The activities of the association are guided by a three-year strategy, which is updated every three years. The purpose of the strategy is to provide clear guidelines for the actions of the association's active members and to support Preemio's long-term development.

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During the 2022–24 strategy period, the focus areas are: Encouraging organization, Economy supporting growth, Stakeholders supporting expansion, and Diverse activities. The objectives and focus areas of the strategy reflect important functions and support pillars for the association’s existence and operations, and their development and measurement will enable the association’s success in the future. Special emphasis during the strategy period will be placed on continuous and high-quality measurement of activities, as this is a prerequisite for the long-term development of operations.

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The primary responsibility for creating the new strategy lies with Preemio’s Heritage Council, as well as the board of 2021. The Heritage Council met during 2021 to discuss the implementation of the previous strategy by focus area, the association’s development during the strategy period, and its future directions. In addition to the previous strategy, annual reports and member surveys from previous years were used in the planning work. Members' views were collected in the fall of 2021 through a strategy survey.

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Each area of the strategy will be continuously measured using indicators defined for the strategy period. Implementation will be monitored using a performance table, which will be added as an appendix to the strategy. The indicators are presented in more detail with each strategy focus area.

The association's mission is to be the community for business students at the University of Eastern Finland's Kuopio campus, advocating for its members' interests and promoting their well-being in all aspects of student life.

 

The vision of the association is to provide its members with an environment that encourages growth and development, to be a visible and respected player, and a desired partner among all of its stakeholders.

 

From an advocacy perspective, the association strives to ensure that business students in Kuopio have access to high-quality education in business studies, with a variety of flexible teaching methods. The association aims to foster a sense of community and serve as a connector between people, through events and other activities. In order to support the well-being of its members, the association encourages and offers opportunities to create connections both locally and nationally, with other business students, the business world, and across disciplines.

 

Values: Community, encouragement, and empowerment.

Due to the growth in membership, the activities must be broad-based at all levels. Member engagement is encouraged, with opportunities provided through the board, committees, clubs, and various hobby groups. Supporting and developing multi-level operations is increasingly important for fostering member commitment and satisfaction.

 

Each area of operation should have clear guidelines, plans, and orientation. Special attention should be given during the strategy period to increasing the role of teams and further developing activities at their level. Board members have an important responsibility as team leaders, developing and monitoring their respective areas.

 

The activities of independent clubs and hobby groups outside the board and its subordinate teams will be supported, with the goal of encouraging more members to get involved in the association’s activities. It is important to monitor and guide the development of these groups to ensure their operations serve all Preemio members, with a primary focus on their needs.

The number of new members joining annually, in relation to all incoming students.

 

The number of attendees at clubs and events, broken down by event.

 

The number of applicants for trust positions within the association, in relation to available roles.

The association's activities are contingent upon sound financial management. A key principle for the association's operations is to avoid operating at a loss by planning, forecasting, and regularly analyzing the financial situation, making necessary adjustments to ensure financial success. To support this, the association has a financial policy, which, alongside the strategy, action plan, budget, and other practices, guides sound financial management. A financial working group has been established to assist in planning and implementing the association's financial affairs.

 

Preemio is a non-profit organization, so its financial operations must be aimed at benefiting its members. The association's revenue primarily comes from events and income from cooperation partners, and its efforts to grow wealth should be systematic and long-term. To increase its assets, the association should engage in investment activities, with the returns used to provide higher-quality services and events for members and to invest in larger projects that serve both the association and its members. The principles for the association's investment activities are detailed in a separate investment plan, which is based on the association's rules and financial policy.

 

The largest portion of the association's costs stems from its event operations. Given the significant role of major events, such as the annual celebration, Kuopio Haalaribileet, and VISIO business event, particular attention must be paid to their financial success during the budgeting process.

Revenue growth.

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Income from collaboration agreements.

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Revenue from events.

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Value of investments.

One of the cornerstones of Preemio's successful operation is high-quality and planned stakeholder cooperation. Preemio aims to be a proactive partner among its collaborators, creating long-lasting, mutually beneficial partnerships. These stakeholders can roughly be divided into the fields of business studies, the University of Eastern Finland, and external networks.

