focusonbusiness.eu No. 2 (3) | March–April 2022 ISSN 2720-3549 PRICE EUR 6 (INCL. 8% VAT)
An ideal climate for the BSS sector Mieczysław Struk, Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship | p. 54
Polish Deal – looking for positives | p. 12
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INTRODUCTION
Ladies and Gentlemen, An unexpected war broke out in Ukraine and completely remodeled many busi nesses across Europe. Ukraine, one of the top outsourcing destinations in Europe, has already experienced significant exclusion from international business relations. Many Ukrainian companies with operational centers in Kharkiv, Kiev, Odessa, Lviv, and other cities decided to transfer their employees to Poland and beyond. The war in Ukraine will change the lives of many people for many years to come; but it will also change the way many businesses operate. Let us hope that the international care extended towards Ukrainian companies enables them to carry on growing – and thus provide for a dignified life of their employees and their families. Pro Progressio, the publisher of FOCUS ON Business, from the very first days was involved in a number of initiatives aimed at supporting legislative changes in Poland, and at shortening and optimizing the process of employing emigrants from Ukraine. We hope that these activities will significantly improve the processes of employing foreigners in Poland. Visit the FOCUS ON Business website to read our interview with Konstantin Vasyuk, Managing Director of the IT Ukraine Association. We spoke before the war broke out in February 2022. This conversation should allow you to gauge just how developed the Ukrainian IT industry was before the war started. It should also highlight the magnitude of prob lems that will result from it. As always, we also bring a variety of business, investment, and HR news in the hope that you will find them interesting and worthwhile.
Editor in Chief
Editorial office EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Dymitr Doktór | dymitr.doktor@proprogressio.pl MANAGING EDITOR: Elwira Przybylska | elwira.przybylska@proprogressio.pl DTP: Iwona Księżopolska ADVERTISING: reklama@proprogressio.pl PUBLISHED BY: Pro Progressio spółka z ograniczoną odpowiedzialnością spółka komandytowa ul. Dziekońskiego 1, 00-728 Warszawa www.proprogressio.pl EDITORIAL OFFICE ADDRESS: ul. Dziekońskiego 1, 00-728 Warszawa
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
Selected photos come from stock.adobe.com. An electronic version of the Magazine see the website www.focusonbusiness.eu. All rights reserved. No copying, reproduction or photocopying allowed without written consent of the publisher.
The views expressed in this publication as well as the content of the adverts are not necessarily those of the editor. LEGAL SUPPORT: Chudzik i Wspólnicy PRINT: Drukarnia Jantar
CIRCULATION: 3000 copies PLACE AND DATE OF ISSUE: Warsaw, 23.03.2022 AUTHORS: Janusz Arczewski • Dorota Chudzik • Konrad Matuszewski • Piotr Maksymiuk • Jarosław Karlikowski • Tvrtko Stosic • Konrad Krusiewicz • Monika Smulewicz • Szymon Stadnik • Daniel Clark • Natalia Brzostowska • Sylwia Kozioł • Anna Szawluk • Agata Piotrowska • Justyna Rak • Krzysztof Drozd • Mieczysław Struk • Peter Ryan• Bogusław Wieczorek • Kasparas Butkus • Konstantin Vasyuk • Adam Augustynowicz • Piotr Ćwikliński • Joanna Wanatowicz • Rafał Glogier-Osiński • Natalia Myskova • Justyna Lach
3
INDEX
6 8 10 12 14 16 18 22 26 28 32 36 38 46 50 4
BUSINESS NEWS Tailor-made employee benefits What can we do to safeguard the best interest and well-being of our employees at the time when we are all kept on our toes?
Middle-class tax relief Is the practical aspect of the relief so "rose-coloured"?
The Polish Deal – looking for positives Some interesting solutions can be found in the new regulations.
Can doctors certify employees as unable to work and prescribe sick leave for burnout? At the end of 2021, news circulated in the media that professional burnout is being recognized as an illness.
Contact Center trends for 2022 and beyond Creating an amazing customer experience is a top objective for every business.
Against all odds: moving to new head office during the pandemic? Over 1,400 employees, 40 change agents and 30 months: these are just a few of the most important figures illustrating the scale of the 3M GSC Poland undertaking.
Designing a sustainable work environment – opportunities and challenges Interview with Konrad Krusiewicz, architect and founder of the architectural studio The Design Group.
Innovation through payment platform transformation It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change – Charles Darwin.
Abundance Mentality in Business How approach to clients, competition or workers can take the leader and company to the next level of success.
Nearshoring to Poland – is it still an attractive prospect for companies from Western Europe looking to boost their competitiveness? Szymon Stadnik's feuilleton.
We need to talk about technology and fear We need to admit that words like “digital” and “data” often provoke fear.
SSC LIONS Direction: innovation and continuous improvement Interview with leaders of financial divisions at Elanco Solution Center.
Lean implementation – stairway to heaven or highway to hell? Do we have enough experience to speak about Lean?
When you are under fire or don’t want to be under fire – Problem Solving In the business of today, many leaders and researchers try to answer the question what company attribute would safeguard existence and expansion.
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
54 60 62 64 68 70 74 78 82 86 88 92 96 98 102 106
MAIN INTERVIEW An ideal climate for the BSS sector. Pomerania – one of the most desirable locations for business in Central and Eastern Europe Interview with Mieczysław Struk, Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship.
INVESTMENT NEWS Trends, Pros, and Cons of BPO destinations in 2022 Interview with Peter Ryan from Ryan Strategic Advisory.
A multifunctional ecosystem in Oliwa Interview with Bogusław Wieczorek, Management Board Representative for Public Relations at Olivia Centre.
Lithuanian GBS ecosystem fully embraces ESG practices Standing for Environmental, Social, and Governance factors, ESG is a framework that covers a wide range of sustainability issues across three verticals.
The Ukrainian IT industry is thriving Interview with Konstantin Vasyuk, Executive Director of the IT Ukraine Association.
Elbląg's investment diversity Elbląg is a city of many successful domestic and foreign investments.
Business is doing well in Łódź Today, we are already dealing with the fourth industrial revolution – and the words that are constantly repeated are automation and robotization.
Kielce attractive for the investor More and more production plants and innovative enterprises contact the Investor Assistance Centre of the Kielce City Hall.
Contemporary Katowice The last two years have clearly highlighted the transformations that are taking place in almost all sectors and industries of the economy.
Business Summary of the Year 2021 in Poznań Last year was excellent for business in Poznań.
IT & more IT is a Bydgoszcz specialty on the Polish market of modern business services.
HR NEWS BSS: this is where work is looking for people Interview with Joanna Wanatowicz, Grafton Recruitment Managing Director.
Focusing on Employees’ needs Interview with Rafał Glogier-Osiński, Country Manager at LMC Polska.
Are foreign employees cure for the Polish labor market? We talk to Natalia Myskova, Director of International Recruitment and Justyna Lach, Director of the Progres HR Logistics Line from the Grupa Progres company.
5
BUSINESS NEWS SPACE 3AC FROM OLIVIA CENTRE ATTRACTS CREATIVE COMPANIES TO WORK IN GDAŃSK Wojciech Drewczyński. – Both in terms of implementing innovations, attracting talent to Poland, developing their activi ties in the startup ecosystem or support ing business through the development of cultural diversity. Accelerated startups can also count on access to financing from local venture capital funds after the end of the program. Projects that receive support often belong to industrial solutions. However, they also include the so-called soft pro jects, the most interesting of which were Battlejungle from Hungary (an online platform for the effective management of employee engagement activities: pro viding a collection of gamification acti Startups from all over the world come to
Estonia and France. The total amount of
vities, thanks to which companies are bet
Olivia Centre to respond to the challenges
support for the projects has so far exce
ter able to attract, motivate and retain
created by the largest Polish companies.
eded PLN 30 million.
the best talent in the workplace), Korean
Submissions for the Poland Prize II are
The Poland Prize is run by the expe
Andcards (an easy-to-use IT platform
rienced Space3ac team from Gdańsk,
for managing coworking spaces) and
Participants of the program include
headed by Wojciech Drewczyński, CEO of
the Argentinian LESS Industries (a set of
market leaders such as Bank Pekao S.A.,
the program. Experts appointed by
products using IOT (Internet of Things)
PGNiG, Orange and PZU Lab. Space3ac
Space3ac evaluate all projects, and
technologies to improve the efficiency
is an accelerator that supports startups
directors of individual departments of
of agricultural and industrial processes
with funding of up to 65,000 euro for solv
the project principals assess the tech-
through intelligent monitoring).
ing the challenges companies have pre
nology created.
now being accepted.
– As part of Space3ac, we orga
great: you are invited to a new country,
bringing innovative and creative compa
nize acceleration programs for startups,
receive funding from the government as
nies to Poland. Enterprises gain solutions
research and programming teams. We
a grant, mentoring and help in under
for the challenges they face, and interna
have been successfully connecting start
standing the local business culture, and
tional teams gain a springboard to estab
ups with corporations for the six years
above all, the client – emphasizes Sebas
lish lasting business contacts and space
now – says Wojciech Drewczyński, CEO
tian Cerone, co-founder of Less Indus
for the development of their own busi
of Space3ac.
tries, one of the participants of the Poland
ness. They also gain experience in co
Poland Prize also offers startups
Prize. – In our specific case, we coopera
operation with the largest Polish corpo
comprehensive support in the field of
ted first with the Port of Gdansk, and
rations and the opportunity to continue
soft-landing, i.e. help with a visa, opening
then with the Olivia Centre. In both cases,
their activities in Poland in cooperation
a bank account, a Polish branch of
the dynamics were the same: a business
with other companies in an environ
the company, renting an office if they
partner had a challenge that could be
ment in which they have already learned
need it, and accommodation. Most start
solved with one of our products, we imple
to navigate.
ups implement their solutions in Poland
mented a pilot version, and then the part
and then run an online business.
ner tested the product to be able to decide
So far, over 150 startups from more
6
– The concept of Poland Prize is
pared. Poland Prize is a program aimed at
than 50 countries such as South Korea,
– Without undue exaggeration, we
if he wants to pay for the final product
Argentina, Canada, Portugal, Luxem
can confirm that attracting these enti
implementation. Poland Prize allowed us
bourg and the USA have applied for
ties to Poland resulted in an increase in
not only to cooperate with large organi
the program. The largest number of ap
the competitiveness of our country on
zations in Poland, but also to get to know
plicants came from Ukraine, Germany,
the international arena – emphasizes
Gdańsk, its great history and heritage.
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
VIDEO GAMES ACCOUNT FOR 33% OF GOOGLE SEARCHES IN THE US The video game industry is booming.
However, this is optimistic news
The COVID-19 has only had a positive im-
for the gaming industry despite these
pact as a significant portion of the popu- favourable conditions. According to num lation has stayed indoors. According to
bers from Accenture, the video gaming
the figures presented by SafeBettingSites.
industry was worth $300+ billion in 2021.
com, video games accounted for a signifi
It is expected to almost double by 2025.
cant 33% of product-related searches on
In the United States, the video gaming
Google in the United States.
industry is valued at around $90 Billion.
According to numbers from the la- It is expected to grow by more than 11% test 2022 Google Trends, the clothing pro
in 2022.
duct category inspired the most Google
No other sector accounted for
searches in the US. As per the latest num
the share of Google searches as signifi
bers, 38% of Google searches in the US
cant as Clothing and Video Games. Toys
were focused on this category.
contributed to 13% of product-related
Surprisingly, video games occupied
Google searches in the US in the dis
the second spot, ahead of popular catego
tant third. Like Video Games, the holi
the US are purchasing products in these
ries such as home appliances and elec
day period is also a significant time in
categories on the internet.
tronics. As stated before, video games
the toys industry.
