Prague Leaders Magazine 04/2011

NO 4/2011

www.leadersmagazine.cz

195,- CZK

m a g a z i n e

Leaders Magazine No 4/2011

incl. electronic version

now available in Brussels

JUDr. Vladimir Ermakov, CSc., Chief Executive Officer, Vemex Photo: Zuzana Jirásková

Energy Sector:

Environmental Challenge Ahead Interview

Summer Party

Diplomatic Event

Political/Business Discussion

Prague Castle Event

A Dream Come True

German–Czech Chamber

Russian National Day

Italian-Czech Chamber

Jazz at the Castle

A talk with H.E. Norman L. Eisen, U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic

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of Industry and Commerce

About 650 guests – many of them high-ranking representatives of Czech-German business and political life – spent a wonderful summer night... 

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of Commerce (CAMIC) Prestigious Lunch with Prime Minister Petr Nečas at Carlo IV Hotel

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page 92

Special Jazz Session to Celebrate President Klaus´ 70 Years

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page 132

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publishers note & contents

Dear Readers, Summer is here, and for most people it is a golden opportunity to get away from the normal hassles of work,, strtres ess, es s, worries etc. – at least fo forr a fe few w ea easy sy weeks. It is also a gr grea eatt oppo ea port po rtun rt unititityy to un spend time me with th thee fa fami mily mi ly,, reega ly gardless of whe heth he ther th er you are r travellllllinng on hol oli-i days ys,, re ys rela laxi la xing inn yo xing your cot otta tage ta ge, or ge o sta tayi ta ying yi n in Prague or or whe here reve re v r you may lilive ve. ve Some So me goo oodd ad advice iss to see and exp xplo loore h sttor hi o iccal places in you ourr ci c ty ty, or o che h ck out wh whatt kin indd of o fes estivals orr cuulttural ur ur actitit vi ac v tities es theere are re close by.

For a Publis Fo ishe is her th her ther ere iss no tit me forr ere vacationn – the heree iss al alwa ways wa ys a new mag agaz azine too preepa az pare r . Ho re Howe w veer,, I went on a bu busi sine ine ness ss triripp to Geo eorg rgia rg i in or ia orde deer to con ondu duct du ctt som omee in inte tere rest stin st ingg in inte terv rvie iews wss andd re repo port po rts. rt s. I must sa sayy th that a I am ve very ry imp mpre ress re s ed with whatt this cooun untrtrtryy ha has acchi hiev eved ev ed in such a sho hort ho rt time. e. The Gover ernm er nmen nm ennt ha hass ne near a ly eliimi ar mina nate na t d corr co r uptiion amo rr mong ng the polic icee – as can be se ic seen en by th the faact that Georggia’s trtrafficc po polililice ce werre once not otoorioous briribe ot be see eeke kers. Buut they ke ey were all saack ckeed andd re an repl p aced byy an entirrel pl elyy ne new w an andd cl c eaan police forcee. Th Than anks an ks to Pr Pres esid es iden id entt en Saak Sa akaashvili an ak and hi hiss ad admi minnistrationn, thhe outcom mi me ha hass be been en a rap apid ap idly id deeve veloopi p ng ng,, un unco corr co rrup rr uptt an up and modernniz izeed Geo eorg rgia rg ia, wh ia whic ichh has be ic beco c me an insp in spiririrat sp atio at ion fo io for the entire re reg egion.. In th eg thee Se Sept ptem pt emberr iss sue of our maggaz em azin ine in youu will yo ill be able to reead our ur int nter erview er ew with the Pres esiideent as well as with th thee Ministerr of th thee Innte teriririor o , th or thee foorm rmer er Minister of Eco conomy co my, th my thee Ma Mayo yorr of Tbi yo b lilisi s si and thhe vi view ewss of thee Czech Ambbas assa sado d r in Geo eorg rgiaa.

In thi hiss July iss ssue ue, which yoou now w ha have ve in yo your ur hands, we aree proud to anno an n un unce that on our fro ront nt pag agee we hav avee JU UDr Vladimir Errmako kov, v, CEO of Veme mex s.r.o., ac acco comp mpan aniied by an intervie i w. Other fascina natiting int nter ervi view ewss in this is issu suee ar aree wi with th Plk lk. Mg Mgr.. Petr Lessyy, thee new Pre resi side dent nt of th thee Cz Czec e h Polilice Po ce;; H. H.E. E. Nor orman Eiseen, the new cha harirism smat atic ic and poppul ulaar US Amba basssaado dor to the he Czeech Repub ubliic; Rad adek ek Šme merd rda, a, forme merr Miniistter of Transpoort;; Ms. Jitka Ho Ms Hosppro rová vá,, on onee of the top Czech ch Viola Soloi oistt s inn the world;; Mr Mr. Mich Mi c ael Hr Hrbbata ta, De Depu p ty Min inister of Def efeencce; Mr. Jan Je Jeddlička ka,, th thee Dy Dyna nami micc CEEO of Uni nite tedd Bake keririees a..s.; Mr. Joseef Reg egec ec,, Senaato torr an andd Pr Pres esid iden e t off the Commiittee on Foreign i Afffairs, i Deffence andd Security off the Parliliament; Mr M. Daniel Boestad from SAAB; Mr. Vladimír Rösel, the new Director of The National Gallery; and Mrs. Daniela Písařovicová, Anchor at ČT 24 to mention a few.

We also have a special photo report from the huge EBC Conference – an International organization in OSCE that brought together more than 120 companies from 23 countries from the Energy Sector. This time the Congress was held in Prague, organized by Vemex s.r.o.

Other big events we have covered are the Round Table of Comenius with Minister of Justice JUDr. Jiří Pospíšil and Minister of Health MUDr Leoš Heger; the Italian/Czech Festival/Concert at the Old Town Square; Jazz at the Castle celebrating President Klaus; the German/Czech Chambers Myy dog M dooogg Rhea Rhea Rh ea traditional Summer Party; the Nordic Chambers traditional Strawberry Party; SAAB Day; Russian National Day; the Leadership for life Conference with Lance Secretan; the Comenius 100 Best Golf Tournament; and the CFO Club, again to mention a few.

Our Leaders Vision has been going really well with our readers all over the world – have a look at www.leadersvision.cz. Our weekly target audience for the Leaders Vision webpage/newsletter is 40.000 readers. Stay tuned.

events 14 22 24 32 35 38 44 47 58 64 66 70 74 82 88 96 98 99 100 104 106 108 112 126

8th Leaders Magazine Advisory Board Dinner Round Table of Comenius with Jiří Pospíšil Round Table of Comenius with Leoš Heger European Business Congres Gala Evening Blue Corridor 2011 Endowment Fund of Livia and Václav Klaus (Nadační fond manželů Livie and Václava Klausových) Honored Sponsors and Volunteers Senate: Iurie Leancă, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign and European Integration Minister of Moldova; President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek Nordic Chamber´s Traditional Strawberry Party Lions Club Prague Bohemia Ambassador Charity Banquet at Velkopřevorský Palace Lions Club Praha on the 8th Steamboat Grand Golf Prix Dýšina Cup 2011 SAAB Day at the Swedish Embassy Prague celebrated The Ronald Reagan Centennial Klub plynárenských podnikatelů and CzechInvest Arrangement about Energy Rich Dad Poor Dad The AFIZ and FECIF International Conference in Prague Professor K.C. Chan, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the Government of the Hong Kong Fiesta Latina in Prague Italian Italian-Czech Czech Chamber of Commerce (CAMIC) Prestigious Lunch with Prime Minister Petr Nečas at Carlo IV Hotel Leadership for Life Conference Social Evening of the Club of Financial Directors Synot Tip has Now Been a Patron of Zlín Film Fest for the Third Consecutive Year!

Running for Art 11th Annual Miroton

diplomatic events 48 50 54 76

page 74 SAAB Day at the Swedish Embassy

Swedish National Day German–Czech Chamber of Industry and Commerce Russian National Day Farewell Reception for the Swedish Defence Attaché

I wi wish sh you o all a grea eatt su sum mmer. page 70 Grand Golf Prix Dýšina Cup 2011

Benkke Ai A ke kelllll I b nke.aiike be kell@l @lea eade ders rsma maga gazi zine ne.c .czz www ww w.le lead ader e smag agaz aziine.cz cz

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contents interviews

contributors

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VEMEX Celebrates Anniversary and Strengthens its Role in the Gas Market An interview with JUDr. Vladimir Ermakov, CSc., Chief Executive Officer of Vemex

59 68 73 86

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A Dream Come True A talk with H.E. Norman L. Eisen, U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic

18

91 95

SAAB: We are Committed to the Czech Republic An interview with Daniel Boestad, Vice President of Group Marketing and Business Development at SAAB AB

97 102

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United Business Across Cultures page 62 – A talk with Jitka Hosprová A talk with Jan Jedlička, Executive Director of United Bakeries a.s. and Member of the Board of United Business a.s.

28

The Financial Means for Transport Infrastructure are Totally Inadequate A talk with Radek Šmerda, former Minister of Transport of the Czech Republic

30

The Police Force Needs Stabilization Most of All A talk with Petr Lessy, President of the Police of the Czech Republic

40

The Government has to Improve its Communication with the Public and Explain the Reforms An interview with Petr Gazdík, Chairman of the Mayors and Independents Movement

42

Sports Brought me into Politics A talk with Jozef Regec, President of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic

57

We Want to Bust the Myth that Government Companies are not Managed Transparently A talk with Jiří Borovec, Chairman of the Board and the CEO of ČEPRO a.s.

I Have to Be Constantly on Guard A talk with Daniela Písařovicová, Anchor on ČT24

60 62

Music Is a Spiritual Thing A talk with Jitka Hosprová, the First Czech Viola Soloist

78

Civil Employment Afflicts Modern Veterans An interview with Michael Hrbata, Deputy Minister of Defence (MOČR)

80

The National Gallery as One Virtual Museum Space An interview with Vladimír Rösel, Director of the National Gallery in Prague

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Czech Export to the U.S. has Been Moving at a Very Dynamic Pace A talk with Kateřina Lukešová, Head of the American Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic

118

Ostrava’s Got Future An interview with Petr Kajnar, Mayor of the city of Ostrava

103 110 123

Are we Living in a Non-Stop Reality Show?/Ivan ?

Pilný Let’s (finally) Get on a Positive Note/Jan Mühlfeit ELAI Is Approaching its First Anniversary/ELAI Business May Be your Life – But – Life Is your Business Part XI: Inspirational Leadership®/James A. Cusumano Generation G: A Mindset for Marketers and Business/ Emil Jimenez Small Talk: Getting you on the Road to Success/ Karin Genton Your image? Your Summer Homework/Cristina Muntean Nuclear-free European Union? Strong Promise for the Future.../Evžen Tošenovský Homework for the New Transport Minister/Emanuel Šíp Wine Cathedrals/Joseph Drebitko The Czechoslovak Foreign Institute Helps to Modernise Teaching Czech Abroad/ČSÚZ

page 136 National Theatre

culture events 92 124 128 132 136 137

1stt Festitivall off Italilian-Cze C chh Friend i dshi hip att the Old Town Square Opening of the 54th Bienalle di Venezia Jazz at the Castle with Tribute to Miles Davis Special Jazz Session to Celebrate President Klaus´ 70 Years W. A. Mozart: The Abduction from the Seraglio and Josef Topol: The End of Carnival, National Theatre A.P. Čechov: Sea Gull and Philip Glass: Les Enfants Terribles (Children of the Game), National Theatre

1144–11 11 1155 116–117

page 110 Wine Cathedrals

EU matters 120 121 122

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FFarewell Fa arewelll reception of H.E. Vladimír Müller, Czech Ambassador in Belgium Debate on Working in the Entire EU without Permit Business News

22.7.2011 9:26:06

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Publisher: Benke Aikell Contributors: Eduardo Castaneda, James A. Cusumano, Iva Drebitko, Joseph Drebitko, Melissa Durda, Karin Genton-L’Epée, David Henderson, EurActiv, European Leadership & Academic Institute, Pavlína Holancová, Martina Hošková, Filip Hubáček, Emil Jimenez, Zuzana Kasáková, Cristina Muntean, Jan Mühlfeit, Ivan Pilný, Věra Rašková, Jan Řežáb, Věra Řiháčková, Emanuel Šíp, Evžen Tošenovský Marketing/Advertising: Lynn Tourkiová, Max Salamatin, Shalva Sikharulidze Marketing & Editorial Director Vladimíra Václavíková EU Matters: CEBRE Czech Business Representation, CESES, Europlatform Photographers: M. Feszanicz, Jaroslav Fišer, Martin Janas, Zuzana Jirásková, Jakub Joachim, Jan Kamenář, Zuzana Klimková, Jakub Krásný, Paul Pacey, Filip Pokorný, Zbyněk Prokop, Marie Schmerková, Marco Sipione, Hana Smejkalová, Roman Souček, Martin Svozílek, Vladimír Weiss Subscription service: Daniel Raška Leaders Magazine, CEPONA, s.r.o.

Lužická 32, 120 00 Praha 2 We appreciate your opinions of Leaders Magazine.

Please send them to: Leaders Magazine Moravská 14, 120 00 Praha 2 tel.: 224 255 277 fax: 224 256 172 e-mail: info@leadersmagazine.cz www.leadersmagazine.cz Leaders Magazine comes out bi-monthly.

Licence: MK ČR E 13147 No reproduction is permitted in whole or part without the express consent of Leaders Magazine.

The advertiser is responsible for the advertising contents.

Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors or persons interviewed and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors or Leaders Magazine.

All editorial material and photos in Leaders Magazine is digitally stored and may be republished by Leaders Magazine either in printed form or in various digital media. All correspondence to Leaders Magazine may be published.

Graphic design and printing: D&S Design Prague, s.r.o. tel.: 274 774 131 prague@bigformat.cz www.bigformat.cz

Leaders Magazine is member of

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21.7.2011 10:07:11

Leaders Magazine Advisory Board The positive sitive si itive reputation reput rep of Leaders Magazine continues to grow, however we realize that we must u maintain ust aintai ta to improve and learn, particularly during these times of dynamic change.

That at is why w w we have decided to set up an Advisory Board for the magazine. I am convinced that creating crea eati ating ng a pla platform of high profile individuals will be an excellent opportunity for the magazine to acquire a uire new iideas and define new directions of future development.

Benke B ennke A Aikel ikeell Your Yo our P Publisher ublissh There e e aare on onlyy few f projects started in the Czech Republic by foreigners which I consider as useful to this t country as Leaders Magazine. The magazine has brought to the Czech Republic the completely new concept of making important people – the decision makers Republ be tthey Czech or foreigners – visible and worthy of positive admiration.

Ass you might know this is something not very common and perhaps even not very natural in the Czech Republic. It is therefore all the more of an achievement to start and ra successfully develop a project such as Leaders Magazine. I understand fully the intention of Benke Aikell, the magazine’s founder and editor-in-chief, to progress further with Leaders Magazine, and for this purpose to form a team of experienced Czech citizens of different backgrounds to create a consulting body which would bring this project to an even higher level.

Ing. Karel Muzikář, CSc. President P e of Comenius I wa was pleased le to be invited by Benke Aikell to cooperate on the preparation of the Advisory Board pr project. I personally see one of the main goals of the project in creation of a positive environment env envir ronm nm for networking, exchange of views, presentation of new ideas, experiences, proposals propo opo posaals or suggestions. posa I am m cconvi convinced onv that the formation of a platform of highly profiled personalities and potential discussion di discu ussiio of different topics in very informal setting will be useful for both sides – for the magazine ne as a well as for the members of the Advisory Board.

Inng. Pet Ing. Petr Kubernát Director Direc cto of Pekos s.r.o.

Consulting Cons n and Training Company ADVISORY BOARD COMITTEE Beennke Aikell, Publisher, Leaders Magazine Benke B Ing. ng Pe Petr Kubernát, Director, PEKOS s.r.o. and former Czech Ambassador to the Netherlands Ing. ng. Karel K Muzikář, zik CSc., President, COMENIUS HONORARY MEMBERS ABROAD AND GOODWILL AMBASSADORS H E Mr. William J. Cabaniss, former United States Ambassador to the Czech Republic H.E. Vincent nc J. Derudder, Secretary General, The European Federation of Financial Advisers and Financial Intermediaries an Frank J. Devlyn, Rotary International President 2000–2001 and Rotary Foundation Chairman 2005–2006 H.E. Mr. Alexey L. Fedotov, former Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Czech Republic H.E. Mr. Richard Graber, former United States Ambassador to the Czech Republic H.E. Athar Mahmood, former Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Czech Republic H.E. Dr. Zdravko Popov, former Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria to the Czech Republic H.E. Mati Vaarmann, former Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia to the Czech Republic Ája Vrzáňová, Czech World Champion in Figure-skating, Sport Legend H.E. Huo Yuzhen, former Ambassador of the People´s Republic of China to the Czech Republic

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ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS PhDr. Zdeněk Čáp, Managing Partner, Equity Solutions s. r. o. o Josef Drebitko, CEO, D&COMM Prof. Ing. Jiří Fárek, CSc., Professor, Technická Univerzita Liberec and former First Deputy Mayor, City of Prague 6 Ing. Peter P. Formánek, President, Canadian Chamber of Commerce in the Czech Republic Mgr. Marta Gellová, Secretary General, AFIZ Michal Heřman, General Manager, Star Communications Václav Hudeček, Violinist Plk. Mgr. Vladislav Husák, Deputy Police President, Policejní lic prezidium ČR JUDr. PhDr. Oldřich Choděra, Lawyer, Law Firm JUDr. PhDr. Oldřich Choděra & spol.

Prof. Ing. Kamil Janáček, CSc., CNB Bank Board rd Member and Chief Executive Director Otto Jelinek, former Canadian Cabinet Minister Mini and current curr t member of numerous international boards rd Ing. Peter Jusko, MBA, Partner, London Market keet Ing. Petr Kalaš, Advisor to the Minister, Ministry ry of o Agriculture AAgricul ulture of the CR and former Minister of Environment nmen Ing. Josef Kreuter, CSc., former Czech Ambass Ambassador d r to the the EU EU Prof. Dr.h.c. JUDr. Jan Kříž, CSc., Partner, Law w Firm Kříž íž a Bělina s.r.o.

Ing. Jaroslav Kubišta, Secretary, Lions Club Prague Eagle gle Genmjr. JUDr. Lubomír Kvíčala, former Director of the Department of Protection of Constitutional Officials, icia Police of the Czech Republic Ing. Vladimír Laštůvka, former M.P. Jan Mühlfeit, Chairman, Europe Microsoft Corporation tio Ing. Jiří Maceška, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, ard Česká pošta a. s. and former Czech Ambassador to OECD George Parobek, Managing Director, Ifield Computer Consultancy Šárka Parobek, Director, Ifield Computer Consultancy Doc. Ing. Antonín Peltrám, CSc., Director IEI, Bankovní institut vysoká škola, a.s.

Doc. Ing. Václav Petříček, CSc., Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Chamber SNS Ing. Jozef Piga, Member of the Supervisory Board, Omnipol a.s. s.

Ing. Lucie Pilipová, Partner, Via Perfecta, s.r.o.

Ing. Ivan Pilný, President, TUESDAY Business Network JUDr. Čestmír Sajda, MBA, former Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Affairs MUDr. Richard Sequens, PhD., Head of Surgical Gastroenterology Center, Nemocnice Milosrdných sester sv. Karla Boromejského v Praze and former Senator PhDr. Mgg A. Miroslav Smolák, Owner, Galerie MIRO Mgr. Albin E. Sybera, Managing Director, Sybera Enterprises spol. s r. o.

Brigadier General Ing. Andor Šándor (ret.), Consultant ant nt PhDr. Jaroslav Šedivý CSc., former Ambassador and Minister of Foreign Affairs JUDr. Josef Šesták, Lawyer Ing. Radomír Šimek, President, German-Czech Chamber hambe of Industry and Commerce Bc. Vladimír Šiška, MBA, 1stt Deputy Minister, Ministry stry of Labour and Social Affairs Jaromír Šlápota, President, Československý ústav zahraniční aniční Ing. Pavel Štefka, MSc, 4-star General (ret.), Chief of Defence and Special Programs, Tatra Ing. Helena Švédová, Director, Department of Trade Administration, Czech Export Bank Ing. Josef Tauber, Executive Director, Czech Banking Association Ing. Jiří Vávra, Vice Chairman, STROJEXPORT, a.s.

JUDr. Petr Vyroubal, Partner, Law Firm Vyroubal Krajhanzl Školout

21.7.2011 12:12:08

An interview with JUDr. Vladimir Ermakov, CSc., Chief Executive Officer of VEMEX

VEMEX CELEBRATES Anniversary and Strengthens its Role in the Gas Market The company VEMEX s.r.o. was appointed by the management of the EBC Congress to organize its meeting in Prague on the days of June 2–3, 2011.

It was not a matter of chance that the company, which belongs to the GAZPROM Group, received this honourable assignment just this year.

The honour to organize the Congress meeting is associated not only with the fact that the company deals successfully with natural gas in the Czech market, but also that this year VEMEX celebrates its 5th anniversary since signing a long-term natural gas supply contract with Gazprom export Moscow. Therefore we asked the founder and managing director of VEMEX, Dr. Vladimir Ermakov, a few questions. We wanted him to return to the beginnings of the company, as well as to share some plans for the further development of VEMEX with you, our readers.

Photo: Zuzana Jirásková

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What was your vision when you founded VEMEX as a consultancy ten years ago?

Maybe I will surprise you, but ten years ago I already had a clear vision that as soon as the liberalization process of the energy market began in Czech Republic, in particular of the gas market, it would be the main direction for VEMEX to take. However, in our beginnings we were indeed active in the consultancy business. Even now we have a signed contract with Russia’s ROSATOM, and one of our first assignments was to prepare an analysis of a Finnish nuclear power plant.

A very important milestone project for us was the cooperation with our Polish partners on the gas pipeline connecting Czech Republic with Poland – a similar or almost identical project is carried out today by RWE; the pipeline from PZP Třanovice leading to Poland. However, at that time the circumstances on the Polish side did not allow for finishing the entire project. Yet before signing our contract with Gazprom export, we examined the possibility of purchasing gas networks from municipalities. We also looked at the possibility of utilizing a shut hard coal mine as a bestin-class underground storage facility; unfortunately, this project that sounded perfect in theory, encountered some technological issues in practice that diminished its actual chances for success… This means that from our earliest steps in the business, trading with gas was the road for VEMEX to take. And at the end of the day I was also looking for my future colleagues within the gas industry. I think that this factor played an essential role in our successful entry into the gas market.

Is it possible to state that the company’s philosophy, based on flexibility towards changing market conditions and responsibility towards its customers, facilitated the establishment of the company among other alternative gas traders?

Yes, definitely. Remember the situation more than 2 years ago. In January 2009, there was a true baptism of fire of our company’s quality, represented by the Ukrainian transit crisis. These times were extremely challenging for any natural gas supplier, and yet we were able to master the situation brilliantly. Then the economic crisis turned up, which affected almost all of our customers. Again, we always managed to find the optimum solution for them in terms of gas supplies.

Along this crisis, which especially affected producers and service providers, there were some new phenomena that emerged – namely spot gas and surplus gas in Continental Europe. Our company had to react to these two new and interrelated factors in the market, as well as to the parti-

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cipation of dozens of new traders in the market in the year 2010, namely by rethinking its approach and by looking for some fresh business perspectives. I think we have succeeded in this as well, and all the new things, which we have adopted last year, are still being used this year.

Lately we noticed that you are planning a careful selection of the customers from the SME clientele. What is the state of your preparation for this market segment?

This information is indeed correct; the entry into the SME market has been the subject of our discussions within the company for quite some time. I can only reveal so much that it is associated with trading electricity as well. However, this involves not only our company as such, but is being discussed also within our supervisory board and with our further shareholders. Right now we have a very clear vision what next steps must be taken, what objectives are to be set and what mechanisms to implement and use. Again, I can only say so much that our intention should be introduced to the general public and hopefully our future customers in the near future.

Soon you will celebrate the 10th anniversary of your company. Have you been able to fulfil all the objectives that you had defined before VEMEX entered the gas market?

If I said yes, it would not correspond with my character.

We are still quite far from reaching some of our goals; they have become and must yet become much more ambitious.

We don’t want to wait for the market to surprise us; we want to move onwards and be ready for the unexpected, just as we have been until now. Such readiness is a must in any business, and all the more in the energy sector.

To reach our ambitious goals we cooperate with preeminent Czech and foreign financial institutions and we have very solid relationships with some of the leading Czech businesses. All these things gradually create the foundation for the further development of our company.

Not long ago you were awarded the ISO 9001 certificate. What did it bring about, and what commitment results from such a certificate for the entire team?

I can say straightaway that it meant an enormous workload and preparation for us. To get the quality management TÜV ISO 9001 certificate is a very challenging task, and having earned it is a great compensation for all the efforts we put into the preparation. On the other hand, I have to say it also opened our eyes in many ways in terms of our management system; a number of things have to be improved and redefined and definitely there are now better controlling mechanisms set up. We have to consider that a number of customers require the TÜV certificate from their suppliers, which is absolutely logical and therefore also obliging for us.

Before the commencement of a new season, you have informed your customers on the changes and news in the market, as well as on the planning and resolving of gas offtakes and other issues. Is this meeting something you organize on a regular basis?

We have been organizing such meetings with our customers ever since we have entered the gas market. Therefore we can confirm that it is already a traditional part of our customer approach. The only thing we keep changing is the venue. However, the purpose of such a meeting stays the same: to inform our business partners on the news in the Czech market, to predict offtakes, introduce some innovations in our invoicing etc. And thanks to the fact that we are not only a member of the EBC but also a member of the Association of Gas Organizations, we are able to enhance these meetings with information and experience from other European gas markets. These meetings have proven very

useful; the discussions are very open and straightforward and mutually we can certainly respond better to any situation in the market.

You also mastered your role as the organizers of the Prague assembly of the European Business Congress.

What is your impression of the event?

I have to admit that in the first seconds after the entire congress, and all the negotiations of the different working commissions had finished, we felt extremely relieved that all was over, and above all that everything went well. I think this is just natural. In the following hours we started to receive different compliments and congratulations for organizing such a significant event. Consider just the fact that before the actual congress there was a working meeting of the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Mr. P. Nečas, with the Chairman of the Board of Gazprom and the President of EBC, Mr. A. B. Miller, and that Mr. T. Hüner, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, participated in the congress and in its opening. The gala evening in the Spanish Hall of the Prague Castle was attended by such cultural representatives as Spejbl and Hurvínek, the famous marionettes; J. Svěcený, the well-known violin player; and the queen of Czech pop music, H. Vondráčková. As far as we know there were more than 350 congress delegates and all of them were satisfied, and so were our partners cooperating on this event, the Royal Bank of Scotland and MND Group. My impression is therefore a very positive one; we have proven that we are capable of organizing such an event.

How do you think the congress contributes to setting the future direction of the European energy sector?

Let’s get back to the congress motto – “an environmental challenge and the energy sector” – and to some of the main thoughts expressed by the President of EBC, Mr. A. B. Miller.

Currently Europe stands at a crossroads representing a new chapter of the energy sector. There are a number of external circumstances that will influence the target model for sese curing energy. What are these? The political situation in Northern Africa and the Middle East, the war in Libya and the resulting stoppage of oil and gas supplies, the accident at a Japanese nuclear power plant, and the following decision of Germany to close all of its nuclear power plants by 2022. All of these events lead to one requirement, which we can frankly translate as the need for larger amounts of gas in the energy sector. Let’s emphasize one more thing – all that I mentioned is also affected by the very clear EU environmental policy which stipulates a gradual but significant reduction of emissions. In this case a number of European countries will have to think again and reassess their energy policies in a very pragmatic but well-thought-out way, while considering natural gas, which is not only the optimum source from an energy perspective, but also from the economic and environmental perspective.

It is a known fact that VEMEX has representatives in a number of working commissions of the EBC. In which commissions are they exactly, and what did the EBC management think of their work?

Let me briefly mention the EBC in general. The congress meets once a year in one of the participating countries.

There are 7 working commissions altogether meeting 3 or 4 times a year, whereby the venue is always chosen by the chair of the commission, respecting the principle of meetings happening in different countries every year. Three commissions are chaired by Gazprom representatives, and four more by the top managers of E.ON, Wintershall, Overgas and Gasunie. VEMEX has its representatives in the Industry and Building & Construction, Security, Energy, Environment, Finance and Banking, as well as HR commissions. Last year,

as well as the year before, we organized two commission meetings in Prague. It has in fact become a tradition for our representatives to deliver speeches and present their proposals at the meetings of all the different commissions.

Therefore our participation in the meetings is regarded in a very positive light.

Together with Gazprom and E.ON-Ruhrgas as the main project initiators, you were the organizers of the CNG powered vehicles promo-relay called Blue Corridor.

What interest did the event spark?

The entire event was indeed brought into being by the chairmen of the boards of the two energy giants, Mr. A. B. Miller and Mr. K. Schäfer, and as a matter of fact we accepted the responsibility for launching the event, whereby I am convinced that our approach was a very good one. Together with the Czech Gas Union we invited all Czech companies active in the CNG automotive business and its promotion to take part in the relay – Pražská teplárenská (Prague Gas Co.), RWE, Gascontrol Havířov, Vítkovice Cylinders, Tvaja, Jikov Soběslav, Bonett, ČPS and E.ON CZ. However, we also went the extra mile, invited the Finnish GASUM and organized the participation of a Ford vehicle from Alberta, Canada. The relay was joined by cars of Germany’s E.ON, Gazprom Germania, the representatives of the Belorussian Beltransgaz, Iveco Russia and a Kamaz branded garbage collection truck that travelled to us from the far Tatarstan.

The relay started in Prague on June 3 with further stops in Leipzig, Wolfsburg and Berlin, and its symbolic finish was in Greifswald, the terminal point of the Nord Stream gas pipeline. The idea of the Blue Corridor project is unique as it promotes environmental friendliness in transportation by showing the advantages of CNG as a fuel, and as Greifswald, as part of the EU, will receive the first supplies of natural gas from Russia this year year. This means the energy potential of Europe will increase, and at the same time it will be easier for Europe p to meet the stipulated p environmental limits.

Will the Blue Corridor project continue in the forthcoming years?

The future of the relay is just one thing, as the main purpose of the entire event is to promote CNG in the automotive sector. The development in this area depends on the execution of a number of projects connected with the establishment of a network of filling stations to meet the increasing demand for the use of natural gas outside of actual households. Gazprom and its subsidiaries, including our company, will take part in such a program.

But to answer your question – as a matter of fact there are discussions going on already with regard to the Blue Corridor relay, and where it should take place in the next year and the years to follow. There are a couple of proposals already on the table. Some mention the Olympic Sochi as the destination and a very good proposal is also the route St. Petersburg – Vyborg – Turku – Stockholm – Hamburg – Brussels. It would be nice to promote the environmental aspects of CNG in front of the seat of the EU once again. However, we will have to see what the final decision will be. Anyway, we have to take into consideration that CNG is used already by 1.4 million vehicles in 40 countries worldwide and is becoming iconic for automobile drivers from all around the world. According to experts, the consumption of gas in association with the automotive sector is expected to increase to up to 80 billion m3 by the year 2030, which would be 10 times the consumption of today.

By Hugo Kysilka I český překlad naleznete v elektronické verzi magazínu na www.leadersmagazine.cz

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H.E. Norman L. Eisen U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic Photo: VladimĂ­r Weiss

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A talk with H.E. Norman L. Eisen, U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic

A Dream Come True You have a strong bond with the Czech Republic/Czechoslovakia, as your mother comes from Slovakia. How did it feel when you were told that you would be posted to Prague?

It was a dream come true for me and my family because my mother was a citizen of the first Republic of Czechoslovakia. She survived Auschwitz and like so many people in the country managed to rebuild her life after World War Two. So for me to com omee ba back ck her eree re real ally ly was a tririum umph ph of hope for my family. Indeed, one of the reasons President Obama asked me to come here was because of the message it sent about how good is more powerful than evil.

When I told my Mom that I would be coming back here, she couldn’t believe it! We laughed toge to geth ther er at th thee am amaz azin ingg factt thatt th the son andd grandson of a Czechoslovak family that was sent to Auschwitz could return as an ambassador to the Czech Republic.

How would you describe your initial impressions of Prague?

We arrived in January, a wonderful time to come to Prague Prag e because beca se it has a certain stillness. stillness The city is a living museum of art, architecture and music, and we’ve sampled all of them, including those cultural aspects that the Czech Republic and U.S. share, such as jazz.

What are your main policy goals as U.S. ambassador in the coming months?

There are three main policy goals. The first is to build a strategic and defense relationship between the two countries, and I was pleased to welcome the annual high-level defense group meeting between our Department of Defense andd th an thee Cz Czec echh Mi Mini nist stry ry of De Defe fens nsee. We al also so had our strategic dialogue, this time in Washington, at the State Department, and I flew to Washington to discuss ways to boost the strategic relationship.

The second goal is the commercial-economic relationship, as we want to boost trade between the two countries. Most of the Fortune 100 Companies are represented here, so American firms have a huge presence in the Czech Republic, but many more companies want to come. My job is to build business ties and make them stronger.

Of course, trade has been affected by the economic downturn, but I’m very pleased to say that itit’ss up dr dram amat atic ical ally ly in 20 2011 11.

The third goal is in some ways the most important, because our two countries share not just interests but values. Much of my job involves

deepening that connection. For example, both countries place a strong emphasis on promoting g od gov go over erna nanc nce, e, the rul ulee of law and f ig ight htin ingg corruption, and I’m very fortunate to have been invited by my Czech colleagues to share my thoughts on how the Czech Republic can do that.

But we are also learning about innovations developed by the Czech Government and Czech NGOs. I can take these back to the U.S. In your career you have focused on governance, the rule of law and civil society. In your diplomatic role, how do you intend to apply the experience and knowledge you have gained in these areas?

I came here as a Czech-American and as a friend of the Czech Republic, to listen, learn and share h my learning – but never to lecture. I’ve attempted to open a two-way street in which I share my expertise with the Government, civil society and thought leaders, but also ordinary people, who often approach me to talk about these issues. issues It’s an opportunity for me to learn, and I’ve been very er pri privileged ileged that we’ve e’ e had a series of visits from the most distinguished practitioners in this area. They’ve come to Prague to share their experience and take ideas back about public procurement, for example.

Could you describe any projects you are involved in that relate to governance and civil society?

Typically we invite people from various sectors of the Czech Government and civil society to join us. Since I came, we’ve brought Czech prosecutors to the U.S. to study our methods andd ex an exch chan ange ge ide deas as.. Fo Forr ex exam ampl ple, e, we’ve worked on whistle-blowing issues and held a seminar on them. We’ve held ethics training for public prosecutors and a series on best practices in public procurement and other areas, in cooperation with the British and German Embassies.

We’ve brought in experts from think tanks across the polilitical i l specttrum, andd th they see ee ide deas as tha hatt they can take back to the U.S., so it’s very much a two-way street. All of this has taken place in the last four months, so we’ve done a lot!

How would you describe the U.S.-Czech relationship today?

I would say that the relationship is good and well on its way to being great. In terms of strategic-defense, commercial-economic and shared value goals, the Embassy and our partners in

the Czech Government and civil society have worked very hard in the past four months. We’re comi co ming ng up wi with th gre reat at ide deas as in th thes ese areas.

We’re making a good relationship even better but I don’t want to just settle for good – I want the relationship to be great and the specific activities we’re engaged in to live up to the closeness of the friendship.

How would you like to see relations develop?

In the same way that Czech and U.S. fates were intertwined in the 20th century, we can make history together in the 21st century. As you know, the first Czechoslovak Republic was established through the Pittsburgh Agreement. Just two weeks ago I was in Plzeň, celebrating General Patton’s liberation of that pa p rt of the Cz C ec ech Re Republic. We worked together to defeat the Nazis.

And from this very building you can see the Glorietta, where the American flag flew over Malá strana as a symbol of hope during Communism.

Together we defeated Communism, and the U.S. worked with the Czech Republic to ensure the Velvet Revolution was a success. We’ve supported Czech C ech entry entr into NATO and the EU, EU and we’ve e’ e been part of each other’s successes. We don’t take any of these achievements for granted.

What are your main priorities in terms of promoting trade between the two countries?

To find business partnerships that benefit both countries. I’ve taken the initiative to invite U.S. business leaders to the Czech Republic, and to set up reciprocal meetings in the U.S. We tell them that the Czech Republic is a good place to do business and we’d like our Czech colleagues to do business in the U.S. The political freedom that we value is based on economic freedom, and you can’t have democracy without free markets.

So we work on economic issues in order to enjoy our political freedoms, and to make our two countries strong.

How do you like to spend your free time?

We like to spend it exploring Prague. We’re walkers ke rs, an andd I en enjo joyy th thee ar arch chititec ectu ture re and the bea eaut utififul ul parks at the weekend, with my wife and daughter.

I’m a tennis player, and as the weather warms up I’m playing again. We also enjoy cultural events, and the restaurants in Prague are wonderful.

By David Creighton I český překlad naleznete v elektronické verzi magazínu na www.leadersmagazine.cz

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networking/gourmet event

at Alchymist Grand Hotel & Spa

We had the great pleasure to invite to the 8th Leaders Magazine Advisory Board Dinner among others H.E. Marita Landaveri Porturas, Ambassador of Peru, H.E. George Monteiro Prata, Ambassador of Brazil, and H.E. Peter Brňo, Ambassador of the Slovak Republic. The Advisory Board has expanded to include its new members Mr. Radomír Šimek, President of the Czech-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Ing. Josef Tauber, Executive Director of the Czech Banking Association; and Mr. Jaromír Šlápota, President of the Czechoslovak Foreign Institute. An invitation to the “Honorary Members Abroad and Goodwill Ambassadors” has been accepted by Mr. Frank J. Devlyn, President of Rotary International, 2000-2001 and President of the Rotary Foundation, 2005–2006.

The evening was variegated by the short singing of Prague State Opera soloist Andrea Kalivodová, mezzo-soprano.

The dinner was followed by a tasting of old cognacs and Pineau des Charentes from Chateau de la Grange, and luxury cigars, given to us from the Cigars & Wines shop of the company Mostex Prague.

Benke Aikell, your Publisher

th

8 Leaders Magazine ADVISORY BOARD DINNER

From left: Andrea Kalivodová, Mezzo-soprano, Soloist of Prague State Opera, Ing. Vladimíra Václavíková, Marketing and Editorial Director, Leaders Magazine, and Ing. Petr Kubernát, Director, PEKOS spol. s r.o.

