In this second project report, I aim to summarize what have been achieved from communicating with my team member and supervisors. My initial project statement will be refined and discussed in this report. Furthermore, I will delve into the feasibility of the chosen topic and the potential challenges I might encounter.
My team member Tuija and I had the kick-off meeting with our project supervisor Markku, Bojan and Gorfore’s representative Anna on 9th November on Team. Before the meeting I had four alternative topics in mind: digital products, consumer awareness of environmental protection, tourism and environment, and the use of leaflets in Finland.
After a thorough discussion, we reached a consensus on a topic that aligns with both my interests and Gofore’s expertise. The focus is on measuring the environmental impacts of digital products and enhancing consumer awareness. In addition, how can we persuade consumers to consider environmental impacts when they decide to purchase digital products, alongside factors like price, features and appearance?
However, the discussion highlighted that the chosen topic was still broad, requiring exploration from various perspectives and domains such as environmental impact evaluation, technology, public policies, business analysis, and consumer studies. This poses the initial challenge of extensive reading and acquiring diverse knowledge.
The second challenge is my unfamiliarity with Finnish market I intend to explore. The research report shared by Anna, titled “Tiedostava kuluttaja: Kriisien vaikutus suomalaiskuluttajiin yllätti tutkijat – ostoskorissa tehdään nyt kompromisseja, mutta laatu edellä,” provides valuable insights into Finnish people’s changing values and consumption preference. It also emphasizes that “Even in a market size of Finland, the ‘everything for everyone’ principle does not work” (Jari Danielsson, CEO of Kuudne). Understanding diverse culture and potentially the Finnish language poses a challenge, but I’m committed to focusing on the Finnish market due to its pioneering role in environmental protection and Gofore’s strong market influence in Finland, which can offer advanced information on problem-solving strategies.
Despite the challenges, I believe I possess strengths and opportunities to successfully execute this project. With over ten years of experience in marketing, I have acquired methodologies for consumer research. Living in Finland provides numerous opportunities to participate in sustainable projects or seminars, offering hands-on experience in understanding the market and local culture. Additionally, the collaboration with Anna, who is also conducting relevant studies, presents an opportunity for a more comprehensive outcome.
In conclusion, this project presents multiple challenges due to its diverse domains and complexities. However, it also offers a valuable opportunity for me to understand Finnish culture and learn from Finland’s advanced experience in leading sustainable development.
We have established a schedule for monthly meetings, with the next one scheduled for 7th, December.
