Czech & Slovak Leaders 01/2018

Czech & Slovak Leaders I/2018

DECEMBER 2017 – FEBRUARY 2018

Sebastian Kurz, Chancellor of Austria through the eyes of Max Hess, Senior Political Risk Analyst

LONG STORY OF KURZ

available worldwide online

P hoto : D ominik B utzmann

www.czechleaders.com incl. electronic version Praha I Bratislava I Brno I Ostrava I Plzeň I Liberec I Olomouc I Hradec Králové I České Budějovice I Pardubice I Zlín I Jihlava I Karlovy Vary I Mladá Boleslav

AČ N Í F

AD

ON

D

Dear friends of culture and the arts, we are pleased to inform you that the Trebbia Foundation is currently organizing

the 17th annual International Trebbia Awards Ceremony

Prague, December 28, 2017

N

Dear friends of culture and the arts, we are pleased to inform you that the Trebbia Foundation in cooperation with Czech & Slovak Leaders are currently organizing

THE PLACE WHERE LEADERS ARE SEEN MÍSTO KDE JSOU LÍDŘI VIDĚT

the 17th annual International Trebbia Awards Ceremony, this time affined to the 100th anniversary of the foundation of Czechoslovakia, the Spanish Hall of Prague Castle on Sunday, March 25, 2018, at 8:00 p.m., broadcast live on Czech Television and Slovak Television www.trebbia.eu The programme will include a performance by Czech soprano Alena Miro and Slovak tenor Pavol Breslik, who will be accompanied by the FOK Prague Symphony Orchestra conducted by Rastislav Štúr. The world premiere of Symphonic Picture Trebbia 2018 composed by Varhan Orchestrovič Bauer will also be performed.

The 17 annual International th

Seven laureates from the Czech Republic, Italy, Mexico, Germany, Slovakia and Switzerland will be presented with diplomas and bronze Trebbia statues created by sculptor Stefan Milkov. Furthermore, the gala evening will include a traditional benefit auction of paintings by famous personalities, who are not the professional artists and lithography by Miroslav Pošvic “Balance”, which was exhibited at the North Pole. The proceeds of the auction will Thebe programme include a between performancetwo

by Czech soprano foundations.

Alena Miro and Slovak tenor Pavol Breslik, who will be accompadividedwillequally selected nied by the FOK Prague Symphony Orchestra conducted by Rastislav Štúr. The world premiere of Symphonic Picture Trebbia 2018

by Varhan Orchestrovič Bauer will alsobuffet be performed.

The programme will becomposed followed by a social gathering and in the Spanish Hall.

Seven laureates from the Czech Republic, Italy, Mexico, Germany, Slovakia and Switzerland will be presented with diplomas and Dear friends of culture and the arts, we will be very grateful, if you kindly decide to support bronze Trebbia statues created by sculptor Stefan Milkov. Furthermore, the gala evening will include a traditional benefit auction evening by purchasing tickets: of paintings by famous personalities, who are not the professional artists and lithography by Miroslav Pošvic “Balance”, which was Tablesof the1auction to 6 willCZK 10,000 / EUR per person, all inclusive exhibited at the North Pole. The proceeds be divided equally between400 two selected foundations.

this charity gala

Tables 7 to 12 CZK 9,500 / EUR 380 per person, all inclusive The programme willTables be followed13 by ato social and buffet in the 360 Spanish Hall.

17 gathering CZK 9,000 / EUR per person, all inclusive Tables 18 to 22 CZK 8,500 / EUR 340 per person, all inclusive Tables 23 to 27 CZK 8,000 / EUR 320 per person, all inclusive Tables 28 to 31 CZK 7,500 / EUR 300 per person, all inclusive Tables 32 to 36 CZK 7,000 / EUR 280 per person, all inclusive Tables 37 to 41 CZK 6,500 / EUR 260 per person, all inclusive

www.czechleaders.com

INTERVIEWS Method of payment:

• Based on an invoice for advertising + VAT (your name or your company’s logo will be placed on a shared advertising banner in front of the entrance to the Spanish Hall)

• Based on a gift/donation agreement (sent to you upon request)

• In cash at the offices of the Trebbia Foundation, Church of St. Rochus, Strahov Monastery – Strahovské nádvoří 132/1, Prague 1 Due to the capacity of the Spanish Hall of Prague Castle, we recommend that you order your tickets immediately.

Coverage

by Czech & Slovak Magazine Please send your order to the following emailPhoto address: info@galeriemiro.cz.

Booking tickets is not possible. Thank you for your understanding.

| EVENTS | PR | EU MATTERS

this time affined to the 100th anniversary of the foundation of Czechoslovakia, the Spanish Hall of Prague Castle on Sunday, March 25, 2018, at 8:00 p.m., broadcast live on Czech Television and Slovak Television.

www.trebbia.eu

Trebbia Awards Ceremony Dear friends of culture and the arts, we will be very grateful, if you kindly decide to support this charity gala evening by purchasing tickets: Tables 1 to 6 CZK 10,000 / EUR 400 per person, all inclusive Tables 7 to 12 CZK 9,500 / EUR 380 per person, all inclusive Tables 13 to 17 CZK 9,000 / EUR 360 per person, all inclusive Tables 18 to 22 CZK 8,500 / EUR 340 per person, all inclusive Tables 23 to 27 CZK 8,000 / EUR 320 per person, all inclusive Tables 28 to 31 CZK 7,500 / EUR 300 per person, all inclusive Tables 32 to 36 CZK 7,000 / EUR 280 per person, all inclusive Tables 37 to 41 CZK 6,500 / EUR 260 per person, all inclusive Method of payment: • Based on an invoice for advertising + VAT (your name or your company’s logo will be placed on a shared advertising banner in front of the entrance to the Spanish Hall) • Based on a gift/donation agreement (sent to you upon request) • In cash at the offices of the Trebbia Foundation, Church of St. Rochus, Strahov Monastery – Strahovské nádvoří 132/1, Prague 1 Due to the capacity of the Spanish Hall of Prague Castle, we recommend that you order your tickets immediately.

Please send your order to the following email address: info@galeriemiro.cz. Booking tickets is not possible.

Thank you for your understanding.

DRESS CODE: ladies – evening gown; gentlemen – smoking jacket, dark suit.

Thank you in advance for your support. We are looking forward to a remarkable evening with you.

Sincerely yours, PhDr. MgA. Miro Smolák On behalf of the Trebbia International Nomination Committee

P ublisher ’ s

note

&

contents

DEAR READERS, Once again, I am sitting here, trying to formulate my thoughts about the passing of Christmas and New Year holidays as well as the year we have gone through with the magazine.

This is the 15th year my team and I have been doing this! One of the things that strikes me is how easy it is to forget the past – the problems, the happy moments, deadlines, expectations, etc. – it is the present which surrounds us as we wonder what the future will bring.

events 8

State Visit President of the Czech Republic Miloš Zeman representing the Czech Republic 10 Senate Awards for 16 outstanding personalities 12 Comenius Czech 100 24 Cacio events in the year of 2017 36 NANO Conference 44 ELAI Czech Republic celebrated entrepreneurship 48 A private tribute & celebration Life of Serena and Casa Serena 54 13th Prague Security Conference Economy and Trade: Tools for a Safer World

 page 8

In my work, I have met so many people as they start and finish positions, some realizing new dreams while others have seen disappointing results. Many of these have been in the magazine from time to time, and I think it is great to have these documentations. It is a wonderful pleasure to go through old magazines and revisit memories from those times.

Just to tickle your curiosity a little bit, we have done over 800 interviews, we have over 100.000 photos (from events, jubilees, seminars, conferences, charity events, fashion shows, art exhibitions etc.), featuring roughly 300.000 people.

In this issue, we are proud to have some great interviews. To mention a few… On our front page, we have the new Chancellor of Austria, Mr. Sebastian Kurz with a great article about his fantastic career, interview with Dr. Ing. Michal Voráček, media proprietor and entrepreneur, interview with Delana Mikolášová, first Czech Attaché for Science, Research and Innovation in Israel, H.E. Daniel Meron, Ambassador of Israel to the Czech Republic, Prof. Ing. Vladimír Mařík, DrSc., dr.h.c. or Andrea Vadkerti, Executive Coach.

Also, we have many interesting articles from our contributors – don’t miss those!

From our Photo coverage, I would like to mention a few. Chance 4 Children Gala evening and fundraiser, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the non-profit organization Chance 4 Children, which generated 1.7 million! Austrian National Day, CESES Security Conference, Prag Art Works in the Office, Comenius Czech 100 Best at the Castle, ELAI Conference, Spanish National Day, UEA National Day, CACIO Conferences, Thai National Day, Diplomatic Spouses Association 20th Anniversary Gala, Hilton Christmas Concert, President Miloš Zeman, Senate Awards for 16 Outstanding Personalities, Top Hotel Festive Endings, Italian Cuisine – a special homage to Italy or Smart Nano concept conference.

That’s it Ladies and Gentlemen, I wish you all a very prosperous 2018.

Be close to your Nearest and Dearest, be generous to those who are lacking.

Yours Sincerely,

2

Presidential speech to the recepients of state decorations

Benke Aikell benke.aikell@czechleaders.com www.czechleaders.com

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

70 86 87 91

The end of the season 2017 at the TOP HOTEL Praha Lions Club Prague Bohemia Ambassador Charity event – Lions Club Prague Bohemia Ambassador Prague Management Club

C ontents

interviews

culture events  page 5

18 Prag Art Works Official opening of a group pop up exhibition – ART WORKS IN THE OFFICE 28 Gala evening The Night of the 100 Percenters!

32 Hilton Charity Christmas Concert 68 Women in the Art Face of the Year 2017 and exhibition of Hana Babak 92 Miro gallery The exhibiton of René Wirths  page 32

Sebastian Kurz

5 Sebastian Kurz, Chancellor of Austria through the eyes of Max Hess, Senior Political Risk Analyst 31 Interview with Aleš Baran Wait for fortuitous circumstances, or be well-prepared?

40 Interview with Michal Voráček I perceive the media market as stable 52 Interview with Brigadier General JUDr. Pavel Kříž, L.L.M. The journey from law offices to heading the Military Police 58 Interview with Prof. Ing. Vladimír Mařík, DrSc., dr.h.c.

There is only good or bad research 60 Interview with Delana Mikolášová, first Czech Attaché for Science, Research and Innovation in Israel In Israel it’s about what you know, not who you are 76 An interview with Dr. Jack Wilson conducted by Miriam Margala A true renaissance man, part II 84 Interview with Hana Němcová, Infiberry Doing business is in my genes 88 Interview with H.E. Daniel Meron, Ambassador of Israel Digital diplomacy 94 Interview with Pherooz Karani, Head of School at the International Montessori School of Prague Children are universal 96 Interview with Professor Martin Margala, UMass Lowell How do you percieve today´s world?

106 Interview with Andrea Vadkerti, Executive Coach My life-long talk show

Christmas dinner in Atrium lobby

diplomatic events 22 Italian cuisine – Prague´s special homage 27 Greek wine tasting 62 Austrian National Day at Žofín 72 United Arab Emirates National Day 80 International Christmas Festival of the Diplomatic Spouses Association 90 Spanish National Day at Břevnov Monastery 105 Thai National Day reception  page 62

H.E. Dr. Alexander Grubmayr LL.M, Ambassador of Austria

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

3

contents

contributors 35 Tereza Urbánková Winning in today’s public relations 39 Cristina Muntean Personal branding liberates. What do you do with your freedom?

43 Emanuel Šíp Will the new Czech government be more successful?

51 Elisabet Rodriguez Dennehy Are you sure you understand your audience?

74 James A. Cusumano Life is Beautiful! Part VIII: The Day I Died 78 Jan Mühlfeit and Kateřina Novotná Prepare your child for the path, not the path for your child 82 Iva Drebitko Port wine 98 Alena Huberová What’s more important in a presentation, your style or your message?

102 Chateau Mcely by Helena Stiessová

James A. Cusumano Life is Beautiful! Part VIII: The Day I Died

Publisher: Benke Aikell Head of Editorial: Lenka Helena Koenigsmark Office Assistant: Tatiana Fominykh Webmaster: Petra Kubernátová DTP: Šárka Krausová EU Matters: CEBRE Czech Business Representation, CESES, Europlatform

 page 74

Contributors: James A. Cusumano, Iva Drebitko, Joseph Drebitko, ELAI, Martina Hošková, Lenka Helena Koenigsmark, Jan Mühlfeit, Ivan Pilný, Linda Štucbartová, Tereza Urbánková, Jonathan Wootliff, Alena Huberová, Elisabet Dennehy, Jan Muhlfeit, Cristina Muntean Photographers: Vladimír Weiss, Hana Brožková, JIří Podrazil, Martin Janas, Lukáš Kimlička, Hana Brožková Subscription: Czech & Slovak Leaders, U Zvonařky 16, 120 00 Praha 2 We appreciate your opinions of Czech & Slovak Leaders.

Figure 2: I began to rise from my physical body. I felt nothing but bliss, as I saw the doctors trying to revive me.

EU matters 108 EU matters interview Interview with Petr Zahradník I cannot simply understand why the euro is hated so much by the Czechs 110 EU debate SME support through EFSI is successful in the Czech Republic ePrivacy regulation must not hamper digitalization The future of green aviation financing from the EU 112 EU matters business

4

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

Please send them to: Czech & Slovak Leaders U Zvonařky 16, 120 00 Praha 2 tel.: +420 773 515 111 e-mail: info@czechleaders.com www.czechleaders.com Licence: MK ČR E 13147 No reproduction is permitted in whole or part without the express consent of Czech & Slovak Leaders.

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 Czech & Slovak Leaders.

All editorial material and photos in Czech & Slovak Leaders Magazine is digitally stored and may be republished

by Czech & Slovak Leaders either in printed form or in various digital media. All correspondence to Czech & Slovak Leaders Magazine may be published.

P hoto : D ominik B utzmann

L ong

story of

K urz : "A ustria Y ou

will be

M acronised "

LONG STORY OF KURZ:

"AUSTRIA YOU WILL BE MACRONISED" Max Hess

Max Hess is a senior political risk analyst with the London-based AEK international, specializing in Europe and Eurasia.

“There is a claim constantly circulating the EU: ‘multiculturalism is dead in Europe’. Dead or maybe d(r)ead?... That much comes from a cluster of European nation-states that love to romanticize – in a grand metanarrative of dogmatic universalism – their appearance as of the coherent Union, as if they themselves lived a long, cordial and credible history of multiculturalism. Hence, this claim and its resonating debate is of course false. It is also cynical because it is purposely deceiving. No wonder, as the conglomerate of nation-states/EU has silently handed over one of its most important debates – that of European anti-fascistic identity, or otherness – to the wing-parties. This was repeatedly followed by the selective and contra-productive foreign policy actions of the Union in the MENA, Balkans and Ukraine.” – wrote prof. Anis H. Bajrektarevic in his luminary and farsighted essay Denazification – urgently needed in Europe.

Last two parliamentary elections in Central Europe are indicative enough: Europe inevitably loses its grip over the grand narrative, fatherly eroding its place in history. Hereby a few lines about the latest of them.

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

5

Sebastian Kurz, 31, is likely to become Austria’s new Chancellor following the 15 October election. He would be the youngest-ever head of government in the European Union and to many of his supporters will be seen as a bold new face ready to lead Europe through and past the ongoing crises over migration, integration, fiscal authority, and identity that have dominated European politics, within and without the EU, in recent years. A new leader of Europe’s populist right is likely on the horizon, yet he has received little international attention compared with candidates such as Marine Le Pen or Nigel Farage who were always long shots.

Kurz’s Rise – Aus Iuridicum Rapidly rising through the youth wing of the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP), Kurz was elected its head in 2009 and then promoted directly into the party’s upper echelon in 2011 when he was named to the newly-created post of state secretary for integration at age 24.

6

From the earliest days, Kurz embraced a populist right-wing worldview although he initially steadfastly avoided divisive rhetoric that could have derailed his rise. Kurz used his post as state secretary to publicize these ideas, while also astutely employing the leeway afforded by his youth to take positions deviating from the ÖVP platform.

In 2013 Kurz was elected to the national legislature, also winning the most direct ‘preference votes’ of any candidate and a third more than the ÖVP’s then-head Michael Spindelegger. The ÖVP received less overall votes than the Social Democrats (SPÖ) and again went into government as the junior coalition partner. Kurz was rewarded with the second-highest post of any ÖVP leader when he was named foreign minister.

Austrians see themselves both as core members of the ‘West’ but also as traditionalists and the inheritors of a unique culture. The historic heft of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire, a separateness from Germans and Germany that was cemented by the divides caused by the Enlightenment and birth of Protestantism, and steady decades-long growth in income and living standards all have served to shape an image of Austria and Austrians as reasoned

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

yet traditional, sober yet dandy, and reserved yet welcoming. It is precisely in this image that Kurz has tried to cast himself.

Even Kurz’s critics are quick to acknowledge that from the beginning of his career he had a remarkable ability to gauge the prevailing zeitgeist, all the while grounding himself in the core Austrian conservatism that the ÖVP represents. In contrast to populist politicians who have at best half-convincingly attempted to portray themselves as outsiders, Kurz embraces the fact he has had his sights set on a political career since his youth. Kurz recognized the quickest route to ‘authenticity’ was to never speak the word.

Kurz, the Foreign Minister As Foreign Minister, Kurz was able to play host and diplomat to Austria’s wide variety of partners. He also judiciously avoided controversy in mainstream international media. On issues where Kurz would perhaps have been more vocal, he accepted his role as a government minister and did not speak out overly loudly when he disagreed with his

L ong party’s leaders, while tweaking those of the SPÖ, the senior coalition partner, in a way that did not offend Austrian sensibilities.

Kurz’s four years in the foreign ministry saw a series of regional and political crises, attesting to his political skill. Three months after taking office, Ukrainian oligarch Dmytro Firtash was arrested on a visit to Vienna on the request of US authorities. The arrest came two days before Moscow’s controversial referendum in Crimea and struck at the core of domestic politics in Ukraine, where Firtash long played an outsize role. Yet Kurz did not shy from being thrust in the spotlight, in fact he appeared to be hungering for it, with the then-27-year old even offering to mediate Russia and Ukraine’s disputes over Crimea.

Kurz ultimately backed sanctions, sensing the prevailing winds in Europe. However, he was vocal in calling for European business’ interests to be considered even before Italian, Hungarian and Cypriot politicians subsequently took up such positions. The move played well domestically in Austria, where many criticize great power games, perhaps with a slight, albeit unstated view towards the rearview mirror given their fatal role in Austria’s own history. Austria’s Raiffeisen bank also derives most of its profits from Eastern Europe and is the largest foreign player in Russia’s banking market. Russian President Vladimir Putin also travelled to Vienna in June 2014, his first postCrimea visit to a Western country, with Kurz vocally defending the invite and signing of a controversial pipeline deal at the same time EU and US officials were deliberating sanctions on Russia’s energy sector.

Kurz’s time as foreign minister also coincided with Europe’s migration crisis, which was nearly simultaneous with his push towards the spotlight when he backed the stance of Austria’s eastern and southeastern neighbors even while then-Chancellor Werner Faymann waffled on the issue. By February 2016, Kurz was publicly embracing not only the positions of Warsaw, Budapest, and Ljubljana, but their rhetoric as well. In March 2016, Austria had closed its borders to most asylum seekers.

By the end of May of that year, Faymann resigned. He was subsequently replaced by Christian Kern, the current head of the SPÖ.

Kurz took advantage of the weakness of the senior leadership within the SPÖ and his own ÖVP to push his personal agenda and reputation to the fore. Kurz has even sought to use the largely-symbolic rotating chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which Vienna holds for 2017, to promote his political agenda. Kurz was bold enough to broadcast this intention, declaring in an interview with Der Spiegel that he would use the post to push for the lifting of sanctions against Russia. He has also used the platform to again propose he mediate

story of

K urz : "A ustria Y ou

a solution to the conflict in Donbas, even writing an English-language op-ed for Politico on the subject this September. Demonstrating Kurz’s eye for the future, however, a number of senior staff members have left Kurz’s Foreign Ministry since the start of the year, promoted as Austria’s new ambassadors to some of its leading partners. A further major reshuffle is expected after the election, a possible indication that Kurz will continue to cut a prominent figure on the international stage.

Kurz, the Candidate: Dressed to Impress A year after Faymann’s resignation, the Kern´s government collapsed, prompting the elections that will be held on 15 October.

The interim period saw the contested and contentious 2016 presidential run-off election, in which the initial result was annulled and the far right Freedom Party’s (FPÖ) Norbert Hofer was narrowly defeated by independent candidate Alexander Van der Bellen. Kurz had refused to endorse either candidate. Yet it was the fact that the run-off featured neither a candidate of the SPÖ nor the ÖVP for the first time that appears to have most shaped Kurz’s current candidacy.

Van der Bellen, an alumnus of Austria’s relatively minor Green Party, was seen by many on the Austrian right as nearly as radical as Hofer. The Austrian presidency is also largely symbolic – although Hofer’s platform included steps that would have been unprecedented by the Austrian executive. As a result, there was little domestic political cost to Kurz remaining neutral.

The lack of an SPÖ or ÖVP candidate in the final round highlighted the shifts underway at the heart of Austrian politics, and the weakness of then-ÖVP leader Reinhold Mitterlehrner, who stepped back in May, enabling Kurz’s ascent.

Kurz, however, attached a number of conditions to the proposal that he lead the ÖVP. The decades-old party fell in line behind Kurz quickly, even agreeing to campaign under the joint branding of ÖVP and ‘Kurz List – the New People’s Party’. Kurz’s image, rhetoric, and bold proclamations on the campaign trail have put the party comfortably in the lead in the polls.

The lead Kurz maintains in the polls has come primarily at the expense of the farright FPÖ, although incumbent Chancellor Christian Kern has done his party no favors following a series of scandals. Kern’s SPÖ is polling behind the FPÖ in most polls and he has declared that he would prefer to lead the opposition than re-form a coalition with the ÖVP.

will be

M acronised "

Kurz and Kern’s relationship was already poor but the latest scandal around the SPÖ alleges a controversial former election advisor set up social media pages aimed at besmirching Kurz, only dampening the possibility for a renewed coalition. Yet Kurz also knows the difficulties inherent to forming a government with the FPÖ, despite having adopted much of its rhetoric in his own campaign. Such a government could come under some degree of EU censure, as it did the last time the ÖVP and FPÖ formed a government in 2000. The FPÖ then was the larger of the two parties but would undergo a series of splits while in government.

Although the FPÖ of today has long since coalesced under the leadership of HeinzChristian Strache, it too will be wary of a coalition with the ÖVP, albeit less over concerns of an EU rebuttal than over Kurz continuing to encroach on its political space.

Get Shorty – the Chancellor? the future EU Commission President?

Kurz is likely to become Austria’s most prominent Chancellor on the international stage in decades. His willingness to be outspoken and take on issues far afield from Austria steadily grew during his tenure in the foreign ministry. Beginning with his early proposal to mediate between Moscow and Kyiv towards the end of his term, he was sufficiently confident to publicly endorse incumbent Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski ahead of that country’s December 2016 election.

Kurz’s alliances in the Balkans and Eastern Europe are extensive and he was one of the few leading EU politicians outside the region to defend Hungary’s crackdown on migrants and refugees. Kurz’s economic policies are more traditionally liberal than those of the Visegrad Group but are also tinged by his populist bent. Nevertheless, he sees himself as a leading exponent of the same cultural conservatism embraced by leaders such as Viktor Orban or Nigel Farage. He is telegenic and well-spoken and has shown a knack for youth politics, of particularly importance in Austria where the voting age is 16.

On 8 May, France elected Emmanuel Macron as president in a vote that many hailed as a landmark victory for Europe’s centrist establishment. Now, Austria is likely to elect Kurz as its next chancellor, in a vote that the populist right will hail as its own landmark victory.

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

7

P residential

P hoto : A rchive KPR, H ana B rožková

PRESIDENT MILOŠ ZEMAN

State visit of H.E. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany accompanied by H.E. Miloš Zeman, President of the Czech Republic

State visit of H.E. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany accompanied by H.E. Miloš Zeman, President of the Czech Republic

President Miloš Zeman and his wife together with the receivers of the State decorations

Presidential speech to the recepients of State decorations From left: H.E. Miloš Zeman, President of the Czech Republic and H.E. János Áder, President of Hungary

8

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

P residential

From left: H.E. Miloš Zeman, President of the Czech Republic at the state visit to Slovakia with H.E. Andrej Kiska, President of Slovakia

From left: H.E. Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation and H.E. Miloš Zeman, President of the Czech Republic during his state visit to the Russian Federation

From left: H.E. Miloš Zeman, President of the Czech Republic during his state visit to the Russian Federation with H.E. Dmitrij Medveděv, Prime Minister of the Russian Federation

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

9

S enate

For the sixth time, the Wallenstein Palace hosted the Senate Silver Commemorative Medals awards ceremony. From the hands of the President of the Czech Senate Milan Štěch, this medal was received by 16 personalities remarkable for their achievements in the fields of science, culture, sports, and other areas of social life. The choice was the one of the senators and through them of the citizens from respective regions too. Traditionally, the ceremony took place on the eve of the Czech Statehood Day.

From left: Zdeněk Kolářský, Sculptor, Ondřej Dvořák (receiving medal on behalf of his father Josef Dvořák, Surgeon), Josef Jařab, Americanist and Translator, Petr Čornej, Historian, Květoslava Jeriová-Pecková, Cross-country Skier, Josef Švarc, War Hero, Petr Arenberger, Dermatovenerologist, Jitka Abrahámová, Oncologist, leaders of the Senate Ivo Bárek, Milan Štěch, and Jiří Šesták, Vlastimil Dvořák, award-winning Glassmaker, Jan Procházka, Entrepreneur and Inventor, Helena Nekulová (receiving medal on behalf of Jan Rybář, Roman Catholic Priest), Hana Synková (receiving medal on behalf of František Synek, leading Czech Speech Therapist and former guerrilla member), Jan Havelka, Official of the Czech Tourist Club, Vladislav Třeška, Surgeon, Jiří Forejt, Geneticist, and Antonín Machala, Entrepreneur.

President of the Senate Milan Štěch and award-winning Doctor Jitka Abrahámová

10

President of the Senate Milan Štěch and award-winning Doctor Petr Arenberger

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

President of the Senate Milan Štěch and award-winning Historian Petr Čornej

S enate

President of the Senate Milan Štěch and award-winning prominent Czech Glassmaker Vlastimil Dvořák

President of the Senate Milan Štěch and award-winning Jan Havelka from the Czech Tourist Club

President of the Senate Milan Štěch and award-winning Americanist Josef Jařab

President of the Senate Milan Štěch and award-winning Sculptor and Medal Maker Zdeněk Kolářský

President of the Senate Milan Štěch and award-winning Maker of Equipment for people with special needs Antonín Machala

President of the Senate Milan Štěch and former Czechoslovak National Team Member Květoslava Jeriová-Pecková

President of the Senate Milan Štěch and Inventor of revolutionary battery Jan Procházka

President of the Senate Milan Štěch and award-winning Geneticist Jiří Forejt

President of the Senate Milan Štěch and award-winning War Hero Josef Švarc

President of the Senate Milan Štěch and award-winning Surgeon Vladislav Třeška

Senate awards ceremony took place in the Main Hall of Wallenstein Palace

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

11

comenius czech

100

best / conference

In

cooperation with

C zech & S lovak L eaders

Key Factors of Success 22nd International Conference New Gallery, Prague Castle, November 24th, 2017

As integral part of the “D” day of the Czech 100 Best competition 2017 Comenius Society organized 22nd international conference “Key Factors of Success” at the Prague Castle. The morning conference had the traditional theme "Key Factors of Success", where a diverse list of personalities on the subject had the right to speak about their success.

First panel of the international conference The Key Factors of Success Karel Muzikář, President of Comenius

Miroslav Jelínek, Owner, Strojmetal Aluminium Forging

12

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

The audience of the conference

Miloslav Ludvík, Minister of Health and Karel Muzikář, President of Comenius

comenius czech

Jiří Hájek, Director , PR & Communication, Unipetrol

Elena Pasquale, Executive Director, Karlovarské minerální vody

Jiří Nepala, Managing Partner and Vice Chairman of the Board, Renomia

100

best / conference

Libor Suchánek, Owner, Sulko

From left: Eliška Hašková-Coolidge and Elena Pasquale, Executive Director, Karlovarské minerální vody

From left: Petr Nevšímal, Owner, Nevšímal, Eliška Hašková-Coolidge, Terezie Růžičková, Alkom Security, and Václav Růžička, Chairman of the Board, Alkom Security From left: Miroslav Šole, Managing Director, P.Dussmann, Jiří Kunert, Chairman of the Board, UniCredit Bank CR and Slovakia

Martin Stránský, CEO & Founder, world BTC business

Miroslav Šole, Managing Director, P.Dussmann

Martina Vítková, CFO, nwt

Ivan Pilný, Minister of Finance

Prof. Milan Zelený, Czech-American Economist, Fordham University, NYC

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

13

COMENIUS CZECH 100 BEST/AWARDS CEREMONY

In

cooperation with

C zech & S lovak L eaders

Comenius the pan-European society for culture, education and scientific-technical cooperation has staged the “22nd annual competition Czech 100 Best”. The objective of this competition is to discover, select, visualize and reward Czech companies, enterprises and societies from the entire spectrum of economic activities, who achieve remarkable, extraordinary or positively noteworthy results.

On the Friday of 24th November 2017, the finale of the “100 Czech Best” survey based competition occurred at the Spanish Hall of Prague Castle in the presence of more than 700 VIP guests, President of the Police, Czech Army Chief of Staff, Chairman of the Czech and Moravian Manufacturing Union, Senators, MP, ambassadors and others.

During the Gala the awarded were establishments and institutions of 9 industry categories with immediate impact on the welfare of Czech citizens: Tourism & Hotel Services, Dynamic Growth & Stability, Information & Communication Technologies, Inventions - Involvement - Export - Profit, Construction & Transportation Industry, Success of Companies - Success of Regions, Employment & Cooperatives, Agriculture & Food, Health - Education Humanity. One of the peaks of the event was the recognition of nine extraordinary women and seven men with the popular title “Lady Pro” and “Gentleman Pro” respectively. The ceremonial peak of the event was the declaration of top ten “best of the best” of the Czech Republic.

