"This is great. We don't get anything like this level of transparency from the other research companies."

Regional Business
Market Research Manager
Intel Inc.

FAQ GIA Finland

Want to get to know us better? We're pleased to address some common questions here, openly and truthfully.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about GIA Finland:

1. What is the history of GIA’s office in Helsinki, Finland?

2. How does GIA Finland compare with your competitors?

3.Who are some of your largest local clients?

4. Describe some of your recent client work.

5. Who heads up the GIA Finland office based in Helsinki?

6. How can I contact GIA Finland?

Like to know more about GIA? Visit our other sections on How we work | Expertise | Clients | Case Studies | Global Network

1. What is the history of GIA’s office in Helsinki, Finland?

Global Intelligence Alliance (GIA) was founded as Viva Pro-How in 1995 in Helsinki, Finland, where the company still has its headquarters. During the early years, the company focused on analysis and consulting projects.

In 1999, the company merged with two other Finnish companies, namely Ideal Designs and Quartus Business Research, leading to the establishment of Viva Business Intelligence. The merged entity had a broad portfolio of Market Intelligence service to offer its customers, with training and market intelligence software being the newest additions. Later, the company grew rapidly through acquisitions in Europe, North America and Asia and as a consequence changed its name to Novintel in 2003 and later to Global Intelligence Alliance in 2007. The rapid internationalization has been accelerated by venture capital companies 3i Group and CapMan from Helsinki, Finland.

Today, GIA operates offers its customers with continuous market monitoring services, strategic analysis projects and advisory, rapid response research services, Market Intelligence best practices consulting, and Market Intelligence software, namely Intelligence Plaza®. Around 60 people work at the Helsinki office.

> Back to top

2. How does GIA Finland compare with your competitors?

GIA has been operating in the Finnish market for 15 years and has worked with the majority of large Finnish companies. In addition to large corporations, GIA has helped numerous smaller growth-oriented ones, and even start-ups. GIA’s market position in Finland is very strong.

Because of GIA’s broad service portfolio, the company has practically no direct competitors, which has helped it to form very long-lasting partnerships with many of its customers. Over the years, GIA has been able to both get a good understanding of the information needs of Finnish companies and hone the capabilities needed to operate as a trusted partner for the companies both in the domains of continuous market monitoring and strategic analysis. In addition, GIA has helped many Finnish companies to establish and develop systematic market monitoring and analysis functions.

It has always been clear for GIA that Finnish companies need information on foreign markets. Therefore, the company has made every effort to develop resources and capabilities to meet those needs. Thanks to the persistent development, GIA can now conduct research in more than 100 languages throughout the world. Today, GIA serves its customers in the following industries:

Automotive
Chemicals
Construction & Property Development
Consumer & Retail
Energy, Resources & Environment
Financial services
Logistics & Transportation
Manufacturing & Industrial
Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare
Private Equity
Telecommunication, Technology & Media

> Back to top

3. Who are some of your largest local clients?

GIA has numerous customers in Finland, for example OP-Pohjola, Fortum, Kemira, Rettig, Comptel, Finnair, Konecranes, Myllykoski, Huhtamäki, VR, Kone, Uponor, Dynea, Tikkurila, Itella, Wärtsilä, Amer Sports, Fazer and SOK.

> Back to top

4. Describe some of your recent client work

GIA helped a large Finnish industrial manufacturing company to identify the market potential for its new product line in Germany and France. The research also uncovered the operations and dynamics of the markets, leading to the customer having a good understanding of the market attractiveness. The client was very happy with the study, and as a result ordered a larger research assignment focusing on customer expectations regarding the product line in the EU as a whole.

> Back to top

5. Who heads up the GIA Finland office based in Helsinki?

Tommi Leino is the head of sales for GIA Finland, stationed in Helsinki. He has more than 10 years of experience in business development, analysis, and consulting of companies operating in a host of industries.

Markko Vaarnas, GIA CEO and one of the company founders and owners, also has an office in Helsinki. He still regularly interacts with customers offering his expertise in establishing and developing market monitoring and analysis functions, and defining strategic analysis and advisory projects. He is a recognized thought leader in organizational decision-making processes. In his current managerial role, he specializes in mergers and acquisitions, integration, strategic planning, growth management and international business development.

Mr. Vaarnas has been a guest speaker at numerous international seminars such as Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals (SCIP), Vision in Business (ViB) and IIR. He is also the author of the book "Market Information in the Internationalization of Companies“ and several White Papers focused on Market and Competitive Intelligence.

> Back to top

6. How can I contact GIA Finland?

You can email finland(at)globalintelligence.com or call Tommi Leino at tel: +358-40-553 7097.

The address of the office is:
Global Intelligence Alliance Finland
Itämerenkatu 5 A
00180 Helsinki, Finland
+358 (0)10 613 2000
finland(at)globalintelligence.com

To get to the office:

By public transport
From Helsinki Airport, take any of the following buses: 615. 615T, 615V, 615VK, and step off at Helsinki Railway Station (the bus ride costs 4 euros and the ticket is valid also in the subway). At Helsinki Railway Station descend to the subway level and take the subway west. Step off at Ruoholahti station. Take the escalator to the street level and exit the station. Outside, cross the street and turn right. Walk 250 meters and the office is on your left.

By taxi
From Helsinki Airport to GIA Helsinki office, the taxi ride will take around 30 minutes (20 km) and cost between 30 and 50 euros depending on the time of the day you are travelling at and the number of people per taxi.

> Back to top