Vyom Chaudhary, an editor at Safe
accounted for 33% of Google searches
Cosmetics-related searches accoun-
BettingSites, commented: Google Trends
in the US. This means that one in every
ted for 10% of all Google product searches
are a good indicator of consumers’ mood.
three Google searches was centred on
in the fourth spot. The last two places
Like other digital sectors, the video game
video games in the country. The New
were occupied by Home Appliances
industry witnessed a huge boost with
Year period is the peak business period
(4%) and Electronics (2%). One might
the onset of the pandemic. As the nation
in the video game industry. Further
expect these previous two categories to
battles against the latest wave , consumers
more, the pandemic has led to a signifi
fetch more interest on Google. However,
are once again forced to stay home and
cant increase in video games.
it appears that not many consumers in
video games are high on their minds.
RABEN LOGISTICS POLSKA BELONING TO THE RABEN GROUP, CHOSE THE TIMATE SYSTEM Today, the solution for automatic record
all of that at the same time – says Paweł
– says Sławomir Pawlak, CIO in the Raben
ing of time and attendance as well as sup
Szymański, IT Project Coordinator in
Group.
porting the employee safety monitoring
the Raben Group.
The TIMATE system uses the capa
operates in several dozen halls and ware
Today, the solution is used by em
bilities of both IoT (Internet of Things) and
houses of the company. Raben Logistics
ployees in nearly forty facilities in Poland.
IoB (Internet of Behaviours). It is a new
will use 4,500 TIMATE cards.
The company decided to use the TIMATE
platform that offers a range of possibili
Raben started implementing
cards for the working time measure
ties in terms of personnel management.
the TIMATE system in 2020. – We embar-
ment in large warehouses where tradi
It records the working time and measu
ked on the project by reviewing time and
tional readers would not be an effective
res its use, but it also cares for the safety
attendance systems available on the mar
solution.
of employees. In consequence, our com
ket. We verified traditional solutions requ
– The solution offered by TIMATE
iring TIMATE offered a comprehensive
enables recording of the working time
solution: hardware and software with
of a large number of employees in many
– The implementation at Raben gave
interfaces to external systems. As a result,
locations in Poland without the need to use
us the chance to prove that our system is
we could work with TIMATE to provide our
standard card readers set up at entrances
scalable and can work in large enterprises
facilities with necessary installations, to
to the company premises, warehouses,
operating multiple facilities. We estimate
prepare integrations with the HR system
offices etc. It also allows to check the actual
that it is one of the largest installations in
and the working time scheduling system
number of employees within a given
Poland and Europe that works by combi
as well as to configure the application, and
area, which is very important informa
ning radio technologies and Web techno
tion for emergency services when there is
logies into a single IoT platform. Today, it
a threat of fire. Furthermore, the collabora
already comprises a network of several
tion with TIMATE is part of Raben’s policy
thousand devices. The successful imple
to support start-ups offering interesting
mentation of the TIMATE system was pos
solutions. Undoubtedly, the IoT cards and
sible thanks to the effective collaboration
the system of receiver stations along with
of our employees with the customer’s expe
the software constitute an appealing tool
rienced team – says Sebastian Młodziński,
for large and medium companies. By inte
TIMATE’s CEO.
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
pany has ongoing real-time visibility of how particular facilities function.
grating it with other systems operating
The implementation at Raben Logis
within the enterprise, one can get measura
tics Polska covers all of the company’s
ble benefits in terms of safety and efficiency
facilities in Poland.
7
BUSINESS
Tailor-made employee benefits Text | Janusz Arczewski
As the new challenges , not only those related to health, drag on, entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs are forced to adopt new market strategies. For a business to succeed, a committed and motivated team is a must, especially when things get tough. What can we do to safeguard the best interest and well-being of our employees at the time when we are all kept on our toes?
For many months, the pandemic has dis
than PLN 760m on private insurance,
to Statistics Poland (GUS), at the end of
turbed the daily routine of employers
which is nearly 15 percent more than
2019 in Poland there were 6,9m peo
and employees alike. For once, emplo
the year before. A standard life insur
ple aged 65+ (18.1 percent of country
yers had to alter working patterns due to
ance product may be supplemented with
population). Demographic changes are
an increased risk of infection. Also, many
a number of health riders to make sure
reflected in population health, wellness
employees had to reconsider their career
that the scope of coverage is most suita
and family life patterns. Population
choices and rethink the role of work in
ble for the employees in addressing their
ageing leads to a decline in labour pro
their lives. On top of that, there has been
individual needs.
ductivity or evolution in geographical
plenty of anxiety about health and other
For employees, the option to have
threats that arise. All this poses further
their family members covered as well
Early retirement has lost some
challenges for employers. Under the cir
brings a sense of security, especially
of its appeal and most people want to
cumstances, employers are now faced
when insurance coverage includes small
stay active as long as possible. In view
with a broader range of factors that may
children or relatives exposed to elevated
of all those developments, additional
affect mutual relations between emplo
health risks.
employee support plans are created.
yers and employees.
distribution of labour.
As for employers, they should edu
In recent years, the insurers increased
cate and build awareness about disease
the coverage entry age to 70–74, approxi
HEALTH IS WEALTH
prevention and mental well-being. There
mately. They are prepared to offer
According to the risk mapping for Poland,
is an array of health and wellness webi
group solutions and coverage custo
developed last year by the Polish Cham
nars and training programs to benefit
mized to the needs of senior citizens.
ber of Insurance (PIU), we continue to per-
from; ranging from self-care and family
For instance, an employee may choose
ceive health as a top priority. This includes
care to behavioural change, good habits
to enhance their basic coverage with
our own health as well as the well-being
and corporate culture.
an oncological or cardiological rider.
of our nearest and dearest. We fear death and ill health. Pandemic outbreak has made us feel even more insecure. On the other hand, it turns out that we are now more ready to accept the risk which used to be perceived as rather distant and unrealistic. When confronted with
According to the PIU data, as of the end of the third quarter 2021, Poles spent more than PLN 760 m on private insurance, which is nearly 15 percent more than the year before.
a tangible threat, we look for a tangi
IN THE PRIME OF LIFE
Importantly, in addition to insurance
In this context, health insurance
When considering the impact on em
benefits, such riders offer 24-hour medi
has been gaining popularity. We often
ployee and employer communities, one
cal assistance services with doctor's
decide to get one after a negative expe
must not ignore demography. Our popu
appointments or consultations, labora
rience with public health care system.
lation is ageing: people tend to live longer
tory tests done on an outpatient basis,
According to the PIU data, as of the end of
and the group of old age pensioners
nursing care, psychological counselling,
the third quarter 2021, Poles spent more
becomes bigger and bigger. According
or sanatorium care.
ble solution.
8
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
Multiplying challenges and anxieties has put our mental well-being in sharp focus. The collision of business and family duties under one roof, the widespread atmosphere of anxiety and uncertainty, the restrictions that are imposed and lifted in quick succession… all of these obviously put a strain on our psyche.
PEACE OF MIND Multiplying challenges and anxieties has
design, a model with a fixed benefit
disease cases. These include cardiovas
put our mental well-being in sharp focus.
amount applicable across the board can
cular diseases, cancer, type 2 diabetes or
The collision of business and fam ily
be replaced with a solution where insu
autoimmune diseases. The insurers con
duties under one roof, the widespread
rance benefit is defined as a multiple of
tinue to finetune their health insurance
atmosphere of anxiety and uncertainty,
the employee's salary to provide espe
packages to make sure that they are truly
the restrictions that are imposed and
cially meaningful and much-needed help
needs-based and the insured are taken
lifted in quick succession… all of these
in emergency.
care of. Group insurance coverage takes
obviously put a strain on our psyche.
into account employee’s personal needs.
EMPLOYEE-FOCUSED CARE
At a time when health is a key asset we
ble economic situation, which makes us
Research findings have shown that pro
want to protect, insurance is there so
question the prospects for continuity of
longed stress and inaccessibility of spe
that employers can demonstrate to their
employment, career advancement and
cialist care may cause a wave of chronic
employees how much they care.
This is aggravated by unfavoura
financial security. Once again, group insurance can provide a quantum of solace. In the event
Author
of death, serious disability or health cri sis, a cash benefit is payable. Insurance coverage can be continued after termina tion of employment, which should reas
Janusz Arczewski Group Business Director, Unum
sure the insured and their loved ones. At the stage of group insurance program
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
9
BUSINESS
Middle-class tax relief Text | Dorota Chudzik and Konrad Matuszewski
'Widely promoted', 'a guarantee to maintain the current salaries' level, 'allows to avoid the negative effects of the Polish Deal' – such slogans are displayed on government websites, where the tax relief for the middle-class is "advertised". However, is the practical aspect of the relief so "rose-coloured"?
WHAT IS THE MIDDLE-CLASS TAX RELIEF?
RULES FOR CALCULATING THE ALLOWANCE
COMPLEXITIES OF USING THE TAX RELIEF
The middle-class tax relief is a form
In order to calculate the allowance cor
T h e m a i n d i ffi c u l t y i n a p p l y i n g
of compensation designed to mitigate
rectly, it is vital to remember that it
the allowance is the unclear regulations.
the changes introduced to the deduc
comes in both monthly and annual set
The best way to explain the issue is to use
tion of part of the health contribution.
tlements. The monthly allowance is used
an example.
The wording of the new regulations is
for salaries and wages, and in this case,
An employee receives a gross
pretty intricate, so it requires more pro
monthly income is taken into account.
monthly salary of PLN 5,500 and once
found analysis. Within the framework
The income amount fitting in the middle-
a year gets a bonus of PLN 1,000.
of the Polish Deal, employees and per
-class tax relief is between PLN 5,701 and
The presented rules indicate that,
sons running taxable businesses may
PLN 11,141. The relief should be calcu
in general, the employee will not take
benefit from several improvements,
lated using the formula presented in
advantage of the middle-class tax relief
such as the increased tax-free amount
the table below.
because their monthly income does not exceed PLN 5,701. However, in
and raised tax threshold. On the other hand, the possibility to deduct a part of the health contribution, which allowed for an actual reduction of the tax burden, was taken away. In practice, this means that the legis- lator both lowered and raised taxes when
Income from PLN 5,701 to PLN 8,549
the month when they are paid the bonus, (A x 6,68%-380,50 PLN)/0,17
because the payment in the bonused
Income from PLN 8,549.01 (A x (-7,35%) + 819,08 PLN)/0,17 to PLN 11,141
month will amount to PLN 6,500. The problem arises in the annual set tlement of the tax relief. Our employee will receive PLN 67,000 of yearly income
introducing the Polish Deal changes. The construction of the presented alter
The calculated value is the amount
together with the bonus. So, the total
nations aimed at reducing the tax bur
that reduces the taxable income. When
amount will not be subject to the tax
den for the lowest earners while penali
calculating the annual middle-class relief,
relief on an annual basis. That means
sing those with higher incomes. However,
it is necessary to consider the entire
the taxpayer will be obliged to pay extra
in real life, it turned out that the unfa
income earned from the employment
tax in the yearly settlement because of
vourable consequences also affected peo
relationship. The revenue eligible for
the relief applied during the year.
ple with relatively low salaries. Thus, to
the relief should be above PLN 68,412 but
Another issue not explicitly men
expand the circle of the Polish Deal bene
not exceed PLN 133,692. As in the case
tioned in the Act is the application of
ficiaries, the legislator took steps to estab
of calculating the monthly allowance,
the relief in case of joint spouses' tax
lish a tax relief for the middle-class. Its
the legislator has provided a formula to
settlement. Only in the guide issued
amount is limited, and it only applies to
determine its amount.
by the Ministry of Finance can we find the answer to this question. In order to
annual incomes ranging from PLN 68,412 to PLN 133,692 under the employment contract. The relief constitutes an amount reducing the taxation base, which affects the tax amount. Within the employment relationship, a taxpayer may opt-out of calculating the allowance during the year and settle it after the end of the fiscal year.
