Portraits

The Amalfi Coast has long been the place to see and be seen on Italy’s long Mediterranean coastline. While the picturesque towns of Amalfi and Positano are the obvious tourist hotspots, there are other lesser-known gems to be discovered. If secluded luxury, stunning views and immaculate service are required, then the boutique hotel Casa Angelina in Praiano deserves not to be missed. Perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the azure water, its pristine white walls contrast with the blue of sea and sky to create a perfect oasis of peace.

When traveling, a hotel is a home away from home. This is why it is important to choose a place that fits a visitor’s personality, needs or goals for the trip. Chain hotels offer an attractive price point, but many lack real character. Fleischer’s Hotel AS, headquartered in Voss, Norway, has remained an independent, family-owned location. This allows the owners and staff the opportunity to give guests a truly unique experience from the rooms, to the food, to the grounds and all the extra amenities.

The boldness to try new things and the belief that anything is possible have laid the foundation for Leader Foods Oy, the number one manufacturer of deluxe snack and protein bars in Finland. Its new protein bar made of crickets is not just a PR stunt but a new way of introducing a nutritious and sustainable source of protein to consumers. Lately, Leader’s new protein snack bar has become another example of the company’s ability to launch products that are healthy and taste good. And it is not just the Finnish consumer who loves Leader bars.

Accidents or illness can strike anyone at any time. When it does, it is comforting to know that experienced specialist teams with access to the latest innovative therapies are available to help worried and bewildered patients on their way to recovery or, in the worst case scenario, with effective management of their condition. Kliniken Beelitz GmbH in Brandenburg is a center of expertise in the area of neurology, and offers advanced treatment and first and second stage rehabilitation to patients from across the whole of Germany.

Interviews are not the most effective way to determine if a candidate is right for a job. The most effective ways are tests and work samples, as has been established in numerous studies. The problem is that, although we know this, many still use the old ways of recruiting such as CVs and interviews. Assessio International was founded in Sweden in 1954 to publish tests and research into psychological testing for vocational, clinical and educational purposes. Today, it offers its expertise to recruiters around the world as a highly respected publisher of Den Norske Veritas-certified psychological tests and as HR consultants.

The first implantable cardiac pacemaker was invented in 1958. The technology has advanced considerably since then and the result is that millions of lives have been saved and lengthened. Further medical and technological advancements are continuously being invented and perfected, turning conditions that used to be death sentences into conditions that can be managed through proper care. MicroPort CRM, whose operating headquarters are in France, is a company which specializes in finding solutions for the management of cardiac rhythm disorders and heart failure.

Simplicity and minimalism with maximum functionality: Consumers around the world have embraced Scandinavian design. Furniture, though, is just part of the story; creating the right ambiance with natural colours and complementary lighting is equally important. Swedish company Belid Lighting AB has been pleasing homeowners with its lighting solutions for over 50 years. Now, a change of strategy means that Belid is bringing its stunning designs to a far wider audience.

A Happy philosophy©: Probably not at the top of most companies’ agendas, but perhaps it should be; after all, it has long been recognized that happy employees are more likely to result in satisfied customers. Swedish outsourced customer relationship management (CRM) provider H1 Communication AB – H1 stands for ‘happy one’ – takes the well-being of its 400 employees extremely seriously. It forms the foundation of the company culture, and its many loyal customers experience the positive impact of this approach every single day.

For many businesses, the Corona pandemic is working like a booster for digital transformation. A good example for the accelerating effect of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is provided by Desa Srl, the leading food retailer in Rome and the surrounding area. The Italian supermarket chain started a delivery service during the lockdown and is now developing its own e-commerce channel. At the same time, the family-managed enterprise is continuing its regional expansion, opening an average of three new stores every year.

Who knows what a farmer needs better than another farmer? Rune Stark, a farmer with 30 ha of land in Hårrgarden near Väderstad in southern Sweden, laid the foundations for Väderstad AB back in the early 1960s out of sheer frustration. At the start of every season, he spent considerable time making a new wooden rigid tine harrow. Understanding that for him and his fellow farmers, time was precious, Mr. Stark set out to design and produce a rigid tine harrow made from steel. His philosophy of ‘make it last’ still underpins Väderstad today, through its very strong quality and customer orientation.