Karel Muzikář, President, Comenius with his wife Zita

14

Sanjiv Suri, President, Zátiší Catering Group and his children

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

Ivan Baťka, Owner, Fosfa and his kids

COMENIUS CZECH 100 BEST/AWARDS CEREMONY

From left: Karel Muzikář, President, Comenius, Irena Peprná, Kateřina Arajmu, Josefa Jelínková, Štěpánka Hilgertová, Radek Vondráček, Chairman, Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament, below: Simona Kijonková, Vlastimila Cyprisová, Jaroslava Pokorná Jermanová, Andrea Vrbovská, and Lucie Ramneborn

Karel Muzikář, President, Comenius Beautiful singer of Zatrestband

Richard Vojta, Owner, Prague Boats with his wife

From left: Štěpán Muller, exDean Faculty of International Affairs, Prague School for Economics with his wife, prof. Tomáš Zima, Rector, Charles University in Prague with his wife, and Erik Best, Publisher, The Fleet Sheet

From left: Miroslav Šole, Executive Director, P. Dussmann and Martin Kolovratník, Chairman of the Economic Committee, Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic

Jiří Kunert, Chairman and General Director, Unicredit Bank with his wife

Josef Mráz, Executive Director, Agrofert with his wife

From left: Bohdan Wojnar, Member of the Board, Škoda Auto, with his wife and Army General Josef Bečvář, Chief of Staff of the Czech Army with his wife

From left: Karel Muzikář, President, Comenius and Radek Vondráček, Chairman, Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic with his wife

From left: Jovo Savič, Owner, Prague Rest Group, and Martin Kolovratník, Chairman of the Economic Committee, Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic

From left: Radek Dohnal, General Director, TOP hotel Praha, and Martin Kolovratník, Chairman of the Economic Committee, Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

15

COMENIUS CZECH 100 BEST/AWARDS CEREMONY

From left: Karel Komárek, Chairman, Cyklos Choltice, prof. Tomáš Zima, Rector, Charles University in Prague, and Rostislav Dvořák, Chairman, Czech – Moravian Union of Production Cooperatives

From left: Karel Feix, General Director, Kapsch Telematic Services and Gen. Tomáš Tuhý, President of the Czech Police

From left: prof. Tomáš Zima, Rector, Charles University in Prague, Roman Hrnčíř, Chairman, Severochema, and Rostislav Dvořák, Chairman, Czech – Moravian Union of Production Cooperatives

From left: Libor Suchánek, Owner, Sulko and Gen. Tomáš Tuhý, President of the Czech Police

From left: Luboš Karásek, Owner, Karásek Furniture and Ivan Pilný, Minister of Finance

Monika Nebeská, Chairman of the Board, Všestary Agricultural Company and Karel Muzikář, President, Comenius

From left: Ladislav Vitoul, Owner, Vápenka Vitoul and Gen. Tomáš Tuhý, President of the Czech Police

From left: Jaroslav Javornický, Owner, Spielberg CZ winery and Karel Muzikář, President, Comenius

From left: Sen. Ivo Valenta, Founder, Synot W and Ivan Pilný, Minister of Finance

Marcela Danajovičová, Deputy Director, Gymnázium F.X. Šaldy v Liberci and Miloslav Ludvík, Minister of Health

From left: Ivan Baťka, Owner, Fosfa and Army General Josef Bečvář, Chief of Staff of the Czech Army

16

Winners of the Production Cooperatives category all together

From left: prof. Tomáš Zima, Rector, Charles University in Prague and Miloslav Ludvík, Minister of Health

From left: Miroslaw Kastelik, CFO, Unipetrol and Army General Josef Bečvář, Chief of Staff of the Czech Army

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

From left: Cyril Svozil, Owner, Fenix Group and Ivan Pilný, Minister of Finance

From left: Sanjiv Suri, President, Zátiší Catering Group and Army General Josef Bečvář, Chief of Staff of the Czech Army

COMENIUS CZECH 100 BEST/AWARDS CEREMONY

Jana Pekařová, Manager, O.K. Oriens Karton and Miloslav Ludvík, Minister of Health

Miroslav Jelínek, Owner, Strojmetal Aluminium Forging and Jiřina Nepalová, Owner, Renomia

From left: Roman Knap, General Director, SAP ČR and Ivan Pilný, Minister of Finance

Jiří Kunert, Chairman and General Director, Unicredit Bank and Jiřina Nepalová, Owner, Renomia

Fashion Show by Tatiana

From left: Petr Stuchlík, CEO, Fincentrum and Radek Vondráček, Chairman, Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament

From left: Daniel Beneš, CEO, ČEZ and Radek Vondráček, Chairman, Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament

From left: Li Yi Sen, President, Sino – Czech Cultural and Trade Association, Benke Aikell, your Publisher, Chinese students, and Eva Anderová, Honorary Consul to Zambia and Vice President for Public Affairs, UNYP and Business Consultant to Czech & Slovak Leaders

Gentleman Pro 2017 Spanish Hall of the Prague Castle

Karel Muzikář welcomes Gen. Tomáš Tuhý, President of the Czech Police and his Partner

Winners of the Information Technologies category with Ivan Pilný, Minister of Finance

Top ten of the Czech 100 Best with Radek Vondráček, Chairman, Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

17

culture event

P hoto .: M iguel A lonso

PRAG ART WORKS Official opening of a group pop up exhibition – ART WORKS IN THE OFFICE

From left: Jaap Aardse, former head of Philips in CR, Leny Aardse, Artist, Prof. MUDr. Václav Mandys, CSc., Head of the Institute of Pathology, Prague and President, LC Praha Bohemia Ambassador

Artists Pavel Roučka and Nicol Vavrečková

18

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

René Beauchamp, General Manager, Four Seasons Hotel Prague and H.E. Barbara C. Richardson, Ambassador of Canada to the Czech Republic

culture event Artist Pedja Djaković

Louise Beer, Organiser of the Exhibition and Artist Pavel Roučka

From left: Paco, Artist, Leny Aardse, Artist and Machteld Aardse, Artist

From left: H.E. Barbara C. Richardson, Ambassador of Canada to the Czech Republic and Louise Beer, Organiser of the Exhibition

Artist Lukáš Rais

From left: Benke Aikell, your Publisher, Eva Anderová, Business Consultant to the Czech and Slovak Leaders Magazine and Honorary Consul to Zambia, and Jaap Aardse, former head of Philips in CR looking through the Magazine

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

19

culture event

Tomáš Stařík, Country Manager, Immofinanz

Artist David Strauzz

Artist Tjasa Čuš

From left Tomáš Stařík, Country Manager, Immofinanz, H.E. Barbara C. Richardson, Ambassador of Canada to the Czech Republic, and Louise Beer, Organiser of the Exhibition

20

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

Artist and well-known Photographer Paul Pacey and Artist Anna Rusnok

culture event

From left to right: Smed Jorgensen, Attorney at Law, Pietro Andrea Podda, Prague Forum, and Mrs. Lucie Krejčová

From left: H.E. Barbara C. Richardson, Ambassador of Canada to the Czech Republic and Peter Formanek, Honorary Consul of Jamajka and former president, Canadian Chamber of Commerce

Louise Beer, Organizer of the Exhibition with Boris Nikolov and his friend on the left and Ondřej Kuděj, Litea Solutions with his wife on the right

From left: Smed Jorgensen, Attorney at Law , Artist Leny Aardse, Pietro Andrea Podda, Prague Forum, and Artist Machteld Aardse From left: Artists Nicol Vavrečková and Pavel Roučka

From left: Artist Leny Aardse, Louise Beer, Organizer of the Exhibition, and Artist Machteld Aardse

From left: Tjasa Čuš, Artist, H.E. Leon Marc, Ambassador of Slovenia, and Marek Schovánek, Artist

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

21

DIPLOMATIC EVENT

Second week of the ITALIAN CUISINE in the world Prague’s special homage to Italy by a two-star Michelin chef Moreno Cedroni

From left: H.E. Aldo Amati, Ambassador of Italy, Giancarlo Bertacchini, Accademia della cucina, and Padre Evermod Gejza Šidlovský, Strahov Monastery

A second week (November 20-26) of the Italian cuisine in the world was celebrated at a reception in one of the Prague’s extraordinary venues - Villa Pellé. An initiative put forward by the Italian Ambassador in Prague, H.E. Aldo Amati, to gather on the 23rd November and explore the Italian flavors with some top-level chefs, such as Matteo de’ Carli, Leonardo Di Clemente, Riccardo Lucque and a very special guest: two-star Michelin chef Moreno Cedroni.

“On Czech scene it is undoubtedly the Italian cuisine that prevails among others – declares the Ambassador Amati – as our cuisine reflects a widely cherished lifestyle, that has been spread around also because of the qualities and charm of our chefs.

As of now, the task is to expand our quality cuisine from Prague and Brno al so to other areas.”

The Italian cuisine week, originating in the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and encompassing over 1000 events around the world, aims at promoting the Italian cuisine with the emphasis on the value of genuine ingredients, food security and fineness of flavors.

The evening has been organized by the Italian Embassy in Prague, The Italian Cultural Institute in Prague and by ENIT, in collaboration with De’Longhi, under the auspices of the Italian Flavor Ambassadors’ Association.

From left: Bohuslav Svoboda, former Mayor of Prague, Mrs. Jana Fischerová, H.E. Manuela Franco, Ambassador of Portugal, Václav Kolaja, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Petr Jäger, Deputy Minister of Justice, and Jiří Koliba, Deputy Minister of Trade

22

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

Bohuslav Svoboda, former Mayor of Prague and Mrs. Jana Fischerová

DIPLOMATIC EVENT

From left: H.E. Aldo Amati, Ambassador of Italy and Ivan Pilný, Minister of Finance of the Czech Republic

Chefs: two-star Michelin chef Moreno Cedroni, Riccardo Lucque, Matteo De Carli, and Leonardo Di Clemente

From left: H.E. Aldo Amati, Ambassador of Italy and Jaroslav Faltýnek, Politician, ANO party with a partner

From left: Jaroslav Faltýnek, Politician, ANO party, H.E. Aldo Amati, Ambassador of Italy, and Benke Aikell, your Publisher

Matteo Mariani, Italian-Czech Chamber of Commerce and Kateřina Reimitzová, La Cucina Italiana

Marina Vradiy and H.E. Aldo Amati, Ambassador of Italy

From left: Robert Pelikán, Minister of Justice and Jaroslav Faltýnek, Politician, ANO party

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

23

CACIO events in Energy Section CACIO Presentation of methods for benchmarking of energy companies in the Czech Republic - 4th May 2017, IDC CEMA in Prague, Malé náměstí

Energy Section CACIO Presentation of methods for benchmarking of energy companies in the Czech Republic, May 4th 2017, IDC CEMA in Prague

From left: Milan Kálal, Program Manager, Internet of Things, Central and Eastern Europe, IDC and Ivan Chmelík, ITC Manager, Deloitte Advisory

CACIO GDPR seminar, TeTa – PRE, 21 February 2017 st

CACIO seminar "The Practical Impact of GDPR on the Life of Internal IT" , TeTa – PRE 21st February 2017, Jiří Polák, CEO, CACIO and Miroslava Matoušová, The Office for Personal Data Protection CZ

CACIO presentation of awarded projects of the 14th anniversary of the competition "IT Project of the Year" 19 th October 2017; Old Town Hall, Brožík`s Hall, Prague

24

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

the year of 2017 CACIO seminar " How to Modify Modern Technology of Information", The Hrzán Palace – Prime Minister Office premises, 27th June 2017 Ondřej Malý, Digital Agenda Coordinator of the Czech Republic - The Office of the Government of the Czech Republic during his speech, Miroslav Hübner, Chairman of CACIO sitting on his left

CACIO seminar "How to Build Modern International IT Effectively" 23rd November 2017, TeTa-PRE, Prague Marta Nováková, President of the Union of Trade and Tourism

CACIO dances & the best project 23rd March 2017, Autoklub Prague From left: Ing. Milan Chlapek, PhD, Prague School of Economics and Miroslav Hübner, Chairman of CACIO

CACIO seminar "Trends in IT Management Disscussion Based on Few Benchmarking Studies" 26th April 2017, TeTa-PRE, Prague From left: Jan Zadák, former President of Hewlett-Packard, Petr Viktora, Partner, Deloitte, and Jan Široký, Regional Vice President, CEE, Austria & Israel Region, CEMA Consulting

CACIO dances & the best project 23rd March 2017, Autoklub Prague From left: Ing. Milan Chlapek, PhD, Prague School of Economics and Jan Bartošek, former Deputy Chairman of the Chamber of Deputies

CACIO dances & the best project 23rd March 2017, Autoklub Prague From left: Ing. Milan Chlapek, PhD, Prague School of Economics, Jan Bartošek, former Deputy Chairman of the Chamber of Deputies, Marko Nguyen, Founder of e-ztraty, Adam Vojtěch, former Minister of Health, and Miroslav Hübner, Chairman of CACIO

Seminar ISSS „GDPR“ 2nd April 2017 From left: Zdeněk Zajíček, President, ICT UNIE reading, Miroslav Marčán, IT Department Director, Ministry of Industry and Trade, and Josef Donát, Lawyer, Rowan Legal

CACIO dances & the best projects prizes, March 23rd, Autoklub, Prague From left: Ing. Milan Chlapek, PhD, Prague School of Economics, Jan Bartošek, former Deputy Chairman of the Chamber of Deputies, Marko Nguyen, Founder of e-ztraty, and Adam Vojtěch, former Minister of Health CZ

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

25

CACIO events in the year of 2017

CACIO seminar "Open Source - When and Why Choose this Solution", National Technical Library, 29th August 2017 Ondřej Koch, Director, Department for Infrastructure, ICT services and infrastructure, National Technical Library

CACIO dances & the best project 23rd March 2017, Rostislav Jirkal, QED Group and Linda Štucbartová, Chief Interviewer, Czech Leaders Magazine

CACIO member & partner recognition evening – Prague Chamber Orchestra concert Clam-Gallas Palace, Prague, 20th September 2017

CACIO dances & the best project 23rd March 2017, Autoklub Prague

26

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

Seminar ISSS "GDPR", Hradec Králové, 2nd April 2017 Ondřej Felix, chief architect of the Czech e-Government at his speech

DIPLOMATIC EVENT

Greek wine tasting

From left: Annegret Stamos, Biblia Chora Winery, H.E. Efthymios Efthymiades, Ambassador of Greece, Pavlos Olziersky, Counsellor of Economic and Commercial Affairs, Embassy of Greece, and Panagiotis Drossos, Greek Corner

Hana Nylander Kaloudová, European Investment Bank and Sotiris Foutsis, University of New York in Prague

On December 7th , the Embassy of Greece, in cooperation with the Greek delicatessen shops "Greek Corner", organized, at the Ambassador's Residence, a tasting of Greek wines from the wineries "Biblia Chora" and "Kokkalis". Ms. Annegret Stamos from "Biblia Chora" presented the Greek wines to the Czech and foreign guests, that included diplomats, officials, sommeliers, representatives of major restaurants, hotels and trading companies, as well as journalists.

From left: H.E. Efthymios Efthymiades, Ambassador of Greece and H.E. Kees Jan René Klompenhouwer, Ambassador of the Netherlands with his spouse

From left: Markéta Mališová, General Manager, Kafka Center and Lucie Orgoníková, Deputy Vice Prime Minister for Science, Research and Innovation

From left: Mr. Peter Pohl, Inter-Trade Praha and Mr. Karel Jeřábek

Marek Vašut, Actor and Moderator

From left: Benke Aikell, your Publisher, Ms Yasmina Malá, Mr Karel Jeřábek, Eva Anderová, Honorary Consul of Zambia, Business Consultant to Czech and Slovak Leaders Magazine and Vice President, Public Affairs UNYP, Phan Kien Cuong, Sigma Consulting, and Peter Pohl, Inter-Trade Praha

From left: Markéta Mališová, General Manager, Kafka Center, Eva Anderová, Honorary Consul of Zambia, Business Consultant to Czech and Slovak Leaders Magazine and Vice President, Public Affairs UNYP, and Mr. Florian Margan

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

27

charity event

From left: Manfred Franke, Founder & Chairman, C4C, Rafal Wojas, Co-Founder, C4C and Renata Maierl, PR Manager, Kaufland Biggest donation of the evening: 1 million CZK plus one minivan pledged by Kaufland for C4C

Gala evening and fundraiser, celebrating the 20 anniversary of non-profit organization Chance 4 Children, generates 1.7 million! th

On October 21st 2017, the charitable non-profit organization Chance 4 Children (C4C) celebrated its 20th anniversary at the Corinthia Hotel Prague. Founded by Manfred Franke and his family in 1997, C4C has been lending a helping hand to children with a social challenge, orphans and children undergoing prolonged hospitalization.

Under the motto "Every Child Deserves a Chance", the non-governmental organization runs three distinctively different initiatives which target the growth and well-being of children in need and at risk.

Overall, since inception, the organization has allocated more than 800 million CZK (36 million USD) in targeted, direct aid to the children it serves.

Themed "The Magic of Circus and Clowns", the evening was enjoyed by all and attended by 120 distinguished guests and supporters of the charity.

Dynamically moderated by TV Nova's Marcela Tomčíková the evening featured many highlights, attractions and special guests. Main supporters and sponsors of the event were the Zátiší Group, the Corinthia Towers Hotel, Copy General, JCHP Event Productions, and the Czech National Circus Berousek.

28

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

charity event

Marcela Tomčíková, Moderator TV Nova and Manfred Franke, Founder C4C hosting the 20th Anniversary of Chance 4 Children (C4C)

Roman Petr, CEO, Copy General CR) and Mrs. Hana Trojanová - highest bidder for signed Jersey of Tennis star Karolina Plíšková, (WTA) World No. 1 in 2017

Jiří Berousek, Czech National Circus Berousek, performing

From right: Rafal Wojas, Co-Founder, C4C and Zdeněk Stach, Founder and Director, SMS-Slevy with his partner Mrs. Leona Radochová - highest bidders for 1 carat, four diamond golf club

Mr. John Paul and Mrs. Ileana Franke - highest bidders for Ice-Hockey superstar Jaromir Jagr's signed Jersey From left: Rafal Wojas, Co-Founder, C4C, Mrs. Radana Ardeltová, Renata Maierl, PR Manager, Kaufland, and Michaela Pfeiferová, Real Estate Director, Kaufland - Team Kaufland receiving C4C Certificate of Appreciation

Team City-Sightseeing (Hop-On Hop-Off ) having fun

Libuše Gabčová, Executive Assistant to Radim Passer with her colleague

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

29

charity event

Mark Agnew, General Manager, Panorama Hotel with his family

Tomáš Rutrle, CEO, Komix with his daughter Jitka

30

Benke Aikell, your Publisher

From left: Jakub Martinů, General Manager, Strong Energy and Tomáš Zabludil, CEO, Stabil Energy

Special guest Veronika Kašáková, Model, Author and President of Nadační fond Veroniky Kašákové

From left: Team Rotary Club Bohemia - Phillip Hanus, Senior Manager, Innogy, Alexander Waidmann, CEO, AHW-Tectum, and Uwe Hengstermann, CEO, Borgers Group

From right: Alexander Waidmann, CEO, AHW-Tectum, Christian Cahn von Seelen, Corporate Strategy, Škoda Auto, Mrs. Heidemarie Waidmann, and Oliver Szabo, Art-Blacksmith

From left: Benke Aikell, your Publisher and Manfred Franke, Founding Members "White Hair & Wisdom Club"

Special quest Stanislav Gálik - Author, Entrepreneur, Innovator

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

I nterview

with

A leš B aran , CEO, S erendipity

Wait for fortuitous circumstances,

or be well-prepared?

In his work, Aleš Baran brings together different continents, spheres and projects. He links corporations up with start-ups, companies with possible grant projects, experienced workers with students. His companies, surprisingly enough, are not based in Prague or Brno, although he spends a lot of time in both cities, as he remains loyal to his home town of Přerov.

P hoto :

archive

Aleš, your first company was named Serendipity. The term “serendipity” has also been described as one of the ten expressions in English most difficult to translate into another language, and is loosely translated into Czech as “fortuitous circumstances”. How many times have you experienced fortuitous circumstances?

And what about your clients?

I’m grateful for every “fortuitous circumstance".

Besides my wife and family, who are fortuitous indeed for me, in my professional life I see fortuitous circumstances in the establishment of co-operation with Martin and Miriam Margala from Massachusetts University (author’s note – you’ll find an interview with Martin Margala of Massachusetts University in the Ambassadors without a Diplomatic Passport section). I share the same values as the Margalas, and also the energy and vision to kick-start co-operation between the Czech Republic and the USA in the field of science, research and innovation.

Getting to know them has allowed me to meet other fascinating people and given me opportunities for which I am extremely grateful.

I really appreciate the opportunity to speak about international projects within the Czech and Slovak Leaders magazine.

Your motto is: Don’t share your plans, instead show results. What results are you proud of?

In 2017, Serendipity prepared the “IT, Languages and Polytechnic Education in the Town of Přerov Accelerator” project, which offers young people in and around Přerov the most cutting edge facilities for informal education and meaningful use of leisure time, especially in afternoons and at weekends, i.e. at times when schools are closed. I am proud that this project has received full marks in an anonymous assessment.

Another Serendipity project is ENAGO. This time, this isn’t a foreign word, but rather an acronym for European North American Grant Office. There is still little awareness within the Czech Republic of the opportunity for funding through European Union and North America joint grants. Why is that the case?

Four years ago, I took part in Kenneth Hoffman’s seminar, “Fundraising from the USA and Opportunities for Czech Charities” at the American embassy. The host posed a key question there: Why do so few non-profit organisations in the Czech Republic apply for grants from the USA when the option is there?

Two years later, I came up with the ENAGO project idea in response to this question.

I endeavour to accelerate and facilitate the process of establishing contacts, placements and study visits, and thus initiate the implementation of more projects between the USA, Canada and the Czech Republic. In order to successfully exploit grants from the USA and Canada, not only is a perfect knowledge of the English language important, but also the presence of a local representative in North America who is familiar with local conditions.

The Margalas I have already mentioned play an important role, because they are familiar with both the European and American perspective.

research and innovation supporters and young scientists at one site. It is a new platform for bringing together the science and research and application sectors. The fact that the number of fair participants, both in terms of exhibitors and participants, has doubled over the past two years demonstrates its continuously growing potential. No researcher who wants to commercialise the outcomes of his research should overlook it, and nor should any company which wants to exploit the latest scientific knowledge within its innovative products.

Exhibitors are sending their registrations for the third year right now. Serendipity has decided to take on organisation of the accompanying Youth Startup Festival on 16 May 2018 which involves the presentation of up to 500 leading youth projects and start-ups from the Czech Republic and beyond. As such, I am a member of the expert council and am happy to be there. The fair’s motto speaks for itself: “Creating a great future together”.

In terms of joint grants, here you can’t just rely on fortuitous circumstances, but you need to be perfectly prepared. What is fundamental to success?

The actual process of applying itself, regardless of the outcome, can be considered key for the reputation of the institution applying for a grant. It is important to realise that even these projects help boost the Czech Republic’s visibility on the North American continent.

Applications for these grants require not just innovative, but also commercially viable ideas, convincing references, partnerships with local institutions, stamina and will, and last but not least a lot of effort. As of yet, we have not acquired any grants from the USA or Canada.

We have, however, acquired a valuable partner and supporter. This is Ms Kristal M Johnson of FundJoy from the USA, with whom we plan to contact leading American foundations to offer them the CSR Index project. This is a kind-of LinkedIn focused on the social responsibility of citizens, corporations, municipalities and nonprofit organisations with the option of setting up your own social responsibility index with a number of other functions leading to improved global sustainable development.

We’re meeting up at the start of 2018. What are your plans for this year? And have you made any resolutions?

For 2018, we have decided to focus on the ENAGO, Accelerator and CSR Index projects.

Future grant funding available will help guide us as to what further challenges may lay ahead for us. On the basis of the Czech Ministry of Labour’s published calls for funding proposals in December 2017, there may well be one original project we might initiate, but I don’t want to get ahead of myself.

In terms of personal resolutions, I want to spend more time with my family, improve my professional English, see myself more frequently in the gym mirror and find an investor for the already mentioned CSR Index project .

You are also a member of the expert council of the Science Research Innovation Fair, which is taking place in May 2018 in Brno.

What makes this fair unique?

The Science Research Innovation international fair offers a unique opportunity to provide a space for discussion and presentation from researchers, application companies, science,

What is your final message for readers of Czech and Slovak Leaders?

I hope that all your readers will find fortuitous serendipity on their side many times in 2018, and that all instances of “unfortuitous serendipity” pass them by. We are donating two free tickets to the Youth Startup Festival as a gift for readers who tell us of the fortuitous serendipity they encountered when they began their business.

The Czech Republic is commemorating 100 years since the establishment of Czechoslovakia.

It was small and medium-sized companies which played a key in the past, and it will be my honour to support such entrepreneurs.

By Linda Štucbartová české znění naleznete v elektronické verzi magazínu na www.czechleaders.com

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

31

gala concert

HILTON

International Ladies' Chamber Choir Viva Voce

CHARITY CHRISTMAS CONCERT

On Wednesday, December 20th, Hilton Prague and Hilton Prague Old Town organized the 21st annual traditional Charity Christmas Concert. The Christmas spirit was shared by the Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic from Zlín conducted by Debashish Chaudhuri as well as violoncello soloist Dominika Weiss Hošková.

As every year, the International Ladies' Chamber Choir Viva Voce, under the baton of Soňa Frýdlová, delighted the audience with traditional Christmas carols.

An auction of premium French wines was part of the event. The amount raised reached CZK 51,000 and a charity cheque was handed over to Terezie Sverdlinová, director of Tereza Maxová Foundation. After the concert, 400 clients and business partners enjoyed a Christmas dinner served in the magnificent Atrium lobby.

Special thanks go to partners of the event – Janka Engineering, Leel Coils Europe, AV Media, BMS Creative, Coca Cola HBC Czech Republic, and Gesto Computers.

Dominika Weiss Hošková, Violoncello Soloist

32

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic

From left: Michael Specking, General Manager, Hilton Prague with his wife Claudia; David Šamšula, Finance Director, Leel Coils Euorope s.r.o. and Janka Engineering s.r.o.; Markéta Šebková, Marketing & PR Manager, Hilton Prague & Hilton Prague Old Town; Filip Eisenreich, CEO, Leel Coils Euorope s.r.o. and Janka Engineering s.r.o.; Terezie Sverdlinová, Director, Tereza Maxova Foundation; Gabriela Lašková, Presenter; and Debashish Chaudhuri, Conductor Debashish Chaudhuri, Conductor

Michael Specking, General Manager, Hilton Prague and Terezie Sverdlinová, Director, Tereza Maxova Foundation

International Ladies' Chamber Choir Viva Voce

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

33

gala concert

From left: Michael Specking, General Manager, Hilton Prague with his wife Claudia; H.E. Milan Hovorka, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the Republic of India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal and Bangladesh with his wife; and H.E. Charles Sheehan, Ambassador of Ireland to the Czech Republic with his wife

David Pospíšil, Sponsorship Manager, National Theatre with his wife Christmas dinner in Atrium lobby

Gabriela Lašková, Presenter and Michael Specking, General Manager, Hilton Prague Christmas dinner in Atrium lobby

34

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

P ublic

Winning

relations

in today’s public relations Tereza Urbánková is a PR, communications and marketing professional with over 18 years’ experience and proven success in delivering award-winning communications programmes for multinational companies operating in industries such as hospitality, retail, IT, defence, broadcast, logistics and engineering. She currently lives and works in London, UK. Tereza is a member of the Executive Committee of the Czech British Chamber of Commerce in the UK and a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations. She speaks Czech, English, Spanish and Russian and can be reached through her LinkedIn profile.

Public relations (PR) has been around longer than most people realise; however, there’s never been such an exciting and challenging time to work in PR as we shift to direct engagement with the public thanks to the internet and social media.

Let’s look at the history first. When it comes to communications to the public, which essentially PR is, one of its first forms was represented by cave drawings from around 3700 – 17000 BC. Later, there were some magnificent leaders such as Julius Caesar who implemented and used persuasive PR techniques to drum up support for war. However, PR allegedly became a profession in 1903 as Ivy Lee undertook to advise John D. Rockefeller on how to conduct his PR. In world wars, PR played a major part in helping promote political propaganda, a form of public relations which can be defined as often misleading, but persuasive, information used to sway public perception to a certain point of view.

We now call it fake news and instead of looking at propagandist war posters, we read messages with similar ethos online.

With the invention of the WWW in 1989, followed by the first social media tools, such as LinkedIn (2003), Facebook (2004), YouTube (2005) and Twitter (2006), the PR landscape has changed for ever. Despite the fact that we’re still churning out press releases and managing traditional media as in the past, PR practice has broadened and incorporated new types of media including influencer relations, social media and community engagement. With the increase in public conversations, understanding audiences and targeted communication play a critical role as that can inform how we position our messaging.

The best strategy nowadays is an integrated approach, making sure that the correct message gets through to the right audiences via the right channels and has impact in terms of informing, educating and influencing behaviours. However, it isn’t the end of evolution. Automation and artificial intelligence are now knocking on our door and will be next to impact the profession.

Empowerment of audiences has become the new norm and PR needs to recognise that. One of the roles of PR is to listen to stakeholders and engage in conversations like never before. Shouting and broadcasting one way doesn't work anymore.

This marks the shift from asymmetrical to symmetrical communication that James Grunig recognises in his Excellence Theory. He suggests that excellence in communication is achieved when the relationship between an organisation and a stakeholder is symmetrical, meaning that both organisation and stakeholder have equal voice. This theory applies to both internal and external communication.

“The two-way symmetrical model for communication maintains both the organisation’s best interests and its audiences’ best interests at the forefront in the most fair and balanced way possible. Through the use of this model, both the organisation and its audiences can collaborate together to both grow and strengthen an overall organisation, leading it to greater success.”

The extensive use of social media has drastically shifted the way people consume information, trust information, communicate and share information and PR professionals had to adapt to this new reality as these tools won’t go away. Q3 2017 Facebook data claims that 1.36 billion active users visited the social network on a daily basis.

In 2020, experts estimate 2.95 billion people to access social networks regularly. Twitter isn’t far behind: “As of the third quarter of 2017, the microblogging service averaged at 330 million monthly active users.” (Statista) Technology, the speed of communication, and a declining print media industry has swept in a revolution. Journalists have thousands or millions of followers directly engaging with their posts instead of passively waiting for articles. Just like the line between external and internal communications, also the line between a journalist, blogger, and social media user is increasingly blurring.

And therefore, if modern PR practitioners want to convey their story successfully, they now need to look across the entire social media landscape and select the most suitable channels. The days of a few of traditional publishers driving communications alone are gone. The number of people publishing content, joining conversations and sharing their views has grown exponentially.

Today, any difference between the expectation that the public has of organisations, and the reality, can turn into a conversation on social media which will be amplified by mainstream media.

These changes impacted the way PR professionals manage communication in general but also crisis communication as social media can easily ignite or magnify any crisis. We use social intelligence which provides a way to measure the success of our PR strategy, and that is very positive. However, using social intelligence also means we can be proactive, discover the stories before they spread and put our crisis management plan into action.