10
the employer will make use of the relief
Income from PLN 68,412 to PLN 102,588 Income from PLN 102,588.01 to PLN 133,692
clearly explain the relief mechanism in (A x 6,68% - 4,566 PLN)/0,17
the case of joint settlement, we will again use an example. Spouses plan to settle their 2022 PIT
(A x (-7,35%) + 9,829 PLN)/0,17
together. The husband has PLN 50,000 income, and the wife PLN 140,000.
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
The middle-class tax relief was supposed to be a remedy for some taxpayers by allowing them to avoid the adverse effects of the Polish Deal. However, it seems to be just an additional problem in practice due to its multi-facet nature.
the allowance. However, once the income is earned, they will be able to use the tax relief. An additional problem may arise from the necessity to separate the social In the case of both spouses, neither
the taxpayer will not be entitled to take
insurance contributions, assuming that
of them can benefit from the middle-class
advantage of the relief. However, the situ
the entrepreneur includes them as tax�
tax relief if they settle taxes individu
ation is quite different when an employee
-deductible costs.
ally. However, if they settle jointly, they
simultaneously runs a business sub
will be able to benefit from the allow
ject to a flat-rate tax or a lump-sum tax.
SUMMARY
ance. The relief will be available on half
In such a case, the basis for calculating
The middle-class tax relief was sup
the amount of the joint income. There
the middle-class relief will be only the in-
posed to be a remedy for some taxpay
fore, each spouse will be able to apply
come obtained from the employment
ers by allowing them to avoid the adverse
the middle-class tax relief on the reve
relationship.
effects of the Polish Deal. However, it
nue of PLN 95,000.
Also, the determination of the basis
seems to be just an additional prob
An issue with the middle-class
for the relief in the case of entrepre
lem in practice due to its multi-facet
allowance may also arise for those
neurs may prove problematic. Entre
nature. More difficulties are still coming
earning income from a full-time job
preneurs pay income tax incrementally,
from the emerging interpretations by
and their own business. The problem
and the allowance is, in their case, calcu
tax authorities and attempts to "patch
may be to determine what income will
lated on the income. Therefore, depend
up" the unconsidered changes through
form the basis for using the tax relief.
ing on the business income and costs,
regulations. Such actions destabilise
In the case of persons employed under
there may be periods of entitlement to
the labour market and do not allow for
an employment contract and running
the relief. Thus, if an entrepreneur taxed
planning payroll policy within the com
a scale-taxed business, the base will be
per the tax scale does not achieve income
pany. That, in turn, involves additional
the total income. Thus, if the total reve
for the first quarter of their business
costs that have to be borne by every
nue exceeds the threshold of PLN 133,692,
operations, they will not be eligible for
entrepreneur employing workers.
Authors Dorota Chudzik
Konrad Matuszewski
general manager | tax advisor, Chudzik i Wspólnicy Radcowie Prawni
legal and tax consultant, Chudzik i Wspólnicy Radcowie Prawni
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
11
BUSINESS
The Polish Deal – looking for positives Text | Piotr Maksymiuk
The entry into force of the "Polish Deal" began as Alfred Hitchcock said: “A film should start with an earthquake, and then the stress should continuously increase”. It is already evident that many provisions of the "Polish Deal" have the potential to keep taxpayers' tensions at the highest level. However, some interesting solutions can also be found in the new regulations.
TAX RELIEFS The existing tax relief for research and
of specific expenses. There is also a tax
apply exemptions or reduced WHT rates.
development (an additional reduction of
relief for the purchase of new indus
As it currently stands, the pay & refund
the tax base by some types of expenses)
trial robots and related equipment and
principle does not apply to payments for
has become more attractive due to the pos-
intangible assets, which make it possible
intangible services subject to WHT (e.g.
sibility of deducting up to 200% of ex
to re-deduct up to 50% of expenses; how
advisory, advertising) or any payments
penses for the salaries of employees and
ever, this is valid only until 2026.
to unrelated entities.
Moreover, if it is not possible to deduct
WITHHOLDING TAX (WHT)
duced WHT rate, a tax remitter has two
the entire tax relief from the CIT tax base,
The definition of beneficial owner has
options. Firstly, a member of the payer's
the taxpayer may reduce the amount of
been modified, which is relevant for
management board (previously the sig
PIT advances to be paid to the tax office
the application of reduced rates or
natures of all management board mem
from the salaries of employees directly
exemptions in withholding tax. Part of
bers were required) may submit a dec
involved in R&D projects by the product of
the definition is the requirement that
laration confirming that the tax remitter
the unused R&D tax relief and the appro
the entity receiving the payment conducts
has the necessary documentation and,
priate CIT rate. It is also possible to use
a genuine economic activity in the coun
after examining the situation with due
the R&D tax relief to calculate the tax base
try of establishment. When assessing this
diligence, is convinced that the applica
of qualified income from intellectual pro
premise, one should take into account
tion of the preferences in WHT is justi
perty under the so-called IP Box.
the nature and scale of the activity con
fied. However, the submission of an incor
The R&D relief is complemented by
ducted in connection with the receiva
rect declaration may lead to the personal
a new preference that allows for an addi
bles received. The changed definition
criminal and fiscal liability of the mana
tional deduction of 30% of the selected
seems more flexible than the previous
gement board member and additional
trial production costs of a new product
one, which was very casuistic.
financial liability of the company.
contractors involved in R&D projects.
To apply the exemption or the re-
created as part of R&D and its introduc tion to the market. A taxpayer may also obtain the right to an additional deduction from income even up to PLN million annu ally by incurring certain expenses for promotion and sales support for manu
After three years of postponing its entry into force, the principle of so-called pay & refund for payments in excess of PLN 2 million per year will now apply.
factured products, provided that the tax payer increased their sales revenues or entered a foreign market.
12
After three years of postponing its
From the tax remitter's perspective,
entry into force, the principle of so-called
there is a more advantageous alternative
Also new is the relief for sponsors
pay & refund for payments in excess of
– requesting the tax authority for an opi
of sport, art or science (in practice, the tax
PLN 2 million per year will now apply.
nion on the possibility of applying WHT
relief covers also internships and appren
Accordingly, the tax remitter should col
preferences. From 2022, such an opi
ticeships for students and graduates)
lect WHT at the statutory rate (19% divi
nion may be requested in any instance
allowing an additional deduction of 50%
dend, 20% interest and royalties) and not
by the tax remitter (previously, it was
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
only if they had to pay WHT from their own resources. Otherwise, only a foreign taxpayer could request an opinion). The opinion may also apply to double tax treaties, and not only exemptions from WHT resulting from the CIT Act. Despite the need to wait for an opinion for about six months, it is a beneficial solution for the tax remitter, who may safely apply the exemption or a reduced WHT rate for the next 36 months. An important change in practice is that the tax remitter is allowed to use a copy of their certificate of residence, regardless of the amount of the payment subject to WHT, if the information resul ting from the submitted copy of the certifi cate of residence does not raise reasona ble doubts as to compliance with the facts.
SUBMITTING ACCOUNTING BOOKS Taxpayers who keep books of accounts will be required to keep them using
expensive (fees may exceed PLN 500,000),
which for several professional groups
computer programs, and after the end
the agreement is concluded for a period
(e.g. IT, doctors) have been lowered.
of the tax year (on the date of submit
of up to 5 years and meets the expec
The Ministry of Finance even promotes
ting the annual tax return), send them to
tations of large companies looking for
this method of taxation. Indeed, it can
the tax office by means of electronic com
greater security for their investments.
be an attractive alternative for people
munication. Tax authorities, not having to
conducting business activities, espe
initiate audits or inspections, will there
TAXATION OF INDIVIDUALS
cially as it allows you to pay a predict
fore gain a detailed insight into account
In addition to the widely discussed chan-
able and usually lower health contri
ing entries affecting tax settlements.
ges (tax-free amount, the 32% thres
bution. Many types of services can be
Fortunately, in this case, the legislator
hold, health insurance contributions),
taxed at a rate of only 8.5%. The Minis
decided to apply vacatio legis and this
new items in the field of PIT include tax
try of Finance has announced plans to
obligation will enter into force on 1 Janu
exemptions (up to a total limit of PLN
introduce further changes to this tax in
ary 2023.
85,000) of taxpayers returning to Polish
the future, so the question of its future attractiveness remains open.
Entrepreneurs planning or starting investments in Poland worth at least PLN 50 million may conclude an investment agreement with the Minister of Finance.
SUMMARY Despite the fact that frequent changes to tax law are a constant feature ofour reality, the "Polish Deal" is an excep tional event and has caused a lot of con
ONE RULING
tax residence (provided that additional
troversy. This article indicates several
Entrepreneurs planning or starting
conditions are met, e.g. moving to Poland
rather positive aspects, but this does
investments in Poland worth at least PLN
only from certain countries), taxpayers
not alter the conclusion that the overall
50 million may conclude an investment
who continue to work having reached
quality of the new rules is poor. The new
agreement with the Minister of Finance.
retirement age and parents with at least
tax solutions will be a great challenge
In practice, it is a combination of a tra
four children.
not only for entrepreneurs, but also
ditional tax interpretation, an advance
The flat-rate personal income tax is
pricing agreement on transfer pricing,
experiencing a renaissance, the rates of
for the tax authorities themselves, and finally also for the courts.
a security opinion on the general antiabuse clause and rate classifications in the field of VAT and excise duty. A differ ence in relation to the traditional pro cedures is the possibility of meeting and negotiating with officials in person and conducting the meeting in English
Author Piotr Maksymiuk Senior associate, Baker McKenzie
(the agreement itself can also be issued in English). Although the procedure is quite
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
13
BUSINESS
Can doctors certify employees as unable to work and prescribe sick leave for burnout? Text | Jarosław Karlikowski
Professional burnout is a severe condition that affects people who work in many different professions. At the end of 2021, news circulated in the media that professional burnout is being recognized as an illness. Does this mean that a wave of employees will soon be taking sick leave for burnout?
It is widely accepted that, due to the in
defined as a set of symptoms resulting
inability to work, medical indications
creasing pace of today’s life and work,
from chronic workplace stress and
(either: “the patient may walk” or “the pa-
employees’ mental health is deteriora
characterized by feelings of exhaustion,
tient should lie down”) and the statistical
ting. This problem has been compounded
increased mental distance from one’s
number corresponding to the insured’s
by the situation caused by the COVID-19
work or a sense of negativity or cyni
illness as established in accordance
pandemic. Many workers complain of dif
cism about one’s work, and a sense of
with the International Classification of
ficulty in adjusting to the new situation.
ineffectiveness and lack of achievement.
Diseases, i.e. the ICD version in force at
For workers who have been (or are) per
Burnout has been assigned code QD85 in
the time. Such a certificate justifies the em-
manently or periodically forced to work
the ICD-11.
ployee’s absence from work and entitles
from home, personal issues are added
In Polish law, the rules for issuing
him/her to sick pay (as provided for in
to professional problems. This addi
medical certificates for sick leave (popu
Article 92 of the Labour Code) or sick ben
tional stress can be expected to increase
larly known as L4) are regulated by
efits in accordance with the provisions of
the prevalence and intensity of profes
the provisions of the Polish Act of 25 June
the abovementioned act.
sional burnout in employees.
