User Guide

Welcome to Your Business Matching Journey!

This platform helps your company connect with potential business partners between Nordic countries and Hong Kong/Asia. Think of it as a professional networking platform designed specifically for international business partnerships.

Registering Your Company

Go to the registration page: https://fhba.fi/register/

Fill in your company information

Company Name – Your official business name
Company Description – What your company does (be specific!)
Company Website – Your website URL (optional but recommended)

Add contact person details

First Name – Contact person’s first name
Last Name – Contact person’s last name
Email Address – This will be your login email
Phone Number – For potential partners to reach you
Password – Choose a secure password (minimum 8 characters)
Confirm Password – Type your password again

Select business details

Primary Sector – Your main industry
Company Size – Number of employees
Country – Where you’re based

Choose your association

Select the business association you belong to
Not sure? Contact your chamber of commerce or trade association

Define your interests:
Looking For – Check all that apply

Business Partners
Suppliers
Distributors
Investors
Customers
Joint Venture Partners
Technology Transfer
Research Collaboration

Offering – Check what you can provide

Products
Services
Distribution Network
Investment Opportunities
Technical Expertise
Manufacturing Capabilities
Market Access
R&D Capabilities

Accept terms and click Register Company

After Registration

You’ll receive a confirmation email
You can log in immediately but with limited access
Your association will review your application
Once approved, you’ll receive a welcome email with full access

Logging In

Go to: https://fhba.fi/login/ or click “Log In” on the main website
Enter your email address (not username)
Enter your password
Click Log In

Forgot your password? Click “Lost your password?” and follow the instructions.

Dashboard

After logging in, you’ll see your dashboard – your control center for everything.

Dashboard Sections

Welcome Message – Shows your approval status

Profile Completion – Shows how complete your profile is (aim for 100%!)

Quick Stats (once approved)

Matches – Companies you’re connected with
Pending Interests – Companies interested in you
Sent Interests – Companies you’ve shown interest in

Quick Actions – Buttons to

Browse Companies
View Matches
See Recommendations
Edit Profile

Understanding Your Status

Pending: Your application is being reviewed

  • You can edit your profile
  • You cannot browse other companies yet

Approved: You have full access

  • Browse and search companies
  • Express interest
  • View your matches
  • Get recommendations
Completing Your Profile

A complete profile gets better matches! Here’s how to perfect it:

Accessing Your Profile

Click Edit Profile from your dashboard
Or go to: https://fhba.fi/profile/

Profile Sections
Company Information

Make your description compelling
Highlight what makes you unique
Include your website

Contact Information

Keep contact details updated
Email cannot be changed (contact support if needed)

Business Details

Ensure sector, size, and country are accurate
These are used for matching!

Business Interests

Select all relevant options
Be honest about what you need and offer
More selections = better matches

Saving Changes
  • Click Save Changes after any updates
  • You’ll see a success message
  • Check your completion percentage

Pro tip: A 100% complete profile gets 3x more interest!

Browsing Companies

Once approved, you can explore potential partners.

Finding Companies
  • Click Browse Companies or go to: https://fhba.fi/companies/
  • You’ll see a list of all approved companies
Using Search and Filters
Search Box

Type keywords to search company descriptions
Try industry terms, product names, or services

Filter Options

Sector: Filter by industry
Country: Find companies in specific locations
Company Size: Match with similar-sized businesses
Looking For: Find companies seeking what you offer
Offering: Find companies offering what you need

Apply Filters

Select your criteria
Click Search
Click Clear to reset filters

Understanding Company Cards

Each company shows:

  • Generic title (e.g., “Technology Company”) – names hidden until matched
  • Country and size
  • Business sector
  • Company description
  • What they’re looking for
  • What they’re offering
  • Express Interest button

Note: You cannot see company names or contact details until you match!

