Customer testimonials

Hundreds of teams have participated in SmoothTeam simulations. Below, you’ll find some customer testimonials.

SmoothTeam is an energizing tool

Vincit is a 600 employee public company that designs and develops web services, mobile apps, and embedded systems. SmoothTeam simulations have been an awesome and energizing tool for supporting our team members during this evolution and cultural shift. Due to the design of the SmoothTeam simulation platform, everyone finds something valuable in the experience – which isn’t always the case with many remote team exercises. Simulations also spark great conversations in groups which may typically have a hard time initiating deeper discussions. I recommend giving the tool a try. The chances are, it will become an essential part of your onboarding and employee engagement improvement process. Read the full story!

Ville Houttu
CEO, Vincit USA

Team building simulations reduce isolation and build connections

Most of our team members have never met in real life, so working on how we can foster culture within the team has been a really important focus for us. Before the simulation, we were nervous that there would be awkward moments where team members wouldn’t feel seen or would be upset that they weren’t chosen for a certain role. But actually, we found the opposite. A lot of people were in the right roles, and where there were discrepancies or issues, it was something that we already had an inkling about, but didn’t quite know how to approach. The simulation gave us the clarity we needed to actually put plans in place and move forward with some really important things. It’s kind of hard to think of an organization that wouldn’t benefit from something like this. Read the full story!

Alex Pujji
Founder & CEO, Right Left Agency

Courtney Wasserburger
President, Right Left Agency

It’s hard to imagine how else we would have gotten the same insights in such a short amount of time

It is of paramount importance to us that everyone in the organization knows each other, knows each other’s strengths and roles, and knows how to take advantage of this. A small and fast-growing team must have a strong level of trust so that everyone can participate fully and openly in the common goal. The simulation took us off the work context and made us plain humans: for a moment there were no co-workers but travel partners at Oktoberfest. Playfulness and the gamified nature helped, and we reached a mentally relaxed level where we were able to work with intuition without a work role. Overall, the simulation was an invigorating experience got us very much involved and provided ideas that we still continue to reflect on and work on. I can warmly recommend SmoothTeam to all communities with the ambition to develop into a power team. Read the full story!

Elisa Kitunen

Country Manager, EEX Oy

After the simulation, my first word was WOW!

Our Swedish partner LOVAK mentioned to me that they had introduced in Sweden an interesting team development service developed in Finland, and invited us to get acquainted with it as well. Although I am excited about everything new and innovative, my expectations were not high. Few new services have made an impact on me. After participating in the SmoothTeam simulation, my first word was: WOW! I was really impressed. The simulation created an awesome flow, its structure was really well thought out, and it genuinely helps teams and organizations perform better. Simulations that take advantage of stories are an ingenious idea. COVID-19 has put a huge burden on people and finally a service is available that can also help remote teams perform much better. I see SmoothTeam as a breakthrough in a new work culture. Read the full story!

Paul Choi

Founder, Paul&Mark

In the simulation, we got to consider one of the core questions of sports – what is required of a team for an individual to give their best?

We played the SmoothTeam simulation just before a major tournament and it was a good set. The tasks and questions were varied and well thought out, and the whole thing worked smoothly. The simulation opened up communication channels and initiated discussion, and we managed to go through various things. The discussions focused on the identity of our team: what kind of team we are and what things are important to us. As a coach, many different things came to me as a reminder. The simulation helped to understand how the thoughts of the team mates flow and what is there in the background, how you experience your teammates. I recommend SmoothTeam to all teams. Even if it feels like it’s going really well, it’s always helpful to spend a couple of hours going through things. For new teams, simulations can open up perspectives, bring in new stuff, and give direction. For older teams, they are a good tool to discuss team strengths, activities, and situations. Read the full story!

Eetu "sAw" Saha

Coach, CS:GO, ENCE Sports

SmoothTeam simulation allowed for an open and genuine discussion among the entire team

From SmoothTeam’s diverse offering, we found a suitable simulation for our situation. The simulation was gamified, which made the exercise even more interesting and effective. The simulation allowed for an open and genuine discussion among the entire team. We used an external facilitator to run the simulation so that each of us could immerse ourselves in the discussions. Communication with the facilitator was smooth throughout the process and the facilitator was genuinely interested in our organization. As a team, we learned to identify the strengths that connect each other and understand what kind of tasks are outside someone’s comfort zone. The exercise evoked an understanding of people’s diversity and how important it is to consider others as well. Read the full story!

Pekka Mäki-Kuutti

Head of Marketing, Granite Devices

We got to the team chemistry level in the discussions

The SmoothTeam simulation was a really good starting point for developing team chemistry. I myself have been involved many times in doing various tests designed to help me understand my teammates. They’ve never reached the same level – we got to the level of team chemistry in the discussions. Although we went outside our comfort zones, no one felt uncomfortable. Of course, new things are always exciting, but no one, even in retrospect, said that the it would have been distressing. The simulation did not force one to do anything, but rather enticed everyone to open their mouths and share their feelings. This was special in the simulation, such discussions are not easy to get to. In my experience, I can recommend the simulation to a wide variety of teams, and especially ones that spends a lot of time together.  Read the full story!

