Press Release, 20 May 2010   /   For immediate release

Folkhälsan is the first not-for-profit organisation in Finland to be granted certification by the international Palladium Balanced Scorecard Hall of Fame for Executing Strategy. The certification recognises Folkhälsan's systematic strategy work, in which the organisation integrated its development chain comprehensively throughout every level, from senior management down to each individual employee. This award is also unique from a European perspective: Only one other organisation in the not-for-profit sector in Europe has ever received this recognition.

The Palladium Balanced Scorecard Hall of Fame for Executing Strategy was established by Prof. Robert S. Kaplan and Prof. David P. Norton of Harvard Business School, two globally respected experts who also developed the Balanced Scorecard concept.

Benefiting the clients

Folkhälsan's variant of the Balanced Scorecard, which is an international development tool, has been given the title ‘Map and Compass for Strategy Work and Long-Term Operational Planning'. In practice, this means that Folkhälsan's operations units work alongside the senior management to agree on objectives for operations, monitoring, and development. This system ultimately benefits our clients - ordinary Finland-Swedes who enjoy improved service provision from Folkhälsan.

Utilising resources efficiently and creatively

‘It is particularly important for organisations in the not-for-profit sector, such as Folkhälsan, whose operations are based on ‘soft' values, to organise their work in a systematic way. We provide our services in a tough world, so it is vital that we utilise our resources efficiently and creatively,' said Stefan Mutanen, CEO of the Folkhälsan Foundation.

The companies and other organisations that have been recognised for their strategy work and operational development by the Palladium Hall of Fame for Executing Strategy represent the full range of business sectors. Now the not-for-profit sector, represented by Folkhälsan, joins them as the first not-for-profit organisations begin to gain certification for their strategy work and development. ‘The only other not-for-profit body in Europe that had previously been awarded certification by the Hall of Fame for Executing Strategy is the University of Leeds, in the UK. That in itself shows how proud we are of our achievement,' said Mutanen.

Some companies with names that are familiar in Finland that have been recognised by the Palladium BSC Hall of Fame include Nordea, Hilton, Volkswagen, BMW, Canon, and Kinnarps. Some public bodies too, such as the Norwegian Air Force and the Madrid metro underground system, have received this award. 

Judged by an independent body 

For this certification, Folkhälsan's application was evaluated by an independent third party. The criteria they evaluated included the following: 

• How Folkhälsan has adopted and developed Kaplan and Norton's Balanced Scorecard model and developed its own ‘Map & Compass' as a holistic management system for strategy work and long-term operational planning
• Folkhälsan's development into a strategy-focused organisation
• Folkhälsan's comprehensive integration of its strategic objectives from senior management level down to each employee
• Folkhälsan's development of smoothly functioning work processes
• Folkhälsan's recognition for achievement of its results

People's trust, creating obligations

Very recent analysis of Folkhälsan's public image shows that there is substantial public trust in the service provided by Folkhälsan and the human values Folkhälsan promotes. This trust creates obligations, and Folkhälsan has always been careful to ensure that its services are of high quality. Since 2003, Folkhälsan has undertaken development work on a systematic basis. The organisation's mission (activities to promote good health, service provision, and research in the field of public health), core values (competence, commitment, and care) and vision (‘Folkhälsan - two steps ahead') are the foundation for a specially tailored system of operational development based on the EFQM model as a framework. The EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management) is a membership-based not-for-profit organisation that has developed its own model for systematic operational development. Folkhälsan also utilises other tools and business metrics, as needed.  

Checklist

Folkhälsan's strategic development work is underpinned by a specific checklist that enables continuously examining the activities from five separate perspectives:

1. How do we want society to view us?
2. How do we want our clients to view us?
3. Are our finances in order?
4. What does our management process look like, and how do our processes look in day-to-day work ‘on the shop floor'?
5. How can Folkhälsan be an appealing employer and look after and involve its staff?

Folkhälsan has prepared several policy documents, for areas including information, language, leadership, and HR matters. These serve as frameworks and support for the day-to-day work, which is also systematised in handbooks for fields such as senior care, day care, and child protection.

A number of awards

Folkhälsan's care work is systematically evaluated according to an RAI, with an international standardised measurement tool. This tool increases the visibility of the care process, and Folkhälsan has received recognition from bodies such as the Finnish National Institute for Health and Welfare for its rehabilitative care work.

Folkhälsan's excellent graphic design and transparent accounting have also been recognised, and the organisation's health promotion activities for young people and adults have received a number of awards. These include anti-bullying videos, a campaign to encourage walking for fitness, and many more. Additionally, Folkhälsan regularly conducts surveys to assess clients' satisfaction, staff well-being, local associations' desires and requests, and Folkhälsan's public image - for keeping a constant eye on the organisation's current position.

For more information, contact:
Stefan Mutanen, CEO of the Folkhälsan Foundation, at tel. +358 (0)9 315 5461