In my opinion, the NLS’s values succeed in representing our ways of working and our mission. We all share them, and they apply to everything we do. Our mission statement summarises our purpose as a whole: We provide our customers with data and services to secure ownership and facilitate the use of spatial data.

A large number of NLS employees from all over the organisation participated in the preparation of the values that support this purpose. The result was a summary of what unites our work and what we consider important:

• Together
  We take joy in the success of our collective efforts for the benefit of society.
  We develop our services and operations together with customers and partners.
• Trust
  We listen to and value each other and each other's expertise.
  Our customers and partners can trust us and our services.
• Innovation
  We see opportunities and dare to make innovative changes in our operations and services.
  We boldly try new things and strive to serve our customers even better.

A very significant emphasis was placed on customers and a customer-driven approach when talking about our values. Customers are an important part of each value. The values also tell us how, as a working community, we respect and support one another. The values look to the future and help us reform ourselves.

With these values, we are in a good position to continue moving forward with our partners – together, with trust and innovation.

Pasi Patrikainen

The author is the Director General of the NLS.

In the NLS blog, different authors discuss various themes that are topical at the NLS.