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From left: Jiří Maceška, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Česká pošta a. s. and former Czech Ambassador to OECD, Prof. Ing. Jiří Fárek, CSc., Professor, Technical University Liberec, H.E. Peter Brňo, Ambassador of the Slovak Republic and JUDr. Čestmír Sajda, MBA, former Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Affairs

From left: Ronald A. Adams, Chairman/CEO, Tatra a.s. and President, American Chamber of Commerce in the Czech Republic and H.E. Mr. William J. Cabaniss, former United States Ambassador to the Czech Republic

H.E. George Monteiro Prata, Ambassador of Brazil with his wife

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networking/gourmet event

Excellent cognacs and Pineau des Charentes from Chateau de la Grange presented by Promexim

Excellent cigars from the Cigars & Wines shop of the company Mostex Prague

From left: PhDr. MgA. Miroslav Smolák, Owner, Galerie MIRO, Ing. Radomír Šimek, President, German-Czech Chamber of Commerce, and Radovan Morochovič, General Director, Fopex

more photos and electronic version available on www.leadersmagazine.cz From left: Miloš Janů, Promexim, JUDr. Dagmar Raupachová, Attorney at Law, Černý-Raupachová, Ing. Pavel Štefka, Msc, 4-Star General (ret.) Chief of Defence and Special Programs, Tatra, Ronald A. Adams, Chairman/CEO, Tatra a.s. and President, American Chamber of Commerce in the Czech Republic, Otto Jelinek, former Canadian Cabinet Minister and Board Member of OKD and other numerous international Boards, and Ing. Karel Muzikář, CSc., President, Comenius

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Performance by Andrea Kalivodová, Mezzosoprano, Soloist of Prague State Opera

The positive reputation of Leaders Magazine continues to grow, however we realize that we must maintain to improve and learn, particularly during these times of dynamic change. That is why we have decided to set up an Advisory Board for the magazine. I am convinced that creating a platform of high profile individuals 15 5 will be an excellent opportunity for the magazine to acquire new ideas and define new directions of future development.

Benke Aikell, Your Publisher

21.7.2011 15:36:35

networking/gourmet event

From left: Fawad Nadri, President, Czech-Afghan Mixed Chamber of Commerce in the CR and H.E. Mr. William J. Cabaniss, former United States Ambassador to the Czech Republic

From left: Ing. Paul Haney, Executive, Haney, Prof. Ing. Jiří Fárek, CSc., Professor, Technical University Liberec, and Benke Aikell, your Publisher Andrea Kalivodová, Mezzo-soprano, Soloist of Prague State Opera and Jaromír Šlápota, Chairman, Czechoslovak Foreign Institute (ČSÚZ)

Robert Sahula, Owner of Mostex Praha, Cigars & Wines, Pánská pasáž, Na Příkopě 23

There are only few projects started in the Czech Republic by foreigners which I consider as useful to this country as Leaders Magazine. The magazine has brought to the Czech Republic the completely new concept of making important people – the decision makers be they Czech or foreigners – visible and worthy of positive admiration. As you might know this is something not very common and perhaps even not very natural in the Czech Republic. It is therefore all the more of an achievement to start and successfully develop a project such as Leaders Magazine. I understand fully the intention of Benke Aikell, the magazine’s founder and editor-in-chief, to progress further with Leaders Magazine, and for this purpose to form a team of experienced Czech citizens of different backgrounds to create a consulting body which would bring this project to an even higher level.

Ing. Karel Muzikář, CSc., President of Comenius

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From left: Jaromír Šlápota, Chairman, Czechoslovak Foreign Institute (ČSÚZ), Petr Beránek, General Manager, Grand Hotel Bohemia, and JUDr. Josef Šesták, Lawyer

From left: Ronald A. Adams, Chairman/CEO, Tatra a.s. and President, American Chamber of Commerce in the Czech Republic, H.E. Mr. William J. Cabaniss, former United States Ambassador to the Czech Republic and Benke Aikell, your Publisher

21.7.2011 15:37:11

networking/gourmet event

From left: H.E. Marita Landaveri Porturas, Ambassador of Peru, Benke Aikell, your Publisher and Mrs. Prata, wife of the Ambassador of Brazil

Mrs. Eliška Hašková Coolige and H.E. Mr. William J. Cabaniss, former United States Ambassador to the Czech Republic

Iztok Toplak, Managing Director, WLW enjoying the cognac

Doc. Ing. Antonín Peltrám, CSc., Director IEI, Bankovní institut vysoká škola, a.s. with his wife and H.E. Peter Brňo, Ambassador of the Slovak Republic

From left: Genmjr. JUDr. Lubomír Kvíčala with his wife, JUDr. Dagmar Raupachová, Attorney at Law, Černý-Raupachová, and Ing. Pavel Štefka, Msc, 4-Star General (ret.) Chief of Defence and Special Programs, Tatra

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21.7.2011 15:37:53

An interview with Daniel Boestad, Vice President of Group Marketing and Business Development at SAAB AB

SAAB: We are Committed TO THE CZECH REPUBLIC Daniel Boestad, Vice President of group marketing and business development at SAAB AB can expect a hot autumn. His company, a Swedish supplier of products, services and solutions ranging from m military defense to civil security, is gearing up to join a potential tender for the purchase of new jet fighters that the Czech government might launch before the end of this year. SAAB produced the 14 Gripen jet fighters that the Czech government leased from the Swedish government in 2004. However, the coast isn’t clear for SAAB, as a corruption investigation launched in 2006 by the British authorities on its former business partner, the UK conccern BAE Systems, is still casting a shadow on the Swedish company’s reputation.

Photos: Vladimír Weiss

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On June 20 the Czech minister of defense Alexandr Vondra said he would like to see the tender for the purchase of new air fighters for the Czech army organized before the end of this year. How do you feel about this announcement?

All governments have tto make their own decisions. I know only that the current program is working and that the custoomers seem very happy.

It’s a very successful proggram for Czech Republic.

What makes you say that? How do you measure this satisfaction?

I see how they operatee the system and it has worked very well. They haave performed different training exercises abroadd, and performed them outstandingly, for example the NATO Tiger Meet.

They have also helped NAATO with air policing over the Baltic States. I think that shows that they’re quite pleased with the sysstem.

If the tender is launched before the end of this year, will you join the tender?

The current contract is a government-togovernment contract bettween the Swedish and Czech governments. It’s up to my government to respond to that questioon.

What are your realistic expectations from the tender? Do you really expect it to be organized before the end of this year?

This is more of a questioon for the Czech government. We continue to suppport the project that we have right now, and that iss working very well.

Who are your main competitors?

None. There are just a ffew aircraft manufacturers around the world. Aggain I’d say that the program works so well here in Czech Republic from so many aspects – regarding the actual product and how they use it, all thee way up to the successful offset program. Thiss offset program has generated a lot of new investments for Czech Republic, as well as new jobs.

Can you put some figure on the value of your investments and new jobs created?

Quite recently we annoounced that last year we fulfilled 93% of the totall offset package, which equates to 23.74 billionn CZK. This represents a lot of investment into Czech C Republic, but also exports from Czech Repuublic. All in all, it does generate numerous Czechh jobs.

Prime-minister Nečas said he wouldn’t imagine your participation in the new tender unless the corruption allegations from 2004 are clarified, and solid proof shows that no corruption occurred. How do you comment?

There have been a lot of investigations in this case and nothing has matterialized, so they closed the investigation. To my knowledge, k there is nothing more to say. We ass a company have done everything we could to suupport the investigation since it began and nothing has materialized.

Yet, the prime-minister is asking for some proof that you’re clean. Who should give him this proof?

I don’t know.

You don’t cooperate with BAE Systems anymore. Yet, your reputations are connected in Czech Republic. Are you undertaking some steps to restore your image?

You’re right; we’re not working with BAE Systems and haven’t worked with them in a long time. I think we have a good reputation. I am very proud of working with SAAB. We have delivered a lot of good things to Czech Republic.

For example?

For example the offset program that, again, is working very well. As for the rest, I need to remind that this is a clear government-to-government contract.

SAAB is more than just air fighters, and you’re responsible for its whole operations across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). How are your sales developing in CEE? I think it’s quite interesting. If you’re looking at Czech Republic, we’re growing quite substantially.

We have a Czech company here that is run by Czech people and they’ve been growing for the last couple of years. We have about 140 employees now. This shows our commitment to Czech Republic. This is an important market for us. We are also using Czech Republic as a base for working in the region. We believe this region has a lot of prospects and it’s very interesting for us. We would like to grow even more in the CEE region.

What products and services are driving your business in CEE? In the whole region we see growth in the area of civil security, for example in securing important infrastructure. In this area we’ve seen growth in Czech Republic and across the region. Also in some of the traditional areas – sensors and other types of similar things – we notice a need for our products.

Which country is the most important for you right now in CEE? Since I’m in Czech Republic I have to say Czech Republic. This is also true in a way, because we’re based here and we use Czech Republic as a base to go to other countries. Looking at sales, Czech Republic is by far the most important for us. Hopefully we will grow in the other markets as well.

You’re also trying to sell some Gripen air fighters in Bulgaria, and the local media reported that you’re taking the prices really low just to get the deal. Why do you do that?

I need to repeat that in Bulgaria, the same as in Czech Republic, it’s the Swedish government that is taking the lead. They’re very good, they’re offering a very good price – not just the product but also the financial package around it. We can then also offer our services of industrial cooperation in this country.

You’ve been in Czech Republic for the last eight years. How do you comment on the developments in its economic and political sector?

“We have a good reputation. I am very proud of working with SAAB.”

First of all I like Czech Republic. It’s a nice country to be in. We’ve done good business here and it works well. There are always ups and downs, as it’s still a new democracy, at least compared to my home country. There is always room for improvement, for sure, but there are also things that are working very well.

How about the political environment, is there is also room for improvement as well?

You can see this in all new democracies – it goes right and left and right and left and sometimes you get in a corner and then you go back.

It’s a process and processes take time.

The government of Petr Nečas was endowed with a lot of trust from the Czech people in May of last year. Unfortunately, all the corruption scandals surrounding it destroyed that trust.

How do you comment on this?

It’s not for me to comment on that, really.

Do you have some concrete steps ahead of you this summer to prepare for the potential tender?

We continue to support our program simply because it works so well. That’s the best thing we can do and we continue to deliver the offset program well ahead of schedule. That’s the strategy.

By Cristina Muntean I český překlad naleznete v elektronické verzi magazínu na www.leadersmagazine.cz

Leaders Magazine i IV/201 V 1

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22.7.2011 11:32:34

United Business Across Cultures United Bakeries a.s. is the biggest bakery company within the Central European region, which was established by the joint-venture of the companies Delta Pekárny and Odkolek. The reputation and activities of this corporation exceed production in the bakery market. One of their new important achievements is the establishment of the company UNITED BUSINESS a.s. We talked to the executive director and member of the board, Jan Jedlička, about bread culture and the investment projects they have been preparing.

Jan Jedlička (1967) graduated from the Institute of Hospitality Management in Prague. After several years of working in the culinary and pharmaceutical industry, he settled with the group owned by the Pařík brothers. There he held many positions with business and manufacturing companies. For the last few years he has been working as an Executive Director.

In addition to various statutory functions in the group, he is also a member of the board of the CzechAfghan Mixed Chamber of Commerce.

He speaks English, German and Russian. Jan Jedlička is married and has four kids.

Jan Jedlička Executive Director of United Bakeries a.s.

Photo: Vladimír Weiss

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A talk with Jan Jedlička, Executive Director of United Bakeries a.s. and Member of the Board of United Business a.s.

Mr. Jan Jedlička with Mr. Harald Deller What lies behind the foundation of United Business?

I have been cooperating with Marko Pařík for more than 17 years. Marko Pařík is the co-founder and co-owner of Unitited Un ed Bak aker erie iess a.ss. Dur urin ingg th this is tim imee to toge geth ther er we havee prepared a lot of projects and companies in the fields of the construction and operation of bakeries, trading bakery products, marketing, logistics, financing, human resources, etc.

Our long-term co-ope p ration thus involves es thiss en entitire re com ompl plex ex of things, which we decided to use for other activities.

Can you be more specific?

We offer our clients a configuration of complex investment units. We are able to build an entire bakingg bus usin ines ess, s, inc nclu luding accompanying services for our customers. For this purpose we have established the company United Business a.s., which seeks opportunities around the world. In addition to the construction of bakeries, we offer their reconstruction, modernization and also a higher efficiency of all bakery processes. Except for everyday work in United Bakeries, I personally took the lead in this company, and travel around the world seeking out partners who would like to co-operate with us. To be fair, I must also mention our co-operation with ith the company Backaldrin International in Austrian Asten.

We prepare and implement projects along with its managing dire di rect ctor or, Ha Hara rald ld Del elle lerr. T he heirir busiiness is presentt in about 80 cou ount ntriries es acr cros osss th thee gl glob obee, so th thei eirr co cont ntac acts ts abo boundd. Our long-term co-operation and experience within the bakery environment is absolutely priceless. And our customers know this as well. well And you offer the culture of bread to your clients at the same time?

Yes, we can say it this way, too. However, I would like to emphasize that in this respect we are not missionaries. We do not want our products to be preferred to the local ones.

We simply want to build factories for our clients, so that they can produce bread that they are accustomed to.

What in particular are you offering?

We offer the opportunity to bake in high-quality, both culturally and efficiently. Of course, part of it is also a business strategy, marketi k ing, logiistitics, purchhasiingg raw mat ater eria ials ls, th thee use off HR, prodductitivitity, and ren enew ewab able le res esou ourc rces es. Eq Equa uallllyy important for us are sanitary and health criteria, and last butt no bu nott le leas astt, the affffor orda dabi bilility ty of pr prod oduc ucts ts. If we pr prod oduc ucee te tens ns of thousands of pieces, then the costs of production will be lower. On the other hand, we are obviously prepared to introduce potential clients to our culture of bread, i.e. other products which could be an interesting taste for them as well.

What, for you, is of the greatest importance?

Each region has different needs and preconditions. From ourr pe ou pers rspe pect ctiv ivee, the mos ostt ad adva vanc nced ed cul ultu ture re of br brea ead is in Germany, especially in Bavaria and then also in Austria. There aree al ar a so sufficientlyy develope p d cultures of bread by the Swiss, Poles, Slovaks, Russians and obviously us. Generally, the more you go from west to east, the less rye you will find in bread, including the Czech Republic. Hungarians have a light bread, br d, caky, y, and almost do not use rye in bread, so that the next day it is hard, and does not hold water. One can say the same about the United States and England. The French and Italians are not doing poorly either, yet everything is very much based on white bread. Anyway, in our country, there are subtle nuances in the h breadd cultlture, whi hichh are nev ever erth thel eles esss very important. If we want to make bread, the so-called Šumava by the same formula like in Pilsen, we would not be able to sell it in Uherské ké Hradi dišt štěě. T hus, our phi hillosophy hy is simply based on the respect for tradition of the local cultures and their customs.

on one of their Russian missions

Which market do you intend to enter with the investment units?

Currently, it is not worth addressing an offer to the advancedd Westtern European countries or the US, for the concentration of great companies here is high. We are interested in Asia, the Middle East and countries of the former Soviet Union Not that there would not have been advanced cultures Union. of bread in these regions; on the contrary. Yet, the modernization and optimization of bakeries itself is needed. And last but not least, the Third World is very attractive for us, and Africa in particular has a high growth potential.

Can you be more specific?

Concerning developing countries, many do not yet have a high level of culture of bread. In addition, they need social programs so that h they h can offer ff social i l security i to citizens. ii And one of the most basic social securities is to ensure that the quality food is sourced locally – foods that are not expensive si ve, an andd at the sam amee titime me, ha have ve the wid ides estt po poss ssib ible le use se..

Brea Br eadd is foo ood, d, nam amel elyy in any for orm, m, whi hich ch you can eat everyy day and you never over eat. It is just basic foodstuff, which meets the social, health and also other important criterion for a very affordable price. Our customer is thus the population of a given country, and we do not want them eating what they are not used to, but the opposite, we want to build something useful, something they believe in and like.

Do you also cover your investments from projects aimed at developing regions?

Both yes and no. In general, we do not want to own the investment units in these countries. It is for many reasons unprofitable or inefficient, often because those countries are 4000 kilometres away. We realllly findd whhatt is importa tant nt for us is the partnership of a local government, or a patronage of the local government. The actual funding is covered either from local sources, or for instance from world moneys aimed at developing regions, noneth thelless we always l require ire the guarantee of local government.

Where particularly do you invest at present?

Afghanistan is very interesting for us. Today, we know Afgh Af ghan anis ista tann on only ly as a bu burn rned ed and sha hatt tter ered ed cou ount ntry ry that abounds with assassinations, and where soldiers constantly die at the hands of peacekeeping troops. But Afgh Af ghan anis ista tann al also so has ano noth ther er fac acee. Pre revi viou ousl slyy, it wa wass a prosperous country which had very good relations with Czechoslovakia. Our trolleys ran there, and there were our

breweries and cement works. Thus, the former Czechoslovakia has in Afgh g anistan a gr g ea eatt br bran andd as a who hole le. An Andd not only in terms of product qualityy, but there is a greeat tru rust st especially in the field of human resources. Therefore, we have also set up co-operation with Afghan decisionmakers, and we use for these relations the Czech-Afghan Mixed Chamber of Commerce.

Commerce Along with its president, president Mr. Fawad Nadri, we have recently completed a business trip to Kabul. Personally, I was convinced of the great future of this country that has undergone an incredible tragedy of 40 years of war. We just want to take up the tradition of our mutual past relationships and, at the same time, to do something positive for this country. Among other things, the Chamber presently has a mandate representing the JAWA bbrandd on the h Afghan Af h market. k And A d I have h to say that h this brand is one of the most respected world brands there.

And we also have the same approach in Africa.

Do you feel a strong business tradition in Africa as well?

Much like in Afghanistan, or for instance in the countries of the former Soviet Union, we also have connections to governments in particular countriies in Afriica, whi hichh are relatively stable and which are interested in some kind of co-operation with us. We are co-operating with graduates from foreign Universities to establish co-operation with local governments. These people are very well educated, are returning to their home countries after having worked in Western Europe or the US and, at the same time, want to do somethi hing meaningf i full. Afriica is def efin inititel elyy a co cont ntin inen entt that, from a market point of view, has a huge potential for thee fu th futu ture re. An Andd we wan antt to be th ther eree as wel elll. T he here refo fore re, I neither regret my efforts nor travels, which are meant to pave the way for the future of companies belonging to our group across the world. Yet, nor do we resist co-operation with wi th oth ther er com ompa pani nies es tha hatt sh show ow int nter eres estt. We ar aree al alwa ways ys open to various forms of co-operation, if there is the sense of benefit for all participants. And I do not strictly mean financial benefits. We are enjoying our work, for we can see that th at lifee iss nicelyy coloured and reallyy ju j icy.

By Pavlína Holancová I český překlad naleznete v elektronické verzi magazínu na www.leadersmagazine.cz

Lead Le ader erss Ma Maga gazi zine IV/2 V/ 011

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25.7.2011 12:06:06

networking/discussion event

A special thanks to Ifield Computer Consultancy and Laic Aktiengesellschaft for making this reportage possible

From left: Karel Muzikář, President Comenius, Klára Samková, Advocate, Law Office K. Samková, Jiří Pospíšil, Minister of Justice, Stanislav Křeček, Vice Chairman of the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs, Chamber of Deputies, and David Vrba, General Manager, 3M Česko

Round Table of Comenius with Dr. Jiří Pospíšil, Minister of Justice of the CR Minister of Justice Jiří Pospíšil was the fifth VIP guest of the “Round Table of Comenius“ in 2011. His “Round Table” took place on June 23 at the CE’s largest congress hotel TOP hotel Praha. Minister identified key areas of his immediate interest in his agenda. One of the most discussed issues was corruption, which, as minister pointed out, and as several distinguished participants agreed, has lately attained nearly an aura of the dominant topic of the Czech politics. While Mr. Pospíšil agrees that corruption cannot be taken lightly, one should be careful not to overly demonize the whole subject.

Another fiercely debated issue was the reform of the civic code which has long been awaited and on which Ministry of Justice works on very intensively.

One of the most distinguisted guests was H.E Ambassador of Slovakia Peter Brňo. GRAND Partners of the event were companies 3M Česko, CS Data, GZ Digital Media, and Toman, Devátý & Partneři all represented by their top managers.

more photos and electronic version available on www.leadersmagazine.cz

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH IFIELD COMPUTER CONSULTANCY AND LAIC AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT Comenius.indd 22

From left: Daniel Merhaut, Dell Computers, Erika Lindauerová, Imaging and Printing Group Director Czech and Slovak Republic, Hewlett-Packard Slovakia, Martin Lukš, Commercial Director, CS Data, and Karel Muzikář, President Comenius

25.7.2011 12:59:19

IN COOPERATION WITH LEADERS MAGAZINE

networking/discussion event

From left: Karel Muzikář jr., Managing Partner, Weil, Gotshal & Manges, Milan Bakeš, Advocate, and Jan Petrov, Director, Czech Judicial Academy

Jiří Pospíšil, Minister of Justice and Stanislav Křeček, Vice Chairman of the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs, Chamber of Deputies Eva Trotter, Member of the Board, PEM-INVEST and H.E. Peter Brňo, Ambassador of the Slovak Republic

Filip Seifert, Advocate, Toman, Devátý & Partneři and Eliška Tomanová, Toman, Devátý & Partneři

From right: John Bok, Director, Šalamoun association and Fawad Nadri, President, Czech-Afghan Mixed Chamber of Commerce

From left: Petr Stuchlík, CEO Fin Centrum, Jiří Devát, General Manager, Cisco Systems, and Vladek Krámek, Director, Legal and Compliance Department, Fin Centrum

From left: Ivan Hlaváček, Managing Director, InterCora and Jan Hlaváček, Chief Brewer, Plzeňský prazdroj

Zdeněk Pelc, President, GZ Digital Media

From left: Markéta Douděrová, Solution Sales Proffesional-Online Productivity Services, Microsoft and Hana Krůčková, Managing Director, CS Data

Comenius.indd 23

From left: Otto Kechner, University of Finance and Administration, Hana Krůčková, Managing Director, CS Data, Miloš Večeřa, Head of Trade Finance, Cash Management and Factoring, Raiffeisenbank a.s., Petr Janoszek, Marketing Manager, 3M Česko, Julius Jesztrebi, Director, Czech Technical and Recruitment Center, Martin Lukš, Marketing Manager, CS Data, Stanislav Křeček, Vice Chairman of the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs, Chamber of Deputies, Roman Polášek, Partner, Toman, Devátý & Partners, David Vrba, General Manager, 3M Česko, Jiří Pospíšil, Minister of Justice, Karel Muzikář, President, Comenius, Zdeněk Pelc, General Manager, GZ Digital Media, and Aleš Gerloch, Dean, Law Faculty, Charles Univesity.

25.7.2011 12:59:41

networking/discussion event

A special thanks to Ifield Computer Consultancy and Laic Aktiengesellschaft for making this reportage possible

Martin Lukš, Director, CS Data, Stanislav Křeček, Vice Chairman of the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs, Chamber of Deputies, Roman Polášek, Partner, Toman, Devátý & Partners, and David Vrba, General Manager, 3M Česko

Klára Samková, Advocate, Law Office K. Samková with her daughter Daria

From left: Stanislav Křeček, Member, Chamber of Deputies and Otto Kechner, University of Finance and Administration

From left: Roman Cabálek, General Manager, MICROSOFT and Aleš Maxa, Marketing Manager, 3M Česko

H.E. Peter Brňo, Ambassador of the Slovak Republic

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH IFIELD COMPUTER CONSULTANCY AND LAIC AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT Comenius.indd 24

From left: Karel Muzikář, President, Comenius, Benke Aikell, your Publisher, Milan Bakeš, Advocate, and Jiří Pospíšil, Minister of Justice

22.7.2011 11:43:12

A special thanks to Ifield Computer Consultancy and Laic Aktiengesellschaft for making this reportage possible

networking/discussion event

IN COOPERATION WITH LEADERS MAGAZINE

Jiří Běhounek, Governor, Vysočina Region

Round Table of Comenius with Dr. Leoš Heger, Minister of Health at Top Hotel Minister of Health Mr. Leoš Heger was the sixth cabinet minister who accepted the invitation to the “Round Table of Comenius” in 2011. He then used this opportunity to discuss the most pressing issues of the Czech health system with representatives of business community and state administration. As there were representatives of rivaling political parties such as the Governor of the Vysočina region Dr. Jiří Běhounek, the discussion dinner was very lively. Nonetheless, the debate took place in a very creative atmosphere in which its participants exchanged their different views in order to explain varying solutions to each other.

From left: Jan Oberman, Managing Director, Korado Consulting, Leoš Heger, Minister of Health, Karel Muzikář, President, Comenius, and Pavel Horák, Director VZP ČR

more photos and electronic version available on www.leadersmagazine.cz

Comenius.indd 25

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH IFIELD COMPUTER CONSULTANCY AND LAIC AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT 25.7.2011 12:21:02

networking/discussion event

From left: Vladimír Dohnal, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Top Hotels Group, Jan Wiesner, President, Union of Czech and Moravian Producer Cooperatives, and Zbyněk Frolík, Director, LINET

A special thanks to Ifield Computer Consultancy and Laic Aktiengesellschaft for making this reportage possible

From left: Martin Procházka, Director, OKsystem, and Hanuš Weisl, Head of Public & Healthcare Sales Section, T-Systems Czech Republic

Martin Lukš, Marketing Manager, CS Data, and Ivana Šindelářová, CS Data

From left: Tomáš Uvízl, Director, Středomoravská Hospital, Radomír Maráček, Director, University Hospital Olomouc and Lubomír Klepáč, Managing Director, B. Braun Medical Companies ČR and SR

From left: Pavel Horák, Director VZP ČR and Jiří Běhounek, Governor, Vysočina Region

From left: Martin Holcát, Deputy Director for Preventive Medical Care, University Hospital Motol and Václav Volejník, Director, Hamzova Professional Sanatorium for children and adults

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH IFIELD COMPUTER CONSULTANCY AND LAIC AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT Comenius.indd 26

From left: Leoš Heger, Minister of Health and Karel Muzikář, President Comenius with his wife Zita

25.7.2011 12:21:34

IN COOPERATION WITH LEADERS MAGAZINE

networking/discussion event

From left: Benke Aikell, your Publisher, Petr Svoboda, Managing Director, Expharma, and Luboš Petruželka, Head of the Oncology Clinic, General University Hospital in Prague

H.E. Peter Brňo, Ambassador of the Slovak Republic

From left: Václav Mandys, Head of the Department of Pathology, 3rd Medicine Faculty, Charles University and Faculty Hospital Královské Vinohrady, Eva Mandysová, Head of Non-invasive Cardiology, Cardio Center, Cardiology Department, Homolka Hospital, and Karel Muzikář, President Comenius

From left: Eva Trotter, Member of the Board, PEM-INVEST and Zita Muzikářová From left: Pavel Brauner, Managing Director, Avel and Stanislav Havlíček, President, Czech Chamber of Pharmacists

Eduard Šebo, Vice Chairman, Chateau Modrá, Irina Šebová, Scientific Secretary, Slovak medical company, Stanislav Havlíček, President, Czech Chamber of Pharmacists and Václav Irovský, Director of the Branch, LOM Praha

Jaromír Gajdáček, General Manager, Health Insurance of the Ministry of Interior

From left: Luboš Petruželka, Head of the Oncology Clinic, General University Hospital in Prague, Matěj Adam, Healthcare Industry Leader SW IOT & CEEMEA, IBM ČR, Radomír Maráček, Director, University Hospital Olomouc, Jan Oberman, Managing Director, Korado Consulting, Pavel Horák, Director, VZP ČR, Leoš Heger, Minister of Health, Karel Muzikář, President, Comenius, Petr Heider, Public Sector Sales Manager, IBM ČR, and Jan Růžička, Director, Minister’s Cabinet, Ministry of Health

Comenius.indd 27

25.7.2011 12:22:52

interview

Radek Ĺ merda, former Minister of Transport of the Czech Republic Photo: Archive of the Ministry of Transportation

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25.7.2011 12:06:45

A talk with Radek Šmerda, former Minister of Transport of the Czech Republic Radek Šmerda (1977) completed his master’s degree at the Law Faculty of Charles University in Prague in 2001. He received his doctorate from the same institution in 2005. In 2002 and 2003, Radek Šmerda worked as a university lecturer at the Criminal Law Department of the Police Academy of the Czech Republic in Prague. His teaching activities at the Law Faculty of Charles University continued from 2004 to present, with a focus on criminal law. From 1999 to 2002 he worked as an advisor to the vice-chairman of the Ch C am a be berr of Dep eput utie iess of the Par arliliam amen entt off thhe Czech Republic. From 2002 to 2006 he was the legal advisor to the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic. From January 2007 to April 2008 he was the director of the defence minister’s cabinet, and was the deputy defence minister and director of the Office of the Defence Ministry until May 2009. From October 2009 to May 2010 he served as the deputy general director of the Prisons Service of the Czech Republic for legal and judicial affairs. From March 2009 to July 2010 he worked as the assistant deputy chairman of the Superior Court in Prague for criminal cases.

Until his appointment as the Minister of Transport in April 2011, he worked as state secretary and deputy minister of transport.

Strengthening the transport infrastructure is one of the main priorities of the current Goove vern rnme ment nt.. Ca Cann th thee Go Gove vern rnme ment nt mai aint ntai ainn th thee level of investment in infrastructure with regard to the “austerity budget”?

I am doing everything to make it so. The Ministry of Transport is literally vitally dependent. At least in the field of traffic engineering this is absolutely true. It is not a secret, and I have said several times that there were several contracts which were adopted in the previous tenders, and which have significantly burdened us thus far. Unfortunately, it concerns almost 30 billion CZK which we promised to provide for particular construction companies’ work. Thus, if I need to have money aimed at EU projects as well, then for these buildings the Ministry simply does not have the money.

Therefore I am asking the Economic Committee Therefore, of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, among others,, for a budget g increase to the SFDI. At the same time, I am appealing to the Government that the cover system of funding the financial means for transport infrastructure is totally inadequate.

It seems that your main business is to ask for money…

Of course not. Part of my work is of course significantly intervening with the management of all organizations that fall under me. So, we adjust particular projects, complete purchases of commodities aimed at particular institutions, and we just save on everything. Yet, even that may not be enough to counter the still declining volume of finance; therefore, we have to think about how to briring ng additional moneyy to our deppartment. I do not believe in the variant of the PPP projects very much. Thus, I prefer the idea of the Road and Motorway Directorate structure transforming into a joint-stock company. This idea is still in its infancy but could become a reality in two years’ time. After all, it has been working successfully in Austria, for instance, so we are not inventing the unknown. The point is that the company was able to respond more flexibly to developments in construction, and was able to raise money in a different way than simply through subsidies from the state budget.

This might be processed by doing business, completing projects, issuing bonds, etc.

In your view, why are the talks between the Unions and the Government failing?

The main problem of the last strike was the fact that it was terribly politicized. The result then affect fe cted ed peo eopl plee wh whoo we were re mos ostltlyy co comp mpllettelly innocent. As a lawyer, of course I know that the right to strike is enshrined in the Constitution. People are certainly entitled to express their disapproval.

The Constitution should, however, give clear guidelines on what is still possible, and what is not any more. These rules are everywhere in developed countries. And as for a strike in the transport sector? I have mixed feelings about that. There was a strike for social reforms, but not for transport, and yet our industry became a target for these protests. I could not obviously agree with that as a Minister of Transport. Additionally, we cannot afford the financial losses caused by the strike at this time.

Can you indicate what damage was caused by the transport strike?

Even before the strike,, we estimated it to be some 300 million CZK, and these assumptions were correct. This figure obviously counts only for those enterprises that fall directly beneath me, i.e. the Czech Railways (ČD), the Operation and Organization of the Rail Transport (SŽDC) and the ČD Cargo. Not included are the hundreds of cancelled orders of the haulage contractors on the railway. I suppose the final number is incomparably higher. At a time when we “turn each crown” at the Office, and the Czech roads look how they look, such a loss of 300 million CZK per day is a luxury which the Czech Republic cannot really afford, in my view.

Is the Czech Republic threatened by the General Strike?

I´d like to say it is not. Yet, what I really learnedd in politics is to trust completely in anything (laugh).

After a one-day protest, however, I feel that the Unions would not find any support for the General Strike. I think that most of them understand that our state needs reforms. We cannot live on debt forever, and with the fact that our kids are the ones who will pay for it. But it certainly does not exclude the possibility that some kind of protest will appear here by the end off thhe year. Yet, t I do nott fee eell it wililll be in the form of the General Strike.

The Operational Programme Transport ends in 2015. How successful is the Czech Republic in drawing money within this programme?

Compared to other programmes, we are the

most successful within the Operational Programme Transport concerning drawing money out of the EU subbsid idiies. Although we have some problems at present, I believe that we will be able to solve them vigorously and quickly. In the dialogue with the EU we are adopting measures so that similar phenomena will not be repeated. At the same time, I could not admit the continuation of some obvious shortcomings, so there were also some personnel changes in senior positions. And if I find any additional errors, I will be stubborn and stand behind the fact that such a manager is out of place in his or her position.

Are there any construction projects that the Czech Republic will not manage to finance out of the programme?

The main condition for payment of realized construction projects is their completion by 2015.

2015 We are soon approaching the deadline for which we clearlyy know whether a pproject j can be completed on time or not. So far, we have enough time for all projects under way, yet we would be really poor stewards if there was not any plan B, any back-up in case of any complications. Such backup plans are the so-called “alternative projects”.

We are devoting a maximum effort for the preparation of these projects.

Could you tell us about the priority investment of the Czech Republic which is aimed at the Operational Programme Transport II, which includes another 90 billion CZK? I can only speak of this very generally and very problematically, for particular chapters of this Operational Programme have not even been defined thus far. All of this is yet to come. One can say, however, thatt logi gical ally ly we wi willll try to pu push sh pro rojects like R35 communication, which should be a north parallel to the congested D1, a continuation of D11 behind Hradec Králové, the South Bohemian D3 or R52. But one thing is already certain. The first task of any future minister is to get plenty of national resources to co-finance and consistently draw out each crown offered by the EU. To not use it would be to drop a unique oppo op port rtun unitityy.

By Pavlína Holancová I český překlad naleznete v elektronické verzi magazínu na www.leadersmagazine.cz

Leaders Magazine i IV/201 V 1

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Petr Lessy President of the Police of the Czech Republic Photo: Mr. Lessy´s archive

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21.7.2011 11:12:48

A talk with Petr Lessy, President of the Police of the Czech Republic

THE POLICE FORCE NEEDS STABILIZATION MOST OF ALL Plk. Mgr. Petr Lessy (1964) completed law studies at the Police Academy. Afterwards he worked at the Police of the Czech Republic in Frýdek-Místek, at the regional police office in Ostrava, and finally as the deputy manager of the regional police office of the South Moravian region aimed at external services. During 2006–2010 he was a cross-bencher ODS member of the local authority Palkovice. Petr Lessy was appointed the President of the Police of the Czech Republic on the 24th of January 2011.

Stabilization of the Czech Police is one of the main tasks you set out to accomplish.

What does it concern mostly?

Police of the Czech Republic has undergone a series of changes recently, including reorganizations and reforms. Now the time has come to pause, to subject the previous reform steps to analysis, and assess the achieved results.

We are evaluating what impact the particular changes g have had on the pperformance and functionality of the Police. Additionally, we are assessing how the particular changes influenced the ability of providing services which the public expects from the Police. Moreover, we are removing deficiencies and searching for effective solutions to problems, much like savings options. A necessary prerequisite for the stabi options stabilization of the police, in the current situation of the very restrictive budgetary measures, is finding internal reserves in order to ensure for the essential functioning, so that the standard of services is not lowered.

A further goal is ensuring for non-political police. In this respect, how do you want to prevent information from leaking during a police investigation?

Ensuring that the police remain non-political, and preventing information leakage from investigation files are two different things, which are sometimes interconnected and yet we cannot interconnect them mechanically. I want to guarantee that the Czech police force is indisputably non-political, and I will consistently advocate its independence from any eventual turbulence on the political scene. I obviously regard the leaking of information from criminal proceedings to be a very serious problem. In this context, I consider the consistent use of all control mechanisms crucial. Thus, we want to prevent the leaking of information via close cooperation between the police and the public Prosecutor. We have therefore agreed with the public Prosecutor, Pavel Zeman, upon a system of regular working meetings.

Where do you see the biggest weaknesses of the police in fighting corruption in the Czech Republic?

Corruption is an individual moral failure, in which the entirety of society suffers. It is a social evil, which cannot be tolerated in any of its manifestations, and which we are supposed to suppress by any legal means. The police force is fighting against corruption through the use of criminal law,, but the success of this struggle gg is closely related to a set of anticorruption systems in all spheres of life. In criminal law terms, the close co-operation of all interested institutions is absolutely necessary, so that detection and clarification of corruption is as effective as possible. Within the police force it means, among other things, things a mutual co-operation co operation among particular departments and a functional exchange of information. Also essential is ensuring the necessary conditions for policemen who are dealing with corruption, so that they are not tied by unnecessary obstacles during an investigation.

In your view, what is behind accusations that the department which fights corruption within the Police of the Czech Republic is delaying investigation of the Věci Veřejné case?

I am absolutely convinced that in this case anyone within the Unit for Combating Corruption and Financial Crime was not deliberately delaying acts of criminal proceedings. I am clearly saying that in connection with this case, there has not been any delay. The Inspection of the Police of the Czech Republic has not found any evidence of a crime having been committed in the process of police authority. On top of that, this view is also evidenced by the standpoint of the Supreme Public Prosecutors Office.

In what way are you aiming for better cooperation with other bodies that are active in criminal proceedings?

From the Police’s perspective, I suggest that co-operation with the public prosecution is very

important. I mentioned the regular communication that has been established between the Police President and the Supreme Public Prosecutor. I expect a similar form of this co-operation in criminal proceedings within the framework of the entire Police force, at all levels of management.

One of your goals is also ensuring that the Czech Republic becomes the safest place in Europe. What particular steps does this require?

The first necessary step is the stabilization of police activities. The police force was in recent years marked by rapid changes. Yet, I have already mentioned this above. After any revolution comes a period of evolution. A further vital step iss a so solution ut o for o the t e financial a c a questions quest o s of o the t e police force, and its economic stabilization.

These steps are closely related to a definition of precise standards for the police service, and the optimization of the number of members and civil employees of the Police of the Czech Republic.

In the future, it will be necessary for us to be able to manage all of our functions with less manpower. This, however, assumes freedom from non-police activities, from redundant administrative work and a general increase in work efficiency. Therefore, we want to change, among other things, the police approach to crime prevention and other pathological social phenomenon, so that prevention becomes an integral part of the police service, and focuses primarily on particular measures which can immediately positively influence the security situation in communities and regions. I am aware that achieving this goal is not solely a question of one or two years. It is about a long-term concept, a strategic vision. I am convinced that striving toward this vision is really worth it.

By Pavlína Holancová I český překlad naleznete v elektronické verzi magazínu na www.leadersmagazine.cz

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vemex event The congress was opened at noon on June 2, 2011 by the Chairman of the Board of OAO Gazprom and President of the European Business Congress, Mr. Alexei B. Miller, in front of invited delegates.

JUDr. Vladimir Ermakov, CSc, Chief Executive Officer, Vemex s.r.o.

EUROPEAN BUSINESS CONGRESS

From left: Mikhail Malyshevsky, LLC Gas-Oil, Grigore Gacikevici, Moldovagaz JSC, Evgheni Cramarenco, Moldovagaz JSC, and Alexander Minko, OAO Gazprom

From left: Udo VĂślker, Ferrostaal AG and Alexey Miller, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Management Committee (CEO), Gazprom

Olga Puppe, Bauer Compressors Ltd., Russia and Anatolie Gozun, Niksa OOO

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From left: Pavel Demin, Head of Division, Department of Finance and Economics, Gazprom and Ing. Vratislav KubĂ­nek, Financial Director, Vemex s.r.o.