1999 on monetary benefits from social
It should be highlighted, that accor
Professional burnout is most often
insurance in case of sickness and mater
ding to the regulations in force, the certi
understood as a situation in which work
nity (i.e. Journal of Laws of 2021, item
ficate must include the number of the dis
stops giving us satisfaction, we have
1133, as amended). Pursuant to Arti
ease described in the ICD. This cannot
a feeling that we have stopped developing
cle 55 of this act, such a certificate is
be just any code in the classification, but
and we feel overloaded with duties that
issued (as a rule) via the IT system of
must refer to a medical condition recog
are no longer pleasant for us. The medi
the Polish Insurance Institution (ZUS),
nized by the medical community.
cal designation for such a situation is “professional burnout syndrome”. Its official definition is found in the ICD-11, the eleventh version of the International Classification of Diseases drawn up by the World Health Organization (WHO). Like its previous versions, the ICD-11
Professional burnout is most often understood as a situation in which work stops giving us satisfaction, we have a feeling that we have stopped developing and we feel overloaded with duties that are no longer pleasant for us.
is a set of terms used in health care to refer
14
to diseases and other medical conditions
after a direct examination of the health
The definition of burnout is found
and procedures which are assigned appro
condition of the insured or a sick member
in the chapter of the ICD-11 entitled Prob
priate codes. The purpose of creating these
of the insured’s family, and is confirmed
lems associated with employment and
terms was to standardize the designa
by an entry in the patient’s medical
unemployment, along with such situ
tions of diseases and procedures around
documentation. The content of the cer
ations as Occupational exposure to dust
the world. The new version of the classifi
tificate itself includes data concerning
(code QD84.0) or Problems associated
cation went into effect on 1 January 2022.
the insured (the patient), the contribu
with a change of job (code QD81). Such
The ICD-11 actually includes a des
tion payer (the employer) and the doc
classification of burnout indicates that
cription of occupational burnout. It is
tor, the period of the certified temporary
it is not a medical condition such as for
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
may set an earlier date of cessation of ina bility to work, determined in the e-ZLA medical certificate, in which case he/ she will issue a new certificate. This will, of course, result in the employee being denied the right to sick pay for the time when he or she was able to work. However, the question arises as to whether employees themselves should have to bear the consequences of the doc tor’s issuance of a certificate which erro neously indicates professional burnout as the basis. There is as yet no defini tive answer to this question. On the one hand, employees should not bear the con sequences of the mistakes of others, and employees cannot be expected to con trol their medical diagnoses themselves. Of course, this would be different for employees who mislead their doctors, but this seems unlikely in this context. Never theless, such action on the part of emplo instance depression, which is classified
The definition introduced in ICD-11 is
yees should be considered grounds for
in the chapter on Mental, behavioural or
more detailed, but its mere presence in
imposing consequences on them, includ
neurodevelopmental disorders and which
the classification is not a novelty.
ing termination of their employment con
is assigned a group of codes that allow
For these reasons, a physician
tracts. In addition, due to the fact that in
to further describe varieties of this dis
should not issue a certificate of inability
such a case there will be no grounds for
ease (e.g. code 6A70 refers to a single epi
to work which indicates professional
recognizing the employees’ incapacity to
sode of depressive disorder, code 6A70.0
burnout as its basis. This would be con
work, they would not have the right to
refers to a single mild episode of depres
trary to the provisions of the Act on mone- receive the remuneration referred to in
sive disorder, and code 6A70.4 refers to
tary benefits from social insurance in
a single severe episode of depressive dis
case of sickness and maternity and will
It is also important to note that
order with psychotic symptoms).
very likely be challenged by the relevant
occupational burnout itself may also be
Article 92 of the Labour Code.
accompanied by other ailments more con
Occupational burnout is currently considered an “occupational phenomenon” that is reported by patients and must therefore be classified accordingly by healthcare specialists.
sistent with a standard illness. Chronic stress at work may be accompanied by psychiatric disorders (e.g. depression) and/or a number of somatic diseases (e.g. cardiovascular diseases). Thus, occupatio nal burnout may be a part of the diagnosis and, as such, may appear in the patient’s
Occupational burnout is currently
social security institution. If a certificate
medical record, but it should not be
considered an “occupational phenome
with a code indicating professional burn
the only reason for a physician to certify
non” that is reported by patients and
out is issued as a result of a doctor’s error,
that employees are unable to work. Emplo-
must therefore be classified accordingly
the doctor may correct it within three
yers would be well advised to consider
by healthcare specialists. The fact that
days by sending a correction to the ZUS.
whether their employees’ work atmos
occupational burnout has been entered
Incorrectly issued medical certificates are
phere could be conducive to occupational
into the ICD-11 classification does not
also subject to inspection by the ZUS, as
burnout and to try to limit employees’
mean it has been defined as a new dis
a result of which the certifying physician
exposure to stress and burnout.
ease. This is confirmed by an official state ment on the WHO website1, in which it is also reminded that occupational burn out was already included in ICD-10. Burn-out an "occupational phenomenon: International Classification of Diseases”, WHO, https://www.who.int/news/item/28-05-2019-burnout-an-occupational-phenomenon-internationalclassification-of-diseases; last accessed at 15.02.2022
1
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
Author Jarosław Karlikowski | Attorney-at-law, Expert in Labour & Employment, Noerr
15
BUSINESS
Contact Center trends for 2022 and beyond Text | Tvrtko Stosic
Creating an amazing customer experience is a top objective for every business. Here is a short list of customer service and contact center trends for 2022 and beyond.
FOCUS ON TOTAL EXPERIENCE
applications with on-premises Unified
also seen many disillusions – driven
In 2022 we can expect an increased focus
Communications stacks, IVRs (Interac
by the fact that bots can still perform
on Total Experience as successful organi
tive Voice Response Systems), Work
only very basic tasks and often mirror
zations have already realized that supe
force Management Systems, and simi
bad practices of traditional IVRs. How
rior CX can be delivered only through
lar. On the other hand, SMB (Small and
ever, any company that underestimates
harmonizing together the four crucial
Medium Business) customers are already
the value of AI in this area will inevita
dimensions: the multi-experience (MX),
benefiting from the ability to afford dif
bly be left behind. In 2022, it is expected
customer experience (CX), employee
ferent advanced capabilities from cloud
that the approach to bots will become
experience (EX), and user experience
– capabilities that were previously out
more realistic. A strong focus will be
(UX). Here, we can anticipate a particu
of their buying reach because of high
put on improving dialogs and designing
lar focus on EX because of its tremendous
implementation, hardware and other
superb services behind conversational
impact on CX. In any case, companies will
costs associated with on-premises model.
user interfaces. Integration with cogni
be expanding their CX programs with EX,
Those advanced features, accessible only
tive intelligence (context-sensitive know
MX, and UX – by correlating their vari
to enterprises in traditional world, ena
ledge management, predictive analytics,
ous aspects, focusing on employee jour
ble SMB companies to deliver better CX,
and similar) is key here. Much attention
neys, and creating common measure
expand their reach, increase sales, do
will be paid to properly separating work
ments framework aimed to fuse all essen
more with less, and in general – overcome
between bots and human agents where
tial elements of the experience equation.
being small. The complexity of digital
organizations have gathered significant experiences. Here, handing-off interac
In 2022, it is expected that the approach to bots will become more realistic. A strong focus will be put on improving dialogs and designing superb services behind conversational user interfaces.
tions by live agents to bots (and not just from bot to agent) for process completion is becoming an increasingly interesting option. With all of this, bots will be taking a more critical role in delivering superb CX, and conversational user interfaces will further increase synergy between
CONTINUATION OF CCAAS GROWTH AND EVOLUTION
customer journeys, where there is no sin
humans and technology – just like graphi
gle vendor able to adequately cover all
cal user interfaces did decades ago.
We should anticipate further growth
necessary elements, motivates different
So far, we have reached the point
and evolution of CCaaS (Contact Center
technology providers to partner to form
where CX no longer depends on contact
as a Service) in 2022; an increasing num
multi-cloud ecosystems. Their custom
center platform features but on its abi
ber of companies are choosing this flexi
ers will benefit from innovative solu
lity to collect, process, and react upon
ble model to support their customer
tions composed of various complement
data. In this sense, Communication Ana
services, while vendors are expanding
ing capabilities.
lytics represents a real game-changer
solutions and capabilities at a surpris
tomers' conversations into small data or
optimal migration paths for their exist ing on-premises solutions – through va
In 2021 we reached the peak of excite
sions. Communication Analytics provides
rious hybrid options that combine cloud
ment with voice and chat bots. We have
unparalleled insights into customers'
slower in CCaaS adoption, will look for
16
– as it converts big data hidden in cus
CONVERSATIONAL AND COGNITIVE AI DRIVES EVOLUTION IN SERVICES AND INSIGHTS
ing rate. Large enterprises, that are
actionable insights that the company can use to make strategic and tactical deci
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
As customer services are critical for CX, companies are now showing a growing interest in enabling contact center agents to quickly get in touch with employees from different departments – while han dling customer requests. Ability to consult colleagues or even pull them into interactions with custom ers – to benefit from their knowledge, experience, and wisdom in different customer situations – decreases effort and improves the experience of both customers and agents. Technologies like presence, messaging, screen share, voice, and video conferencing – integrated with agent desktop applications – are playing a vital role here.
REDEFINING ROLE OF CONTACT CENTER AGENT Customers today are very well informed, experiences, emotions, perceptions, and
focus on enabling end-to-end processes in
and they can resolve most of their re
behaviors. Among other things, it also
the digital space. We all know situations
quests using advanced, more and more
helps companies to identify good and
where we start something on the Web but
AI-driven self-services. This means that
bad practices, products, or services gaps
must visit physical places to fill in forms
inquiries reaching agents are more
and understand the root causes of things that are happening. As such, Communi cation Analytics holds great potential to improve not just CX but also every aspect of internal operations.
Instead of focusing on channels integrations, we expect that successful companies will be putting much more attention on Predictive Analytics.
EXPERIENCES MOVING FROM REACTIONS TO PREDICTIONS
or sign documents. These types of fric
complex than ever before – which dra
Instead of focusing on channels integra
tions increase customer effort and costs
matically changes their role. Because
tions, we expect that successful compa
for the company. The synergy of customer
of that, companies are abandoning tra
nies will be putting much more attention
touchpoints and agent desktop applica
ditional workforce optimization con
on Predictive Analytics. Predictive Ana
tions with technologies like conferencing,
cepts – characterized by a focus on strict
lytics utilizes historical data to predict
screen share, collaborative documents
adherence to rules and procedures –
future outcomes. Applied in customer ser
creation, electronic forms, and digital sig
and embracing a workforce engagement
vices, it helps to determine the wants and
natures will remove those frictions and
approach instead.
needs of a specific person at a particular
enable fully digital customer journeys,
Here, agents are empowered to use
journey moment. As such, it enables com
improving CX and reducing costs of cus
their own experience and judgment when
panies to do the right things for their cus
tomer services.
dealing with customer requests. Instead
tomers – at every step of their journeys.
of being contact answering robots, agents
Considering that insights from Predictive
CX IS EVERYONE’S BUSINESS
are becoming creative thinkers, prob
Analytics can dramatically improve CX,
CX is everyone’s business today, and
lem solvers, and real ambassadors of
we anticipate its increased utilization for
every employee impacts it in a certain
the brand – critical assets for success in
next-best-action suggestions, proactive
way, not just front-line representatives.
an experience-derived economy.
retention, preemptive support, micro� -targeted outbound campaigns, predic tive contacts routing, and similar.
DIGITAL-THOROUGHLY INSTEAD OF DIGITAL-FIRST Digital-first for customer services has been
Author Tvrtko Stosic | Consultant in fields of customer experience and engagement
trending for years already, but in 2022 and beyond, we will see an increased
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
17
BUSINESS CASE STUDY
Against all odds: moving to new head office during the pandemic? Over 1,400 employees, 40 change agents and 30 months: these are just a few of the most important figures illustrating the scale of the 3M GSC Poland undertaking. When the business services centre in Wrocław decided to move its head office, the project leaders and the operational team began working on creating a modern and functional space for employees, as well as on the implementation of a precise logistics and communication plan. Thus, the project has become a pioneering example of managing the move and profitability of office space during the pandemic on such a large scale.
