Exclusive opportunity for discussions at the China - Finland Business Association Annual Ambassador's Lunch held at the lush Kämp Hotel (association member event). In his speech the ambassador referred to recent US actions as "ping pong diplomacy". Yours truly proposed that China and Finland could together provide global leadership on investment into "technology for the common good"
It all began with ponderings over this piece of Scripture:
Each of you should not only look to your interests, but also the interests of others.
...and continued to the exploration of themes on how to conduct balanced business. Here is an excerpt from 2014, an intro to a wonderful Think Tank Tea -series on ecosocial wellbeing created together with a special friend and supporter who prefers to remain unanominous.
Balance masters chaos! The reform of the global financial architecture takes place from the bottom up. For me, revolution in this context is about acting in the opposite way as that which has poisoned this global financial architecture; the opposing force of solitary greed is communal generosity.
My way of making a change in the marketplace has been to sow the seed of generosity when possible. At a time in my life where I had very limited resources, I asked myself the question of what is a resource that I can share? What I had was, tea. And so I began sharing the tea, the main idea being: I share my tea to bring people together, and as everyone comes together and shares - life knowledge or other resources, maybe the jam- we are all enriched!
My adventure of exploring what it means for a business to function in a degrowth economy is only beginning, but one key lesson that I have learned is that much value can be created with very little. It is this story that is continued by the upcoming Think Tank Tea- event series.
The role of the podcast is to provide snapshots of one cultural mediator's journey into the fresh field of impact investing
Upcoming 純怡Media podcasts exploring the relationship of virtue, tech and paradox management. We define "paradox management" according to Dr Elaine Karsaklian, who writes “Paradox management is inherent in the Chinese culture” and “Change is motivated by the internal tension between two opposing forces”. She writes about the land of paradox management (China) in which "development, coherence, and consistency (has been created) out of instability, chaos, and contradiction".
Taking this perspective, Chunyi ventures into the fascinating field of social impact investment, analysing its development via Nordic-China comparisons. She applies paradox management lens, embracing difference positively and sifting for the essence of that "internal tension" between opposites... with the ultimate mission of smart contradiction management in order to build partnerships for the UN 2030 sustainable development goals - targeting goal number 17.
(Source referred to above: Karsaklian, Invisible Negotiator in the Land of Paradox Management).
Returning to readings in global political economy. Link to "Mainly Macro" blog below
"Trade collapsed in the winter of 2008 around the globe, without exception. This was very bad news for China. Whereas exports had been around 35% of GDP in 2007, they fell to around 25% of GDP in 2009. That is a big hole to fill, and if it wasn’t filled, there was a chance that Chinese growth would collapse completely with damaging knock on (multiplier) effects to the rest of the economy. Above all else, China feared the political consequences of the unrest widespread unemployment would bring.
As Tooze recounts, China’s reaction was swift and bold. In November 2008 it announced a stimulus package of public spending worth 12.5% of GDP. (The Obama stimulus package, by comparison, was around 5% of GDP.) “Over the days that followed [the announcement], across China, provincial party meetings were hurriedly convened …” Within a year 50% of the stimulus projects were underway. Some of this stimulus paid for what Tooze describes as “perhaps the most spectacular infrastructure project of the last generation anywhere in the world”, the Chinese high speed rail network. Monetary policy was also relaxed.
In 2008 as a whole, before the stimulus and hardly touched by the collapse in world trade, Chinese GDP grew by 9.6%. In 2009, when GDP in the advanced countries fell by 3.4%, Chinese growth was 9.1%. The stimulus package had filled the whole left by collapsing Chinese exports...
China... was not part of the global banking network that caused the GFC. But the US and UK stimulus programmes could and should have been larger. Those close to the action tell me that the UK was running out of things to spend more money on in 2008/9, but I cannot help think this amounts to a failure of imagination: it is not as if UK infrastructure is great, there are no flood defence projects left to do etc. Above all else China’s example tells you what a huge mistake 2010 austerity was."
After some "off grid" explorations, it has come time for this adventurer to return back to her world politics graduate studies at Helsinki University! The program combines international relations, peace mediation and global political economy - how sweet is that!
In line with company social impact initiative, very pleased to be co-creating the following event! Key phenomenon as related to Global Mobility, Cross-cultural living, Intercultural competence.
Was at an inspiring CSR event yesterday! Such a privilege to participate in community building in regard to these themes. We know that strengthened
networks and collaboration is needed, but what should be our strategy? Looking forward to giving this some more time soon; here I document a few initial notes for self.
