Grand Cross of the Entrepreneur

Distribution and attachment of signs

The presentation of the Entrepreneurial Cross and the Cross of Merit is always a solemn occasion. The presenter may be the chairman of the board, CEO or other representative of the central organization, applicant community or company.

At the beginning of the event, the awarder will give a short speech in which he or she will describe the awardee through the award criteria and the importance of private entrepreneurship to the economy of our country. If the Grand Cross of the Entrepreneurial Cross is being awarded, the speech will describe the recipient's personal achievements in the field of private entrepreneurship.

The awarder attaches the badges, and usually has an assistant to help with the awarding. The awarding begins with the most valuable badge. Badges of the same value are awarded in alphabetical order, and the certificate of honor is read only to the first recipient. The certificate of honor is signed by the Chairman and CEO of Suomen Yrittäjät. We recommend framing the certificate of honor in a dignified manner before awarding the badge.

At the award ceremony, the Grand Cross of the Entrepreneurial Cross is hung around the neck (later at the celebration, the recipient attaches it with a pendant to the tie so that the ribbon runs inside the double collar of the shirt). The Entrepreneurial Cross or Merit Cross is also attached above the breast pocket of the suit jacket so that the lapel of the pocket is covered, and for women in a corresponding position.

At the Entrepreneurs' Party, only one, or the most valuable, badge is always worn. If a person has an organization's merit badge and an Entrepreneur's Cross for different merits, they can wear both. When merit badges and awards are worn, the costume must be a dark suit appropriate for the occasion; a pocket square is not used. Women wear an outfit similar to a men's dark suit. A miniature badge, or tuxedo badge, can be worn with a tuxedo.

Acceptance speech

The recipient of the most valuable award presents thanks on behalf of all recipients. If there are several recipients, the oldest one gives the thanks. This rule is only waived if there is a particularly respected entrepreneur among the recipients who is suitable to give the thanks. The thank-you speech is short and emphasizes the role of the recipients in private business and its importance to society.

The Entrepreneur's Cross or the Cross of Merit is always attached to the last left or bottom next to official decorations.

Event invitation

The invitation to the event states that the dress code is a dark suit (for women, a similar outfit). If it is an entrepreneur's party, the invitation states: Entrepreneurial Crosses and Organizational Merit Badges of the Federation of Finnish Entrepreneurs.

The relationship of merit badges to official decorations

Entrepreneurial and merit crosses and organizational merit badges are marks of merit and reward. They can be worn simultaneously with official decorations at such celebrations of the entrepreneurial organization that include the use of decorations. Such celebrations include the organization's annual celebrations and occasions related to official holidays, such as Independence Day, New Year's Day and Epiphany.

Official decorations refer to a decoration granted by the President of the Republic or in his name or otherwise on behalf of the state. Such decorations also include war commemorative medals and memorials, as well as some decorations awarded for military awards in peacetime. Informal decorations also refer to decorations and awards granted by private non-governmental organizations and central and trade unions to their members.

» Etiquette instructions in pdf format

Confirmed by the Board of the Confederation of Finnish Enterprises in autumn 2002

The Grand Cross of the Finnish Entrepreneurs' Order of the Entrepreneur is an award given to a person who, as a private entrepreneur or promoter of private entrepreneurship, has made a particularly distinguished contribution and/or has made a significant impact in positions of trust of the Finnish Entrepreneurs' Association or its member organizations and/or has participated in public positions of trust at least at the provincial level, promoting private entrepreneurship.

1§
The Grand Cross of the Entrepreneur's Cross may be awarded to a person who has made special merit in at least two of the above areas. At least three years must have passed since the previous recognition with the Entrepreneur's Cross or the Organizational Merit Badge before the next badge is awarded.

2§
The Grand Cross of the Entrepreneurial Cross is applied for by submitting an application to the Entrepreneurial Cross Board of the Federation of Finnish Entrepreneurs on a form prepared for this purpose. The proposal for the award of the Grand Cross of the Entrepreneurial Cross is made by a member organization or company of the Federation of Finnish Entrepreneurs. The applicant must declare that he or she is not aware of any circumstances about the person or his or her company that would be likely to weaken the recognition or appreciation of entrepreneurship in question.

3§
The Grand Crosses of the Entrepreneurial Cross are numbered.

4§
Negative decisions include the possibility of appealing, which is addressed to the Presidium of the Federation of Finnish Entrepreneurs, which must take a position on the matter within two weeks of receipt of the appeal.

5§
The Board of the Confederation of Finnish Entrepreneurs determines the price charged for the Great Cross of the Entrepreneurial Cross.

6§
A list of recipients of the Grand Cross of the Entrepreneur's Cross is kept at the Finnish Entrepreneurs' Office.

7§
The Entrepreneurial Cross Board may deviate from the award criteria in this distribution rule for special reasons.

8§
Changes to these guidelines are made by the Board of Finnish Enterprises.

The application is processed by the Finnish Entrepreneurs' Association, the processing time is approximately 2 weeks.