DEVELOPMENT: THE DRIVING FORCE OF CHANGE
related to the pandemic and the need
the operational team. This was another
to adapt to the changing situation. How
challenging part of the project.
At first, the decision to move the head
ever, the team managed to turn these
– It is worth noting that we worked
quarters to a larger office during the pan
threats into opportunities and thanks
almost exclusively virtually – this cer
demic might seem counterintuitive. How
to the right approach to project mana
tainly had an impact on how we managed
ever, after analysing many business
gement, the move was a success. These
the project and somehow communicated
simulations and company development
characteristics made the MidPoint71 pro
with each other. The whole team actually
plans for the coming years, the manage
ject unique and innovative – after all, few
met only once at the very beginning, when
ment board of 3M GSC Poland decided
such large corporations had decided to
we had the opportunity to get to know each
in 2021 to begin work on consolidating
open a new and more modern office
other, so it was very important that they
the two currently operating office spaces
that would meet the requirements of
had a good connection, understanding,
and moving to a completely new space.
hybrid work.
but also openness to the needs of others. Of course, throughout the entire process,
There is no doubt that managing such a complex process requires perfect planning and work management of the operational team. This was another challenging part of the project.
we used a lot of tools enabling efficient or groups on Teams – explains Łukasz Paluszkiewicz, Transition and PMO Lead.
PROJECT TEAM: DIVISION INTO AREAS AND COMPETENCES
As emphasized by Joanna Kontecka
– The project to change our office
When planning the executive part, pro
and Łukasz Paluszkiewicz – MidPoint71
was unique in many respects – also
ject leaders identified 8 main areas –
project leaders at 3M GSC PL – the simu
because we found ourselves in a situ
at least one manager was responsible
lations and collected data confirm that
ation in which we had no knowledge of
for each of them. In difficult situations
locating all business operations in one
similar experiences of other companies.
managers were supported by two active
building would be the most effective
It was also difficult to prepare by analy
sponsors. At this point we should also
solution in the face of introducing a new
sing the benchmarks of similar projects
mention the 3M change methodology
hybrid work model and expiring lease
in the time of a pandemic. This is why we
based on the Science of Change model in
contracts in existing offices.
had to create a great part of the processes
which 40 change agents were involved in
and assumptions with the team basically
the project. They acted as links between
from scratch – says Joanna Kontecka, EHS
the project team and all employees in
and Facility Lead.
the company, providing communication
CHALLENGES: PANDEMIC UNCERTAINTY AND VIRTUAL COORDINATION
18
cooperation, such as Mural, video chats
The project coordinators have no
There is no doubt that managing
support and serving as change ambassa
doubts – the biggest challenge for them
such a complex process requires per
dors ensuring understanding of the next
was the constant uncertainty directly
fect planning and work management of
steps of the project among all GSC teams.
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
– We also cooperated with exter
Importantly, good communica
nal companies, supplementing our own
tion was essential for the company even
competences in the areas that required
before the outbreak of the pandemic.
it, e.g. by translating our requirements,
According to the coordinators, the pri
needs and preferences into a functional
mary goal was to ensure satisfactory
architectural design, or by making sure
cooperation for employees, regardless of
that construction works are carried out
who they work with and where every
in accordance with the schedules – adds
one is located.
Joanna Kontecka.
Due to the focus placed on a hybrid work model, a large part of the office will
MODERN OFFICE TAILORED TO THE GLOBAL LOVE BRANDS
be dedicated to virtual meetings and
As part of the employee needs research,
phone, hybrid and small meeting booths
the project team coordinated the research
for convenient short conversations.
and team play, which resulted in an ex-
Of course, a large co-working space will
tremely extensive report. It includes va
also be available – not only open spaces
rious options for functional solutions and
for work and meeting rooms, but also
preferences regarding the size of office
auditoriums and large training rooms
space. Thanks to these employee opi
on each of the 3 floors, where work
nions, it was possible to present the most
shops, exercises and team meetings will
optimal concept and vision of a new work
be held. All this is supported by the latest
space to the architectural studio.
communication technologies that allow
videoconferences. There will also be tele
As part of the employee needs research, the project team coordinated the research and team play, which resulted in an extremely extensive report. It includes various options for functional solutions and preferences regarding the size of office space.
Joanna Kontecka and Łukasz Paluszkiewicz in new 3M GSC Poland office.
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
19
BUSINESS CASE STUDY
the implementation of innovative solu
comfortable work in hybrid mode makes
tions for closer and further cooperation.
it a pioneering project in many respects.
The new office will also feature
– It is worth noting that while
green, relaxing zones – perfect for some
working on the project we did not look
peace and quiet after stressful meetings.
at the change solely through the prism
There will also be rooms for games and
of a new office. We analysed many dif
rooms with massage chairs. It is worth
ferent aspects related to this process,
mentioning that the employees voted
including: the future development of indi
for the above amenities themselves, thus
vidual teams, the sense of comfort and
having an impact on the creative process
safety of employees, a flexible approach
when designing the office, and thus on its
to the style of work, as well as distin
final design. A new feature will be a shop
guishing ourselves from other companies
with 3M articles, where employees will be
in our region. Another extremely impor
able to purchase various types of items
tant goal for us was to create a space not
produced by the American company, and
only for creative work, but also for inte
a showroom designed in an avant-garde
grating with people who together create
mode of a spacecraft, where various 3M
the unique DNA of the company – adds
products will be on display.
Łukasz Paluszkiewicz.
HOLISTIC APPROACH TO MANAGING AN INNOVATIVE PROJECT
Author
The MidPoint71 project is unique due to having been carried out during the pan demic. The multitude of solutions that are to contribute to effective, safe and
Joanna Kontecka and Łukasz Paluszkiewicz in new 3M GSC Poland office.
20
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
IPOSTA riposta.pl
BUSINESS
Designing a sustainable work environment – opportunities and challenges In the era of growing environmental awareness, employees expect their companies to be increasingly sensitive to environmental issues. Ecology and a business model favouring ESG (environment, community and compliance with corporate governance) is not only the direction expected by investors and their employees but also required by EU regulations with the entry into force of the sustainable development reporting directive. We talk to Konrad Krusiewicz, architect and founder of the architectural studio The Design Group, about the challenges and realities related to designing a sustainable work environment.
Elwira Przybylska, FOCUS ON Busi-
might say that the scale of influence of
about the cost of implementing a sus
ness: Office space in Poland is mil-
the offices versus big industry is a gulf
tainable office space: it is more expen
lions of square meters and millions
– yes, but every step is worth its weight
sive, even significantly more expensive.
of employees, and thus the enormous
in gold.
Green solutions cost more. However, we
scale of the impact on the urban fabric,
must understand that this price includes
the natural environment, and human
Does it happen nowadays that you have
a higher production cost, various certifi
health and comfort. Sustainable deve
to persuade investors to use environ-
cations or a recycling plan. We pay more,
lopment is a watchword that is talked
mentally friendly solutions in office
but in return, we are confident that our
about at lengths by the business world.
buildings? Are such solutions profita-
actions help to protect our planet, and
What does it mean for your studio and
ble at all from a business point of view?
at the same time we provide the office
how important is it in your work? Konrad Krusiewicz, The Design Group: That's true. The office space in Poland is approximately 12,000,000 square meters. It is a huge amount of carpets, ceilings, lamps and all kinds
The awareness of our impact on the surroundings and the natural environment is growing. We also see this among investors. This is a great sign that I am very happy about!
of finishing elements. Bearing in mind
Society is maturing, people's thin
users with healthier solutions. Another
the degree of the environmental impact
king is changing. The awareness of our
aspect of cost-effectiveness is of course
of our decisions (as designers of these
impact on the surroundings and the natu
building ESG scoring. This element of
spaces), we have to and we look care
ral environment is growing. We also see
the internal policy of many investors is
fully at what we use in our projects. For
this among investors. This is a great sign
important and happily supports a balan-
tunately for our team, this comes natu
that I am very happy about! Of course,
ced investment approach. This leads
rally and while working on new con
openness about the topic may vary,
us to another business benefit – a sus
cepts, we select finishing solutions from
but there is understanding – and this
tainable office, both environmentally
certified, natural materials and those
is enough to start an honest conversa
and socially, as an HR tool. To sum up:
operating within the Circular Economy.
tion about the advantages of sustain
a pro-ecological investment is more
We as designers and our colleagues in
able design. The question of profitabi
expensive, but pays off in the long
the "industry" must look very carefully
lity is a very broad one. Business is busi
term environmentally and in terms of
at our decisions in this regard. Someone
ness and excel must match. If we talk
the image of the company.
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
23
BUSINESS
Above: TechnipFMC office in Cracov. Project: The Design Group. Below: Autodesk office in Cracow. Project: The Design Group.
Is it possible to introduce pro-ecologi-
solutions and materials to be selected
of employer the producer is: whether
cal solutions at each stage of the design
from a particular supplier.
he provides work in a socially comfor
process – from planning through imple-
Firstly – what is the product itself.
table environment, whether he is open
mentation and use of a given facility?
Of course, it is also important what and
to diversity, whether he focuses on
Absolutely yes. Starting a project,
how it is made: whether it has certificates,
the development of his people, whether
we adopt basic internal guidelines:
components or whether the ingredients
he does not use prohibited practices,
we use natural and recyclable materi
are certified and if so, how. At the same
whether he does not work for partners
als as well as low energy consumption
time, it is important to bear in mind
of dubious reputation.
solutions. The project is the first step – the next is the implementation. At this stage, you should also pay attention to your decisions. Of course, choosing local suppliers reduces carbon footprint. How ever, a selection of socially and environ
Choosing local suppliers reduces carbon footprint. However, a selection of socially and environmentally responsible suppliers is also of great importance.
mentally responsible suppliers is also of great importance. What is the process of selecting part-
24
what impact this product may have on
Whether we pay attention to
the environment even after it has worn
such issues in our choices determines
out in the office.
whether or not we support the sustain
ners, e.g. suppliers of materials and
Secondly – we pay attention to what
equipment with sustainable invest-
company the manufacturer is that pro
ments? Are there criteria that such
duces this product: whether the very
What else is worth remembering
partners must meet?
functioning of his enterprise is environ
and thinking about when looking to
Many elements must be taken into
mentally sustainable, how the transport
the future in terms of a sustainable
account. There are two sides to con
is planned, how production waste is ma-
approach to the implementation of
sider when deciding which equipment,
naged, etc. It is also important what kind
office space?
ability chain.
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
and corporate governance – these are the aspects that should pay attention to by a company that cares not only about customers, but also investors for whom the sustainable development policy plays an increasingly important role. ESG is now an important factor taken into account when making business decisions in many companies around the world. The evolution and constant extend ing of possible areas of responsibility has also given us the RVC (Regenerative Value Creation). It is a concept that aims to com bine economic success with the impact of regeneration of the planet's ecosys tem – in short: not only do no harm but also contribute to the reconstruction. RVC goes far beyond CSR and ESG business
Clariant office in Łódź. Project: The Design Group.
models and focuses mainly on a positive
The topic of sustainable design and
In addition, CSR has been treated by many
impact on the economy. RVC can trans
operation of companies has been with us
companies as a good marketing strategy
form the cost of a positive impact on in
for a long time. However, it is constantly
that will help to warm up the company's
vestments, which will allow the genera
building in the minds of investors and
image in the eyes of employees, cus
tion of specific business value by creating
evolving. The most important thing is to
tomers and potential investors. For this
a more attractive company in the market
approach this topic honestly.
purpose, not only independent posi
for stakeholders and investors.
There are things that we know well,
tions were created, but also entire CSR
By taking into account all the above
such as CSR, or corporate social respon
departments, which thus strengthened
concepts, we have a chance to implement
sibility. It is a concept that appeared in
the brand's prestige.
the environment in an attractive and
many companies some time ago. Although
Years later, it turned out to be too
it relates to sustainable development,
little value, so today this concept is being
its actions in the face of the growing cli
replaced by a broader issue, which is
mate crisis have proved to be insufficient.
