Since 1989 SACC-DC has offered a platform for developing U.S. – Swedish lucrative commercial ventures and professional opportunities through our network and business and social events. The SACC-DC Newsletter will help you stay on top of what’s happening in the Swedish-American business community and find the perfect opportunity to create new business connections in the greater Washington D.C. area and Mid-Atlantic region. | |
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Jesica Lindgren
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At NIS 2023, the Ambassador of Finland to the U.S., Mikko Hautala, welcomed more than 80 participants to the House of Sweden to discuss the latest on sustainability issues. The event featured two panels -- on the built environment, moderated by AIA’s Kathleen Lane; and sustainable transportation, moderated by the Advanced Biofuels Associations’ Michael McCabe. Many thanks to this year’s sponsors -- AstraZeneca, Hydro, Neste, Norhybrid, SAS, Skanska, Uponor, and Volvo Group. We look forward to further collaboration with these dynamic chambers to plan other joint events until next year’s forum.
Last week, SACC-DC members participated in SACC-USA’s annual Executive Forum, with attendees representing SACC chambers from across the U.S. at the House of Sweden. Starting with a rooftop reception at SACC-DC member Foley & Lardner, the next day opened with a dynamic discussion and networking opportunities for participants, with topics ranging from the status of Sweden’s accession to NATO to the latest in electric vehicles (including bicycles) to the shifting U.S. political landscape as the 2024 elections take shape.
And this month, we await news of Sweden’s next ambassador to the United States. SACC-DC sends heartfelt thanks to the outgoing Ambassador of Sweden to the U.S., Karin Olofsdotter, as she prepares for her next ambassadorial assignment and concludes Sweden’s presidency of the E.U. in June. Amb. Olofsdotter has been a fantastic advocate for Sweden and Swedish businesses in the U.S. since her term started in September 2017 and will be so missed.
We bid a fond farewell to Christina Lazdins as Executive Director and thank her for her service to SACC-DC since last year. Next month, the newsletter will feature new SACC-DC members and welcome an incoming leader at SACC-DC.
With thanks for your ongoing support!
Jesica Lindgren, President
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MEMBERSHIP SPOTLIGHT
Alan Gregerman
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Alan Gregerman is a highly-respected and award-winning author, advisor, entrepreneur, keynote speaker, community volunteer, teacher and all-around nice guy. His consulting, research, speaking, teaching and writing focus on helping companies and organizations to unlock the genius in all of their people in order to innovate, grow, and deliver the most compelling value to their customers. | |
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What inspired you to pursue a career in innovation and talent development consulting, and how did you get your start in this field?
First, many thanks to SACC for giving me the opportunity to share a bit of information about our business. I have been a member of SACC-DC for many years, am married to a Swede, spend a lot of time in Sweden at our summerhouse and visiting Mormor, and always enjoy opportunities to work with Swedes and Swedish companies.
I have been passionate about innovation and new ideas for as long as I can remember. I got interested in innovation and unlocking the genius in people as a career while a graduate student at the University of Michigan. There, I had the opportunity to volunteer helping businesses in Detroit to grow and deliver greater value to their customers. Today, I am even more committed to this work. As a consultant and speaker focused on business strategy, innovation, and employee engagement, it is clear that most companies and organizations need to think in new and more innovative ways in order to grow and remain competitive.
Can you describe a recent project you worked on with a client, and how you helped them unlock the full potential of their business?
We have a couple of different types of projects. One is corporate strategy consulting where we help our customers to unlock greater value in their businesses. An example is a project with a leading engineering and professional services firm in which we helped them to rethink their strategy and focus on delivering higher-end technology-driven solutions that were scalable and repeatable. We then helped them to figure out how to implement and operate those solutions for their customers. As a result, their annual revenues increased from $220 million to $1.2 billion in only four years.
We also help companies to innovate and collaborate more effectively through our award-winning "Team Learning Adventures” program. This is a powerful way to inspire and energize employees to drive greater innovation. We have done these programs for more than 50 leading companies in the U.S. and around the world including Stockholm and Goteborg.
