From conversation to direction – shaping the way forward together

How do we make sure everyone knows where we are heading? And, just as importantly, feels part of the journey?

These were some of the key questions when our teams from Sweden and Finland recently came together for a joint workshop. The purpose was not only to talk about goals and direction, but also to create something equally important. Time to meet, listen to each other, exchange perspectives and strengthen the sense of community across our teams.

When colleagues work across different locations and countries, it can be easy to focus on the day-to-day business. Taking the time to come together gave us the opportunity to step away from our daily routines and look at the bigger picture, both in terms of where we are heading as a business, and how we want to work together along the way.

Giving everyone a voice

The workshop actually started before we even met.

Ahead of the day, all participants were invited to anonymously share their thoughts on our current situation, collaboration, and the way forward. The responses were then compiled and used as the starting point for the workshop.

Together, we analysed the results, discussed the topics that had been raised and explored the different perspectives behind them. The anonymous format gave everyone the opportunity to share their views openly and honestly, creating a valuable foundation for meaningful discussions.

While many different perspectives and ideas emerged, there were also some clear common themes, a desire for greater clarity, better structure, more visible presence and an even stronger sense of community within the team.

Our long-term direction was another important part of the conversation. We have ambitious goals for 2030, but a destination alone is not enough. The path towards it also needs to be clear, with priorities and milestones that make our ambitions more tangible and help everyone understand how they can contribute to the bigger picture.

Turning conversations into progress

The ambition of the workshop was never to find all the answers in one day. Instead, it was about listening, understanding and identifying what we can do better together.

The thoughts and perspectives shared during the workshop now provide valuable input for our continued work. Creating greater clarity around our direction, strengthening communication and information sharing, and finding more opportunities to learn from one another will all be important parts of the way forward.

Because achieving our goals is not only about numbers, plans and KPIs. It is also about people. About understanding where we are going, feeling connected to the journey and knowing how each of us can contribute.

Stronger connections beyond the meeting room

And, of course, not everything happened around the workshop table.

One of the main purposes of bringing everyone together was simply to spend time with each other and strengthen the relationships across our teams. When we do not meet face-to-face every day, those moments become especially valuable.

After a day of discussions, reflections and new ideas, we had the opportunity to unwind together at the spa before ending the evening over a great dinner.

It gave us time for different conversations, plenty of laughter and a chance to get to know each other beyond our professional roles. Because strong collaboration is not built through meetings and structures alone. It grows through relationships, trust and shared experiences.

In that sense, the workshop was about much more than discussing where we want to go. It was also about strengthening the team that will take us there.

A big thank you to everyone who participated, shared their perspectives and contributed to the openness, energy and great atmosphere throughout our time together.

We now take those conversations, ideas and connections with us as we continue to shape the way forward together.