The Matching Process
How Matching Works
  • You see a potential partner while browsing
  • You express interest by clicking the button
  • They receive notification about your interest
  • If they accept – you both become matched
  • Now you can see each other’s full details and connect!
Expressing Interest
  • Find a company you like
  • Click Express Interest
  • The button changes to “Interest Sent”
  • Wait for their response

Important:

  • You can only express interest once per company
  • If declined, you cannot express interest again
  • There’s no limit to how many interests you can send
Getting Recommendations

The platform suggests matches based on:

  • What you need vs. what they offer
  • Business sector alignment
  • Geographic compatibility
  • Company size

To see recommendations:

  • Click See Recommendations from dashboard
  • Or go to: https://fhba.fi/recommendations/
  • Review suggested matches with scores
  • Express interest in good matches
Managing Your Matches

Access your matches at: https://fhba.fi/matches/

Three Sections

1. Pending Interests

  • Companies interested in you
  • You can Accept or Decline
  • Shows generic company info until you accept

2. Sent Interests

  • Companies you’ve expressed interest in
  • Shows “Waiting for response” status
  • No action needed – just wait

3. Mutual Matches

  • Your successful connections!
  • Full company names revealed
  • Complete contact information:
    • Company name
    • Contact person
    • Email address
    • Phone number
    • Website
  • When you matched
Responding to Interest

When a company expresses interest in you:

  • You receive an email notification
  • Log in and go to Matches → Pending Interests
  • Review their profile
  • Click Accept Interest to match
  • Or click Decline if not interested

After accepting:

  • Both of you see full contact details
  • You can contact them directly
  • The match appears in your “Mutual Matches”
Making Contact

Once matched, it’s time to connect!

What You Can See

  • Real company name
  • Contact person’s full name
  • Direct email address
  • Phone number
  • Company website

Best Practices for First Contact

  • Send email within 48 hours of matching
  • Reference the platform so they know where you met
  • Be specific about why you’re interested
  • Suggest next steps – call, video meeting, etc.
Example First Message

Subject: Partnership Opportunity via FHBA Matchmaking Platform

Dear [Contact Name],

I’m reaching out because we recently matched on the FHBA matchmaking platform.
I was particularly interested in [specific aspect of their business].

[Brief introduction of your company and why you’re a good match]

I’d love to schedule a brief call to explore potential collaboration.
Are you available for a 30-minute video call next week?

Best regards,
[Your name]

Tips for Success
Profile Tips

✅ Complete your profile – 100% completion gets more views
✅ Be specific in your description
✅ Update regularly – keep interests current
✅ Use professional language
✅ Highlight unique offerings

Searching Tips

✅ Try different filters to find hidden gems
✅ Check recommendations weekly
✅ Don’t filter too narrowly
✅ Read full descriptions before expressing interest

Matching Tips

✅ Express interest generously – you never know!
✅ Respond quickly to interests received
✅ Check pending interests daily
✅ Follow up promptly after matching

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Incomplete profile
❌ Being too selective with interests
❌ Not checking pending interests
❌ Delayed follow-up after matching
❌ Generic first messages

Account Management
Changing Your Password
  • Log in to your account
  • Go to Edit Profile
  • Find the password section
  • Enter new password twice
  • Click Save Changes
Updating Contact Information
  • You can update all details except email
  • To change email, contact support
  • Keep phone number current for matches
Notification Preferences

You’ll receive emails for:

  • Registration confirmation
  • Approval notification
  • When someone expresses interest
  • When a match is created

Note: You cannot turn off these important notifications.

Troubleshooting
Common Issues

Can’t Log In?

  • Use your email address, not company name
  • Check caps lock
  • Try password reset
  • Clear browser cache

Not Seeing All Features?

  • Make sure you’re approved (check dashboard)
  • Log out and log back in
  • Try a different browser

No Search Results?

  • Broaden your filters
  • Try searching without filters first
  • Check spelling in search box

Not Getting Matches?