Can you share some insights on how businesses can stay competitive and continue to grow in an ever-changing market, and what role innovation plays in this process?
From our perspective the key to staying competitive is to always be thinking about the future of your business, where your customers are going - i.e., the types of new ideas and experiences that are most important to them or could be most important to them, and how to disrupt yourself before another company disrupts you. This means always being curious and never being satisfy with your success. We regularly take our customers on field trips to explore the world around them as a way to stay focused on changes that are happening as a way to remain relevant.
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What do you see as some of the most pressing issues facing businesses and organizations today, and how can they address these challenges to succeed in the future?
I can think of two changes that are particularly important. The first is simply the pace of change, and not just in terms of technology - though technology is important. Societal change, economic change, changes in customer preferences, and changing business models all require us to pay attention to the world we operate in and always up our games. The second is employee engagement in a post-Covid world. Clearly the connection that companies and organizations once had with all of their people has changed and we all need to do a better job of connecting with people, creating a sense of belonging whether they work in our offices, factories, or remotely, and giving them the tools and support to take greater initiative and make a real difference. We can address both of these issues by paying attention, thinking in new ways, and being even more determined to stay connected to all of our people. I have thought and written about these issues a lot and would be glad to share more details. Simply connect with me on LinkedIn or reach out to me at my work email which is innovate@venture-works.com.
In your experience, what are some common misconceptions that companies have about innovation and talent development, and how do you work to overcome these challenges?
In terms of innovation, most companies fail to appreciate that they have to work hard to innovate consistently. In fact, successful innovation requires a supportive culture, the right leadership actions, and a clear and compelling strategy and focus. It doesn’t happen just because we want it to or because we say we want innovation. Just like a living being, it requires nurturing and support. Many companies also believe that innovation is about "letting a thousand flowers bloom" and then picking the best ones. In reality, innovation requires a very deliberate focus and discipline. As for the talent development side of the equation, most companies think that employees are lucky to work for them. In reality, the opposite is true. We are lucky to have great employees and we should make every effort to insure that they are engaged, inspired, supported, and deeply connected to our organization and its purpose. Everyone has the potential to be brilliant if we create the right environment and show that we value them and their keen desire to learn, grow, and do work that matters.
What advice would you give to aspiring innovation and talent development professionals?
Be curious. Commit to continually learning new things. Be open to new ideas and possibilities. Be flexible and creative in your work. Take on new assignments, especially assignments that other people find too difficult or challenging. And be open to the ideas of others. In addition to running our company, I write books about innovation and business growth. In my most recent book, “The Necessity of Strangers,” I make the case for connecting with and learning from strangers as a vital key to our personal and professional success. It turns out that the more open we are to the ideas and insights of others, especially people who are different than us, the more likely we are to create breakthroughs in the things that matter most.
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NORDIC INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY FORUM
2023
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The Nordic Innovation & Sustainability Forum 2023 was held on April 19th at the House of Sweden in Washington D.C. The focus of the event was on sustainable architecture and transportation solutions, and it brought together a carefully selected group of global experts, policymakers, and practitioners. Our objective was to facilitate discussions on innovative approaches that can revolutionize cities through sustainable building and transportation practices, while also examining the growing demand for Nordic solutions in the United States. | |
EXECUTIVE FORUM 2023
BY SACC-USA
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We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to participate in the enlightening and captivating flagship event organized by SACC-USA in partnership with the Embassy of Sweden, hosted at the House of Sweden. The event boasted a diverse range of innovative companies, each sharing their unique approach towards achieving net zero across various industries. Both the panels and attendees were engaging and provided invaluable insights. |
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IOWN ENERGY LLC. AWARDED THE NEWLY INSTITUTED SACC USA BUSINESS AWARD
Energy development company IOWN Energy LLC. received the SACC USA Business Award 2023 when presented for the first time during the Executive Forum. The jury was particularly impressed by the company's innovative model, which aims to connect stakeholders who work for a better environment linked to a renewable energy system. Read more here!
