Co-creating a strategy in The Finnish Gymnastics Federation
The goal of the Finnish Gymnastics Federation was to create an effective and time-bound strategy in the most interactive way possible. There was a desire to diversify the means of strategy work.
A strategy for the future
The goal of the Finnish Gymnastics Federation was to create an effective and time-bound strategy in the most interactive way possible. To this end, there was a desire to diversify the means of strategy work. The extensive long-term online dialogue brought a much-needed democratic way of involving a large number of people to build the future of gymnastics together.
“We wanted a new way to enable a large number of people to be involved in the process easily, playfully, and dialogically. And it was worth it, I only have good things to say about the cooperation,” says Maria Laakso, Secretary-General.
The co-creative online dialogue brought out the field’s opinions
The Gymnastics Federation’s strategy for 2021–2024 was built on a long-term basis through an inspiring and engaging process during the spring of 2020. The voice of the field, gymnastics clubs, gymnastics practitioners, and those interested in gymnastics were heard extensively throughout the spring through online dialogue, live meetings, and online workshops.
“Fountain Park’s online dialogue was a democratic way to bring out the voice of the field widely compared to workshops or basic surveys. The online dialogue was well-executed and inspiring. The participant had to think about the questions from their own point of view, ”Laakso estimates.
The purpose of the online dialogue was to make the field’s opinions visible and heard. Fountain Park actively reported and prioritized the dialogue. In this way, the ideas presented online were brought to both live meetings and online workshops for further processing.
“The interim reports were useful and helped during the process,” Laakso comments.
Information was quickly utilized through seamless collaboration
The Gymnastics Federation’s strategy process was like a moving train. No meeting started from scratch but the work progressed from one workshop to another. In addition, the online dialogue was open throughout the process. Laakso emphasizes that smooth co-operation and high-quality reporting enabled the information to be utilized in the desired way.
“Fountain Park understands and commits, you are all true professionals,” Laakso sums up the core of the collaboration.
“The final report was particularly good. It helped us make choices and take into account all angles of conversation. When there is a shortage of ideas, you can always return to the report to see what has been relevant to those interested in gymnastics.”
In addition, Laakso points out that the entire extensive discussion of 1,500 participants has been documented down to the slightest nuance. This documentation has been widely used in addition to reports. The workshops were held in an inclusive way, and the online dialogue alongside them provided an opportunity for broad participation, new ideas at different stages of the strategy process, and very extensive documented material and pivotal results.