  • Complete your profile (100%)
  • Express interest in more companies
  • Update what you’re looking for/offering
  • Check recommendations regularly
Getting Help
  • Check this guide first
  • Ask your association manager
  • Contact platform support
  • Include screenshots when reporting issues
Quick Reference
Important URLs
  • Main site: https://fhba.fi
  • Login: https://fhba.fi/login/
  • Dashboard: https://fhba.fi/dashboard/
  • Profile: https://fhba.fi/profile/
  • Browse Companies: https://fhba.fi/companies/
  • Matches: https://fhba.fi/matches/
  • Recommendations: https://fhba.fi/recommendations/
The Matching Process (Summary)
  • Browse or get recommendations
  • Express interest in companies
  • Wait for response OR respond to interests
  • Match created when both interested
  • Exchange contact details
  • Connect directly!
Key Rules

✓ You must be approved to browse companies
✓ Contact details hidden until matched
✓ Can only express interest once per company
✓ Complete profile gets better results
✓ Use email address to log in

Events module

Finding Events
Browse All Events

The main events page shows all upcoming events. Each event card displays:

  • Event title and category
  • Date and time
  • Location (or “Online Event” for virtual)
  • Event type (Virtual, In-Person, or Hybrid)
  • Brief description
  • Organizer information
Use Smart Filters

Find exactly what you need:

  • Search Box: Type keywords like “export”, “tech”, or “Helsinki”
  • Category Filter:
    • Conference
    • Workshop
    • Networking
    • Seminar
    • Trade Show
    • Webinar
    • Business Matching
  • Country Filter: Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, or Hong Kong
  • Past Events: Check the box to see completed events
Get Personalized Recommendations

Look for the “Recommended Events” section which suggests events based on:

  • Your location
  • Your business interests
  • Your sector
  • Popular events in your field
Expressing Interest
How to Express Interest
  • Find an event you want to attend
  • Click the “Express Interest” button
  • That’s it! Your contact details are automatically sent
What Happens Next?
  • Immediate Confirmation: You receive an email confirming your interest
  • Organizer Notified: The event organizer gets your:
    • Company name
    • Contact person name
    • Email address
    • Phone number (if provided)
    • Company website
  • Direct Contact: The organizer may contact you with more details
  • Automatic Reminder: You’ll get a reminder 1 day before the event
Important Notes
  • You can only express interest in Active events
  • Free Action: Expressing interest doesn’t commit you to attend
  • Direct Communication: Further arrangements happen between you and the organizer
  • No Payment: This system doesn’t handle registrations or payments
Managing Your Interests
View Your Event Interests
  • Go to “My Event Interests” page
  • See all events you’ve expressed interest in
  • Each shows:
    • Event details
    • Status (Active, Cancelled, Completed)
    • Option to withdraw interest
Withdraw Interest

Changed your mind? No problem:

  • Go to “My Event Interests”
  • Find the event
  • Click “Withdraw Interest”
  • Confirm when prompted
  • Your interest is removed

Note: The organizer may be notified of your withdrawal.

Understanding Event Status

Events can have different statuses:

Active ✅: Currently accepting interest (normal status)
Inactive ⏸️: Visible but not accepting new interest
Cancelled ❌: Event won’t happen (you’ll be notified)
Completed ✓: Event has already occurred

Status Indicators
  • Active events show the “Express Interest” button
  • Inactive events show “Not accepting interest”
  • Cancelled events display a red “Cancelled” badge
  • Completed events show in past events view
Email Notifications
Emails You’ll Receive
  • Interest Confirmation
    • Subject: “Event Interest Confirmation: [Event Name]”
    • Contains: Event details, what happens next
    • When: Immediately after expressing interest
  • Event Reminder
    • Subject: “Reminder: [Event Name] is Tomorrow”
    • Contains: Event details, location, time
    • When: 1 day before the event
  • Cancellation Notice
    • Subject: “Event Cancelled: [Event Name]”
    • Contains: Cancellation notice, organizer contact
    • When: If organizer cancels the event
Email Settings
  • Emails come from the FHBA system
  • Check your spam folder if you don’t see them
  • Contact support to update your email address
Event Details Explained

Virtual Events 💻

  • Held entirely online
  • No travel required
  • Usually includes a meeting link
  • May require separate registration

In-Person Events 📍

  • Physical location required
  • Shows city and country
  • May include venue details
  • Consider travel arrangements