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IKEA announced a $2.2+ billion investment in the company’s omnichannel growth strategy in the United States over the next three years, marking its largest investment in almost four decades of operating in the U.S. The investment will focus on opening new locations and maximizing fulfillment networks to reach more Americans. The company plans to open eight new stores, nine Plan & order points, and 900 new Pick-up locations. The investment also includes modernizing existing stores to offer inspiration and home furnishing expertise while also increasing handling capacity for parcel deliveries directly from the store. Additionally, IKEA will explore new opportunities in clean energy, circularity, and affordable housing. Read more about IKEAs investment here. | |
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ONE OF THE BIGGEST EXPORT CONTRACTS EVER
FOR OUR MEMBER-COMPANY, HITACHI ENERGY
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Hitachi Energy, members of SACC-DC, has signed a contract worth approximately 147 billion Swedish kronor ($16.5 billion) with TenneT, the German-Dutch transmission system operator, to supply high voltage direct current technology for offshore wind farms in Germany and the Netherlands. The deal includes delivering six systems, each with a capacity of 2 GW and a voltage level of 525 kilovolts. Hitachi Energy will need to recruit over 2,000 new employees, with most of the hires required in Sweden. This is one of the biggest export contracts ever signed by a Swedish company, and it is expected to lead to more business opportunities in the future, as TenneT plans to install at least 65 GW of offshore wind energy by 2030. Read more about the new contract here (in swedish). | |
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THE TRANSATLANTIC ECONOMY 2023
American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union
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The American chamber of commerce to the European Union released their Annual Survey of Jobs, Trade and Investment between the United States and Europe. | |
The survey describes that the transatlantic economy has shown remarkable resilience despite facing global economic and strategic disruptions. The US and Europe share a close economic relationship, with the transatlantic economy being the largest and wealthiest market in the world. In 2022, the transatlantic economy broke records in various areas, including U.S.-Europe trade in goods, U.S. company affiliates earning a record high in Europe, and U.S. exports of liquefied natural gas to Europe reaching their highest levels ever. Europe accounts for more than 50% of the global foreign direct investment that flows into the U.S. and is a significant employer on the continent. The US is the world's top exporter of products delivered through data flows. Read the survey here! | |
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OUR ANNUAL CRAYFISH PARTY | |
Get ready to experience a taste of Swedish culture at the House of Sweden on September 13th! We're excited to announce the return of our popular Crayfish Party. Join us for an unforgettable evening of delicious crayfish, schnapps, singing, and networking. More information is to come, so be on the lookout and stay tuned! | |
Get ready for an exciting day full of networking with high-profile DMV companies, primetime golfing, fun activities, and prizes! This year's tournament will be held on October 12 at Westfields Golf Club in VA. Don't miss out on the chance to join us for an exclusive dinner reception as well. Stay tuned for more information to be announced, and mark your calendars now to save the date! | |
RECOMENDATIONS FROM SACC-DC | |
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We want to encourage you to stay updated by reading the newsletters from SACC-USA and the news from the Swedish Embassy!
We highly recommend taking the time to read these news regularly to stay informed and connected with the Swedish-American community. As always, SACC-DC remains committed to providing our members with the resources and information they need to succeed.
Read news from the Swedish embassy here.
Read SACC-USAs newsletters here.
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Business Services Provided by SACC DC
SACC-DC holds a unique position to provide members valuable connections with other member companies or small business, potentially resulting in new collaborations, clients, and partnerships. Read more about our B2B Matchmaking service and how to make a request here.
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Your company has the opportunity to be assisted by a Business Associate or a trainee with short-term projects aiming to increase your knowledge about specific markets. Read more about our Trade Services and how to make a request here. | |
Interested in joining the SACC DC community? | |
Visit our membership page to join as a new member, or renew your membership through the membership portal. SACC DC organizes many events throughout the year to give our members access to professional networking. We also tailor trade missions for Swedish companies interested in the Greater Washington, D.C. area. Whether an individual with a keen interest in or connection with Sweden living in D.C. or a company looking to establish new relationships, we can help you reach your next goal. | | | | |