ESG. ESG, i.e. the environment, society
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
environmentally, socially and business sustainable way. Thank you for the interview.
25
BUSINESS
Innovation through payment platform transformation It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change – Charles Darwin.
Today’s global trends, including changing
maintaining both at par and excelling in
strain on banks’ compliance functions as
customer demands, new entrants, inno
one is difficult to achieve on their own.
well as on payment margins. The strate
vative technologies, regulatory pressure,
In an effort to balance short-term
gic response should be increase in effi
higher costs and lower profit margins are
growth with long-term strategic transfor
ciency of payment processing and cost
driving significant changes in the finan
mation, banks struggle with a multitude
reduction. Banks’ intuitive and logical
cial services market. In the wake of ra
of challenges.
response to margin pressures in the past
pidly evolving customer expectations,
There appeared a steep rise in de
has been to steer the strategic focus away
new digital standards for financial ser
mand for real-time cross-border. Many
from low profit margin products like pay
vices are now increasingly being met by
countries around the world have imple
ments and focus on more profitable ones
agile fintech companies which leverage
mented real-time payment schemes,
like lending and investments. Low reve
technological advances to enhance cus
while others are planning to launch them
nue combined with increasing opera
tomer experiences.
in the near future. Also, regional cross�
tional and compliance costs has led to
Navigating these uncharted waters,
-border real-time systems like the Euro
payments getting gradually handed over
banks are challenged on their traditional
pean SCT Inst gain attention and define
to card schemes and payment processors.
value chain by two driving forces: one
the future of payments.
Some of these players are now
is the struggle for banks to retain cus
The same efficiency, speed and cost
starting to address the consumer mar
tomer relations through innovative front-
is required from international payments.
ket directly, which potentially puts them
end services in an environment where
There is, however, no ubiquitous global
in competition with the banks – not for
both challenger banks and tech giants
payment scheme currently available and
services delivered, but for the consum
are vying for the end-user’s attention;
most cross-border payments are handled
ers’ attention. Finally, with the PSD 2 and
the other is the demand for increased
through an intricate web of correspon
open banking economy in place, tradi
efficiency and scalability as a way of low
dent banking networks involving mul
tional banks are being pushed to open
ering costs of non – differentiating opera
tiple intermediaries. This makes them
their data pools and account – based pay
tions in the back-end.
costly and slow. The next few years will
ments capabilities to third-party provi ders. These companies are typically better
Many countries around the world have implemented real-time payment schemes, while others are planning to launch them in the near future. Also, regional crossborder real-time systems like the European SCT Inst gain attention and define the future of payments.
at delivering innovative financial solu tions at a faster pace because they have the distinct advantage of being unburdened by complex legacy systems and processes. Banks will have to decide how to best accelerate innovation and time-to-market capabilities, either through partnerships, acquisitions, or internal initiatives.
26
Expenditures for maintaining and
see the cross-border payments landscape
Most banks choose a combination.
upgrading existing IT infrastructure are
transformed by a variety of advancing
Moving from a more competitive perspec
limiting the resources banks can devote
technology alternatives like e.g. distri
tive, both banks and fintechs are begin
to innovation and investments in new
buted ledger technology (e.g. Ripple),
ning to realise the benefits of collabora
digital technologies – effectively driving
while incremental service renewals
tion – or co-innovation. Banks are leve
the need for banks to pursue alternative
(e.g. SWIFT gpi and ISO 20022 XML) and
raging the knowledge, technology, and
options. Therefore, Banks need a clearly
Instant Payment services in Europe and
resources of fintech companies while
defined strategy that focuses either on
beyond will continue to yield benefits.
fintechs are leveraging the banks’ infra
front-end initiatives or back-end opera
The growing volume and complex
tions for leveraging scale and volume, as
ity of financial regulation places a great
structure, key capabilities, broad client base, and capital.
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
Unlike data-driven fintech compa nies which have organised themselves around customer needs, the challenge for banks is that legacy infrastructure ties data to product and process silos. As most banking services are transac tional, the data generation is substan tial and continuous. Yet few banks have tapped into the value that the transac tion data holds. The focus has been on mission-critical functions like deposits, accounting, lending, and payments pro cessing. But to stay competitive and rele vant, banks need to find a way to utilise the immense value in transactional data they possess. As legacy systems appear to have reached their limit, banks are faced with
not a key competence for most banks,
CONCLUSION
the question of what to do next.
and scouting for the right partner can
In an attempt to keep up with the com
be a time-consuming process.
petition in a fast-paced digital financial
There are a number of different approaches with various pros and cons
• Outsourcing to third party: Choosing
environment, banks are exploring ways
to consider.
outsourcing as an approach will help
to streamline non-differentiating back-
• Upgrading the existing system: The main
the bank to develop a more service-orien- end processes and transfer resources to
benefits of this approach are definitely
ted banking IT infrastructure. It enables
differentiating front-end developments.
the high degree of familiarity associated
to add new channels and services, as well
They have started to reassess their busi
with working with the same vendor and
as phase out old core systems. It can
ness strategies to determine where to
the fact that a bank does not need to
deliver a new degree of flexibility to
cut costs, reduce risks and improve cus
make any upfront investment in the area
the bank, where the bank is free to pick-
tomer value. For this purpose, banks are
of new software and solutions.
-and-choose new functions and services
increasingly turning to experienced thirdparty providers, who deliver fully inte
The next few years will see the cross-border payments landscape transformed by a variety of advancing technology alternatives.
grated coverage of the banks’ payment value chain and who offer a modular step-by-step-approach to payment pro cessing that helps banks of all sizes to address their specific needs.
• Building in-house: This approach allows
it wishes to integrate into the payment
By partnering with a specialised
banks to retain a full control of every
platform. In addition, transferring
payment service provider, banks ensure
aspect of the development while ensur
the payments processing functions –
they have a stable, scalable and flexible
ing that the new system can be inte
or part of them – to a specialised third-
payment environment with multi-chan
grated with other adjacent in-house
party provider will help to minimise
nel coverage that is fully compliant and
solutions. However, building in-house is
the complexity, costs and risk related
capable of accommodating modern pay
very costly and it does not remove any
to non-differentiating operations, as
ment requirements. In doing this, banks
of the present or future maintenance,
the provider will handle the regulatory
will be able to lower their expenditures
compliance or improvement costs.
burden of staying compliant, retaining
on non-differentiating back-end func
Finally, a single bank will not on its own
payments experts, making costs lower
tions like payment processing and free
be able to achieve that scale-benefits
and operations more efficient. Outsour
up resources to focus on core business
compared to the volumes that shared
cing back-office payments processing
strategies and differentiating activities
solutions can generate.
will enable banks to free up resources
that will help them compete in the new,
• Buying off-the-shelf: Banks might also
to focus on core competencies and dif
digitised financial era.
consider buying a solution from a spe
ferentiating activities like customer
cialist third-party provider. Off-the-shelf
relationships, advisory services, client
products, however, entail an upfront
acquisition, and value-added services.
The article is an abstract of an extensive whitepaper, and that the complete whitepaper can be downloaded from the website: www. financial-services.worldline.com
investment by means of license costs, and will provide the bank little control over release cycles. • Partnering to invent: Partnering with
Author
a supplier that can provide a bank with an agile and innovative best of breed system that includes scalable benefits. Partnership management is, however,
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
27
BUSINESS
Abundance Mentality in Business Text | Monika Smulewicz
How approach to clients, competition or workers can take the leader and company to the next level of success.
ABUNDANCE MENTALITY AND ZERO-SUM GAME
clients, take a piece of cake that is so big
contract, never-ending striving for acqui sition of new clients – this is the profes
The term 'abundance mentality' was
take somebody else's success as their own
sional reality of people of success. Today's
coined already in the 1980's by Stephen
defeat. It has been illustrated perfectly by
record becomes tomorrow's starting
R. Covey in his best-selling book titled
prof. Bogdan Wojciszke, a world-famous
point. Blood, sweat and tears yield higher
"Seven Habits of Highly Effective People"
psychologist: "when a canon in Lublin
profits, better position, business develop
(1989). He explained the abundance men
becomes a bishop, a shoemaker in Cra
ment and, thus, we never stop running.
tality as focusing on possessed capabili
cow gets peptic ulcers out of spite". This
We have all heard that if you are not
ties and resources instead of what we
way of thinking is explained by the said
moving forward, you are moving back
lack. Focusing on living in the belief that
assumption of a limited pool of goods
wards. We keep running until we are out
these resources and capabilities are
available for all people, the approach to
of breath. We check where the competi
available, they are abundant and can
life assuming that it is a zero-sum game
tion is at, continuously comparing our
be reached for freely. It means thinking
where the result is an advantage for one
selves to others, nervously looking over
in the spirit of self-agency, enabling also
side and a loss for the other.
our shoulders.
the choice of minimalism if it makes us
In microeconomics, the game the
But does it really need to be like
happy. As opposed to the abundance
ory (as a field of science) examines
that? Does this fight never end? Does
mentality, Covey presented also the the
the interdependencies between deci
somebody else's victory need to be my
ory of scarcity (insufficiency/deficit) men
sions of various individuals, assuming
defeat? And if I stop even for a minute,
tality which, in practice, is a collection of
that costs and benefits are not pre-deter
will life grind me up and spit me out, and
beliefs about the world, business or rela
mined but rather depend on the choices
will the competition get million miles
tions with others where we assume that
of others. In the case of the zero-sum
ahead, snatching my clients on the way?
everything is limited.
game, there is no notion of cooperation
Continuous chase after victory, another
that they will be left with nothing. They
Where is the limit reaching which you could finally say: "Enough. I am content"? Anniversaries provoke reflec tion, and since I am currently celebrat ing my 15th anniversary of work under the brand of Grant Thornton, I started looking back – in terms of myself, clients
People with scarcity mentality suffer from constant fear that someone else will prove "better", that he or she will claim their promotion, clients, take a piece of cake that is so big that they will be left with nothing.
and company. I started analysing how dif
28
ferently the stories of the people I know
In the corporate life, we are deal
that would allow everybody to reach
and their businesses have unfolded and
ing with limited resources – time, posi
the point of higher profit. There is also no
how strong the connection between their
tions, money, etc. This nurtures the per
possibility for one player to gain a signifi
mentality and their individual scenarios
ception of the world where the existing
cant return without affecting others – this
was. I have noticed a repeating pattern:
amount of goods is limited. People with
means that the advantage of one compet
the abundance mentality is conducive to
scarcity mentality suffer from constant
itor must be mean the loss of another.
success, at the same time leaving space
fear that someone else will prove "better",
I have met very different people
for rest in the never-ending race.
that he or she will claim their promotion,
during my professional career. I have
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
observed the paradigms of interper
procurement specialist) who started nego
sonal relations: win-win, win-lose, lose-
tiating the price terms determined a long
-win, lose-lose and simply win. The way
time ago anew. "I'm not sure if your col
of thinking of interpersonal and business
leagues have brought you onboard with
relations speaks volumes about the busi
this, but we've already closed the nego
ness partner. Today, after years of expe
tiation stage", I said. "But I also wish to
rience, I can estimate with a high dose
have my part in the process, I like put
of certainty the course of future coope
ting unexpected pressure on the pro
ration with a prospective partner based
vider like that", she replied with stagger
on how the sale process and negotiations
ing bluntness. That declaration left us
of contractual terms go – as they are usu
all speechless. After that, the head of HR
ally its reflection.
responded: "This means, my dear, that we
I will forever remember one of
have made a terrible mistake in recruit
the negotiation processes regarding a big
ment. Our company follows completely
outsourcing project. We were already on
different values. I am very sorry for this
the homestretch and met to lay down
behaviour, let us get back to the merits
the final contractual provisions and deter-
of our meeting", she concluded speaking
mine the deployment schedule. On the set
to me. The said specialist did not parti
date a new meeting participant appeared
cipate in any further meetings and her
on the part of the client (a newly hired
career ended together with the expiry of
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
The scarcity mentality-based approach to business results in focusing on sale transactions instead of value creation for the clients, society or the world.