Hybrid Events 🔄

  • Both online and in-person options
  • Choose your preferred attendance method
  • Usually offers flexibility
Event Capacity

Some events show participant limits:

  • “15/20 participants” means 15 interested, max 20
  • “Event Full” means no more interest accepted
  • No limit shown means unlimited capacity
Best Practices
Getting the Most from Events
  • Complete Your Profile
    • Helps recommendations
    • Provides accurate contact info
    • Shows professional presence
  • Express Interest Early
    • Popular events fill quickly
    • Organizers appreciate early interest
    • Better chance of securing spot
  • Be Selective
    • Focus on relevant events
    • Quality over quantity
    • Respect organizers’ time
  • Follow Up
    • Respond to organizer communications
    • Add to your calendar
    • Prepare for the event
Professional Etiquette

✓ DO:

  • Provide accurate contact information
  • Respond to organizer emails promptly
  • Withdraw interest if you can’t attend
  • Check event details before the date

✗ DON’T:

  • Express interest if not genuinely interested
  • Ignore organizer communications
  • Forget to check for updates
  • Miss reminder emails
Troubleshooting
Can’t See Express Interest Button?
  • Check if you’re logged in
  • Verify event is “Active” status
  • Ensure event isn’t full
  • Try refreshing the page
Not Receiving Emails?
  • Check spam/junk folder
  • Verify your email in profile
  • Ensure email is correct
  • Contact support if continues
Can’t Find Relevant Events?
  • Try different search terms
  • Remove some filters
  • Check “Show past events”
  • Look at recommendations
Interest Not Recording?
  • Ensure you’re logged in
  • Check for confirmation message
  • Try again after refreshing
  • Contact support if persists
Quick Tips
Search Effectively
  • Use simple keywords
  • Try business terms
  • Search by city name
  • Look for organizer names
Filter Smart
  • Start broad, then narrow
  • Use one filter at a time
  • Clear filters to reset
  • Save common searches
Manage Time
  • Check dates carefully
  • Note time zones
  • Add to calendar early
  • Set personal reminders
Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is expressing interest free?
A: Yes, expressing interest is always free. Any fees are handled separately by organizers.

Q: Can I express interest in multiple events?
A: Yes, you can express interest in as many events as you like.

Q: What if I can’t attend after expressing interest?
A: Simply withdraw your interest or contact the organizer directly.

Q: How do I create my own events?
A: Company users cannot create events. Contact your administrator about upgrading to an Event Manager account.

Q: Can I see who else is interested?
A: No, the attendee list is only visible to event organizers.

Q: How far in advance are events posted?
A: This varies, but most events appear 2-8 weeks before the date.

Security & Privacy
Your Information

When you express interest, organizers receive:

  • Your company name
  • Contact person name
  • Email address
  • Phone number (if in profile)
  • Company website (if in profile)
Privacy Protection
  • Only event organizers see your details
  • Information isn’t public
  • You control what’s in your profile
  • Withdraw removes you from lists
Account Security
  • Keep password secure
  • Log out on shared computers
  • Update contact info regularly
  • Report suspicious activity
Need Help?
First Steps

Check this guide
Try the troubleshooting section
Ask your company administrator

Contact Support

Email: [Your support email]
Include: What you were trying to do
Provide: Any error messages
Mention: Your company name

Feedback Welcome

Suggest new features
Report problems
Share success stories
Help us improve

Quick Reference
Key Actions

Find Events: Browse → Filter → Search
Express Interest: Click button → Receive confirmation
Manage Interests: My Event Interests → View or Withdraw
Get Recommendations: Check personalized suggestions

Important URLs

Main site: https://fhba.fi
Events section: Navigate from main menu
My interests: Found in your account area

Status Guide

🟢 Active: Can express interest
🟡 Inactive: View only
🔴 Cancelled: Won’t happen
✅ Completed: Already done

Remember: The Nordic Events System is designed to help you make valuable business connections. Take advantage of all the features to grow your network!

Happy Networking! 🤝