Likiliike helps member businesses network, cooperate

Likilike Foundation, a non-profit organisation, has created the ground for a range of opportunities for the local entrepreneurs of Rovaniemi to network and co-operate with one-another.

The organisation, founded in September 2015 with 75 business members, has already grown into a successful initiative with about 250 members so far and growing steadily all the time, said the authorities.

The businesses gathered under the Likiliike umbrella employ more than 1,500 full-time and about 300 part-time employees.

The companies that bear the Likiliike logo ensure the trustworthiness of their products and services. The purple signs are there to tell the citizens and anyone visiting Rovaniemi which stores and venues offer truly and authentically local products and services.

“We, as an organisation, provide a firm basis for genuine local entrepreneurs to network and co-operate with one-another. Our main tasks include facilitating this in a multiple number of ways: Our members are invited to a closed group of local businesses to converse and collaborate,” said Likiliike Head Marika Tiikkaja to the Daily Finland.

For example, there is an ongoing conversation about how to give Christmas gifts to employees and if they could offer different products or services as gifts. So, basically, they are doing B2B sales in this community, said Tiikkaja.

“We have many beneficial aspects, what we offer: education, coaching, B2B matchmaking, a vast marketing plan for Likiliike as a unity, events, and well-being for entrepreneurs etc. We advertise Likiliike as a whole with about 20% of our yearly budget: when you have the genuine Likiliike certification, it means, we advertise your company,” added Tiikkaja.

Visitors to Rovaniemi can easily identify what kind of goods, products and services would be reliable for them.

The shop windows of the Likiliike member businesses that display the Likiliike logo means, that customers can easily choose a local entrepreneur, so that they can responsibly think where they consume their earned money: to big, national or international enterprises – or to a guaranteed local business owner, who is based and living in Rovaniemi, providing authentic local services.

To earn the title ‘Likiliike,’ a shop or a company has to meet specific criteria, such as it must be at least 50% locally owned, and it’s headquarters need to be located in Rovaniemi.

The initiative for the Likiliike Foundation was taken in 2014 by two local entrepreneurs – Pasi Hiukka and Esa Auer.

Different organisations, such as Entrepreneurs of Rovaniemi, Women Entrepreneurs of Rovaniemi, Business Rovaniemi, and the City of Rovaniemi assured financial support to make the endeavour a success.

Likiliike is also an active player in the field of promotion of the wellbeing of the people residing in the Rovaniemi area and donates money to local nonprofits and charities.

Another way in which Likiliike works to improve the attractiveness of the region and the livelihood of its residents is by organising a number of events every year.

It also works to educate both consumers and the public sector on making purchases in a way that keeps the local businesses and economy vital.

Likiliike appeals to the growing segment of value-consumers to whom the ideology behind consumption decisions matters.

It helps the growing number of tourists to become responsible consumers and find local businesses and products, businesses within the network, the economy and vitality of the City of Rovaniemi be locally owned (minimum of 50%), be registered at Rovaniemi, operate for at least the duration of one accounting period, and takes care of its regulatory obligations and have approval of the Likiliike committee.

“The future plan is to be an active part of lively Rovaniemi: for citizens, entrepreneurs, and people who are visiting here. We have already expanded: Sodankylä has purchased the franchising rights for Likiliike concept,” said Tiikkaja, describing the future expansion plan of the foundation.