29
BUSINESS
her trial period. We have been running
left for savings or investments. Money
this project successfully for years now,
trauma can affect also the members of
in the atmosphere of mutual respect and
the middle class. This applies especially
understanding. Obviously, we encoun
to the households where parents would
ter more difficult moments, overload of
always worry about money, households
work, unexpected issues. However, we
that sometimes had better times but
always sit down at the table and deter
the risk of scarcity was always there,
mine the best solution for both parties,
be it due to losing one's job or earning
following the WIN-WIN philosophy.
lower income from a private business. Fear, uncertainty of tomorrow, infectious
MONEY TRAUMA
30
chronic stress would linger in the air.
When trying to understand how peo
Currently, the number of factors
ple around us think and act, one should
conducive to money trauma is even
remember about the causes of certain
higher, headed by concerns about the eco-
tendencies in their behaviours. The com
nomic repercussions resulting from Rus
mon historical identity of Poles is, unfor
sia's invasion of Ukraine. Subsequent
tunately, conducive to the scarcity men
economic slumps, a pandemic result
tality. The fate has been against us, we
ing in bankruptcies of millions of busi
have suffered due to wars and partitions.
nesses around the world and personal
Many of us, at least from the generation
tragedies of countless families, growing
of our parents, still remember episodes
indebtedness of societies, insufficiency of
of hunger. Nevertheless, the so-called
funds to repay mortgage or pay for medi
money trauma does not affect only poor
cal treatment – that is something more
families that never had any money, and if
than an unfortunate set of circumstances.
some money appeared, it was used imme
As claimed by Galen Buckwalter, Chief
diately for current needs with nothing
Executive Officer at PsyML and expert
In Galen Buckwalter's opinion, financial trauma is the reality of at least onethird of millennials. He defines it as a dysfunctional response to chronic financial stress that disrupts the ability of the affected person to pursue normal tasks at work and in family life.
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
in financial trauma, long-term effects of
SOURCE OF SUCCESS: OPTIMAL MINDSET
have to necessarily mean that I lose and
this type of stress are tangible for many
Functioning in the 21st century is definitely
vice-versa. The best approach is to look
people and cause symptoms characteris
fraught with challenges and oversatu
for solutions that yield bilateral bene
tic for post-traumatic stress disorder
rated with variability of circumstances,
fits, allow to generate the effect of syner
(PTSD). In his opinion, financial trauma
with pace tweaked to the maximum. What
gy, open the door for long-term rela
is the reality of at least one-third of mil
remains constant, however, is the fact
tions based on cooperation and not com
lennials. He defines it as a dysfunctional
that every break-through moment may
petition, in the spirit of mutual trust
response to chronic financial stress that
be the beginning of both favourable
and respect.
disrupts the ability of the affected person
and unfavourable changes for the given
In business relations, I often say:
to pursue normal tasks at work and in
business or individual. A lot depends
"a service provider, not a servant". There
family life, manifesting in multiple areas
on perception of reality and attitude, as
fore, unethical behaviours, abuse or dis
of his or her functioning.
in the example with two shoe sellers –
respect for the business partner are not
However, wealthy people can also
having been sent to an African village,
allowed, even for the sake of the contract.
suffer from money trauma. It may so hap
one of them reports to the headquar
Bold and sensitive leaders never stay
pen that they fail to appreciate the value
ters: everybody walks barefoot here, we
silent in uncomfortable matters. Instead,
of money, wasting it on whims – extre
won't sell a thing, while the other claims:
they discuss difficult topics, look for solu
mely expensive (overpaid) clothes, desig
everybody walks barefoot here so there's
tions and protect their teams against
ner watches or gadgets, premium cars,
a huge market for the taking.
toxic relations.
exorbitantly high-priced drinks, food or other stimulants that are to make them happy. Meanwhile, their happiness often proves short-term or even false. They become prisoners of materialism. They suffer from intense stress and growing expectations regarding their own finan cial standing. Money becomes the indica
Unethical behaviours, abuse or disrespect for the business partner are not allowed, even for the sake of the contract. Bold and sensitive leaders never stay silent in uncomfortable matters.
tor of their status, power or even worth.
The scarcity mentality-based ap
The case is similar for relations with
Therefore, we may assume with confi
proach to business results in focusing on
co-workers – treating them like people
dence that financial trauma is omnipres
sale transactions instead of value crea
who will perform and demonstrate
ent, but we remain unaware of it and,
tion for the clients, society or the world.
honesty only if forced or tricked to do so
thus, it remains unresolved.
It means concentrating on the conti
results, at best, in attracting people of this
This paradigm can be frequently
nuous fight for the next piece of cake –
kind specifically. Meanwhile, the right
noticed in negotiations of terms of coope
with customers, suppliers, competitors
employees who we can trust and who
ration, when the interlocutor refuses to
or even co-workers. It is a never-ending
we remunerate well will be committed,
accept any rational arguments, such as
tug of war competition, a constant fight
putting their heart and creativity into
galloping inflation, difficult situation
to be the strongest and have the last say.
their work. Setting your mind to abun
on the labour market and related wage
It means using your position, abusing
dance mentality lets you enjoy the suc
pressure. They focus only on their pro
relations and bending the contractual
cess of others and leads to true leader
fits and digits, completely disregarding
terms to your advantage.
ship – being an inspiring leader who sets
the fact the even if they win the set, they
Meanwhile, my experience shows
will lose the match due to very high costs.
that the fact someone else wins does not
directions and leads the team towards building a better future.
The same applies to managers focusing only on the budget, their targets and bonus, paying no attention to the busi ness surroundings, co-workers or emer ging difficulties. This may result in, for instance, increased personnel rotation, decline in the team's commitment and,
Author Monika Smulewicz Partner, Managing Director
in consequence, risk of target accomplish ment becoming impossible – i.e. the exact oppositive of what was intended.
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
31
BUSINESS
Nearshoring to Poland – is it still an attractive prospect for companies from Western Europe looking to boost their competitiveness? Szymon Stadnik's feuilleton
Back in 2005 I read a McKinsey report indicating that Poland could become one of the most important players in the modern services sector. I was extremely excited.
After the dynamism of the 1990s,
E&Y Attractiveness Survey, and Tholons
data, GBS and BPO-type operations in
the beginning of the 2000s in Poland
just to name a few).
Poland deliver services in 38 different
had witnessed a period of high unem
This remarkable success is the joint
languages, where 100% of centers have
ployment. The report stated that Poland
result of numerous factors. The diversi
English language speakers, 80% German,
could generate jobs for highly qualified
fied, huge, and affordable labor mar
63% French, and 50% have Italian speak
professionals and strengthen its advan
ket and the human capital that has been
ers on board.
tages by creating SSC, BPO, and R&D cen
nourished over the years.
tres. Working for KPMG at the time, I got involved in preparing investment attrac
turity of the modern services sector, and
Poland and Polish cities are among the top choices in many international outsourcing investment attractiveness rankings and often occupy top spots in Europe.
land has also become a synonym for
Over the last two decades Poland has
Poland has a very high share of po
offer in Germany or Scandinavia. Quality
grown to join the ranks of world leaders
pulation aged 25–34 years holding a ter
of services generates trust – a key compo
in this sector.
tiary degree – 43%, which is above the EU
nent in any business.
tiveness reports aimed at bringing for eign investment to Poland. I was thrilled. Working as an auditor, I only had time to work on these reports over the week ends – and, much to the displeasure of my family, I kept writing the Tri-City report during the Easter holidays. The final result exceeded even the enthusiastic expectations of the report authors, myself, and all of us involved in the development of the Business Services.
32
Do the changes currently taking place in the Polish labor market, the mathe widespread automation and use of artificial intelligence constitute a threat to the further growth of the industry? Are they not adversely affecting the attrac tiveness of Poland in the eyes of interna tional corporations? Can European com panies still strengthen competitiveness by nearshoring to Poland? On top of excellent numbers, Po the quality of skills, comparable to those
Nowadays, Poland is among the lar
average. According to the latest Eurostat
We have built the BSS market from
gest outsourcing markets in Europe and
report from 2021, in Germany that num
scratch. Initially, the processes transferred
it is a leader in the CEE region. According
ber stands at 35%, in Italy it is 29%, in
by foreign corporations to Poland were
to ABSL, the sector currently employs
Hungary it’s 31%, and in Bulgaria and
relatively simple and mainly comprised
350,000 people, and 1,600 companies
the Czech Republic it stands at 33%.
F&A transactional back-office functions
have located their SSC, GBS, ITO, and R&D
The number of students in Poland
centres here. Poland and Polish cities are
stands at over 1,4 million and is higher
among the top choices in many interna
than the total number of students in all
tional outsourcing investment attrac
other CEE countries put together!
(AP and AR), customer service or simple IT processes (such as user support). What proved helpful was that, right from the beginning of the 1990s,
tiveness rankings and often occupy top
Over the past 30 years Poland has
large international corporations estab
spots in Europe (according to the Kear
been active in building excellent lin
lished their regional headquarters in
ney Report, CEOWORLD analysts, Everest,
guistic capabilities. According to ABSL
Poland and started introducing modern
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
Warsaw skyline.
management methods, as well as creating
middle-office and knowledge-intensive
– have developed their skillsets in busi
competences and skillsets that could later
functions. This, in turn, forces a flexible
ness analytics, RPA, or have been pro
be utilized by other companies entering
approach and the need for the talent to
moted to SAP and BI consultants and pur
the Polish market – including those locat
adapt to new market realities, given that
sued their careers in IT. Many Help Desk
ing their SSCs here. Polish specialists and
many processes initially moved to Poland
and Customer Service specialists have
managers accumulated their experience
are now going through a process of auto
gone on to become developers, cloud, UX,
the same way I did – working for large
mation. Employees constantly improve
SEO or re-commerce experts.
multinationals such as KPMG, Deloitte,
their skills through postgraduate diplo
Incoming investors are increasin
Philips, GE, Siemens, Volkswagen, Unile
mas, courses, trainings, and webinars –
gly willing to utilize the know-how of
ver, Nestle, LG, Dell, HP, or Citibank.
all to keep pace with evolving market
local managers in order to carry out com
As the market developed, the so- demands. Adaptability and resilience
plete process migration to Poland, both
phistication of services delivered by
are what sets us apart.
in the nearshoring and offshoring model
the Polish talent shot up – but without negatively affecting the price factor. Poles know very well that the only constant in life is change; and the modern business services sector exemplifies this perfectly. Evolution and upgrading of qualifications are etched into the sector’s DNA. These are also embedded in the Polish work cul ture. This is a true match made in heaven. The organic development of SSC,
The organic development of SSC, GBS, and BPO centers directly influenced the sophistication level of functions being relocated to Poland. The last 5–7 years in particular saw a significant jump in strategic processes moved here as companies are increasingly willing to drive their core business competences from Poland.
GBS, and BPO centres has directly influ enced the sophistication level of func
Over the course of my career in
– drawing up a project plan first, mana
tions being relocated to Poland. The last
Frista or ITELENCE I have been lucky to
ging expectations, mapping the process,
5–7 years in particular, have seen a sig
work with highly motivated specialists
documenting it and then moving on to
nificant jump in strategic processes being
and managers whose aspirations pro
transition, standardization, and – finally
moved here as companies are increas
pelled them to continuous development.
– automation.
ingly willing to drive their core business
I believe that many leaders who are
Our foreign partners know that
competences from Poland. This would
involved in setting up professional envi
they can place their trust in us to proper
not have happened had it not been for
ronments in Poland have shared a simi
ly implement a particular process, as
the trust capital fostered over years of
lar experience.
well as execute even the most deman
excellent cooperation.
