Back to Blog

Futurice presents Operation Sunray: A Finnish midsummer crash course

We did it. This year, inspired by the legendary Operation Snowflake, a pair of Futuriceans put their heads together and convinced 36 others to join them for a one-week remote work adventure in the beautiful Finnish Lakeland: Punkaharju, lake Saimaa. Sunray was about experiencing the Finnish *Midsummer* feeling with your colleagues. Hiking, cycling, swimming, hot-tubbing, and even a sauna boat cruise were all part of the happenings.

Massive success == Massive effort?

Well yes, but no… By taking a hands-off, lightweight organizational approach we managed to keep micromanagement to a minimum. Basically this meant first giving people the right tools (toys?) and premises, then spreading the workload by letting everyone decide individually what to do with them. Everything was selected to be accessible and flexible:

  • The location had a direct train connection to Helsinki, therefore participants were able to arrive and leave according to their own schedules
  • The accommodation included a large central Finnish log cabin (Hovi) for congregating, but there was a selection of bookable smaller cabins and apartments around so that people could be social on their own terms
  • Activity options were researched and communicated, but individual groups and events were formed ad-hoc based on legitimate interest rather than managerial pressure

Will there be a next time?

The votes are in, and it’s a resounding heck yeah! Not only did we smash the participation records of Operation Snowflake in both overall participation count as well as percentage of colleagues making the trip from abroad, but the vast majority is even willing to go again next year! Now that’s enough hand-waving, time for some impressions:

Emile eating“Just wow. It was like onboarding reloaded.”


On the Dock“Best sauna-to-lake distance.”


Hovi hauska“The Hovi seemed nice but the apartment room was a bit boring” - “spending time together was the best thing.”


Cooking veggies“…and what team power, that everything always worked out somehow.”


Remotely working“I don't need much so I was quite happy to just go there and chill” - “have some quiet times during the day.”


Saunalautta“Let's have the sauna boat on the weekend overnight! I had to work Thursday morning so I couldn't stay up and I almost DIED OF FOMO!!!!”


All the activities“I wish I had more time to do all the activities instead of working :D”


Rosie and Lisha"It was the best Futurice experience I have had in my 4 years at Futurice. B_E_S_T E_V_E_R"

Want to be part of our diverse and unique culture? Check out the Futurice Academy or Careers Page for more info and current openings

Author

  • Portrait of Wilfried Bock
    Wilfried Bock
    Senior Designer