From left: Dr. Sergey I. Semjonow, President, LLC Russo Chemie M, H.E. Vasily Markovich, Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus, and Georgy A. Egorov, Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Belvnesheconombank

21.7.2011 14:39:19

From left: Udo Volker, European Business Congress, Uwe H. Fip, E.ON Ruhrgas AG, and Erik Koebe, President, Credit Agricole

From left: Alexey Shakhmatov, OAO Gazprom and Alexey Miller, CEO and Chairman, Gazprom From left: Juergen Moepert, Wintershall Holding AG, Andreas Böldt, Gazprom Germania GmbH, Konstantin von Oldenburg, E.ON Ruhrgas, and Hans Peter Floren, E.ON Ruhrgas AG

From left: Friedhelm Wannagat, E.ON Ruhrgas AG, Hugo Kysilka, Marketing & PR Director, Vemex s.r.o., and Hans Peter Floren, E.ON Ruhrgas AG

From left: Dusan Bajatovic, JP Srbijagas and Marcel Kramer, Southstream

EBC is an international organization, which operates in the OSCE area and brings together more than 120 companies from 23 countries, such as Gazprom, E.ON-Ruhrgas, GDF-SUEZ, Gasunie, ExxonMobil, Shell, MND, Royal Bank of Scotland, BS, Siemens, Daimler, ENI, Total, Deutsche Bank, Credit Agricole, Société Générale, BNP Paribas and others. The European Business Congress unites its members based on common interests and business activities in the energy sector.

Zorana Nicolic, JP Srbijagas and Tatjana Krivaltsevits, South Stream

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more photos and electronic version available on www.leadersmagazine.cz

From left: Alexey Miller, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Management Committee (CEO), Gazprom and JUDr. Vladimir Ermakov, CSc, Chief Executive Officer, Vemex s. r. o.

21.7.2011 14:40:21

From left: Alexander Schreiter, General Manager, Intercontinental, Praha and Eberhard Kamper, Beta Seminare Bonn Berlin

From left: Denis Ignatiev, OAO Gazprom and Igor Bolshakov, J.P. Morgan Bank, International Ltd. Olga Pischel, Dr. Hölling & Partner Consulting and Dr. Ottokar Hahn, President E.C.U.Europe e.V., former Ambassador EU COM, Moscow

From left: Evgeny I. Bezborodkin, Deputy General Director, OOO Gazprom Transgaz Moscow and Vyacheslav A. Rybkin, Assistant to Director General Security Service, OAO Gazprom

From left: Andrew Chulack, Deutsche Bank and Jorg Bongartz, Deutsche Bank

From left: Marcel Kramer, Chief Executive Officer, South Stream AG and Dr. Sergey Balashov, OAO Gazprom

Tomáš Hüner, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade

Lincoln Payton, Global Head of Commodities BNP Paribas

Friedhelm Wannagat, E.ON Ruhrgas AG

Oldrich Petrzilka, Czech Gas Union

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Alexander Bidnenko, Gazprom Komplektatsiya LLC

From left: Gennady Makrelov, Nevmashservis and Valery Lesnykh, Gazprom

21.7.2011 14:41:58

The gala evening was held on June 2, 2011 in the Spanish Hall of the Prague Castle. At the end of the first conference day the hosting company, VEMEX s.r.o., organized a gala evening with delegates and distinguished guests taking part, such as the Ambassador of the Russian Federation, H.E. Sergey B. Kiselev and H.E. Vasilij M. Markovich, Ambassador of Belarus, as well as Members of the Parliament of the Czech Republic. The gala evening introduced some of the leading Czech artists, such as the violin virtuoso Jaroslav Svěcený; the queen of Czech pop music Helena Vondráčková; and Spejbl and Hurvínek, the famous Czech marionettes. At the end of the evening there was a live jazz band performance.

IN COOPERATION WITH LEADERS MAGAZINE Hugo Kysilka, Marketing & PR Director, Vemex s.r.o. in his speech

vemex event

GALA EVENING

H.E. Sergey B. Kiselev, Ambassador of the Russian Federation and Ing. Alena Vitásková, President, Klub plynárenských podnikatelů ČR, s.r.o.

From left: Ing. Inna Filimonova, Vemex s.r.o., Mgr. Klára Kachlíková, Vemex s.r.o., and Tetjana Bondarčuk, Vemex s.r.o.

Till A. Kulgemeyer, EFZN and Olga Rumyantseva, N.V. Nederlandtse Gasunie

From left: Peter Brodehser, Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen and Juergen Moepert, Wintershall Holding AG

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From left: Georgy A. Egorov, Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Belvnesheconombank, Svetlana Kurochkina, R&D Director, Neft Magistral and Dr. Dmitry Kurochkin, Member of the Board, EBC

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From left: Anatolie Gozun, Niksa OOO and Yuriy Gozun, Niksa OOO Jorg Bongartz, Deutsche Bank

From left: Mohammed Zaki, Total. s.a. and Konstantin von. Oldenburg, Delegate of E.ON Ruhrgas AG

Performance – Puppet Show, Spejbl and Hurvínek

From left: Albert Khisamutdinov, RFK Corsa and Rimas Varkulevicius, Achema Group

Jaroslav Svěcený, Violin Virtuoso

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From left: Gerda Leitner, Ilse Kamper, Jeannine Friedrich, Assistant to Executive Secretary of the EBC E.V. and Heinz-Jürgen Witzke, Beta Seminare Toon Berlin

Ing. Tamara Nastěrenková, Administrative and HR Director, Vemex, s.r.o. and Ing. Karel Muzikář, CSc., President, Comenius

Vitcheslava Tacheva Baranicka, MD, Senior Banker, Societe Generale and Tyler Hawkins Sunshine, Metropol Investment Financial Company Ltd.

21.7.2011 14:47:08

From left: Migridad Pirnazar, Nevsky Zavod Electroshield and Maxim Lukyanov, Open Technologies

From left: Marco Arcelli, Enel SpA and Michael Borrel, Total, SA

Anna Golovina, Director, Lot and Visite and Xavier Perret, GDF SUEZ

From right: Vladimir Ermakov, Chief Executive Officer, VEMEX s.r.o. with his wife and Libor Trubelík, Charmain of the Supervisory Board of ČKD Group a.s.

From left: Glenn Walller, ExxonMobil Russia Inc., Moscow and Vladimir Rusinov, Renaissance Capital From left: Vladimir Mayorov, Managing Director, Beltransgas, JSC and Dmitry Anniuk, Deputy Managing Director, Beltransgas, JSC

Spanish hall of the Prague Castle

Pavel Kotásek, MND a.s.

Alexey Tinkov, OAO Gazprom with his wife

more photos and electronic version available on www.leadersmagazine.cz

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From left: Michael Krüger and Peter Eric Lundh, ExxonMobil

21.7.2011 14:48:23

IN COOPERATION WITH LEADERS MAGAZINE

The BLUE CORRIDOR 2011 recently took place, a relay of CNG powered vehicles with 16 cars from the Czech Republic, Germany, Finland, Russia and Canada taking part. The event was launched by the Chairman of the Board of GAZPROM, Mr. Alexei B. Miller, and the Chairman of the Board of E.ON-Ruhrgas, Klaus Sch채fer, on June 2, 2011. The following day the convoy arrived in Leipzig with further stops in Wolfsburg and Berlin. The relay finished on June 9, 2011 symbolically in the town of Greifswald, the terminal point of the Nord Stream pipeline, which will deliver Russian gas to Europe.

From left: Friedhelm Wannagat, E.ON Ruhrgas AG, Moderator, and Valery Matyushechkin, OAO Gazprom

BLUE CORRIDOR 2011

From left: Alexey Miller, CEO and Chairman, Gazprom and Klaus Sch채fer, Chairman of the Executive Board, E.ON-Ruhrgas AG, Germany

David Graebe, Senior Advisor Western Europe, GAZPROM Germania GmbH

From left: Alexey Miller, CEO and Chairman, Gazprom and Klaus Sch채fer, Chairman of the Executive Board, E.ON-Ruhrgas AG, Germany

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more photos and electronic version available on www.leadersmagazine.cz

Alexey Miller, CEO and Chairman, Gazprom waving the flag

21.7.2011 14:50:43

noow avvailabble iinn Brussels

L E A D E R S M AG A Z I N E

PHOTO COVERAGES FROM TOP EVENTS: CONCERTS – SEMINARS – CONFERENCES – GALA EVENINGS

INTERVIEWS WITH TOP PEOPLE: CULTURE – BUSINESS – POLITICS – SPORTS

PR ARTICLES, ANALYSIS AND MUCH MORE rovnat, co si pořizovali naši předkovéé za své peníze rovnat peníze.

Nejzajímavější atrakcí se pro příchozzí zřejmě stane funkční lis k ražení mincí, původněě obsluhovaný čtyřmi lidmi, umístěný přímo ve skllepě. Vyražené mince se znakem Brna si zde také mohou pořídit na památku. Expozice nabízí i modeel historického

Tržiště 19, Prague 1 www.alchymisthotel.com tel: +420 257 286 011

dodalo dalších 62 milionů z rozpočtu svého svého. Díky tomu se návštěvníkům historického centra Brna postupně otevřou brány podzemí, které prozatím viděl jen málokdo. Město vidí ve zpřístupnění podzemí nový impulz ke zvýšení své atraktivity a slibuje nabídku prohlídkových tras obsahujících

Roman Onderka I primátor statutárníhoo města Brna

8.5.

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09

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Opening hours: Ecsotica Spa: Daily 9:00–21:00 Health Club: Mon–Fri 7:00–21:00 Sat–Sun 8:00–21:00

Leaders Magazine® focuses on lifestyle, interviews, business, culture and luxury products and covers many important and interesting events. Our readers are people from diplomatic society, government officials and decision makers in business.

The targeted distribution is cca 20 000 copies including 1400 pcs to the top EU officials in Brussels.

Leaders Magazine® publikuje rozhovory s význanými osobnostmi obchodní, politické, umělecké a kulturní sféry a přináší fotoreportáže z důležitých společenských událostí v ČR. Našimi čtenáři jsou osoby s rozhodovacími pravomocemi v diplomatické, státní a soukromé sféře. Cílená distribuce je cca 20 000 ks včetně 1400 ks představitelům EU v Bruselu.

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21.7.2010 13:27:48

SO RFA RT. in

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For Full Electronic Version Go To www.leadersmagazine.cz 12.7.2011 16:58:19

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

“FUNDAMENTUM AUTEM EST IUSTITIAE FIDES, ID EST DICTORUM CONVENTORUMQUE CONSTANTIA ET VERITAS.“ Základem spravedlnosti je důvěra, to znamená stálost a upřímnost ve slovech i v dohodách.

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...The Seeing Justice

People cease believing in justice. Their confidence is shaken by its inconsistency and the long path that leads to it. The inability to claim their justice in real time is stressful and displeasing.

The Union for Arbitration and Mediation of Czech Republic, Inc., comes on stage with its offer just in time when the effective enforcement of law in the society is lagging. Contrary to a court, the Union is a commercial subject that is concerned with transparency and legality. At the same time, it seeks speed, expertise and predictability. The arbitration procedures led by the ad hoc arbiters associated in the Union ensure the same independence as court.

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...vidoucí spravedlnost

Lidé přestávají věřit ve spravedlnost. Jejich důvěrou otřásá nestálost spravedlnosti a dlouhá cesta k ní. Nemožnost domoci se práva v reálném čase je stresující a nepříjemná.

Unie pro rozhodčí a mediační řízení ČR, a.s. přichází se svou nabídkou právě v době, kdy ve společnosti zaostává efektivní vymahatelnost práva. Na rozdíl od soudu je Unie komerčním subjektem, kterému záleží na transparentnosti a legálnosti. Zároveň vždy usiluje o rychlost, odbornost a předvídatelnost.

Rozhodčí řízení vedené prostřednictvím rozhodců ad hoc sdružených u Unie přitom zaručuje stejnou nezávislost jako soud.

Unie pro rozhodčí a mediační řízení ČR, a.s.

Office: Cejl 91, 602 00 Brno Tel.: +420 545 242 592 E-mail: unie@urmr.cz Web: www.urmr.cz

22.7.2011 13:14:43

An interview with Petr Gazdík, Chairman of the Mayors and Independents Movement

THE GOVERNMENT HAS TO IMPROVE ITS COMMUNICATION WITH THE PUBLIC AND EXPLAIN THE REFORMS Petr Gazdík studied mathematics and geography at Masaryk University’s Faculty of Education in Brno. Then, between the years 1996–2002, he taught at the elementary school in Bánov. In 2002 Petr Gazdík was elected (re-elected in 2006) mayor of Suchá Loz. Six years later he became a member of the Zlín Region authority, and chairman of the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Development. Since 2009 he has been chairman of the Mayors and Independents (STAN) political movement. In June 2010 Petr Gazdík was elected deputy p y and chairman of the parliap mentary group TOP 09, and STAN afterwards.

Why did you enter politics?

It may sound strange, but politics was never my objective. I entered local politics because we as scouts wanted to build a new scouts chalet and to have support of our local authority. Many parents told me to stand as a candidate for the local authority, and thus to have a chance to enforce such issues more easily. However, nobody thought we would win. Therefore, I became mayor in 2002. As an independent mayor I found out that it was very difficult to enforce something if we did not have any representation in the regional authority and in the Parliament as well. Other mayors had the door open to many ministries, and thanks to their party colleagues they received resources for the renovation of their towns and villages. We did not have such advantages, and therefore we decided together with twenty other colleagues to establish Independent Mayors for the region, and stood as candidates in the regional authority. We managed to get three mandates.

Afterwards, Jana Juřenčáková contested a seat in the Senate and was successful as well. We thus have become a party that receives a certain amount of resources from the state. It has allowed us to enforce things that we considered and still consider important. These are for instance tax revenues, limitations of bureaucracy, the regulation of lotteries – problems that th at the mun unic icip ipal alititie iess ha have ve bee eenn faciing. g In t he

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Petr Gazdík, Chairman of the Mayors and Independents Movement Photo: Vladimír Weiss

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following regional elections our support increased again. When Miroslav Kalousek announced the establishment of a new political party – TOP 09 – before thee Eu th Euro rope pean an ele lect ctio ions in 20 2009 09, we off fferedd him our cooperation. It was not my task to be a leader or to stand as a candidate in the Parliament in the top position. I was required to do that because of my being a chairman of STAN. I would be happier to be a mayor of a small village. On the other hand, I took it as a means of enforcing our aims. And I think we have already succeeded. When any ministry plans a bill, STAN is the first to amend it.

You have mentioned your cooperation with TOP 09. Recently, the first vice-chairman of TOP 09, Miroslav Kalousek, became a member of one of your party’s main bodies. Shall we understand this step as a greater linking of both parties, one that could even lead to their merger?

We definitely don’t plan any merger. The current situation is entirely satisfactory. The parties have been cooperating together very closely. With respect to the fact that it is two parties, the unity between them is incredible. STAN is a very good local base as well as a seedbed of competent politicians with experience in local politics, which many political parties lack. Let’s concede that big parties also don’t have enough political talents with experience in practise these days. In most big political parties, party cadres have been given top party positions, rather than people who have objectively showed that they can do something. And this is wrong. It reflects the level of the whole political scene.

How do you explain such unity between TOP 09 and STAN? I will give you an example of the difference between Public Affairs (Věci veřejné) and TOP 09. Public Affairs was managed for a while as a great firm. It was marketed very well. However, a political party is not a firm. Neither its deputies, nor party members are your employees. There is very good experience among the mayors and local politicians there. If you want to build sewerage in the firm, you just order it. If some don’t follow, you decrease their salary or they have to leave. But this is not the case in the municipality, where if you want to build sewerage, you have to visit at least thirty people and explain it to them. If one person doesn’t agree, then nothing comes of it. You have to search for a consensus. People who once managed a local authority, and were able to negotiate a consensus among all, are able to promote compromises, unity, and advocate common sense.

In other words, they are able to reach reasonable, and not exclusively party, conclusions.

Have you been successful in promoting a consensus nowadays too?

It is extremely difficult, but ironically, these days, when the situation is more complicated, we have been successful. In the current tenure, no crucial amendment to the bills has been approved so far in the Chamber of Deputies. A coalition works here.

There was no conflict, no heated behaviour during the approval of laws, no leavings in the Chamber. We manage to keep deputies united. In the last months, one reform law after another has been approved. The coal co alititio ionn is gai aini ning ng som omee se sens nsee no now w. If yo youu lo look ok at

the real results of our work in the Chamber of Deputies, you must see that we have been increasingly adopting laws.

But people usually do not follow the number of adopted laws. They rather perceive how politicians communicate with the public, how they explain things.

I can see one crucial problem here. Government, through the Public Affairs party, started to promote the fight against corruption in an unbelievable way, so that after the general election people got the impression that there would be no corruption in half a year, and that the government would eradicate it. Unfortunately, instead of eradicating corruption, strange affairs started to emerge. I am referring to the affair at the State Environmental Fund, the ProMoPro affair, the affairs of the Public Affairs party, etc. People are necessarily fed up with the fact that just the opposite has been happening. However, the impression has been false since the beginning.

Corruption cannot be eradicated in half a year, in a year or even in two years. Corruption is a heritage of forty years of totalitarianism. The only thing we can do, and it is a duty of this government, is to throw sand into the gear of corruption so that the corruption starts to sputter. Now the Public Procurement Bill is being approved. However, the bill doesn’t save everything. It is written in a way that throws a bit of sand into the gear of corruption, but it doesn’t jam it entirely. We are preparing amendments upon which everything should be made public. We have to focus not only on public proceeding itself, but also on what is happening before the proceeding. Whether the order is really necessary, necessary whether it is needed to the extent in which it is planned, and what are the lifelong expenses of the order. The state register should be established to calculate the average prices of orders.

If the order has a higher price than the average, even before the signature of the contract, the Supreme Audit Office should immediately come and examine why the price of the order is as set. This question should thus be solved even before the approval of the contract, and not thereafter.

It is not only corruption that has come into question, but also reforms. The coalition has not been too successful so far in explaining the reforms to the public adequately.

I absolutely agree with you. Public presentations and discussions were not enough. Both the prime minister and individual ministers should explain the impacts of reforms to the public in a much better way.

On the other hand, the Czech people share one characteristic. All of us want to fight, to have reforms, but only in a way that will not touch us. I can see this in my friends. They have always supported the right. But at the moment when someone’s salary is reduced by ten per cent, they cease to be enthusiastic advocates of the reforms.

All of us know that reforms must be done. If we don’t do that, the situation will be worse. And it is much easier to carry them out now, when our economy is not in such a bad state as in Greece or Portugal.

However, the government has to improve communication with the public and explain the reforms.

The current government emerged from the

election in which people tried to change our political scene. However, disillusion came from this euphoria, and today distrust in the government is immense. How do you think it is possible to restore the confidence?

The confidence could be restored only if the government shows that it is trying to solve things.

We cannot reckon with the fact that the affairs will stop. I even think that there will be more of them.

And this will be the evidence of the cleansing of the scene. However, the affairs must come to a real end.

Confidence in the police force has to be restored, and its functioning improved, as well as that of the public prosecutor’s offices. However, let’s hold no illusions that the change can come about in half a year. It is a long haul, although the opposition can say the opposite. On the other hand, the Social Democrats didn’t restore confidence in the police while they were in government. It was just the contrary. Strange police divisions and practices arose. It is all about people.

The election showed that circling was not quite a bad thing. I can speak only for the TOP 09 and STAN parliamentary group. Our group is a very compact and hardworking team.

Let’s go back to the question of corruption.

Recently many civic anti-corruption initiatives have been established. Politicians mostly don’t comment on them, they are rather cautious in their attitudes. You explicitly supported one initiative.

Why? I have an advantage because I still go with mayors to the pub. When I talk to people about corruption, when we discuss the Public Procurement Act, we gradually come to the conclusion that it is not quite easy to set criteria which would completely avert possible corruption. I also understand their outrage about how everybody speaks of corruption and larceny, but nobody is punished for it. I believe that this time will come as well.

Recently the Constitutional Court ruled that municipalities could regulate the operation of lottery video terminals and slots. Your party has been dealing with this issue for a long time. How does the Court’s ruling influence the approval of the respective law?

The bill is now in the second reading. The Constitutional Court helped us a lot in promoting our demand that the municipalities should have a right to decide on the operations of slots. We managed by a great majority of deputies to approve the basis of the law that forbids lottery companies to have bearer shares, to adjust levies, and to adjust the duration of licenses, and it significantly increases the powers of municipalities. These are very considerable shifts that were not done during the last twenty years. It is a very good start. As a mayor I saw tens of families broken down by compulsive gambling. In our village, where I was a mayor and now I am vice-mayor, there are neither slots nor video-terminals.

Zuzana Kasáková I česk če skýý př přek ekla ladd na nale lezn znet etee v el elek ektr tron onic ické ké ver erzi zi magazínu na www.leadersmagazine.cz

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interview Jozef Regec (1965) graduated from the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport of Charles University in Prague in the field of coaching. He started his career as professional sportsman by winning the Závod Míru race in Kiev in 1986 (soon after the tragedy in Chernobyl). Besides at the Závod Míru, he represented Czechoslovakia and later the Czech Republic at the World Championships and Olympic Games.

He accepted the offer to become coach of the national team in 1999. He spent 5 years at this position, and together with his wards participated in all major cycling races around the world, including the Olympic Games in Athens.

After the experience of coaching abroad (Austria) he returned to the Czech Republic and started training the national team again. He has been involved in sports, among other things, as the Vice-President of the Czech Cycling Federation and the coach of the Youth Sports Centre.

He was elected the Senator of the Parliament of the Czech Republic in 2010, where he was appointed the President of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security of the Parliament of the Czech Republic.

Jozef Regec is married and has four kids.

Jozef Regec, President of the Committee on Foreign Affairs Photo: Vladimír Weiss

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22.7.2011 13:27:01

A talk with Jozef Regec, President of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security off the Senate off the Paarliament of the Czech Republic

SPORTS BROUGHT ME

INTO POLITICS What attracted you to politics?

Befo Be fore re my ca cand ndid idac acyy fo forr th thee Se Sena nate te, I wa wass in in-terested in politics much like everyone else, i.e. only marginally and more or less informatively.

I became deeply interested in politics thanks to sports, when I became a member of the subcommittee of sports of the Social Democratic Party (ČSSD). There I used my lifelong experience from the sports arena and my work with youth. Thus, my primary motive for entering this body was to help the sport. Getting into active policy brought me the offer from the ČSSD, to be a Senator candidate for Blanensko and Boskovicko, i.e. within the constituency No. 49.

After a long election campaign I fully entered politics as a senator elected by citizens. The trust of the voters drives me forward and I thank them very much for their support.

Why did you choose to run for the district Blansko? Is there anything essential you would like to change as a senator just in this region?

Blansko was my homeland for more than twenty years, particularly the town of Černá Hora, which is among the broader public known, abov ab ovee al all,l, for its goo oodd be beer er. It goe oess wi with thou outt saying that one would primarily like to change things for the better, especially in his homeland where his family lives, as well as the voters who elected him. I work as a city council member in Černá Hora, thus I am familiar in detail with local issues and things that currently need to be solved. Therefore, I have two points of view on the matter, both the view of a municipal politician and the view of a senator. I especially advocate the improvement of the transport situation on the expressway R43, so that transport on this route can become safer and more comfortable.

What really bothers me, and I try to deal with in my region, is unemployment and aid for families in need.

How do you view the current situation in sports? Sports Associations presently seek to reform the ČSTV. Do you find this reform

feasible or do you rather prefer the ČSTV´s demise, and the establishment of a new platform?

The situation in sports has been very serious over the last few years. Today, when we see what was going on in Sazka, it is a question of whether the situation in sports will not become even worse. Systemic changes within sport funding and support are necessary. When it comes to me, I am a member of the Subcommittee on Sports of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, and I can ensure you that this issue has been actively addressed in its negotiations. As for myself, I am for change within the ČSTV´s leadership, much like the entire reorganization of this umbrella institution of Czech sport. We need to start immediately, and prevent Czech sport from falling into oblivion.

Where do you see the biggest gaps while working with youth? Is it mostly due to the lack of finance?

Concerning the work with youth, finance is the essential problem, yet not the only one. The biggest problems I see is in the quality of trainers, in the extension of senior centres, and the absence of sys yste temi micc wo work rk witithh youth th, whi hichh is obbviou i sly l caused chiefly by a lack of finance. On the other hand, the youth is dramatically losing interest in sports. We live in a period when sport is not the biggest hobby of the young people. When I was growing up, there were no computers and no computer games either. Alcohol and drugs are major shortcomings of today’s adolescents.

Thus, many talents at present, instead of training on the pitch, get drunk at discos. It is due to modern times and easy access to alcohol.

One of your priorities is also the question of traffic safety. Can you specify this?

Yes, there is the expressway from the city of Svitavy to the city of Brno via our region, where each year many accidents occur, and many lives are lost. Thus, improving the traffic situation in my district is my priority. Mainly I try to negotiate with peopl p e from reggional manage geme ment nt,, an andd

from the roads and motorways directorate on the construction and re-construction of roads, th and on a final solution for the motorway.

You are presently in the position of President of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security (VZOB) of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic. How are you satisfied with the new Concept of Foreign Policy of the Czech Republic?

This issue is more than topical at present. We are negotiating the new Concept of Foreign Policy, of which the basic points are cornerstones, priorities and tasks of the foreign policy of the Czech Republic with regard to multilateral, bilateral and regional co-operation. Other items to mention are, among other things, energy security, which should adapt to a decision by the curity German Government to leave nuclear energy.

Our economy is very pro-export oriented, therefore the main emphasis is to amend the promotion of the economic and trade interests of the Czech Republic.

Your personal story is intertwined with Chernobyl. In this respect, how do you perceive the decision by Germany to completely abandon nuclear energy?

Yes, you are right; my personal story is negatively related to Chernobyl, as at that time I participated in the Závod Míru race in Kiev. Yet, I suggest that nuclear energy, in the 25 years since, has progressed and become safer. I like the German energy concept and I am a big fan of Germans in this respect. However, I believe that we have heard rash decisions and that nuclear power plants will still remain a necessary part of the energy mix in Europe for many years.

By Pavlína Holancová I

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22.7.2011 12:40:10

charity event

Performance by sopranist Gabriela Beňačková and guitarist Lubomír Brabec

From left: Lubomír Brabec, Guitarist and Gabriela Beňačková, Sopranist

ENDOWMENT FUND OF LIVIA AND VÁCLAV KLAUS (NADAČNÍ FOND MANŽELŮ LIVIE AND VÁCLAVA KLAUSOVÝCH) HONORED SPONSORS AND VOLUNTEERS

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more photos and electronic version available on www.leadersmagazine.cz

From left: Prof. Václav Klaus, President of the CR, Zuzana Albrechtová, and Karel Hájek, Division Director, CDV s.r.o.

22.7.2011 13:30:29

From left: Arnošt Thon, Managing Director, A.T. Plyn s.r.o., Ing. Alena Vitásková, President, Klub plynárenských podnikatelů ČR, s.r.o., and Ranko Pecič, Owner, Saga Trade

From left: Prof. Václav Klaus, President of the CR and Benke Aikell, your Publisher

From left: Angela Tůmová, Marketing Communications Manager, Lukoil CR, s.r.o. and Hana Benedová

From left: Zdeněk Kratochvíl, General Manager, ICOM transport a.s. with his wife, Kateřina Kratochvílová, and Tomáš Cafourek

Ing. Zdenka Široká, Director, EGAP and Josef Krůžena, General Director Lázně Luhačovice, a.s.

JUDr. Ladislav Petrásek, Executive Director and Member of the Board, Nadační fond manželů Livie and Václava Klausových in his speech

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Speech by Mrs. Livia Klausová

Prof. Václav Klaus, President of the CR in his speech

21.7.2011 14:16:14

From left: Peter Palečka, Member of the Board, Senior Executive Director, Corporate Secretary, KB, a.s. with his wife and Ing. Ivo Velíšek, CSc., Director, Správa Pražského hradu

Ing. Vladimíra Václavíková, Marketing and Editorial Director, Leaders Magazine and JUDr. Ladislav Petrásek, Executive Director and Member of the Board, Nadační fond manželů Livie and Václava Klausových

Zlatko Míčka, General Manager, Merlot with his wife

From left: Prof. Václav Klaus, President of the CR and Ing. Vladimír Feix, Český Porcelán, a.s.

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IN COOPERATION WITH LEADERS MAGAZINE

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From left: Dana Rychlá, Sales Representative, Orbix, Mrs. Livia Klausová, and Michal Rychlý, Managing Director, Agentura Schok s.r.o.

From left: Mrs. Livia Klausová and Ing. Radomír Lapčík, LL.M., General Director, Moravský peněžní ústav with his wife

21.7.2011 14:17:26

senate

From left: Milan Štěch, Senate President of PCR and Iurie Leancă, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign and European Integration Minister of Moldova

IURIE LEANCĂ

On May 17, Senate President of the PCR M. Štěch received the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign and European Integration Minister of Moldova Iurie Leancă.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign and European Integration Minister of Moldova

President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek The press conference of Senate President of the PCR Milan Štěch and the President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek, on the occasion of the President´s visit of the Czech Republic, June 20.

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From left: Jerzy Buzek, President of the European Parliament, Milan Štěch, Senate President of PCR, and Alena Gajdůšková, Senate Vice President of the PCR

22.7.2011 12:51:30

diplomatic event

A special thanks to SAAB for making this reportage possible

From left: Helena Stiessová, H.E. Inger Ultvedt, Ambassador of Sweden, and her husband Tommy Malkan

SWEDISH NATIONAL DAY

Swedish songs by Swedish children

From left: Robert Lavack with his wife and Marianne Sigmund

Anna Juhlin, Vicar

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From left: Lukas Zika, Manager, European Sales, Baden Sports Inc. with his wife and children

From left: Erica Iseborn, Gabriela Lňeničková, Linda Kaprová, and Carl Rüster

21.7.2011 14:52:23

From left: B.G. Jiří Verner, Chief of Air Force Czech Republic with his wife and Lt. Col. Robert Björklund, Defence Attaché, Embassy of Sweden

Miloslava Slavíková, Translator and Ing. Pavel Dobrovský, Chairman of the Advisory Board, Severská Společnost

Mrs. Sosna and her daughter

From left: Stefan Lager, President, Nordic Chamber of Commerce in the CR, and Rolf Ericsson, Counsellor, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Sweden, Prague

From left: Jana Holá, Ph.D., Editor and Translator, Czech News Agency, Tora Hedin, Translator, Frank Chmura, Photographer, and Mgr. Jana Chmura Svatošová, Translator

Helena Stiessová

more photos and electronic version available on www.leadersmagazine.cz

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From left: Ulf Landeberg, General Manager, Crowne Plaza Prague Castle, Mrs. Björklund, Benke Aikell, your Publisher, and Anders Vinka, Contract Manager, Accenture Services s.r.o.

21.7.2011 14:53:32

summer party On June 16, the annual summer party of the German-Czech Chamber of Industry and Commerce (ČNOPK) took place in the Grébovka Park in Prague-Vinohrady.

A special thanks to Teamconsult CR s.r.o. for making this reportage possible

About 650 guests – many of them high-ranking representatives of Czech-German business and political life – spent a wonderful summer night around historical vineyards. Old and new Škoda cars provided together with regional specialties from Eastern Bavaria a perfect setting for a relaxed yet classy party.

From right: Ing. Radomír Šimek, President, DTIHK/ ČNOPK and Dr. Josef Dachs, President, Chamber of Industry and Commerce Lower Bavaria

German–Czech Chamber of Industry and Commerce

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From left: Benke Aikell, your Publisher, Dr. Nikolaus Seiwald, Commercial Counselor, Embassy of Austria, H.E. André Regli, Ambassador of Switzerland, and Radoslav Klepáč, Director, External Relations & International Business Development, Veletrhy Brno

22.7.2011 12:42:35

From left: Mag. jur. Martin Allgaier, Attorney, Allgaier, Jušta and Partner, Herbert Lechermann, Šrot Wetzel, and Dipl. Ing. Jörg Leichsenring, Schrott Wetzel with his wife on the left

Ing. Petra Špinarová, Consultant, Teamconsult and Mgr. Jan Štroblík, Senior Consultant, Teamconsult From left: Dr. Stefan Keil, Counsellor, Head of the Economic Department, German Embassy, MUDr. Jiří Poňka, and Kateřina Kuklová, German Embassy

From left: Bc. Michaela Matějková, Account Manager, MediaTrust Communications, Dr. Borek Severa, Owner and Managing Director, MediaTrust Communications, s.r.o., Alice Schmiedbergerová, Project Manager, MediaTrust Communications, and MUDr. Jiří Poňka

Mgr. Lucia Lettenmayer, Lettenmayer and Partner, and Hermann H. Lettenmayer, Lettenmayer and Partner

Jan Hyťha, Managing Director, Nagel CR with his wife

From left: Jaroslav Dubský, FCCA, Partner, VORLÍČKOVÁ PARTNERS and Ing. Dita Chrastilová, FCCA, Partner, Managing Director Partner, Schulmeister Management Consulting Praha

From left: Rudolf Rentsch, Partner, SauterRentsch, Joachim Sauter, MBA, DMS, Managing Director, Sauter Consulting Group with his wife in the middle Jan Najman, Attorney, Kocián, Šolc, Balaštík and Martina Parusová Zimová, Attorney, Kocián, Šolc, Balaštík

From left: Peter Sonnleitner, Director, Foreign Trade Department, Chamber of Industry and Commerce Lower Bavaria, and Dr. Josef Dachs, President, Chamber of Industry and Commerce Lower Bavaria

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From left: Mag. Christoph Plank, Commercial Attaché, Austrian Embassy, his wife, Peter Hradil, Managing Director, Business Heaven, and his wife on the left

22.7.2011 12:44:30

From left: H.E. André Regli, Ambassador of Switzerland and Ing. Radomír Šimek, President, DTIHK/ČNOPK

Zig–Zag Tap & Swing

From left: Martin Dolanský, Product Manager, Generali PPF, JUDr. Lucie Bányaiová, Ph.D., Attorney, Bányaiová Vožehová, and Arthur Braun, M.A., Attorney, Partner, Braun Partners

From left: Xaver Haas, Owner and CEO, Haas Group, Norbert Furlin, CEO, BSH domácí spotřebiče, and Mrs. Haas

From left: Mrs. Kateřina Šimková, Mrs. Claudia Bauer-Grass, and Dr. Miriam Marchon

Škoda Auto – sponsor table, from left: Prof. Dr. h.c. Winfried Vahland, Chairman of the Board of Directors with his wife, Jürgen Stackmann, Member of the Board of Directors for Sales and Marketing with his wife, and Dr. Ralf Hanchen, secretariat of the Chairman of the Board of Directors

Frank Meywerk, Executive Vice President, Technology T-Mobile Czech Republic with his wife Sibylle From left: Heinz Grunwald, President, District Government of Lower Bavaria and Peter Esser, President, Chamber of Industry and Commerce Regensburg

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Peter Esser, President, Chamber of Industry and Commerce Regensburg with his wife and son

From left: Jaroslav Melzer, Attorney, LTA and his wife, Dipl.-Kfm. Oliver Schmitt, Managing Director, Teamconsult and his wife on the left

22.7.2011 9:42:31

From left: Arne Gruber, Executive Director, ŠKO-ENERGO FIN, Winfried Krause, Member of the Board of Management, Commercial Affairs, Škoda Auto, and Bernard Bauer, Executive Director of the Board, DTIHK/ČNOPK

Dr. Christoph Plein, Member of the Board of Directors Allianz pojišťovna with his wife From right: Ing. Hana Pavlištová, Managing Director, ČIA, Dr. Stefan Keil, Counselor, Head of the Economic Department, German Embassy, and Gernot Daumann, Chairman of the Board of Directors, LBBW

From left: Benke Aikell, your Publisher and Bernard Bauer, Executive Director of the Board, DTIHK/ČNOPK

IN COOPERATION WITH LEADERS MAGAZINE Invited guests in the Grébovka Park

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RWE Transgas – sponsor table

Two bands and professional dancers underlined the theme of the night – the Golden Twenties. Many guests followed their call 53 to the dance floor, or just enjoyed their talks in the beautiful scenery beyond the roofs of Prague.

21.7.2011 17:11:34

diplomatic event

IN COOPERATION WITH LEADERS MAGAZINE

From left: H.E. Sergey B. Kiselev, Ambassador of the Russian Federation in his speech and Milan Štěch, President of the Senate, Parliament of the CR

RUSSIAN NATIONAL DAY

From left: Cyril Svoboda, former Chairman, KDU-ČSL, Tomáš Pernický, Director, Diplomatic Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the CR, and H.E. Cihad Erginay, Ambassador of Turkey

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From left: Colonel Sergey Molodkov, Military and Air Attaché, Embassy of the Russian Federation and BG Bohuslav Dvořák, Director MoD Force Development, Operations Division

From left: H.E. Dinkar Prakash Srivastava, Ambassador of India and H.E. Johannes Haindl, Ambassador of Germany

From left: Milan Štěch, President of the Senate, Parliament of the CR, Interpreter, and H.E. Sergey B. Kiselev, Ambassador of the Russian Federation

21.7.2011 14:31:44

From left: H.E. Vicente Espeche Gil, Ambassador of Argentina, Mrs. Henneman, Mrs. Gil, H.E. Jose Perreira Gomes, Ambassador of Portugal, and H.E. Jan C. Henneman, Ambassador of the Netherlands

From left: Vladimír Laštůvka and Bohuslav Sobotka, Chairman, ČSSD One of the guests enjoying the food

From left: H.E. Jean Faltz, Ambassador of Luxembourg and H.E. Sergey B. Kiselev, Ambassador of the Russian Federation

From left: H.E. Kaspars Ozolinš, Ambassador of Latvia, H.E. László Szöke, Ambassador of Hungary, and H.E. Cihad Erginay, Ambassador of Turkey

From left: H.E. Arturo Laclaustra Beltrán, Ambassador of Spain, H.E. Marie Landaveri Porturas, Ambassador of Peru, and Genc Pecani, Chargé d’Affairs a.i., Head of Albanian Embassy

more photos and electronic version available on www.leadersmagazine.cz

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55 Invited Guests

21.7.2011 14:32:31

From left: Anna E. Kiseleva, wife of the Ambassador of the Russian Federation and Irena Griněvová, Sales Director, Lobkowicz Events Management

From left: H.E. Jose Luis Bernal, Ambassador of Mexico with his wife and H.E. George Monteiro Prata, Ambassador of Brazil with his wife František Janouch, Chairman of the Board, The Charta 77 Foundation and Meda Mládková, Owner, Museum Kampa

H.E. Renilde Loeckx, Ambassador of Belgium and Peter Formanek, President, Canadian Chamber of Commerce

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From left: Arnošt Thon, Managing Director, A.T. Plyn s.r.o., Ing. Alena Vitásková, President, Klub plynárenských podnikatelů ČR, s.r.o., and Karel Muzikář, President, Comenius

From left: Vladimir S. Mikoyan, Representative in East Europe, Russian Chamber of Commerce with his wife, Alexander Akulinin, Project Manager, Russia and CIS Operation, Comenius, Yulia Kamenkova, CSc., Advisor, Business Representation of the Russian Federation in the CR, and Davit Ghukasyan, Chargé d’Affairs of Armenia

21.7.2011 14:37:08

A talk with Jiří Borovec, Chairman of the Board and the CEO of ČEPRO a.s.