Nowadays speed matters. Acting quickly can make all the difference in influencing opinions, and stopping the story at the source. Sometimes a negative story will rumble on quietly for years before something, or someone, spreads it further and louder than before.

The current PR landscape, and how we manage communication within it, has also impacted a skill set of a PR practitioner. In addition to having some good traditional writing and communications skills, a modern PR professional needs to be flexible, creative, technology savvy, resilient, versatile and fast while still delivering superb quality outputs. Last but not least, being able to lead and manage change has become an integral part of our daily job.

These are indeed very exciting times for us, PR and communications professionals, who manage internal and / or external communications. In addition, it is truly rewarding that we can, now more than ever, make a positive difference and measurable impact on an organisation’s success through our work.

By Tereza Urbánková

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

35

conference

SMART NANO CONCEPT presentation as the opening of the festival Week of Science and Technology

Czech Centers spokeswoman Petra Jungwirth introduces speakers at the Smart Nano press conference: Přemysl Pela, Director of the Development and External Relations Section at Czech Centers, Jiří Kůs, Chairman of the Czech Nanotechnology Industries Association, Stanislav Škoda, Director of the Czech Center in Madrid, and Martin Šlais, Nanoprogress Coordinator

On Monday, November 6, 2017, the first public presentation of the Czech SMART NANO concept was held at the Czech Center Gallery in Prague. It concerns the use of nanotechnological products of Czech companies in smart cities projects. This event also opened the festival “Week of Science and Technology of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic". The press conference was attended by Jiří Kůs, Chairman of the Czech Nanotechnology Industries Association, Martin Šlais, Nanoprogress Coordinator and Stanislav Škoda, Director of the Czech Center in Madrid. Then followed the VIP brunch of Stanislav Škoda who presented the successes of the Czech Center in Madrid in the promotion of Czech innovative technologies in Spain.

Přemysl Pela, Director of the Development and External Relations Section at Czech Centers explains how the Czech centers contribute to the Czech science and inventions popularization

36

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

Jiří Kůs, Chairman of the Czech Nanotechnology Industries Association says: “I have a dream that the Czech Republic will be perceived as a technology pearl in the middle of Europe.”

conference Hydrophobic nano tie that can not get dirty

Martin Šlais, Nanoprogress Coordinator explains how to link the applied research to the business

Stanislav Škoda, Director of the Czech Center in Madrid

Pavel Malúš, Secretary of the Czech Nanotechnology Industries Association shows the window nanofibre membrane which prevents the penetration of dangerous particles

Hologram of the Czech company IQ Structures

Martin Jotov from IQ Structures explains the principles of nanooptics

Anti-dust mite beddings nanoSPACE with nanomembrane for allergy sufferers

Training surface for skiers made using nanotechnology

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

37

conference

Jan Buk, Production Manager, Pardam

Ladislav Torčík, CEO, Nanotrade

Practical demonstration of hydrophobic function of nanotechnologically treated surfaces

Ladislav Torčík, CEO, Nanotrade talks about antibacterial clothing with nanoAg

Blanka Zajíčková, Marketing Director, Advanced Materials JTJ talks about the self-cleaning nanocoatings FN NANO

Miloš Heršálek, CEO, Retap explains the principle of photocatalytic air purifiers

Prof. David Lukáš from the Department of Nonwovens and Nanofibrous Materials at the Technical University of Liberec

38

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

Jiří Kůs explains the principle of protection against allergens using nanoSPACE nanofiber barrier textiles

Stanislav Škoda, Director of the Czech Centre in Madrid, at the VIP brunch

I,

the

B rand

Personal Branding Liberates.

What Do You Do with Your Freedom?

Cristina Muntean specializes in personal branding, strategic communications and personal growth. She has more than 12 years’ experience in the Czech, Romanian and international media. In 2010 Cristina founded Media Education CEE, a Prague-based PR advisory and training agency. Her clients are entrepreneurs and managers with Top100 companies in the Czech Republic and Central and Eastern Europe. Cristina is also the former president of the Czech PR Klub and former chairwoman of the Marketing Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce in the Czech Republic. She is an internationally certified trainer and coach with the Enneagram, a complex system of personal development, and a facilitator of systemic constellations in business organizations. Cristina provides corporate and individual advisory, training, coaching and mentoring in English, Czech, French and Romanian, her mother tongue. She can be reached at +420 776 574 925 or at cm@mediaed.cz.

November is a month when we talk a lot about freedom. On November 17 Czechs made their voice heard several times along the history. Next, December is my beloved month. On December 1st Romania, my native country, celebrates its national day.

The Romanian Revolution also started in December 1989. What better time to talk about freedom than now?

When earlier this year I engaged in a quest to bring all my strategic communication consulting, training and coaching services together I prayed for guidance. All I knew was that I wanted to continue my life doing only work with purpose. Little did I know where a calling could take us when we listen and give room to what is going on within us.

Radiography of a personal journey My whole journey has been one of seeking. I started early as a journalist – I was barely 19 when I moved to Bucharest and started covering the Romanian Parliament for a local radio news agency. My deepest hope was that my work would make a difference in the way we see the world and how we make decisions about our businesses and lives. In 2002 I went to study journalism in France. Then I moved to Prague, where I started working for Czech Business Weekly. When in 2010 I had to finally admit that the media ecosystems in our region had still a long way to go to mature I decided to change professions.

I became a media relations consultant, trainer and coach. This made me realize pretty soon that having the skills to speak on camera is also pretty useless unless we are able to feature authentic leadership and to connect our message to a higher idea, a higher purpose.

So I started another quest. I plunged deeply into the world of psychology, of emotional, social and systemic intelligence in a hope to understand how we function as individuals and as parts of larger systems. I became a certified trainer of the Enneagram, a complex system of personality development, and a facilitator of systemic constellations. At the same time I continued to serve my corporate clients with advisory, training and coaching in strategic communications. So the question that stood in front of me earlier this year was: how can I bring all this in together, connect it to a higher purpose AND stay sane in the process?

Let’s talk a bit about freedom As always, grace is overwhelming. I was reading a book on personal branding when it struck me.

This – personal branding seen not only as a strategy of personal communications, but as a personal journey of leadership and meaning – is what I was after. Personal branding is, well, personal, because it is grounded in the deepest layers of our human personality (the Enneagram came handy at this point). It becomes possible when someone understands the need to hone their communication skills, and it is built in time by communicating one’s values and view of the world over and over again.

Right, but Cui bono? you may ask. This is where freedom comes into place.

Working with numerous leaders this year – from general managers to finance, HR and communication directors – I realized another thing. All these amazing human beings had one thing in common: they all wanted to live their lives on their own terms, to find and express their full potential, and to leave something behind. This realization led me to write I, the Brand – Personal Branding for Thought Leadership, Career and Business Growth in summer this year. I had come to realize that personal branding liberates. Having a powerful, recognized and admired name creates an inflow of positive opportunities that you, as an individual, can use for yourself, your business and the others. Now the even bigger question comes into place: what do we do with our freedom once we found it?

Never forget It was a bitter winter in 1989. A few days before Christmas we went out with my dad to prepare the Christmas tree. A layer of snow was covering the ground and just a few threads of smoke reminded us that we weren’t alone in the village. The silence was complete, broken only by my dad’s hatchet cutting down the stems of the tree. I could see he was preoccupied. Then, all of a sudden, we heard it. A distant, repetitive ta-ta-tah somewhere beyond the hills. My dad took me by the shoulder and got me inside. He went back out and talked agitatedly with my grandfather. It was only later that I understood

what was going on. A few days before, on December 16, the Romanian Revolution had started in Timisoara, 130 km from our village.

The military unit across the hill was training.

On TV, the broadcasting of the freed Romanian television was covering the streets of Bucharest.

“Stop the shooting, stop the shooting,” the moderator was crying. No one knew, at that moment, how it would all turn up. A few days later, on Christmas day, Ceausescu was shot and the country began to stabilize. Romanians had gotten their freedom with the price of blood of thousands of people. Thanks to their sacrifice, ten years later I was able to start studying journalism in a free country.

We live in a time when we have access to the greatest gift in the history of mankind: freedom AND resources. Yet what do we do with this gift? Do we choose to use it individually, to plan our next shopping spree, or do we choose to embrace this unique nurturing context in order to dig deeply into ourselves and to bring those unique individual gifts that each off us possess to light and to put them to the service of others?

Freedom means the ability to choose to put our lives to service. It is not doing whatever we want, recklessly and with no consideration for our environment. It is not having an unlimited amount of options, but being able to choose what it good for us and for our ecosystems (families, companies, states and the Planet) at any given moment. I strongly believe that we have a personal responsibility to build – to see, to educate and to nurture – the future generation of leaders across Central and Eastern Europe, who, born in freedom, know how to handle freedom and do not take it for granted. Responsible, inspiring and purposeful personal communication placed at the service of the greater common good is a good place to start in that direction.

By Cristina Muntean české znění naleznete v elektronické verzi magazínu na www.czechleaders.com

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

39

I nterview

with

D r . I ng . M ichal V oráček ,

media proprietor and entrepreneur

I perceive the media market as STABLE 40

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

I nterview with D r . I ng . M ichal Voráček,

media proprietor and entrepreneur

Over the last twenty years, you’ve acquired a strong reputation as a highly successful founder of new media. Could you tell our readers how you have acquired this reputation?

Over the past two decades, I’ve implemented dozens, perhaps hundreds, of media projects in many countries, the vast majority of which became the number one products in their country. The most well-known of these is Blesk in the Czech Republic, and then a range of other television, audiotex, print and internet projects, the most significant of which include the restructuring and rescue of TV Prima, the restructuring of TV Nova and a range of magazines from Reflex, the Televize weekly to regional papers such as Moravskoslezský den.

What was your path to the “media market”? Are there any milestones in your career you’d like to tell us about?

First I set up the economic weekly Profit, which was extraordinarily successful both in the Czech and Slovak Republics – this was in 1989. Like all my projects, Profit was built from the ground up, from scratch. Eventually I had founded the largest publishers in the Czech and Slovak Republics – Ringier – built up from nothing. When I sold my share, I was still in control of 40 percent of the market (the company is still operating in Slovakia under the name Ringier SR, and in the Czech Republic as the CNC Group). I have also worked in Vltava Labe Media publishers, in TV Nova, Prima Television and essentially all major media projects in the Czech Republic.

I have always strived for absolute innovation, so I am behind, e.g., the first colour newspaper, the first Sunday newspaper, I created a unique Sunday distribution system, implemented the first telephone lottery, I was the first to include a magazine within a newspaper, we were the first to number newspapers, we were the first to launch reader competitions and we started daily campaigns to promote sales.

What do you think of the current Czech media market, in particular in terms of the arrival of strong Czech investors and their roles in Czech media?

P hoto : V ladimír W eiss

I think Czech investors are acting entirely legitimately. After Andrej Babiš purchased MaFra, essentially all strong business entities purchased media groups from foreign proprietors. This is important to them in particular to protect media attacks from rivals, giving them the opportunity to defend themselves and present their perspective on events in the Czech Republic. Foreign proprietors had begun to worry about the intertwining of politicians and financial groups with the media and made the decision to sell quickly. Overall, the media market in

the Czech Republic is fairly stable from my perspective; I anticipate CME or Television Nova will shortly be purchased as the last major acquisitions in the Czech Republic.

Your most recent, much-discussed, project is a collaboration with Czech billionaire Ivo Valenta… What media and activities does this involve?

I’ve worked with Ivo Valenta a number of years, and I must say very successfully.

Our collaboration mainly involves internet products, of which I could mention the very popular website Parlamentní Listy.cz.

This medium has brought us great business success, but what pleases me even more is its large visitor numbers – over 300 thousand readers visit the site every day. Parlamentní listy is exceptional in the Czech market – its profile is a liberal medium which gives space to all political and social positions without differentiation. It is the first medium into which politicians can insert their own uncensored articles and communicate directly to the readers asking them questions.

This is a phenomenon which can no longer be termed simply a medium. It has literally created its own media “landscape” in the Czech Republic and has helped influence the decisions of millions of people. I also work with Ivo Valenta on regional projects such as Praha TV and TV Slovácko, while we have recently joined Regionální televize CZ and founded TV Brno. We would also like to establish ourselves more in Slovakia.

Besides the above, you’re also known as an eminent expert in public relations; have you still got time for such activities?

Yes; I’ve been working for many years as a public relations and marketing expert for major Czech and global companies, and I continue to do so. These include, e.g., Pilsner Urquell , Allianz, PPF, Lagardere, Axel Springer and others. Since 1991, I have owned E-Centrum a.s., which undertakes not just public relations activities, but is also a major player in the property sector. Besides these activities, I am also working for original well-known Czech brands – I have invested significant sums to protect the traditional and sole watch manufacturer in Bohemia, Prim, and I have now got them a leading strategic partner, Czechoslovak Group. I’m not a great fan of watches, but I wanted to protect a unique Czech product and brand.

Not many people realise you are also a philanthropist, as you do not showcase this part of your life much. Can you tell us what fields you support here?

I’ve been working on charity projects for over twenty-five years, and I even set up Nadace

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

41

I nterview

with

D r . I ng . M ichal V oráček ,

pro obnovu a rozvoj (Restoration and Renewal Foundation) for that purpose. But in contrast to others, I don’t boast of my charity even though I invest significant funds in it. I think it is the duty of all successful people to provide help to these who need it, especially disabled people, or e.g. through local and regional activities. The Restoration and Renewal Foundation is one of the ten largest donors in the Czech Republic in terms of the value of its donor fund, or what it donates each year, yet

42

media proprietor and entrepreneur

we only use my own private funds, with the foundation not drawing from any other funds.

What does the word “leader” mean to you? How do you perceive it, and how would you describe yourself as a leader?

I understand the word leader to mean someone with a real leadership position who is always at the forefront, whether in terms of vision or realisation. It’s about controlling

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

a particular sector and achieving number one position as quickly as possible. In terms of myself, I have always tried to do this, and still do. You should never be satisfied with being average or above-average; that’s not enough. Striving for the top position is always a priority.

By CL české znění naleznete v elektronické verzi magazínu na www.czechleaders.com

Will the new Czech government be more

SUCCESSFUL?

The term of the former Czech government saw a gradual recovery from protracted economic crisis and a remarkable growth of GDP. The overwhelming part of the effect, however, was not attributable to the government’s activities, but to the several years of devaluation of Czech koruna (CZK) and to exaggerated austerity measures of the previous ring-centre government.

The space created by such an “economic trampoline” was in fact not used by the government for pro-growth measures, e.g. investment support of new technologies, science and education, but more or less spent in partial and easyto-present expenses in the social and employee sphere. No palpable progress could be recorded in the inevitable and overdue social security and health service reforms.

Partial improvements in the social sector (e.g. the raised compulsory minimum wage) were made at the expense of entrepreneurs whose regulatory burden was not reduced and, with the EET in mind, just developed to the opposite.

A maze of legislative regulations governing the enterprise sector persists as well.

Not all above short-term measures of the former government deserve serious criticism. The improved financial support of families with young children and rise in teachers’ or policemen’s wages were a desired partial compensation of a long-term structural inequity. Less praiseworthy, however, was the general substantial rise in the salaries of state officials that, jointly with a continuous growth in their number, created another contribution to the already imminent degree of mandatory budget expense.

In spite of some achievements like the government’s approval of improved Transport Sector Strategies (Dopravní sektorové strategie) or of the programme of introducing high speed rail, the preparation and construction of transport infrastructure gets into motion only very clumsily, which makes the network lagging behind not even the “old” EU, but also behind some central European countries. Delayed drawing of allotted European funds for the 2007 – 2013 programming period led to a rush in 2015 with spending the remaining funds in projects of lower level; and it seems that, in the recent programming period, the process begins to follow the same path.

The growing economy and a better collection of taxes facilitated even reaching a surplus in the state budget of 2016, and it seems that the deficit of that of 2017 will also be very moderate. But the success in the other areas of public administration was by far smaller. No special progress was reached in the simplification of the very complex tax system with extremely high taxation of labour, or in the IT communication with authorities. In fact, a rare success in the sphere of public administration was the (still disputed) introduction of the electronic registration of sales (elektronická evidence tržeb, EET) addressing tax evasions at the level of small businesses.

Another problem is that the system of education also remains without significant changes feeding a stable discrepancy between schoolleavers' qualifications and real employment needs in the labour market, especially with missing technical professions. With some exceptions, generally unsatisfactory level of university education is obvious in particular if compared internationally.

All in all, the new cabinet, after its uneasy formation, has been left much to improve. It has to prepare a necessary simplification of the tax and company founding legislation and also deal with changing the social security system into a sustainable mechanism, and thus evade relative impoverishment of pensioners. The education system should help to produce missing specialists. Problems of labour market can be mitigated by some imports of cheap labour force from abroad in the short run; but in the long run the

main impulse is to be created by automation (4.0 industries) and development of the sector of services. Czechia as a “European mounting and storage shop” is to transform into the position of a supplier of high-value-added products and services. Inevitable in this respect are a profound reform of the educational system and efficient support of science and research.

The continuing swelling of state administration is to be put to an end, and further deterioration of its quality stopped by instigating competent specialists from private sphere to enter.

Speeding up of planning and construction of transport infrastructure is vital to prevent further stagnation of its quality. First and foremost, it is necessary to begin with introducing legislation supporting strategic infrastructure projects and giving due preference to national investment priorities.

A more active policy towards EU is no less needed, so as to enhance cooperation on tackling its critical problems and ensuring that the Czech voice is clearly heard. A long-lasting problem to be solved is underproportional participation of Czech specialists in European structures. The theme of disputed Czech accession to euro is not simply a question of public contribution to European stability mechanisms or of potentially induced inflation but also of the discussed trend of creation of a “hard core” of EU countries, naturally united on the basis of the single currency. The Czech economy still has the chance to belong to this core with similar position like its key trade partner, Germany.

With all this in mind, it is necessary to frankly wish the new government much necessary energy and all the good luck.

Emanuel Šíp Partner Allied Progress Consultants Association

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

43

44

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

Martin Záklasník, Director of E.ON, speaking at the Main Conference

ELAI Our Team prepared everything at their best, from left: Barbora Hrdličková and Kristýna Šišková

Global Entrepreneurship Week Czech Republic 2017 brought together over 7 000 people at 101 events across the country in celebration and support of entrepreneurship. It was organized the fifth year in the row by European Leadership & Academic Institute (ELAI) in Prague with the aim of cultivating a thriving ecosystem for the support of entrepreneurship in the Czech Republic. The week was held under the auspices of the Czech Chamber of Commerce, Association of Small and Medium Enterprises of the Czech Republic and the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic. The main event was held on 15th of November at the Slovanský dům in Prague 1.

The all day Event, which included Fair, Seminars and Conference, attracted over 2 500 participants. It hosted experts on Entrepreneurship for businesses, as well as for the general public.

Visitors could attend Business Fair, Seminars, the Main Conference or learnt about advantages of franchising

Visitors could also discuss advantages of coworking centres

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

45

ELAI The Main Conference was sold out several days ahead

The Fair was full of visitors for the whole day

46

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

Jan Zadรกk, Private Investor, previously global Vice President of Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Services, at the Main Conference

ELAI Alexander Habinski, Head of Cloud Service Provider & ISV Market Segment of IBM, speaking at the Main Conference with Lukáš Sedláček, Founder & Executive Director of Elai

We discussed news in the educational field

ELAI Team with Lukáš Sedláček, Founder & Executive Director of Elai in the middle

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

47

The private by invitation only event was about a personal story between two friends who were bonded together by a chance. These two women together had created a “one of a kind“ unique Casa Serena brand which was introduced to the Czech Republic on December 19, 2007. The first “ Tribute to Serena“ celebrates its 10th birthday.

Maureen Chang, founder of Casa Serena brand has always kept Serena and her vision at heart describing Serena as an unselfish caring and loving wife and mother, a woman who always did her best to help the others, thinking of others before herself.

Serena Lin was an exceptional woman, touching every heart deeply.

Serena, we love you

On behalf of Serena, her friend, Mrs. Maureen Chang announced “Casa Serena”, a private venue was born on December 19th, 2007

From left: Benke Aikell, your Publisher, Maureen Chang, Václav Loubek, Partner, Deloitte, and Renáta Paceltová, Business Development, AmCham

48

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

From left: Mrs. Denise Belangia and Mrs. Deborah Corner

Mrs. Karolína Sluková and Zdeněk Sluka, Photographer

From left: Maureen Chang and Alena Nádeníková, Quality Management

From left: Mrs. Eva Klimplová, Mr. František Kroutil, and Mrs. Libuše Krtilová

Mr. Petr Horák and Maureen Chang

Renáta Paceltová, Business Development, AmCham and Václav Loubek, Partner, Deloitte

From left: Čeněk Lorenc, Resort Media, Martin Kocourek, Hotelier, Mr. Petr Horák, and Maureen Chang

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

49

All together

50

Maureen Chang and Čeněk Lorenc, Resort Media

From left: Mr. Petr Horák, Martin Kocourek, Hotelier, and Mr. Milan Škára

2002 April; Serena and Maureen Chang create the vision of “Casa Serena”

Maureen Chang and Benke Aikell, your Publisher

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

Are you sure you understand your audience?

P hoto :

archive

Coaching and facilitating workshops yield a tremendous amount of rich material for reflection and defining what is trending in the workforce.

The challenge of dealing with teams, managing teams, making them produce the right results continues to be in the top tier of “things that keep you awake at night”.

I always say everywhere I go that one of the most fundamental things we need to do is “read” our audience.

Understanding what they need, who they are, what are their expectations, is critical to success. It is a process that requires observation, desire to ask open ended questions, active listening and making sure you are “present” (focused) during the communication process.

Another great tool that helps further identify the needs of your team is Kolb’s Learning Styles Schema.

Kolb's learning theory developed in 1974 defines four distinct learning styles, which are based on a four-stage learning cycle.

The four styles are: Diverging (feeling and watching), Assimilating (watching and thinking) Converging (doing and thinking) and Accommodating (doing and feeling).

What I find very powerful is that once you understand how the individual learns, it is easier to delegate, communicate and reward. Each style has different set of needs for rewards.

I invite you to look into Kolb´s work, there is much to be found in the internet. Promise you it will be worth your time.

We seem to continue to move toward more consolidations, mergers, and acquisitions. The organisations we know today change overnight! The only way to keep the momentum is to rely on good strong teams, so it is really critical you spend time analyzing their needs so that they can execute in a timely and productive way.

As we close the year I wish you all a joyful holiday. I wish for all continued success. May all the projects and endeavors in front of you unfold with ease and a high sense of purpose. Na zdraví!

Elisabet Rodriguez Dennehy President Rodriguez and Associates LLC

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

51

P hoto : A rchive

with

I nterview B rigadier G eneral

JUD r . P avel K říž , L.L.M.

The journey from law offices to heading the Military Police

52

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

I nterview

with

B rigadier G eneral JUD r . P avel K říž , L.L.M.

Brigadier General Pavel Kříž studied Law at the university in Plzeň , then at the University of Greifswald’s Faculty of Law and Economics . He worked for a law firm in Germany, then undertook practice within the German judiciary and at the bar. He found the work and relations in large law firms did not nourish him and in 2006 he joined the Military Police.

He also studied in Charlottesville, Virginia, for the George G Marshall European Center for Security Studies in Germany and for the Peace Center in Turkey. In 2011-2012, he participated in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan. Since 1 June, he has been the head of the Military Police, reporting directly to the Czech Republic’s Minister of Defence. Pavel Kříž is married with three children. usually associate us with the guarding of certain important buildings, or perhaps accompanying motorcades on visits to the Defence Ministry. The Military Police’s activities, however, go much wider. Some of our key services include not just the protection of buildings, people and entourages, but also traffic and enforcement services, protecting planes and flights, protecting supply facilities (formerly munitions depots), military pyrotechnic services, cynology services focused on finding drugs, weapons, munitions and explosives, and criminal services.

General, first of all I would like to congratulate you on your appointment as Brigadier General, a rank you have received at the age of 39 after 11 years of service. Are you the youngest general in history?

Thank you for your congratulations. I see my appointment to the rank of Brigadier General more as an appreciation of the work of all military police officers. Incidentally, I am not the youngest general in the history of the Czech Republic and Czechoslovakia. I believe this was Ludvík Krejčí, who became Brigadier General at the age of 33.

But you arrived in your career in the Military Police the long way round through the judiciary and the bar. Working in a large law firm did not suit you, however.

I can appreciate this; confronted with reality, quite a lot of young people choose to leave large corporations. But you’re the first to leave for the Military Police. What led you to this decision?

The possible disillusionment you mention can probably happen in any sector, including the legal sector. I was lucky that I enjoyed my work, but I didn’t find quite the fulfilment I was looking for in it. Since I had always been an enthusiast of sport and hard physical exercise in general, for me it was a logical step to try working in one of the armed forces, perhaps the police or army. In the end, it was a compromise of the two and the Military Police came out on top.

And considering the position of legal advisor to the MP’s Special Operations Unit I held, I also remained “loyal” to law, which I enjoy.

You were part of the ISAF mission in Afghanistan, for which you were also awarded a Grade III medal for Service in the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic, and a Non-Article 5 NATO medal, ISAF

Operation. What has this mission given you, not just from a professional perspective, but also personally?

Experience abroad is always a great lesson.

Contending with different nationalities, different mentalities, habits, the approach to carrying out one’s duties, perception of time and values; this is something that is hard to equate to anything else and describe: you just have to experience it. When on top of all that you are also being deployed in a war zone, the effects of everything I have just mentioned are multiplied about a dozenfold. So to summarise my experience in a few words – it was an experience you can’t get in the Czech Republic, at both a professional and personal level.

Do you miss being on missions abroad?

Does soldiers’ willingness to be deployed in missions change once they’ve started a family?

Before I was appointed head of the MP, I did want to go abroad at least one more time, which I guess won’t surprise you after what I’ve just said. But now it’s not realistic, and so I’m not even considering the issue. I know I can’t, so there’s no point in thinking about it.

The second part of your question would probably need a whole psychological study.

I can hardly speak for anyone else, but in my case my willingness has not changed though I am more aware of possible consequences should anything happen. Personally, I think soldiers’ willingness and engagement do not change; in my opinion service abroad is a welcome challenge for most soldiers.

What does the public not know about what the Military Police do and should know?

I suppose not everyone knows what the Military Police’s actual mission is. The public

You are a public servant; is it possible to plan where your career will take you next?

There have been discussions for many years within defence on the necessity of progressively implementing a career system set up so that every soldier has an idea of how his career will develop in future. This should apply to soldiers across all ranks and all positions. Considering the role I hold, it is clear that in terms of career growth there is nowhere further for me to go within the Military Police, but a huge challenge for me is securing the Military Police’s further development and staff stabilisation. Recently, the Minister signed off the MP Development Concept up to 2025 and one of the great tasks in front of me is to execute this progressively so it does not remain merely on paper.

What are your thoughts on reintroducing compulsory military service?

Personally, I don’t think we should go back to the model that used to be here, the compulsory year of basic national service. Considering how the technology we use today is developing, professional armed forces are clearly the right choice. On the other hand, I believe that all young men should be able to handle a weapon to a basic level, and be physically, morally and mentally prepared to serve their country if required. I think there is a lack of a sense of real patriotism and a certain respect for history in today’s society. This might sound a little emotive, but what bothers me the most is when I come across people who just hold their hand out but don’t give anything of themselves; they expect to receive but don’t offer anything themselves. As J F Kennedy said: “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”

Linda Štucbartová české znění naleznete v elektronické verzi magazínu na www.czechleaders.com

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

53

P hoto : M ichal P avlík

international conference

13

th

Prague Security Conference

Economy and Trade: Tools for a Safer World

On November 3rd , 2017 the National Technical Library hosted 13th Prague Security Conference. Traditionally organized by the Center for Security Policy (Institute of Political Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University), in cooperation with Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, the conference attracted around two hundred participants.

Miloš Balabán, Head of the Center for Security Policy IPS FSS CU

From left: Jiří Rusnok, Governor of the Czech National Bank, and Miloš Balabán, Head of the Center for Security Policy IPS FSS CU

54

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

From left: Pavel Juříček, Chairman of the Board Brano Group a.s. and Brano a.s., Member of the Chamber of Deputies, Parliament of the Czech Republic, and Jiří Rusnok, Governor of the Czech National Bank

international conference

H.E. Sten Schwede, Ambassador of the Estonian Republic to the Czech Republic

From left: Dana Kovaříková, Acting Head of the Representation of the European Commission in the Czech Republic, and Anne Seyfferth, Director of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Representation in the Czech Republic and Slovakia

Michal Mejstřík, Institute of Economic Studies, FSS CU

From right: H.E. Barbara Richardson, Ambassador of Canada to the Czech Republic, H.E. Ma Keqing, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Czech Republic, Anne Seyfferth, Director of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Representation in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, H.E. Sten Schwede, Ambassador of the Estonian Republic to the Czech Republic, and Ivan Hodač, President of the Aspen Institute Central Europe

Sebastian Dullien, HTW Berlin – University of Applied Sciences

From left: Jiří Rusnok, Governor of the Czech National Bank, and Miloš Balabán, Head of the Center for Security Policy IPS FSS CU

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

55

international conference

Pavel Kysilka, Chairman of the Administrative Board of 6D Academy, former Vice-Governor of the CNB and General Manager of Česká spořitelna

P hoto : M ichal P avlík

Irina Kobrinskaya, Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations, Russian Academy of Sciences Peter Stračár, CEO for General Electric in Central and Eastern Europe, and Dita Charanzová, Member of the European Parliament

H.E. Ma Keqing, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Czech Republic

Dita Charanzová, Member of the European Parliament

Vladimír Bärtl, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic

56

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

Ignacio Garcia Bercero, Director at Directorate General for Trade of the European Commission

international conference

Ivan HodaÄ?, President of the Aspen Institute Central Europe

Pavel Chovanec, Director of Investment Projects Management, CzechInvest

Martin Tlapa, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic

Petr Vaněk, Director, Public Relations Department, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Czech

H.E. Seoung-Hyun Moon, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Czech Republic

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

57

I nterview

with

P rof . I ng . V ladimír M ařík , D r S c .,

dr . h . c .

P hoto :V ladimír W eiss

There is only good or bad research

Congratulations, Professor, on receiving the Medal of Merit state award. How did you feel receiving the award?

It was certainly a great feeling, perhaps one of excitement, leading me to look back at my life up to now. I appreciate the award, because there is no higher award I could get in the Czech Republic.

I’m happy my work has been valued at home too, having received a similar Austrian award, specifically a Cross of Honour for Science and Art, 13 years ago. This award, however, is not just for me, but also for my colleagues. Today’s Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics and Cybernetics could not have come about without the courage and passion of over a hundred of my colleagues, who shared my vision of building something new and necessary for the whole Czech Republic.