Antero Lehto

Captain, BC Nokia

The simulation gave the supervisor understanding about the team and help with leadership

We have had quite limited opportunities to get acquainted. When new employees come in and supervisors change, the team always re-forms. The SmoothTeam concept sounded really nice and interesting. In the simulation, team development has not been implemented too literally or traditionally. The preparation was already nice and we immediately got in a really good mood when the event started. The simulation also taught the supervisor to see what things to keep in mind when leading this group. SmoothTeam simulation is suitable for just about anything, as long as there is a team working together. I can also recommend it to global organizations.  Read the full story!

Kirsi-Marja Ura

SVP HR, Brand & Communications, Sustainability, Ensto

The immediate and genuine reactions, and the support of the team members were the best things in the SmoothTeam simulation

Our business is fairly new and the whole team is brand new. Our team does not work too much together, as everyone has their own responsibilities. However, we are a united team and have begun to create ways in which we can leverage each other’s expertise within the team. The simulation was an excellent experience also because it did not have separate tasks for different team members, but we did the whole trip together. This worked well, and as a foreperson it was great to watch when the whole team was involved. The questions concerned everyone and everyone was involved – there was no one left out. The best thing in the simulation were the immediate and genuine reactions of the team members. When we saw the responses from the team members, there were reactions as well as sincere questions and views that we discussed. Feelings were high, we smiled and laughed! Read the full story!

Arton Ibrahimi

Head of Solutions Management, Kiilto

SmoothTeam simulation supports collaboration, motivation and enthusiasm

Experienced coaches participated in the simulation. That’s why we chose the Biases in our Thinking simulation as this group needed challenges for their thoughts and because as they were all coaches, the other topics were already more familiar to them. During the simulation, there were several surprises when someone had self-assessed something to be a weak factor, and others saw it as their strength. As another example, we found that there are things I imagined were better than they actually are. We got into good discussions, and the implementation of the simulation via video conferencing didn’t affect this negatively at all. Read the full story!

Jarmo Annala

Netvisor Product Line Manager, Visma Solutions Oy

SmoothTeam opened also difficult topics for discussion

As a tool, SmoothTeam is clear and can be used by even the least experienced. The simulation sparked a good discussion also in a group that is sometimes hard to get talking. We were able to effortlessly open up particularly difficult issues for further discussion. SmoothTeam directs in a well-thought manner to the appropriate discussions and also to move forward. The simulation also limited the discussion appropriately and directed it to the necessary topics. I recommend SmoothTeam to all teams. Read the full story!

Juho Uutela

Product Owner and Supervisor, Visma Enterprise Oy

I recommend SmoothTeam to everyone who does teamwork

The SmoothTeam tool perfectly supports the occasion, but does not take the lead. The main part is the discussion between people. Good insights emerge from the discussion and it cuts down prejudices. Simulations lead us to pay more attention to the fact that we are all individuals. This really changes the way you work and provides support for the daily work. I warmly recommend SmoothTeam to anyone who does teamwork. Read the full story!

Veli-Pekka Eloranta

Agile coach, Vincit Oyj

SmoothTeam involved even the skeptics

I chose SmoothTeam, because it was recommended by a colleague. I found it an interesting approach: it’s both playful and useful by helping the team to find ways to function even better. Some of our team members are very skeptical towards team events – “how can we spend hours playing a game?!” Fortunately the simulation succeeded involving everyone fully. It was not only playful, but also practical training and development for us as a team. Everybody commented afterwards that the simulation was useful and enjoyable. SmoothTeam is great for international teams! It also works for newer teams and situations where new team members have joined an existing team. Read the full story!

Svea Paju

Marketing Director, Brands, Tikkurila Oyj

The simulation was one of the most natural teleconferencing events in which I have participated

My supervisor had heard of SmoothTeam and urged me to give it a try. The service immediately seemed interesting; it’s not too serious but not just a play either. SmoothTeam did a great job of integrating new team members into the team. The team also has people who have worked together for 30 years. They, too, felt that they were learning new things about each other. The simulation was one of the most natural teleconferencing events in which I have participated. Everyone kept their video and microphone open, and the discussion flowed well. There were no factors that traditionally degrade the atmosphere of a remote meeting. SmoothTeam is perfect for new and old teams. Next, I will use it to introduce a new project team to each other. Read the full story!

Simo Kuutti

Planning Manager, Sandvik

SmoothTeam glued our global team together

SmoothTeam enabled the team to come up with solutions together, to build our shared way of working. The buy-in is fundamentally better this way. It’s not only about the actual solutions we may use, but about the shared process of creating them. The simulation built a good foundation for me as a manager to build the team further. You can carry out these kinds of discussions in many ways, and this was a fun way, which we all enjoyed. Making a serious topic fun also helped the discussion. We are looking to continue the discussions after the simulation. The simulation clearly was the highlight of the week, and not only that, but now with hindsight I notice that the team members are continuing to build on the ideas we got in the simulation. This sparked something in the team, a new connection and new commitment to each other. Read the full story!