We Want to Bust the Myth that government companies are not managed transparently

Ing. Jiří Borovec, MBA graduated from the Military Academy, Masaryk University in Brno. He graduated from the United States Air Force Defence Languaage Institute and from the Brno Business School – Nottingham Trent University as well. During 1990–1995 he served in the army as an interpreter of English, Spanish and Russian. For his work in the position of military observer of the UN peacekeepers in former Yugoslavia, he was awarded a “Peacekeeping Medal”. Jiří Borovvec worked for the company ABB ČR in 2000. He took the position of CEO in the Pilsner producer of equipment for nuclear power plants, Škoda JS, from Decembber of 2000, and from November 2004 he was with the company ČEZ in the position of production director. Jiří Borovec is presently the CEO of ČEPRO, a.s.

There are not many Czech managers with war experience. This can come in handy in times of peace as well...

It can indeed. After starting in the army, I received an offer to leave with the peace-keeping troops UNPROFOR for former Yugoslavia in 1993. It was an experience that taught me how to distinguish essential things from marginal ones, and essentially adjusted my judgement of life’s values.

So crisis management is your cup of tea?

I would not say so, yet I enjoy improving things, straightening processes, the optimization or stabilization of companies, in any case. ČEPRO, a.s. was exposed to criminal assaults in the past, which happened with the co-operation of the then management. This unfair business was stopped at the last minute, and today the company is stabilized. We have been in legal battles with these cases up to the present day. It concerns 6 billion CZK altogether. This year we have already won two out of three litigations.

Can you outline the strategy of your company?

It is obviously important to generate a reasonable profit. We have lifted revenues by 13% and profit by 28%, up to a record 962 million CZK. We have prepared strategic scenarios and introduced them to the shareholders.

Our recommended option received support, and I believe that it will soon be approved by the Czech Government, too. We propose that ČEPRO should be vertically integrated with a refinery in the future.

For what reason?

The whole industry is very fragmented; a market leader

like MOL or PKN Orlen is missing here. Beyond this, ČEPRO plays two or three different roles towards its partners, i.e. the role of supplier, customer and competitor. Thus, we are often teetering on a knife’s edge, which is a very uncomfortable business position. Therefore, we need to establish a market leader within our industry, who would calm the situation on the market.

Tax evasion of the VAT has been largely talked about in connection with your industry…

Yes, you are right. Considerable criminal activities in the fuel industry have occurred in the past, and are perhaps still occurring. We are trying to embark upon activities against tax evasion of the VAT. Therefore, we closed our tax warehouse for internal trading in July of last year. In the past, selling in advance within the tax warehouse was allowed, which made de facto room for VAT manipulation.

Our steps work well, yet at some petrol stations we can still see prices by two or three crowns lower than the ordinary market price. Purchasing fuel so cheap, and yet paying all taxes, is unrealistic. This price very strongly indicates that such fuel has been the subject of tax evasion.

In this respect, other market players do not cooperate with you?

Big players welcome our steps. Nonetheless, there are 39 tax warehouses in the Czech Republic at present. ČEPRO, although being one of the biggest of these, is only one of them. Thus, we did our best within the Czech Republic, yet logically we cannot influence other tax warehouses. Anyway, the customs office welcomed our steps.

Government companies are often talked about as not managed in a transparent way, and even manipulate contracts which they procure. How is ČEPRO doing?

We’ve improved our purchasing processes a lot. Wee do not purchase anything without a tender. We have expandded our portfolio of suppliers, and all our tenders are lissted on our web page, even those which do not have to be published by law. We organize electronic auctions, and we became a public tenderer. Also, we are one of foounders of the www.transparentnizakazky.cz platform. Thhus, we deliberately expose ourselves to public monitoring.

We want to bust the myth that government compannies are not managed in a transparent manner.

One of the governmental priorities is undoubtedly strengthening the energy security in the Czech Republic. On which projects is ČEPRO working in this context?

We have just completed the biggest investment projject that ČEPRO has worked on in the last ten years. I mean the construction of fuel tanks in Loukov, near Bystřice pod Hostýnem. They are presently the most modern and safest tanks in Europe. Their concrete cylinders are shapped with a diameter of 48 meters and a height of 22 metrres.

With this project we are prepared to the increase of government fuel reserves to 120 days. Thus, the Czeech Republic respects the EU directive, which establishes a stock of at least 90 days of net consumption. I consiider its extension up to 120 days a step in the right directiion, because our dependence on foreign suppliers of eneergy resources is too high.

By Pavlína Holancováá I

Inside of the newly built oil tank in the Loukov center

Photos: Archive ČEPRO

The joint-stock company ČEPRO was founded in 1994 by the privatization of the state company Benzina, and the only stock-holder is currently the Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic. ČEPRO, a.s. disposes of and operates the biggest Czech network of petrol stations under the brand name EuroOil, and operates the state fuel reserves and trades fuels. We talked to the CEO of ČEPRO, Jiří Borovec, about recently completed projects and a new strategy.

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22.7.2011 14:10:00

networking As the saying goes – every Strawberry Party that the Nordic Chamber arranges is the best in history! This year’s party, which took place on a nice June evening in the garden of Hotel Kempinski, was no exception. Around 100 guests enjoyed a classic treat of good food and wine, a fashion show and raffle, plus the chance to mingle in a jolly and relaxed atmosphere.

“This was our first party in Hotel Kempinski, so there were some technical problems,” the Nordic Chamber’s executive director Lea Turcarová says. “But I hope that the garden’s lovely ambience and the company of friends and business partners still gave our guests a perfect evening.”

From left: H.E. Inger Ultvedt, Ambassador of Sweden to the CR and H.E. Ole Moesby, Ambassador of Denmark to the CR

IN COOPERATION WITH LEADERS MAGAZINE

NORDIC CHAMBER´S TRADITIONAL STRAWBERRY PARTY

Lenka Helena Koenigsmark, Marketing Manager, LEGO Trading s.r.o. with her husband Jan Koenigsmark

From left: Robert Norlin, Purchase Manager CR&SK&Ukraine and Vice President of the Nordic Chamber of Commerce with JensPetter Olsen, Commercial Director, ADASK s.r.o. and Member of the Board of Directors of the Nordic Chamber of Commerce

From left: Lea Turcarova, Executive Director, Nordic Chamber of Commerce with Silvia Bušniakova, Senior Manager, British Chamber of Commerce, and Veronika Fajčíková, Hotel Director, Buddha-Bar Hotel Prague

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From left: Britta Cesar, Managing Director, Skanska Property Czech Republic s.r.o., H.E. Inger Ultvedt, Ambassador of Sweden to the CR, and Zuzana Cisternas, Country Manager CR, KappAhl Czech Republic s.r.o.

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From left: H.E. Jens Eikaas, Ambassador of Norway to the CR and Stefan Lager, President of the Nordic Chamber and head of SwedenTelecom s.r.o.

21.7.2011 16:42:23

ARE WE LIVING IN A NON-STOP REALITY SHOW? Pop media often draws us into odd events, some which leave us guessing at the sincerity of the content. From time to time, I fall into an uncritical euphoria that prevents me from rationally declining “offers you can’t refuse”. For example, I recently accepted an offer to appear on a television show called Den D (“D-Day”). For those who do not watch television (TV’s allure is indeed rapidly diminishing), Den D is a Czech version of a successful foreign show which shows people pitching their ideas to five investors, with hopes of obtaining their money. The show is a mixture of teaching people how to run a business, or how not to run a business, and of a reality show aiming to amuse its audience. The show is not broadcasted live; the investment negotiations usually take about an hour, while the viewer sees them for a maximum of five minutes. The producers of these shows usually choose one of two paths: through clever editing, they either style the participants and the story into a form that will secure, according to their opinion, viewers’ entertainment and good ratings; or they select parts of the show that they feel summarize what occurred in the “field”. The second alternative does not vary greatly from the first one, since the selection is already a type of stylization. As a result, only the show’s participants, who were actually present during the recording, actually know what was really happening in the den.

Contemplating this brought me to the conclusion that, by opening newspapers or switching on the television, we ourselves are drawn into a reality show. What makes things worse is that those who are presenting the news are usually never there when the events that they portray actually take place. In the same manner as the producers of reality shows, news producers cut “reality” according to their needs, or worse, according to their assignments. If facts are missing, suppositions take over.

What is more, supplementing reality has become technologically easy. How long does it take to authentically depict a fire at The National Theatre in Photoshop, or to modify any recording?

By garbling a recorded or written sentence from its context, you can achieve anything you want to achieve. The term “pop media” in the headline was borrowed from Mr. Hvížďala, I believe. Today, unfortunately, most of the media – be it visual, radio, print or online – falls into this category.

And the avalanche rolls further, regardless of the fact that many reasonable people fail to take notice of these sensations. Forget about social networks or user generated content. Facebook,

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Twitter... these are all ideal tools for stylizing oneself, or events, in a manner that “collects points”.

Do we even have a chance to find out what is happening in the world, when we are not explicitly at the place of the happening? Perhaps we have a small chance – let’s rely on our plain common sense. Let’s look at events from a distant perspective. Almost every sensation looks different in the space of few days. Let’s search for alternative views, even though we might not like them or

agree with them. Let’s try to find those who do not preach water and drink wine. Let’s hope that there are a few more good journalists left.

By Ivan Pilný I President of Tuesday Business Network Former Chairman of Czech Telecom český překlad naleznete v elektronické verzi magazínu na www.leadersmagazine.cz

Photo: Vladimír Weiss

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interview

Daniela Písařovicová Czech Television and ČT24 Photo: Vladimír Weiss

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“PEOPLE WANT TO GET INFORMATION VERY QUICKLY AND WE ON ČT24 PROVIDE IT.” This April, the popular poll TýTý, which is conducted by the weekly Televize, celebrated its 20 year anniversary. One of the TýTý categories, The Discovery of The Year, is the only section that is nominated by representatives of each TV network in the Czech Republic. This year, Czech Television (ČT), TV Nova, TV Prima, and the newcomer Barrandov TV were all represented through their nominated candidates. Unlike the other award categories, the nominees are not known in advance, and votes submitted through text messages only take place during the ceremony itself. Daniela Písařovicová, the anchor on ČT24, was very surprised by her victoryy which confirmed the groowi wing ngg pub ublilicc in inte terest re st in news. Daniiela l graduated d from the University of Economics in Prague, majoring in international politics and diplomacy. Since 2006, she has worked in the newsroom of Czech Television and ČT24. Besides “Good Morning,” she also hosts Economy ČT24 and Highlight.

I read your discussion with your fans on the Czech TV World forum, where you said that you were surprised by your victory. Were you indeed?

I was very surprised. As a representative of public television, it’s really unusual to win an award like this. Ben Cristovao, although he did not win the Superstar, has his own fan club. Jaro Slávik is, again, an incredibly charismatic man who I also think is interesting for women within thee 30 th 30–4 40 ye year ar old age gro roup up. Th Then en you put me into this category, and I logically never thought I would ever win.

What helped you in winning this award?

I think it’s our news channel, ČT24. People have just found their way to us after all this time, and we have also found our way to the audience. Before, our television viewership was not a measurable sample, but today we have an average increase of 5–6 % viewership per day, which is huge. People began to wonder what is happening around them, not only here in the Czech Republic, but also abroad. Thus, I came to the attention of viewers.

What you are doing is quality news, and people appreciate it in times of crisis.

Exactly. We played into the hands of fate. What was here before the political crisis five years ago?

There was nothing like that. Now there are a lot of things going on: the situation in Libya in North Africa, for example. We have the advantage that we can react quickly. Similarly to the rise of the internet, television has experienced a great boom within the past few years because people want to get information very quickly and we can provide that for them. Therefore, people are watching us, andd te an tele levi visi sion on sta tatition onss su such ch as ČT ČT24 24 are sud udde denlyy able to compete with the Internet.

How would you describe your work?

I have to be constantly on guard and able to draw on new information. Every day when I broadcast, new topics constantly arise so I have to have a general knowledge and awareness of what is happening and have the latest information prepared when interviewing my guests. I read the agency reports, check online, and try to make the most of resources before interviewing in the studio, to be ready and well prepared.

How do you choose the most relevant information?

The essentitiall infformatition is rep Th epea eate tedd in in all of the articles, but the presentation also depends on the specific moderator. Two moderators will never ask the same question, although some questions may be similar but never identical. Into an inter-

view, you bring part of your personality and experience, whether it is a family situation or something you heard from a friend of yours the day before.

You’re trying to absorb as much information as objectively as you can and present it to the viewer through whichever path you choose. Intuition, the interviewee’s response, or choosing to focus on one topic drives the type of questions I ask.

What are the biggest challenges you face every day?

Read Re adin ines esss. T he factt thatt a person must react very quickly. You can prepare an interview a hundred times, write your questions in a specific order which seems logical to you, but the interviewee may respond with an answer that is supposed to distract you from your path of questioning.

It is an art not to respond: “Yes, but let’s get back to my point...” Frequently, the unexpected answer moves you onto a new and interesting path. I am working on my ability to react every day.

I can be successful in it hundred times, but if I fail on the one hundred and first time, I feel disappointed in myself. Sometimes, I finish the interview and ask myself: “Why didn’t I ask this question?” But, this is also what I really like about my job. I face a new challenge every day and learn how to react in the best way possible.

What would you recommend to readers of Leaders Magazine before and during an interview with a journalist?

Before the interview, organize your thoughts and decide what has to be communicated in the conversation itself. This will help you express yourself as accurately as possible. I think that bosses generally have great experience in public sppeakingg and presentations, so an interview is de facto the same. Whether it is on camera, or speaking in an auditorium in front of 200 people, it is important that your idea is comprehensible.

In my experience, managers in many cases know very well what they want to communicate. Politicians are well trained, although there are differences between the newcomers and the matador, who have been in politics for 15 years. The latter certainly do not have any problem communicating with journalists. The fresh politicians, on the other hand, learn very quickly, and political parties routinely hire people who know how to communicate, whether with the public or with journalists.

What is the key to success in front of the camera?

The biggest key to success is to be natural. If you can focus on issues, then that’s the naturalism needed. Of course, you can’t please everyone.

Although a lot of people enjoy my speeches, there are also dozens of spectators who do not like my voice, my whole speech, or they simply do not like the way I ask questions. That’s understandable.

If you are natural, you don’t have to worry about your façade, and then you have half of the battle won. The rest is the hard work and preparation that goes into the interview.

What do you expect from the upcoming changes in Czech TV? I’d be very happy if nothing really changed, because I am quite satisfied with what I’m doing.

I’m doing work that is really fulfilling and that I enjoy. Given that the channel ČT24 has found its audience, I hope there will not be any big changes.

I hope ČT can identify their strengths and weaknesses and will maintain their strengths. The audiences have generated a great response to different specialties. It started through the Presidential elections, which had a large audience because people are interested in how the politicians think.

I’ve also noticed the channel’s strength in covering news from conflicts abroad such as North Africa. The whole team of ČT24 absorbs all of this information to offer as many angles as possible to make the story attractive for the viewer.

What are your personal plans for the future?

In five years, I would like to have two children.

Family is very important to me. Although I put an early focus on my career, there comes a time when having a family becomes your focus, and I would love to make more time for my family in the future.

Because I have a job in television, it’s easy to balance family and a career. There are numerous formats that allow you to prepare at home. A threehour work day in television would not affect your children or your career.

Who is your inspiration?

There is no one specific, but every day I see my colleagues and see how they work. Then, there are the people I meet and, of course, I cannot forget my family. The lessons your parents gave you shape you from childhood and you often draw from them in adulthood. Mainly, it is the communication with all the people who surround you, and even those negative experiences that will give you something for the future.

By Cristina Muntean, andd Pa an Pavl vlin inaa Lo Louž užen ensk s á■

český překlad naleznete v elektronické verzi magazínu na www.leadersmagazine.cz

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Music Is a Spiritual Thing “The moment when people around me say I’m crazy, I know that I’m on the right track.”

Photos: Jiří Káš and Jakub Ludvík

In her industry, she is a pioneer. Jitka Hosprová, the first Czech viola soloist,t is world renowned for her art. In her albums, she presents gems of Czech violin literature and the classical modern world. She graduated from the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, majoring in viola under Doc. Jan Peruska, and then collaborated with legendary Italian violist, Luigi Alberto Biancchi, who led her virtuoso mastery.

As a soloist, she works alongside numerous international orchestras – the Vienna Radio Orchestra, orchestras Lorain, Belgian Philharmonic, Camerata Chile, the Czech Philharmonic, Prague Symphony Orchestra, French Chamber Orchestra, etc. She has performed at many major music festivals – PresensesFrance, the Rheingau Sommer Kulturtage Dresden, Prague autumn, Prague Spring, Moravian Autumn, Smetana´s Litomysl, Carthage music autumn, and others. Moreover, she performed her debut solo show in London, Vienna, Paris, Stockholm, Rome, Santiago de Chile, Washington, DC and New York.

“Jitka´s viola passion gives the audience a clear note of the existence of this overlooked instrument. Viola literature moves fascinating and inspiring composers to compose new pieces. It is stunning to look at this artist,’’ says DeeAnne Hunstein, director of Hunstein Artist Services in New York. Jitka Hosprová is not only a soloist, l i but b also l a chamber h b music i artist. i As A a guest she performs with leading Czech string quartets and, together with harpist K. Englichová and flutist C. Janse (Lux.), she created an exclusive trio called Bohemia Luxembourg. The soloist plays an Italian instrument from Andrea Postacchini (1856) and a Czech musical instrument Amati 1615 made by Peter Zdražil (2010).

What is the key to the success of a world renowned artist – in other words, a leader?

The key is to work hard and never stop learning.

I never said to myself: “now I know everything and I should stop.” When people around me say I’m crazy, that’s the moment when I know that I’m on the right track, because freedom lies only in places where few people go. I think that when something is simple, everyone wants to go there.

How do you cope with people’s attitude of telling you that you are crazy when you choose to follow your own path?

Eastern philosophy helps me a lot. I’m not crazy in the sense that I meditate all day, but it helps me a lot because I listen to what I truly feel and what I think is right. This means that we must believe that what we are doing is the best thing. Then everything around us happens by itself. Your force must come from within. The first thing is that you must work your way up, and then just listen and follow. A couple of people who believe in me help me with this. I can say that in

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my career I only have a few friends, but they are my true friends who would do anything for me.

Let’s go back to the idea of leaders. In any sphere, one needs courage to be different in order to become a leader. Do you have one single thought to offer our economic or political leaders?

I recently heard a very nice sentence. If your goal is noble, your steps towards it will be blessed. If I had to say one sentence, this is what I would say.

When you play, you do not use a chin rest in order to feel the instrument closer to your body. Why do you go for this approach?

It took me a long way to get there. I have been learning this for some time, first by being interested in spiritual things – because music is a spiritual thing for me – then second by being willing to feel that

the musical instrument is a part of your body. No one can teach you this, the instrument must resonate with you and actually sound the way you feel at a given moment. This is very interesting. I got to this point by spending hours and hours with my musical instrument. There are concerts when I play and I feel that my heart is open, and sometimes on the contrary it is difficult, and I am not able to open up. I am aware when a certain atmosphere occurs, and the instrument resonates differently at different moments.

That’s what interests me, because this is the real spiritual training: to achieve openness even under difficult conditions. Yet, I’m still in the learning process.

How many hours per day do you practice?

If I do not travel or I do not have to rest after a difficult concert, playing would take me about four hours.

Otherwise, it all depends on the intensity of the training; sometimes it can take up to six hours per day.

How do those intense trainings influence your personal life and your relationships?

The time I practice is the best possible barometer of what is correct and what is clean. People close to me understand that I need to hide sometimes in order to focus. They can hear me playing so they know that I am around. If someone is having problems with the way I behave, they simply do not belong in my life.

I am not saying it is easy, especially with men who do not like women who know what they want. I have no problems respecting someone, but I do not let obstacles get in the way of my success.

The same problems described above are faced by many women in top management or politics. Do you have any advice for them?

Both men and women are specific specific. I would defi definitely not recommend to women to copy men, because such behavior will only lead them far away from themselves. I do not mean that we should overcome men, but becoming a man in a skirt should not be our goal. Men do not like that at all. If a woman does what she does well, surely there will come a time when the right man takes this into account, and start to appreciate and help with it.

Much of what you are doing is new and innovative.

How do you select your songs?

Sometimes it happens that a festival is being organized and they want me to play the music of some Jewish composer. I think about where I could find something, or I come across an idea and I say to myself: I will try this. Perhaps no one has ever played that piece before, but it must be valuable because it comes from a valuable composer. Yet, there are no guarantees the solo will be fine. The outcome of the composition depends on me. I have a special gift to engage myself with a new piece for so long until music starts to “flow” out of it. First you must master the technical side of the composition, learn it correctly, and that’s hours and hours of work because you have no record in hand that would make it easier for you.

You have to learn what the composer wanted to say.

To do so you will need absolute concentration, so that you can become immersed in the process of creating.

Then somehow I know exactly when the dynamic changes because I can feel it. My musical experience also plays a role because I know exactly when I can

attract the audience the most. I think I am acting as a half-composer myself.

What are your future plans?

I got in touch with a Czech jazz-man and I will start working with Emil Viklický. I am also interested in doing a cross-over between classical music and jazz, and to introduce this new wave to our world. Moreover, I will be studying a lot, participating in various concerts, and recording my new CDs. I actually have plans for the next hundred years.

By Cristina Muntean I český překlad naleznete v elektronické verzi magazínu na www.leadersmagazine.cz

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networking/charity

Lions Club

From left: Ing. Antonín Novotný, CEO, CSI, Ing. Václav Kadleček, CEO, CZ.Tech Čelákovice, a.s., JUDr. PhDr. Oldřich Choděra, Lawyer, Charterpresident of LC Praha Bohemia Ambassador and Governor of LCI D122 Czech Republic and Slovak Republic, and PhDr. Martin Komárek, Chief Commentator, MF Dnes

Prague Bohemia Ambassador CHARITY BANQUET AT VELKOPŘEVORSKÝ PALACE

From left: PhDr. Martin Komárek, Chief Commentator, MF Dnes, Ing. Antonín Novotný, CEO, CSI, and Ing. Anton Gerák, CSc., Commercial Director, Secretary of LCI D122 Czech Republic and Slovak Republic

From left: Prof. MUDr. Aleksi Šedo, Vice Dean, 1st Medical Faculty of the Charles University with his wife and Prof. MUDr. Václav Mandys, CSc., Head of the Institute of Pathology MUDr. Blanka Seifertová, General Practitioner and Ing. Jiří Málek, President of LC Praha Bohemia Ambassador

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Ing. Jaromír Kaulfus, Enterpreneur with his wife

From left: Fra. Karel Paar, Grand Prior of Maltese Knights, JUDr. Jan Kotous, Pedagogue, Faculty of Law of the Charles University, and Prof. MUDr. Václav Mandys, CSc., Head of the Institute of Pathology

21.7.2011 14:25:20

JUDr. PhDr. Oldřich Choděra, Lawyer, Charterpresident of LC Praha Bohemia Ambassador and Governor of LCI D122 Czech Republic and Slovak Republic with his wife Mrs. Miloslava Choděrová

From left: Ms. Lucie Kochánková, Ing. Tomáš Jadrníček, Project Engineer, and MUDr. Blanka Seifertová, General Practitioner JUDr. Jaroslav Šátral, Judge of the Municipal Court in Prague

Mgr. Karel Plzák, Enterpreneur

From left: Ing. Ladislav Vaško, Commercial Director, Ing. František Chaloupecký, Member of the Board, Confederation of Industry of the CR, and Ing. Josef Čekal, former President of LC Praha Bohemia Ambassador

From left: Ing. Aleš Haur, Enterpreneur and Ing. Jiří Nejezchleb, Tax Advisor From left: JUDr. PhDr. Oldřich Choděra, Lawyer, Charterpresident of LC Praha Bohemia Ambassador and Governor of LCI D122 Czech Republic and Slovak Republic, JUDr. Jan Kotous, Pedagogue, Faculty of Law of the Charles University, and Fra. Karel Paar, Grand Prior of Maltese Knights

IN COOPERATION WITH LEADERS MAGAZINE LM_1104_events_1.indd 65

more photos and electronic version available on www.leadersmagazine.cz

From left: Ing. Jiří Málek, President of LC Praha Bohemia Ambassador, Mrs. Ilona Málková, Mrs. Marie Opichalová, Ing. Jiří Opichal, Executive Head, Allimex Trading s.r.o. and former President of LC Praha Bohemia Ambassador, Mrs. Stanislava Miková, and Ing. Antonín Mika, Regional Director for Foreign Trade

21.7.2011 14:26:52

networking/charity

From left: Mrs. Bartáková, Charter President, LC Praha, MUDr. Jaroslav Barták, President, Poliklinika Modřany and Secretary LC Praha, Joseph Pennington, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of the USA, Martina Cikánová, Executive Director, ESO Travel a.s., and Tomáš Cikán, Chairman of the Board, ESO Travel a.s.

More than 150 members and VIP´s including 12 ambassadors attended 8th steamboat party organized by Lions Club Praha on June 1, 2011.

The main speaker was former Prime Minister and member of Lions Club Praha, Miloš Zeman. Proceeds from the auction, CZK 50 000, was handed over to representatives of Chráněná dílna Deep Blansko.

th

on the 8 Steamboat

LIONS CLUB PRAHA

MUDr. Marie Součková, Medical Doctor, Léčebné Lázně Jáchymov and former Minister of Health of the CR and Ing. Miloš Zeman, former Prime Minister of the CR

From left: Ing. Petr Kynštetr, Csc., Chancellor of the Chamber of Deputies, Parliament of the CR and Prof.

Ing. Jiří Fárek, CSc., Technical University Liberec Col. Jiří Veselý, Deputy Director, Unit Combating Corruption and Financial Crimes SCPI with his wife

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From left: MUDr. Jaroslav Barták, President, Poliklinika Modřany and Secretary LC Praha, and H.E. Daniela Anda Grigore Gitman, Ambassador of Romania

Lions´ youth

21.7.2011 14:28:05

From left: Tomáš Cikán, Chairman of the Board, ESO Travel a.s. and Ondřej Rušikvas, Member of the Board of Directors, Private Insurance Director, Evropská cestovní pojišťovna with his girlfirend

H.E. Ferdinand Trauttmansdorff, Ambassador of Austria with his wife From left: Dr. Boris Hynek, 1st Vice Governor of LCI D122 20O9–2010 and Ing. Jiří Morštadt, Publisher, Metropol

From left: MUDr. Jaroslav Barták, President, Poliklinika Modřany and Secretary LC Praha, Vlastimil Freiberk, Best Life and former President of LC Pardubice with his wife, Radek Franěk, Managing Director, New Real Housing s.r.o., and Mrs. Bartáková, Charter President, LC Praha

From left: H.E. José Manuel Lira, Ambassador of Chile in the Czech Republic and H.E. RNDr. Jiří Jíránek, former Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Chile and Venezuela

H.E. Marie Landaveri Porturas, Ambassador of Peru and Tomáš Cikán, ESO Travel a.s.

Ing. Jan Fencl, Slovácký statek and former Minister of Agriculture

IN COOPERATION WITH LEADERS MAGAZINE

more photos and electronic version available on www.leadersmagazine.cz

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From left: wife of Col. JUDr. Jiří Veselý, Deputy Director, Protikorupční policie, MUDr. Jaroslav Barták, President, Poliklinika Modřany and Secretary LC Praha, and JUDr. Renáta Vesecká, Attorney at Law, former Supreme Public Prosecutor

21.7.2011 14:29:37

global perspectives

IN COOPERATION WITH LEADERS MAGAZINE

Jan M端hlfeit Chairman Europe Microsoft Corporation Photo: Paul Pacey

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21.7.2011 11:20:56

LET’S (FINALLY) GET ON A POSITIVE NOTE Most of my coolleagues and friends would tell you thaat there are tw wo characteristtics that I consider to bee my hobbies, the fuel of my daily routine, and in facc t my personal strengths. T hese two things are myy ongoing curriosity and never-ending optimism, and as a result of them I oftenn wonder. To be compleetely honest, I recently wonder even more, as I faail to understt and why, with all of the challenges thaat we face across Europe (annd those we will face in the near futture, for example with the demograaphic trend coming up), thhat we seem to be enjoying negatiive news. Colinn Powell, the former USS Secretary of State, once said that “optimism is a multiplicattion power”. Thhose are words that speak from my heart too, andd I am a very strong beeliever that wee should all reaally get on a positive noote. Having woorked in marketing for many years at thee beginning of my career, I obviously understand thaat for the meddia, selling neggative stories to their vieewers and reaaders is much easier than spreading good news. Yet I still believe that it is now five minuutes to midnigght in that we neeed to turn to the posittive, and seek motivational stories and examples.

Europe as a continent todayy is faced with three maain challengess – the 3D. The first is obviously the siggnificant levell of debt that haas been accumulated in both the “oldd” EU countriess and in the new accession states, including the C zech Republic, over thee past decade-and-a-half orr so. The second “D” is the demography - a wave that cannot be stoppeed – the aginng of the Europpean population will have profound and significant implications on busineess, education, healthcare and basically on all areeas of our daay-to-day lives.. And finally there is thee third “D”, drive for growthh, or in other words, a lack of it. The European Unnion’s business and puublic sector leeaders urgentlyy need to open up to a shift in thinking, and beggin to look towards thee future with optimism. At thhe end of the day, as wee know, even the recent ecoonomic crisis has, to a large extent, been driven byy psychology and the spreading of pessimistic news, rather than by haardcore econoomic parameterr s. Recently I had the pleeasure of meeeting my frieend, and former EU Coommissioner, as well as leadiing Italian economist and politician, Mario Monti. We had an interesting disscussion, andd one of his key points was about the neeed to switch to multitasking mode. Unfortunately todday it appearr s that our conntinent’s leaders are onnly able to foocus on dealingg with one issue at a time, and thhe Greek econnomic situation and Euurope’s responnse to fixing it appears to be a very

goood example. Last year’s World Economic Forum inn Davos clearly articulateed that the Greek econoomy was in trouble; and we can see in today’s neewspapers how much proogress has been made.

And meanwhile – what aboout all the other urgentlyy needed social, healthcaare and educational refoorms? Unfortunately our track record does not teell a shining story.

One may think that fixingg Greece is simply vital to saaving the Eurozone, and hence everything else is leess important. That wouldd be a valid argument.

However, at the same time Europe will not be able to coompete in the increasinglyy competitive global markeetplace if we don’t start acc ting today. Europe is still thhe 2nd most preferred teerritory for foreign direct innvestment after China. Thiss is clearly thanks to our stt ability, the quality of our work force, and our diversity. It is also due to our environment, our historical heeritage and our quality of education – elements thhat you simply cannot transfer to another emerging orr emerged economy. But at the same time I have too ask a question and say – how long is this going too last? Have we made the right bets in terms of our foocus on business and industry? How will the Euuropean economies comppete and succeed in the worldwide market? And even with these questions unnanswered, already today foreign investors who put thheir money into European ventures complain about thhe price of work, the non-fleexible labor code in many off the EU countries, as well as the extensive market reegulations (both at the natiional and EU levels)…

The engine of the Europpean economy is clearly Germany. Having lived in Munich for a number off years in my previous roole as Vice President of Microsoft’s operations inn Central and Eastern Euurope, I have had an oppoortunity to make a lot of German friends – from thee school teachers of my daaughter, to various entreppreneurs, and of course German politicians. Therefore I feel that I am in a good position to make such a comparison with, foor example, the Czech ecoonomy and our economic poolicy. Germany has donee the right thing – when it comes to resource allocation, implementing thhe right reforms, or betting on the advanced auto inndustry and associated reesearch and innovation (660 % of car development today is based on software applications, and theeir uses within the particcular auto model). Germaany simply never gave up onn its strong traditional inddustries. I really believe thhat this would be, and shoould be, the way to go for many of the remaining EU U member states, includiing our very own home country.

Velocity, start-up mentality, and curiosity are MUSTS for success. As I stated at the beginning of this article, being a life-long optimist, I don’t think that our chances are gone or that anyy thing is lost.

But today is a time for strong vision, for leaders with outstanding courage, and show wing Europe what I call the Betterland. Technology can and will play a key role in this whole process, and we in the ITT industry spend enormous amountss of time and resources thinking about where we can help in the overall process. One thing is already clear – that so called “cloud computing”, which yoou have been reading about for quite some time, will have the same meaning and importance of success for the knowledge-based society that we are trying to build, as electricity meant for the industrial age.

Technology in general is developing exxponentially, and tools and information technologiees in various forms will continue to be broadly available. As a logical result, people, companies, nations and even continents will compete by the ability of invention. That is why Europe has to differentiate in sophisticated services, rather thaan in simple industrial production. Yet in order to succeed we will also have to open up the European higher education system to foreign talent (obbviously thru so-called smart immigration) just likee we need to quickly focus on the quality of our elementary education, where the results are alarm ming. Today’s quality of the work force, compared with the current higher education of students, can only be described as open scissors, a fact thhat needs to be addressed by most European governments.

O therwise we will end up with a maajor issue in the next 7 to 10 years.

Europe has some incredible and unnique opportunities. This great continent can bennefit from its rich history, experience and the greaat innovation itt has been able to give the world in the past. By focusing on a symbiosis of services annd innovative mobility (in all different meanings off the word – from information technologies, to moore flexibility in education or job selection), we can still succeed in this global race. Let’s work on this together, and more importantly, let’s really get on a positive note.

T he job can be done.

Jann Mühlfeit Chairman Europe Microsoft Corporation český překlad naleznete v elektrr onické verzi magazínu na www.leaderssmagazine.cz

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21.7.2011 11:21:34

A special thanks to Ifield Computer Consultancy Ltd. and Laic Aktien Gesellschaft for making this reportage possible An exceptional Golf Park Pilsen was the venue of the first tournament from the Czech 100 Best Grand Golf Prix Tour in 2011. It took place on June 3 under the name Dýšina Cup and successfully continued in the new tradition of the Czech 100 Best golf tournaments from last year.

Gábina Partyšová, Moderator and Karel Muzikář, President, Comenius

CZECH 100 BEST GRAND GOLF PRIX – Dýšina Cup 2011 Dýšina Cup was the second golf tournament of the Czech 100 Best Grand Golf Prix series. As its name suggests the tournament was inspired by the Czech 100 Best competition, which Comenius has been organizing anually since 1996. The golf tournament was then a great opportunity for the representatives of the Czech 100 Best companies to compete on the greens in a relaxed, but nonetheless productive atmosphere. The weather was excellent and participants enjoyed a day full of wonderful golf, great food and wine, and most importantly had an opportunity to meet exceptional personalities of the Czech business life.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH IFIELD COMPUTER CONSULTANCY AND LAIC AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT Winners of individual categories (see the results table) received their awards from the hands of Mr. Ivo Reichelt, importer of the JuCad cards, Mr. Karel Muzikář, who was handing out awards on behalf of Mr. Roman Šmucler and the Asklepion clinique, and the Director of Ifield Computer Consultancy 70Šárka Parobek. Special thanks belong to Ifield Computer Consultancy, the Grand Partner of the 70 Ms. event, and to Audi Auto, Partner of the event.

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The great 11th hole at Golf Park Plzeň

more photos and electronic version available on www.leadersmagazine.cz

22.7.2011 13:22:13

IN COOPERATION WITH LEADERS MAGAZINE

czech 100 best golf tournament

From left: Benke Aikell, Your Publisher, Jana Mudrová, Jerus, and Ivo Reichelt, Managing Director, Golf Gate, Importer of JuCad

From left: Gábina Partyšová, Moderator, H.E. Peter Brňo, Ambassador of Slovakia, and Silvie Škardová of Stock Plzeň

Golf prizes to the best of the best

From left: Jim Hague, Ifield Computer Consultancy, Šárka Parobek, Director, Ifield Computer Consultancy, Kateřina Sedláčková, Partner, AK Doleček Kahounová Sedláčková, and Jan Klas, General Director, Air Navigation Services of the Czech Republic

CHAMPIONS:

Šárka Parobek, Director of Ifield Computer Consultancy giving the award in the HCP 1-18 category to Petr Ditrich of the Czech Baseball Association

HCP 0 - 18 1 RYBA Jan 2 DITRICH Petr 3 ŠTRUNC Petr

HCP 18,1 - 36 1 KOTRBA Matěj 2 HAVRÁNEK Lukáš 3 GAJDARUS Jiří

HCP 37 - 54 1 TVRDÍK Jiří 2 HEINLEINOVÁ Michaela 3 NOUZA Jiří

Winner of “Nearest to Pin” – Milan Hejla, Partner, Ami Communications Winner of “Longest Drive”, Women´s Category – Lucie Pitterová Winner of “Longest Drive”, Men´s Category – Pavel Míka, Executive Head, Pados

From left: Gábina Partyšová, Moderator, Radek Dohnal, General Director of TOP hotel Praha and partner and sponsor of Longest Drive, Pavel Míka, Managing Director, Pados, winner of Longest Drive Men, Lucie Pitterová, winner of Longest Drive Women, Milan Hejl, Managing Partner, AMI Communications, winner of the Nearest to Pin, and Mr. Křesťan, winner of the putting contest for non golfers

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21.7.2011 10:38:14

czech 100 best golf tournament

A special thanks to Ifield Computer Consultancy and Laic Aktiengesellschaft for making this reportage possible

From left: Gábina Partyšová, Moderator, Ivo Reichelt and winners of the HCP 37-54 category: Michaela Heinleinová, Jiří Tvrdík, CFO, TV Barrandov, and Jiří Nouza, CEO, ZEVYP

From left: Gábina Partyšová, Moderator, Karel Muzikář, President, Comenius and winners of HCP 18,1-36 category: Lukáš Havránek, Matěj Kotrba, and Jiří Gajdarus

Zuzana Míková, Kazoo Design with nephew and future golfer Robin

Jim Hague in action and Kateřina Sedláčková

Petr Frindt, Director of Finance, COT Media, Eva Frindtova, Publisher, COT Media, Ivana Holcátová, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, and Martin Holcát, Deputy General Director, Faculty Hospital Motol

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From left: Jaroslav Veselý, Director, ProMoPro, Jaroslav Šebesta, Director of Economy, Povodí Ohře, Pavel Parma, Member of the Board, Evions Group, and Jiří Gajdarus, Partner, Hájek Zrzavecký advokátní kancelář

Golfer in action

22.7.2011 14:33:33

EUROPEAN LEADERSHIP & ACADEMIC INSTITUTE P R A G U E

ELAI IS APPROACHING ITS FIRST ANNIVERSARY Many know the European Leadership & Academic Institute (ELAI) as a leading institution in the Czech market, dedicated to professional and personal growth. Some link it with the term European, for it helps professionals broaden their horizons beyond state borders. Others think of ELAI as synonymous with leadership, as it aims at turning managers into successful leaders, and preparing businesses to head profitably into highly-transformative markets. Lastly, many tie ELAI in with academia because it assists students at thriving in the job market.

But what is ELAI? We believe it is a platform that encompasses all and everything. ELAI is the only platform that brings together businesses and individuals for networking opportunities, and boosts the confidence of professionals, NGO employees and students. In other words, ELAI is a synonym for “aiming higher”.

For about a year now, ELAI has offered a number of events in the Business Business, Management Management, PR, PR Marketing and Political fields. Most of these events – tailored specifically p y for the needs of executives, managers, supervisors and team leaders – have assisted many in enhancing their soft business skills, covering the areas of presentations, positive work ethics, the ability of cooperation and teamwork, synergy, leadership styles and personal development.