Looking back at your career, what do you see as the key milestones?

One of the key milestones is building up the Cybernetics Department at the Czech Technical University, which I established in 1999 and led until 2013. This department has received the European Union Centre of Excellence title and the European Commission’s prestigious European IST Prize. Besides ourselves, only two companies have received this award, and when it is received by a department it demonstrates its outstanding quality. The next stage in my career began in 2008-2009, when I came up with the idea of building a new type of institute. In so doing, I aimed not just to integrate research in the subject area and

58

secure a synergy between different workplaces, but also to become a kind of doorway to the world of industry, along the lines of Stanford University, Carnegie Mellon University and Tokyo University.

We must seek a solution such that we can transfer the knowledge which is concentrated at university and continuously expanding, to industry and put it into practice within society. We realise we are funded from the government budget. We are seeking a model for connecting excellent research with useful results to apply in practice.

I can feel your energy and passion, so I must ask about your further plans. We’re talking in a new building, the just opened and unique Testbed, but I’m sure you’ve got other visionary ideas in your mind.

Our first task is to make this institute fully operational by 2020. I anticipate the institute will have fully met its capacity of 350 researchers within three years.

Already at the end of 2017, we have 180 positions filled. The institution won’t just be a showcase for the CTU, but for Czech higher education in general.

We need another three years to implement this.

We’re always aiming for the new; we’re currently supporting Industry 4.0 and Society 4.0 in the Czech Republic. We want to be home to a National Centre which will support not just implementation of Industry 4.0 ideas within industry itself, but also support smart cities, smart regions and modern energy systems. These three areas are closely related to today’s industrial revolution and represent three cornerstones on which quality of life will be

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

dependent in future. Besides the Testbed, a new research and experimental workplace focused on Industry 4.0, we also want to have Smart Cities, Smart Regions and Smart Energy laboratories.

And I’m going to mention one more longterm vision which goes beyond 2020. I want to connect our institute within a European research infrastructure in industrial manufacturing. Together with our partner institutes in Saarbrücken, Germany and other Austrian institutes, we want to lay the foundations of European virtual infrastructure for researching manufacturing facilities and systems on the basis of the utilisation of virtual reality. And then I’ll be able to retire.

I really appreciate your approach of not separating primary and applied research. In Israel, they consider this separation outdated.

I’ve held the opinion for many years that there is only good or bad research, and not basic and applied research. Both categories overlap so closely that no-one can say exactly where the border is.

Some research is naturally closer to investigations of how the world works – physical, biological and other principles, while other research is closer to industry. Look at the graphene nanomaterial, for example. Where is the border between basic and applied research here? If I’m researching something, I need to test whether it is going to work in practice, and then use this feedback in further research closer to the core of the matter.

It’s an artificially created border. Those whose research mainly results in publication outcomes

I nterview endeavour to create their own world. Those with financial or industrial results should not enter this world. But one cannot live without the other.

Here I deliberately set up mixed teams so that both categories of scientist are represented; both those closer to theory and those closer to practice.

Expert theoreticians, who prove mathematical theorems and who are difficult to understand, work alongside those who can take intermediate results and test them out in practice. This is the best approach to ensure scientists working on socalled basic research do not become isolated in their own bubbles.

Another thorny issue is co-operation between universities and business. Why do some still look down on this type of co-operation?

Dare I elaborate. Do you mean they look down on it as something which is dirty, dishonest, inferior?

Let’s go back to the start of our discussion. We’re at university, we travel the world, we collect knowledge, and all using public money. This means we have an obligation to do something for the state. The state needs to support the economy; it needs small and medium-sized companies which are going to respond to global trends to be competitive. Unfortunately, the Czech Republic does not own large companies such as Siemens and IBM, and small and medium-sized companies do not have enough funds for research. Thus our job is to assist small and medium-sized companies and bring them results. So why do I think there is so much grumbling that co-operation with industry doesn’t work? Co-operation with industry at sums of tens of thousands of crowns is not attractive, and doesn’t make sense. Only co-operation which is both long-term and systematic makes sense. That’s why we need a system which is stable and won’t change every two years depending, for example, on the decisions of academic senates. Teams which co-operate must be set up for the long-term, and must be stable and of a certain size. I am an open critic of the Czech higher education environment because it is not governed with a management style, but rather through senates with great powers but no responsibilities. Thus the environment closes in on itself and publications and taught lessons are valued, rather than transferral to real practice.

You’ve said that large and small companies are important for co-operation. Could one give a specific example of such co-operation in the large company SAP, with your centre as mediator, and Linet as a representative of small and medium-sized Czech enterprises?

You’ve put your finger on the fact that we do act as a mediator between multinational companies which set the trend, the research community and small and medium-sized businesses. This “triple alliance” is needed in applying new technologies within small and medium-sized firms. It is here that our economy’s momentum is created. And now let’s be specific. SAP has its own programme supporting universities and implementing cooperation. Institutes such as ours are a suitable partner because we are a platform both within the CTU and within the Czech Republic in general. If SAP is supplying software solutions or technical

with

P rof . I ng . V ladimír M ařík , D r S c .,

support, then it is basically supporting all faculties and opening up the doors to other universities who have workplaces here. We have created a single place where the complex SAP system can be established, and thus which can demonstrate all of its various aspects. We are gradually beginning to take up individual aspects and implement them into teaching, and we will subsequently be providing consultation to small and mediumsized enterprises. It should be said that there were a number of large companies that expressed an interest in co-operation, but discussions often ended merely at the level of promises. SAP, however, took action. They implemented a system, made a contract on co-operation with similar centres in Europe, were very accommodating in the needs of teaching and released the system for industrial co-operation with other businesses. Thus, in our Testbed we can demonstrate how physical production facilities can be connected to SAP. Investment from the company and our efforts are always required to begin with. We, however, teach small and medium-sized enterprises to use all the technologies we have available to us. It would be a shame if they didn’t use the systems because nobody understood them. You really need to bring in students to the systems, let them have a go on them and implement a smaller solution. In line with current trends, then, a large company with a very interesting global product which, however, is difficult to operate, can find a university which plays the role of mediator both for teaching future users, and also to enlighten current users.

And how does Linet come into this scheme of co-operation?

I’ve been following Linet since the very beginning; it is a company which is growing very successfully through the managerial abilities of its founder, Mr Frolík, whom I know personally. Our scientists have helped at various phases in solving certain elements of technology, whether in terms of developing special sensors for measuring particular patient bodily functions directly at the bedside, or in terms of a system using collected data from sold beds to help to secure so-called after-market service. At the current time, our co-operation is leading to improvements in current products, and we are considering what additional technologies can be added, whether in terms of computer vision or assessing biomedical data from sensors we have available. Linet is another example of a company which has always promoted co-operation with universities. Last week, we received their newest type of bed, which we are going to have in our so-called “intelligent apartment”. We’re going to be testing out all the equipment in this apartment.

The apartment has standard furnishings, with a kitchen, staircase, living room with seating, a bed, but it also contains a network of sensors which are going to be collecting data on the movement or falls of individuals. Thus it will be able to monitor older, sick or disabled people. Basically, we’re going to have an overview of what’s happing within the apartment. And what does Linet expect to get from us? Testing their product in operation, feedback, involvement in the development of further solutions and last but not least, students learning

dr . h . c .

about their product. Many students may become engineers in hospitals and will have an awareness of the brand and its products. This co-operation is evidence that small and medium-sized companies who work in developing technologies can become large companies. The Czech Republic can do this.

This is the right vision for the Czech Republic. Small and medium-sized companies, which really are the driving force of the economy, will be able to penetrate not just beyond the Šumava mountains with their ideas and products, but even across the Atlantic Ocean, as Linet has demonstrated with its approach. Linet doesn’t just co-operate with us, but also with other universities, some of which they have already managed to join us up with.

Can representatives of other companies contact you about co-operation?

Yes; we have a procedure for co-operation with businesses. As I’ve said, we are always interested in long-term co-operation. We offer businesses the creation of shared laboratories where company representatives can investigate and prepare new technology solutions alongside our experts. The Czech Republic has much better conditions for this type of co-operation than many other countries.

We have clever engineers with the gift of innovative thinking who can handle any situation.

So even Czechs can teach the world something?

Exactly; I’ll give an example I’m proud of. In 2016, we signed a contract with a German institute for artificial intelligence when Angela Merkel came to visit. Mrs Merkel promised 1 million Euro for the purchase of shared equipment. From the Czech politicians, we’re still waiting for the money promised, but our German colleagues had the money in their account within 14 days and today they have purchased 16 collaborative robots. We wanted to do an experiment in which we would take the robots and use them in our lines. After calculating the transport costs, we were forced to find another solution. As such, the machines can remain in Germany, but we can involve them in testing the production line using the internet. We sent our products to Germany electronically, and our colleagues printed them out. In this way, we created the first virtual Testbed in Europe. Some machines were on the ground floor, we left heavy robots in the basement and two robots were involved in Germany. We tuned their functions and using Google Glass we saw them on the screen as if they were here. On the neighbouring screen, we checked that they are connected in Germany as we had anticipated. Our colleagues in Germany really liked this first experiment. It is we who are today preparing a large European project within virtual reality. And an innovative solution such as this was the result of a lack of funds to move the robots. The possible outcomes, and resultant changes in the business model hand in hand with flexibility and speed represent the endless opportunities of the future shared economy.

Linda Štucbartová české znění naleznete v elektronické verzi magazínu na www.czechleaders.com

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

59

Interview with Delana Mikolášová, first Czech Attaché for Science, Research and Innovation in Israel

In Israel it’s about what you know, not who you are

Photo: Archive Delana, let’s begin with the recent past; it’s your two-year anniversary in this role. What have you achieved over this relatively short period of time?

A lot has been achieved; first of all I should mention the establishment of institutional co-operation with the Weizmann Institute of Science. This institute is considered one of the ten most prestigious science institutes in the world. In spring this year (2017, author’s note), Deputy Prime Minister for Science, Research

60

and Innovation, Pavel Bělobrádek, visited the Weizmann Institute of Science accompanied by a scientific mission to sign a Declaration of Mutual Co-operation with the Institute’s president, Daniel Zajfman on behalf of the Czech Republic. As a result of this meeting this meeting, the Czech Academy of Sciences has already arranged scholarships for Czech post-doctoral students. Our young scientists will now have the opportunity to undertake research at the Weizmann Institute for up to three years. We can

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

We met in Tel Aviv, in Café Masaryk on Masaryk Street under a larger than life-sized wall-mounted picture of the first Czechoslovak president.

The venue alone demonstrates how unique and lasting CzechIsraeli relations are. It was Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk who was the first statesman in office to travel to the then territory of Palestine in 1927 to support the idea of establishing an independent Jewish state. But good diplomatic relations can’t rely solely on history; new trends and areas have to be focused on too. The modern State of Israel, termed a “start-up nation”, excels in science and research.

Although the Israeli population represents just 0.1 % of the global population, in terms of scientific publications, Israeli scientists produce a respectable 0.5-0.8 % of worldwide output.

It is no coincidence, then, that in 2015 it was to Israel that the Czech Republic first sent out a scientific diplomat. And as Leaders readers know me as an equal opportunities advocate, I am twice as proud that the first scientific diplomat role has been filled by Delana Mikolášová. be proud of this success, as with the exception of bilateral agreements with the USA and partially with Germany, no other country of our size has achieved an agreement for such an extensive and direct form of co-operation. I am extremely pleased that the first two Czech researchers have been working at the Weizmann Institute since November 2017 and more will follow next year.

Another success I would like to mention is the links forged between scientists and researchers from the Academy of Sciences with their Israeli

Interview with Delana Mikolášová, first Czech Attaché for Science, Research and Innovation in Israel counterparts. Within eight months, a total of over 150 scientists from both countries have met as part of a mobility grant, which is an exceptionally high number. I am pleased that there is mutual interest in co-operation. Besides prestigious institutions such as the already mentioned Weizmann Institute, the universities in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, and Technion in Haifa, the Israeli Chemical Society is also actively engaged in the Czech research environment, sending its experts to the prestigious international organic chemistry conference organised by Masaryk University in Brno. When I started out in this position, one of my main tasks was to establish working cooperation between Czech and Israeli institutions and research sites engaged in science and research. I think we have achieved this. Now both Israelis and Czechs know whom to contact if they are interested in co-operation. Important partners for me in Israel are in particular the Ministry for Science, Technology and Space, and the Directorate for Science and Research for Co-operation with Europe, part of the Ministry of Economy. I’m involved in the process of establishing Czech-Israeli co-operation as a kind of facilitator; I don’t deal with the academic side of the matter, but rather help mainly through brokering suitable contacts and accelerating cooperation on both sides. Scientific co-operation is very interesting within diplomacy; political topics are sidelined and you are confronted with all the different fields, from biology to physics, something which is incredibly interesting.

To what extent is the role of science diplomat, or more specifically Attaché for Science, Research and Innovation, widespread in other countries?

The fact we are building up this network puts us alongside larger countries. In Israel, countries such as Great Britain, Italy, Holland, France, and from the Visegrad Four also Hungary, have filled this position.

For a long time, you were the only science diplomat the Czech Republic had appointed.

There are two of us now. My colleague was appointed to Washington in summer 2017.

I think it is really important to expand a network of science diplomats, as it is becoming an ever more influential part of modern diplomacy in the West. The Czech Republic should not be left behind here. Once the other party becomes familiar with our position, it greatly facilitates communication for all involved.

What was your career path?

I studied Political Science and European Studies in Olomouc. I spent almost two years on an exchange study programme at the University of Tel Aviv during my studies. I taught for a while at university, and I then underwent a selection procedure at the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affair’s Diplomatic Academy.

After completing my diplomatic training I worked for three years at the Middle East and Africa Department where I was responsible for relations with Israel and the Palestinian territories.

As I’ve already mentioned, I don’t consider myself an expert in science; my contribution is more a knowledge of the environment, contacts, culture and mentality. Israelis are focused on accomplishments and speed; they are used to make decisions very quickly. It may occur that Israelis change times or venues for meeting at the very last minute and you shouldn’t take this as a sign of disrespect or disinterest. It is also important to take Jewish holidays into account, and the fact that here Sunday is the first day of the working week. Czechs too often aren’t aware of these facts, and this can lead to unnecessary misunderstandings.

Israel presents itself as an interesting partner or investor. What else should Czechs know about Israel?

Israel is very close to Europe. Today we’re sitting here together in a café in the centre of Tel Aviv, and as you can see for yourself you don’t need to worry about complex cultural differences or be afraid of the security situation. News in the media, in particular regarding security, does not always reflect reality. Regarding science and research, in terms of number of scientists per capita Israel is ahead of powers such as the USA and Japan. There are 8 400 scientists per million population in Israel; in the Czech Republic we have 3 400 scientists per million population. There are 5 000 technology start-ups here, and 500-1000 more popping up each year, which is the highest concentration after Silicon Valley. In Israel, it’s mainly about what you know, and not who you are formally. This is a society which gives great opportunities to women; gender here does not play a role. Furthermore, all Israelis have army experience, where women hold roles as commanders, and so they don’t have problems with women in high management.

Israelis are also very family-oriented, establishing their families earlier than in Europe. Israel only gives short parental leave of just three months. However there is also a very well-developed system of care for small children in the form of various crèches then nursery schools which allow women to return to work quickly without their career having suffered in any major way through setting up a family. I would also like to say that Israelis don’t insist on authority and as such it is relatively easy to meet with even high status people. And you will always get the chance to showcase what you know or can offer.

It is purely up to you how to take advantage of this.

I’d like to return to Israel’s successes, especially within the exact sciences. Are the humanities in decline in Israel? And are there some proven practices which the Czech Republic could apply?

Humanities and social sciences comprise the bulk of subjects studied at universities; science and IT only represent about 30 %. The reason Israelis aren’t afraid of science is that from the beginning of schooling they are taught to build a natural relationship with science. 2nd Grade of the Elementary School children begin undertaking certain science projects. Politicians are also involved. Former Israeli President Shimon Peres promoted high school student visits to university

laboratories. These models are then important within communities. It has been shown that Israeli Arabs do not have so many natural rolemodels in their families in terms of academic workers. However, if they visit university with their peers they can easily find their own models.

Science knows no borders. It was Shimon Peres who promoted the idea of Israel as an innovative nation. The Shimon Peres Centre, which Peres founded during his lifetime, does not just focus on studying peace, but another important part of its agenda is to promote science and innovation across all sections of Israeli society. Shimon Peres declared that, “Israel’s size should not be measured in square kilometer, but in the number of scientists per square kilometer.” Basic research is not particularly differentiated from applied research, and an entrepreneurial approach is part of the university approach. A title is not of itself important. A doctorate in biology is no guarantee that your start-up will also be a success.

I feel your dedication and energy. Israel has infected you in a good way then.

Yes; after a few days you begin to feel that absolutely anything is possible here. I’ll give my friend Helen Wexler as an example, who was nominated amongst the 60 most influential Israelis under 30 on the basis of a prestigious ranking put together each year by Forbes magazine. At 27 she is leading a successful startup engaged in sustainable architecture on the Moon in collaboration with a NASA team. Her second project focuses on supporting the startup ecosystem in Jerusalem, and co-operates with Jerusalem Municipality Council. She also lectures at the Hebrew University and often takes part in conferences in Europe and the USA. Yet she still has time for her friends and her partner. These stories enrich you while also making you think about what you can do. As I have already mentioned, the ideas of “If you want to, you can” and “There are no obstacles” really are infectious in a positive sense.

Finally, I’d like to ask you for any recommendations for anyone interested in co-operation with Israel.

Israelis don’t lack the self-confidence to showcase their ideas and test them out even if they don’t always succeed. We Czechs still tend to underestimate ourselves. We have great experts who sometimes feel that Israelis are better informed. Yet this often isn’t the case. Israelis merely know how to present facts better. Note that in the renowned book “Start-Up Nation”, many of the projects showcased were not implemented or even fell apart. The facts that start-ups fail is considered a normal state of events. And similarly it would be strange if you applied for a position in some company without experience in at least one start-up. It is entirely common to change your job or field of work, with specialisation put off until later. It is important to adapt to what is needed.

This flexibility can give us inspiration.

Linda Štucbartová české znění naleznete v elektronické verzi magazínu na www.czechleaders.com

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

61

D iplomatic

event

Juraj Pavol, G2 Server, Jiří Sven Svěrák, Regional Director Germany & Austria, G2 Server – proud sponsor of our coverage of Austrian National Day, JUDr. Ivana Červenková, Deputy Minister, Chancery, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jan Koukal, former Czech Ambassador to Austria, Special Advisor to the IIASA, Director General, IIASA

P roud S ponsor of our coverage of A ustrian N ational D ay

AUSTRIAN

National Day at Žofín

From left: Franz Pommer, General Manager, Porsche CR and H.E. Dr. Alexander Grubmayr LL.M. , Ambassador of Austria with his wife Dr. Bettina Fink

From left: Klaus Pilz, Regional Director CR, Vienna House, and Alexander Waidmann, Kommerzialrat, AHW Tectum with his wife

62

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

From left: Christian Miller, Commercial Attaché, Austrian Embassy and H.E. Leon Marc, Ambassador of Slovenia

H.E. Grazyna Bernatowicz, Ambassador of Poland with her husband

D iplomatic

From left: Gerhard Schlattl, Commercial Attaché, Austrian Embassy, Gerhard Stöger, Auditor, and Andreas Schmidinger, Director, Austrian Cultural Forum Prague

event

From left: H.E.Miklós Boros, Ambassador of Hungary, H.E. Roland Galharague, Ambassador of France, and Daniel Meron, Ambassador of Israel

Jan Sechter, former Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Austria with his wife

From left: Ing. Jiří Muška, CEO, PKE and Erich Koppensteiner, Member of the Board of the Management, PKE

H.E. Ma Keqing, Ambassador of the Republic of China and Daniel Meron, Ambassador of Israel

From left: Benke Aikell, your Publisher, Eva Anderová, Honorary Consul to Zambia and Business Consultant to Czech and Slovak Leaders Magazine, and H.E. Aldo Amati Ambassador of Italy

From left: H.E Christoph Israng, Ambassador of Germany and H.E. Dr. Alexander Grubmayr LL.M, Ambassador of Austria with his wife Dr. Bettina Fink

From left: Friedrich Lennkh, Attaché, Austrian Embassy and COL Wilfried Norbert Boubela, Head of International Cooperation Branch, Multinational Logistics Coordination Centre with his wife

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

63

D iplomatic

event

Daniel Herman, Minister of Culture and H.E. Dr. Alexander Grubmayr LL.M, Ambassador of Austria with his wife Dr. Bettina Fink

From left: Rudolf Rabiňák, Vice Chairman of the Board, Raiffeisen Bank with his wife and Martin Žáček, CEO, Uniqua

Martin Weseloh, MWI with his wife Ludmila and Mrs. Sylva Schumacher

64

René Beauchamp, General Manager, Four Seasons Hotel with his wife

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

H.E. Jan Thompson, Ambassador of the United Kingdom and H.E. Dr. Alexander Grubmayr LL.M, Ambassador of Austria

From left: Benke Aikell, your Publisher, Ivan Pilný, Minister of Finance, and Jiří Weiss, Czech Israeli Chamber

D iplomatic

event

From left: Běla Hejná, Deputy Governor, Government Office of the Czech Republic with a friend and Rudolf Jindrák, Director, Forreign Affairs Department, Office of the President of the Czech Republic

From left: H.E. Dr. Alexander Grubmayr LL.M, Ambassador of Austria with his wife Dr. Bettina Fink, and Daniel Herman, Minister of Culture with his partner Iveta Stanislavová

Jan Mišík, CEO, Moravia Press with his wife

H.E. Dr. Alexander Grubmayr LL.M, Ambassador of Austria with his wife Dr. Bettina Fink and Václav Klaus, former President of the Czech Republic

Eva Anderová, Honorary Consul to Zambia and Business Consultant, Czech and Slovak Leaders Magazine, and H.E. Efthymios Efthymiades, Ambassador of Greece

Jan Koukal, former Czech Ambassador to Austria, Special Advisor to the IIASA, Director General, IIASA, Václav Klaus, former President of the Czech Republic, and Mrs. Iveta Stanislavová

Daniel Herman, Minister of Culture

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

65

D iplomatic

event

H.E. Dr. Alexander Grubmayr LL.M, Ambassador of Austria

From left: Jan Koukal, former Czech Ambassador to Austria, Special Advisor to the IIASA, Director General, IIASA, Benke Aikell, your Publisher, Eva Anderová, Honorary Consul to Zambia, H.E. Leona Rueda, Ambassador of Mexico, and Václav Klaus, former President of the Czech Republic

From left: Jiří Uklein, Secretary General, Senate Chancellery and MUDr. Pavel Trpák, Senator Emeritus

66

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

From left: Ivo Šrámek, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Lenka Březinová, Jan Kohout, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Karel Žebrakovský, Head of the Department of Science and Research, Czech Technical University in Prague

From left: Jiří Sven Svěrák, Regional Director Germany & Austria, G2 Server – proud sponsor of our coverage of Austrian National Day, Juraj Pavol, G2 Server, and H.E. Dr. Alexander Grubmayr LL.M, Ambassador of Austria with his wife Dr. Bettina Fink

D iplomatic

From left: H.E. Peter Weiss, Ambassador of the Slovak Republic, and Josef Bečvář, Chief of the Army General Staff of the Czech Republic with his wife

event

From left: Jan Kaše, Chief of the Military Offices of the President of the Republic and plk. Zdeněk Šiman, Director, Presidential Protection Department, Police of the Czech Republic

The magnificent Palace of Žofín hosting Austrian National Day

From left: Mr. Edvard Outrata, former Senator, JUDr. Petra Olmrová Nykodýmová, Lawyer, AK Nykodym, Fra' Carl Paar, Grand Prior of Bohemia, and Michael Rainey, Co-founder and Managing Partner, UX Solutions

From left: H.E. Dr. Alexander Grubmayr LL.M, Ambassador of Austria with his wife Dr. Bettina Fink and Dominik Duka, Archbishop of Prague and Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

67

gala event

In

cooperation with

C zech

and

S lovak L eaders

magazine

WOMEN IN THE ART Face of the Year 2017 and exhibition of Hana Babak FRIENDS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WOMEN IN THE ARTS IN THE Czech Republic CELEBRATED 10 YEARS OF ITS EXISTENCE IN FUNCTIONALIST VILA NA UBOCI IN PRAGUE. From left: Jan Špringl, Sales Manager, Aqua Angels, Benke Aikell, your Publisher, Petr Míka, Sales Manager, Exclusive Property, Hana Babak - Face of the Year FNMWA 17, Artist and FNMWA: Helena Kroftová Leisztner, President and Member of the Board FNMWA, Eliška Hašková Coolidge, Founder, Emerit Member FNMWA, Iva Drebitko, President TRIGA, Vice President FNMWA, Pavla Kalousová, Member of the Board, FNMWA, Lenka Dušková, Member of the Board, FNMWA, and Vladimíra Václavíková, Member of the Board FNMWA

From left: Filip Bobinski, Producer, Dramedy Production, Benke Aikell, your Publisher, and Eva Anderová, Honorary Consul to Zambia and Business Consultant to Czech and Slovak Leaders Magazine , Vice President for Public Affairs of UNYP

68

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

From left: Vladimír Rösel, Asset & Wealth Management, Private Banking UniCredit Bank Czech Republic and Slovakia and Francesco Augusto Razetto, President, Eleutheria

gala event

From left: Iva Drebitko, President, TRIGA, Vice President, FNMWA, Lucie Gemelová, Artist, and Felix Slováček, Musician

From left: Joseph Drebitko, Lenka Dušková, Member of the Board, FNMWA, and Milena Doubková, PPF Real Estate

From left: Hana Babak, Artist, Face of The Year 2017 and Helena Kroftová Leisztner, President, FNMWA

Lucie Pořtová, Sales and Marketing Support Manager, Exclusive Property and Petr Míka, Sales Manager, Exclusive Property

From left: Roland Leistner-Owner Rolei Ltd., Roland Leisztner jr., Student, Helena Kroftová Leisztner, President, FNMWA, Artist, and Petr Syblík, Cameraman, Česká televize

From left: Filip Bobinski, Producer, Dramedy Production, and Vojtěch Ryvola, Owner, Pivovar - boat on the Vltava river

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

69

G ala

event

The end of the season 2017 at the TOP HOTEL Praha

From left: Ing. arch. Vladimír Dohnal, Chairman of the Board, TOP HOTELS GROUP, Martina Kociánová, Moderator ,and Ing. Radek Dohnal, General Director, TOP HOTEL Praha

On Wednesday, November 22, 2017, the TOP HOTEL Praha celebrated their traditional ending of the season. The invited guests and friends met in the hall of the PRAHA Restaurant, where they were welcomed by the Chairman of the Board Ing. arch. Vladimír Dohnal.

To open, Mr. Dohnal highlighted TOP HOTEL Praha’s twenty-two successful years on the market. The program for invited guests began by cutting a cake with the number 22 to symbolize the number of years, followed by a fashion show of the wedding salon Marilyn. The surprise of the evening was a performance by opera singer Marketa Fassati (Mátlová) and her new Emozioni CD release, she also sang several songs for invited guests.

In addition, guests enjoyed a rich banquet and great drinks; all of the guests could see an exhibition of pictures by leading Czech photographer Jadran Šetlík, could partake in Thai massages or be informally entertained in the prepared Smybox. All invited business partners, personalities of Czech business, employees and other friends enjoyed their time together and the opportunity to talk about various topics working, social and private.

From left: Ing. arch. Vladimír Dohnal, Chairman of the Board, TOP HOTELS GROUP, Martina Kociánová, Moderator, Ing. Radek Dohnal, General Director, TOP HOTEL Praha, Mrs. Růžena Nechanská, Markéta Fassati, Opera Singer, and Jadran Šetlík, well-known Photographer

From left: Milada Dohnalová, Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board, TOP HOTELS GROUP and member, Club of Female Managers with Markéta Fassati, Opera Singer

70

Delicious cuisine

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

From left: Ing. arch. Vladimír Dohnal, Chairman of the Board, TOP HOTELS GROUP and Jiří Maceška, Vice Chairman of the Czech-Israeli Chamber of Commerce

G ala

From left: Markéta Fassati, Opera Singer, Jadran Šetlík, well-known Photographer, and Martina Kociánová, Moderator

Fashion show – wedding salon Marilyn

Fashion show – wedding salon Marilyn

event

Fashion show – wedding salon Marilyn

Martina Kociánová, Moderator and Ing. Radek Dohnal, General Director, TOP HOTEL Praha

Martina Kociánová, Moderator and Ing. arch. Vladimír Dohnal, Chairman of the Board, TOP HOTELS GROUP

MUDr. Jan Cimický, CSc. and Milada Dohnalová, Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board, TOP HOTELS GROUP and member, Club of Female Managers with friends

Markéta Fassati, Opera Singer

Delicious cuisine

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

71

DIPLOMATIC EVENT

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES NATIONAL DAY

All foreign ambassadors on the stage

On November 29th 2017, the United Arab Emirates Embassy in Prague celebrated the 46th National Day of the UAE, which falls on December 2nd every year. The anniversary celebrates the announcement of the establishment of this state by its founder His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

The UAE has made significant contributions to improving the quality of life and eliminating poverty and unemployment in many societies around the world through development assistance distributed in 178 countries, totaling 49 billion dollars by the end of 2016 , as stated by the ambassador of the UAE Abdulla Mohamed Al Maainah , who presented his letter of credence to the President Miloš Zeman on October 24th 2017. H.E. addressed his opening speech to the present guests at the ceremony who among others included the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic His Excellency Radek Vondráček, the Vice President of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic His Excellency Jaroslav Kubera , Deputy Vice Prime Minister for Science, Research and Innovation Mrs. Lucie Orgoníková, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs His Excellency Václav Kolaja, Deputy Minister of Defence and Armed Forces of the Czech Republic Tomáš Kuchta, and Director of the Middle East and North Africa Department of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affaires His Excellency Pavel Klucký.