 

In the field of business studies, the most important partners are other student organizations, especially those within the business field. Particular attention should be paid to advancing cooperation with umbrella organizations, such as Suomen Ekonomit (Finnish Economists) and Pohjois-Savon Ekonomit (North Savo Economists). Cooperation with these organizations should focus on career-driven matters, with a special emphasis on engaging master's level students.

 

Alumni are also important partners in the field of business studies. Maintaining continuous and active alumni activities is essential so that graduates naturally feel motivated to join the Preemion Alumnit ry (Preemio Alumni Association) and participate in Preemio events after graduation. Preemio’s role in alumni activities is to support and assist.

 

Within the University of Eastern Finland, the most crucial internal stakeholder is the Department of Business Studies. Open communication with the department's management and staff is necessary for effective operations. It is vital to have constructive discussions regarding teaching and program challenges and to closely monitor the impact of student selection for business studies in collaboration with the department. Preemio should also engage in multi-directional discussions about external services used by the university, such as the language center.

 

All Preemio members are also members of the Itä-Suomen yliopiston ylioppilaskunta (ISYY, the Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland), and Preemio encourages members to stay informed about ISYY’s activities and participate in its various bodies. During the strategy period, Preemio should actively promote the influence of the Kylterit (business student representatives) in ISYY.

 

Other student organizations on the Kuopio campus are also key stakeholders. Maintaining cooperation with these organizations is vital for event organization, brand development, and creating collaborations that serve Preemio members.

 

External stakeholders include business partners and other organizations that help develop Preemio members’ professionalism and skills. International exchange students and master’s students, as well as the organizations that host events for them, are also important external stakeholders.

 

Business partners, particularly main partners, are significant for Preemio, as the collaboration supports the financing of the association’s activities. Preemio acts as a link between these companies and its members, providing access to career opportunities, networking, and member discounts. The association aims to establish long-term partnerships with its main corporate partners and deepen collaborations with the businesses involved in Preemiopol, as well as with one-time sponsors, ensuring they gain real benefits from their involvement. The number of business visits, courses, and leisure events organized in cooperation with companies should continue to grow.

 

Preemio should also participate in the orientation of international students, both in the fall and spring, to ensure that as many international master's students as possible join the association and that exchange students have the opportunity to network with Preemio members. Activities should be organized for international students, and event descriptions should be translated into English to provide them with information about Preemio’s events.

The number and financial value of long-term and short-term partnership agreements.

 

The number of companies in Preemiopoli.

 

The number of Preemio members active in the university and ISYY's governing bodies.

In addition to advocacy, one of the key tasks of the association is to organize a variety of events and activities for its members. The association must consider, whenever possible, all Preemio members when organizing activities, and it should increasingly offer alcohol-free events and activities that engage all member segments, such as professional and sports-related events. To ensure diversity, Preemio should proactively collaborate with partners and activate clubs and societies. Communication about events must always be timely and take place on platforms where it can effectively reach the members.

 

The increase in member-driven activities should be supported and encouraged, but attention must be given to the coordination and planning of events in the future. The association organizes three themed weeks per year: the anniversary week, the Wappu week, and the freshman week. During these themed weeks, events are organized daily, and throughout the year, there should be events at least weekly.

 

The largest individual events of the year are the association's anniversary celebrations, Kuopio Overalls Parties held four times a year, the VISIO seminar, the Flying Start pub crawl event, and the association's Christmas party. Special attention should be paid to the organization, planning, and budgeting of these events, as they are also the association's largest financial investments.

 

The anniversary celebrations are the most prestigious events of the year and consist of a weekend program that includes Preemio members, alumni, partners, and representatives of other stakeholders.

 

The Kuopio Overalls Parties should be developed, and its concept kept fresh to maintain the event’s position as the leading student event in the city. This event holds a significant financial role, and organizing it is the primary responsibility of the event committee.

 

The financial potential of the Flying Start pub crawl must be effectively utilized with good planning and coordination. The event should aim to establish its place in Kuopio's student event scene.

 

The VISIO business seminar, held in November, is the association’s most important professional event. During the strategy period, its visibility among stakeholders should be increased so that the seminar becomes a highly sought-after place for companies to recruit and meet business students. Efforts should also be made to increase its interdisciplinary popularity during the upcoming strategy period.

Event-specific attendance numbers.

 

Total number of events.

 

Number of events organized with stakeholders.