Similarly, brunch with Mr. Zdeněk Tůma, the

former Czech National Bank Governor, provided networking opportunities along with a comprehensive debate on the evaluation of the pluses and minuses of collective decision-making, and a comparison with the myopia of the private and public sectors due to the pressure on performance and the electoral cycle respectively.

ELAI likes to contribute to the country’s public life; therefore, we were very pleased to have the opportunity to welcome the U.S. Ambassador in the Czech Republic, Mr. Norman L. Eisen, who talked about how to apply ethical standards in an unethical envi environment. The evening, moderated by Mr. Tomáš Sedláček,, Chief Macroeconomic Strategist g of ČSOB, developed into a fascinating discussion about the current state of affairs in the Czech Republic.

This is not where the diversity of ELAI’s events ends. A very popular topic remains the EU’s policies and its funding. ELAI has organized seminars and discussions aimed at providing consistent

Lukáš Sedláček and Irena Kalhousová, Founders of ELAI

and highly practical information about funding opportunities from the EU Funds. The biggest event in this regard was an evening seminar open to the general public with key-note key note speakers such as Petr Očko, EU Funds Section Director at the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and Alexandra Rudyšarová, Deputy CEO of CzechInvest.

A series of seminars on doing business in China has guided many investors and business owners in making smart decisions as to where and how to use their capital. ELAI was honored with speakers such as Jiří Potužník, Marketing and Communications Manager at Expo 2010 in China; Oldřich Dědek, CEO of Jablotron; and Radek Špicar, External Affairs Director at Škoda Auto. When we mentioned that numerous people associate ELAI with European leadership and academia, we did not fully reveal the truth. The rest of the story goes on that some people believe that the acronym stands for the “Excellence Ladder of Aptitudes and Intelligence”. ELAI teaches you how to reach to the top of this ladder.

Many did, when will you?

The best opportunity to meet the ELAI team will be in the beginning of autumn. In September, ELAI will celebrate its first birthday. You are cordially invited to a party with our patrons, lecturers andd me an memb mber ers. s. Pla lace ce and dat atee wi willll be sppecified soon; to get notified beforehand, sign up to our email list at the home page of our website.

Lukáš Sedláček and Irena Kalhousová, Founders I

FFro From rom left: eft eft ef f t: Luká kášš Sed ká Sedl eedláče ááčček, k, FFou Fooouund nde ddeerr ooff EELAI LAI AII aannd Zde den enněk ěk Tům Tům ůma, a, for orrmerr Cz Czeech chh Na Natio ional nal na al Baank n Gov Govern ernor ern or

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LEADERS MAGAZINE

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Phhootos Pho tooos: Archhive vee EL EL AAII

český překlad naleznete v elektronické verzi magazínu na www.leadersmagazine.cz

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22.7.2011 14:47:48

IN COOPERATION WITH LEADERS MAGAZINE

business event

SAAB DAY

Ing. Jindřich Špringl, President and CEO, Saab Czech, s.r.o. and H.E. Inger Ultvedt, Ambassador, Embassy of Sweden

AT THE SWEDISH EMBASSY

From left: Ing. František Hála, President, Member of the Board of Directors, Tesla, Ing. Jindřich Špringl, President and CEO, Saab Czech, s.r.o., Romana Nešporová, Marketing & HR Manager, Saab Czech, s.r.o., and Pavel Šimůnek, Sales and Security Director, Saab Czech, s.r.o.

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From left: plk. Gšt. Ing. Jan Třináctý, Commander, 13th Artillery´s Brigade, plk. Ing. Ivan Mráz, Ph.D., Chief of Artillery, Ministry of Defence of the CR, and Ing. Zdeněk Koval, Department of Ground Forces Programs and Logistics, Ministry of Defence of the CR Yvonne Rosmark, Managing Director, Gripen International, Business Area Aeronautics, Saab and LtCol. Robert Björklund, departing Defence Attaché, Embassy od Sweden

From left: Milan Ceeh, Head of SES Division, Siemens, s.r.o., Milan Kropáč, and Tomáš Semerád, Head of Business Department FSP, Siemens, s.r.o.

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From left: Josef Rada, Director General, Civil Aviation with his wife and Ing. Jindřich Špringl, President and CEO, Saab Czech, s.r.o.

21.7.2011 15:38:48

From left: LtCol. Robert Björklund, departing Defence Attaché, Embassy of Sweden, Col. Vladimír Ficenec, Ministry of Defence of the CR and LtCol. Per Råstedt, new Defence Attaché, Czech Republic, Romania and Slovak Republic, Embassy of Sweden

From left: Pavel Miloschewsky, General Manager, MHM computer, a.s. and Josef Drábek, Senior Account Manager, MHM computer, a.s.

From left: Ivo Petřík, Military Police and Martin Uher, Project Manager, Saab Czech, s.r.o.

Jan Ploc, External Advisor, Saab Czech, s.r.o.

From left: Anette Millard, Helena Stiessová, Translator/Information and Culture Officer, Sweden Embassy and Ivona Pokorná, Accountant/Administrative Officer, Sweden Embassy

From left: Mats Fegerberg, Director Regional Marketing and Sales, Business Area Dynamics, Saab, Ingemar Carlsson, Marketing & Sales, Saab Training Systems AB, Bengt O. Andersson, Director, Marketing and Business Development, and Anders Berntsson, Managing Director, Saab Technologies Poland, Sp.z.o.o.

From left: Ing. Tomáš Hála, Director, RCD Radiokomunikace, spol. s r.o., brig. gen. Ing. Vladimír Ložek, Chief, Military Police, Ministry of Defence of the CR, Ing. Miroslav Filip, General Director, ATSTelecom Praha, a.s., and Ing. František Hála, President, Member of the Board of Directors, Tesla

From left: Aneta Jedličková, Saab Czech, s.r.o., Anders Berntsson, Managing Director, Saab Technologies Poland, Sp.z.o.o., and Tereza Svobodová, Saab Czech, s.r.o.

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From left: brig. gen. Ing. Vladimír Ložek, Chief, Military Police, Ministry of Defence of the CR, Ing. Miroslav Filip, General Director, ATS-Telecom Praha, a.s., and Ing. Tomáš Hála, Director, RCD Radiokomunikace, spol. s r.o.

more photos and electronic version available on www.leadersmagazine.cz

From left: Lars Tossman, Vice President, Dep. CMO, Head of Global Markets, Group Marketing & Business Development, Saab, Ing. Jindřich Špringl, President and CEO, Saab Czech, s.r.o., and H.E. Inger Ultvedt, Ambassador, Embassy of Sweden

21.7.2011 15:41:43

diplomatic event

A special thanks to SAAB for making this photo reportage possible

IN COOPERATION WITH LEADERS MAGAZINE

Farewell Reception

LtCol. Robert Björklund, departing Defence Attaché, Embassy of Sweden and H.E. Inger Ultvedt, Ambassador of Sweden

FOR THE SWEDISH DEFENCE ATTACHÉ

From left: Col. Petr Brouček, Ministry of Defence of the CR, Col. Petr Tománek, Ministry of Defence of the CR, and Col. Martin Machatý, Office of the President

From left: Ulf Landeberg, General Manager, Crowne Plaza Prague Castle and Ingemar Carlsson, M. Sc., Marketing and Sales, Saab Training Systems AB Col. Pavel Vobůrka, Commandant, Komorní Hrádek with his wife

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From left: Ing. Jindřich Špringl, President and CEO, Saab Czech s.r.o. and Jindřich Ploch, CEO, LOM PRAHA

From left: Darina Maximova, Captain Navy Tamer Saleh, Egyptian Defence Attaché with his wife

21.7.2011 15:43:01

From left: Col. Oleg A. Smirnov, Deputy Military and Air Attaché, Embassy of the Russian Federation, Mustafa Demir, Embassy of the Republic of Turkey, Senior Colonel Du Weisheng, Military and Air Attaché, Embassy of China, and Colonel S. Ariyan Nejad, Military Attaché, Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran

From left: Captain Navy Tamer Saleh, Egyptian Defence Attaché and Charles Huber Wilson, Colonel, US Army

From left: Mrs. Rachel Wilson, Mrs. Oya Demir, Mrs. Carmen Maistro, Mrs. Natalie Smirnova, Mrs. Darina Maximova, and Mrs. Cayla Saleh

Lt. Colonel Per Råstedt, Embassy of Sweden, new Defence Attaché for the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Romania with his wife Major General Milan Maxim, Defence Attaché, Embassy of the Slovak Republic with his wife

From left: Major Roger Saxin, Head, Swedish Air Force Support Group, Anette Millard, 3rd Secretary, Embassy of Sweden, and Rolf Ericsson, Counsellor, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Sweden, Prague

From left: Ivan Dvořák, Ministry of Defence of the CR and LtCol. Robert Björklund, departing Defence Attaché, Embassy of Sweden with his wife Fredrica Björklund

From left: Col. Tomasz Podlasin, Defence, Military and Air Attaché, Embassy of Poland, and Zbyněk Pavlačík, Chairman, Jagello 2000

more photos and electronic version available on www.leadersmagazine.cz

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From left: Anders Kornblad, Vice President, Pulp and Paper Europe, ABB s.r.o., Mrs. Specking, Malene Hedlund, Counsellor, Embassy of the Kingdom of Denmark and Michael Specking, General Manager, Hilton Prague and Hilton Prague Old Town

21.7.2011 15:44:04

An interview with Michael Hrbata, Depputyy Minister off Deffence (MOČ ČR)

CIVIL EMPLOYMENT Afflicts Modern Veterans Michael Hrbata is Deputy Minister of Defence (MOČR) responsible for human resources. From his position he is not only responsible for staff-related matters, but also for providing care to Czech war veterans. In addition to soldiers who fought in the Second World War, the term veteran also refers to soldiers who have been deployed in foreign missions more recently. Since 1990 the Czech state accumulated some 14,664 so-called modern war veterans. Even though a third of them have already left the army, for the remaining ones the return to civil life can often be a hard nut to crack.

What is MOČR offering to Czech war veterans?

First and foremost is the moral recogn g ition of o wha hatt veterans have done for our country. Any veteran who is asking for it receives a certificate and a commemorative badge of honor called “War Veteran of the Czech Republic.” Preferably they are awarded departmental honors, and the law allows that we can honor them even after the end of their term. What’s very important in this context is the cooperation with the civil sector and various associations who organize commemorative events and support veteran activities with donations. In line with our possibilities, war veterans can eat in military canteens, and we give them gifts for anniversaries and invite them for events organized by Photos: Archive of the Ministry of Defence

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MOČR. A separate chapter is the various contributions forr sp fo spas as,, re reso sort rtss, sta tays ys in ca care re hom omes es for war vet eter eran anss, and other similar facilities and donations to field workers who regularly visit veterans.

What is the difference between your care offer for World War II veterans and the care for modern veterans?

First we need to say that while WWII veterans have already reached an advanced age and suffer from a number of health-related problems, modern war veterans are people of a working age. Thus, they also have different needs. While the first category uses mainly contributions for spa, recreation and other similar social care facilities, we’re trying to offer the

second group curative and recreational stays, together with wi th a wel elll-de dese serv rved ed mor oral al recoggniti ition.

How much does the care for veterans cost MOČR per year?

The cost of caring for war veterans can be quantified up to fifty million CZK a year.

How has this budget developed during the last five years?

Unlike other areas of the Department of Defense, we managed to protect the veteran care from financial restrictions that affected the entire state administration. We’re also expecting the approval of the law on anti-Communist anti Communist resistance resistance, which admits people who were active in the resistance as war veterans.

Therefore,, we’re actuallyy expecting p g our budget g to ggrow in the future.

What do modern veterans need from your ministry?

Our analysis shows that instead of spending time in recreational facilities, modern war veterans would especially welcome help with job searches and applications, and possibly psychological help. Most of them left the army at the age of 40 and it’s often a problem for them to find adequate employment in the civil sphere.

How many of the former modern veterans are now employed?

We can’t know this figure because soldiers do not have any obligation to report such changes after leaving the ministry. We only know that the army now has about five thousand modern war veterans.

How does MOČR help these war veterans in finding new jobs?

By law, we arrange retraining courses to all soldiers who served in the military for at least five years. The offer of these courses is however limited, and a soldier cannot always choose a field that is adequate to his abilities and skills. Therefore we prepared a project subsidized by the European Social Fund, in which we want to focus on employment counseling. The goal is for veterans to better orient themselves to the labor market, and to be able to apply the skills they acquired in the army. It is difficult for some specializations; that is why we want to use corporate expertise in dealing with personal counseling.

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21.7.2011 11:23:50

Why is the offer of courses so limited? What should it still include?

As with all other benefits, the number of retraining courses for soldiers is limited by the amount of available funds. In other words, not everyone can be included. The offer of retraining courses is set in a public tender and published annually. When this is taking place we don’t know the potential demand, the developm p ent of the numbe berr of red edun unda danc ncie iess or the dev evel elop opments on the labor market. For example, 26 courses are available for 2011 in the fields of marketing, management, economics, control of information systems, but also technical and working fields and services.

Is this system efficient or would you like to improve it?

Generally, it is necessary to improve the personal approach towards working with departing soldiers.

Soldiers usually complain that they didn´t receive advice for their choice of courses or did not know what course they should choose, or that they have merely completed the course that was left over for them.

Which specializations are the most problematic for your veterans?

It’s the same as in the civil sector. Soldiers with low education and lower ranks, who only know how to handle a weapon, face the biggest problem when applying for a new job. Paradoxically, colonels who served in the army for over twenty years and have completely lost touch with reality in the labor market may also have problems. Unfortunately, many of them go and take positions that are far below their rank and adequate education, for example private guards.

On the contrary, minimal problems are encountered by military doctors, drivers, repairmen and chemists.

When will you start providing better advisory?

We rec ecei eive vedd a gr gran antt of EUR 30 mi millllio ionn frfrom om T he Operational Program Human Resources and Employment for a three-year project. It is designed for war veterans before or after termination of service, and it includes consultancy work in addition to extending the offer of retraining courses. We’ll start with this as soon as we choose a supplier who will be able to run seven coun co unse seliling ng cen ente ters rs. So hop opef eful ully ly we wi willll sta tart rt thi his autumn.

What firms from the civil sector would you like to work with in the staff advisory? Will you organize a tender for their selection?

For all projects supported by the EU it is generally compulsory to issue a tender under the Public Procurement Act. We are particularly interested in those personnel agencies that are able to offer services for the entire Czech Republic at the same guaranteed quality for all locations.

What can the veterans look forward to?

First of all, we want to make former soldiers feel that thee mi th mini nist stry ry is no nott in indi diffffer eren entt to the heirir fat atee, eve venn af afte terr taking off their uniform. These centers will also arrange psychological counseling. It is not excluded that veterans may show some long-term negative consequences of participation in missions, or problems related to unexpected revenue shortfalls. Finally, I’ve already mentioned the help with finding suitable employment.

What about veterans and reintegration within the family? Does MOČR also offer psychological counseling for soldiers’ families?

Caring for the families of soldiers deployed in missions is now a routine form of support from the army.

We put a high emphasis on the awareness of the living

“It’s the same as in the civil sector. Soldiers with low education and lower ranks, who only know how to handle a weapon, face the biggest problem when applying for a new job.”

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conditions of soldiers in missions, the possibility to emai em aill or tel elep epho hone ne witithh th thee fa fami mily ly, re regu gula larr fa fami mily ly mee eetings with the commander of the department, but also on concrete assistance to families to resolve some situations. The military psychologist has a vital role, the same as the military chaplain. We also have available brochures with instructions on how to avoid possible conflicts with partners after returning from missions.

By Cristina Muntean I český překlad naleznete nale nete v elektronické verzi ver i magazínu na www.leadersmagazine.cz

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interview

Vladimír Rösel Director of the National Gallery in Prague Photo: Vladimír Weiss

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An interview with Vladimír Rösel, Director of the National Gallery in Prague

The National Gallery AS ONE VIRTUAL MUSEUM SPACE Vladimír Rösel (1966) graduated from the University of Economics in 1991. He was engaged in the Bankers Trust Investment Bankk London d in 1991. From 1992 to 2000, he worked in Fieldstone Private Capital in London and New York. Afterwards, Mr. Rösel worked at the Swedish V&S VIN SPRIT, in the positions of statutory representative, CEO and member of the supervisory board. He was involved in Lombard Advisory Partners s.r.o. as investment manager in 2004, and at the Babcock & Brown Investment Company in Vienna and Warsaw in 2008. He worked in the position of investment director at the Private Equity Investment Fund in 2010–2011. Vladimír Rösel also has vast experience in gallery activities. He worked in the National Gallery during 1989–1990 as an external lecturer, and was also a member of the Society of Friends of the National Gallery in Prague (SPNG). In 1989, he was awarded a scholarship by the Solomon R Guggenheim Foundation and was involved with the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice. He was also a finalist for the position of member of the board of trustees of the British Museum in London in 2007. Vladimír Rösel was appointed the Director of the National Gallery in Prague in June 2011.

In your view, to what do you owe the fact that you won the selection procedure and became the new Director of the National Gallery in Prague (NG)?

I have been preparing myself for this job by reviewing other world galleries, as well as their corporate policies and statements. That analytical apppr p oach allowed me to compare (via publicly available information) the National Gallery with other art museums. Based on my profile and experience, I believe I was the most qualified of the candidates, and my score received from the committee endorses that.

What is the NG missing most at the moment?

I believe that internal processes and a functional organizational structure are crucial for the NG’s future. Due to the lack of managerial processes, the institution does not understand itself and can hardly communicate anything consistent, in addition to properly managing its budget and finances.

So, what is your current vision of the NG? I would like to treat the NG as “one virtual museum space”, despite its fragmented location in 10 different buildings g and sites. A new approach to our funding needs (covering its costs) will be crucial, as is the case with all world galleries and museums amidst the on-going budgetary challenges.

The NG is not a much-frequented gallery at present. Do you have a plan to make it more attractive for Czech visitors?

It is a reasonably frequented art museum with close to some 500,000 visitors a year. I would like to attract repeated visitors and art connoisseurs whoo wi wh willll briring ng oth ther er peo eopl plee wi with th the hem, m, and wililll jointly appreciate the art collections on site. Given the fact that the institution is in eight buildings in the city, and two locations outside of Prague, it is not easy to reach all of its collections, as is the

case with the world galleries usually occupying one central building at an easily accessible locatition o . Att tr t ac activeness is about the content and context of the collections. This is something I would like to review, and possibly have more of a curatorial presentation of the collections. Furthermore, I would like to utilize digital content of the collections to allow visitors to better and more easily understand the context of art pieces. The digitalization of the content would support the idea of one virtual art museum, however dispersed, unfortunately in numerous locations.

Would you like to change the entrance fee policy of the NG as well?

The entrance fee policy in the National Gallery will be reviewed based upon visitor target groups of individual collections, and respective buildings of the National gallery. Yet, let’s compare some facts. At this very moment the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York announcedd that h it will ill r aise i its admission fee to $25 from $20, however the price is only recommended, not required. The city of New York contributes to the Met’s operating budget by some $10 million (it used to be as much as $13.7 million) this year and proposes to cut the contribution for 2012 to only $5.4 million, while the Met’s funding comes primarily from the $2.3 billion endowment. The average cost to the Met museum of each visitor is $40. In comparison, the cost of each visitor to the National Gallery in Prague is above $55. The National Gallery charges entrance between $6 and $15 depending on the building, while mostly the price is $9. Our goal is to attract repeated guests to the National Galler Ga e y an a d reward them for their loya y ltyy with a reduced entry fee. Some, like Philippe de Montebello, the former director of the Met, point out that almost all cultural goods come with a price. “Philosophically, what is it about a work of art that

makes it mandatory that it should be available for nothing?”

Concerning the art itself, what function should the NG represent in the future – an independent space or a rather norm-setting institution?

The NG is predominantly about its collections and the presentation of their content. The NG, as the state central art museum, is definitely a normsetting institution; however, we can and should set trends as well. The NG is certainly not an independent gallery and should not compete with independent and commercial galleries.

Could you be more specific?

The NG within its educative, publishing and exhibition roles can set trends. Unfortunately, the NG will not be very active in acquisitions due to the lack of funding sources. However, I believe that we shall be able to overcome that situation and enhance our collllectitions in the near futu ture re.

Is the NG taking any action within the Diag Human Case?

This is not the NG’s case. We are only being held as the hostage. This is unfair to the NG and our partners, the world galleries. This attempt to seize art loans abroad stopped all international exhibitions the NG participated in, and we had to cancel all planned and contemplated art loans as well.

The whole case puts the NG into international isolation and both the local and international art connoisseurs are not allowed to view our art pieces in context with its counterparts displayed elsewhere in the world. While the art loans are arranged on a reciprocity basis, we will be out of these activities until this situation is dully resolved.

By Pavlína Holancová I český překlad naleznete v elektronické verzi magazínu na www.leadersmagazine.cz

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inspired freedom

Petr Nečas, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic giving speech at the Opening Dinner

The Czech Republic was amongst four European countries (Poland, Hungary and the UK) celebrating The Ronald Reagan Centennial at the end of June and beginning of July 2011. Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice represented former First Lady Nancy Reagan in Prague. Tributes to the 40th U.S. President, who earned an immortal reputation for his role in the fall of communism, are being organized globally by The Ronald Reagan President Foundation, with GE acting as the Presenting Sponsor.

Long before he ran for office, Ronald Reagan served as the host of the weekly TV series General Electric Theater – and as a GE goodwill ambassador from 1954 to 1962. This prepared him for listening to the voices of the American people. In his memoirs he wrote: “Looking back now, I realize it wasn’t a bad apprenticeship for someone who’d someday enter public life…

The GE tours became almost a graduate course in political science.”

IN COOPERATION WITH LEADERS MAGAZINE

PRAGUE CELEBRATED The Ronald Reagan Centennial

Leslaw Kuzaj, CEO of GE Central Europe appreciated Ronald Reagan as a leader who stood by his values

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Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and Alexandr Vondra, Czech Defence Minister and former Czech Ambassador to U.S.

From left: Petr Kolář, Czech Ambassador to Russia and former Czech Ambassador to U.S. talking to Karel Schwarzenberg, Czech Foreign Minister at the Opening Dinner

more photos and electronic version available on www.leadersmagazine.cz

John Heubusch, Executive Director, The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation

22.7.2011 15:07:25

Tomáš Chalupa, Czech Minister of Environment

Kevin McCarthy, House of Representatives

John O´Sullivan, Executive Editor, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Pete Wilson, former Senator and Governor to California

Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice

Oldřich Černý, Executive Director, Prague Security Studies Institute

The Prague celebrations started with an Official Opening and Gala Dinner offered

by Petr Nečas, the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic on June 30, in Lichtenstein Palace. The next day, 150 guests attended The Ronald Reagan Centennial.

An Inspired Freedom conference in Czernin Palace examined how President Reagan might have approached the current Central European issues. In the afternoon, Condoleeza Rice unveiled Ronald Reagan Street in Prague 6. You can find more information about the celebrations at geforcee.geblogs.com.

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Norman Eisen, U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic and Peggy Noonan, The Wall Street Journal collumnist, speech writer and special assistant to Ronald Reagan

22.7.2011 15:09:34

interview Kateřina Lukešová, Head of the American Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Photo: Paul Pacey

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A talk with Kateřina Lukešová, Head of the American Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic

Czech Export to the U.S. has been moving at a very dynamic pace PhDr. Kateřina Lukešová (1957) graduated from Charles University, from the Faculty of Arts where she received her MA in Czech language and literature, and also her PhDr. in Roman Philology (Prose poétique issue du surréalisme), her MA in French language and literature, and her MA in Spanish language and literature.

She also studied at the Ecole Normale Supérieure in Paris. From 1981 to 1994, Kateřina Lukešová taught history of theatre and literature at the Prague Academy of Arts,, at Charles Un U iver ersi sity ty.. Fr From om 199 9944 sh shee ha hass be been en wor orki king ng in se seve vera rall po posi sitition onss at the Min inis istr tryy of For orei eign gn Affffai airs rs. Am Amon ongg th them em, sh shee wa wass th the Ambbassador d of the Czech Republic to the Kingdom of Belgium and the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. In 2011 she was appointed the Head of the American Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic. Kateřina Lukešová is married and has two children, David and Anna.

How do you think the mutual relations of the Czech Republic and the U.S. could be strengthened at present?

A dominant issue of our U.S. relations during the Administration on of Ge Geor orge ge W. Bu Bush sh was obv bvio ious usly ly co-o co -ope pera ratition on in th thee fifiel elds ds of se secu curirity ty,, pa part rtic icul ular arly ly thee pl th plan an for constru t ctition off the Centrall European pillar of defence missile. After reviewing this project in 2009 and its transfer under the NATO roof, we now rather focus on expanding bilateral relations, although cooperation on security and defence remains essential.

Therefore, one of the areas in which we are heading our efforts at this time is economic and trade cooperation.

Can you be more specific?

We agree with our U.S. partners on the need for cont co ntin inuo uous us imp mpro rove veme ment nt of ma mark rket et mec echa hani nism sms, s, thee flflow th ow of go good ods, s, ser ervi vice cess an andd ca capi pita tal,l, and the inv nves esttment environment. It is in our common interest to ffully ll use the th potential t ti l offered ff d by b recently tl established t bli h d Economic and Commercial Dialogue, the second round of which should take part in Prague this autumn.

Within this framework also fits the above-mentioned topic of energy security, which for that matter belongs to the foreign policy priorities, such as enhanced co-oope co pera ratition on in th thee fifiel elds ds of ci civi vill nu nucl clea earr re rese sear arch ch.

An interesting and not fully exploited space for mutual co-operation also lies in the area of shared cultural and social values. We should newly devote a particular focus to co-operation in Eastern and South-eastern Europe, where the Czech Republic, due to some similar features of historical development, can exercise its unique experience which, from the U.S. point of view, i occurredd during the period of transition from totality to democracy.

Has the current economic crisis been reflected in the mutual trade exchange?

The economic crisis has caused a decline in demand in foreign markets not only in the U.S. but also in Europe and in Asia. During 2008–2009 the mutual trad tr adee ex exch chan ange ge exper periiencedd an overallll decliline in exports by 30 % and a decline of overall turnover by 25 % when compared to 2007. However, given the fact

that a similar decline in foreign trade has occurred in other countries, the U.S. share in total Czech exports, imports and sales sales, in comparison to the situation before the crisis, has not practically changed. We cons co nsid ider er it a ve very ry pos osititiv ivee si sign gnal al tha hatt si sinc ncee 20 2010 10,, Czec Cz echh ex expo port rt to th thee U. U.S. S. has bee eenn mo movi ving ng at a ve very ry dynamic pace. Compared to 2009, Czech export into the U.S. increased by 29 %. It can be assumed that the mutual trade exchange will return to pre-crisis levels in 2011 or 2012 with further growth potential.

The new U.S. ambassador in the Czech Republic, Norman Eisen, took his office in January this year.

Could you tell us some important issues and goals which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs deals with the U.S. Embassy in the Czech Republic at present?

Priorities that ambassador Eisen brougght to Praggue this th is yea earr ar aree in gen ener eral al con onse sens nsus us witithh ou ourr id idea eass an andd inte in tent ntio ions ns. To Toge geth ther er we ar aree lo look okin ingg fo forr ne new w id idea eass which would enrich and refresh normally functioning co-operation. ti W We are especially i ll trying t i g to t step t outt as often as possible from our own “diplomatic corridors”, and in the spirit of public diplomacy principals, to create the widest possible scope for contacts between individuals and social, academic and cultural institutions, and informal associations of all kinds. I am plea pl ease sedd to say tha hatt ou ourr re rela latition onss wi with th the U.S. S are almost unexcitedly harmonious.

By joining the EU, Czech Republic began a next stage of relations with Latin America as well. Do the countries of Latin America also belong to the priority countries concerning our trade exchange?

Czech Republic’s accession to the EU obviously meant a subsequent Czech involvement in EU activities towards Latin American countries. Given the volume of the trade exchange with Czech Republic, it is necessary to say that Latin American countries do not belong to the priority ones at present. The most significant partners in the region are Brazil (37th place) and Mexico (39th place). Respectable economic growt wthh in mos ostt La Latitinn Am Amer eric ican an cou ount ntriries es, however, suggests that the region has great economic potential and is going to require an offensive business strategy.

In this respect, what is the strategy of the Czech Republic concerning access to the new markets?

In the case of Latin America, one cannot talk in a true sense about the new markets. Mutual trade bega be gann to f lo lour uris ishh in the 193 930s 0s of th thee pa past st cen entu tury ry..

Bran Br ands ds suc uchh Ze Zeto tor,r, Ško koda da,, TO TOS, S, etc tc.. en enjo joyy an exc xcel elle lent nt reputation in the region. In the last twenty years, however, there has been some retreat from Latin American markets. Also in this respect, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Trade and Industry reached for the optimal systemic division of labour to enhance foreign markets. The Ministry of Trade and Industry is already using existing representing institutions – Czech Trade and Czech Invest – and prospectively enhancing them, and will eventually establish new ones.

However, it is also necessary to add that the final decision si on on op oper erat atio ions ns in th thee La Latitinn Am Amer eric ican an reg egio ionn wa was, s, stililll is and is al st alwa ways ys goi oing ng to be on pa part rtic icul ular ar com ompa panies. Yet, I would like to assure all entrepreneurs that we are doing our best for them within this region. region Where is the representation of CzechTrade at the moment, and in which regions are being considered for operations in the future?

CzechTrade currently has 33 offices abroad, operating in 38 countries, yet in the Latin American regi re gion on onl nlyy in Mex exic icoo Ci City ty and in Br Braz azililia iann Sa Saoo Pa Paol oloo so far. I have already talked about the systemic changes concerning the external economic relations of the Czech Republic. In this context, this Agency is going to play an increasingly important role, and receives more means aimed at its development. At present, CzechTrade is preparing a project of the essential enlargement and transformation of its foreign offices, andd th an thee cr crea eatition on of a “b “backb kbone nett work” k”. Its key elements are going to be the so-called “hubs” (something like centres with a broader operational sphere).

Thus, the working capacity of this institution in South America should, after the implementation of this project, at least double.

Byy Pav avlílína na Hol olan anco cová vá I český překlad naleznete v elektronické verzi magazínu na www.leadersmagazine.cz

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Business May Be Your Life – But – Life Is Your Business Part XI: Inspirational Leadership® Inspire: Self – Others – the World: Part 3A, B, C

James A. Cusumano, PhD

“Water is fluid, soft and yielding. But water will wear away rock ... whatever is fluid, soft and yielding will overcome whatever is rigid and hard ... what is soft is strong”.

Lao-Tzu, Chinese philosopher, Taoism founder KEY CONCEPTS: I Organizational leadership is rapidly evolving to a new way of thinking and being in order to manage the global challenges and opportunities of an increasingly complex and interconnected society.

I Created and popularized by Dr. Lance Secretan, Inspirational Leadership® succinctly embraces and addresses this transition.

I Inspirational Leadership® is based on the CASTLE Principles, an acronym for Courage, Authenticity, Service, Truthfulness, Love, and Effectiveness. When internalized and practiced proficiently, these principles form the basis for creating an organization that is personally rewarding, commercially advantageous and socially responsible1).

I In this last part of a series of three articles, we discuss the last two CASTLE Principles, Love and Effectiveness.

CASTLE PRINCIPLES In Part 1 of this series, I presented the concept of the CASTLE Principles. The word CASTLE is an acronym developed by Dr. Lance Secretan for Courage, Authenticity, Service, Truthfulness, Love, and Effectiveness, the key elements that underpin all Inspirational Leadership®. In Part 1, we explored the role and power of Courage and

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Authenticityy in leadership and how these attributes are an integral part of the foundation of Inspirational Leadership®. In Part 2, we described the importance of Service, and Truthfulness.

In this final part of the series, we address the last two attributes – Love and Effectiveness.

LOVE “Use the word ‘love’ in a business environment – are you crazy?” That’s the normal reaction by executives schooled in the old business model – the Motivational Model. The problem emanates from the fact that in the English language, we have only one word for love, while in Sanskrit there are 96 words, 80 in Persian, and 3 in Greek. Therefore, in English, “love” can mean a broad spectrum of feelings and attitudes ranging from a simple pleasure such as “I loved that meal,” to a platonic state of being, “I love the way she dresses,” to intense interpersonal attachment such as, “I love her with my whole heart and soul.”

From a philosophical point of view, love can also be seen as a virtue, where one extols a sense of compassion, caring and kindness.

Consequently we find that in much of the Western world, this diversity of meanings for the word “love” often causes confusion and makes it difficult to define and to communicate what is truly meant in a given situation. However, love is perhaps the most important psychological concept and force in any culture. In its various forms, it is the prime facilitator in all interpersonal relationships and has the most significant power to make things happen. It matters not whether the relationship is one based on business, or a passionate connection with your lover.

Therefore, it cannot be eliminated from the business arena if one expects to inspire oneself and others. In business, the word love equates precisely to a sense of caring, compassion, kindness, understanding and commitment. If you have ever been inspired by a person, you may recall that, even though that person may have been demanding, he or she also had a deep sincere interest in your wellbeing and demonstrated the caring and compassion that supported that commitment.

As Lance Secretan reminds us in his recent book, The Spark, The Flame and The Torch,” this critical attribute of Inspirational Leadership® appears throughout successful businesses and the arts. For example, in James Cameron’s film Avatar,r the Na’vi people from the planet Pandora greet each other with, “I see you.” This acknowledges that they see the other person as being like themselves and in this sacred recognition, they understand that they are connected in some way, and that whatever they do to the other, they do unto themselves. Similarly, the Indian Sanskrit greeting, “Namaste” means “The spirit in me respects the spirit in you2).”

Being a caring person does not mean always doing what others may want or like. But in the end, your actions should inspire them because of your compassionate commitment to their wellbeing. Allow me to share a personal example. Some years ago, I hired a Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Catalytica. Ron (not his real name) was a bright young man with lots of energy and experience in the pharmaceutical industry so I felt he could help us build Catalytica Pharmaceuticals. Shortly after hiring Ron, I began to hear rumblings from customers that he was at times quite arrogant. Over a period of time, I found out that Ron was an alcoholic. I was dismayed, but determined to help him.

A)

EDITOR’S NOTE – This is Part XI in a series of articles based on the author’s experience as an entrepreneur, having founded several successful businesses, including Catalytica Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a billion-dollar public company. His business experience base spans “5 lives” – A multimillion record sales recording artist; R&D Director for Exxon; Chairman & founder of 2 public companies; CEO, founder and Executive Producer for Chateau Wally Films; Chairman & Owner of Chateau Mcely, an international award-winning luxury hotel & SPA. This article is extracted from his latest book, presently in preparation and entitled, “My Little Book of Business – Tales of Purpose, Passion & Enterprise.” Parts I–V of this series deal with “Creating A Fulfilling Life.” Part VI addresses “Building A Successful Business,” and the current series focuses on Conscious Capitalism and Inspirational Leadership as a means to lasting fulfillment in life and success in business.

B) The author may be reached at Jim@ChateauMcely.Com. C) Parts 1 & 2 of this article appear in the prior two issue of LEADERS Magazine.

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TO BE CONTINUED... from love, not war; from compassion and empathy, not victory, violence, and domination (see Figure 1). Our “old-story” model of leadership is evolving quickly: the ruthless, ambitious, hard-charging A-type achiever is giving way to a “New Story” – the caring, listening, mentoring leader who yearns to make the world a better place and to serve3).”

EFFECTIVENESS Effectiveness is the last of the CASTLE Principles and is actually the result of doing the first five principles well (see Figure 2). And in fact, in a circular way of thinking, Effectiveness is both a cause and an effect. Inspirational Leaders are most effective when they have deI confronted Ron and told him that Catalytica veloped the skills to be Courageous, Authentic, would pay for him to enroll in a program to help Serving, Truthful and Loving (or Caring, if you him deal with his challenge. However, I pointed will). When these attributes become a true part out that should he ever be caught drinking alcoof our character, we cannot help but be personhol again while working, he would be fired imally inspired and we cannot help but to deeply mediately. He was pleased with Catalytica’s and inspire others to perform well beyond all my personal commitment to him and agreed to expectations. undergo several weeks of treatment.

The famous architect, futurist and philosoRon returned to work and for awhile all was pher, Buckminster Fuller had a profound perwell. However, two months after his return, he spective on inspiration and the genius of creatishowed up at a customer’s office blatantly invity and innovation. He noted that, “Everyone toxicated. I immediately and much to my chais born a genius, but the process of living ‘degrin, fired Ron. I received an urgent telephone geniuses’ them.” Following on Fuller’s philosocall from his wife to please reconsider. I refused, phy, Lance Secretan notes that there are six at which point, she became quite angry with me. elements to living effectively and therefore Three years later, I ran into Ron and his wife to supporting the first five CASTLE Principles:4) at a dinner. They asked to see me in private, at 1. There is nothing to learn to be Effective, only which time they both expressed their gratitude old habits to break and to restore our innate for my “tough love” in dealing with Ron. It forced personal qualities. them to face up to a critical issue and even 2. Pursuing number 1 is quite simple, though though they went through “hell” for awhile, after not easy. y receiving psychological counseling and exten3. “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it,” does not apply sive medical treatment Ron had now been “dry” to being effective. We need to constantly look for two years and had landed a successful job for rebirth and re-creation. with another pharmaceutical company. I was 4. If anything is negative in any way, e.g., unapso pleased to see his recovery and success. pealing, complicated, harmful, hurtful, danIronically, love is the most difficult of the gerous, destructive, or dishonest, it will ultiCASTLE Principles to define, yet arguably mately fail. Negative energy requires forcing the most powerful attribute for inspiring people something that is unnatural – and Nature alaround you. Or as Lance Secretan states so ways wins out in the long run. If it is graceful, eloquently, “For all our bravado, and the legacy elegant and honest, it will ultimately win beof learning about warrior leadership, we are now cause the very essence of Nature is elegance realizing that greatness and inspiration come and grace. Every successful Figure 2: Operational Effectiveness is actually the result of doing the first five princiscientific insight and theory ples well. All of our activities, skills, and strategies must be based on these attributes into the workings of Nature if we are to inspire ourselves and others, and our organization is to achieve its goals. has always found surprising simplicity and elegance.

5. Uninspiring tasks are very difficult to achieve and more often than not, they fail.

6. If a strategy or goal is an overt and purposeful personal affront to others, it will have negative consequences and in the end, fail. Respect the concept of

Figure 1: For all the bravado and our legacy of warrior leadership, we now realize that inspiration comes from love, not war; from compassion and empathy, not victory, violence, and domination.

Figure 3: Practicing the CASTLE Principles will inspire you and those around you. You can change the world.

“Oneness” – the interconnection with others – and in this recognition success will follow5).

In an analogy created by Buckminster Fuller, one can see that it only takes a single person to bring about incredible results that can change the world through Inspirational Leadership®.

Fuller reminds us that steering a large ocean liner requires moving the large rudder at the rear of the ship. But how is this accomplished in practice? At the edge of the large rudder, there is a tiny device called a trim tab. It’s a miniature rudder. Moving the trim tab just a little bit builds up a low pressure on one face of the large rudder and consequently pulls it around. This takes almost no effort at all.

To be an Inspirational Leader, you too can be a trim tab. You can inspire yourself, and those around you. You can change the world (see Figure 3).