From left: H.E. Abdulla Mohamed Al Maainah, Ambassador of the UAE and Radek Vondráček, ANO party, Chairman of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, Chamber of Deputies

H.E. Abdulla Mohamed Al Maainah, Ambassador of the UAE with his wife Aida and son Hussain From left: H. E. Valery Kurdyukov, Ambassador of Belarus and H.E. Tigran Seiranian, Ambassador of Armenia

United Arab Emirates Embassy team

72

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

From left: H.E. Ahmet Necati Bigali, Ambassador of Turkey and H.E. Israr Hussain, Ambassador of Pakistan

DIPLOMATIC EVENT

Wives of the ambassadors on the stage

From left: Michael Specking, cluster General Manager of Hilton Prague and Hilton Prague Old Town with his colleague handing over flowers to Mrs Aida, wife of H.E. Abdulla Mohamed Al Maainah

H.E. Abdulla Mohamed Al Maainah and Military Attaché Representatives

From left: Ing. Eva Dvořáková, MBA, Ambassador Group, Jaroslav Kubera, Vice President of the Senate with his wife, and JUDr. Vlastimil Dvořák, Ambassador Group

From left: H.E. Abdulla Mohamed Al Maainah, Ambassador of the UAE and Jiří Uklein, Chancellor of the Senate of the Parliament

From left: Josef Koutský, former Ambassador to Libya and H.E. Husein O. A. Abushawashi, Ambassador of Lybia

From left: H. E. Jan Thompson, Ambassador of the United Kingdom, H. E. Ines Troha, Ambassador of Croatia, and H.E. Gérard Philipps, Ambassador of Luxembourgh

From right: Bořivoj Trejbal, Country Manager of Emirates Airline, supervising a lottery to win an air ticket to the UAE

From left: H.E. Edvilas Radonskis, Ambassador of Lithuania and H. E. Latchezar Petkov, Ambassador of Bulgaria

From left: H.E. Roland Galharague, Ambassador of France, H.E. Manuela Franco, Ambassador of Portugal, and H.E. Edvilas Radonskis, Ambassador of Lithuania

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

73

P ersonal

enlightenment

Life

Is Beautiful

Part VIII: The Day I Died1,2

James A. Cusumano, PhD Chairman Chateau Mcely s.r.o.

Prague, Czech Republic “For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one”

Khalil Gibran

I was 9 years old when I died—the first time. You can blame it on my passion for science.

How It Happened It was a blustery, snow-packed winter day in my home town, Elizabeth, New Jersey—Tuesday, January 22, 1952, a date I will never forget.

I stayed home from school with a cold. Before my father left for work, he told me that I could not play in the small chemistry lab I had set up in the cellar of the two-family home owned by Figure 1: My first chemistry set which nearly led to my demise.

my grandparents. They were kind enough to let us live in one of the apartments and gave us a good deal on rent, even though Mom and Dad were well on their way to birthing 10 noisy children, I being the oldest.

My father wanted me to become a doctor when I eventually chose a profession. I guess when you grow up with no money you want your children to do well. He would often bring me to visit doctors even when I wasn’t sick, thinking they just might inspire me.

But I had no interest in being a physician, so hoping to change my mind he bought me a chemistry set for my ninth Christmas. At 9 years of age, I had no idea what chemistry was.

But after performing some of the experiments outlined in that Gilbert Chemistry Set booklet, I became intrigued with all of the “products” I could make—ink, glue, cosmetics, soap, and many other practical things [See Figure 1].

So, I set up a small lab in our cellar and with any money that came my way, I would buy supplies for my lab. I eventually made some products such as inks and cosmetics that I packaged and sold in the neighborhood. That was the beginnings of a lifelong love affair with entrepreneurship.

As that Tuesday afternoon wore on, I became bored and begged my mom to go down and work in my lab.

“Your father said absolutely no,” was her response.

So, I finally convinced her to allow me to bring some of my equipment and chemicals up to the kitchen and work there as she prepared dinner and simultaneously ironed clothes for the family. In the course of the afternoon, I did several experiments as Mom put up with yucky odors from my chemistry that permeated the kitchen as she prepared garlic-laced tomato sauce for that evening’s pasta. But not even garlic could camouflage the aromas I created as byproducts of my childhood alchemy.

At one point, I was formulating a potent spot remover that I wanted to present to Mom for those difficult-to-remove stains we kids constantly attracted to our clothes. I had trouble opening a tube filled with a strong bleaching chemical called calcium hypochlorite. The corked tube had been tightly sealed by the

manufacturer with a cellulose plastic coating.

I pulled and pulled with all of my might. And as best as I can remember, the cork popped off and the ingredients, which apparently had been vacuum-packed, exploded with the great force of a white toxic cloud, into my face as air rushed into the tube and displaced the vacuum.

It temporarily blinded me and filled my nose and throat with a fine white powder of the poisonous substance. Fortunately, my mom was there and immediately flushed my eyes and then had me drink a glass of water, which I immediately regurgitated. Later, the doctors would tell us that her quick actions saved me from going blind and from the toxic effects of the calcium hypochlorite.

I could barely stand up. Mom was crying and as all good Sicilian mothers do in times like this, she was simultaneously praying rapidly and incessantly to the Blessed Mother for help.

After Effects We didn’t own a car, so she immediately called Elizabeth General Hospital for an ambulance.

Unfortunately, none was available in the entire city. At 3:45 p.m. American Airlines Flight 6780, a twin-prop Convair 240 from Syracuse, New York, intent on landing at Newark Airport, crashed into a home adjacent to the Elizabeth River, missing Battin High School by only a few feet. Every available ambulance in the area was at the crash scene. Fortunately, my Aunt Mary who owned a car lived close by. She drove us to the emergency room at Elizabeth General Hospital, where there was extreme chaos because of the plane crash. But I was fortunate to receive treatment and then being released.

However, much more challenging times were still to come. The next day, whether caused by the toxin or not, no one would ever say, my appendix burst in my stomach leading to a severe case of deadly peritonitis and eventually lethal sepsis, or blood poisoning. I was given very little chance for survival. Delirious with high fever for several days, I often had to be put on an ice bed to lower my temperature.

On day seven, for two long minutes, my heart stopped and shortly thereafter my brain signal went into “flat line”, namely, no signal at all. I saw

1. EDITOR’S COMMENT— This is the seventh article in a series based on the author’s book, “Life Is Beautiful: 12 Universal Rules,” Waterfront Press, Cardiff California.

2. The author may be reached at Jim@ChateauMcely.Com. 3. James A. Cusumano, Life Is Beautiful: 12 Universal Rules, Waterfront Press, 2015.

74

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

P ersonal

enlightenment

• An Australian study of NDErs found that 70

percent describe their experience as spiritual and not religious.

The Role of Consciousness

Figure 2: I began to rise from my physical body. I felt nothing but bliss, as I saw the doctors trying to revive me.

myself, whatever I can call “myself” rising above my physical body [See Figure 2]. I saw two doctors trying to revive me and Mom and Dad sitting close by, Mom crying profusely. Although I didn’t want her to suffer like that, I felt no sorrow and just accepted that this was the way things were suppose to be. I continued to rise through the ceiling and out of the hospital. I felt no fear. In fact, I felt complete calm and wasn’t worried in the least.

Very quickly, I entered a large dark tunnel and could see a bright light at the end. I was drawn towards the light. It felt warm and blissful beyond what any words can describe. I kept moving towards the light and as I did, it grew brighter and the bliss within me increased. I just wanted to be there with the light—forever.

Suddenly, I saw a man coming towards me. He was tall, husky, bald and well-dressed in clothes from the 1920s or earlier. He had a wonderful smile and as we met, we communicated with thoughts, not speech.

He said, “High, Jimmy.”

I responded, “Who are you? Do I know you?”

“Well, I know all about you; but I died before you were born.”

And then I realized from photos I had seen, “Are you my grandfather, Dad’s father?”

“Yes, I am, and it’s so wonderful to meet you. But we don’t have much time. I’m here to tell you that you must go back.”

“But I don’t want to go back.”

Figure 3: NDEs solve the “Hard Problem.” Your mind does not create consciousness. Consciousness creates your mind.

“You must. You have a long life ahead of you in which you will be called upon to do some things that are important for your life’s path and for others.”

Before I knew it, and to my dismay, I was floating back down the tunnel away from my grandfather and the light. I reunited with my physical body and sometime later awoke to the happy tears of Mom and Dad. “Dad you’ll never guess who I met. I met your dad, my grandfather.” Mom and Dad were so glad I was “back” they just let my comment fly as if it were a dream. Later that evening, when my surgeon, Dr. Spivak—probably of Czech ancestry—visited with me, I told him what happened. He said it was just a dream and not to make too much of it. And for most of my life, I did not talk about it, whether from fear of ridicule for spreading paranormal nonsense, or perhaps just writing it off as a dream as Dr. Spivak suggested.

Implications Years later, I would find out that I had a NearDeath-Experience, a so-called NDE. One of the best books on the subject, Proof of Heaven— A Neurosurgeon’s Journey Into The Afterlife, was published in 2012, written by a worldrenowned Harvard University neurosurgeon, Dr. Eben Alexander. I highly recommend it. He was not a religious man nor did he believe in an afterlife—that is until he contracted a serious blood disorder, went into a comma and briefly “died” before a miraculous recovery.

How common are NDEs? • A 1992 a Gallop poll concluded that 13 million Americans had experienced an NDE. • A 2011 study of the German population showed that 4 percent of the people experienced an NDE. • A 2005 survey of American doctors said that based on their case experiences, 59 percent believe in some form of afterlife.

So what does this all mean for you; at least for your consideration and contemplation? One of the first things that I concluded is that the ageold “Hard Problem” in neuropsychology is solved.

Namely, does our mind create consciousness or does consciousness create our mind? I, as many other scientists are beginning to do as well, conclude it is the latter—Consciousness creates your mind [See Figure 3]. The reason is simple. In an NDE, not only is your heart not working, but neither is your brain, both exhibit a “flat line” on the vitals monitor. Therefore, at that moment the brain is nonfunctioning. It’s dead. Yet, at that same moment the patient perceives actual events occuring in their fivesense, three-dimensional world, many of which for numerous NDEs have been shown to be accurate and correct.

In my studies over several decades, I have come to the following conclusions.3

• There is a Spiritual World which is not based

•

•

on any organized religion, but is certainly the realm of consciousness, which is infinite and eternal.

This realm of consciousness can be divided into three parts which are really not “parts” but are One: Cosmic Consciousness, which a religious person might call God; Collective Consciousness, which is the overlap of the consciousness of all beings and material things; and Personal Consciousness, which is consciousness associated with a particular person or thing.

Although quantum physicists are finally observing and agreeing to the importance of consciousness in our three-dimensional world, the rules, axioms and theorems of how things work in true reality, namely the realm of consciousness, are just being discovered and understood and are the makings of a new field of science called Spiritual Physics.

Just as classical Newtonian physics morphed into quantum physics, so it is that quantum physics will transition to spiritual physics.

If you accept this perspective then you can look forward to an eternal life of your true reality, your Personal Consciousness and recognize that your stay here on planet Earth is a very, very brief pitstop while you take part in physical evolution, but more important, in the evolution of Cosmic Consciousness.

Sat, Chit, Ananda!

Enjoy your journey, make a difference!

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

75

A n interview with D r . J ack W ilson C onducted by M iriam M argala

P hotos :

archive

An entrepreneur, innovator, scientist, educator and philanthropist.

A TRUE RENAISSANCE MAN. This is the second part of the interview with Dr. Wilson, an American educator and entrepreneur.

In this installment, we discuss his entrepreneurship experience, thoughts on philanthropy, effective communication and globalization.

PART 2 Looking at your philanthropic work, you seem to get a lot of satisfaction from becoming involved in making education available to as many people as possible.

You have established a scholarship fund, an entrepreneurship center at UMass Lowell; you give freely your time to educational projects. Why is philanthropy important to you?

Philanthropy is important to me because I recognize that I have been an incredibly lucky person and have benefited from help that makes me want to give that same, or better, opportunity to others. I think that most people find that when they are able to help someone else, that it provided a very strong feeling of satisfaction and involvement. I am lucky to have lived long enough to see students that I have taught, or people that I have helped, who have gone on to make tremendous contributions to the world.

I hope that they can find the same satisfaction in their lives that I found in mine. This means that satisfaction can be passed from generation to generation. Living in this way makes for a joyous life.

Let’s talk about your company and IT entrepreneurship. You’re the founder of an IT company, the LearnLinc Corporation – which was eventually worth $500 million.

Correct, it could be easily characterized as IT entrepreneurship because we had to solve various information technology problems, networking, communication, computing, etc. However, our number one priority was always trying to connect communities of people who wanted to learn together, better and faster. We had to solve many technological problems but that’s not why we founded the company. It eventually became very successful and later underwent various mergers – in early 2001, the company’s market value on NASDAQ was $500,000,000 dollars. Again, our goal was not to build a company and then to sell it for a lot of money. It was creating learning communities and helping them interact online. I saw that as something

76

not only interesting but also something that, even back then, I believed would later become an important way of learning.

Eventually, you sold your company. You were its founder, CEO and chairman. Was it difficult to move on – more generally, how do you know when to let go and stop?

Knowing when to stop is one of the most important and difficult tasks in anyone’s life. I have seen too many people who have hung on to a role far longer than they should have. That hurts themselves as well as others. It is important to refresh oneself regularly and for those around you to experience fresh leadership. I decided that I would try to make a major change in my work every 7 to 10 years. I have held to that principle for my entire career. You need to make a reasonable commitment to anything that you start, but after 7-10 years, you should have accomplished your goals -or you probably never will. In either case, it is important to let new leadership take the organization in new directions. Now that I have done this six times in my career, I will say that sometimes it is hard to let go, but I have never regretted doing so.

I have always found new and meaningful projects to work on next.

As a business professor and a successful entrepreneur, how do you prepare your students for mistakes or failures? The truth is simple - you cannot become an entrepreneur if you cannot bear the pain of mistakes – can it be taught?

We do try to teach students about failure and how to overcome it. We try to teach them that every mistake and failure, however painful, is an opportunity to learn and become better. But you’re quite right to say that it’s ‘easy’ to lecture about it. The best way to learn is of course to actually go out and go through that failure and have a mentor that helps you face the challenge. I have tried to mentor people through failures and help them understand that when they’re in the depth of pain of getting punched

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

hard that it is just another learning experience.

Mentoring is an important part of entrepreneurship. We have a couple of ways in which we offer it to our students. First, we bring in successful entrepreneurs who have gone through failure often more than once. Second, we try to see if we can find in the student’s own background some experience of failure and use it constructively so they themselves can see what they learned from it. But I think in the end, to have a mentor to help through experiencing hard challenges is absolutely the key.

Clearly, it is also about persistence as an overall attitude.

To be an entrepreneur you certainly have to be persistent. You try to solve a problem, you get beaten down, then you come back, you try again, differently. And if it still doesn’t work, you repeat the process. I call it “the Ps”, passion and persistence, trying again and again. Oftentimes, entrepreneurs are seen as impatient. In fact, many entrepreneurs had had a career in a larger company where they became a squeaky wheel, even annoying. They didn’t like the way things were done and they saw there was a better way.

They wanted to implement their ideas, but to bring about change can be incredibly difficult in a large, traditional company.

So many of them become entrepreneurs. If they cannot implement their ideas within the company, then they leave and start their own company.

In your career, you have had to deal with all sorts of people. At one point, you had to work with both Ted Kennedy, an iconic democrat, and Mitt Romney, who was a Republican governor. What does it take to be an effective communicator?

There are different approaches to communication. There’s the manipulative approach where somebody tries to talk to people and say what they want to hear. Then there’s the communicative goal where you listen and try to understand the other. You don’t have to agree with

I nterview enced each other for millennia. We think that spaghetti and meatballs are a typical Italian dish but it was brought in and adapted from China. Or consider Japan. Their entire written language was adapted from China. So is it a bad thing? A good thing? I think it’s neither – as long as it works for a particular culture.

I will also say that to a certain extent, the argument of trying to protect one’s culture is of course valid. I do like to see cultures and languages preserved but I don’t like to see taken this to a point where you try to refuse ideas from other cultures completely. The world has advanced by borrowing ideas from each other, taking and shaping them according to the needs of a particular culture. That’s how I see globalization – sharing, adapting and exchanging freely.

By Miriam Margala

Dr. Jack Wilson with Barack Obama

other people’s points of view but you learn a lot when you listen to them. Indeed, I have had the great opportunity to visit and talk to quite a few American presidents. I even met our latest president (Donald Trump) who I will say is very interesting to speak to. I’ve never had a problem communicating with other people, whatever their beliefs are, because when I meet them I want to learn about them. I want to see what makes them tick, what they’re interested in and I don’t have to feel I am advancing my point of view. I might, depending on what we’re talking about, but that’s not the goal of communication. Learning is the point of communication for me.

You have traveled extensively; you are enthusiastic about globalization - can you discuss its importance and impact?

I traveled in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union before the Iron Curtain came down.

I watched these countries cope with a very different economic system; I watched Russia go through many changes. I watched communist Europe become free. I also spent a lot of time in China where they’ve undertaken a very different path. You learn a lot through traveling and actively engaging in international projects and I encourage my students to get international experiences, to immerse in different cultures but at the same time I try to make sure that they have exposure to the culture here in the US. For those that can’t travel, I teach a global entrepreneurship course. I teach about the differences in the economic systems, entrepreneurship attitudes and free trade. Obviously, I am a huge fan of globalization, of free movement of ideas, of entrepreneurship across borders, of free trade.

I recognize that trade hasn’t always been as free or smooth as it should have been and that we always have to be looking at how to make sure that different countries benefit as much as they can from free trade. I believe there are no benefits to isolation. We can all learn from each other,

we all bring good ideas we can share and work on developing them together.

How do you see Europe as an ‘international’ American?

First of all, my own heritage is European - Bavarian and Austrian. I grew up in Pennsylvania which was very much affected by European culture. Specifically, by people from Central Europe – Germans, Czechs, Slovaks, Polish. Later, I was able to visit these countries. I had applauded the rise of the more unified Europe; I admire the changes in Europe. I used to go through Check Point Charlie in Berlin during the old Iron Curtain times and that was no fun. Today of course, it is very different - much more free and it’s a much better world. I watched the excitement of all the communist countries after the Iron Curtain went down; I observed their aspirations and optimism. But also a degree of disappointment - they succeeded in building a pretty healthy economic system but it takes a lot of time for the economy to fully develop, to make sure everybody has a chance to participate in it.

Some of that has been done very successfully and some still needs to be done. And that’s true also in the US and elsewhere. That’s another reason why globalization is so beneficial. We can all work on making sure that everybody has a chance to participate in a healthy economy.

What do you say to those who claim that globalization brings in a degree of homogenization which is counterproductive?

This criticism is a bit tricky to address because in fact globalization does mean that cultures are exposed to each other and adapt ideas from each other. How much of that is good and how much is bad? We certainly see countries that try to preserve their identity and almost regulate it. Does that work? If we consider history and go back to the trade between Europe and Asia during the Silk Road era, we realize how cultures have influ-

Dr. Miriam Margala enjoys a rewarding and eclectic professional career. She is a university lecturer, teaching academic writing, communication and philosophy of language. She mentors other professional women through an organization based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Women Accelerators, where she is a member of the Board of Directors. She also translates literature, both poetry and prose, writes academic articles, conducts interviews for various publications, presents at international conferences and is involved in international projects dealing with innovation in education and diversity in industry. She is also involved in art projects both in the United States and Europe.

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

77

Prepare Your Child for the Path, Not the Path for Your Child Kateřina Novotná, Jan Mühlfeit We live in the exponential age, which is, in essence, expressed by the Moore's law. In 1965, the cofounder of the Intel company Gordon Moore predicted that approximately every 18 months the number of transistors would double, resulting in a doubled computing capacity. The doubled capacity goes hand in hand with a doubled number of information. And the increased number of information also exponentially increases the pressure on people. Regardless of the fact that the computing capacity grows in a bit slower pace than Moore expected − it doubles once in two years – today our brain has to process as much information in one week as it did during the whole life 100 years ago. However, it behaves in exactly the same way as 100 thousand years ago.

Our primary reaction to stress is an escape or a fight.

In the old ages, people used to experience stress for example when they hunted mammoths once a month. Nowadays, we hunt a mammoth every 10 minutes. Every 10 minutes we are exposed to stress. Our body reacts to it by producing two chemical substances which are harmful on a regular and long-term basis − adrenaline and cortisol. The exposure to a lot of stress and the inability to relax lead to

78

numerous physical difficulties, as well as depression, exhaustion and a burnout syndrome.

While in the old ages we used to fear mammoths and tigers, today we fear other people's opinions and the society's view on our behaviour, political correctness, etc. The brain, however, is not principally a device enabling us to succeed. It is rather a device that prevents us from failing, and it behaves accordingly. The more information pressure we face, the more stress we feel, which leads to the compression of time. This means that two years ago we had one hour to make a decision, whereas today we have only half an hour and in two years we will have only 15 minutes available. The compression of time also results in our inability to concentrate as much as in the past.

We are constantly distracted by new information and we jump from one thing to another.

The Generation of Freaks Unlike our children we entered the exponential growth of information and pressure gradually.

Children are also exposed to more and more pressure, but as they grow up in such an environment, they consider it normal. They are thrown into it and we do not know exactly how it will influence them in 20 years, let alone what jobs they will carry out.

According to the important Czech psychologist Stanislav Grof, the generation of freaks is growing up nowadays.

The German professor Manfred Spitzer, the author of the books Digital Dementia and Cyber Sick!, claims that in the future dozens of percent of people will be unable to learn because of the inability to keep attention. In order to learn, one needs to read, be able to search and identify context, which requires concentration.

At the moment, what is most important is to prepare children for this unclear path as well as possible. It is essential to make their inner environment ready to cope with the pressure and constant changes. Do not prepare them for a particular position, school or current situation.

It is not stable and it will certainly not remain the same. To be able to adapt to novelties in the future, it is important for children to know themselves, their inner environment and talents, while being able to work with all of this.

Turning off the Timer and the Critic Preparations start already at the pre-school age.

Ideally, children should learn to concentrate on a single thing that they have chosen and are keen on at the moment. Do not disturb them, do not try to tell them to do it in a different way, in a better way, or at a different time. It is important to awaken interest in children, encourage them to use their talents, regardless of whether they learn with the help of wooden aids or computers.

If children are themselves and learn or do what they are talented at, they often achieve the flow state. These are the moments when they are keen on the activity, they have talents for it, the task is difficult for them and they have to concentrate on it. And it is exactly at these moments when a deep emotional connection with the activity is created.

Often children fall in love with the activity so much that they keep doing it for the rest of their lives.

The flow state refers to the moments when your timer and the inner critic, which tells you whether something is possible or not, are turned off. At that moment you are neither in the past, nor in the future. You are in the present and no media, a mobile phone or a computer may distract you.

Twenty years ago people were convinced that computers would eliminate books. But then came Harry Potter, with whom children built deep emotional connection, allowing the powerful story to surpass technologies once again.

Are you wondering what is the best way to work with your children's talents and to prepare your children for the future as best as you can? During the “Parent as a positive couch” workshop, parents and teachers find out how to effectively couch and mentor their children according to the latest findings in the field of positive psychology, in order to make their children not only successful, but also happy in their lives. The topics are also based on Jan Mühlfeit's book − The Positive Leader, one of the bestsellers in the Czech Republic. Moreover, we organize workshops for children and their parents: “Unlock Children's Potential” and “Unlock Your Potential for Secondary School Students”. Our workshops focus on discovering children's individual talents and finding out how to work with them. This is one of the topics of the book for parents that is planned to be released in September 2018. Come to our website janmuhlfeit.com to find out more about our seminars and projects. You can also watch our "Unlock your Childrens' Potential" seminar and the "Your Talent is Unique" series on www.flowee.cz.

It is important for children to learn in the flow as much as possible. Otherwise there is degeneration, which is referred to as overinformed but under focus, i.e. children are overinformed, but unable to concentrate. It is worth pointing out that nowadays roughly the same amount of money is spent on treating this inability as on the fight with obesity in the USA. The way back to concentration leads through the emotional connection, which is created at that moment when children maximally use their talents to learn. This is the principle that for example Waldorf and Montessori schools work with. Also, it is the base of the method for learning Mathematics developed by professor Milan Hejný who in fact follows Jan Amos Komenský’s educational concept: If you tell students a new piece of information, they will forget it. If you show it to them, they may remember it. If you involve them in the learning process, they will understand it. The best way for children is to learn in the flow.

According to the McKinsey company, if you are at the present moment, you are able to learn faster by up to 450 %.

Finding it out on Your Own I often hear people argue that alternative methods of studying did not exist before and we grew up just fine. At those times, however, the pressure of technologies was not so strong. Every afternoon children could run out and play, while involving all their senses, which is very important for children’s development (helping them absorb and remember their surroundings). They cleaned their minds after mentally demanding classes, they created things and dealt with various situations on their own.

Nowadays parents make the path for their children too easy. To prevent them from getting hurt, parents fulfil tasks instead of their children, removing all obstacles and letting many children grow up in a bubble. Parents want their children to learn perfectly, not making any mistakes. This is, however, not the ideal way. Schools such as Montessori encourage students to find a solution on their own because this way they remember the new piece of information better, even though sometimes it may be more difficult and timeconsuming than if done by an adult. This approach provides children with a much closer experience and because they do the task on their own, they also use their talents. Such an approach leads to independence and self-fulfilment, so children are more likely to do what they really like. And if there is a wide choice of aids for learning, they simply choose the one that suits them the best.

Co-creating Rules Of course, this type of education does not leave everything on children; the whole process is supervised by teachers or parents. Every class has certain rules and clearly set borders. The rules, however, do not have to be determined solely by parents and teachers − children can co-create them, which is an important aspect. In the long term it does not work when children are told what to learn, when to learn it and for how long. They

should have their space to learn in their own way.

And when teachers or parents notice that children learn well and absorb new information, it is best to let children continue and support them.

Children have a natural desire to learn. Up to a certain age they are curious and interested in the world around them. However, adults often put them off. By contrast, if we support children’s curiosity, confirm that it is desirable, support them to ask questions, make mistakes and constantly learn about their environment, they will stay up to date with the trends of the age and technologies, not being so surprised by all the changes in the society.

At our seminars we give various picture puzzles to the children and each of them has the possibility to find the solution on its own. Some children proceed in a rather logical way, others prefer a visual way, etc. At the end, all children arrive at the right solution. If we claimed that only one of the ways is the right one, some children might not be able to solve the task at all.

General education is of course highly important.

However, we tend to forget how important it is for our lives to be able to learn. Even though we live in the exponential age and our brain tries to adapt to the pressure, our education system based on memorizing is over 300 years old. It is not able to compete with technologies. The new education systems that work with children's active involvement are able to do so.

Being Able to Quieten For a long time we thought that the brain had to run at full speed to achieve the best performance.

The opposite is true. In arts, sports or business we need our brain to quieten. The aim is to turn off the timer and the inner critic and to turn on the subconscious − the hard drive on which all our experience is recorded. Then the hard drive can record new pieces of information without any difficulty, as well as easily select the necessary ones. This takes place during the flow state. And the flow requires being in the present, as well as a full concentration.

What can we do, apart from discovering and encouraging children's talents, to train children in being here and now? One of the possibilities is digital hygiene. It means that children stay offline, especially while working on a task. They cannot be at several channels at once. They disconnect from Facebook and their e-mail boxes, using only the one single application that helps them work on the task. The purpose is to let them fully concentrate on the task.

Another possibility is meditation. It is about nothing else than calming the mind, being at the present moment and quietening in order to slow down the brain frequency to the lowest degree possible. And how to meditate? Sit down, close your eyes and simply follow your breath or repeat a mantra. In the long term, meditation reduces emotional outbursts and strengthens the logical part of the brain (neocortex). It is said that monks who have meditated for 10 thousand hours do not get annoyed at all. Meditation is a confirmed way to resist the information overload and maintain the ability to concentrate.

Generation Gap For the first time in our history, the growing young generation understands and uses technologies disproportionally better and more often than older generations. Thanks to that, firstly, young people enter politics and company managements faster. Secondly, they already have a substantial influence on the decision making of companies and households because they are very competent and experienced in evaluating products and services. Thirdly, the generation of those who grew up with mobile phones in their hands is much more experience-oriented. This may mean that companies that wish to attract and keep young talented people will need to come to terms with the fact that these employees will work only eight months a year, spending the four remaining months on the road.

The entry of young people who lack experience and the wisdom of older people into company managements may trigger even a larger generation gap. Older people tend to feel that young people steal their job positions, they are cheeky and earn high salaries. By contrast, young people sometimes think about older people that they are far behind. However, the success of companies may lie in the interconnection of these two groups, as they can learn from each other. According to the study conducted by the Shell company that investigated what it takes to be ranked among the world’s top five in their own field for at least 200 years, the only determinant is the ability of companies to learn new things.

In a company where people of various ages cooperate, the ability to learn quickly lies in people educating each other and learning new things together. I am convinced that as soon as the individual groups understand each other and exchange their experience, the convergence becomes a competitive advantage. In several cases it will be necessary to adopt it very quickly.

Yet companies are not prepared for it.

Its aim is not to make people compete and rival each other, but to complement one another with their strong features. It will become more and more common for young and talented people to have older subordinates. In Microsoft I was about 40 years old when I managed people who were about 7 or 8 years older than me. Although this division was not caused by digital technologies, I certainly had to work very hard to persuade them about my capabilities and to make them take me seriously. It is important that both parts realize this problem.

The older generation does not need to fight against the rise of the young generation. It is, however, absolutely essential that young people approach older people and their experience with humbleness. At our seminars, we observe that children tend to consider us their peers more and more often. And this is exactly the essence of it.

Every generation is different and communicates in a slightly different way. Understanding each other is important for all of us.

By Jan Mühlfeit, Global Strategist, Coach and Mentor, former Microsoft Chairman for Europe české znění naleznete v elektronické verzi magazínu na www.czechleaders.com

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

79

diplomatic event

International Christmas Festival of the Diplomatic Spouses Association

Members of the Committee of the Diplomatic Spouses Association

“This year’s 20th anniversary meant a lot for all of us, who are carrying on the DSA legacy of bringing together different cultures, promoting friendship and offering a helping hand to less privileged people in this country. Our Festival plays an essential role, as it represents the bridge that connects all of us together,” explained Mrs. Myung-ji Suh, the DSA President.

Funds are raised by selling entry tickets and goods at the stalls, an internet auction on Aukro, and from private sponsors or corporate donations. 100% of the funds are redistributed through grants to Czech charitable organizations.

Since 1997 the DSA has raised more than 68 million CZK. “Our achievements would not have been possible without the strong commitment of all DSA members. I extend my deepest gratitude also to all the volunteers and sponsors who have supported us throughout the years. I am optimistic that these positive spirits will further shine in the coming years,’’ adds Mrs. Myung-ji Suh. Since its modest first years, the DSA Festival has become one of the most prestigious and sought-after Christmas events.

It attracts thousands of visitors each year and is traditionally opened by the First Lady.

