Business introduction, Egor Zmaznev

1.What are the 5 most important sectors in Kokkola region (Keski-Pohjanmaa)?

- Metal industry and basic metal manufacture (Metallien jalostus ja metallituotteiden valm)

- Social services and medicine(Terveys- ja sosiaalipalvelut)

- Chemical industry

- Logistics

- Trade sector

According to http://www.kase.fi/tilastot/tilastot-julkinen.php and http://www.keski-pohjanmaa.fi/tilastot-ja-ennakointi/elinkeinorakenne

2. Are the most important sectors the same in Kokkola (Central Ostrobothnia) as in Finland?

To my mind, the most important sectors are practically the same,but their influence on whole Finnish economy differs.I suppose that logistics and trade sectors are two most important and most profitable sectors(mosty because the geographical location of Finland: being "between" Europe and Russian Federation gives great opportunities for these two sectors)
3. What are the most important companies in Kokkola? 

OMG

KPO group

CABB Oy

Freeport Copalt Oy

Boliden Kokkola Oy
4. Reflect on what company would you like to visit? Why?

Boliden Kokkola Oy, because it is one of the biggest employers in its sectors in Kokkola and working in the most important sector 

Blogging and doing small scale reserach

Blogging is to write about situations and topics from a contextual but also more personal point of view. Blogs are updated regularity and are usually open to the public. Blogs can be personal, but also open to groups.
Our blog is an educational blog, where we share knowledge and reflections and learn together from each other.


Blog posts in our blog should not be too long, but the posts need to stick to the topic and the questions.  Write in your own way, but with correct language and full sentences.

Reflection means to write about one's thoughts and opinions. Write your posts so that you use full sentences and correct language.

Ethics: Remember to respect others when writing in the blog. Writing about others in a negative manner is absolutely not allowed. When commenting others posts, write in an encouraging manner.

To get started: 

In order to write in this blog, you need to provide me with you gmail account so that I can add you to the blog. Send it to me now: lindascourse@gmail.com

After that I will invite you to the blog.

After you accept the invitation, you can start writing in the blog.

To write a post, click new post. Add the suggested title and labels (in the right hand-side). In the company interview case the labels are the following: Company interview, Linda Krokfors and Peter Finell. After that you can just start writing :-)

You can save the post and continue another time. Your post will be seen in the blog when you push publish! Check always what the post looks like in preview and make modifications if needed. You can also modify already published posts by opening the post and pushing "update".

BLOG TASK TODAY 12.11.2014

Research on your own and look for the following information:
1. What are the 5 most important sectors in Kokkola region (Keski-Pohjanmaa)?
2. Are the most important sectors the same in Kokkola (Central Ostrobothnia) as in Finland?
3. What are the most important companies in Kokkola?
4. Reflect on what company would you like to visit? Why?

Write your answers to the blog, meaning that you will write a "new post". 
Title: Business introduction Linda Krofkors (your name)
Label: Business, your full name (Linda Krokfors)

Start with this in class. If you do not finish during class, have it done by Sunday 16.11.2014. 
Learning objective:
- Learn basics about blogging and how to make a post
- Learn about main business sectors in Finland and the local region 
- Learning about companies in Kokkola
- Becoming acquainted with information related to Task 3/ Business

Day 6 on 12.11.2014 - Political System Task 2 presentations, Blogging and Business introduction

Good day to all of you!

Day 6 on 12.11.2014 looks like this:

- Presentation of task 2 continues / Peter

- Research and Blogging - how to write a post to the blog?  /Linda
Room: 138

 - Introduction to task 3

Note: Class time in classroom 264  (first part), then138.

See you soon!
Peter and Linda

Task 3 - Business interview - Deadline 7.12.2014!

 What is the best way to learn about Finnish businesses?

Talk to a company (owner or employee)?
Read about one in a paper or online?
Listen to a presentation?

Learning styles are different and we all have our own preferences. However, learning-by doing is always useful and in this task, I want you to do that!

Your next task is to interview one company in Kokkola region. Do it in pairs (2 people) where your final product is a text in our blog, where you will write about your interview and share what you've learnt and your thoughts (reflection). 

We will do this in two steps. On 19.11.2014 we will make training interviews based on your research done on 12.11.2014 and general knowledge. These training sessions will prepare you for the real interview! Do the real interview sometime when it is suitable for you and the company. Publish the post by 7.12.2014! Read your friends posts and comment on 3! No post, no comments = no grade for the task.

To remember:

Interview a company that really interests you!
Learn about the company as much as possible so that you are prepared for the interview.
Make an appointment with the owner or an employee, who can answer your questions.
Be responsible. Be yourself, but respect the time and the person you are interviewing! (this could be your future employer!)

Write in this sheet what company you will interview, with who! You cannot interview the same company as somebody else!!
Company interview list
 
Requirements:

Your blog post needs to include the following:
- Present the company and sector where it is active.
- Why did you choose that company?
- What are the main products/services the company offers to the market?
- What are the main markets for the company?
- Add a picture and include references from where the picture is.
 - Self-reflection: Would you like to work in that field in the future? Why?

Add Title: Company name (Kaavya Kitchen) - company interview
Add label: Company interview, full names (Linda Krokfors, Peter Finell)
Read your friends posts and comment on 3! (requirement)
Deadline:7.12.2014

Course concepts - What methods, assessment and requirements?

Great that you have chosen to get insights into Finnish Society and Culture!

FOUR TOPICS: You will gain insights into Finnish business and economy, education, music and political system during the course.

ASSESSMENT: is based on activity and responsibility in teamwork (30%), presentations and videos (30%), the midterm exam (30%). Filling in Learning goal is compulsory (10%) and Peer evaluation will also be used.

BLOGGING: We will use this platform for the course. You will find information, tasks etc here. The blog is also the place where you will post your assignments and reflections.

CLASS TIME: We expect you to be in class during class time. This is the time when new topics are introduced, presentations made, new learning methods tried.

EXAM: There will also be an exam on 5.11.2014, based on the reading and your research findings. The exam is applied, where focus is on understanding the big picture. Why is something in a certain way? How is it compared to your own country etc.

HELSINKI: We will visit Helsinki on 3-4 December (TBO). We will visit the Parliament (tbo), a company, go to a concert, and a school/ministry/organization. You will make the grand plan!

LEARNING: will take place in many different ways. Some will be research-based, collaborative in small groups, by reading, be giving presentations, by listening to lectures, by making videos or by visiting interesting places. 

LEARNING GOAL QUESTIONNAIRE: is compulsory (Assessment 10%) and will help you in reaching your own learning goals. You will fill it in 3 times.

 READING: The course will also include some independent reading about Finnish Education, Business, Political System and Music. The reading is a base where you can build further knowledge.

SHARE: All findings will be shared in the blog: http://centriafsc2014.blogspot.fi/

TASKS: You will have tasks related to the four topics Business & Economy, Education, Music and Political System.

TEAMWORK: Collaborative learning is central in the course. You will do research together and publish your findings in different ways. Presentations, videos or blog texts.

VISITS: We will make visits on a local and national level. These visits will be related to the topics: Business, Education, Music and Political System.
You will have a big say in who we are going to visit! You will also be central in making these visits happen.

 Peter Finell and Linda Krokfors will be your pilots during the journey.
Looking forward to working with you!