James A. Cusumano, PhD 1

Much of the substantive content of this article is based on the CASTLE PRINCIPLES, which have been developed by Dr. Lance H.K. Secretan. See for example, “ONE – The Art and Practice of Conscious Leadership,” The Secretan Center, 2006.

2 James A. Cusumano, “Cosmic Consciousness – A Journey to Well-Being, Happiness and Success,” Fortuna Libri, 2011.

3 Lance Secretan, “The Spark, The Flame and the Torch – Inspire Self. Inspire Others. Inspire the World,” The Secretan Center Inc., 2010, p. 160.

4 Ibid, p. 163–4.

5 Op. cit., James A. Cusumano.

About the Author: James A. Cusumano is Chairman and Owner of Chateau Mcely (www.ChateauMcely.Com), chosen in 2007 by the European Union as the only “Green” 5-star luxury hotel in Central and Eastern Europe and in 2008 by the World Travel Awards as the Leading Green Hotel in the World. He is a former Research Director for Exxon, and subsequently founded two public companies in Silicon Valley, one in clean power generation, the other in pharmaceuticals manufacture via environmentally-benign, low-cost, catalytic technologies. While he was Chairman and CEO, the latter – Catalytica Pharmaceuticals, Inc. – grew in less than 5 years, to a $1 billion enterprise with 2,000 employees. He is co-author of “Freedom from Mid-East Oil,” recently released by World Business Academy Press (www.WorldBusiness.Org) and the author of “Cosmic Consciousness – A Journey to Wellbeing, Happiness and Success,” published in English and Czech by Fortuna Libri, 2011.

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energy/discussion event On 23th of June 2011, a seminar for entrepreneurs in the gas, energy and heat industry took place in Hotel Esplanade in Prague.

Klub plynárenských podnikatelů in cooperation with and support of CzechInvest – the investment and business development agency of the Czech Republic – organised a topical seminar titled “Business Development Support” for small and medium entrepreneurs.

Mgr. Alexandra Rudyšarová, Statutory Deputy General Director of CzechInvest presented programs prepared by the agency for business entities in support of their development. An extensive discussion on this topic unfolded not only during the seminar, but especially after the end of the official part, when discussion about the business opportunities in the Czech Republic moved to the lobby area.

KLUB plynárenských podnikatelů Ing. Alena Vitásková, President, KPP ČR, s.r.o.

AND CZECHINVEST ARRANGEMENT ABOUT ENERGY

From left: Ing. Martin Pecina, Director, Vítkovice a.s., Ing. Alena Vitásková, President, KPP ČR, s.r.o., and Arnošt Thon, CEO, A.T. Plyn

Participants at the Hotel Esplanade From left: Jaroslav Mikan, CEO, GWF, s.r.o. and Jiří Moučka, Director, JM Systém s.r.o. Chrudim

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From left: Jaroslav Štochl, Chairman of the Board, Tepgas a.s. and Martin Staněk, CEO, Sykora Data Center, s.r.o.

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From left: Arnošt Thon, CEO, A.T. plyn s.r.o., Jaroslava Kraftová, CEO, GIS-Stavinvex, and Ivan Chvaja, CEO, GIS-Stavinvex

21.7.2011 16:44:50

From left: Milan Grohmann, CEO, Instar ITS Ostrava, a.s., Jana Grohmannová, Director, Instar ITS Ostrava, a.s., and Arnošt Thon, CEO, A.T. Plyn s.r.o.

Pavel Čermák, Private Investor

Roald F. Piskoppel, Representative, Gazprom Export Moskva in the CR

From left: Jiří Bartoň, World´s Green Lungs and Bohuslav Bernátek, Asociace energetických manažerů

From left: Benke Aikell, your Publisher and Petr Kubernát, Director, Pekos

From left: Alexandra Rudyšarová, Statutory Deputy General Director, CzechInvest, Ing. Alena Vitásková, President, KPP ČR, s.r.o., and Ivana Krčilová, CEO, ELGAS, s.r.o.

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Mr. Poslušný, CEO, Ekol s.r.o. Brno

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21.7.2011 16:45:23

From left: Luděk Hutira, Hutira-PSV-Ivančice and Mieczyslaw Monlenda, CEO, Gascontrol, spol. s.r.o.

From left: Břetislav Piprek, CEO, Tele-datasystem s.r.o., Arnošt Thon, CEO, AT-plyn s.r.o., and Martin Staněk, CEO, Sykora Data Center s.r.o.

Alexandra Rudyšarová, Statutory Deputy General Director, CzechInvest

From left: Jana Juříčková, Dana Janoušová, KPP ČR, and Jaroslav Mikan, CEO, GWF s.r.o.

Rostislav Hečko, Energetika Třinec

Milan Grohmann, CEO, Instar ITS Ostrava, a.s., Elena Čupová, ELGAS, s.r.o., Zbyněk Severa, and Ivana Krčilová, CEO, ELGAS, s.r.o.

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From left: František Sasyn, CEO, Gascontrol s.r.o. Havířov, Rudolf Pavlík, Director, Moravský plynostav a.s., and Ota Dvořák, Chairman of the Board, Moravský plynostav a.s.

21.7.2011 16:46:19

Generation G: A Mindset FOR MARKETERS AND BUSINESS

Photo: Brian Fleming

We still look upon the tail of the storm that was the most recent economic crisis. People are sickened by the greedy businessmen and politicians that caused this recent storm, and a new generation has taken the stand; Generation G. This generation is not defined by date of birth nor traits that have been passed on through time. This is a generation that grows on GENEROSITY and is deeply repulsed by corporate and political GREED, the latter proved to be the main reason the global economy suffered a recent tumble.

Recently Trendwatching.com, conducted a massive study on Generation G. One of the main reasons why this particular research was carried out was to visualize the need ne ed for thi hiss ty type pe of ge gene nera ratition on. Th They ey, as man anyy ot othe hers rs do, believe Generation G is a sort of role model for businesses and marketers in these bad times of economic recovery and climate.

“GENERATION G captures the growing importance of ‘generosity’ as a leading societal and business mindset.

As consumers are disgusted at greed and its current dire consequences for the economy – and while that same upheaval has them longing more than ever for institutions that care – the need for more generosity beautifully coincides with the ongoing (and post-recession) emergence of an online-fueled culture of individuals who share, give, engage, create and collaborate in large numbers.” – Trendwatching.com Generation G not only challenges the status quo, it also leads a pivotal role in the development of this era.

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The integral foundation is built on generosity, it points out the value of sharing, which in turn helps drive constituent value.

AMPLIFYING GENEROSITY THROUGH SOCIAL NETWORKING Thanks to social networking platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, the interaction and engagement between people has grown to become more personal.

By proving your credibility, your value stands stronger because now you are not only valuable for the information and knowledge you possess and share, but you can be trusted for doing so. It is this the key ingredient in the winning formula.

Trust plays a pivotal role in assuring you are remembered in the prospect’s mind, however trust is can only be developed through sharing and empathically collaborating with peers to achieve common-interest goals. The latter can only develop through constant and positive interaction with people and consumers alike.

An evaluative ability for binding with Generation G is “sharing”. In modern times, a looming digital economy has developed. People expect and are accustomed to handling their digital lives free of charge. Value develops through the act of sharing, we can see plenty of this with blogs and with the emergence of social networks. A lot of valuable content and knowledge is passed through blogs and social media now a days.

Wired Magazine writer Clive Thompson coined the term “radical transparency”, and he places special emphasis on open conversations. Thompson believes brands and businesses’ most important task when approaching digital ends is to share information and valuable content.

The main idea is to let your network know who you are and what you do. Communicating the proper content is key as it ena nabl bles es tho hose se who fol ollo low w yo youu wi with th the cha hanc ncee to develop stronger bonds, thus allowing more trust to flourish. However, one must not forget about the value we possess in order to continue making it “valuable”. We must be able to look back and review our initial objectives in order to clarify our future ones.

One should not go out there and forget about the people that believed in us at first, this could also be set in a business scenario. Businesses and brands must start with these people, who since the beginning have followed, and it will be they who will in the end open the inner networks even more.

GENEROSITY VS. GREED There is a strong force that stands behind Generation G, the impetus is led by the recoil against corporate and political greed. A generation that has seen the extremely

Photo: Passion Communications s.r.o

Emil Jimenez started working in the communications industry in 1998 as a web designer in NYC. After graduating Rutgers University with a degree in Psychology he moved to Miami where he continued his education and received a Masters in Creative Communications from Florida International University and the renowned Miami Ad School. Mr. Jimenez has worked for United Bank of Switzerland, Citibank, MTV Latin America, Leo Burnett Budapest, Leo Burnett Prague, Lowe worldwide Prague and has recently opened Passion Communications. Passion Communications is a full service communications agency which specializes in bridging traditional media with the digital world. emil@passioncommunications.com

wealthy and powerful become key constituents in causing a complete economic disaster, while the lower classes have to take the toll.

These events have allowed people and consumers to become more empathetic, caring and generous. The global economy is still shaken by the recent tumbles it took, so it should not be surprising to see people demanding and expecting more from businesses and governments. People are asking for their share of security and assurance of fate.

Frog Design’s Chief Marketing Officer, Tim Leberecht comments on one of his latest articles in regards to generation G: “Generation G not only demands new concepts of quality of life vs. concepts of material wealth, safety, status, and comfort, it also wants to have a say in developing them. Maslow’s Pyramid of Needs has become a “Human Tower”, offering an endless array of configurations of “balanc la nce” e tha hatt ar aree on only ly pos ossi sibl blee th thro roug ughh co cont ntin inue uedd fo focu cuss, experimentation, and cooperation. For Generation G, the value of sharing trumps shareholder value. While the boundaries between work and life are dissipating, Lifeholder Value is gaining traction as the penultimate return on investment.”” – CNET NEWS/Tim Leberecht.

In conclusion, Generation G has reconfigured the notion of “what’s in it for me?” to “What’s in it for us?”. We must provide a clear and lucid perspective of our values and commitments in order to ensure a competent spot in Generation G. Now is the time to secure an empathic spot in the hearts of this generation and do good in a world that has been overshadowed by greed and selfishness.

By Emil Jimenez and Eduardo Castaneda I

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IN COOPERATION WITH LEADERS MAGAZINE AND

spectacular concert

From left: Festival Organizer Giorgio Bonelli, Owner, Alchymist Grand Hotel & Spa and Ing. Oldřich Lomecký, Mayor of Prague 1

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1 Festival of Italian-Czech

Friendship at the Old Town Square

Live concert of Czech and Italian Stars (Michal David, Drupi and many more) Gastronomic specialities Fashion by Czech Miss Photos: Archive of 1st Festival of Italian-Czech Friendship

Festival organizer – Giorgio Bonelli, Owner, Alchymist Grand Hotel & Spa

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Michal David and Damichi Band

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From left: Antonio Pasquale and H.E. Fabio Pigliapoco, Ambassador of Italy with his wife

From left: Emanuele Ridi and Antonio Solazzo, Festival Coordinator

Renata Hochelber and Michael Cukier

Radka Fišarová and Bohuš Matuš, Singers

Jadran Šetlík, Photographer with his wife Gabriela and their daughter Sofia Mia

Great success – over 10,000 participants came to the concert

Jitka Nováčková, Česká Miss 2011 and Jitká Válková, Česká Miss 2010

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Michal David, Composer and Singer and Czech Misses

In the middle from left: Alessandro Pasquale, Mattoni and Alfredo Iuzzolini, Unicredit

From left: Festival Organizer Giorgio Bonelli, Owner, Alchymist Grand Hotel & Spa, Iveta Bartošová, Singer, and Domenico Martucci, Singer

Drupi sings at the Old Town Square

Grand Finale, from left: Emanuel Ridi, Paolo Belli, Festival Organizer Giorgio Bonelli, Owner, Alchymist Grand Hotel & Spa, Drupi, Ron, and Michal David, Composer and Singer

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IN COOPERATION WITH LEADERS MAGAZINE AND 21.7.2011 15:49:51

SMALL TALK: GETTING YOU ON THE ROAD TO SUCCESS Karin Genton-L’Epée is a business coach with 28 years of extensive professional experience in the United States, France and the Czech Republic. Based in Prague since 1995, for the past 13 years she has developed a range of coaching and training programs for mid- and top-level managers, focusing on leadership development, cross-cultural understanding and effective communication in a global environment. By providing a structured environment that supports people in clarifying who they are and what they want, Karin enables her clients to devise more effective strategies to achieve their personal and professional goals. Thanks to her knowledge, skills and range of international experience, Karin is in demand as a speaker at business conferences and educational institutions on both sides of the Atlantic. She is also a regular contributor to business journals and magazines. She works in English and French and can be reached at karin@coaching.cz.

“The road to success, whether social or professional, is paved with talk. If you are not confident as a talker, the road can be bumpy,” says Larry King, the awardwinning American television host best known for his years on CNN. I will take Mr. King one step further and say that my thirty years of professional life has taught me that the road to success begins with a specific kind of talk – small talk.

Small talk is the art of connecting in an easy and comfortable manner by making pleasant conversation on casual topics. Most first encounters start with small talk and, in spite of the diminutive label, small talk is anything but trivial. Its main purpose is to help you make a good impression by making others feel good about themsel es themselves.

It has been estimated that the average person speaks about eighteen thousand words per day (it’s probably more for me). Being able to speak is the most essential form of communication, it is what sets humans apart.

While most people claim to dislike what they perceive as superficial conversation, based on my personal experience, I believe that two-thirds of our communication is devoted to lighter topics rather than to deep intense ones. The same way appetizers come before a main course, establishing and developing relationships require some pleasant exchange on a subject of mutual interest before engaging in heavy debate about deeper topics.

So why not develop skills and learn one of the most fundamental relationship competencies we have at our disposal – communication. A savvy communicator is able to make agreeable conversation on casual topics, and sees small talk as a way of getting to know people, to make them feel comfortable by finding some common ground. And knowing how to connect in an easy and comfortable manner with others is a lot easier to master than we often think.

For those of you who are still struggling with knowing how to make the best impression, I thought I would share some tips I have learned over my many years of socially interacting with people from all walks of life, countries and cultures.

SAVVY COMMUNICATORS DO: G Prepare themselves with several agreeable topics.

The easy ones are about the weather, the latest news, sport, hobbies or culture. A good communicator is

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familiar with the kind of topics that interest others, and knows when to bring them up during the conversation.

Prior to an event where you know you will engage in some social chatting, I suggest that you think about three different issues you believe will be of interest to all concerned, as well as four common questions that will get people talking.

G Be the first to say “Hello” and introduce yourself. Most people are uncomfortable speaking with people they don’t know and they will be grateful that you spare them the awkwardness of making the first step. When possible, do not hesitate to encourage other reserved people to join in by asking for their opinion about the topic you are speaking about.

G Smile and maintain eye contact with the person you are speaking with. ith Smiling is perceived percei ed as a visual is al sigsig nal of appreciation and it is also a great tool many of us use to connect with others.

G Stay focused on your conversational partner and listen with attention to what he/she is saying. Refrain from planning your next line before the person finishes speaking. The primary asset of a savvy communicator is the ability to listen attentively to others.

G Practice, Practice, Practice. Seize every opportunity you have to speak with everyone you meet – not just co-workers, friends or people with whom you want to do business, but also with waiters, cashiers, cab drivers, sales clerks, etc…

SAVVY COMMUNICATORS DON’T: G Speak about controversial topics like politics, religion, money or sex. Disraeli said “my idea of an agreeable person is someone who agrees with me.” Good conversation has to be pleasant and amiable. Instead of bringing up difficult topics, it is wise to keep the discussion light and simple by choosing topics which everyone can contribute to in an easy and uncomplicated manner.

G Be a bore by speaking about personal topics like your children, your job or your health. If someone asks you about a personal topic, it is best to give a ten-second answer. In a social setting no one is interested in hearing about your children’s school activities or your latest diet concern. The sensible thing to do after you have politely answered a personal question is to turn quickly to a new broader subject: “Enough about me, has anyone been watching Wimbledon/the Tour de France this summer?”

G Interrupt the person who is talking to you. No matter

how boring people are, you won’t be able to make a good impression if you interrupt others when they speak. If you want to extricate yourself from an undesired discussion, it is best to direct the person toward another topic or another person: “John, I am not sure if you had met Petr, Petr, meet my friend John who has just come back from a biking trip aro around nd the so south th of France France.”” However Ho e er you do it, make sure you wait until there is a natural pause in the discussion.

G Treat people as business prospects to add to your network e.g. potential clients or employers. While social events offer great networking and business opportunities, do not forget that no one likes to feel that your main goal for speaking to them is to try to get something from them immediately. The biggest mistake is to focus on short-term gain instead of focusing on the long-term relationship. Make the present an enjoyable stress-free experience.

G Focus on you and/or monopolize the conversation.

Regardless of how smart and knowledgeable you are, most people welcome the opportunity to speak about themselves and what they know rather than listening to you and what you know.

From creating a friendly atmosphere between two people, to allowing them to learn about one another in a short period of time, or helping you learn more about a topic you are interested in, small talk has many benefits. But unless you apply the self-discipline and knowledge it takes to become comfortable with small talk you will have less success being sought after as a guest at everyone’s dinner party or social event, or acquiring a reputation as a pleasant social companion.

While small talk is not always easy, savvy communicators know that mastering the art of comfortable and easy conversation is the first step on the road to success. Keep it light, keep it simple, keep it easy to follow, and watch how quickly you accelerate toward your destination!

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seminar

Photos: Roman Souček

Robert Kiyosaki is one of the most successful writers, presenters, teachers and educators in the area of personal development who inspired, through his books and lectures, millions of people to set on the path of achieving financial wisdom, wealth and prosperity. He teaches people to rely on themselves, their individual strength, courage and perseverance to succeed in life and achieve prosperity in the world of free market economy. Robert Kiyosaki is a vocal proponent of ideas, which would be tantamount to a complete blasphemy in this part of the world 25 years ago, yet his presentation was attended by nearly 2000 people hungry to grasp the tenets of financial education, which is essential for anyone who wants to achieve prosperity and perhaps even survive in the modern world. Robert Kiyosaki accompanied and assisted by his charming spouse Kim Kiyosaki was a great inspiration to the large crowd of people assembled in the Congress Center and there is no doubt that the seeds he had planted in the Czech Republic through his books and lectures already bore its fruits.

Upcoming events: October 30th 2011, Congress Centre Prague – RichDad Advisors – Blair Singer, Andy Tanner, Tom Wheelwright, Ken McElroy – www.richdad.cz, June 2012, Jack Welch live in Prague – www.jackwelch.cz Ziv and Hanka Cohen, ZHP, events organisers and Robert a Kim Kiyosaki

ROBERT AND KIM KIYOSAKI Live in Prague – June 18th–19th 2011, hosted by Ziv and Hanka Cohen/ZHP

From left: Ziv Cohen, ZHP, Hanka Cohen, ZHP, Robert Kiyosaki, Jarmila Poliak, ZFP Founder, Vladimir Poliak, ZFP Founder, and Kim Kiyosaki

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Robert Kiyosaki with Roman Boháček, CEO, ACROSS Consulting handling questions from the audience, and Tom Wheelwright, RichDad Advisor

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Robert and Kim Kiyosaki with Rich Dad Friends at the after-party in Hotel Kempinski Prague

Robert and Kim Kiyosaki

From left: Eva Bucova, Mary Kay, Hanka Cohen, ZHP, Michala Hergetova, moderator, Eliška Hašková Coolidge, and Kim Kiyosaki

22.7.2011 15:21:42

YOUR IMAGE? Your Summer Homework When your friiends d are lo look okin ingg fo forr yo your ur nam amee on the Internet, are you happy with what they find? How about your clients, potential business partners, employees or voters? Is your digital image the one that you want because it reflects your goals and helps you achieve them, or do you have an image created at random from various pieces of information, like a puzzle?

To answer that question, go ahead and put your name in a search engine. Then, look at the results with the eyes of your stakeholders – everyone who is important to you. Afterwards, ask yourself again: is your digital image helping you grow, or is it sending out a message that you might not like to hear?

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS NO IMAGE I was recently talking to a client who told me: “I don’t want to be on LinkedIn. I am responsible for highly classified information and I handle risk every day. Besides, I have no ambition to be visible. I am not planning a political career. As for my professional career, how can I know where I will be two years from now?” Therefore, my client thought there was no need to manage his digital image. “II have no digital image. I just want to keep things for myself.”

And yet, when I put my client’s name in Google, there were some disparate pieces of information that came up about him: his position, some hints of career growth, some past deals, and a smallsized picture. If I were a journalist, a business partner considering a deal with his company, or a potential employer, I would be quite baffled.

Cristina Muntean is a journalist and media advisor with more than 12 years of experience in the Czech, Romanian and international media.

In 2005–2010 Cristina worked for the Englishlanguage economic magazine Czech Business Weeklyy (CBW) in Prague. During this time she wrote more than 3,000 news articles, features and interviews. She graduated in journalism from the University of Bucharest, Romania. She also holds a master’s degree in project management. Currently, Cristina provides media training, coaching and advisory to managers, communication specialists and public officials across Central and Eastern Europe. Cristina speaks Romanian, French, English and Czech and can be reached at cm@mediaintel.cz.

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So I’Id st So, star artt as aski king ng aro roun u d. As a journalilist,t th thee first thing I would do would be to call his competitors. As a blogger, I would go for some crowdsourcing to draft his profile. Who is he? Does he have something to hide? If so, what? At the end of the day, having a LinkedIn updated profile makes common sense for a businessman with nothing to hide. Doesn’t it?

My client, who is a most honest and focused professional, didn’t understand the basic difference between reality and perception. In reality, he just wants to focus, to do a good job and keep his private things for himself. In perception, he is working for a multinational corporation, handling risk, making essential decisions for his company, and may have things to hide. By asking around, someone can fill in the missing pieces of the puzzle and the final image won’t be pretty. At least, it won’t be the image that you would like to put out if only you cared to manage it.

COMMON SENSE FOR SUMMER 2011 Whether we want it or not, there are a couple of changes in the business world that are good to be aware of. Having an updated LinkedIn profile has become common sense. When someone is looking for your name online, there is a high chance that the first links that will appear will lead to your LinkedIn profile, your Facebook account, and to your blog if you have any. Not updating your profile regularly with information, endorsements and statuses seems like ignorance. This is also valid for ladies on maternity leaves. Would you really want to hire someone when you Google her name and you realize that she’s been idle for the last six years? I mean, if you have a great training budget, sure, go ahead. If not, you might feel as reticent to such hiring as I do.

Let’s take a look back to what was common sense a few years ago. “Lawrence A. Bossidy, CEO of Allied Signal, noted that E-Mail has made it easier to communicate. Not only does he issue E-mails, he gets them as well, explaining ‘it’s essential that you do.’” Sending and receiving e-mails was considered communication leadership in… 2007, when Robin Cohn’s book The PR Cris isis is Bib ible le,, wh whic ichh fe feat atur ures es the quo uote te abo bove ve, wass pu wa publ bliishhedd. Is e-mail a matter of leadership anymore? Do you feel like you are doing something special when you open your mailbox in the morning? No, it has become routine. It’s simple common sense. For many people – including your stakeholders – LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter are already common sense. Those who

Photo: Jakub Stadler

are not there yet are perceived as communication illiterate at best. And at worst, they just don’t exist.

SOMETHING MORE FOR THE SUMMER Whenever I start media coaching work with my clients, I take them through a so-called communication SWOT. What are your strengths? How about your weaknesses, fears and uncertainties? What is your vision and what opportunities are out there to help you achieve your dreams? How about threats and risks at hand, and what can we do to minimize them? We also do one or two media interview simulations, to back-up the analysis. Of course, SWOT results are individual. Your dreams, as well as your fears, are only yours. Yet, there are some things in common, like the fact that journalists are hungry for quality expert articles in summer when there isn’t much to write about. What stops you from writing a great piece of expertise in your field and sharing it with the media? Next time someone Googles your name, your article may come up among the first links that a potential client or business partner will read. This could decisively influence his choice of doing business with you – or not. You can manage your image if you are willing to look down into yourself, define your goals and then engage in a bit of work to sharpen your online and media communication skills. It doesn’t matter if you plan to take over your company or your country in the future.

Managing your image is a matter of wisdom and leader d shi hip. You have an im imag age, e, whe heth ther er you wan antt it or not. The question is: what’s your image saying about you to those you care about?

By Cristina Muntean ■ český překlad naleznete v elektronické verzi magazínu na www.leadersmagazine.cz

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event

The Association of Financial Intermediaries and Financial Advisers (AFIZ) in the Czech Republic, and the European Federation of Financial Intermediaries and Financial Advisers (FECIF), have organized an international conference in Prague. The conference was titled “The Fresh Initiative of the European Commission for a New Legislative Landscape of Financial Services in Europe”.

The AFIZ and FECIF

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Marta Gellová, Secretary General AFIZ and Vincent Derudder, Chairman FECIF

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN PRAGUE It took place on June 28 in the Congress Hall of the Czech National Bank. The event gave participants a comprehensive overview of the financial market, regarding financial products that fall under EU legislation. The conference also let participants witness the new legislative rules and directions regarding future development – with major highlights focused on the Czech financial market. Speeches were given by leading experts from the Czech National Bank, including Vice Governor Vladimír Tomšík from the Ministry of Finance, as well as prominent international and Czech financial specialists from both associations.

From left: Vincent Derudder, Chairman FECIF, Alan Morgan-Moodie, Chairman AILO, Lukáš Vacek, MF, and Tomáš Choutka, Komerční banka

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From left: Vít Mikolášek, Head of Legal and Compliance Department, Partners and Vladimír Tomšík, Vice Governor of ČNB

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Michal Šrubař, Head of Financial Advice, Česká pojišťovna

more photos and electronic version available on www.leadersmagazine.cz

From left: Marta Gellová, Secretary General AFIZ and Geneviève Lhomme, EFPA France

21.7.2011 16:38:41

PROFESSOR K.C. CHAN

Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, signed a tax treaty with the Czech Republic The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Professor K.C. Chan, began his week-long visit to Europe on 6 June to boost ties and promote Hong Kong as China’s Global Financial Centre.

Professor Chan met senior financial government officials, representatives of financial regulators, banking sector and chambers of commerce to brief them th em on th thee hu huge ge pot oten entitial al tha hatt Ho Hong ng Kon ongg of offe fers rs for the asset management business and the oppor tunities brought about by the gradual internationalisation of Renminbi.

COMPREHENSIVE AGREEMENT FOR AVOIDANCE OF DOUBLE TAXATION On the first leg of his visit to Prague, Professor Chan signed an agreement with the Czech Republic

for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government on 6 June. The Czech Minister of Finance, Mr Miroslav Kalousek, signed on behalf of his Government.

This is the 21st comprehensive agreement for the avoidance of double taxation (CDTA) concluded

by Hong Kong with its trading partners, coming after those with Belgium, Thailand, the Mainland of China, Luxembourg, Vietnam, Brunei, the Netherlands, Indonesia, Hungary, Kuwait, Austria, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Liechtenstein, France, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, Portugal and Spain.

The agreement will boost closer economic and trade ties between the two places, and provide added incentives for companies in the Czech

Republic to do business or invest in Hong Kong, and vice versa.

Source: HKETO, Berlin, June 2011 I český překlad naleznete v elektronické verzi magazínu na www.leadersmagazine.cz

Professor K.C. Chan and the Czech Minister of Finance, Miroslav Kalousek at the signing ceremony of a CDTA on 6 June 2011

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cuisine event Organizers Trend Event and Casa Latina were happy to welcome hundreds of friends and clients in a tropical weather at the conference center Green Point.

Typical warm atmosphere mixed with Caribbean/Latin America cuisine and mojito, wine, cigars, coffee added to a great day.

Martin Oravec, Operations Manager, Retail and Franchise Divison, Casa Latina a.s. and Silvia Bachanovรก, Casa Latina a.s.

Fiesta Latina in Prague

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Taste of Latin American cuisine

21.7.2011 15:46:01

Radovan Myslík, Manager, Portal Firemniakce.cz

Pavel Hofrichter, Director, Firemniakce.cz

From left: Martin Oravec, Operations Manager, Retail and Franchise Divison, Casa Latina a.s. and Radovan Myslík, Manager, Portal Firemniakce.cz

Latin American music, Singer of the Trio Latino

Handmade cigars from Casa Latina

From left: Pavel Hofrichter, Director, Firemniakce.cz and Miloš Kozelka, Dema

Excellent Cigars from Casa Latina

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101 Dancing Performance

21.7.2011 15:46:22

Strong Promise for the Future...

In the past two years it appeared as if the European Union was being overwhelmed by one problem after another. Firstly, there has been the gas crisis concerning the supplies from Russia. Then the world economic crisis followed. Subsequently, discontent in North Africa erupted, with a direct impact on the nearest neighbouring European countries and resulting in great shortfalls of gas supply across the Mediterranean Sea. In March this year, world events culminated with the Japanese earthquake. Political decisions led to a termination of nuclear energy for the next decade in Germany. Confidence in nuclear energy has been shaken throughout Europe.

Furthermore, the European Union has agreed within in its legislative bodies and as part of the so called 20 x 20 x 20 strategy to adopt even tougher commitments towards energy processes. All these decisions have – and most importantly will have – dramatic impacts on energy development in the upcoming years.

Perhaps here in the Czech Republic we do not realize the true significance of these political decisions and their impact on us. In the past few months I have attended series of energy conferences where multiple aspects of energy developments were discussed. It seems a bit like we Czechs pretend that these decisions do not concern us. We look upon the decision of German political representation with a sort of ironic smile. I fear, however, that we do not fully understand these processes. We can of course jeer at them and speak of ill-advised steps, but it is doubtful whether anyone in Germany, or France or Italy will notice our comments. We have to understand that Germany is currently undergoing a strong power shifts in its political spectrum and energy – and mainly the attitude towards it – is a powerful engine of this process. Whether this is wrong or not is not an issue, we can think of it what we please. Nevertheless, German society is positioned like this at the moment and she is prepared to pay more for the “clean energy”.

Lightly put, she is prepared to “suffer” a bit more for better future. One thing is clear now already – that within a space of few years Europe will need to invest tens or hundreds of billions of Euros to upgrade the electrical transmission

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system. It will be necessary to transfer the great capacities of North Sea while ensuring that the collection of the so-called renewable resources, smaller or larger, is aligned. Further, advancement in gas supply capacity will become a reality after launching the Nord Stream project at the beginning of the next year. Construction of new gas power stations will become not only a necessity but also a further engine of the new “business”. This is because the pressure on “clean energy” brings changes for classical coal-fired power stations as for the nuclear power stations. Since the new transmission grid will have to cope with all this, there has been a talk recently about so called “smart grids”, although it is not clear yet what these might mean. Certainly however, this will fuel the development of new technologies and new research. There will be an increase in demand for modernisation of various energy sources as well as for modernisation of appliances.

As a consequence of fundamental changes in North Africa and in the Middle East, this will mean that there will be also new streams of energy transport into these areas. The above mentioned and essentially political decisions will have a crucial impact on wide array of activities; they will also naturally affect the economy of the European Union and on its competitive advantage.

I am convinced that it is vital for us to stop sneering and commenting everything, rather we should start thinking thoroughly how to navigate ourselves in this newly created environment. It is very important to be the smart ones. For now, we have a great advantage that our society and our political scene is not

Photo: Archive

pushed around by various prejudices and motives and that we can take advantage of the current situation. If we however stay only at the grinning, as it would be true to our Czech nature, we might find ourselves ten years from now just sadly observing how the world has changed and how costly we will need to adjust to it. Even now we cannot precisely tell which part of our life will be penetrated by the current decisions.

By Evžen Tošenovský I Member of the European Parliament To be continued... český překlad naleznete v elektronické verzi magazínu na www.leadersmagazine.cz

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21.7.2011 11:49:28

HOMEWORK FOR the New Transport Minister The last political period has seen an unstable structure in the Czech Government, where the post of Transportation Minister has undergone the most frequent changes. Since the departure of Minister Řebíček in January 2009, the post was subsequently taken up by ministers Bendl, Slamečka, Bárta and Šmerda, and now again by Minister Pavel Dobeš (please distinguish him from Mr. Josef Dobeš, who is Education Minister). The staff of the Ministry also repeatedly experienced deep reversals.

The author of this article is, of course, not entitled to assign homework to any minister. This article serves to denote, un-exhaustively, the backlogg of unsolved problems, which are often very difficult and stressful to investors and entrepreneurs. Many of the topics mentioned below experienced a series of changing official attitudes, strategies and opinions, even during the past months. The “Superstrategy” (described in an article in the March release) was abandoned by the preceding Minister Šmerda, and the fate of the document, which was once advertised with widespread media coverage, is unclear at this time.

One of the most pressing problems is the almost discontinued construction of transport infrastructure, including projections and area preparations.

This situation is not only causing severe troubles in the construction sector, but it brings uncertainty to the utilization of attributed European funds, and also contributes to the deterioration of the already shabby state of our roads and railways which will be very hard, if not impossible, to overcome. Of course, taking into consideration the long-term budgetary impact of the continuing crisis, as well as imminent financial risks in some eurozone countries, it is obvious that the transport infrastructure construction in the Czech Republic will proceed at a much slower pace than ever, and future allotted funds, including those of European origin, will be very limited. But it is extremely urgent for the Ministry to set clear priorities and direct scarce funds toward projects that can have the largest multiplier effect. It also requires setting functional criteria for the assessment of the efficiency of individual infrastructure projects, as well as for the potential participation of private capital, which has not been prepared consistently so far, and therefore has still been marginal in the country.

Another puzzle is the future of the Czech toll system. It is obvious that the microwave toll technology introduced in 2007 is not capable of extension outside limited access roads, and a satellite toll system is needed to complement the exis-

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ting one. Never theless, doubts have transpired as to whether a unique ‘hybrid’ system, which is being developed by the Prague Technical University and the incumbent toll operator Kapsch, will be able to successfully combine its microwave and satellite components. Nor are reliable computations at hand as to what degree it would be efficient to extend the toll into 2nd and 3rd Class roads. Also unclear are the fate of the existing vignette system for passenger cars and the introduction of an intelligent system with corresponPhoto: Mr. Šíp´s archive ding on-board units, which would not only take money away from drivers, but also supply them with valuable online traffic information.

Conceptual decisions are also necessary in the railway industry. Reform steps aimed at opening the Czech railway market are only half-hearted and limping behind the European average. The almost monopolistic state operator, České dráhy (Czech Railways), still performs operation control on railway lines and owns all railway stations, in spite of their fully infrastructural functions. Previous ministers even heralded the creation of a monopoly railway holding, uniting the hitherto independent state-owned infrastructure operator and České dráhy into one not-so-transparent and anti-competitive blocking structure. A memorandum that was concluded between the Government and regions gave České dráhy a 10 to 15 year lasting monopoly for regional railway transport, thus effectively eliminating new entrants and investors from this segment of passenger rail transportation.

A question mark also hangs over the future of water freight transport. Preceding governments strongly reduced investment into ports and the improvement of the inland waterways of the Labe and Vltava Rivers. Due to this, waterways are navigable only a fraction of the year, and operators have had to reduce their fleets. Therefore, the

potential of water transport as one of the most efficient and ecologic ways of transport remains underutilized. A working compromise is to be found between the development of the industry and requirements on environmental protection.

Many unsolved problems are also connected with multimodal transport, in which the Czech Republic is nowhere near the European cutting edge. It is necessary to finalize a strategy for the localization and construction of public logistic centres, and also formulate conditions facilitating participation of private investors.

In the time you read this article some of these pressing questions may have been addressed already. But their solution will surely exceed the present general election period and last for a decade, if not more. It is therefore desirable that the structure of the Transportation Ministry becomes stabilized at last, so they may formulate solutions that can promote long term growth and improvement of the transport sector in the Czech Republic.

By Emanuel Šíp Partner Allied Progress Consultants český překlad naleznete v elektronické verzi magazínu na www.leadersmagazine.cz

Leaders Magazine IV/2011

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21.7.2011 11:50:22

political/business discussion

IN COOPERATION WITH LEADERS MAGAZINE

From left: Antonio Pasquale, President, ItalianCzech Chamber of Commerce and Petr Nečas, Prime Minister of the CR

Italian-Czech Chamber OF COMMERCE (CAMIC) PRESTIGIOUS LUNCH WITH PRIME MINISTER PETR NEČAS AT CARLO IV HOTEL

From left: Giorgio Bonelli, Owner, Alchymist Grand Hotel and Spa, Martin Chamr, Chamr & Partners, Stefano Fustinoni, Owner, Euro4Energy, Michal Kolařík, Representative, CZ Mondial, and Stefano Battistuzzi, Owner, CZ Mondial

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Antonio Pasquale, President, Italian-Czech Chamber of Commerce and Livia Romani, General Secretary, Italian-Czech Chamber of Commerce

From left: Domenico Virgulti, Managing Director, Tasso and Co. s.r.o. and Dott. Roberto Massa, BS&P CR, a.s.

From left: Kristýna Simkaničová, Ing. Zdeněk Juračka, Chairman, COOP, and Ing. Daniel Patka, MBA, Chief Operationg Officer, Karlovarské minerální vody

21.7.2011 15:33:54

From left: Jana Nagyová, Director, Cabinet of the Prime Minister, Office of the Government, Antonio Pasquale, President of the Italian-Czech Chamber of Commerce, Petr Nečas, Prime Minister of the CR, Sergio Resegotti, Member of the Board, Italian-Czech Chamber of Commerce, and the Translator

more photos and electronic version available on www.leadersmagazine.cz Alessandro Alagia, Member of the Board, ItalianCzech Chamber of Commerce, Jana Alagiova, and Patrizia Resegotti

Sergio Resegotti, Member of the Board, Italian-Czech Chamber of Commerce From left: Domenico Virgulti, Managing Director, Tasso and Co. s.r.o. and Mr. Mangi

From left: Antonio Costantino, Owner, Sardegna and Martina Costantino, Co-Owner, Sardegna

Invited participants at the beautiful Hotel Carlo IV

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From left: Antonio Bornatici, Head of Finance and Accounting, Hydroklima, Lara De Vignani, Owner, Praga Edile, Carlo De Vignani, Owner, Hydroklima, Paolo Sinisi, Owner, Paul´s Bohemia, Nino Altomonte, Hotel U Zlatého kola, and Federico Berni, Lawyer, Spoladore Bystricky

From left: Alessandro Pasquale, General Director, Karlovarské minerální vody, Kristýna Simkaničová, Ing. Zdeněk Juračka, Chairman, COOP, Ing. Daniel Patka, MBA, Chief Operationg Officer, Karlovarské minerální vody, and Livia Romani, General Secretary, Italian-Czech Chamber of Commerce

21.7.2011 15:34:40

conference Inspirational Leadership guru spoke to Czech executives about principles of systematic development at Leadership for Life Conference. The principles of Inspirational Leadership, its power and potential in corporations, and ways to be inspired – all this was covered by the Leadership for Life Conference which took place on 28 June 2011 at the Grand Majestic Plaza Hotel in Prague. Lance Secretan, charismatic leader and one of the top five global speakers on the subject of Inspirational Leadership, was the keynote speaker at the conference, and he held almost a hundred conference participants spellbound by his presentation, in which for almost two hours, he shared his unique corporate experiences.

Wake up and get inspired!

