VotingAid On Tour 2015

Ensimmäinen kaupunki: Madrid

This Sunday, I am flying to Madrid for a business trip. There’s nothing unusual in that: we are a growing Finnish software company that has been in business with numerous media houses beyond the borders of Finland. We have helped their readers and online visitors find the best candidate to vote for with our VotingAid service. However, this time my trip will not last for a couple of days. It will extend over almost three months, as I tour capitals of European countries that are expecting elections within the next year.

“Business trip” rings a bit false, though. It will be closer to backpacking. Inexpensive flights and train rides, AirBNB rooms, lots of walking and phonework. Let’s see about the backpack - the idea is romantic, but trying to stuff in both business attire, the casual stuff and running equipment poses a true challenge for me! In any case, this is our kind of way of doing international business: hands in the dirt, cold calls to meetings, quick victories. Not extensive business plans, exhausting bureaucracy or fancy hotels.

Our company ZEF is unique in other ways as well: we are Finland’s #2 Great Place to Work. More important than rankings, however, is that we share a common dream of supporting democracy and transparency worldwide. Dreaming is what we do well, taking action is what we do best. Each of us is also encouraged to have their own dream, and as long the dream is in line with taking us closer to our common goal, the company will do everything possible to make it become reality. For example, send a 28-year old democracy enthusiast to tour Europe and meet all the media houses that have not heard about us yet.

Follow me to stay on track of this adventure! I guarantee it will be exciting.

Love always,