Yes, although I am juggling many different roles at the
moment, in the end I am also a CEO navigating a company from a think tank
perspective. A think tank, at the core of which is the vision to "support
eco-social wellbeing in the East and in the West". It is towards this goal that a certain amount of resources are allocated when possible. As we are bridging
worlds via cultural consultancy and training, the ambition is to also bridge
worlds in our CSR/Social Impact work.
Beijing Startup Street
Was reminded of a "thought diamond" that I
found during my time in Beijing working for Slush China in 2015...it was
related to something Jack Ma had said. It was about how we all can take
responsibility for our environment - no task is too small. Whether its taking
care of a garden in our neighborhood, planting a tree or sweeping the floor for the common good.
Now I bring another quote by him, below, and raise the
question: What can we do together, to further the prosperity and well-being of
the ecosystem? Not just...But the entire ecosystem? Wow. Looking forward to giving more time for this theme soon! After all, social impact/CSR themes were the initial reason why I joined the Slush movement back in 2015 <3
I see huge potential for CSR cooperation within the Nordic-China startup ecosystem.
"We firmly believe that businesses in the 21st
century must take responsibility to help solve the problems of society. In the
history of our development, social responsibility has always been embedded in
our corporate DNA. We believe that a healthy and prosperous ecosystem can only
be achieved through solving large-scale problems of society."
Tomorrow, February 6th, we will celebrating the National Day of Tea in Finland. It is a day of celebrating all manner of tea, tea events, and of course, the sense of community and belonging that tea culture creates.
This year, in the evening, the Finnish tea association will also host a 15 year anniversary celebration!This is the invitation card. "Kutsu" means invite.
Yours truly is certainly looking forward to some good tea tomorrow ^^
Tea nourishes us, calms us, and revives us.
Hooray for tea!
In a time of great technological transformation, it is important that we treasure togetherness. Buiding connection. And together, by sharing our
acquired life wisdom, we can make sense of
the changes. Community
learning is important, because much can be built "from the grassroots up".
Society flourishes when each individual blossoms. And a grand key to our flourish, is, simply, connection. The human connection! The social impact project which sprang from this blog has arranged thematic tea tastings, and other community events over the past seven years. We have documented events as has been possible.
This action has also functioned as a type of R&D center for the mother company. We are happy to say that we have been applying our learnings to our adventures in the Wild Wild...East.
Now, it is time for some structural changes - onwards and upwards!
Esimerkki vuodelta 2014: Viisi-osainen sarja teemalla
"Etappeja Ekososiaalisen Hyvinvoinnin Polulla" (Facebook linkki) Viisi-osaisessa tapahtumassa yhdistämme muutamaa konseptia luoden kokonaisuuden, jossa yhdessä mietimme kolmitasoisen hyvinvoinnin ruohonjuuritason rakentamisen merkityksiä ja mahdollisuuksia. Tämä tarkoittaa hyvinvointia, jota luodaan kolmitasoisesti, eli samanaikaisesti huomioiden taloudellisen, sosiaalisen ja ekologisen hyödyn tasapainon omissa toimissamme. Tämä luonnollisesti vaatii pysähtymistä ja ajatusta, yhteentulemista ja ymmärryksen jakamista. Opimme yhdessä.
Ajatuspajamaisesta
työskentelytavasta lisätietoa
Olen vuosien
varrella rakentanut omaa yritystä eteenpäin sivutoimisesti, muiden töiden
ohella. Vuonna 2009 tein valtio-opin harjoitteluni Ajatuspaja e2:ssa. Tämän
minulle arvokkaan oppimisjakson myötä olen omaksunut ajatuspajamaisen
toimintamallin yritykselleni. Mielestäni valtavassa muutoksessa olevaa Kiinaa,
tai teknologiaa, tai ylenpäätänsä tätä valtavassa murroksessa olevaa aikaamme,
ei voi mitenkään muuten lähestyäkään kuin tämänkaltaisella tutkivalla otteella
- alati uusia syvemmän ymmärryksen astuinkiviä etsien.
PS After writing this, I add a post-script at the beginning! The text below begins to tell a difficult story, one that involves an emotional roller coaster from the startup world. The feeling of being caught up in a spy novel, precisely in that particular situation where you realize that things are not what they seemed to be. This piece of music captures those moments well! Am just referring to the music and the general cyberpunk atmosphere, not to the video or film specifically (I have not seen it yet),
LESSONS, PART ONE
Much has happened since the last post (6 months ago!). There has been much joy, but also many challenges. Even, the stuff of tragedy, in these trenches of the heart. The (symbolic) bullet wounds have been taken care of, and they are on the mend. In connection to this, I post a picture from the art gallery, Galleria Lapinlahti, by my office. To me, it speaks of healing. Many thanks to the artist - I hope to have the name for you soon.