IN COOPERATION WITH LEADERS MAGAZINE

LEADERSHIP

From left: Rinaldo Brutoco, President, World Business Academy and Milan Friedrich, CEO American Way

FOR LIFE CONFERENCE The idea of the Leadership for Life Conference was conceived by Jim Cusumano, American-Czech entrepreneur and the owner of Chateau Mcely as part of its Mcely ForumTM Program and Rinaldo Brutoco, president of World Business Academy who engaged Lance Secretan as the keynote speaker. Lance Secretan delivered two hours of captivating presentation, in which he covered the principles of Inspirational Leadership and how this concept can be applied to businesses. He used his latest book The Spark, the Flame, and the Torch: Inspire Self. Inspire Others. Inspire the World, that has just been released in Czech and offers his outlook on the principles of systematic development of ‘inspired’ and ‘inspiring’ leadership, as his springboard.

Photo: Jakub Krásný

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From left: James Cusumano, Chairman, Chateau Mcely and Inéz Cusumano, Owner, Chateau Mcely

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more photos and electronic version available on www.leadersmagazine.cz

21.7.2011 16:43:33

From left: Ctirad Hemelík, Managing Partner, Felicius and Philipp Maly, CEO for CR, JT International

Rinaldo Brutoco, President, World Business Academy

Tomáš Krásný, Managing Director, GfK Austria and Barbora Krásná, Partner, Blue Events in discussion with Jim Cusumano, Chairman, Chateau Mcely and Patricia Secretan, Secretan Center with Rinaldo Brutoco, President, World Business Academy at the back

From left: Antonín Urban, CEO and Owner, B:Advisory and David Semerad, CEO, ULikeIT

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Lance Secretan, Key Note Speaker, Secretan Center

From left: Lubor Žalman, CEO, Raiffeisenbank and Tim Roberts, Head of School, The Prague British School

Karel Janeček, CEO and Chairman, RSJ Algorithmic Trading

21.7.2011 16:43:59

stock and financial market

IN COOPERATION WITH LEADERS MAGAZINE

From left: Miroslav Singer, Governor, Czech National Bank, Jan Sýkora, Chairman of the Board, Wood & Company, and Pavel Mertlík, Chief Economist, Raiffeisenbank a.s.

Social Evening of the Club OF FINANCIAL DIRECTORS The programme for this year‘s CFO Club member meeting continued on Wednesday, June 8, at the Grand Hotel Bohemia in Prague with a discussion and social evening focused chiefly on current and anticipated developments on the capital and financial markets. The speakers on the opening discussion panel were Czech National Bank Governor Miroslav Singer, Prague Stock Exchange CEO Petr Koblic, WOOD & COMPANY Chairman Jan Sýkora, Raiffeisenbank Chief Economist Pavel Mertlík, and the Chief Economic Analyst at EURO magazine and NERV member Miroslav Zámečník.

The evening was moderated by Kamil Ziegler, Vice President of the CFO Club and CFO of PPF Real Estate. The close of the discussion part of the evening was followed by the social part, which featured a buffet dinner and Davidoff cigars and select Calvados tasting.

Photo: Jakub Joachim

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more photos and electronic version available on www.leadersmagazine.cz

The participants

21.7.2011 16:39:54

From left: Petr Koblic, General Manager, Prague Stock Exchange, Petra Lávičková, Marketing Manager, SAS ČR, Martin Novák, Member of the Board, Chief Financial Officer, ČEZ, a. s., and Petr Brávek, IT Director, Česká spořitelna a.s.

From left: Kamil Ziegler, Vice President, Club of Financial Directors and Executive Head and CFO, PPF Real Estate and Jan Medřický, General Director, SAS ČR From left: Martin Novák, Member of the Board, Chief Financial Officer, ČEZ, a. s. and Jan Sýkora, Chairman of the Board, Wood & Company

From left: Patrik Choleva, Vice Chairman of the Board and CFO, Skanska a.s. and Petr Brávek, IT Director, Česká spořitelna a.s

Topic: “Present and Expected Development of Stock and Financial Markets” Under the auspices of the company SAS CR CFO Club: Developments on the capital markets

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From left: Pavel Doležal, Director, pdMEDIA s.r.o. and Martin Novák, Member of the Board, Chief Financial Officer, ČEZ, a. s.

From left: Miroslav Singer, Governor, Czech National Bank, Jan Sýkora, Chairman of the Board, Wood & Company, Pavel Mertlík, Chief Economist, Raiffeisenbank a.s., Kamil Ziegler, Vice President, Club of Financial Directors and Executive Head and CFO, PPF Real Estate, Miroslav Zámečník, Chief Economic Analyst at EURO magazine and NERV member, Petr Koblic, General Manager, Prague Stock Exchange

21.7.2011 16:40:58

WINE CATHEDRALS Joseph Drebitko

Deear win inee lo l ve vers rrss, A e yo Ar y u inntteereested stted e in ta t ki king ng a tri rip to to onnee of t e reeno th n wn w ed ed vin i ey in e aarrdss, bu b t ca cann nnot nn ott agr gree ee on a dest stinat t atioon wi with th you th o r pa p rtne rttnneer whho pi pine ness ne foor pl p aces acc s witth un uniq iqquee arc r hi h tect tect te c ur ure? e? The h re r iss no nneeed to toss toossss a coi oinn inn orde rdder er to de deci cide ci de – to f lf fu lfil f bot o h of o yoouur wi w shes shhes es,, on onee deestin stinat st innat a ioon w wiilll suff su ffic ice. e Ovver the h paasst 20 20 yea ears rs mor oree tthhan a 50 pr prom oom m miineent arc rchi hite teectt s haavee acccep epte teed th thee of offe fers rs of th thee w rld´ wo d s fa d´ fame m d annd we weal eal alth t y wi th wine neririries ne es in C Caalilifo lifo f rnnia ia,, Spai Sp aiinn,, Fraancce annd Sooutth Am Amer eric er ica, ic a to crreaate a, t new e desi de s gn si gnss foor a se seem em minngglly bana baana n l buil buuildi ding ngg; a bbuuililld ng di ng tha hatt ha has, s unt s, ntilil noow w w,, been been be en iggnnor nor ored edd forr its aeesthe aest hetitics he cs, aannd ha cs h s onnlyy beeeen coonsid nssider iddered erred in term te rrm ms of praactticcaallitit y aannd ef effiffiici c enncy cy.. I am m speeaa kiing ng,, of couurs rse, e of tthhe wi wine ne ceelllaar.r V titicu Vi cultllttur cu u e re repr pprressennts t , ass we aalll kn know ow,, a na ow na-titonnal a her eriti ag erit age thhat at is pa pass s eedd on too us by our ance an cest ce stor ors, or s, anndd is a te test estam st am a en e t ttoo the h irir abi b liti litit es annd reele lent nnttle less s wor ss o k. k It iss als lsoo pa part r of “ssav a oi oirr vivr vre” vr e , a se sennsse ooff lifife foor ma many ny gen ener errat atio i ns io ns,, aannd a va v lue luue an andd id iden d ntittyy for o man anyy re regi egi g on onss th t roug roouggho hout ut ut thhe wo worlrld. d Over Ov er tim er ime, thhee deeepe p ni ning ng knoowl w eddge g abboout ut the ggrrowin th ow wiinng an a d cu c lttivvattio i n off wiinne,, alo long ngg witth thhe aaddvent veent nt of new new te ne t ch c nnoologi loogi gies ess and disscoove veririries e , es beegaan to plaacee inc ncre reas re asinng de as asin dema m nd ma nd on th thee ennvi vroonm n en entt inn which hich winne de hi deve eve veloops p s, m maatu ture rees an andd i sto is tore red. d An es d. esse senttia se iall ne nece cess ce ssssitityy fo for to toda daay’ day’ ys w ne is aann eve wi verm rrm mor ore de d ma mand nddinng co ndin c mp mpllilian liannce ce witth wi th thee par aram amet eter e s that er that aree det th etermi errmi m ne ned byy n tu na t re re itssel e f,f par a tiiccuulaarlrlyy du duririnnngg thee pro roce ceesssinng cess prroc oced e ur ures eess. The T he wa Th wayss to ac ways achhiev eve ex exceelll en exce ent re re-sultt s with su with wi th reeggul ular aritit y ha has be b co come me mor me oree ccoomp m lii-

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caatteed, d giivven en thee impac mpac mp acts ts of thhe eart eaartth’s fif ck ckle lee natu na ture tu re.. re Thher eref efforre, in th t e saame m mannne nerr as as wel e llequi eq uipp ppped ed,, ef effififci c en ent, t and techn t, ecchn h ol olog ogic og i al a lyy advan dv ndv ced kitc ce kitc ki t he h n fa f cili cilititities ci eess are re a fouunddaattioon for foo exxceellllen cell entt ga en gast stro st rroonoomyy, so is itit neecces essa sary for sa or thee viinedr vine nedr ne dres ess se ser’r s cr crea eatitive vee bas ase to ase to be coons nsis sissteenttlyy moode dern rniz rn ized iz ed,, and ed annd to t coonntr trib ibbut utee too thhee nat atur ural ur ally al ly i sp in spiriirredd atm tmos o ph p er ere th t rooug ughh ititss vviisuual a app p ea e l.l AAss a bui uild lder ld e of a wi wine nnee cella lar,r,r, one cre r attess thee atmoosp sphe heere r of ann env nviririroon onme nmeentt that hat ddeeve ha velo lops lo ps with ps itth tit me me,, rreesult suulttinng inn a har a mo moni niou ouss ch chor orrus us of hu human man ma a d naattuura an rall in i flf ueenc nces eess, wh w icch ca c n gi g ve v birr th to a plac pllaacce th t att we call caalll thee gen e iuus lo l ci ci..

TThhe ar a chit chhitteecc tu ture re – be itt rur u al a or re refififneed,, dep epen ennd ng di ng on tthhe llooca c l cuusttom – has a alw way ayss acccoom mppaa nniied ed the aeessth sthhettic icss of win inee gr egrow ow win ingg surr suurr rrou round ouundnddinngs ings g . In toddayy’s world orrldd, ar arch chhittec chit e tu t re traans n fo form rmss rm w nnee celllaarss inntto ex wi exac acc titing ng cattheedr d alls orr dis iscr cree cr eett chap ch apel pe s, and n rev evea e lss mor ea oree ab abou outt th t e ambi am mbi b tit onns off the vinneyar eyyarrd ow owne n r th ne t ann eve verr beefo fore re. re F r an Fo a arc r hi rc h teect ct,, ddeessiiggnninng a ceelllar is nnoot aann easy ea asyy t aassk, how wev ever er it is i qui uite te stiimu te mula laating tiingg and inntereestin st ng, st g, as it is ne necce cesssar aryy too pla lace c thee buuiilce lMario Botta, cellars at Chateau Faugéres in Saint Emilion

dingg in its di itt s natu naatu t raal co cont ntex nt e t. ex t T hi h s sh shou ould ou ld be doonee iinn a tim mel eles esss de desi siggnn, so si s tha hatt th the wi wine n cel ne e la larr can ex can ca exis isst inn har armo moony witth its en m envi v ro rons ns, s and annd satitisf sa sfy sf f y thhe st stririct c es ct est st re requ quuirirem eem men ents t of ev e er eryy wine wi nee grower.r Untitl tthhe lat Un a e1 19 9 98 80’ss, it was 80 a commo mooonn inn lar m a ggeer vini vi nicu ni ccuultur u eess for or winne ce cellllllar arr s ((““ch chai ai” in in Freenc nch, hh,, read re a “shheh ad e ”)) to be be bui u lt soollel lel e y byy spe p ci c aallissed ed cons co nstr ns ttrructo ucc ttoorss. Th T heiir ro Thei role lee wass to ddeeveelopp a pr prec eccis isee scen sc ennogra oggraaph phyy of o the h bui u ld ldinngs gs, wh w icch w waas ggeenene ne rallllllyy si ra s mi mila lar too tho la hose se that hat we ha were ree brriillllia iant ia n lyy deveevvee lope lo ope p d in thee Frenc renc re n h re regi g onn of Boorddeaaux u . Th Thes e e weere const onnst s ru ruct ctted e logis oggisstit ca callllllyy fo f r th thee hhaarvvesstitnngg, p oc pr o ess si sing ng,, m ng maatu turiingg, aannd st stor t rin ingg ooff thee winne. e Inn thee yea earr 19 987 7, th t e coontro nttrove ove v rs rsia iaal arrchit chhittecc t R caarddo Bo Ri Bof ofif illll,, kn know ow own wn foor hi h s reevi v ttaalilisa saatiion on o f neeoc neoc ocla laasssic ical eleeme ical m ntt s inn res e iidden e tit aall com o pl p ex e es, e s, es crea cr eaate t d a wi wine nee cella ellllaar with withh a cirircu wi cuula cula l r f loo oor pl p an for or tthhe fa famo moous u Chaateeauu L af afiitite wi w ne nery ry,, bbyy whi ry hich chh he unknow un know kn win ingglly la laun aunnchhedd a new ew mar a kkeet thhatt was unnttiil tthhen en com o pl p ettel elyy cl c os o ed ed to ar a ch chitititec eecc ts t . So Soon o on

af terw afte r ar ards, dss th t e de d siignnerr Jea e nn-Mi Mich c el Wililmo ch mott mo ottte crea e te ea tedd thhe ce celllar a s off Cha hate teeau a Cos o d’EEst s ou ournnel, el, el annd la lateer th t e fa f mo m uss arcchi h tectt Marrio Bot otta ta deesign si g edd the gn h cel ellars laars at Ch Chat a ea at eauu FFaaug ugér é ess in Sa S innt Emilililio Em ioon, and ion, n the equal quual a lyy fam a ou o s ppaaiirr of S Sw w wis isss is arch ar c ittects ch ec tss des ec e iggneed th thee Do Domi m nu n s cellar arss in in Calilifo Ca foorn r ia forr thhee Frreencch wi wine nem ne makeer Chhririst make ma stian st Mooue u iixx, who whho al also ssoo coom m mmi miss ssio ionned io ned them ne m for o hiss proj pr oojjecct of “refe reefe fect ctoi ct oiir” (a sm mal all,l, aus uste tere r yett ref efin i edd in buililidi bu d ng n for sto toririring ngg thee winne haarv r eesst) t) at hiis Chhat C a ea eauu Pe P trruss.

In thee las astt tw wenntyy yea ears r , itt has bec ecom om me an a innev inev evititab ablee matt te ab terr of preest stig igge for foor th thee m moost st siggnififif cant ni caantt winne gr g ow weerr s to t com ommi mm ss s io ion prom o inen om entt a ch ar c ite ittec ec ts ects t s to cr crea e te a new ea ew sym y bo b l foor th theiir wi w nnee “sstaalll ”. ”. A go g odd exa x mp mple lee is a tr trioo of th t reee me men – Belg Be lggia ian an Ba B rroon Al A bbeerrtt Fré rére ree , who has bee res, een the ow wne nerr ooff the he famou am mou o s Ch Chat atea at eau Ch ea C eval evval a Blaanc nc sin ince cee 19 1 99 98 8; hi his part parttne pa nerr an andd th t e di dirreect ctor orr of luuxu xury ryy bran br and LV an LVMH LVMH M , Fr Frenchhmeen Beern Fre rnar ardd Ar ar Arnau naaul ullt; t andd t; tthheeiir m maanagi nagi na ging ng dirrec ng ecto tor off thhee Cha h teeau a Cheeva vall Bllannc viineeya y rd r s, s, ren enow en owne wne n d wi w nnee con o su sultt an an t P errrree Lur Pi ur toon,, for or whom hoom perf peerffecc ttiion ion o mea eanss auuthen th entitici tici city t y rathe ty atthheer thhann pom o po poosi s ty si t y. In col o laabo bo-rati ra atiton witth ar arch chhitteecc t Ch Chririst s iaan de st de Poorr tz t zam amppa parc rc,, thhe eff fo fortt s an a d expe expe ex p rien riien encces off the hese see thr h ee men en r suultl ed re ed in thhe co c nssttrrucc tition on of thhe neew Chhaattea on eauu C eevvaall Bla Ch lanc n win nc inee cel ceellaars ar s wh w ich icch at attr t tr trac a te t d stro sttrong roongg medi me ddiia su supp ppporr t on the occ ccas asio as i n of thhee bui uild ldin ld inng´ ing´ gs inau in augu au gura gu raatition o thi on h s yeeaarr on th t e 9tth of o Jun une. une. e T he cr The Th crea rea eato ato torr cu cultltiv lttivat ivvat ated edd the he vinner eryy su s rr rrou ound ound ndin innggss by har armo armo m ni niou o sl ou slyy blen blen bl e di d ng the wav a y cu curv urv rves es of th es t he the viine n ryy´ss rooof wi w th th the sur u ro r uunndi ding ding n nattur u e. e. T he rooof of is gr gras assas s coove sv reed, d cre reat atin at inng an ele lega ggaant nt, no n ble blle

Wine vats

Leadder Lead Le ers Ma M ga gazi azi zine ne IV//20 20111

25.7.2011 8:48:53

Mar Ma ar qqué ué s de de Risc s al, sc a , Sp S ain

C teau Cha teaau Chev Chhev eval Bla Blaanc, c, de desig siggn, Christ Chr h ist sstia ian de Poortz rtzamp amparc am r rc

Sa tiaago Callatrr ava San a , wine wine n ccaathe ne hedra draal

yeet si s mp mple eff ffec ecc t. “I want waanntted ed it ssiimp mple le andd chi hc– nott bl no blinng bl bling””, sa s ys Porr tz tzam am mpa parc rc. rc Noot fa f r fr f om om the hhee sig ight ht of Ch Chev e al ev a Bla l nc n , ho howe weeve v r, ther th erre is i anooth t er riv ival al bei eing ngg boorrrn, n, the new w emmblem bl em m forr Cha hateeaauu Laa Do D miinniiquue,, a gre reat at vinney eyar ad ar seek se ekin ek ingg ttoo pla in l cee itselff am monng thhe mo m sstt pre rest stist igiiou o s wi w ne braand nds, ds, not o onl n y th thro rough its qu ro q al alititt y, y butt allso withh iti s new bu neew arch archhititec ar ecc ture tuur by Je J ann N uv No uvel e.

If you hap appe p n too vissit the top op win inee gr grow ower eerr s s uth so utth of the P yr y en e ee e s, s mak ake su ake sure re youu staay ov re over en gh ni g t inn cha harm rmin rm inng Ma Marqué rqqué uées eess de Ri R sccaall, w whher er e mode mo mode d rrnniitt y un unitites ess wiitth tr trad adititioon. ad n Alssoo,, do not no t no miiss m s s out ut on viisiti sit ng si ng the rea eall winee cat athe hedr d al a neaar ne arby by, an an imp m ress res sivve wo re w rk r by Sa Sant ntia nt iago ggoo Callatra atrraaat a-

va dessig igne nedd for ne for th fo thee Bo B de dega gass Ys ga Ysio ioss vi io v ne n ya y rd rds. s Thher e e, e the he connst stru ructtioon of scu culp lpptu tura raal an ral andd deelili-bera be rate ra telyy sac te a ral raal shhap apes e makkes es e it se seem em ass if it a wa al wayss bel e onnge g d to t thee suurrrrooun undi ddiing lan a ddsscaape p , neve ne veert rthe h leess he s its aut u oonnomy om my annd gr g ande andeeur an u are re c eaarlr y ex cl e pprres esse sedd. se d. T hhee entra nttraanc ncee ggiive ves an an impres pr esssi es sionn of a caath thed e ra ed rall po port rtal rt t all, an andd sy symb mboolliz mb lizzess tthhe etter erna erna nall cooex exis issteencce of iste o man an andd nat a ure urre. e. I n this th is man anne ner thhe vi v ne neya yaardd´ss own w er erss wa wanttedd to cre to reat a e ann ico at coni oni n c pl p acce noot on onlly ly for thee prooduucc ttiion and sto tora raage g of thhe Laa Rio i jaa Ala l vees vi vine ne,, but buut also al so for its sal a e, e attttra ract cttinng ne ctin n w cu c riiou o s ccuust stooomeers r s. A si simi mila mi l r viineeryy witithh a “nnew la e faacce” can an b e seen se en inn Na en Napa paa Val alle leyy inn Cal le a iffor orni n a, ni a wheree for or eexxampl am mpl p e a ssyym mbbol olic ic Opu p s One One of On offe feerss gen e er eros osiitt y

andd sw an wee eepi ping pi ngg geesstuure ress ooff arc rchi hiiteect ctur uurre inn a lar a gee s ac sp ace. e. As wi w thh the ext x er erio ioor, the ior, h pro ropo p rttioons of po thhe in inte t riror te o are wel e l th t ou o ghht th thro rooug ugh, h, andd a vis h, isii itoor ca c nn nnot ot hel elpp bu but no notitice ce how ow much ucch itt haass beeeen infflflue in u nnccedd by tthhe Fr F en ench c des esig ign. ign.

ItIt is on onlyy up to you o to ac acce ceess the cess hese s plaaces, se ces, ce s, and whhet e hheer thhe qquual a itityy of o thee vissua uall se s nssat atio ioon wi willll iinnsp s irre you yoou an andd ssaatitisf sff y yo y u as mucch ass the he quaalility t of the ty thhe wi wine, ne orr vic ne icee veers rsa. sa. a For or mysel ysel elf,f,f, I wissh you yo ou a woond nder err fu full ex expe perrien pe ence ce.. ce

By Jos osep e hD ep Drrebbit itkkkoo I česk če skýý př sk přek ekkla ladd na nale leezn z ette v el elek ektr ek tron tr r nic ické kéé verr zi zi m ga ma gazí z nu na www. zí w.leead w.le ader e smag er sm mag agaz azin az ine. in e cz e. cz

Bodegas Ysios vineyards, Spain Photos: the author’s private archive

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21.7.2011 10:10:58

synot event

IN COOPERATION WITH LEADERS MAGAZINE

The new star on the walk of fame – Jiřina Bohdalová, Actress

Synot Tip has Now Been A PATRON OF ZLÍN FILM FEST FOR THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR! This year Zlín hosted its 51st International Film Festival for Children and Youth and, as they have for the past three years, SYNOT TIP was there to lend its support.

“I am glad we have supported Zlín Film Fest also this year. Thanks to this unique event, the Zlín region can be seen across all the Europe,“ said Ivo Velenta, SYNOT Holdings founder. “100 000 children and adults from countries all over the world arrived to see different kind of films and programs.

I respect the efforts of all people connected with preparing the event.“ The Zlín Film Fest featured 244 films from 44 countries worldwide and nearly 120 accompanying events.

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From left: Dana Morávková, Actress, Petr Mikoška, CEO, SYNOT TIP, Petr Koliha, Festival Artistic Director, and Jan Čenský, Actor

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more photos and electronic version available on www.leadersmagazine.cz

21.7.2011 15:31:51

Miloš Nesvadba, Artist in auction of film clapperboards

From left: Luděk Sobota and Petr Nárožný, Actors

Martina Sáblíková, Speed-skater

The SYNOT TIP party was a highlight of the festival. Decorated in an ancient Roman style, it attracted a number of celebrities – such as Karel Gott, Lucie Vondráčková and husband Tomáš Plekanec, Josef Náhlovský, Luděk Sobota, Miroslav Donutil, and many others. Among the featured guests was hockey player Jaromír Jágr who, together with Ivo Valenta cut the first slice of the SYNOT Holdings 20th anniversary cake. But the major highlight of the festival was an accompanying SYNOT TIP program – Inline Skating with Olympic medalist Martina Sáblíková. Police stopped traffic in the busiest streets of Zlín as hundreds of skaters rolled through the city.

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From left: Ivo Valenta, Founder, SYNOT Holding and Jaromír Jágr, Ice Hockey Player, cut a birthday cake for SYNOT Holding

21.7.2011 15:32:49

PUPPET MUSEUM FLOATS ON THE WAVES OF IMAGINATION Photo: Archive

Before I begin, let me take a short trip into the ancientt history of Brno. Itt was – in fact – on Brno’s Francouzskáá street where a unnique Paleolithic male puppet of mam-moth tusk was foound. It belonged to a shaman’s gravee equipment 24 thousand years ago, and it ought to be em-phasized that it iss a real puppet, as it consists of several parts. We can sayy without exaggeration that the puppett tradition in our city dates back to prehistoric times.

So it is no wonnder that the Divadlo Radost, a profes-sional puppet theeater, has been so highly successful inn Brno for more thaan sixty years; not only children, but all generations of viewers can choose from its rich reper-toire. Divadlo Raddost is also a kind of little puppet fac-tory, as the theaater itself also produces decorations, props, costumes and puppets.

One event that we had long looked forward to was the opening of the theatres’ Puppet Museum in June. It marked the completion of a twelve-year reconstruction and extension work designed by architect Oldřich Prokeš. His work paid tribute to an ocean-liner fairytale fantasy by decorating the theater interiors with ship accents, and restructuring the entire structure into the shape of an ocean ship.

The theater started its repairs in 1999 as it celebrated its 50th anniversary. Gradually, the lobby and the stage were reshaped and an auditorium for 220 spectators was built, as well a summer stage and a new office building on Bratislavská Street. The final stage had to wait until 2010 when the courtyard, decoration stores, workshops and studios were overhauled, and the work was crowned with the Puppet Museum.

Personally, I am very proud of how the city of Brno managed to provide funding for this project. The final stage of reconstruction of the theater cost a total of 44 million Czech crowns. The project underwent a number of approval procedures, came out with an excellent rating, and was included in the Integrated Development Plan of the city of Brno. The city then filed an application for a grant from the South-East Regional Operational Program and had almost 70% of total budgeted costs covered as a result.

TRIBUTE TO “INANIMATE” ACTORS AND THEIR CREATORS AND ANIMATORS The prow-shaped wooden extension of the museum pointing to Cejl Street will provide background to a thus far inaccessible collection of puppets, which

the theater has kept in its archivves throughout its professional operation. There are almost 1,500 of the most successful puppets from moore than 220 stage productions and – with just a few exceptions – these puppets were made in the studdios between Bratislavská and Cejl Streets. The dispplay can accommodate up to three hundred individuual exhibits (which will vary) and the theater will also be able to borrow interesting puppet sets from the collections of other theaters. The massive painting on the wall of the adjacent house – created by the museeums’ visual stylist, Jaroslava Fišerová – attracts people to visit the magical world of animation. The painnting is connected with the ship by means of an interesting bridge with a movable puppet clock.

Distinguished guests, masks, danncers and musicians attended the inauguration of the Puppet Museum on June 5th. Since then, it has been open from Tuesday to Sunday from 8 a.m. (9 a.m. on weekends) to 6 p.m.

Little visitors will enjoy looking at the colorful, frolicsome puppets, while those somew what older can gain more information about how the pupppet art has evolved at Radost, and about its range of tecchniques, materials and graphic-finishing processes.

I believe that the ship of Brno puuppetry and puppet acting will attract many domestic and international passengers aboard, and I wish them all a happy cruise on the waves of pleasure and fantasy inn Brno.

By Roman Onderka I Mayorr of the City of Brno

An unusual ocean ship shape of the new building of the Puppet Museum of the Radost theatre was bestowed by the architect Oldřich Prokeš.

The Puppet time runs for fun. Dlouhý, Široký a Bystrozraký (Long, Stout and Sharp-eyed) sat on the bridge between the museum and the adjacent building.

The Mayor of the city of Brno Roman Onderka with one of the puppets. The Radost theatre stores overall about 1,500 puppets.

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Photos: Marie Schmerková

21.7.2011 10:13:42

IN COOPERATION WITH LEADERS MAGAZINE

MUZEUM LOUTEK PLUJE NA VLNÁCH FANTAZIE Hned na úvod si dovolím malý výlet ddo dávné brněnské historie. Právě v Brně na Francouzskké ulici byla totiž nalezena unikátní paleolitická mužskáá loutka z mamutího klu. Patřila k výbavě šamanovaa hrobu, starého 24 tisíc let, a je třeba zdůraznit, že jde skkutečně o loutku, neboť se skládá z více částí. S trochou naddsázky lze říci, že loutkářská tradice v našem městě sahá až do pravěku.

Není tedy divu, že už více než šedessát let se v Brně velmi daří profesionálnímu loutkovému Divadlu Radost, v jehož bohatém repertoáru si vyberouu nejen děti, ale i ostatní generace diváků. Jedná se nnavíc o takovou malou loutkovou továrničku, protože ddivadlo si samo vyrábí také dekorace, rekvizity, kostýmy a loutky.

Událostí, na niž jsme se dlouho těšili, sse letos v červnu stalo otevření Muzea loutek v areálu divadla. Byla tak dovršena jeho dvanáctiletá rekonstrukcee a dostavba dle projektu architekta Oldřicha Prokeše, jenž vzdal hold pohádkové fantazii a stylizoval areál doo tvaru zaoceánské lodě a lodními prvky ozdobil i vnitřní prostory divadla.

Opravy divadlo zahájilo současnně s oslavami 50. výročí své činnosti v roce 1999. Postupně bylo přestavěno foyer a jeviště a vybudovááno hlediště pro 220 diváků, letní scéna a nová ssprávní budova v Bratislavské ulici. Na závěrečnou, třetí etapu se čekalo až do roku 2010 – novou podobbu dostal dvorní trakt, sklady dekorací, dílny a ateliéryy a korunou díla se stalo Muzeum loutek. Osobně jsem velmi pyšný na to, jakým způsobem se městu Brnu ppodařilo zajistit

financování tohoto projektu. Třetí etapa rekonstrukce divadla přišla celkem na 44 miliónů korun. Projekt prošel celou řadou schvalovacích procedur, ze kterých vyšel s výborným hodnocením, a byl zařazen do Integrovaného plánu rozvoje města Brna. Město poté podalo žádost o dotaci z Regionálního operačního programu Jihovýchod a získalo z něj téměř 70 % celkových rozpočtových nákladů.

POCTA „NEŽIVÝM“ HERCŮM I JEJICH TVŮRCŮM A ANIMÁTORŮM Dřevěná přístavba muzea ve tvaru lodní přídě směřující do ulice Cejl poskytne zázemí dosud nepřístupné kolekci loutek, které divadlo archivuje po celou dobu své profesionální činnosti. Jedná se o téměř 1500 nejpovedenějších loutek z více než 220 inscenací. Až na výjimky vznikly loutky právě v ateliérech mezi Bratislavskou a Cejlem. Jednotlivé exponáty, kterých se do expozice vejde asi 300, se budou obměňovat a divadlo počítá také s tím, že si bude moci vypůjčit zajímavé soubory loutek i ze sbírek jiných divadel. K návštěvě kouzelného světa animace láká i rozměrná malba na zdi sousedního domu od autorky vizuálního stylu muzea Jaroslavy Fišerové. Obraz je pomocí můstku s pozoruhodným pohyblivým loutkovým orlojem spojen s lodí.

Slavnostní zahájení provozu Muzea loutek proběhlo za účasti významných hostů, masek, tanečníků a hudebníků 5. června. Od té doby je přístupné od úterka do neděle, vždy od 8 (o víkendu od 9 hodin) do 18 hodin.

Malí návštěvníci se tu potěší pohledem na pestré

Night castle celebration

veseléé loutky, ti větší mohou navíc načerrpat informace o tom,, jak se loutkářské umění v Radostti vyvíjí a jakou šíří technik, použitých materiálů a výtvaarného zpracování oplývá.

Věřím, že vlajková loď brněnského louttkářství a loutkohereectví přiláká na svou palubu mnooho domácích i zahraaničních pasažérů, a všem jim přeji veselou plavbu na vlnáách brněnské radosti a fantazie.

Roman Onderka I primátor statutárníhho města Brna The Puppet Museum was inaugurated on June 5th, the normal operation was launched on June 7th.

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21.7.2011 10:15:35

THE COMPETITION BUILDING of the year took place again in the Moravian-Silesian Region Photos: Archive

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seecu curirity ty eleeme ment ntt s of o the h res escu cuue sy cue syst stem st em into to on o e pl plac acce and itt s te an and t chhno nolo logi lo g ccaal su gi supp ppor pp ortt iss onl or nly pooss ssib ibble ible le tha h nk nkss too som met ethi hing hi ng tha hatt coomees bo both t fro th rom m th thee wo w rlrldd of o higghh teech c equ quip ip m meent n andd dream reeam ms. s As fo for or th t e sttruuctur cttur u al al asspe pect cctt, thhe au a th thor o s maanaage or g d too gett ridd of an imp m errfect fe ect c io ionn of the cititys ysca ys c ppee: thhe skel ca skkel e et eton on of thhe fo form rm merr M TAA bui ME u lddinng th that at hadd never ever ev er bee eenn ap a pr prov oved edd (wh w ic i h they th e app ey p ro ropr pria pr iaate tely lyy adj d us uste tteed an a d exx te t nd nded e ) an ed andd thheyy tran tr ansf sfor sf o meed thhe obbje or ject ect witth co comp m lete tely lyy diff fe f re r nt proopoort rtio ions nss and f inniisshed iti witithh a diffferen ent,t,t invven entititve arrchhititec ecto toni nica icaal im impr p ession fitt for o the he slo lopi p ngg pro pi rofifle of thhe site te.. Trrad a ititioonaally, the hig ighest num u be b r ooff bui u ld ldings was re regi gist ster erred in thee cate tego gory of Ci Civi vicc AAm menityy Consstr t ucc tions andd thus u the h Pan anel decciddedd to di divi viide d thhis catteg egorr y into t woo ind n ep nd epen ende d nt cat ateg egor orrie ies: s: new buuilildingss an a d recons n truction ons, and to awar ardd thhe ma main main p ize as well as certifica pr cates off mer erititt. Th T er e e were alsoo many ma ny res esid idenntit al a houusees re regi gistered in the competigi tition, wh w icch prov prov pr oves the interest of developers in the rreegi g on. “We, as one of the organizers of the competition, are pleased that the buildings that the Pa Panel awards at the regional level also succeed inn the naatition o al on al coom mpe petititition on,” on , sta tate tedd Pa te P ve vell Še Ševč včík, íkk, th t e Ch Chaaiirr maan of the h Reg egio iona io nall Co na Coun unci un cill of the Ass ci ssoc ocia oc iatitition ia o of on Builildi Bu ildi ding ng Ent ng ntre treepr pren eneu en eurs eu rss rs.

Andd wh An what at otherr prizes were awarddeedd?

Jaaroslavv Palas I Pressident of the Moraviann-SSilesiann Region The Expert Panel also awarded the Prize for Urbanism: to the residential house in the centre of Ostrava called Ostrava City Gate.

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21.7.2011 10:16:19

IN COOPERATION WITH LEADERS MAGAZINE

V MORAVSKOSLEZSKÉM KRAJI

proběhl pátý jubilejní ročník soutěže Stavba roku 2010 V červnu letošního roku proběhl již jubilejní pátý roočn č íkk soutěěže Sta tavba Moravskoslezského kraje 2 10, 20 10 0, ktterr ý za zazn znnam a ennal a rekordní počet účastníků.

Doo souutě těže žee se přř ihhláási silo loo celkem čtyřicet staveb v kaate tego goriríc go í h By Bytovéé dom my, Roddiinnnnéé dom o y, Stavby o ča ob čans n ké v yb ns ybav a en av enos osstii, D Doopr p av a ní n , inže innže žený nýýrs rské k ké a vo vodo d ho do hosp s oddář sp ářsk skéé st sk stav avby av b a Průůmy by mysl ssllov ovéé st stav avby av byy.

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Na stanovení podmíne neek soutěže a na sam motnéé organizaci se poddílel S Svvaz podnikatelů ve staaveb-nictví, Česká koomoraa autorizovaných inžeenýýrůů

a techniků, Obec architektů a Moravskoslezský kraj. Předsedou odborné poroty je Milan Balabán. „Dovedu si přestavit, jak těžké bylo z množství přihlášených staveb vybrat architektonicky a uživatelsky nejlepší projekt, řekl v úvodu slavnostního vyhlášen e í výsledků hejtman kraje Jaroslav Palas a do d da dal:l:l „ Js Jsm obklope Jsme p ní nejrůznějšími stavbami a ur urči čitě či tě mno nohé našee ob obččany zajímá, kdo je postavil a k če čemu muu sloouž uží.í “ Inte In tegr grrov ovan a é be an bezp zppeč ečno noost stní n ceenntr ní trum um m Mor o av a skoslez sl e skéého ez h kraaje je,, kt kter eré na er n ko kone one necc zvvítí ěz ězililo, illo, o je stav stt av avba b ba svou sv ouu fun unkc kcí naaprrossto ojeedi kc dině nněělá l u náss i ve sv svět ě ěě.. ět Inte In teegrrac a e vš všec e h be ec bezp zppeččno nosttní n ch c slo l že ž k zách záách chra ranra nn ho né h sysstéémuu do je j dn dnoh o o mí oh míst s a a je st jeho hoo tec e hn hnol o o-ol gick gi ckká po cká p dppor oraa jee mož o ná n jen díky íkk y ně n če č mu mu,, co je z říříše še hig i h te tech chh a snůů sou ouča časn s ě. Po st sn s av avba bařs ba ř kéé řs sttránc rááncce se se aut utor orůům poddař ařililoo jeednnak ods dstr ttrran anititt jis istý týý kaz ka a naa t vá váři áři měs ěsta t a Ostra ta sttraavy v y, kd když yžž v yu yuži žilili nik ži ikdy dy nez ez-k la ko l ud udov ovan ov anýý sk an skel elet leett bývvallé MEE TY T (te t n ovvše šem m náále nále leži ž tě upr ži p avvili ili a naadssta tavi vviili ilili),), a obj bjek ektt o na ek napr pros pr pros osto t to jijiný nýýchh pro ropo p rc rcíc ícch a s jijiný nýým ná ným nápa ppaadi ditý týým vnněj ější ším ší m ar ar-chitittek ch ekto toni to n cckk ým ni m v ýr ýraz a em az m dot otvo vořiřili pro sva vo v žuujíjící cí prof pr off il sta t avveeni tave n šttě. ě Již traadiičn čně je je nej ejvy v šš vy š šíí po poče čett če přihlášený nnýých c sta t ve v b v kaate tego goriririii St Stav avby av byy obč bčan a ské an skké vybaveno nnoost s i a pr p ot o o ssee porot o a le leto toss po to popr prvé pr véé rozhodlaa tut utoo ka kate tteeego g rir i ro go r zd zdělit na dv d ě sa s moost stat a néé at kategoriie a to to noovvos osta tavb ta vbby a re reko k nsstr ko truk uukkcee a t yt yo podkateg egor eg o ie i oce ceni nitt hhllav ni avní n cen ní enou en o a čes ou e tným mi

The h Pr he Prize izze off thhe Presside ize ident ntt ooff the M Moorav r ian ra an-Si -Si S les lesian ian ia an Regio Reegio gionn is is awa w rde rd d ever v y year ear:: this ye y ar, it we went nt too the nt t re recon constr con struct str uction uct uc ion of of th ra the r adio dio-th -thera erapeu era peutic peu ticc cl c ini innics c s of cs of tthe he Os O tra trr ava vaa Un Un ver Uni ersit s y Hosp si sit ospita ita tall

uzzná náníími mi. Po P če četn tnéé za tn zast sttoouupe pení n v souutě ní t ži ž mělly ttaaké k byto by tovéé dom to my, coožž svvěědč dčíí o zř z ej em méém zájm záájm jmuu de d vee loope p rrůů o ten ento to reg e ioon. n „Ve V lm mi náás,, jaakko vy v hhllaš ašoovate va t lee sou o tě t že těš ěší,í, že st s avvby by,, ktter e é po p roota t oceeníí na kra rajs jsskéé úrovn roovvnni, maj a í taaké úsp spěc ěchh v celo ěc ceeloostát st át st á níí sout so uttěž ě i““, uvveddl Pa Pave vell Še ve Š vč včík ík, přřed edse s da se d K raajsskkéé rady ra dy Sva v zu z podni oddni nika kate ka teelůů ve st telů stav aveb ebbniicctt ví ví..

