A new study circulating through hedge funds and university campuses points to the powerful role that old-school ties play in the world of investing.

COPENHAGEN — Across Europe, nations such as France, Italy and Germany struggle with lackluster economic growth, high unemployment and high taxes that often fall far short of paying for their welfare states.

Then there is Denmark.

As most in Europe, the Danes have high taxes, which take an average of 50% of income.
They have a big welfare state, which provides free public health care, education, child care and job training on top of generous unemployment benefits.

Wages are high, with 87% of the workforce belonging to unions. Prices are high, too.
But the Danes enjoy steady economic growth, the lowest jobless rate on the continent, a budget surplus and shrinking government debt. And they work 37 hours a week.

Denmark defies much conventional wisdom that you cannot have jobs, growth and sound government finances while imposing high taxes and running a big welfare state.

Read the complete article at USA Today

The US is now Denmark’s 3rd largest export market. Statistics from September 2006 show that the US now accounts for more than USD 11 billion or almost 9% of the total Danish exports. See the complete article at “Eksport til USA“.

Economic Minister Bendt Bendtsen unveiled the government’s plan Thursday for raising the world’s awareness about Denmark.

Marketing Foundation Denmark provided the cornerstone of the strategy, and a total of DKK 412 million (EUR 55.6 million) has been allotted to promote Denmark over the next four years. Read the complete article at denmark.dk

If you want all the details (only available in Danish) then check konservative.dk

35 nations branding value (Country names are written in Danish)

Denmark has the world’s most motivated entrepreneurs. More than 90 per cent of the Danish entrepreneurs are driven by willingness, shows a new international survey.

The international part of the survey Global Monitor Entrepreneurship 2006 was published in London last week is the largest international entrepreneur survey. In the survey researchers from 44 countries ask the population about entrepreneurship activities. Read more at Copenhagen Capicity.

Consider if this survey would have been different, if it had been done prior to the Skype sale to Ebay in Sep. 2005??? The Danes might have a billion good reasons…

The Global Workforce Index 2006, an international workplace survey carried out by employment agency, Kelly Services, has found that Denmark has the happiest workforce, with 74% of employees saying they are satisfied with their jobs. Mexico and Sweden followed with 71%.

The best bosses being found in Mexico, USA and Canada, and the worst in Sweden, Italy and Turkey. Employers were rated on four attributes – communication, leadership, team spirit and delegation skills. Read the complete article here.

The Danish government has published ReD Associates’ analysis and recommendations for global promotion of Denmark within exports, investments, tourism, research, culture etc.

It is very interesting reading, and I recommend looking through it. It might change the way you are promoting your Danish products. Read the Executive summary in English here or the full report here in Danish (7,5MB)

At the Danish Business Summit in Atlanta Nov. 2006, the question was raised if you as a Danish company in the US should promote and market your company and products as being Danish? Here is what the people interviewed in the report said:

“Danish people are competent, I feel comfortable in Denmark, what they [Danes] say will get done gets done, efficiently. What I would like to see is more publicity for Danish goods and why they are so good’” Russ Dailey, USA

“Danish companies and products are characterized by technology and high quality” Zacharias Karacristo, Brazil

“Danish companies as well as products are characterized by quality and that they provide innovative solutions rather than just a product” Paulo Ribeiro, Brazil

“Unless you spend a lot of time and effort in making something the best in the world, or the highest quality, Denmark could not exist. And I think that principle applies to the products and companies that Danes make. The best in the world, or highly differentiated” Chulwoong Sohn, South Korea

“High quality, strong design, not mass market, not trying to be global, but picking one or two key competences” Angus MacLennan, UK

“Danish products are very good - a guarantee of quality as opposed to e.g. American products” Galina Bogoljubova, Russia

“Danish products are high value, good quality, probably expensive” Scott Supernaw, USA

“The fact that a product is “made in Denmark” is a quality mark” Edson Petrillo, Brazil

“Very high quality… but not really marketed products. Few people know that the product they buy is actually Danish.” Bimal Raizada, India

The report concludes that Danish goods should be promoted as “Made in Denmark” due to the strong brand that Danish goods and services have as being quality and world class.

So forget Janteloven for a while and start telling the story about your product being DANISH and let’s help Denmark, Danish tourism and your company’s sales by mentioning Denmark every chance we get.

5 Danish companies in the Top 25 The World’s Most Reputable Companies. Lego, A. P. Moller-Maersk, Danfoss, Velux and Novo Nordisk. See the complete list here.

“Reputation” has become a watchword in the corporate world, and safeguarding a company’s image is now a top priority for many CEOs. That’s one reason why the Reputation Institute, a New York consulting firm, decided to rate the reputations of the biggest companies in the world. The results may surprise you; only one American company, for example, made it into the top ten worldwide.” Read the complete article here.

Planning to move your US headquarter or establishing a US subsidiary then check the list of “Best Places For Business And Careers” posted on Forbes.com earlier this year.

1. Albuquerque NM
2. Raleigh NC
3. Houston TX
4. Boise ID
5. Knoxville TN
6. Phoenix AZ
7. Nashville TN
8. Durham NC
9. Fayetteville AR
10. Indianapolis IN
Complete List

The following cities are NOT in the Top 100: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Las Vegas, Miami and New York. See map of the 200 largest cities and their rating here

Well don’t start bribing just yet, because according to the 2006 Corruption Perceptions Index, launched today by Transparency International, you will have to move south of the US border in order to succeed by using bribes.

The index shows that the top non-corrupt countries are 1st Finland, 2nd Iceland, 3rd New Zealand and 4th Denmark. Canada is 14th and USA ranks 20th out of 163 countries. At the bottom of the list are Iraq, Myanmar and Haiti.

See the list here and the report on transparancy.org