Being a Finnish Digital Citizen
Living in Finland as a 45-year-old woman, I’ve come to appreciate the support provided by the Social Insurance Institution of Finland, commonly known as Kela. This institution forms the backbone of our social security system, offering a wide range of benefits and services that significantly contribute to the well-being of Finnish residents.
In my daily life, Kela plays a role in terms of healthcare. Whenever I need to visit the doctor or pick up a prescription, a significant portion of these costs is covered by Kela, eventhough for the visits I have extensive occupational health care on behalf of my employer.
Income security is another area where Kela’s support is invaluable. While I’m currently employed, the thought of potentially losing my job is always in the back of my mind. Kela provides unemployment benefits, which act as a safety net, giving me peace of mind. This support means that if I ever find myself without a job, I won’t immediately be thrown into financial trouble, allowing me some breathing room to find new employment.
My partner and I, who keep our finances separate, would also benefit from Kela’s housing support should we have need for that. Although we currently manage housing costs independently, it’s reassuring to know that if our financial situation changes, we could apply for housing benefits. This safety net ensures that we can maintain stable and affordable living conditions.
While we don’t have children and therefore don’t utilize child-related benefits, I’m aware of Kela’s extensive support for families. This includes child benefits, parental allowances, and childcare subsidies, which are crucial for families across Finland, ensuring that children and parents alike are well-supported.
Kela is an integral part of life in Finland, providing comprehensive services that enhance our quality of life. From healthcare and income security to housing support and occupational well-being, Kela’s benefits offer a safety net for everyday life.
I got the European Health Insurance Card ages ago, so I can’t finish the task now. Also, I tried checking my pension status on the KEVA site, but it sent me over to Elo’s site. Once there, I managed to see the forecast by logging in with my bank details. But here’s the thing: they based it on my latest paycheck, which had some one-time additions not happening every month. That made the forecast higher than it should be. I’ll have to log in again when it looks at my regular salary.
Digital Shopping Experience
I use cosmetic products tailored for sensitive skin prone to redness, many of which are available in pharmacies across Finland. Given their efficacy in managing my skin condition, I have invested significantly in these products. I have been hesitant to explore foreign webstores due to concerns about potential fraud and the authenticity of the products, as some online sellers are not always honest. When a friend mentioned that she had successfully purchased the same products from an international online store, I decided to take the risk.
To my surprise, I received the items at a substantial discount compared to Finnish pharmacies, and the quality was equally commendable. Encouraged by this positive experience, I began purchasing other pharmaceutical products from foreign online stores. Each time I consider a new service provider, I acknowledge the risk. Therefore, I conduct thorough research on the company and look through customer reviews beforehand. If I encounter any red flags, I prefer to pay a premium to another reliable company rather than risk buying from a dubious source, despite the tempting lower prices.
Digital Shopping in Hospitality
As a Revenue Manager in a hotel chain, my daily tasks involve managing the online sale of hotel room capacity. Given my professional background, selecting a relevant service to discuss for this blog is straightforward. In Europe, Booking.com is the dominant player in the market, making it a fitting subject for this post.
Hotels aim to maximize direct bookings, as third-party reservations often result in either lower selling prices or higher commission fees. For visibility and marketing purposes, Online Travel Agents (OTAs) are essential. I must admit, during my frequent work travels, I often used Booking.com. Primarily, I utilized it as a search engine, then visited the hotel’s own website to book directly. Sometimes I found that smaller hotels offered higher rates on their own websites or had more difficult and not that professional-looking booking processes, leading me to complete my reservations on Booking.com instead.
On some occasions, I emailed hotels to explain that I would book directly if they matched Booking.com’s rates, thus saving on commission fees. Unfortunately, many small hoteliers fail to recognize the value of direct bookings and simply direct me back to Booking.com, which is disheartening since I genuinely want to help them.
Navigating digital shopping in the hospitality industry is not straightforward. Consumers often struggle to determine who to trust and where to find the best prices between various service providers, affiliates, and meta-search sites. As a representative of a hotel chain, I can offer a few tips: booking directly with the hotel allows for more flexibility in making changes and special requests. Direct bookings increase the hotel’s revenue from your stay, making you a more valuable customer and enhancing your chances of receiving upgrades and special recognition. Book direct and enjoy the benefits!
Digital Gap in Hospitality
Digitalization is transforming the hospitality industry, making booking, check-in, and guest services more seamless through virtual platforms. However, the digital gap poses significant risks for those not using these technologies. Travelers without access to digital tools or the skills to use them face challenges in booking accommodations, accessing personalized services, and even finding travel information. This digital divide can lead to social exclusion and a less enjoyable travel experience.
Bridging this gap is critical in hospitality. Digital literacy education is essential to help guests navigate digital services confidently. Ensuring affordable and widespread internet access within hotels and travel destinations is equally important to keep everyone connected. Additionally, designing inclusive digital tools that cater to diverse needs can help integrate all guests into the digital age.
Efforts to close the digital gap in hospitality should be comprehensive and multifaceted, involving hoteliers, travel companies, and community organizations. By prioritizing digital inclusion, we can ensure that all guests benefit from the advancements in technology, fostering a more equitable and connected travel experience. The goal is not just to keep pace with digitalization but to create an environment where no traveler is left behind in the digital revolution.
Self-reflection
With this topic I had an enlightening experience that opened my mind to the concept of being a “Digi Citizen.” While many services have transitioned online over the past few decades, I hadn’t consciously recognized this shift as digitalization. Tasks like managing my bank accounts online have become second nature to me. However, for my parents’ generation, these tasks can be daunting. They are accustomed to handling such matters in person or over the phone.
The rapid pace of digital evolution is incredible. It makes me wonder if, when I reach my parents’ age, I will face the same challenges with new digital solutions that might emerge. With over 20 years still ahead in my working life, I am determined to keep pace with digital advancements in my professional sphere to stay relevant and updated.
Taking the Digital Competence test was a humbling experience. It highlighted some significant gaps in my digital skills. The vastness of the digital landscape means I need to focus on the most pertinent areas for my personal and professional growth. My goal is to remain an engaged and informed Digi Citizen. Staying awake and aware of the changes in the digital world is crucial for my continuous development and adaptability.
Ease, price, and reliability are factors that people often consider when shopping online. You yourself had ventured to order products on a friend’s recommendation, and several positive experiences have increased your trust in online service providers.
In the case of accommodation services, Booking.com, as a major provider, enjoys the trust of many consumers. Although people might be aware that booking directly with the hotel could be cheaper and/or more flexible, they may find making a reservation through Booking.com easier and safer.
I also noticed on my summer vacation how much various digital services are used when traveling nowadays. There are even services today that cannot be used without internet access. On the other hand, during my trip, the best experiences were found in places where digitalization had not yet reached.