5 ways how startups can help HR transform organizations

Posted by & filed under Collaboration, Corporations, Entrepreneurship, General, Human Resources.

“Most big banks have the tools and advantages to push the boundaries of their existing business models. And they’re certainly motivated. What hampers their progress is uncertainty about how best to build on core strengths to create sustainable outcomes.”

McKinsey

Financial institutions know they need to change. They need to keep up with the digital growth. And they need to keep up with the evolving market that startups are disrupting. Their HR departments feel the urgency and know they need to drive the change. But what often remains blurry is what they need to do in reality to make things happen.

Yes, we need to steer this organization into the new direction – but what is the direction? What does the future of financial institutions look like in practise? And what does it require from people to actually get there?

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Blockchain and Fintech accelerator, the community that will change transactions

Posted by & filed under Accelerator, Banking, Collaboration, Featured, General.

The way we do transactions (of all sorts) is changing. Technologies such as blockchain and AI have affected the way we do our banking, insurance, legal work, administration, investments, etc.

But I’m preaching to the choir. Many of you who read this are already part of the next wave of fintech. Or they have the new killer insurtech solution. Or you’re using using blockchain to make some current operation obsolete.

Is that you? And most importantly, do you believe in partnerships with the big players in order to become the next big thing?

The you’ll be interested in the blockchain and fintech accelerator

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We’re opening an office in Spain – come visit us!

Posted by & filed under Featured, General, Press release, Programs.

At Nestholma we believe in proximity. Employees of financial institutions and entrepreneurs need to stay close to learn from each other. We need to be there as well, to make sure collaboration happens productively.

But…  fintech startups are born global. Fintech startups are not bound by national borders. They need to look past the few big players in their country and build a network of international connection early on.

Tough combination, right?

It seems like we must be everywhere at once. And even worse: financial institutions are expected to keep up with everything that’s going on!

In order to be closer to the financial and fintech ecosystems in Southern Europe and Latin America, we’ve decided to open an office in Spain. Read more »

How to find the right partner for your startup collaboration

Posted by & filed under Innovation, Organizational learning, Product development.

It is hard to think of a better time to be a bank, insurance company or other corporation who wants to work with startups. Over the past years, companies specializing in organizing hackathons, incubators, accelerators or any other kind of startup related programs and services have sprung up like mushrooms. And that’s why regardless if it is the first time an organization is embarking on the journey to work with startups or already have well-established systems and processes, they can easily find whatever help they need.

At the same time, there are so many players that finding the partner (or partners) for your organization and your specific goals is definitely not the easiest task. And that is why we created this guide to help you find the right partner for you.

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What is a corporate accelerator?

Posted by & filed under Accelerator, Collaboration.

We have run 26 different collaboration programs in the past. And in many of them, we helped financial institutions run a corporate accelerator. Because of that, I often the get asked if “we are an accelerator”. And no we’re not: we have expertise in that area, but we are far from that.

In fact, because of those moments, I’m starting to hate the word “accelerator” a little.

But there’s an even funnier part. I often realize that people are confused about what accelerators are. So let’s take a step back, and start there.

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What startup entrepreneurs can teach business leaders about company culture

Posted by & filed under Guest blog, Human Resources, Organizational learning.

We tend to think of corporations and startups as being on opposite ends of the same continuum. That corporations are the more evolved form of startups, and they are what every startup hopes to eventually become.

And while this is true to some extent, it doesn’t mean the relationship is one-way. Just like startups can learn lots from corporations, they also can teach corporations how to think in new ways and embrace new possibilities.

Company culture is one of these areas where startups can offer some real insight to corporations. Most business leaders agree that a strong and appropriate company culture is a real competitive edge, but organizational change is a daunting task that sometimes seems too great to undertake.

If you’re skeptical that startups can teach business leaders about company culture, then consider the following.

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