after the major residential fire in Tai Po in late November 2025. In light of the incident and related public safety advisories, the team adjusted event communications, promotional materials, and on-site arrangements to ensure visitor safety and compliance. Part of the revenue was also directed to post-disaster recovery initiatives, and all relevant updates were clearly communicated to member companies, safeguarding both brand partners and overall event operations. This rapid, responsible, and transparent response demonstrates how FinnCham protects member interests while reinforcing trust.

In just a few months in Hong Kong, I found that success depends not only on the product itself, but also on understanding the cultural rhythm of the market and relying on a local partner like FinnCham HK for support at critical moments.

Text and picture: Ruofei Ma, FinnCham Intern in Hong Kong

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