Mrs. Claire Frijs - Madsen with her husband, H.E. Ole Madsen, Ambassador of Denmark

Jinhyung Park, Pianist, Winner of the 2016 Prague Spring International Music Competition

80

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

diplomatic event

From left: Louise Beer and Ingri Benwik, Diplomatic Spouses Association H.E. Abdulla Mohamed AL Maainah, Ambassador of the UAE giving a check to Mrs.Tamar Agiashvili, Charity Coordinator of the DSA

Mrs. Myung Ji Suh, President of the DSA

From left: Ms. Alexandra Šporková, Pro Arte, Mgr. Anna Pulkertova, J&T Banka, Mrs. Elena Sorokina, Director, Russian Connection, Mr. Kirili Kožuchov, Vice President, Royal Golf Club Mariánské Lázně, and Benke Aikell, your Publisher From left: Mr Suh Joonkyo, KHNP and Tamar Agiashvili, Charity Coordinator of the DSA

H.E. Leonora Rueda, Ambassador of Mexico and H.E. Liliana de Torres, Ambassador of Peru with her husband

From left: H.E Narong Sasitorn, Ambassador of Thailand, Kakanang Amaranand, Counselor, Natnipa Burutpat, Minister Counselor, and Yossawadee Khewattana, Director, Odilia Thai Trade Prague

From right: H.E. Riza Poda, Albanian Ambasador, Ilirian Kuka, Diplomat in the Albanian Embassy with his wife Nevila Kuka, Lulezim Çota, Diplomat in the Albanian Embassy, and Majlinda Cullhaj, wife of the Deputy Ambassador of Austria

From left: Mrs. Nerea Olabegoya, Mrs. Maria Cascos, wife of the Ambassador of Spain, and Veronika Blažková, Spokesperson, Prague 1

From right: Tamar Agiashvili, Charity Coordinator of the DSA with her husband H.E. Zaal Gogsadze, Ambassador of Georgia, Mrs. Marina Sytaya with a friend, and H.E. Valery Kurdyukov, Ambassador of Belarus

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

81

Vineyards in the area of the Douro river

Port wine

Grape vines have been flourishing in the north of today’s Portugal for over two thousand years. This is demonstrated by the fact that as early as the first century BC, Greek historian Polybius in his work, “Land of Wine”, notes that one “matreta” (27 litres) of wine in this part of the Iberian Peninsula was sold for one drachma.

During the era of Julius Caesar, the Roman occupants introduced clay amphorae for ageing the wine. The wine’s quality improved and the cultivation of grape vines expanded to such an extent that Emperor Domitian ordered a halving in the area of vineyards to ensure there was a sufficient amount of other agricultural crops.

Winemaking thrived during the Visigoth domination, and it also survived the Moorish occupation between the eighth and twelfth centuries, and from 1143 when Portugal became an independent kingdom, wine was often mentioned in royal decrees. From the 13th century, boats sailed along the Douro River carrying wine to the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, and from there it was then sent as far as distant Holland.

So why do all port wines bear English names?

In 1386, the Treaty of Windsor was signed, establishing a political, military and commercial alliance between England and Portugal. The later Anglo-Portuguese Treaty of 1654 created new opportunities for English and Scottish traders living in Portugal and gave them special privileges and preferential duty. This meant a significant expansion in the export of ordinary Portuguese wine to England, at the expense of Bordeaux wine imports. This displeased Louis XIV’s First Minister of State, Jean-Baptiste Colbert, and as such a number of measures were taken in 1667 which began to restrict the import of English goods to France. Britain’s King Charles II responded by increasing the tax on

82

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

French wine, and later banned its import entirely. English wine traders quickly found an alternative source of supply, and started importing wine from the vineyards on the steep slopes along the Douro River, robust and powerful wines which the English consumers preferred.

In order for these wines to endure the long period of transit on ships, a small amount of grape spirit was added to them, increasing their strength and preventing them from going off.

The first imports of wine named “Port wine” were recorded in 1678 according to the name of the port from which they had been sent.

Thus a period of large growth and prosperity began for port, as created by the English who had a penchant for brandy. The addition of neutral grape spirit, called “aguardente” in Portuguese, to the wine stops fermentation, leaving residual sugar in the wine and increasing the alcohol content.

Although the wine is harvested in the inland vineyards of the Douro valley, it got its name from the coastal city of Oporto from which it is traditionally exported. Until the 20th century, the wine was transported along the Douro River from the vineyards in special boats known as “barcos rabelos”. The wine was then transferred into “lodges”, long buildings at the port separated by narrow alleys in Vila Nova de Gaia opposite Porto’s old city centre. The wine is stored and matured here, from where it is processed and exported. Some of the most well-known and oldest Porto family producers and exporters include Taylor’s, Croft and Graham’s.

The rising popularity and demand for port, however, soon led to trade speculation, underhand practices and counterfeiting. In 1756, Portuguese Prime Minister, the Marquis of Pombal, implemented state trade control in the form of a company later known as Real Companhia or Companhia Velha, holding a monopoly on trade with England and Brazil. That same year, the port vineyard area was demarcated and 335

Douro river at the Porto

stone pillars were erected, which were known as marcos pombalinos.

In 1757, the first comprehensive classification of port vineyards was undertaken (almost a hundred years after similar measures were implemented in Bordeaux). Those which produced the best wine, known as vinhos de feitoria, were able to sell their wine for export and demand a higher price, while those which produced wines of a more modest quality, known as vinhos de ramo, were limited to the domestic market.

Like other classic wines, port has a unique character which is linked to the climate, soils, grape varieties and winemaking traditions. The unique Douro valley terroir and its exceptional wines cannot be replicated elsewhere.

The basic classification of port wine can be defined as follows:

Ruby

Ruby port is the most widespread type. Following fermentation, it is stored in tanks of concrete or stainless steel in order to prevent oxidative ageing and preserve its bright red colour and full body. The wine is usually blended to match the style of the brand to which it is to be sold. The wine is fined and cold filtered before bottling, and in general does not further improve in the bottle.

Tawny

Tawny ports are wines made from red grapes that are aged in wooden barrels, exposing them to gradual oxidation and evaporation. This oxidation means they gradually mellow to a golden-yellow colour.

Oxygen gives the wine its “nutty” flavour. Tawnies without a date marked are basic blends of wine types which have spent some time in wooden barrels. Above this are tawnies with an indication of age, representing a blend of several vintages. The official categories are 10, 20, 30 and over 40 years. These categories indicate a target age profile for the ports, and not their actual ages, although many people

erroneously believe that the categories indicate the minimum average age of the blends.

Colheita

A Colheita Port is a single-vintage wine produced and aged in the tawny style, i.e. in wooden barrels, for a period of at least seven years.

Instead of the age indication (10, 20, …), the actual vintage year is given. Nevertheless, Colheita Port should not be confused with Vintage Port. While Vintage Port spends only about 18 months in barrels after harvest and continues to mature in the bottle, Colheita Port can spend 20 or more years in wooden barrels before being bottled and sold.

If you want to taste a great port wine, the Graham’s brand has enjoyed the reputation of being a producer of outstanding Vintage Port for over a hundred years. Its wines are renowned for their exceptional richness, concentration and firm tannic structure: a combination which yields impressive longevity. Graham’s Vintage Ports consistently attain the highest ratings in tastings and invariably attract very high bids at fine wine auctions. In 2012, the Scottish Symington family, the brand’s owners, released 656 bottles of rare port from barrels dating to the arrival of their great-grandfather, Andrew James Symington, in Portugal in 1882. The family has named this wine “Ne Oublie” in honour of their ancestors. This outstanding wine has been bottled in individually numbered, hand produced, crystal decanters. Three silver bands, moulded and engraved by Scottish Silversmiths Hayward & Stott, bear the mark of the Edinburgh Assay Office, and you can purchase the bottles at auctions or from special merchants for 5 to 6 thousand Euros.

If you are not enthralled by the taste of port wine, however, a visit to the port of Porto and the picturesque wine regions of the Douro river basin certainly will enthral you.

Author: Ing. Arch. Iva Drebitko

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

83

I nterview

with

H ana N ěmcová , CEO, I nfiberry

Doing business

is in my genes You may not be entirely familiar with the company Infiberry, but if your resolution for 2018 is to do something to protect the planet and reduce plastics consumption, I recommend you check out its product – the FRUSACK original bags. Hana Němcová, along with Tereza Dvořáková, pioneered and developed these trendy Czech environmentally-friendly and compostable bags for holding fruit, vegetables and bread. Their successful start-up company is evidence that even students of traditional fields can come up with innovative ideas and make their mark in the business world.

How does a medicine student become a businesswoman? How can she manage study, building a global company and bringing up her small son? And what did she get out of her participation, and a great 4th position, in the global Women Start Up Competition?

P hoto : archive

84

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

We had had to postpone our meeting because Hana’s young son was sick. When the same thing happened three weeks later, I decided to make the trip to Hana’s home. We completed the interview in one hour, during which time Hana made a number of telephone calls, with an investor and with her colleague regarding co-ordinating pre-Christmas orders from the e-shop, we filmed a video of the interview and discussed the poor range of appropriate waste sorting bins available for the home. Perhaps another new product? It was clear that Hana is a young woman with a lot of energy and hard work.

I nterview Hanka, you decided after almost four years to stop studying medicine at Charles University, and return to first year. You have started studying at a private university focused on business and financial management. Was this a difficult decision?

It was obvious to me, although I was always being told how much of a shame it was. I had my finals and compulsory practice ahead of me in medicine, and these are very difficult in themselves. Besides business, I also look after my four-year old son. I knew I didn’t want to work in medicine itself, so I made the pragmatic assessment that it would be a waste of time and energy. I would have been just an average doctor, and this would have been hard to come to terms with for me. I want to dedicate myself fully to doing business, something I enjoy and which fulfils me. The part-time aspect of the course suits me and I’m happy I’m able to use the knowledge I acquire in my specialisation of Financial Management in practice.

How is your Frusack product doing three years in?

They’re doing really well; thanks for the question. We’ve moved on from our dreams to implementing specific plans. We’re growing on the Czech and Slovak market, and in the new year we’re planning to develop global international distribution in collaboration with Amazon. I’m glad that we have made progress in developing the material further, in collaboration with our supplier. The process wasn’t easy; nobody knows how a new material is going to behave. The material is still compostable, made from corn starch, but we can now make it more quickly and more cheaply, and this is key when transitioning to wholesale distribution.

Transition to wholesale distribution is a stress test which many projects are unable to pass.

Very often, a product and its design are very good, but production costs are too high.

I should say that Frusack is just one product, and a key pilot project. Our company, Infiberry, aims to continue to focus on environmental solutions to food purchase and storage, to go on to offer large shopping bags, and then boxes for storing foods. Food waste is an area very closely related to food packaging. Many foods are distributed pre-packaged. But back to Frusack. We need to be sure we can handle all the steps not only involved in production, but also in distribution, in order to succeed globally.

Incidentally, little is known, and little is written, about these phases. In the fascination over new and successful projects as part of various crowd-funding campaigns, it is not mentioned that people have not always been able to bring an initial idea all the way to a successful end. It is frequently logistics, a distribution network and all subsequent processes which are missing.

As such, it is these issues we want to look at now. Until recently, it was only my colleague and I, with assistance from the investor and his team, although they were not part of the

with

company. Now we have an assistant who helps with administration, and we have a trainee who takes care of co-operation with stores. Now Frusack isn’t just available from our e-shop, but also in brick and mortar stores. There are about a hundred people involved in production, and the owner of the Czech company which sews our bags together has essentially become our head of production.

What drives you personally? Business in general, or environmental business, or is it rather a matter of social responsibility?

I’ve always enjoyed business in general. I could choose from loads of simple or even profitmaking areas. But I need to see positive impacts and the changes they bring. I just found those plastic produce bags really annoying. I led a healthy life, bought loads of fruit and vegetables and the bags which built up at home basically led me to my current line of business.

I wanted to start using reusable produce bags, but there was nothing on the market. I didn’t have as much information then about the harm caused by plastics, in particular in terms of their accumulation at the bottom of the oceans and their impact on sea creatures. That makes me even more pleased that public awareness is greater, particular in terms of the new carrier bag charge as of 1 January 2018. I’m pleased to be able to contribute towards dealing with this problem; whether through people purchasing and using Frusack bags, or because we have helped make people talk about the problem.

What are Czech consumers like in terms of acquiring new habits?

I don’t know whether this is peculiar to Czechs only, but I feel that we are rather lazy.

Loads of people really like the look of Frusack, but then they say they would forget to bring the bags to the shop. But it always takes effort to build up any habit! It’s like regular exercise. I’ve learnt to bring my keys, mobile, wallet and Frusack bag containing four other reusable bags when I go shopping. This situation will be dealt with when such plastic bags are charged. There are now charges for carrier bags, and you can suddenly see how everyone carries foldable fabric bags with them, and net bags can once again be seen in the pages of fashion magazines. Statistics show that each year up to 400 plastic bags per person are consumed in the Czech Republic. Last year in Great Britain, charges were placed on even the smallest, thinnest bags and within half a year their consumption fell by a full 80%. Basically the economic aspect will always have the greatest impact.

Yet according to our research 70% of people have information available to them on the harmfulness of using plastics.

You and your story in business demonstrate the success of Charles University’s Centre for Knowledge and Technology Transfer in supporting transfer in practice.

H ana N ěmcová , CEO, I nfiberry Yes; I took advantage of the opportunity to study Science and Information Management.

This was the first time I had had the opportunity in my studies to come across socalled soft skills, both in terms of management and presentational skills. The rector of Charles University himself is a great advocate of students knowing how to sell what they learn at the university. Another benefit was that this subject was open to students at all 17 faculties. I met a colleague there who was studying marketing and PR, and he helped us at the outset. I remain in contact with the Centre for Knowledge and Technology Transfer, and they have helped furnish us with contacts for potential investors.

Your generation is spoken of as a generation of start-uppers who want to do business and are not interested in being employed.

I think the pressure is a double-edged sword.

All those successfully publicised stories of student entrepreneurs can put pressure on others who might get the impression just studying is not enough. Or for other women, studying and raising a child. I think it is important for us all to know what makes us happy and what we want to do. Then we have the chance of being the best at what we’re going to do. There are many options, and establishing a company is easy.

You represented the Czech Republic last year at the Women Start Up Competition; congratulations on your fourth place.

Looking back, what specifically did the competition give you?

It was fascinating to meet the winners from all the countries; the bar was set really high.

We still remain in contact. We also had the opportunity to take part in a three-day mentoring programme. We’ll see which of the recommended steps and in which form we execute them in the end. In general, I think mentoring is really important; we chose our current investor because he is also a mentor to us.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I trust that Frusack and Infiberry will still be around, and we’ll be doing well internationally too. My son will be 14. I’d like to travel more. And I’m looking forward to getting to a stage where I have more time for personal development. I haven’t had a holiday for two years. I’ve been to visit my parents in the USA, but the whole time I was in contact with and managing the company. I feel that I’m getting to a stage where I’m going to need more time for myself and my partner. So I’m looking forward to building a strong team.

Linda Štucbartová české znění naleznete v elektronické verzi magazínu na www.czechleaders.com

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

85

networking / charity

In cooperation with Czech & Slovak Leaders From left: Ing. Jaromír Kalfus, Entrepreneur, Mgr. Jaroslav Drápal, Analyst, ČSOB, and Ing. Jiří Bříza,CSc.,IT Analyst

Lions Club Prague Bohemia Ambassador Guest of Honor: Doc. RNDr. Markéta Martínková, Associate Professor of the Department of Biochemistry, the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Charles University Topic: Methanol versus Ethanol

From left: Ing.Jiří Málek, Entrepreneur and Petr Laštovka, Entrepreneur

From left: Doc. RNDr. Markéta Martínková, Associate Professor of the Department of Biochemistry, the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Charles University, guest of honor

From left: Ing. Jiří Bříza, CSc., IT Analyst and Ing. Vladimír Páral, Writer

86

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

From left: Ing. František Novotný, President, Associations APST and SDSS, Secretary, LC Praha Bohemia Ambassador, and Miroslav Hříbal, Entrepreneur and former President, LC Praha Bohemia Ambassador

Prof. MUDr. Václav Mandys, CSc., Head of the Institute of Pathology, Prague and President, LC Praha Bohemia Ambassador

Ing. František Chaloupecký, Member of the Board, Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic and former President, LC Praha Bohemia Ambassador

networking / charity

In cooperation with Czech & Slovak Leaders

CHARITY EVENT

Lions Club Prague Bohemia Ambassador From left: JUDr. Vojtěch Trapl, Lawyer and former Governor of LCI D122 Czech Republic and Slovak Republic, JUDr. Eva Stránská, Lawyer, Miroslav Hříbal,Entrepreneur and former President of LC Praha Bohemia Ambassador with his daughter

From left: Ing. Miroslav Pichrt, former President, LC Teplice with his wife, MUDr. Libuše Novotná, Dentist, Secretary, LC Praha Ladies, and Ing. František Novotný, President of Associations SDSS and APST and Secretary, LC Praha Bohemia Ambassador

From left: MUDr. Libuše Novotná, Dentist, Secretary, LC Praha Ladies, Prof. MUDr. Václav Mandys, CSc., Head of the Institute of Pathology, Prague and President, LC Praha Bohemia Ambassador, Doc. MUDr. Eva Mandysová, CSc., Cardiologist, and Ing. František Novotný, President of Associations SDSS and APST and Secretary, LC Praha Bohemia Ambassador

From left: Ing. Miroslav Pichrt, former President, LC Teplice with his wife and Ing. Jan Kalaš, Entrepreneur and 1st Vice Governer of LCI D122 Czech Republic and Slovak Republic

Ing.Antonín Mika, Director, Foreign Trade Company "LAMMEX Ltd" and former President of LC Praha Bohemia Ambassador

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

87

Interview with H.E. Daniel Meron, Ambassador of Israel

DIGITAL DIPLOMACY The fact that each interview is unique is hardly a surprising statement. However it was during my meeting with the Israeli ambassador that I experienced a role reversal; the interview did not start with me asking the prepared questions but Mr. Ambassador asking about me. I was able to experience firsthand the fact known to many: Israeli diplomacy, especially towards the public, is the best in the world. It came as no surprise that Mr. Ambassador, being not only a great speaker but also a very attentive listener, addressed the issues of my interests, beyond the originally outlined questions.

Here you can expect some insights on digital diplomacy, women in technology and also a rather refreshing expat view on both Czech society and culture.

Daniel Meron has previously worked at Israeli embassies in USA, Norway and Cyprus.

In Washington, he was a commissioner for the Congressional affairs, which mediated relations between the Israeli government and the US Congress. In Norway and Cyprus, he held the post of deputy ambassador.

88

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

H.E. Daniel Meron, Ambassador of Israel with his wife Jill Meron

Photo: Archive

Interview with Daniel Meron, Ambassador of Israel Mr. Ambassador, we started our interview talking about the changing nature of diplomacy in the 21st century and the role of Ambassadors without diplomatic passports, which was the title of my book and a subsequent series of the Czech and Slovak Leaders Magazine. These people are not diplomats yet, by being leading personalities in various domains, they promote and influence the image of a country abroad.

I see the role of such individuals growing and becoming more important. I can name few leading personalities representing Israel: Gal Gadot, an Israeli actress and a model, famous for portraying Wonder Woman in the DC Extended Universe movie; a violinist and a conductor Pinchas Zukerman; and an Israeli professional footballer Eran Zahavi, currently playing in Guangzhou, China. However, even many of my colleagues, being traditional diplomats, are expanding beyond diplomacy. One of my colleagues has just started culinary diplomacy at Twitter, as she likes cooking.

How has diplomacy changed and what is the right diplomacy for the 21st century?

I love this question. Just today, I spoke to our department of digital diplomacy. This department did not exist five or even two years ago and many countries still do not have this department. We put a lot of emphasis on social networks. This is just one example of changing diplomacy due to technology. I am known for challenging the traditional way of diplomatic reporting back via cables. I maintain that we should use more open communication.

I believe that headquarters should go to my Facebook, Twitter and Instagram account to find out about my activities in the Czech Republic, rather than waiting for some formal large reports. I see the trend coming, it will take another five to ten years.

I have seen your Youtube message you used as an introduction to the Czech Republic. Is this the new way of introduction for each Israeli ambassador?

Each new ambassador gets a gift from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. You get a team of a movie director, a cameraman and a writer of the script. You give them an idea and they prepare the story for you. I come from Jerusalem and I pointed out many similarities between Prague and Jerusalem. One of my colleague is from Tel Aviv, so he talks about the city of tomorrow, regarding the high-tech. Another colleague is a daughter of a Holocaust survivor. She talks about her story and what it means to her to be a diplomat, representing a Jewish state in Europe, having special memories and legacy.

How did it feel shooting a three minute movie and being a star in the spotlight, rather than a diplomat in the background?

It was exciting. It was great to have my daughter joining me for a beer in the market. I have shown this movie to many young people, as

I go to schools very often. When young Czechs see this movie, they usually say that they did not have an idea what Israel was all about.

I try to convey a message that Israel is a very modern, developed country, in the front line of technology and culture. Some people still had the image of a desert country with camels walking around. Yes, we have camels but we have much more modern features. My daughter is in high tech, now finishing her fourth year at the university, specializing in computer and electrical engineering. She works in Jerusalem in a company designing an autonomous car, also featured in my introduction video. Moreover, she volunteers in a special program at Hebrew University, called QueenB. A group of young Israeli women with high-tech backgrounds decided that there had been enough talking about the need to get young women into sciences, high tech and other technical disciplines, it was time to act. The university students now teach the high school female students, my daughter is teaching coding.

You have mentioned one thing I find disconcerting: the fact that young Czechs do not know Israel. How is that possible, given the fact that the Czech Republic is the closest ally of Israel in Europe? The Czechoslovak and Czech Israeli relations have very long and deep roots. Did we fail to pass on the common history to the younger ones?

I do not wish to compare one generation to another. I believe that the young people know a lot thanks to social media. The Israeli band Lola Marsh had a concert in Acropolis and it was totally sold out, even though it was their first visit to Prague. The culture is known thanks to the personalities. It is rather due to the complexities of the politics in the whole region that makes it more confusing. Let us not forget that during the communist times, it was also challenging to get to the right information. We have to go even further back in time, to Tomas Garrigue Masaryk, his fight in Hilsner affair, him coming to Palestine in 1927 and then the sad history of the Holocaust and its survivors and Jan Masaryk and his fight for the State of Israel, helping displaced Jews come then to Palestine and then sending arms.

All this information used to be shared within a generation concerned. Now, it is up to us to teach the younger generation also about these historical events.

What do you personally do to bridge the knowledge of culture with the knowledge of shared history?

As I mentioned, I visit many schools, I show my introductory video and then I have a presentation.

I usually talk about the great relationship between the two countries. I tend to mention three specific examples. Our two countries have a great cooperation in the field of water technology; the Czech Minister of Environment came to Israel has met me and shared his concern about the lack of underground water the Czech Republic is facing. At first, I thought it was

a sort of a joke. A country with abundant rainfall, snowfall, with green hills, forest and pastures is coming to a desert nation, asking for advice?

It is true that Israel is among the top countries with regards to water technology and water management, practices such as drip irrigation, desalination, reuse of water for agriculture etc. In September 2017, a delegation of 50 people went to Israel to learn about water technology. On the other hand, the Czech Republic can help Israel with ideas for solving the issue of water pollution. ŠKODA AUTO and the automotive industry is the second example of our mutual cooperation. The automotive Czech industry can connect to the digital industry in Israel. They both complement each other. In Israel, there are more than 150 start-ups producing various technological solutions for the automotive industry, such as radars, communications, smart batteries, sensors etc. ŠKODA AUTO will partner with an institution in Tel Aviv and will open an innovation center. By the way, ŠKODA is the third most frequently sold car in Israel.

Cyber security is the third domain where we have great exchange of communication and cooperation.

It is often mentioned that the Czech-Israeli relations are the best in history. What can be done to improve already strong and stable relations?

In short, we are further exploring the cooperation that will bring the best from both countries.

High-tech, start-ups and scientific cooperation are other areas where we can progress a lot.

I know that Czech scientific diplomat, Mrs. Mikolášová, is also featured in this issue, so you are familiar with the exact details of our cooperation in this field. The next topic that is becoming very relevant, is the future of smart cities. And I could continue with many topics from the sphere of economy or commerce which can prosper thanks to mutual cooperation.

How do you like the Czech Republic?

The Czech Republic is a beautiful country. I find the people very friendly and I appreciate the fact that they are friendly and positive toward my country, Israel. Czech culture is not affected by antisemitism. I arrived nine months ago and I have listened to the advice of my friends, recommending me to visit also the countryside.

I am proud to say that I have been to all 14 regions.

Every second week I leave Prague to get to know the people, visit ancient Jewish synagogues, monuments and cemeteries, attend schools or universities. I love doing that. There are many beautiful places and a lot of Jewish history that is still not very known.

This is also my advice to other foreigners coming to the Czech Republic, make sure you explore the whole country.

Linda Štucbartová české znění naleznete v elektronické verzi magazínu na www.czechleaders.com

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

89

D iplomatic

event

SPANISH NATIONAL DAY AT BŘEVNOV MONASTERY

Invited guests at the beautiful Břevnov Monastery

The Ambassador of Spain H.E. Pedro Calvo-Sotelo Ibanez-Martin in his welcoming speech

From left: Ivo Krýsa, Deputy Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, Prof. Josef Opatrný, Charles University, H.E. Leonora Rueda, Ambassador of Mexico, and H.E. Pedro Calvo-Sotelo, Ambassador of Spain

90

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

From left: Ivo Krýsa, Deputy Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, Mrs. Calvo-Sotelo and H.E. Pedro Calvo-Sotelo, Ambassador of Spain

From right: Helena Leisztner, Artist, Roland Leisztner, CEO, Rolei Development, and the wife of the Ambassador of Spain, Mrs. Calvo-Sotelo

The Ambassador of Spain H.E. Pedro Calvo-Sotelo Ibanez-Martin with his wife Mrs. Calvo-Sotelo receiving a copy of Czech and Slovak Leaders Magazine by your Publisher Benke Aikell

management club

Prague Management Club Czech Management Association

Pavel Sehnal, Businessman, SPGroup explaining 5 key strategical points of his management

245 th meeting of Prague Management Club of the Czech Management Association took place in the Clarion Congress Hotel Prague. The event featured a special guest - Pavel Sehnal, businessman and politician. Pavel Sehnal talked about his managerial career, strategic management decisions and the reason why he decided to start a political career.

Ivo Gajdoš, Director, CMA with Monika Nebeská, Chairwoman of the Board, ZD Všestary

Pavel Kafka, President, CMA and Pavel Sehnal, Businessman, SPGroup From left: Ladislav Verner, Owner, Soma Engineering, Pavel Kafka, President, CMA, Monika Nebeská, Chairwoman of the Board, ZD Všestary, Jaroslav Šubrt, Business Sociologist, Iva Pluháčková, Member, CMA, and Ivo Gajdoš, Director, CMA

Ivo Gajdoš, Director, CMA with Pavel Sehnal, Businessman, SPGroup

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

91

René Wirths Matérie | The Substance

(*1967) Germany

The exhibition is open daily 10 am – 5 pm till March 8, 2018 Výstava je otevřena denně 10:00 – 17:00 do 8. března 2018 Catalogue from exhibition is available | K výstavě byl vydán katalog Galerie MIRO, kostel sv. Rocha, Strahovské nádvoří 1/132, 118 00 Praha 1 tel.: +420 233 354 066, +420 737 246 091 e-mail: info@galeriemiro.cz www.galeriemiro.cz www.trebbia.eu

Interview with Pherooz Karani, Head of School at International Montessori School of Prague

universal

Photo: Archive

Born in India, Pherooz was raised in Boston, Massachusetts, where she attended a Montessori school – founded and owned by her mother – from two months to twelve years old. She has spent her entire career in Montessori education, eventually moving from teaching to administration. In addition to her Bachelor’s degree in Education, she holds Association Montessori Internationale diplomas for every age level, from Infant and Toddler (London), Primary (New York) to Elementary (Prague) and an American Montessori Society diploma in School Administration. Currently, she is completing a Master's of Education program at Endicott College in Massachusetts with a specialization in Integrative Montessori Leadership.

94

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

Interview with Pherooz Karani, Head of School at International Montessori School of Prague are the differences between Czech and American children?

Children are definitely universal. I believe their development and human tendencies are exactly the same the world over, in mansions and huts alike. Of course, the local culture plays a role but less than you might think. I think you can start seeing cultural differences in the Elementary age, when children begin mirroring social mores in their communities, but still their needs and tendencies are universal, for example – at this age – the need for acceptance and understanding your place in the world. Montessori definitely saw this and wrote about it at length. This is why her method is so successful around the entire world – because it’s not based on local cultural or historical tradition, but on studying the children themselves.

Pherooz, what brought you from sunny Florida to the country suffering from long, grey winters?

The answer to this question is two-fold. My partner is Czech, so I was actively looking to move to Europe and ideally, Prague. At the same time, I was in contact with Katka Bečková, the Executive Director of IMSP, who had offered me a teaching position a few years prior. This time she was looking for a new Head of School just as I finished a previous contract and things fell into place very quickly. Now I’ve been happily settled in Prague for more than six years, and married to my partner for over four.

Apart from winters, what was the most challenging to adapt to?

Well, although I had lived in Florida for the two years prior to coming to Prague, I spent most of my life in Boston, which gets significantly colder than Prague, so the winters were not an issue!

Instead, I found it surprisingly difficult at first to navigate the cultural differences. Czech people tend to be much more reserved and private than the average American; they are much less likely to put on a cheerful or enthusiastic persona.

However, I quickly learnt that Czechs are just as warm and welcoming as Americans, they just show it in different ways.

What was most surprising?

The religious underpinnings of Czech culture. As a Christian who nonetheless firmly believes in separation of Church and State, in America I was always very mindful of not mixing religion in my professional life (for example, avoiding religious

carols in the Winter Concert). Here, instead, I encountered many people participating in, and enjoying, Christian customs and traditions without necessarily connecting them to the religion itself, such as the baby Jesus or St. Nicholas bringing presents to children.

Have you learned Czech?

No, much to my mother-in-law’s disappointment.

Working in an international environment has made it more challenging to learn an already difficult language. I keep trying though and have gotten fairly decent at ordering a meal!

An international career offers many opportunities to travel. Which countries have you visited and what have you learned?

My career has taken me to the United Kingdom and across several states in the United States before Prague. The work is the same anywhere you go, it’s just communication with parents and team members that changes based on their cultural experiences and expectations. In my personal life, I’ve travelled across Europe, North America and South Asia, and enjoyed all of it; I’ve found common humanity through a wide variety of local cultures, environments and places, each with their unique beauty. Somehow many Montessorians I know are avid travelers, fulfilling Montessori’s concept of global citizenship, and that’s certainly how I feel and how I encourage students to see themselves.

Can we say that children are the same anywhere in the world or can you see differences between different places? What

You studied theatre and you like to attend theatre performances in your free time.

How do you find Prague’s theatre scene?

What are your tips?