A ja jaké ké byl y y ud u ěl ělen enyy da en dalš lší ceeny lš n ?

Jaro Ja rosl ro slav avv Pal alas as I hejt he jtma jt mann Mo ma Mora ravs ra vsskosl kosl ko s ez ezsk skéh sk éhoo kr éh kraj ajee aj The Integrated Security Centre of the MoravianSilesian Region, which was also awarded the GRAND PRIX prize, won in the category of New Buildings. GRAND PRIX is awarded to the best construction among the winners of the individual categories.

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interview

Petr Kajnar, Mayor of the city of Ostrava Photo: Petr Kajnar´s archive

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An interview with Petr Kajnar, Mayor of the city of Ostrava

Ostrava’s Got Future Petr Kajnar (1956) is serving his second term as the Mayor of the city of Ostrava. Prior to winning the seat after the 2006 municipal election, thanks to a deal with the then winning Civic Democrats, he held the position of Deputy Mayor of investments for 4 years. He graduated from the Technical University Brno in technical cybernetics. After 1989 Petr Kajnar worked for Severomoravská energetika and Ostravské vodárny a kanalizace. He signed Charter 77 and belonged among the co-founders of the Civic forum (OF) in Ostrava in November 1989. He joined the Czech Social Democratic Partyy (ČSS (Č SSD) D) in 19 1997 97. Petr Kajnar j is a member of Mr. Sobotka’s new shadow cabinet where he holds the shadow Ministry of Industry and Trade.

You signed Charter 77 decades ago. In recent years you succeeded in climbing to the top levels of the Czech Social Democrats, becoming a shadow Minister of Industry and Trade. You are not a prototype of current Czech social democratic politicians...

I do not think so. A number of members of the Social Democracy openly fought the Communist regime A number of them were imprisoned for regime. the ideas they stood for in the 1950’s. Some were prosecuted in connection with Milada Horáková’s process, and some in the politically constructed processes that followed. Opinions that people fight for in the times of crisis usually represent their personal philosophy rather than any right-left political affiliation. I bet that today you would still find many of those who represent conservative right-wing values and ideas, and who have collaborated with the Communist regime in the past decades.

Have you personally observed any difference in the way you perceive your political mission, and how politics is viewed by your party colleagues, who are often a generation younger and who left the university theatres or even high school for politics?

My belief is that one should first gain practical experience in normal life from non-political surroundings. Such experience gives you the ability to for orm m a ce cert rtai ainn de deta tach ched ed vie iew w. How owev ever er, I do know a number of young people who work very hard and I can sayy that theyy outclass their older and more experienced colleagues.

You are serving a third term in a high position in municipal politics. You have recently become a member of the shadow cabinet. Is this a sign that it has come time to leave the municipal level?

Personally I do not separate state politics from municipal or regional politics. We pay a lot of attention and effort to promoting education, science and research for instance. We succeeded in tempting a lot of foreign businesses to come here he re, in inve vest st the heirir mon oney ey and give jobbs to our people. We are introducing a system of electronic purchasing which has already verifiably saved

us tens of millions of Czech crowns. Identiccal policies and steps are required for the Czech Republic.

Shadow cabinet projects in our politics have never reached a comparable status and seriousness to shadow cabinets in Great Britain, where the bipartisan political system implies that a shadow membership is a real and serious preparation for a ministry seat. How do you perceive the greenhorn shadow cabinet in our political tradition?

Great Britain has a much longer and uninterrupted democratic tradition than we do. The shadow cabinet thing is relatively new to us, however, as with any other position or occupation, you can judge anybody on whether they are competent or not for a ministry position. I do personally value real executed work to anything else. By this I am referring to what the man in question has managed to pass through in Parliament or municipal politics. This helps to form a certain opinion.

Is it still fair to speak of “Black Ostrava”?

It is both fair and unfair. Certainly it is still deeply rooted in the mind-set of the majority of Czech people. For more than a century, Ostrava was a proud centre of the metallurgy and mining industries. A certain negative image attached to it still remains in the heads of many people.

However, anybody visiting the city today is very much mu ch sur urpr pris ised ed. Osttrava as our fath thers andd grandfathers remembered it is long gone. The p es pr esen e t ci city ty has tra rans nsfo form rmed ed its tsel elff in into to a new model of industry and production. Education, science and research flourish in Ostrava.

In the past, you sometimes spoke of handicaps that Ostrava had to deal with in comparison to other big Czech cities. What significant handicaps did you have in mind?

Besides the already mentioned handicap of a damaged image, I have to mention the necessity of improving Ostrava’s climate and key infrastructure investments which are needed for the city’s growth. For quite some time the city has lackkedd ellectricity. i Despite keen investors’ interest it has been impossible to build new major production plants in the area due to the lack of

electr elec tric icitity. y. Thu huss th thee ci city ty’ss dev evel elop opme ment nt has bee eenn strangulated.

We also have to fight the problem of foreign language competence of the working population.

We are enhancing language courses in an attempt to tackle the problem, however this is more of a national issue than exclusively Ostrava’s.

Ok, there are certain handicaps that you have to struggle with. But on the other hand, does Ostrava have any competitive advantages that make your city more attractive to other Czech towns and regions?

First of all, I would stress our outstanding cooperation among private businesses, university and research institutions, and local governments and municipalities. Even though we were not obliged to invest in education, Ostrava city invested hundreds of millions of crowns into university education and science. The first outcomes can already be seen. We offer investors prime industrial areas with excellent connections to road and rail infrastructure, not only to other Czech regions, but also with Poland and Slovakia. Ostrava has top-class holiday opportunities in the Jeseníky and Beskydy mountains just behind the city frontiers, which people may not be aware of.

It is obvious to see what Ostrava stood for in the past, and where the history and identity of the city comes from. What should be the future? What should Ostrava be known for in the decades to come?

Ostr Os trav avaa wi willll bec ecom omee an ind ndus ustr tria iall hu hubb bo boas astiting ng state of the art technologies. Nowadays you can find a number of companies producing and creatiting ng sof oftw twar aree fo forr mo most st of th thee le lead adin ingg co companiies in the IT and telecommunication sectors. Close cooperation among research and university institutions, industry and local municipalities will be a common thing. One thing is certain. Ostrava has got future.

By Filip Hubáček I

český překlad naleznete v elektronické verzi magazínu na www.leadersmagazine.cz

Lead Le ader erss Ma Maga gazi zine ine IV IV/2 V/201 011

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EU matters event

“Belgium belongs to the most interesting sites in Europe, taking into account its cultural, political and economical development. It has been my great pleasure to serve in Belgium for the past five years.”

From left: Karolína Brennerová, Head of Brussels office of the Pardubice Region, Mrs. Müllerová, and H.E. Vladimír Müller, Ambassador to Belgium

H.E. Vladimír Müller Czech Ambassador in Belgium

IN COOPERATION WITH LEADERS MAGAZINE

FAREWELL RECEPTION OF H.E. VLADIMÍR MÜLLER, CZECH AMBASSADOR IN BELGIUM

From left: Jean-Pierre Lothe, Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic in Namur, H. E. Vladimír Müller, Ambassador to Belgium, and Serge Mantovani, Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic in Liège

From left: Paul Van den Bempt, Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic in Antwerpen and H.E. Vladimír Müller, Ambassador to Belgium

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H.E. Vladimír Müller, Ambassador to Belgium and Karolína Brennerová, Head of Brussels office of the Pardubice Region

more photos and electronic version available on www.leadersmagazine.cz

Mrs Müllerová and colleagues from the consular section of the Embassy

21.7.2011 10:18:40

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LEADERS MAGAZINE

DEBATE ON WORKING in the Entire EU without Permit The Confederation of’ Employers and Entrepreneurs’ Associations of the Czech Republic in cooperation with CEBRE – Czech Business Representation to the EU – organized a debate with wi th the Rep epre rese sent ntat atio ionn of the Eur urop opea eann Co Comm mission in the Czech Republic and the Information office of the European Parliament ment in the t C Czech z Republic on “Working in the entire EU w without permit” on May 17th in Prague. e. Participants Participa discussed the full openingg of the German Germ and Austrian labour market ket for Czech citizens. citizens They agreed that mobility was a valuable valua opportunity for obtaining qualification and exchanging work experience. They agreed that at the provisional periodss im od impo pose sedd by Aus ustr tria ia and Ger erma many ny tha hatt ca came me to a final end by the end of May 2011 were not justified. However, the opening of the internal labour market itself does not guarantee that a person will get a job abroad. The knowledge of languages is crucial ucia as well as being prepared for each interview..

From left: Pavla Břečková, Head of Management Department of the University of Finance and Administration, Věra Kolmerová, Head of Foreign Employment Department of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, and Alena Vlačihová, Deputy Director of CEBRE

From left: Radomír Šimek, President of the Czech-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Pavel Janíčko, Adviser of Socio-Economic Department of the Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions, Pavla Břečková, Head of Management Department of the University of Finance and Administration, and Věra Kolmerová, Head of Foreign Employment Department of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs

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BUSINESS NEWS J

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DID YOU KNOW THAT… …the European Commission proposes a revision of energy tax?

The European Commission published its proposal for smarter energy tax. Through this proposal, the Commission explains and defends a need to revise the taxation of its energy directive in order to achieve the goals of EU20 EU 2020 20. Su Sust stai aina nabl blee gr grow owth th wililll st stim imul ulat atee th thee ec econ onom omyy by establishing equitable conditions for businesses while assisting both the environment and job ob creation. creatio It is ccited that 79 % of greenhouse gas emissions ions are the re result of energy consumption. Currently, coal al enjoys fuels’ fuels lowest tax. The Commission proposal re-groups e-groups various vario fuelling charges and sets a framewo mework for CO2 taxa xation. The proposal enables EU Member States to achieve achiev their commitments more cost-effectiveely. h t t p : // w w w . c e b r e . c z /c z /a r c h i v - z p r a v/ zprava-4903/ …a public consultation on bio-based economy for Europe has been launched?

The European Commission has opened a public consultation on the future potential of a European economy based on environmentally friendly goods and energy. Aside from m asking ques questions about the effectiveness of resources, ource , the public pu consultation is looking at the potential ntial of a bi bbio-economy to support innovation and solve lve social problems. prob Target groups of this consultationn are those directly oor indirectly linked to the bio-basedd economic sector – representatives rep of public auth au t or orittiees, bus usineesses ses, es, ass ssoc ociaatiton ons, s, aca cade demics cs andd technical experts,, civil civ society organizations, and individual citizens. The consultation c is part of flagship initiative within EU2020 that is focused on innovation and energy efficiency in Europe. h t t p : // w w w . c e b r e . c z /c z /a r c h i v - z p r a v/ zprava-4908/ …SMEs need political support?

During the “Mobilization of SMEs for fo the Future of Europe” conference held eld in Hungary, Zoltán Cséfalvay, the Hungarian Ministerr for National Economy, claimed c that European companies face a wi wide range of problems.

Thes esee pr prob obleems inc ncluude de:: ac acce acc cess ss to fina nanc nce, e, ext xtre reme me administrative burden, insufficient uf permanent access to the Single Market, and a delay in innovation. SMEs lack political support – not only in Member States, but also at the EU level. The Hungarian President strongly defended the initiative of the Commission to appoint “Ambassadors of SMEs” or “SME Envoys” in all Member States. A 2010 EUROSTAT survey reported that SMEs represent 99.8 % of the more than 20.2 million companies in the EU. http://www.eu2011.hu/news/smes-need-politicalsupport …a new roadmap for the energy market was agreed?

On Mayy 26th the Europe p an Parliament Committee on Industry, Research and Energy agreed on a new roadmap for integrity and transparency in the European energy market. The proposal would prevent manipulation and abuse in the wholesale energy market, which could lead to an increase in the price of energy for the consumer.

The Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) will collect and supervise energy transactions

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and ndd help help to enforce any new rules. Collected information will be turned oover verr to ve t tthe national authority for investigation and nd ver verification. MEPs agreed on the Commission’s proposal, osal, but called for key changes, such as harmonization ioo of sanctions in Member States or establishing registers. The Council will discuss the proposal, and a plenary session of European Parliament is expected to follow in September. http://www.europarl.europa.eu/cs/pressroom/ content/20110526IPR20272/html/Energy-markettransparency-minimum-penalties-and-clearer-rules …European industry is calling for a reassessment of the Customs strategy?

Representatives of European industries urged the European Commission to review the provisions of a revised Customs tariff. Industry representatives maintain that adopting the proposed changes would distort trade and undermine recovery efforts in the EU. The Commission is currentlyy pr p epparingg a new pr p ovision to be impl p emented,, proposing the abolition of the appraisement of goods that are sold through a complex supply chain. The Commission also intends to extend licence fees on duties. The current proposal would increase customs expenditures, which would then increase prices on a wide range of goods imported to the EU. European SMEs are set to absorb the greatest impact. Representatives of European industry are calling for an overall simplification of the current Customs system. They believe that the Commission should focus on developing principles and guidelines to help Member States and Customs authorities assess the documentation needed for prooff off declared Customs value. h t t p : // w w w . c e b r e . c z /c z /a r c h i v - z p r a v/ zprava-4964/

LET’S TALK NUMBERS € 17 million for Ukraine The European Commission approved additional financial assistance to Ukraine totalling €17 million, considering €12 million has already been paid off under the Community Based Approach. The overalll objective o of this programme is to support sustainable socio-economic cio-eco omi micc development at a local level by strengthening ng governmen government participation rttic icip ipat n an andd co comm mmun unitityy ba base sedd in inititia tiatives. iat A furt r th ther er €17 millio llion will help develop local micro micro-projects ro cts, especially lly in the areas of energyy efficiency, health, water supply andd the environment. This financial ncial assistance confirms onfirms the interest of the EU in building ing co-operation with the Ukrainian authorities. http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?re ference=IP/11/670&format=HTML&aged=0&languag e=EN&guiLanguage=en € 450 million for Ukrainian roads The European Investment Bank (EIB) will provide Ukraine with loan of €450 million – the largest for the Euro Eu rope pean an Par artn tner ersh ship ip Cou ount ntriries es – to im impr prov ovee th thee Ukrainian road network. Specifically, the EIB funds will rehabilitate 350 kms of crucial European and national transport corridors leading from Kiev, such as the DresdeKatowice-Lviv-Kiev route, or the Moscow-Kiev-Odessa corridor. http://europa.eu/rapid/showInformation.do?pageN ame=recentPressReleases&guiLanguage=cs

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28 million more passengers every year On May 30th the European Commission published a study regarding the efficiency of current take-off and landing slot allocations at airports. The study shows that a revision of some regulations in the EU’s busiest airports could yield more than €5 billion between 2012 and 2025. It is predicted that the revised regulations will allow an additional 28 million passengers to travel by air every year. The European Commission is preparing to tackle this issue in the fall. http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?re ference=IP/11/659&format=HTML&aged=0&languag e=EN&guiLanguage=e

EU IN THE WORLD Strengthening of EU-Japan relations On May 28th, Brussels hosted the 20th EU-Japan Summit. Representatives of both the EU and Japan met to discuss further strengthening their close partnership.

They Th ey agr gree eedd to beg egin in a par aral alle lell “ssco copi ping ng exe xerc rcis ise” e to explore the possibility of starting negotiations regarding the Free Trade and Economic Partnership agreements, tariffs and non-tariff measures, services, investment ment, Intellectual Property Rights, competition and public procurement, as well as a binding agreement on political, global, and sector cooperation with respect to shared values and principles. The EU and Japan will jointly support establishing peace in the Middle East, through the economic and social development of the Palestinian people and/or continuing to provide security, reintegration, and development assistance in Afghanistan. http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?re /pressReleasesA ference=MEMO/11/357&format=HTML&aged=0&lan &format=HTML guage=EN&guiLanguage==en Customs Union between EU and the East Late last month, nth, the participants of the European Business Summit in Brussels agreed tthat a Customs union between the EU and Ukraine could be created within 15 years. Ukraine’s e’s priority is to sign an associate agreement with EU th this year. In the framework of the European Business Summit, a representative of the Russian government said that Russia shared European values and supports the strengthening of common relations. However, Russia does not want to be too close to the European Union, despite the fact that relations with the EU are a key priority. The Russian government will continue its endeavour to abolish visa requirements, conclude Free Trade Agreements, and open a Customs union. h t t p : // w w w . c e b r e . c z /c z /a r c h i v - z p r a v/ zprava-4949/ I

Brought by CEBRE – Czech Business Representation to the EU (kindly supported by CzechTrade), www.cebre.cz

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21.7.2011 10:21:09

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LEADERS MAGAZINE

ČSÚZ

The Czechoslovak Foreign Institute HELPS TO MODERNISE TEACHING CZECH ABROAD We can hardly live withhout computers nowathem, and four have modern equipment from days. They accompany us in almost all spheres the Institute. of intellectual work, inccluding the teaching of Teaching programmes in computer technoforeign languages. The Czechoslovak Foreign logy, textbooks and publications were first sent Institute – part of whosee programme is to supto Lvov and Kiev. The administration of the port improving Czech innstruction abroad – is University in Lvov expressed special thanks to fully aware of that facct, and systematically the Czechoslovak Foreign Institute chairman, ensures modern techniqques for fellow Czechs’ Jaromír Šlápota, and the vice-chairman, Ivo schools and other instittutions where Czech is Valenta. being taught abroad.

In 2003, the Czechoslovak Foreign Institute “In Czech schools abrroad we always have to began cooperation with St. Petersburg Univerbe a step ahead of local schools. Our pupils sity (a prestigious Russian university with high usually come from mixeed marriages, and pacredentials, especially in the field of humanirents have to decide which school to send their ties). Czechoslovak Foreign Institute members child to give him or her tthe best education. We Petr Eisler and Miroslav Langr, gave the equipcan see that even educaation cannot be without ment for a computer and audio-visual classroom informatics. And since wee want Czech schools to at a value of about 500,000 Czech crowns. The remain Czech, we always ask for some technical festive opening of that classroom was a special improvement,” says Lenka Janotová, chairman treat for students. But of course, technological of the Czech Club (Croatiia) and Czech fellow for development continues, and new devices that schools (Daruvar area). The same opinion is make working and reading easier are always shared by a mayor of the school club Komenský, being developed. And so the department of administrator of a Czech school in Vienna.

Slavic studies of St. Petersburg University asked The Czechoslovak Foreeign Institute has been the Czechoslovak Foreign Institute for help cooperating with both scchools for many years, again this year. So Petr Eisler completed a new and thanks to this coopeeration the Institute has package for students this year – a computer gained a dozen computerrs, printers, notebooks, with a processor, multifunctional laser print interactive blackboards and supPhoto from Minsk: Students in Minsk like to use an interactive blackboard port panels with modern educational programmes in Czech C with more than 3.5 millions Czech crowns over the last five yyears.

Czech is taught in a number of European universities. The Czechoslovak Foreign Institute began cooperation with five oof them in Kiev, Lvov, Minsk, Moscoow and St. Petersburg. The Institutes’ projects have been directed to thhem in the past five years.

The Czechoslovak Forreign Institute started contactingg universities in the last decade. Thhe Institute has been energized by feellow countrymen or by Czech diploomats. The Czechoslovak Foreign Insstitute has a cooperation agreemennt with the Ivan Frank University in Lvov, L Taras Ševčenko University in Kiev, St. Petersburg State Univerrsity, Moscow State Institute of international relations and the Belorussian State University in M Minsk. The Czech language is taughht in all of

with a quantity of toners and notebooks with Wi-fi.

Equipment for the Czech studies office with a modern technique – a system of electromagnetic interactive blackboard with projector, computer, laser colour and multifunctional printer for about 100 000 Czech crowns – has been given to the Belorussian State University in Minsk. Cooperation with Minsk University started a year and half ago.

The Czech diplomats working in Belorussia who knew the needs of the Philology Faculty, the only one in Belorussia where Czech has been taught since 1996, informed the Czechoslovak Foreign Institute and asked it to do something for Czech studies in Belorussia.

This resulted in the opening of the Faculty cooperation, and a new cabinet for thirty students in Minsk. According to the local press, this cabinet is the most modern in the area.

The work of the Czechoslovak Foreign Institute gives some guarantee that there will not be a lack of Czech scholars and, at the same time, friends of the Czech Republic willing to cooperate with it in the future.

HEBR I Photo: Archive

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IN COOPERATION WITH LEADERS MAGAZINE

TH

OPENING OF THE 54

Bienalle di Venezia After 116 years of existence, the Biennale di Venezia is still the force that shakes the art world. From June 4th to November 27th the lagoon of Venice is hosting the biggest international art event in the world that takes place every two years. The exhibition itself, spreading over tens of thousands of square metres t between the Giardini and the Arsenale, is complemented by very many collateral events, including the brand new Prada Foundation in Ca’Corner and the opening of many other private exhibitions that are competing with each other to attract the eyes of the world’s art experts and world’s richest patrons. At the beginning of June, time of the Biennale vernissage, you could spot Abramovich’s 377 feet behemoth Luna, moored at one of the city’s most stunning lagoon locations. You could see Elton John and Naomi Campbell, Israel’s president Shimon Peres and Leonardo Di Caprio ducking in and out of the 89 international pavilions. In fact, this is the number of countries which have set upp their own pavilions in the Giardini, not a long walk from Piazza San Marco.

GIARDINI The most prominent events and exhibitions at the Biennale take place in the Public Gardens (Giardini).

This is where the main exhibition is held, this year titled ILLUMInations, featuring 83 artists including painters, sculptors, and performance artists from around the world... At the entrance of the Central Pavilion you are taken by the three large canvases

by Tintoretto, one of the most experimental artists in thee hi th hist stor oryy of Ita talilian an art rt. As Bic icee Cu Curirige gerr, the cur urat ator or of the International Exhibition, stated: “these paintings exert a special appeal today with their almost febr fe brililee, ecs csta tatiticc liligh ghtiting ng and a nea earr re reck ckle less ss app ppro roac achh to composition that overturns the well-defined, classical order of the Renaissance. The works will play a prominent role in establishing an artistic, historical and emotional relationship to the local context.” This interesting link between the old and the new, between antique and contemporary art is at the heart of the

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Multicolour puppet: “Contamination” by Joana Vasconcelos (Palazzo Grassi)

Biennale and you can also notice it at the special exhibition in Palazzo Fortuny, definitely a show not to be mi miss ssed ed and witithh pe peop ople le que ueui uing ng for allmostt two hours to get into the door during the days of the Biennale opening.

The International exhibition is paralleled by the 89 National Participations, a record for the Art Biennale (they were 77 in 2009), housed in the historical Pavilions in the Giardini, in the Arsenale,, as well as in

other locations around the city. The Czechs this year are being represented by Dominik Lang’s project, The Sleepiingg Citity, whhere he revisits his father’s sculptural Sl work during the communist times and giving it a new contemporary form, tearing it out from its historical context. Of the other pavilions, the most vivid one is the American, created by Jennifer Allora and Guillermo Calzadilla, titled Gloria. It creates a shock: comb co mbin inin ingg mi mililita tary ry,, re reliligi giou ouss, com omme merc rcia iall an andd Ol Olym ym--

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pic themes in an ironic setup. Before entering the exhibition you walk in front of a massive 60-ton overturned mililita mi tary ry tan ankk th that at has bee eenn co conv nver erte tedd by mountitingg on top a functional treadmill where an athlete runs activating the whole tank heavy clanging mechanism.

Once inside, you notice a functional ATM machine inserted in a 20-foot organ which plays music replacing a typical organ keyboard, followed by a business class airline seat which an athlete uses to perform its gymnastics routine. Not far from here, the Japanese pavilion has an aura of mystery. As you enter in total darkness, you suddenly find yourself in a 360 degree surreal animated world. The space for the installation is equipped with holes in the center of the ceiling and the floor that allow wind and rain to enter the structure.

Also to be seen are the German Pavilion “A Church of Fear Fe ar vs th thee Al Alie ienn wi with thin in”, whe here re the art rtis istt re reco cons nstr truc ucts ts the church of his childhood scrutinized from the perspective of his painful experience through suffering and death and finally the Israeli pavilion named: “One man’s floor is another man’s feeling”.

ARSENALE A short distance from the Giardini is the Arsenale, the largest pre-industrial production center of the world. This is where from the 13th centuryy the largest g workforce in Europe was building the most sophisticated ships of its times, securing Venetian domination on the Mediterranean for many centuries. Just the complex in its own right (the Corderie building is 316 meters long and seven meters high) is worth the effort to come here.

The area hosts the Padiglione Italia which this year is curated by one of Italy’s most controversial art critics: Vittorio Sgarbi, and titled “Art is not Cosa Nostra” playing on the different interpretation of these words. Sgarbi, in fact has been accusing the art world to be under the strong influence of the commercial, political and fashion establishments That’s why he invited 200 intellectuals to choose 200 artists to show that art should be reachable by anybody. The result however is the sprawling randomness off a flea fl market k t where h some off th the chosen h artists refused to participate.

Another interesting section of the Arsenale is the

Track and Field, 2011 Allora & Calzadilla Centurian MK3 tank, motor, treadmill, runners

exhibition ‘Accademie’ where the art academies show the new upp andd co comi ming ng t al alen ent.t. It is rea eallllyy a breath of fresh air with many interesting, innovative and not so heavy and pretentious installations being displayed. Next to this, another well known Czech artist of Argentinean origin, artist, origin Federico Diaz is on show. show His “Outside Itself”, displayed under an enormous warehouse, is a sculpture shaped by the visiting public and assembled by robotic devices.

THE OTHER LOCATIONS While the Biennale is the core, many more special exhibitions are competing to attract visitors’ interests in other locations around the city. Prada has opened its own spaces on the Canal Grande in Ca’Corner. The Prada Foundation has renovated a grandiose palazzo, housing some dramatically scaled pieces, from Anish Kapoor to Jeff Koons and exhibiting art from Damian Hirst and Maurizio Cattelan. This follows the trend launched by François Pinault, owner of luxury brands Gucci and Printemps, to take over large historical spaces to house its own contemporary art exhibition.

This modern Thi d dday M Maecenas iis one off th the world’s ld’ greatest contemporary art collectors and has acquired Palazzo Grassi in 2005 on the Canal Grande

Jacopo Robusti detto Tintoretto La creazione degli animali (The Creation of the Animals) 1550–1553, Gallerie dell’Accademia, Venezia. Courtesy of Ministero per i Beni e le Attività Culturali (MIBAC)

Anish Kapoor

Photos: Marco Sipione

and the old Customs Warehouses in Punta della Dogana at the entrance of the Venice lagoon right in front of San Marco in 2007 to host the most well known pieces in his ownership. The current exhibition in Palazzo Grassi is “The world belongs to you”: at the h entrance on the inside court, you are immediately fascinated by Joana Vasconcelos’ huge, sprawling, colourful and garish creature called “Contamination” made of hand-knitted wool and fabric that spreads through the public space and reaches up to the ceililiingg off three f loors.

Unofficial shows and performances take place all over town during the Biennale, especially between mid-June and mid-July. Not to be missed are also the Correr Mus useu eum in Piaazz zzaa Sa Sann Ma Marc rcoo ho host stin ingg th thee vi visionary artist Julian Schnabel’s gigantic paintings and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection’s tribute to art dealer and colleector Ile lean anaa So Sonn nnab aben endd wh who, o, tog oget ethe herr with husband Leo Castelli, launched many of the best known contemporary artist on the world scene.

By Marco Sipione I český překlad naleznete v elektronické verzi maga ma gazí zínu nu na ww www w.le lead ader ersm smag agaz azin inee.cz cz

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running for art Presented by: MIRO Gallery and the Trebbia Foundation, in cooperation with the Prague International Marathon (PIM) and Strahov Monastic Brewery.

Distance is 3365 m.

The Miroton was opened by popular Czech singer, Helena Vondráčková

Approximately 150 friends of sports and culture took part this year

RUNNING FOR ART

th

11 Annual Miroton

From left: Alena Miro, Soprano, Soloist, State Opera Prague, Jadran Šetlík, famous Art Photographer, Sofia Mia Šetlíková, daughter of Jadran, Helena Vondráčková, Singer, Helen Silvan, famous Fortune-Teller, TV Nova, and Miro Smolák, Founder and Main Organizer of Miroton

From left: Marián Hodoš, Art Collector, PhDr. Jozef Gáfrik, Journalist, Hospodářské noviny Bratislava, and Juraj Rácz, General Editor, Slovenské Korene Leoš Svárovský, Conductor, with his wife Martina Svárovská, Reiffeisen Bank

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From left: Alena Miro, Soprano, Soloist, State Opera Prague, Jan Pospíšil from Pardubice and his mother Hana Medková, Opera Singer and Teacher, Conservatory in Pardubice

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From left: Gabriela Šetlíková, Fabian Šetlík, the youngest Miroton participant, 1 year old, Jadran Šetlík, Art Photographer, and Sofia Mia Šetlíková

21.7.2011 14:57:38

From left: Amri Aminov from Paris, Sculptor, Author of the Trebbia Statue, Helena Vondráčková, Singer, and Benke Aikell, Your Publisher

Vladimír Drábek, Prague International Marathon is handing over the prize to Martin Frei

Jan Pospíšil from Pardubice, the future winner of the Miroton 2031

MUDr. Martin Papáč, Central Military Hospital Prague and his wife Erika

From left: Isabella Šimková, Kateřina Šimková, Jr., Sebastian Šimek, Kateřina Šimková, wife of Ing. Radomír Šimek, President, German-Czech Chamber of Commerce, and Miro Smolák, Founder and Main Organizer of Miroton and Director, MIRO Gallery Prague

Karel Srp, Artforum – Jazz Section is handing over the prize to Jiří Jansa

Members of the music group ‘Prague Swingers’ were playing to keep a cheerful mood

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From left: Jiří Čivrný, Jr., time 11:00 min, Martin Frei, time 10:39 min, Jiří Jansa, time 11:19 min, Karla Mališová, time 15:05 min, Lenka Šibravová, time 13:28 min, and Petra Davídková, time 17:37 min

21.7.2011 14:58:30

prague castle event

IN COOPERATION WITH LEADERS MAGAZINE

Lenny White: Drums Jon Faddis: Trumpet Tom Barney: Contrabass Jaroslav Jakubovič: Baritone Saxophone Emil Viklický: Piano

with Tribute to Miles Davis

Jazz at the Castle

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more photos and electronic version available on www.leadersmagazine.cz

From left: Mrs. Eisen, H.E. Norman Eisen, Ambassador of the USA, and Prof. Václav Klaus, President of the CR

21.7.2011 14:19:03

From left: Petr Šulc, Partner, Esmarin, Ing. Jiří Michal, Prof. Václav Klaus, President of the CR, and Antonín Vlk, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Moser, a.s.

Jan Tašek, Managing Director, ASE, s.r.o. with his wife Martina Schneider and Andrea Schneider

From left: Dr. Karla Říhová, Senior Executive, County Hygienic Station, Olomouc and Pavel Číčel, Sales Representative, ZFP Akademie with his wife

From left: Dagmar Raupachová, Attorney at Law, Černý-Raupachová and Jon Faddis, Trumpet

From left: Prof. Václav Klaus, President of the CR, Mgr. Kateřina Zubiran, Assistant of the President of the Contest, Manager of International Licensing, Miss Princess of the World, and Ing. Viktor Krča, President of the Contest, Miss Princess of the World

From left: Karel Vágner, Music Publisher, Antonín Vlk, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Moser, a.s., Ing. Jiří Michal, and Prof. Václav Klaus, President of the CR

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25.7.2011 10:21:10

From left: MUDr. Jan Martínek, Emil Viklický with his wife, and MUDr. Barbora Svobodová

JUDr. Petr Vyroubal, Attorney, Partner, Vyroubal, Krajhanzl, Školout and JUDr. Soňa Illner Pajerová, Attorney

From left: Miroslav Švenda, Attorney, Partner, Vyroubal, Krajhanzl, Školout, Elena Sonenshine, Jazz Singer, Vladimíra Václavíková, Marketing and Editorial Director, Leaders Magazine, and Štěpán Žilka, Composer

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From left: Antonín Vlk, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Moser, a.s. and Prof. Václav Klaus, President of the CR

Petr Šulc, Partner, Esmarin with his daughter

From left: Mirko Lachman, Senior Advisor, Leaders Magazine and Augustin Sobol with his wife

H.E. Norman Eisen, Ambassador of the USA with his wife

From left: Mrs. Velíšková, Ing. Miloš Janů, Managing Partner, Czech-Kuwait Trading Ltd., and friend of Mrs. Velíšková

21.7.2011 14:22:12

From left: H.E. Ferdinand Trautmansdorff, Ambassador of Austria, Paulus Manker, and Prof. Václav Klaus, President of the CR

Andrea Salačová and Vladimír Hořejší, MBA, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive, Evropsko-ruská banka Roman Minařík, Managing Director, Romax and Sylva Němečková

From left: Natali Ruden, Fashion Designer and Ing. Jitka Urbánková, Partner and CEO, Audit organizace, s.r.o.

From left: Alena Veliká, Press Service Head, Office of the President, Ing. Pavel Veliký, Commercial Director, Petex, and Jana Břešová

From left: Ing. Miloš Janů, Managing Partner, Czech-Kuwait Trading Ltd., Mgr. Kateřina Zubiran, Assistant of the President of the Contest, Manager of International Licensing, Miss Princess of the World, Lenka Uzum, Linda Štucbartová, and Ing. Viktor Krča, President of the Contest, Miss Princess of the World

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25.7.2011 9:39:40

A special thanks to Synot Holding for making this reportage possible

prague castle event

Jiří Stivín – Flutes, Saxophones Emil Viklický – Piano Josef Fečo – Contrabass Laco Tropp – Drums Miroslav Hloucal – Trumpet Elena Suchánková – Singer Milan Svoboda – Piano

Prof. Václav Klaus, President of the CR

Special Jazz Session to Celebrate President Klaus´ 70 Years

Jazz at the Castle

From left: Marie Kousalíková, Mayor of Prague 6 with her husband and Prof. Václav Klaus, President of the CR

From left: H.E. Ferdinand Trautmansdorff, Ambassador of Austria and Jindřich Forejt, Director of Protocol, Office of the President of the CR

From left: JUDr. Bc. Martin Vlk, Attorney at Law with his wife and Prof. Václav Klaus, President of the CR

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Jefim Fistein, Broadcaster, RadioFreeEurope, RadioLiberty with his wife

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From left: Ing. Hynek Chudárek, Executive Director, Óčko Music TV, Marta Gellová, Secretary General, AFIZ, and Jiří Balvín, General Director, ÓČKO Hudební TV

21.7.2011 15:27:52

From left: Petr Vrána, rev. Alex L. Orbito, Ing. Miloš Janů, Managing Partner, Czech-Kuwait Trading Ltd., and JUDr. Jaroslav Javornický, Managing Director, Spielberg CZ, s.r.o.

From left: Benke Aikell, your Publisher and Prof. Václav Klaus, President of the CR From left: Jakub Vágner with his partner and Prof.

Václav Klaus, President of the CR

From left: Ing. Ivo Velíšek, CSc., Director, Správa Pražského Hradu with his wife, Dagmar Raupachová, Attorney at Law, Černý-Raupachová, and Jan Černý, Attorney at Law, Černý-Raupachová

From left: H.E. Norman Eisen, Ambassador of USA, Ing. Jiří Weigl, CSc., Chancellor, Office of the President of the CR, and Prof. Václav Klaus, President of the CR

The musicians From left: Josef Vejvoda, Drummer with his wife and Prof.

Václav Klaus, President of the CR

more photos and electronic version available on www.leadersmagazine.cz

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22.7.2011 16:22:49

From left: Mgr. Robert Štajniger, Advisor, Ministry of Health of the CR, Benke Aikell, your Publisher, JUDr. Igor Keblušek, ČSÚZ, Marta Gellová, Secretary General, AFIZ, and Jaromír Šlápota, President, ČSÚZ

From left: H.E. Yaakov Levy, Ambassador of Israel, H.E. Peter Brňo, Ambassador of Slovakia, and H.E. Dinkar Prakash Srivastava, Ambassador of India Ing. Zdeněk Pelc, President/CEO, Digital Media

From left: Prof. Václav Klaus, President of the CR, Angela Tůmová, Marketing Communications Manager, Lukoil CR, s.r.o., and Denis Ryupin, CEO, Lukoil CEE

From left: Dr. Jan Hejma, Chairman of the Board, Bohema Wellness, a.s., Mgr. Michal Semín, Director, Institut sv.

Josefa, and Petr Hejma, former Mayor of Prague 1

From left: Pavel Číčel, Sales Representative, ZFP Akademie, Elena Sonenshine, Jazz Singer, and Mrs. Číčel

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Jazz at the Castle

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From left: Karel Vágner, Music Publisher, Ing. František Vašák, Pražská plynárenská, František Uhlíř, Jazz Musician, Prof. Václav Klaus, President of the CR, and Ing. Zdeněk Pelc, President/CEO, Digital Media

22.7.2011 16:50:25

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PREMIERES AT THE NATIONAL THEATRE

culture event

W. A. Mozart: The Abduction from the Seraglio

From left: Tomáš Kořínek, Jan Šťáva, and Richard Samek

Premieres on the 7th and 10th of May 2011 in the Estates Theatre

From right: Ondřej Černý, Director, National Theatre, Karel Ksandr, Director, National Technical Museum with his wife

Jana Kačírková and Jan Šťáva

Simona Houda Šaturová and Markus Boysen

Josef Topol: The End of Carnival First nights on the 26th and 27th of May 2011 in the National Theatre

From left: Prof. Jiří Drahoš, Chairman, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic and MUDr. Bohuslav Svoboda, Mayor of Prague

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From left: Vladislav Beneš, Alois Švehlík, and Igor Bareš

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Pavla Beretová and Radúz Mácha

more photos and electronic version available on www.leadersmagazine.cz

21.7.2011 15:25:04

A.P. Čechov: Sea Gull Premieres on the 9th and 10th of June 2011 in the Estates Theatre

From left: Ladislav Mrkvička, Tatjana Medvecká, David Prachař, and František Němec

Miroslava Němcová, Chairwoman, Czech Chamber of Deputies and Ondřej Černý, Director, the National Theatre

Ing. Peter Palečka, Executive Director and Board Member, Komerční banka, a.s.

Philip Glass: Les enfants terribles (Children of the Game)

Ladislav Mrkvička

Alžběta Poláčková and Jiří Hájek

Opera named after the homonymic work by Jean Cocteau.

Premiere on the 17th of June 2011 in the former kitchen of the Psychiatric Hospital Bohnice Martin Hollý, Director, Psychiatric Hospital Bohnice in his speech

From left: Ljubomir Popovič, Jan Mikušek, Alžběta Poláčková, Alice Nellis, and Jiří Hájek

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NOVÁ INSCENACE OD BŘEZNA 2011 NEW PRODUCTION FROM MARCH 2011

Idea, scenario, stage direction: Jiří Srnec Music: Kryštof Marek Choreography: Petr Zuska Costumes and masks: Šárka Polak Hejnová Sets: Miloslav Heřmánek Camera: Emil Sirotek, Antonín Daňhel Motion assistance: Adéla Srncová

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Elektronickou podobu ãasopisu najdete na www.parlamentnimagazin.cz

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