During these recent times, a key wisdom, "Protect your heart, for from it flows the wellspring of life", has become a key lesson. I´m brought back to one of my favourite remixes, Nicole Willis´s song "Siesta":
"Join the army for life...fight for your heart. Keep it open; never closed. Keep it pure, keep it real. It´s never time for siesta" Link to song Nicole Willis, Siesta. Roberto Rodriguez Remix
Will share a couple of lessons learned.
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But first, below, some pictures of recent happy moments !
Top Grade Long Jing Green Tea
Interior decorating at our our office lobby
My tea cup collection grows <3
Incredible Slush Helsinki 2016
Fun detail from art gallery opening. Such fun running into an art gallery opening party after a long day
New Year lights
Interesting painting at a late-night Slush Side Event (Poker Night)
LESSONS, PART TWO
Now to lessons learned - Comforting is the thought that, in order to win big, you must also be able to take big risks. Yes, check, risk taking is not a problem. But what if you do not know that there are risks involved? If someone, who is introduced to you by a friend, really is not who they say they are...and ends up deceiving, to an extent, both of you?
The second key lesson learned is - if you are running a business, make those risk assessments, despite of everything looking good. Hire a Sun Tzu master, who is trained in uncovering smoke screens. Thank God, I have one now.
Finally, I post a picture from my recent trip to Malmö. I was there on a work trip, together with a friend. On our day off we went biking, as we like to do, and found a great place - the Malmö Saluhall. It was a rainy and windy day, but there we were, biking ... determined to explore the city with the little time that we had. Our (her) find was such a treat - complete with a real authentic noodle place, and yes, there was a tea bar, too! It suffices to say, all this made the heart very happy!:)
On the way back to Helsinki, this song spoke to me in regard to the events of the winter:
"Through it all, through it all, my eyes are on You. And it is well with me...So let go, my soul, and trust in (the Lord). The waves and wind still know His Name"
In the midst of it all, a yearning for simplicity! Professor Majid Rahnema spoke about in this way (translated from French)
"Voluntary poverty which is a free and informed choice for a lifestyle based on an ethic of simplicity, frugality and respect for your neighbor. It expresses the desire to be free from all forms of physical dependence, as selected and the subject of this choice, to threaten its full being. This poverty is a supreme form of wealth, synonymous with a different idea of freedom, autonomy and necessity. It is a liberation from all bondage and dependence. It is poverty as an expression of freedom. The most telling example is that of Christ."
It is Tuesday again, a day for hosting the teabar in Kallio (1400- 1700 or 1800).
Recently, the surroundings have been a bit rowdy, in more ways than one,
but we keep up in our pursuit of peace, love and harmony. It´s
easy to give up, when circumstances turn sour (referring to some Kallio
hassle), but it is especially then that we must push on. As I have
thought for a few years now - in the end, the sour enhances the taste of
the sweet, once we reach it.
Today we also celebrate
the birthday of our Kallio cooperation partner, Waterhouse Lion.
Congrats! We celebrate by selecting a Lion-related theme to meditate upon...
Photo by Victoria Spiridonova
the theme is "Embracing Your Inner Lion". For me, this translates into fearlessness. In the end, that´s what this project celebrates. Fearless living!
In August, Kuusela Tea Company R&D Tea Tuesdays continue in Kallio, every Tuesday from 3PM-7PM @ Juice bar & café Jamaica Sunshine (Aleksiskivenkatu 12 E) until further notice. Jamaican culture is rich in proverbs. Each week at least one new proverb will be showcased - yes, it is "Tea with a Theme"!
This means that if you share a proverb or inspirational thought with us, no charge will be
added to your tea! Also, free tea surprises every time.
High Mountain teas 3 - 6
euros (gaiwan, small/big teapot). Jamaican cakes starting from 2.90 euros. Fresh juices 4-6 euros
A special thank you to photographer Elina Julin for the office tea art pictures! A warm thank you to Emilia Nieminen also for visualizing the golden tearoom for me.
I like to take my tea with stratagem
For me, a tea moment often forms a meditative space, a space of learning to lean on the Divine. Allowing fear to succumb to love.
It is also a moment for strategy formation - for navigation inbetween and among worlds. A meditative aim? To live in love - fearlessly.
"Sometimes I feel like throwing my hands up in the air
I know I can count on you
Sometimes I feel like saying Lord I just don't care
Exclusive opportunity for discussions at the China - Finland Business Association Annual Ambassador's Lunch held at the lush Kämp Hotel (association member event). In his speech the ambassador referred to recent US actions as "ping pong diplomacy". Yours truly proposed that China and Finland could together provide global leadership on investment into "technology for the common good"