Filip Nyman

Process Portfolio Manager

The simulation worked better in team-building than we dared to hope

We do customer projects in very varied teams, but on the other hand, we have teamed up people more permanently at the business side. The members of the Solutions team who did the simulation now, often work on different projects, and there is no daily team-building because of this. Especially now during teleworking, the challenge is to maintain team spirit and create encounters. The simulation was a fun way to bring people together and it was easy to imagine being on an imaginary journey together! I can recommend the simulation very extensively, also to teams just like ours, i.e. it is not necessary to be close together. The shattering of many conceptions is always evocative and helps us understand each other’s ways of working. Read the full story!

Annika Turunen

HR Manager, Nordic Healthcare Group

SmoothTeam helps tell what people are really thinking

We have worked hard to ensure that people can get to know each other and keep in touch with teammates and co-workers even while telecommuting. However, remote work is especially visible in teamwork. So at this point, it felt really natural to jump into the world of SmoothTeam simulations. The simulations also get those people talking who don’t normally open up. Discussions can also get really deep and even those who have worked with each other for a long time have learned something new about each other. I, too, am amazed every time I facilitate the simulations! Read the full story!

Satu Niinimäki

Welfare and Coaching, Integrata

With SmoothTeam, people openly shared their thoughts

I’m really glad that the simulation got the different participants to speak openly and equally. The simulation guided everyone to take part. In a good way it forces equal participation. In many other methods, success depends a lot on what subjects each participant raises to discussion or if they choose to stay in the background. SmoothTeam encouraged everyone to share their own thoughts openly. With the help of the simulation, we went through the participants ’preferences and strengths in a truly open way, as well as discussed things that no one seems to prefer. We found that we should not think of people in overly narrow roles, as lawyers or as economists, but find individual roles. They are more inspiring and meaningful to people than ready-made boxes. Read the full story!

Sanna Hughes

Executive Director, Finnish Landlords’ Association

SmoothTeam gave us a whole new perspective

There are many aspects to teamwork in software projects: the technological perspective, the processes, and the people and communication. SmoothTeam helps to improve the latter. The session was attended by Finns, Estonians and Spaniards from Gofore, as well as our customers from Finland and Estonia. SmoothTeam gave us a whole new perspective to look at what the team is doing. It is also important that the session was fun and the participants were in a good mood. We did not get just analysis, but also well-being. Read the full story!

Ilkka Seppälä

Technical project manager, Gofore Oyj

The better we know each other, the smarter we can behave towards each other

SmoothTeam helped our team better understand why the team members are behaving in a certain way – and how I can behave smarter with them. Serve, interact or lead. SmoothTeam is great also for companies that are in a state of change, although nowadays, of course, there is talk that change is a permanent state of being. In fact, I don’t see any situations that SmoothTeam wouldn’t suit – on the contrary, I highly recommend trying it! Read the full story!

Jarno Anttalainen

CEO, Viafin GAS Oy

I can definitely recommend SmoothTeam to various organizations

We consciously work to improve the work community and we have used SmoothTeam already three times. We have chosen it especially because of the simulation-based approach. The simulation creates a basis for discussion and keeps the joint workshop meaningful for the participants also remotely. I can definitely recommend SmoothTeam to various organizations. SmoothTeam works to develop the team and its work, helping to identify pain points and engage in constructive discussions about them. Read the full story!

Sonja Raitamäki

Secretary General, National Union of University Students in Finland

The openness of the discussion created by SmoothTeam was startling

The discussion sparked by SmoothTeam was startling. We had gone through identical things before. When things were dealt with through the simulation, the same people provided completely different perspectives. The team members spoke much more openly. I have unreservedly praised SmoothTeam for many people. There are easy things in life: if I’m wondering if I should shave, the answer is automatically yes. There are also those things where the answer is automatically no. Using SmoothTeam is one of those points in life where the answer should be automatically yeah, if you consider even for a second whether it might be needed. Read the full story!

Tero Rinne

Founder, Chairman of the Board, Iogen Oy

The simulation makes it versatile how we see each other and ourselves in perhaps different ways

We are developing our own team on a regular basis. It is part of our strategy. We were looking for new perspectives for understanding each other through SmoothTeam simulation. It was fun! Thinking about each other’s strengths worked very well through the story.

Piritta van der Beek

CEO, Grape People Finland Oy

SmoothTeam helps develop the work of management teams in a globally decentralized team

Some of our employees meet regularly in offices in Zug, Switzerland and Helsinki, Finland. In addition, we have people from Australia, America and Spain, among others. A few employees mentioned that they had been very skeptical in advance as to whether it was worth wasting time on such. Afterwards, they said they saw value in the structured discussions created by SmoothTeam, through which we learned what each of us is like and how we see each other. In our case, the simulation opened the Pandora’s box really well, especially as there were both long-time employees and those who had been working with us for a shorter time. Read the full story!

Jarmo Suoranta

CEO, TX

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