Naturally, I miss lot of Prague’s theatre life as I don’t speak Czech! The English scene is quite small, of course, but very enthusiastic, and growing rapidly, especially in the past years. Fringe Fest – a weeklong festival of English-language theatre, is one of my favourite times of the year and we always attend multiple performances on each of its days; it’s a great way to find new performers and make connections. The Cimrman English Theatre is doing fantastic work and I’ve loved being introduced to those iconic Czech pieces in my language! And finally, I saw several stand-out performances through the Prague Shakespeare Company and Divadlo Na Prádle. There’s also several smaller companies doing excellent work.

What are your next plans?

For now, I am committed to stay at IMSP at least through June 2019. I love Prague and I can imagine living here for many years and starting a family here. Career wise, after I complete my MEd, I’m looking forward to embarking on the Montessori teacher training for Secondary Schools. Once I complete that training, I will be Montessori certified from birth to age 18, a rare achievement in the Montessori world. I also enjoy consulting with other schools so look forward to continuing this important work as well.

What are your tips for expats in Prague?

Marry a Czech, it makes life so much easier! But on a serious note, get connected. There are so many wonderful events and groups, centered around interests, hobbies, skills, family, study, and much more. The expat community in Prague is very dynamic and I believe anyone can find company and camaraderie in it. A good way to start is to monitor the Prague Expat Facebook groups – Crowd Sauce is one I’ve found terribly helpful.

Linda Štucbartová české znění naleznete v elektronické verzi magazínu na www.czechleaders.com

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

95

DIPLOMATS WITHOUT DIPLOMATIC PASSPORT

Professor Martin Margala, UMass Lowell

How do you perceive today’s world?

Dr. Martin Margala is a Professor at the University of Massachusetts and a Fulbright Distinguished Chair in Electrical Engineering.

He was born in Bratislava where he also completed his first university degree in engineering.

After the Velvet Revolution, he earned his PhD at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, where later he became a professor.

After living in Canada for about ten years, he moved to the Unites States. Since 2006, he has been living in Massachusetts, fulfilling his dream to live in a state where education is the main “industry” and focus.

I met with Martin and his wife Miriam two years ago. Our meeting immediately confirmed the saying that great minds and kindred souls think alike. Right away, we started to discuss how to change the approach towards education in the Czech Republic.

Out first meeting took place at the US Embassy, where Martin was chairing a panel on innovation and entrepreneurship with other three leading education specialists from the US. I was the only panel participant representing the Czech side. While the event attracted a lot of attention from the private sphere, academics, NGO representatives, and officials from the public sphere were missing. There is still a lot to be done! I admire Martin's experience, drive and his ability to connect the Old and the New world. Having grown up in Europe and becoming very familiar with the "old continent's" attitudes does not prevent him from challenging the status quo and bringing fresh and innovative ideas.

And he definitely wants to see results sooner rather than later.

96

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

So, how do you perceive today´s world?

I am a great optimist. Even though today's world might be perceived by some people as too challenging and some may even have a rather defeatist attitude, I see it as a world full of new opportunities. In fact, to me, these are exciting times to be living in. The advancements of technology are penetrating all areas of our society and will help increase markedly the standard of living everywhere. New significant discoveries will become more and more frequent. Major diseases will be eliminated, many discoveries will help fight poverty and close the inequality gap in the world. It may sound too idealistic - but there is so much happening, so many people do work with one large goal - to make a difference and make life better.

If you work in research and education, if you are surrounded by people with a positive mind set - preferably in a very international and global context - then I think you can only be optimistic and driven to work every day on positive things.

How do you perceive today’s Czech and Slovak Republics?

Both countries are still very young. I see both countries undergoing a generational shift. You can observe a push and pull dynamic between the old thinking and the new thinking; the past and the future.

Young men and women that were either children or not even born at the time of the Velvet Revolution are becoming more involved, more interested in what's going on around them and more liberated from old traditions. Again - I can only repeat myself, I am an optimist. I do see exciting times ahead - but it is a long process; it is not easy and not at all smooth. There are and will be many challenges, many failures - but I do believe that in both countries, there are people who are able and ready to take risks and contribute to positive changes. In my work, especially through my international collaborations, I interact a lot with young people from both countries - there are many dedicated, excited, hard working young people and every day, their goal is to move ahead, whatever challenges they have to face.

When we come to the topic of the US-EU scientific co-operation and its potential, is the glass half empty or half full?

It is definitely half empty. I am not turning into a pessimist here - but the status quo is really not suited and efficient for today's global world. The funding systems setup in the US and in Europe have always been inward looking. There has been a very limited support for truly international collaborations in research and education and virtually no funding mechanism that would connect

Linda Štucbartová is a Partner at ATAIRU, an international leadership development company that guides leaders to activating their uniqueness through authentic leadership. As a Chief Interviewer for Czech and Slovak Leaders Magazine, she has written more than fifty interviews with prominent Czech and CEE leaders. Moreover, she also occupies Board positions at Charles University Council for Commercialization and at Minerva 21, the personal development initiative. Finally, she is the author of the book Ambassadors Without a Diplomatic Passport.

Previously, she held management positions in business, public administration, and academia. willing global partners. However, many national governments have recently started to realize that there is an untapped potential with many benefits for all involved partners.

These efforts are growing and new programs are being set up. It is important that people interested in true international collaborations and global partnerships do not give up and simply charge ahead. From my own experience, I have to say that it has been frequently an uphill battle but a battle that one can - and should - fight because the results are really worth it. One has to be very vocal - I have been talking incessantly for very many years to anybody who would listen: researchers from universities all around the world, funding institutions/managers, government representatives, diplomats, attaches, ambassadors - any opportunity, I just take it and use it. Of course, you actually have to show results - once you have concrete examples of successful collaborations, it becomes easier. There are many exciting opportunities and I have been fortunate to be part of, or in charge of, many endeavors. The Czech and Slovak Republics have been trying to launch such efforts - and again, they have to persevere. Just because there will be ideas that may fail does not mean they should give up.

Any failure or mistake is a learning opportunity - and will help you to fine tune your efforts, formulate better plans and forge better, successful collaborations.

You have been very active in the sphere of higher education, bridging various spheres together - municipalities, corporations, NGOs and universities. While such approach is common in the US, the Czech Republic still has a long way to go. What do you suggest to start with to bring about a change?

As I mentioned previously, it is the drive of likeminded people that get behind a mutual goal: setup a new program, new activity, new project, whatever it is, and go after it until you see results. The problem in the Czech Republic and Slovakia is that the societies have been built as sets of silos, a sum of entities that co-exist, but were never built to network/interact with each other.

What I mean by that is a local municipality was never setup to collaborate on new innovations with the local university or high school to solve everyday problems and im-

prove services for its citizens. No programs exist that would support such collaborations and if they do, nobody knows about them or how to go about taking advantage of them.

Another example is that there is no mechanism where municipalities - large and small, NGOs, companies and the education sector can interact to bring new innovation ideas to practical implementation.

To bring about a change in such a system, one has to work from bottom-up and seek supporters/likeminded men and women to get behind one project at a time and use any medium possible to publicize all the sucess stories that there are.

We have been cooperating on the new project of Youth Startup Festival in May 2018 in Brno. Can you tell us more about this unique and truly revolutionary project?

The Youth Startup Festival aims to combine several elements that I mentioned previously. It links innovative ideas and projects with the next generation of young men and women, the millennials, and will try to demonstrate how to become a transformative individual in the modern society. There are many programs around the globe that try to invest in the education at the elementary, middle and high school level to teach young students to become comfortable expressing new ideas that support innovation and change, especially ideas that are high risk/ high reward so that young people become comfortable with and learn from failures.

Plus, this festival will be located in Brno for a good reason. This region has been at the forefront of the innovation revolution and is an example from which many other regions are trying to learn how to navigate the world of innovation, research and collaboration in a silo-based society and how to find an effective way to implement changes and innovation; bring innovations to practice as fast as possible.

Your final words and a New Year’s wish or message for Czech and Slovak Leaders Magazine readers?

Let the year 2018 be even better than 2017.

By Linda Štucbartová

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

97

Remember the last time that you were giving a presentation and had this nagging feeling that it wasn't going all too well? Blank, unemotional stares from your listeners only confirmed your worst fears. Your point was lost and you weren´t impacting anyone…

In the last issue of this magazine, I talked to you about empowering your presence as a speaker/presenter in order to captivate your audience, i.e. your delivery style. Today, we’ll look at the other side of the spectrum, the content of your message.

What’s more important in a presentation, your style or your message?

Many experts attribute a major part of our success in presentations to our delivery style and a small fraction only to the actual content. The legacy of the widely misinterpreted communication model by Albert Mehrabian, I would imagine the “7%-38%-55% Rule”, for the relative impact of words, tone of voice and body language respectively, when speaking. I used to share this belief myself, until my own experience proved me wrong; available research seems to confirm it.

In a study conducted with students at Stanford University, researchers came to a surprising conclusion. Students were asked to give a short presentation and were evaluated on their performance. As expected, the students who were the best speakers with the most captivating delivery style got the best evaluations. But here comes the surprise. When the evaluators were asked what they remembered from their presentations, they weren’t able to recall! They forgot what their presentations were all about.

Interesting, is it not? This study is mentioned in a book “Made to Stick” by the Heath brothers (a read which I highly recommend for any public speakers).

If your prime goal is to entertain your audience, then fantastic! Your delivery style will help you do just that. If your goal however, is to convey an important message which you want your audience to remember, then you’ll need to pay equal attention to the content of your message.

Think about it, some of our ideas influence important decisions and we need these ideas to live on because decisions aren’t typically made on this basis straight away. You want your management, team members or business partners to remember what you said until such time as they are prepared to make those critical decisions, which could last a week, a month but also a year from now…

So what is it that you can do to engage people with your message, to get them to remember and act on it?

98

3 characteristics of an effective message as mentioned by Carmine Gallo in his book Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs

1. Make your message understandable Remember the quote by Albert Einstein about how everything should be made as simple as possible?

Very true and especially so when you communicate ideas to an audience.

What happens far too often is that we overcomplicate things. With the intention of giving our audience all the information they might need to fully comprehend the subject, we give them a little too much…

As our audience tries to navigate through the wide array of informational bits and pieces we put at their disposal, they loose thread and then? They switch off and disappear into the depths of their own worlds. And our hope of getting our message across is gone forever!

Forget the details. Get to the point, get there fast and make it easy for your audience to understand. What they (and their brains) crave for is meaning, not detail. They want to understand the big picture and how it relates to their own life experiences.

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

P hoto A rchive

The devil is NOT in the detail...

At least not in this case. When you’re preparing for a presentation, ask yourself:

• What’s my core idea/message?

• How does it relate to my audience?

• How can I make it short and concise?

To help you do that, think in tweets: if you had to tweet your idea, what would you say? Remember, Twitter only gives you space for 140 characters.

Once you have your core idea defined, select 3 to 5 secondary ideas that you wish to convey. Ideally these should support your core idea but they can also take on a life of their own.

When I was preparing for my TEDx talk, there were so many ideas floating around in my head, notions that I wanted to share with my audience. Luckily, I chose otherwise. After an intense brainstorming session with myself (and making some tough choices) I settled on one core message: “Your body is an expression of who you are”. I then focused all my attention on making my audience see why it is so and why they should care. I used the following supporting ideas:

1. Your body is shaped by your life experiences.

• Do you have happy customers? Share your about your products and services. Think about your 2. Your body shapes your mind and personality. customer stories with your listeners; tell them customers, how they found you, what their world 3. Your body reveals a story that shapes your how customers use your product/service, why may have been like before using your products/ results.

they use it and the results they’re getting.

Jamie Oliver, a British celebrity chef and a TV personality is someone I deeply admire. Not only for his culinary skills but because he’s an amazing speaker with a mission. He wants to influence change in the world! If you watch his TED talk, you’ll understand. This was the core idea of his talk: “We need to educate every child about food!” He used the following structure to support his argument.

Avoid abstraction Whenever you’re tempted to say things such as: “We provide you with leading edge technology to increase productivity, quality and reduce manufacturing cost.” or “We help you improve the customer experience”; please don’t, I beg you!

Such phrases are completely void of meaning. Even

1. Our diet kills us! Today’s children will live a life if they are true, don't use them! Show it, prove it, 10 years younger than their parents!

demo it! Remember, abstraction is the biggest

about it.

Once again, we can learn from Mr. Oliver.

In his TED talk, Jamie talks about the outrageous amounts of sugar contained in flavoured milk, which is being consumed by primary school children every day. To make his point, he could choose to say something like this: “by drinking one bottle of milk a day, your child consumes 28 grams of sugar.” All right, that could work but… Do you know how much 28 grams of sugar actually is? Can you picture it in your head? I can’t. The concept is too abstract for me.

2. How did we get here? enemy of all effective communication.

3. All this is preventable, here’s what we can do A very clear and simple message using simple structure. There’s beauty in simplicity. Don't overwhelm your audience with details. Remember, if you state 10 things, you may in fact be saying nothing.

2. Make it memorable As we’ve already seen, for your message to be effective, it must live on in the minds of your audience. How can you achieve this?

Surprise your audience.

Intrigue them. Spark their curiosity!

• Is there an unexpected implication in your message?

• Is there something you may say that violates people’s beliefs?

• …or their preconceived ideas or habitual patterns of thinking?

Let’s go back to Jamie Oliver for a moment. This is the opening line of his TED talk: “Sadly, in the next eighteen minutes that I do this chat, four Americans that are alive today will be dead through the food that they eat!”

Wow, there you have it! Not a particularly optimistic statement; but hey, did he grab our attention? That opening line was packed with a huge surprise factor and it sparks our curiosity. Impactful indeed!

So much so that, to this day, Jamie is on my mind every time I order a giant chocolate croissant for breakfast!

Make it real!

The more concrete, tangible and multisensory your message, the more your listeners will remember. If you catch yourself trying to come up with elaborate explanations as to how something works, don't. Demonstrate it instead!

• Are you presenting a product? Create a demo.

Let them experience your product.

Jamie knows that to make his point, he needs to go a step further. He holds a glass containing 8 sugar cubes and throws them onto the floor: “This is how much sugar your child consumes at school every day through milk only!”. He then takes a bucket full of sugar cubes, throws them on the floor and continues, “and this is how much sugar they’re taking in per week, and per month!”. Finally he takes a wheelbarrow overflowing with sugar cubes, “and this is your child’s sugar intake in a year through milk consumption!”

Amazing, impactful, memorable! Would you believe how much we can learn from a chef?

Jamie’s amazing presentation tactics lead me to my final point.

3. Evoke emotion Making your message emotional. If you manage to evoke emotion in your audience, you´ve done it! They’ll pay closer attention to you and will remember everything you said! Emotions move people, they trigger a release of certain chemicals in the brain which affect their state of mind and their feelings about themselves and the world around them (including you – the speaker!). What I am about to say should be no surprise to you.

One of the best strategies to evoke emotion is storytelling.

Tell stories…

Your presentation should be a sequence of concrete stories and examples that snap together to form a compelling argument.

What stories, you ask? There are stories everywhere around you! All you need to do is take a look. Think about your own experiences at your company or

solutions and what that world is like today?

Stories are the best mechanisms for persuasion; they inspire people and make them want to be better and do better. Stories drive concrete action.

Think of Steve Jobs, Richard Branson and other icons in business. They are all brilliant storytellers.

There you have it. Next time that you’re prepping to communicate an important message or idea, reference these three characteristics and see for yourself. I will be very surprised if you experience blank, unemotional stares ever again.

I wish you lots of success and if you want to brainstorm ideas for your next high-stake presentation, drop me a note. I may be able to help!

By ALENA HUBEROVA Communications strategist, speaker and trainer www.alenahuberova.com alena@alenahuberova.com

ABOUT ALENA HUBEROVA Alena has a professional background in sales, marketing and communication in a variety of sectors including IT, travel and tourism, wellness and beauty. With over 15 years of experience working in corporate business and living in 5 countries across Europe and Asia, she embarked on a quest to discover her mission.

Diving into entrepreneurship, she developed an online portal to promote healthy living.

Later she built a team of 50 sales consultants in the beauty sector and became a role model to her peers.

Working with hundreds of professionals and through overcoming her own struggles as an entrepreneur and introvert, she was inspired to start her communication business, which has since turned into a lifelong passion.

Today, she assists business leaders in developing a powerful personal presence on and off-stage, delivering presentations that capture the hearts and minds of their audiences and inspire action.

She also acts as a mentor for startups, helping them design and deliver winning business pitches. In collaboration with Presentation. com, she coached the X.GLU Czech Team to win the world title at the Microsoft Imagine Cup in 2017.

Alena is regularly asked to speak at industry events and conferences in the Czech Republic, France and Spain. She participates at The International Board of Entrepreneurs, Entreps. org, runs The Public Speakers, Trainers and Coaches Club in Prague and is an active member of Toastmasters International, regularly participating in public speaking contests.

99

ČSÚZ In cooperation with Czech & Slovak Leaders

The Czechoslovak Foreign Institute awarded Mrs. Lyubov Khoba, the vice-president of Lukoil for the support of Czech schools in Vienna Common photo with the vice-president of the PJSC Lukoil Lyubov Khoba in the Philosophical Hall of the Strahov Library.

For the financial support of the Komenský School association in Vienna, the chairman of the Czechoslovak Foreign Institute Jaromír Šlápota presented the Silver Lion award to the vice-president of the PJSC Lukoil Lyubov Khoba in the Philosophical Hall of the Strahov Library on October 19, 2017. The ceremony was attended by fifty staff-members of Lukoil, representatives of the Russian Embassy and dozens of members and friends of the Institute.

Lyubov Khoba, who arrived from Vienna, where the Lukoil management is seated, visited first the Czechoslovak Foreign Institute, where its chairman Jaromír Šlápota acquainted her with its history and activities, in particular with its focus on promoting high-quality teaching Czech abroad at expats’ schools. Then she went to the Strahov Monastery, where the director of the Strahov Library Evermod Gejza Šidlovský showed the guests around the important cultural monument.

In the Philosophical Hall of the library, the chairman of the Czechoslovak Foreign Institute awarded a memorial Silver Lion to the vicepresident of Lukoil. “It has never happened before that the Russian firm would support the same project as the Czechoslovak Foreign Institute. The project being a Czech school in Vienna, which is operated by the Komenský School association with its Mayor Ing. Karel

100

The chairman of the Czechoslovak Foreign Institute Jaromír Šlápota presented the memorial Silver Lion award to the vice-president of the PJSC Lukoil Lyubov Khoba for the financial support of the Komenský School association in Vienna on the 19th October 2017 in the Philosophical Hall of the Strahov Monastery.

Hanzl,” he stressed. He announced that Lukoil had provided financial support to the Czech school in Vienna not only this year, but it had committed to it even for the next two years, as Mrs. Khoba informed during her visit to the Institute. "Our dream would be if this example was followed by other companies," the chairman of the Institute said. “I am very honoured by the award," Lukoil vice-president

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

said, and then at the request of the director of the Strahov Library she signed her name to the memorial book of important visitors.

On its pages, the signatures of all the figures that had ever visited Prague can be found.

"From Russia, it has been signed by the expresident Medveděv, Yuri Gagarin or Valentina Tereshkova," Gejza Šidlovský pointed out.

Hebr

ČSÚZ

Three compatriots’anniversaries in Daruvar

From the celebrations in the Croatian Daruvar, from left: MP for the Czech and Slovak minority in the Croatian parliament Vladimír Bílek, director of the Czech elementary school of J. A. Komenský in Daruvar Mgr. Marie Válková, the ambassador of the Czech Republic in the Republic of Croatia H. E. RNDr. Vladimír Zavázal, CSc., president of Česká beseda Daruvar Željka Zadrová, a member of the Czechoslovak Foreign Institute Petar Petkov Stanchev, Ph. D., director of the Ferda Mravenec kindergarten Zdena Kutilová and the wife of the ambassador Mrs. Zavázalová.

The Czechoslovak Foreign Institute, which works with expatriates in Croatia for a long number of years and the goal of which is to equip the Czech schools with the most modern technology, was honoured by an invitation to a celebration of the triple anniversary of Czech compatriots in Daruvar, which took place on 28th October 2017.

The largest and one of the oldest expatriate associations in Croatia named Česká beseda Daruvar celebrated 110 years of existence, 95 years have passed since the founding of the Czech elementary school of J. A. Komenský and the “Ferda Mravenec” Czech kindergarten celebrated the 90th anniversary.

Member of the Czechoslovak Foreign Institute Petar Petkov Stanchev, Ph. D. (left) and the mayor of Daruvar Damir Lneniček.

The celebrations were rich, beautiful, emotional and extremely dignified.

The Czechoslovak Foreign Institute was represented by Petar P. Stanchev, Ph. D. During the official part, he attended the opening of the exhibition dedicated to the history of compatriots in Daruvar and had the opportunity to speak, thank and cordially greet everybody in the name of the Czechoslovak Foreign Institute, and especially on behalf of its chairman Jaromír Šlápota. At the festive ceremony, also the Czech ambassador in Croatia RNDr. Vladimír Zavázal, CSc. spoke, as well as the mayor of Daruvar Damir Lneniček,

and a member of the Croatian parliament for the Czech and Slovak minority Vladimír Bílek. During the rich cultural programme, music and dance groups from Daruvar, for which the Czechoslovak Foreign Institute purchased new musical instruments and dance shoes in past years, performed as well as pupils from the elementary school and the children from the kindergarten. All generations of our countrymen presented themselves wonderfully and contributed to the overall extraordinary evening and unforgettable experience.

Petar P. Stanchev

On cardiology in the Czechoslovak Foreign Institute

Members and friends of the Czechoslovak Foreign Institute showed an extraordinary interest at meeting with the chief physician of the Cardiology department of the Na Homolce Hospital prof. MUDr. Petr Neužil, CSc., member of the Czechoslovak Foreign Institute, held on the 3rd October 2017.

A leading Czech cardiologist, professor MUDr. Petr Neužil, CSc., head physician of the Cardiology department of the Na Homolce Hospital, chairman of the Czech Association for Cardiac Arrhythmias in the Czech Society of Cardiology and a member of the Czechoslovak Foreign Institute came to the

The chairman of the Czechoslovak Foreign Institute Jaromír Šlápota thanked prof. MUDr. Petr Neužil, CSc. for an interesting speech.

Czechoslovak Foreign Institute for discussion with its members and friends.

Department of cardiology is a part of the Cardio-centre of the Na Homolce Hospital.

That department was one of the first independent departments, as early as in the

year 1990, engaged in the broadest spectrum of all subspecialties of diseases of the heart and blood vessels. In the last ten years, the department has become the workplace, where the latest technologies which current developments in cardiovascular medicine brings are applied.

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

101

A Woman’s Dream Comes True

Chateau Mcely is located high on a hill in the midst of the St. George Forest, less than an hour’s drive northeast of Prague’s Old Town.

Helena Stiessová

“The plan to renovate Chateau Mcely was born fifteen years ago and from the very beginning we were guided by higher principles.

Our aim was to deliver more than a high-quality hospitality service - we wanted to enrich the lives of our employees, guests, investors, suppliers and the wider community, and in doing so to improve our little corner of the world. To fulfill this mission we boldly embarked on creating an elegant yet supremely comfortable chateau residence infused with an atmosphere of enchanting beauty, tranquility and impeccable service delivered with loving care.

I am often asked for the secret behind the magic of Chateau Mcely. It took me a while to find the right answer to what may appear an easy question. The Mcely Magic flows from our tireless pursuit to live our mission and values and from our ceaseless attention to detail.”

Inéz Cusumano – Owner, Chateau Mcely

Chateau Mcely rises from the bucolic landscape of the St. George Forest, a mystical woodland shrouded in ancient legends. For the past eleven years the chateau has been an oasis for the weary traveler, a place always poised to rejuvenate the body and soul, stimulate all senses, and guide you to your inner core. It is a magical place once almost lost to decay were it not for a successful and ambitious young woman who succumbed to its magic. Like the castle from the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty, Chateau Mcely lay dormant for nearly 50 years under a veil of overgrown greenery before Inéz Cusumano came to its rescue. But unlike in the fairy tale, it was a woman who led the chateau’s awakening from its deep slumber, not prince charming, though she was more than aided by her loving husband Jim and their amazing team of collaborators, most particularly, husband and wife Vlastimil and Eva Plch.

The story began in 2001, when Inéz visited the chateau almost by chance while prospecting properties for an American friend and immediately fell under its spell. Although the idea of purchasing and renovating the chateau seemed foolish at best, Inéz felt pulled by a mystical force. She recalls being greeted by the groundskeeper as though he had always known her and had been patiently waiting for her to return and take the helm. And she instinctively knew every nook and cranny of the

102

crumbling residence owned previously by the Thurn and Taxis noble family, who had hosted literary luminaries like Rainer Maria Rilke and Mark Twain within its once splendid halls.

Turning the former Thurn and Taxis chateau into its current state of glorious elegance took five years of very hard work and steely determination. Guided by Inéz’s vision, the renovation project was driven by key values: care and love for oneself and others, respect for cultural heritage, collaboration, and environmental sustainability, values that were bound to assure the success of this grand endeavor. Windows were soon adorned with hydrangea floral prints on sumptuous curtains, the grand staircase shone with a new luster, and corridors were filled with the sound of busy hands and feet. All renovations were carefully planned and particular consideration was given to the chateau’s heritage and to sustainability.

Interior elements that could be saved were lovingly restored to their former elegance, and new pieces, designed by the Czech designer Oto Bláha, were commissioned from Czech craftsmen and craftswomen.

The team’s hard work was rewarded in 2006 when the gates opened to a five-star hotel that was to become a jewel in the crown of the Czech hospitality scene. It was then that the power of Inéz‘s vision and the tireless efforts of the team that supported her were fully unveiled. Every

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

Inéz Cusumano and the Chateau Mcely Team gather local healing herbs as well as essential oils from around the world to create Mcely Bouquet natural cosmetic products.

The two-story Presidential Suite in the tower has decor typical of that used in all of the suites and rooms throughout the chateau.

little detail, so carefully planned and considered, fell into its loving place - it was as if some magical force had brought together elements that were always meant to coexist. Soon after the opening Inéz and Jim‘s visionary approach of incorporating environmental sustainability into every aspect of the renovation project earned Chateau Mcely the international recognition of the World‘s Leading Green Hotel, the first five-star hotel to receive the green label in the Czech Republic and the second such hotel in all of Europe. The same magical force that cast its spell over Inéz Cusumano many years ago has since drawn a team of talented employees who have become devoted to Chateau Mcely’s vision of making a difference through lovinglydelivered service. The atmosphere of love and kindness permeates the chateau and it is thus no surprise that a number of marriages have emerged from partnerships formed between employees, and that the Mcely family has been blessed by the arrival of new life over the years.

A popular place for meals or drinks, this scenic, year-round climate-controlled patio is located adjacent to chateau’s main dining room in its Piano Nobile Restaurant.

between the chateau’s interior and its beautiful grounds. A grand staircase leads to the central Golden Hall on the first floor, the energetic core of Chateau Mcely and the preferred place for wedding ceremonies and other important celebrations. The first floor also houses suites named after the world’s continents that beckon the would-be explorer to discover new lands with ease and in comfort. The second floor pays homage to the passage of time with rooms dedicated to the twelve months and a wing honoring famous historical personalities, some of whom once walked the halls of this splendid residence. The third and final floor invites you to explore the stars in the chateau’s rooftop observatory and peruse rare old texts in an extensive tower library.

The spiritual centre of the Chateau Mcely park is the meditation garden built in 2015.

Conceived as a natural chapel dedicated to peace and tranquility, the meditation garden is centered around a beautiful statue of a mother and child celebrating a mother’s unconditional love. It has a platform that is often used for meetings or yoga classes. A quiet moment in the meditation garden contemplating the beauty of the gently swaying leaves is nothing short of perfect tranquility.

Exquisite Dining

Edible Park

Conceived by designer Oto Bláha, the interior is colorful and beautifully varied, inviting you to explore faraway lands, experience the seasons, and discover the lives of personalities past and present.

Regal gold and cream dominate the color palette, carefully complemented by ebony black and sageflower purple, which seamlessly connects the chateau’s interior to the gardens beyond. Other organic motives abound, with gorgeous murals of garden scenes featuring golden birds, and heavenly hydrangea blossoms skillfully imprinted on curtains, upholstery and the walls.

In the summer months the park at Chateau Mcely transforms into an enormous gift box wrapped in a purple ribbon of sage. The glorious expansive grounds are a treat for all senses, taste included. A path fringed by juicy blueberries waiting to be picked leads you to a refreshing lake filtered by natural filtration, a sauna, and the spa’s Honey Rotunda, where guests can indulge in therapeutic rituals. The path continues along the lake and guides your meandering feet to a place infused with the fragrance of herbs.

This is the treasure of the Mcely kitchen, the place where ingredients for delectable dishes are plucked fresh from the herb garden or the edible flower beds. And in a quiet corner hides an eerie cave once used for storing vegetables and today serving as the chateau’s smokehouse.

Although Chateau Mcely appears compact from the exterior, the interior tells another story. The ground level includes three interconnected halls, one of which was the original chateau theatre, and a lush covered patio that bridges the space

Within sight of the edible garden are the tennis courts and various exercise equipment laid out among the trees, inviting guests to stretch their muscles in the fresh air. Guests are also encouraged to exercise the traditional way -

Elegant Interiors

by putting on a pair of gumboots and tending to the gardens, or perhaps planting a tree – a beautiful Chateau Mcely tradition. Children find delight at the nearby children’s playground, complete with a playhouse for princesses.

Chateau Mcely’s Piano Nobile restaurant is a true gem of culinary delight. Led by Executive Chef Honza Štěrba, the restaurant was named the ‘Best Restaurant in the Czech Republic’ for 2014 by Maurer’s Grand Restaurant Guide for its imaginative, delectable menu. A leading force of Chateau Mcely’s ‘green’ agenda, the kitchen prides itself on being able to source many ingredients literally from the back steps. Herbs grow in the kitchen garden below the chateau, blueberries dot the path towards the lake, and stunning rose petals are carefully handpicked for delicious ice cream. Ingredients that cannot be grown or made in the Mcely kitchen are sourced from local farmers, including prized cheeses, sausages, baked goods and jams.

And to complete the green cycle, all kitchen scraps are collected and served to chickens or rabbits raised by the employees or neighbors.

In Chateau Mcely’s award-winning kitchen, absolutely nothing goes to waste.

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

103

Essential Mcely Bouquet

Mcely Bouquet natural cosmetics are produced in the chateau’s laboratory using ancient alchemical techniques.

