Greetings.  Do you ever wonder if you have the best business model to win in your industry?  If so, you're not alone because technology–in particular the internet–as well as changing demographics, and a host of other economic, political, cultural, and social factors, are forcing many companies and organizations to rethink the way they operate.  And some of the smartest ones are actually looking outside their comfort zones for new and more effective approaches to deliver compelling value. But what about public schools which often seem trapped in the race to leave "no child left behind."  A race, driven by "high-stakes testing" that seems to be leaving a lot of kids behind.  And, certainly hasn't put the American education system at the top of the heap or created a brand new generation of inspired and passionate learners.  Could it be that this effort, and the "business model" that supports it, don't really make sense in today's world given the results we need to achieve?    

Which leads us to a country whose kids are consistently rated the best educated in the world, and which has a system that is very different than ours.  Finland.  The land sandwiched between Scandinavia and Russia where the literacy rate is just about 100% and kids actually seem to enjoy going to school, reading books, and learning.  The home of Nokia, Marimekko, and the great composer Sibelius.  The land of great architects and architecture, including the brilliant Eero Saarinen. The birthplace of the LINUX operating system.  And, possibly most important, the people who invented the sauna.

But what accounts for their remarkable educational achievement?  In Finland:

• Kids start school later (at age 7).
• There are no standardized tests.
• There are no gifted and talented programs–everyone learns together.
• The kids who really understand a subject help the kids who don't.
• Teachers create individualized lessons plans for each student.
• There are no honor societies or school valedictorians.
• There is little or no competition among peers.
• No one is reprimanded for being late.
• Teachers are highly-trained and given a lot of freedom to be teaching "entrepreneurs."
• There is very little technology used in the classroom.
• A love of reading is encouraged almost at birth.
• And, no one seems to worry about getting into, or paying for, college.  

Clearly a different business model than our highly-competitive, high-stakes, high-stress approach to teaching kids–our most valuable resource.  Granted, Finland is much less diverse than the U.S.  But it's approach to education should still warrant our curiosity and interest. 

We win in education and in business by producing results that matter for those we have the privilege to serve.  Could your business model use some fresh ideas and genius from outside your comfort zone?  Or a bit more time in the sauna?  

Cheers!