When Inéz Cusumano left the big city at the start of the Chateau Mcely story, she was welcomed by a rich bouquet of scent. The tradition of herbalism proved to be deeply rooted in the local area, including the time-honored practice of collecting the fabled nine flowering herbs around the time of St. John’s feast day. The nine magical herbs, believed to heal all manner of ills, inspired Inéz to learn from the living memories of old herbalists and to create a line of organic cosmetic products under the label Mcely Bouquet. These unique cosmetics are blended in the chateau’s own alchemical laboratory from nearly ninety different ingredients and are used in its award-winning spa and are available to its guests. They are also used and offered by several luxury hotels, such as Prague‘s Mandarin Oriental.

A Castle For Every Princess

Inéz was in the process of birthing a child while rebirthing Chateau Mcely. Her and Jim’s daughter, Julia was born one month after the chateau opened its doors in 2006. So it‘s no surprise that there is a strong imprint for young princesses to share in, including a Princess Suite and numerous custom-made products for young royalty. It all started when Inéz authored an enchanting fairytale storybook entitled Princess Nely of Chateau Mcely. Modelled after Julia’s fantasies, the book has become a big seller, published in both Czech and English. It’s no surprise that one of the most popular events of the year is Gathering of the Princesses, which takes place every September.

Making a Difference

The Chateau Mcely family continuously directs its loving and tireless efforts to fulfill Inez’s vision – to make a difference in the world by making a difference in the lives of the chateau’s guests, employees, partners and the broader community. The team has created a magical retreat which has brought tremendous joy and comfort to countless visitors from all over the world. Many have pronounced their love for each other within the chateau walls and have returned with the children they were blessed to receive. Important life events have been honored and celebrated here, and weary executives have gained greater clarity of life’s true purpose under the loving care of the Chateau Mcely family.

The team works diligently and creatively to consistently reinvent their enterprise so that it may continue to enrich the lives of all who are drawn to experience its magic.

About the Author: Helena Stiessová is Editor for SOFFA Magazine (www.soffamag.com), the first slow living magazine in the Czech Republic.

This story is based on her experiences at Chateau Mcely (www.chateaumcely.cz/en).

104

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

Guests are pampered in an award-winning spa with Mcely Bouquet natural cosmetics.

D iplomatic

H.E. Mr. Narong Sasitorn, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Czech Republic, and his spouse, Mrs. Chantana Sasitorn

event

From left: H.E. Mr. Narong Sasitorn, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to Czech Republic, and Mr. Vladimír Bärtl, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Trade

Thai National Day reception On 5 December 2017 at the Mirror Chapel, Klementinum

From left: H.E. Mr. Narong Sasitorn, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Czech Republic, H.E. Mrs. Helena Elisabet Tuuri, Ambassador of Finland, and her spouse Mr. Pentti Väinö Mäkinen

Members of the Royal Thai Embassy, Prague

From left: H.E. Mr. Narong Sasitorn, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Czech Republic, Mrs. Helena Kroftová-Leisztner, and her spouse, Mr. Roland Leisztner

From left: H.E. Mr. Narong Sasitorn, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Czech Republic, and Mrs. Sheila Dede Reindorf, spouse of the Ambassador of Luxembourg

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

105

I nterview

with

P hoto : A rchive

A ndrea V adkerti , E xecutive C oach

I have a lot in common with my friend and colleague Andrea: coaching and writing, interviews with wellknown personalities and the desire to support women in their careers. Andrea herself has presented not just many hundreds of Slovak news reports, but also major interviews, including with such personalities as Placido Domingo and Niki Lauda. She left television suddenly in order to prioritise her marriage. She left not just her job, but also her native Slovakia, following her husband to France. She currently lives and works in Singapore.

She has moved from the highest levels of journalism to the highest levels of business. As Executive Coach, she focuses on neurobehavioral modelling and accessing the emerging business development.

Does this all sound like a story from a pulp author? Well you shouldn’t be surprised, as all famous writers agree that the best plots arise from life itself.

Some may remember Andrea Vadkerti as a presenter on Markíza Television, which she joined in 1995 after winning an audition of over 5000 candidates. During her television career, she also managed to study International Finance and European Law at Faculty of Management Comenius University in Bratislava. She presented the main news on Markíza until 2000. Despite her heavy workload, she missed the opportunity to be creative in her role as presenter, and so in addition to the news she also presented a radio talk show. She left Markíza in 2000 when her then-fiancé was starting the rival TA3 television station.

She helped him to create this new television channel, which was described as Central Europe’s CNN, but did not join the channel because she could not imagine working for her partner and for her boss and manager in one person. She then penetrated the world of business, taking on the post of Head of Communications and PR in Slavia Capital between 2000 and 2003. She penetrated the world of mergers, acquisitions and trading while also meeting her current husband.

In 2003, she accepted an offer to return to the television studio, this time for Slovak public television RTVS. This marked the start of the risky, but she says most interesting, “Vadkerti talk show” format, in which RTL journalists were also involved. She broadcast her final talk show during her eighth month of pregnancy, something which involved an in-depth interview with three female murderers and an 80-member audience made up of other prisoners.

The fact that Andrea does everything to the full also applied for her career break, when she focused on her children and family, with her son Raphael joining her daughter Sophie within 13 months. Again, she was missing creativity and continued writing scripts. In 2007, she returned to the media, with another offer from Slovak Television. Once again, just one career was not enough and at this time Andrea began to work in coaching, receiving her first international certification. In 2010, she returned to TA3 to launch her new interview show, Portret. She received the Journalism Prize for Best Interview in Electronic Media two years in a row for her in-depth interviews with the rescuer of Jewish children, Sir Nicholas Winton, and legendary CNN host, Larry King. Next year, French television channel Arte will be broadcasting her interview with Pierre Richard as part of a jubilee documentary on this unforgettable comic.

I nterview

with

A ndrea V adkerti , E xecutive C oach

2018 marks not just 100 years since the founding of Czechoslovakia, but also 25 years since the dissolution of the Czechoslovak Republic.

Andrea, you were born in Czechoslovakia, and then you became a citizen of the Slovak Republic, you’ve lived in France and now you work in Singapore. What is your identity? Czechoslovak, Slovak, European, or do you see yourself as a citizen of the world?

As Adriana Sklenaříková has said, I was born in a country which no longer exists. In a Hungarian family in the south of Slovakia. My mother tongue is Hungarian, and I was taught Slovak at school. English has become my language at work, and French is a language I have worked on through my heart and life in Nice.

I am a citizen of the world with the blood of old Europe coursing through my veins.

Imagine looking at your biography in the introduction as a journalist. What would the first question you ask be?

And what would your response be?

I would probably be interested in each new beginning. What it’s like to keep pulling the rug out from under yourself and try to do something you’ve never done before. The first commercial television news, the first daytime talk show, the first non-dubbed interview with a foreign figure, the first neurobehavioral modelling coaching in a land which does not even have a professional term for this speciality.

And the response? It is incredibly exciting to be an experimenter and adventurer in your profession. To believe in something and go for it. Your belief drives you, you play your cards on luck and talent. There’s no waiting, only doing and success is not guaranteed.

Okay so now to my questions. While they say cherchez la femme, from your experience up to now, it seems that you have often instead responded to your partners’ situations. At the same time, you have managed to keep your own identity. What has been your underlying mission?

I’ve never lost my head because of my career or relationship. Whether I’m doing something or believe in something, I go for it. But not to extremes. When one thing got the better of me I have moved on to something else. And that has always helped me stay unsinkable.

I get the impression you have missed the space for creativity in the roles you have held, whether as a presenter or even mother. What brought you from writing to coaching?

Coaching and presenting have a lot in common. You pose open questions, you seek various perspectives. You are driven by curiosity and you are constantly finding out more. Except that coaching takes place in complete

intimacy; in a television interview you try to induce intimacy, but the whole world is watching you. Writing is a highly intimate affair. For me, when I’m in complete concentration it has always been a kind of meditation.

Creativity is my escape from everyday reality.

How do you see yourself as a coach?

I see myself as a consultant who knows when to call upon coaching as the best tool to achieve an objective. With my client, we might be focused pragmatically, dealing with a problem resourcefully. Complexity and finding a solution is our platform. As I’m coming from background in neuropsychology, this is an opportunity for me to literally change the client’s paradigm of thinking. To open up new worlds to them. I am witnessing my clients becoming more humans every single day.

How do your clients describe you?

An open minded, pragmatic, someone who can hit the nail on the head, unravel a problem. Holistic, disciplined, understanding. These are the kind of characteristics I see most in my reviews.

They say the media is addictive. Do you miss the shine and fame of the television studio?

I don’t miss the television studio so much as the opportunity to spread valuable ideas through the media. Many times I come across someone and I tell myself what a great interview we could do, how many people could get a really meaningful message …

In your experience, is a double-career marriage possible?

Yes, but both of you have to be willing to sometimes sacrifice your career for the good of others. Your career is not a dictator.

Three years ago, you moved from France to Singapore. What other chapters in your life are you planning to write?

I’m literally writing one now. I’m writing a book on the power of the ego and how to live with it. It is a compilation of my own true stories and those of my clients and neuroscience. In Singapore, I have everything I need to complete it.

My ten-month old third child Philip is slowing me down a little right now. I’m trying to enjoy all the times I have with him. We’ve also begun Atairu leadership training for women and the Odyssey mentoring programme.

Your final message for Czech and Slovak Leaders readers?

When ego shuts down to silence, your heart starts singing.

By Linda Štucbartová české znění naleznete v elektronické verzi magazínu na www.czechleaders.com

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

107

INTERVIEW WITH PETR ZAHRADNÍK, MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE P hoto : A rchive

I CANNOT SIMPLY UNDERSTAND WHY THE EURO IS HATED SO MUCH

BY THE CZECHS 108

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

Petr Zahradník graduated in Finance at the University of Economics in Prague. In the period 1991-1992 he worked as a scholar at the Department of Economics at Queen Mary and Westfield College at London University. Between 1992 and 1993, he studied in parallel the Economic Policy Program at Columbia University in New York and the European Studies Program at the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium. In the period 1993-1995 he worked for the Institute for European and International Studies at the Office of the Luxembourg Government and for the International Institute for Analysis of Applied Systems in Laxenburg.

After returning to the Czech Republic he worked for more than seven years as a macroeconomic analyst in private companies active on the capital market - Conseq Finance (1999-2003) and Patria Finance (1995-1997). Since 2003, he has been working with short breaks for Česká spořitelna. He is an advisor to Vladimír Dlouhý, President of the Czech Chamber of Commerce and since October 2015, he is a Member of the European Economic and Social Committee where he represents the Czech Chamber of Commerce.

He is a Member of the Scientific Council at the Faculty of Finance and Accounting at the University of Economics in Prague and from 2001 to 2013 he was lecturing the economy of transformation and integration at New York University. He also publishes articles on economic issues.

What are the main challenges to the euro area economic policy?

The challenges are really huge and even growing bigger especially in the last two years. Quite recently the European Commission adopted its "St. Nicolas" Communication on the eurozone, which is a follow-up roadmap specifying some strategic ideas of the White Paper on the EU future and the Reflection Paper on deepening the EMU. After the European Monetary Fund is adopted along with the Financial Union (Banking and Capital Markets Union), and also the Fiscal Union (in terms of strengthened discipline of particular Member States regarding their obligations to the fiscal criteria) becomes reality, the eurozone will be as strong as ever.

Its architecture and construction will contain all the necessary elements for its functioning

that were ignored when it came into force in 1999. The crisis was –in that sense – a very useful lesson. In the last nearly ten years, the eurozone was saving its poor life. Now, it is ambitious and self-confident again to serve as a logic supplement to the Single Market and contribute to European unity.

When should the Czech Republic introduce the euro?

Unfortunately, we are not in the position to talk about a term for its introduction yet.

I am personally happy to see an accelerating debate on this topic in the Czech Republic this year after a previous almost 10-year darkness in this sense. The technical feasibility is not the issue for us; the issue is the mindset, or a mood to do it, which is currently unbelievably low. There is no rationale behind it. When a country has 5% economic growth, the lowest unemployment in the EU, low deficit and debt, positive external balance especially thanks to the EU membership, a healthy financial system, I cannot simply understand why the euro is hated so much by the Czechs, especially in the light of Slovakia (still 25 years ago our counterpart in the common state) where the EU and the euro are applauded by 85%, or 75%, respectively, of the population. Why and what makes our behaviour so different while statistically we are pretty successful?

What will be the impact of Brexit on EU financing?

First of all, it will cause trouble for Britain.

The EU is able to survive this situation pretty smoothly; for the EU, it is just a short-term impact of a rather technical substance. It is estimated that after Britain leaves the EU, the net volume of the EU Budget is going to be reduced by some roughly EUR 10 bn. a year (slightly more than 6 % of its volume).

Additionally, the EU Budget is waiting for its very radical reform not only in terms of its volume and redefinition of its revenue as well as expenditure sides, but also its priorities, instruments of financing, and procedures.

I would like to believe that for the EU Budget Brexit is not a serious problem.

After Brexit, we will have to manage the financial envelope with much care. What kind of priorities should we focus on and according to which rules should the money be spent?

It is definitely true, the effort to minimise national guaranteed envelopes and to open more space for a whole-EU project competition is one of the key reform proposals that are to be implemented after 2020. All Member States, and especially the current cohesion countries must be prepared for a change. We are expected to define a real short-list of first class priorities for us and to give them a robust financing. I am convinced that those priorities are infrastructure in terms of mutually interconnected mobility (not the

never-ending reconstruction of the 3rd class roads); education focused on excellence and practical applicability on the market; and quality of public service (according to the Estonian model).

Do you agree that the pressure on creating synergies among European structural and investment funds and EU programmes will be bigger in the future?

Are the Czechs ready for this change?

Certainly, I do. I am convinced that this is the only way forward. Respecting some qualitative requirements, coordination among the actors, and making benefits also on the expenditure side. Unfortunately, the Czechs are very weak in this discipline. Some of the actors in the game do not even understand what the synergies mean and which benefits they bring.

What areas should the Czech Republic focus on post 2020?

Some of the priority areas I have already mentioned. Let me add that we should focus on horizontal topics like mobility, source efficiency, coordination and synergies.

And then we should provide a negative definition saying which areas are closed for the support and to open the space for the rest. In regulations, we should expect some thematic concentration and definition of the EU added-value. I think it can be a sufficient guide to be oriented in this issue.

Do you think that the Juncker Plan was rather a marketing tool than an efficient investment tool with leverage effect?

I definitely do not. I am convinced that the primary principle (to establish a public guarantee fund to incentivise private sources to be invested) is a great idea and inspiration.

I do not say that some projects within the Juncker Plan are not a case of a Potemkin village, but certainly not majority of them.

I think that the model on which the Juncker Plan is based is a great inspiration for the future EU financing.

Is the EU still competitive on the global scene? Who will be the biggest competitors of the EU in the next decade?

The EU is still competitive on the global scene, but in the last 15 years, its global position is gradually worsening. The EU needs to support its external representation as one body vis-à-vis the global organisations and important countries. I guess, the most important competitive pressures are going to come from Asia.

What are your hobbies?

Travelling, sport, my job.

Thank you for the interview!

Alena Mastantuono

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

109

EU

debate

SME support through EFSI is successful in the Czech Republic

Hana Nylander-Kaloudová, Head of European Investment Bank Office in Prague

Zdeněk Čech, Economic Advisor, European Commission Representation in the Czech Republic

From left: Michal Pluta, Director of Strategy and Marketing Department, Czech-Moravia Guarantee and Development Bank, a.s., Alena Mastantuono, Director, CEBRE – Czech Business Representation to the EU, Zdeněk Čech, Economic Advisor, European Commission Representation in the Czech Republic, Hana Nylander-Kaloudová, Head of European Investment Bank Office in Prague, and Jakub Tomaštík, Director of Special Financing Department, ČSOB EU Centrum

Stanislav Němeček, RAPTECH, s.r.o.

The European Investment Bank has been entrusted with managing the financial flows within the Investment Plan for Europe of which the European Investment Fund (EFSI) is the main instrument. The EIB lends and provides guarantees for the financing of infrastructure, energy, environment, innovation and SME support projects.

Investment support for SMEs is facilitated through loans (through EIB guarantees) provided by domestic banks.

In the Czech Republic, the SME support has been successful in the last two years.

Entrepreneurs can use the GUARANTEE 2015-2023 program, providing the portfolio guarantee to small businesses, or an individual guarantee for social entrepreneurs. Guarantees are provided through banks in the Czech Republic and commercial banks have long-term experience with European Investment Bank funding, including EFSI. The advantage of EIB guarantees is the possibility of financing projects, even with a higher than usual risk. Compared to European structural and investment funds, the conditions of advantageous loans are less administratively demanding and the approval is done very quickly within the normal credit process. Those are the main points of a seminar on financing the investment by the EIB organized by the European Commission Representation in the Czech Republic together with CEBRE in October 2017. © CEBRE – Czech Business Representation to the EU

ePrivacy regulation must not hamper digitalization From left: Magnus Franklin, Chief Correspondent Telecoms, Media and IT, MLex, Pavel Donát, Representative of Škoda Auto a.s., Milena Jabůrková, Vice-President, Confederation of Industry of the Czech

From left: Jaroslav Zajíček, Ambassador, Deputy Head of the Czech Permanent Representation to the EU, Pavel Donát, Representative of Škoda Auto a.s., Milena Jabůrková, Vice-President of the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic

Participants of the debate

Republic, Axel Voss, Member of the European Parliament, Rosa Barcelo, Deputy Head of Cybersecurity and Digital Privacy Unit, DG CONNECT, European Commission, Claudia Selli, European Government Affairs Director, AT&T International External & Regulatory Affairs, and Dries Van Der Kleij, Bussiness Development Manager Service, ABB Benelux

Trust and security are the two cornerstones and the main principles on which the EU wants to build its Digital Single Market. After the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the ePrivacy Regulation is another legislative tool that should, according to the European Commission, increase the level of security mainly in the field of electronic communications and set rules for the use of communications data, both content and metadata, processed by telecoms operators. Business representatives acknowledge the need to increase trust and security among users, however the regulation should not slow down or even block technological development. Therefore they ask the European Commission to take machine-to-machine communication out of the scope of the ePrivacy Regulation. The event was organized by the Czech Permanent Representation to the EU and the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic on 28th November 2017 in Brussels. © Czech Permanent Representation to the EU

110

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

EU

debate

The future of green aviation financing from the EU Financing of research, development and innovation in the new EU programming period after 2020 will certainly be affected by Brexit and other new challenges. Better synergies of EU programmes have to be created, with EU funding allocated at national level. Those are some of the main thoughts expressed by the representatives of EU institutions, Council and businesses during a seminar on financing of R&D&I in the aviation sector post 2020 in Brussels on September 27th 2017. © CEBRE – Czech Business Representation to the EU

From left: Jaroslav Zajíček, Ambassador, Deputy Head of the Czech Permanent Representation to the EU, Christian Ehler, Member of the European Parliament, Clara de la Torre, Director responsible for Transport, DG RTD, European Commission, Tomáš Novotný, Deputy Minister of the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade, and Bruno Mastantuono, Legal Manager, Clean Sky Joint Undertaking

From left: Mateusz Gaczyński, Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Poland, Katja Reppel, Deputy Head of Unit, Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy, European Commission, and Joeri De Ruytter, R&T Business Development and Partnerships, Honeywell

From left: Christian Ehler, Member of the European Parliament, Clara de la Torre, Director responsible for Transport, DG RTD, European Commission, Tomáš Novotný, Deputy Minister of the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade, and Bruno Mastantuono, Legal Manager, Clean Sky Joint Undertaking

Participants of the debate

CZECH&SLOVAK LEADERS I/2018

111

EU

matters business

DID YOU KNOW WHAT? Second phase of Brexit negotiations At its December summit, the European Council acknowledged the progress made in negotiating the Brexit and approved to move to the second phase of the negotiations, focused on the transitional period and future relationships between the EU and the United Kingdom. At the same time, the European Council endorsed a twoyear transitional period and invited the Council of the EU to adopt additional negotiating directives on transitional measures in January 2018.

The EU wants to deepen Economic and Monetary Union At the beginning of December 2017, the European Commission issued a roadmap and proposals for several concrete measures aimed at deepening the European Economic and Monetary Union.

The proposals respond to the vision set out in the report of the five presidents of June 2015 and represent a plan for the next 18 months to deepen the functioning of Economic and Monetary Union.

In particular, the Commission proposes to create a European Monetary Fund, which should legally build on the structure of the European Stability Mechanism and help euro zone countries in a difficult financial situation to help solve bank problems. Furthermore, the Commission proposes to incorporate the main elements of the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance into the Union legal framework. The package also contains a Communication on new budgetary instruments for euro area stability within the EU and a Communication proposing the creation of a post of European Economy and Finance Minister.

Simplified rules for VAT in online sales In December 2017, the Council of the EU agreed on a number of measures to improve the functioning of VAT in online sales. Part of the agreement is to simplify the VAT rules for start-ups and SMEs selling their goods online in other EU Member States. Undertakings selling cross-border goods worth up to € 10,000 per year will follow the rules of their home country. For businesses with crossborder sales of up to € 100,000, simpler VAT rules will be set. A single on-line portal will also be created in all EU languages where VAT obligations can be handled. The agreement also sets new rules for large online marketplaces, which will be responsible for ensuring that VAT is levied on the sale of goods from third countries stored in the EU. All these measures will gradually enter into force until 2021.

Safer electronic payments At the end of November 2017, The European Commission has adopted rules to ensure safer electronic payments in shops and online, allowing consumers to access more convenient, costeffective and innovative payment solutions. The main objective of these rules is to increase the level of security and trust of electronic payments. Upon adoption of the regulatory technical standards by the Commission, the European Parliament and the Council have three months to review them. In line with the control, the new rules will be published in the Official Journal of the EU. Banks and other

112

payment services providers will have a year and a half to put these security measures into practice.

New rules for drones in the EU Representatives of the European Parliament and the Council gave a green light to new pan-European rules to improve safety and privacy in civilian use of drones in November 2017. Under an informal agreement, drone design and production will have to meet EU's basic security and privacy requirements.

The European Commission is now tasked with setting specific requirements for drones, such as height limits or maximum operating distances.

LET´S TALK NUMBERS! Czech unemployment still lowest in the EU According to the Eurostat statistics, unemployment in the euro area declined slightly in September 2017, from 9.0% to 8.9%, compared with the previous month. Unemployment in EU28 was stable in the same period, reaching 7.5%. Compared to August of the previous year, this represents an improvement of 1.0% in the euro area and 0.9% in EU28. The lowest unemployment rate is still in the Czech Republic (2.7%), followed by Germany (3.6%) and Malta (4.1%), while Greece (21% in July 2017) and Spain (16.7%) reported the highest unemployment rates.

EFSI extension supported by the Council The Council endorsed the proposal to extend the duration of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), which is the main pillar of the Juncker’s Investment Plan for Europe, by 31st December 2020. The aim of the EFSI is to mobilize up to EUR 500 billion of investment by the end of 2020. In addition, the new proposal increases the EU budget guarantee to € 26 billion and also the European Investment Bank's contribution to € 7.5 billion from the current € 5 billion.

The EU should grow faster than expected According to the Autumn 2017 Economic Forecast by the European Commission, the EU should record the fastest growth rate in 2017 in the past 10 years. The Commission forecasts GDP growth of 2.2% in euro zone, which is a much more positive forecast than in spring with 1.7%. For the EU as a whole, the growth rate should be 2.3% compared to the assumed 1.9% in spring.

Volume of retail trade slightly down in October 2017 According to the Eurostat numbers, the volume of retail trade decreased by 1.1% in the euro area and by 0.5% in the EU28 in October 2017 compared to the previous month. However, year-on-year comparison with October 2016 shows an increase of 0.4% in the euro area and 0.9% in the EU28. In October 2017, the volume of retail trade grew the most in Romania (+1.0%), the United Kingdom (+0.9%) and Poland and Slovakia (both +0.6%), while Luxembourg (-5.3%), Portugal (-2.3%) and Austria (-1.9%) experienced the biggest decreases.

Inflation down in October, but increased in yearly comparison The annual rate of inflation decreased by 0.1% in October 2017 in the euro area and EU28 compared with the previous month, reaching 1.4% and 1.7%, respectively. Compared to October 2016, however, there was an increase of 0.9% in the euro area and 1.2% in the EU28. The lowest rate of inflation in

October was recorded in Cyprus (0.4%), Ireland, Greece and Finland (0.5%), the highest in Lithuania (4.2%), Estonia (4.0%) and the United Kingdom (3.0%).

The inflation rate in the Czech Republic reached 2.8%.

IN THE WORLD! EU-Japan Trade Agreement negotiated At the beginning of December 2017, the EU and Japan reached agreement on the final points of the Economic Partnership Agreement, ending the process of negotiating legal texts. The agreement removes the majority of tariffs and regulatory barriers, opens the Japanese market with 127 million consumers to EU companies and increases opportunities in a number of sectors. After legal scrubbing and translation into all EU languages, the Commission will submit the text for approval to the European Parliament and the EU Member States.

Ukraine on the right track in implementing reforms The European Commission released a report evaluating the implementation of the reforms set out in the Association Agreement with Ukraine. The report states that Ukraine is continuing to implement structural reforms, which has a positive impact on the economy and social development. Important legislative changes in the electricity market, energy efficiency, education and decentralization as well as in the health and pension systems have also been achieved. According to the report, it is necessary to make a significant step forward in the fight against corruption, especially to quickly establish an anticorruption court. The Association Agreement had a positive effect on Ukraine's trade with the EU, which increased by 28.4% in January-July 2017 compared to the same period in 2016.

EU starts new negotiations with Chile The Council agreed to give the mandate to the European Commission to open negotiations on an Association Agreement with Chile. The goal of the negotiations is to modernize the Association Agreement between the EU and Chile, which is 14 years old and to strengthen mutual relations.

According to Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström, the agreement will help to deepen already excellent relations between the two partners.

New tool gives overview of EU sanctions The Estonian Presidency has launched a so-called EU sanction map, an online tool that provides a summary of EU sanctions against third countries.

At the same time, the tool provides information on why sanctions have been imposed, what areas they cover, their timing, and provides EU legislative documents as well.

EU-Cuba cooperation agreement applied Since the 1st November 2017, the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement, historically the first ever agreement between the EU and Cuba, has been provisionally applied. The aim of the agreement is to promote cooperation in the areas of sustainable development, democracy and human rights, renewable energy, agricultural development, as well as security and mutual trade. Cooperation should take place at all levels, including public sector, local authorities, private sector and civil society.

Brought by CEBRE – Czech Business Representation to the EU

AČ N Í F

AD

ON

D

Dear friends of culture and the arts, we are pleased to inform you that the Trebbia Foundation is currently organizing

the 17th annual International Trebbia Awards Ceremony

Prague, December 28, 2017

N

Dear friends of culture and the arts, we are pleased to inform you that the Trebbia Foundation in cooperation with Czech & Slovak Leaders are currently organizing

THE PLACE WHERE LEADERS ARE SEEN MÍSTO KDE JSOU LÍDŘI VIDĚT

the 17th annual International Trebbia Awards Ceremony, this time affined to the 100th anniversary of the foundation of Czechoslovakia, the Spanish Hall of Prague Castle on Sunday, March 25, 2018, at 8:00 p.m., broadcast live on Czech Television and Slovak Television www.trebbia.eu The programme will include a performance by Czech soprano Alena Miro and Slovak tenor Pavol Breslik, who will be accompanied by the FOK Prague Symphony Orchestra conducted by Rastislav Štúr. The world premiere of Symphonic Picture Trebbia 2018 composed by Varhan Orchestrovič Bauer will also be performed.

The 17 annual International th

Seven laureates from the Czech Republic, Italy, Mexico, Germany, Slovakia and Switzerland will be presented with diplomas and bronze Trebbia statues created by sculptor Stefan Milkov. Furthermore, the gala evening will include a traditional benefit auction of paintings by famous personalities, who are not the professional artists and lithography by Miroslav Pošvic “Balance”, which was exhibited at the North Pole. The proceeds of the auction will Thebe programme include a between performancetwo

by Czech soprano foundations.

Alena Miro and Slovak tenor Pavol Breslik, who will be accompadividedwillequally selected nied by the FOK Prague Symphony Orchestra conducted by Rastislav Štúr. The world premiere of Symphonic Picture Trebbia 2018

by Varhan Orchestrovič Bauer will alsobuffet be performed.

The programme will becomposed followed by a social gathering and in the Spanish Hall.

Seven laureates from the Czech Republic, Italy, Mexico, Germany, Slovakia and Switzerland will be presented with diplomas and Dear friends of culture and the arts, we will be very grateful, if you kindly decide to support bronze Trebbia statues created by sculptor Stefan Milkov. Furthermore, the gala evening will include a traditional benefit auction evening by purchasing tickets: of paintings by famous personalities, who are not the professional artists and lithography by Miroslav Pošvic “Balance”, which was Tablesof the1auction to 6 willCZK 10,000 / EUR per person, all inclusive exhibited at the North Pole. The proceeds be divided equally between400 two selected foundations.

this charity gala

Tables 7 to 12 CZK 9,500 / EUR 380 per person, all inclusive The programme willTables be followed13 by ato social and buffet in the 360 Spanish Hall.

17 gathering CZK 9,000 / EUR per person, all inclusive Tables 18 to 22 CZK 8,500 / EUR 340 per person, all inclusive Tables 23 to 27 CZK 8,000 / EUR 320 per person, all inclusive Tables 28 to 31 CZK 7,500 / EUR 300 per person, all inclusive Tables 32 to 36 CZK 7,000 / EUR 280 per person, all inclusive Tables 37 to 41 CZK 6,500 / EUR 260 per person, all inclusive

www.czechleaders.com

INTERVIEWS Method of payment:

• Based on an invoice for advertising + VAT (your name or your company’s logo will be placed on a shared advertising banner in front of the entrance to the Spanish Hall)

• Based on a gift/donation agreement (sent to you upon request)

• In cash at the offices of the Trebbia Foundation, Church of St. Rochus, Strahov Monastery – Strahovské nádvoří 132/1, Prague 1 Due to the capacity of the Spanish Hall of Prague Castle, we recommend that you order your tickets immediately.

Coverage

by Czech & Slovak Magazine Please send your order to the following emailPhoto address: info@galeriemiro.cz.

Booking tickets is not possible. Thank you for your understanding.

| EVENTS | PR | EU MATTERS

Czech & Slovak Leaders I/2018

DECEMBER 2017 – FEBRUARY 2018

Sebastian Kurz, Chancellor of Austria through the eyes of Max Hess, Senior Political Risk Analyst

LONG STORY OF KURZ

available worldwide online

P hoto : D ominik B utzmann

www.czechleaders.com incl. electronic version Praha I Bratislava I Brno I Ostrava I Plzeň I Liberec I Olomouc I Hradec Králové I České Budějovice I Pardubice I Zlín I Jihlava I Karlovy Vary I Mladá Boleslav