Many team members who started
ding transformation project. The suc
Poland is therefore building its posi
out in the transaction-focused teams
cess stories they have heard of other
tion as a partner-country, where back-
I have set up for our international clients
companies only further enhance their
-office processes are being replaced by
including accounting and supply chain
confidence.
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
33
BUSINESS
I was lucky enough to witness it
employees need to possess. Having con
a multipronged way for companies
first-hand when I was building a GBS-
ducted various recruitment processes
from the West to bolster competitive
type operations as well as a large out
over the years I have not come across
ness: from having access to specialists
sourcing organization, both in Warsaw.
even one technology that I couldn’t
with rare and very sophisticated skills,
While working on a rapidly growing
source in Poland.
through a general operating costs cut,
BPOs, with plans to reach 400 FTEs by
Polish universities – almost 400 of
a rise in quality of delivered processes,
the end of this year, I am finding large
them – as well as international organi
all the way to having access to the latest
international corporations and support
zations operating in Poland are con
management methodologies. Poland is
them in transferring back-office, mid
stantly producing new talent. Accord
also becoming the best possible choice
dle-office, and IT processes at various
ing to Eurostat, Poland ranks 4 th in
for any international corporation em
sophistication levels.
Europe in terms of the number of STEM
barking on its business and digital trans formation journey. It is a place where,
In recent years, clients from Western Europe and the US have been particularly interested in the transfer of advanced IT functions, including technologies based on artificial intelligence and cloud solutions, Big Data, as well as business analytics, SAP, data analysis and integration.
for a reasonable price, alone or in coope ration with a trusted partner, one can transfer and centralize global back- -office processes. Specialists fluent in 38 languages are at your disposal while you expand your international middle-office competences in HR, marketing, controlling, and business analytics; or
Initial co-operation with our clients
graduates in the 20–29 age group. Poland
you’re assembling highly qualified IT
was focused on transactional processes
is becoming a real hub for machine lear
teams in the area of e-commerce, cloud,
– we optimized those processes, gradu
ning, cloud infrastructure, and artificial
AI, BI, cybersecurity, automation, soft
ally nurturing their trust in Polish spe
intelligence; Google, Microsoft, Nvidia
ware development, and implementation
cialists. Step by step, we took over increa-
and many others are expanding their
of large ERP systems.
singly strategic functions. A technology
Polish centres by working on these tech
P.S. Two new McKinsey reports
hub I set up for a Swiss client is among
nologies. HackerRank ranks Polish deve
have been published recently and both
the truly spectacular success stories –
lopers among the top three in the world.
indicating that Poland may become one
the hub’s core responsibilities have cov
We are becoming a true competitor
of the European leaders in artificial
ered the implementation and, later on,
for Germany or the UK, particularly in
intelligence and cloud solutions. These
maintenance of an e-commerce platform
terms of knowledge base, experience, and
reports are correct – I’m familiar with
for a leading fashion brand. Other fantas
tech-savviness. On the other hand, Poland
the potential of Polish engineers and
tic success stories included assembling
remains a more attractive location pay-
I keep experiencing the large interest
a complete SAP have implementation
wise than Western Europe. According to
in this area among foreign and local cli
team or putting together a business ana
Eurostat, the average salary in Poland is
ents. The fact that I get to actively partici
lytics and data science team.
still only 30% of that in Germany and 35%
pate in shaping Poland’s future by build
of the average salary in France.
ing fast growing outsourcing provider
In recent years, my clients from Western Europe and the US have been
Coming back to the original ques
particularly interested in the transfer of
tion, nearshoring to Poland still represents
ITELENCE excites me as much as it used to back in the day.
advanced IT functions, including tech nologies based on artificial intelligence and cloud solutions, Big Data, as well as
Auhtor
business analytics, SAP, and data analy sis and integration functions. The Polish labour market responds very actively to the growing investors’ expectations regarding the sophisticated skills their
34
Szymon Stadnik | CEO of ITELENCE, outsourcing service provider, co-owner and co-founder of BPO FRISTA
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
DO YOU KEEP YOUR BOOKS IN ORDER? Accounting, HR and payroll outsourcing Professional support on a daily basis, allowing you to concentrate on growing your business.
GrantThornton.pl
BUSINESS
We need to talk about technology and fear Text | Daniel Clark
“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear.” (Litany Against Fear, from "Dune" by Frank Herbert).
We need to talk about technology and
It includes competences that are vario
Access and awareness are prere
fear. We need to admit that words like
usly referred to as computer literacy,
quisites for developing your digital lite
“digital” and “data” often provoke fear,
ICT literacy, information literacy and
racy, followed by learning specific skills
especially when they are expanded into
media literacy.
(how to carry out tasks). These skills can
phrases like “digital transformation”,
What should be clear from this is
then be incorporated into your practice,
“digital literacy", “Big Data” or “data ana
that digital literacy is not the ability to
helping you achieve your goals in your
lytics”. People who throw these phrases
use certain software tools (as important
work and life.
around sometimes mentally cross their
though this may be), rather the way we
fingers and hope no one asks about them
embed digital tools into our practice and
too much.
our life.
It’s a real shame, because this fear
It also does not mean using every
is unnecessary, and it’s holding many
available piece of software at every op
organisations back from making the most
portunity – it’s more about thoughtful
of the technology tools that are available.
decision-making about which particular
Enormous value could be created if we
technology to use and how. As the infor
could overcome it.
mation paper also emphasises, these
A particular focus of my work for the last 12 years or so has been the deve
skills are critical to the future success of individuals, organisations and nations.
lopment of digital literacy for myself and
As well as thinking about what
those around me, and this offers some
digital literacy is, it is helpful to under
pointers to overcoming fear. The term is
stand the process by which digital lite
Developing your practices then
used a lot, along with more or less identi
racy develops. A model I found useful
encourages you to think of yourself as
cal terms such as digital capability, digital
for thinking about this was created for
someone who is good with technology,
fluency or digital mindset. But what does
JISC, which supports higher education
which, in turn, gives you the confidence
it actually mean?
in the UK by Helen Beetham and Rhona
to further develop your practices and
Sharpe (see image below).
learn more skills. In this way you can
One of the most comprehensive definitions was offered by the United
move both ‘up’ and ‘down’ the pyramid.
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cul-
To take a very simple example, you
tural Organization in its information
may decide that, like most of us, you need
paper, Global Framework of Reference on Digital Literacy Skills: The abilit y to access, manage, understand, inte grate, communicate, evaluate and cre ate information safely and appropriately through digital technologies for employ ment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.
36
Digital literacy is not the ability to use certain software tools (as important though this may be), rather the way we embed digital tools into our practice and our life.
IDENTITY PRACTISES
I am
to get better at working without distrac tions (practice) and to do this you want
I do
SKILLS ACCESS AND AWARENESS
to turn off email alerts, perhaps setting
I can I have
an exception for your boss and other key stakeholders. To achieve this, you need to find out how to change your email alerts
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
PowerBI offers easy ways to visualise and analyse vast data sets. There are low code/no code tools like Alteryx and Tab leau which can do almost anything with to be more specific and learn the skill
data, and programming tools like Python
of doing so. You can then apply this to
and R which can do the rest, limited only
your practice and improve your control
by what you can think of.
over distractions.
The fundamental problem, I think,
If you do this sort of thing often
is a lack of confidence and skills for
enough you may start to see yourself as
people to make best use of these tools.
being good with technology, or at least
Of course, there may well be organisa
someone who knows how to find things
tional issues too around quality of and
out. This change in identity encoura
access to data, but a group of people suf
millions every day, but only to a small
ges you to look for other ways you can
ficiently skilled and motivated will usu
fraction of its capabilities.
use technology to achieve your goals,
ally work out solutions to these.
Something as simple as improving
and look for other practices you can
It is not as if the tools are especially
Excel skills can lead to change happe
improve and skills you can learn. Over
difficult to use, or require years of train
ning at the level of identity. We have
time, this can be transformational and
ing before you can get started. They have
seen extraordinary results from gradu
reduces fear.
been designed to be user-friendly and
ally learning new skills – quick increases in capability, productivity and confi
We are back to that confidence issue, though. As long as people believe it’s very difficult to use these tools, a mental block will stay in place and organisational benefits will not be gained.
dence. And people wanting to know what is next, really getting started on their data journey. Conversely, I am still astonished at the number of professionals I hear saying things like “I’m not very good with tech nology”, which in the modern world is
All of this may sound obvious but,
I believe that the vast majority of people
in my experience, almost all initiatives
in most organisations are perfectly capa
Changing these beliefs doesn’t
about digital literacy operate at the level
ble of using them if given a bit of train
mean a lot with introspection; what it
of skills and occasionally practices. That
ing and support. Of course, full mastery
means is trying out some new things
will limit their impact.
does take years, but significant benefits
and then reflecting on whether it changes
will be seen long before that.
the way you think about yourself. This is
So if you and your team want to
an incredibly self-limiting belief.
move beyond these basics and overcome
We are back to that confidence
this fear, where is a good place to start?
issue, though. As long as they believe it’s
My answer will depend on the situation
very difficult to use these tools, a men
So, ask yourself a question – what’s
and likely benefits, but the most com
tal block will stay in place and organisa
my experience of developing digital lite
mon answer I give is – data. As we are
tional benefits will not be gained.
racy? Whether it has gone well or badly?
not a quick fix, but over time the results can be very powerful.
constantly reminded, data is growing, it
So how to break this block? When
If my future success relies on great use
has fuelled incredible business success
I’m talking to organisations about this,
of data, how am I and my organisation
for many organisations already, and it
I usually advise to start simple, start
going to get started building the neces
is only going to be become more criti
small and start where the benefits will
sary skills, or continue down that path if
cal going forward that an organisation
be seen quickly. For data, that usually
you already have? What is my next step
can manage and exploit its data well.
means starting with Excel, a tool used by
forward?
The business case for investing in data is overwhelming. If it’s so obvious, what’s the prob
Author
lem? Why isn’t every organisation seeing huge benefits from use of data? The prob lem is certainly not lack of tools. There are now readily available tools which
Daniel Clark | Head of Technology Professional Development at BPP School of Technology, Chartered Accountant
have breath-taking capabilities – our old friend Excel can do more than ever, and
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
37
SSC LIONS
Natalia Brzostowska, RTR Director, Elanco Solution Center.
38
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
Direction: innovation and continuous improvement Interview with leaders of financial divisions: Natalia Brzostowska – RTR Director, Sylwia Kozioł – PTP Director, Agata Piotrowska – Order to Bill Director and Anna Szawluk – B2C Director at Elanco Solution Center.
FOCUS ON Business: Elanco Animal
approach, the ESC center runs such com
our company for over 50 years. Elanco
Health is a global leader in pet and
prehensive services.
aims to create the most effective pro
farm animal health. You provide
At the beginning of this year, we
ducts as parts of the comprehensive offer.
products, services, and innovations in
started the next phase of expanding our
This creates a portfolio that, together
the field of animal disease prevention
organization, a long-planned integration
with technological developments, offers
and treatment. In Poland, you have
of ERP systems of Bayer Animal Health
products for our pets, as well as for poul
a Shared Services Centre – Elanco
business, which in August 2020 became
try, livestock, and even fish farmers,
Solution Center. What kinds of busi-
a part of Elanco. That means a signifi
this are future of nutrition. The merger
ness processes do you manage?
cant expansion of the scope of activities
with Bayer Animal Health has opened
Natalia Brzostowska, RTR Direc-
both in Warsaw and Kuala Lumpur, but
up markets and areas previously inac
tor: Elanco Solution Centers are located
I am sure that thanks to the great com
cessible to us and strengthened our abi
in Warsaw and Kuala Lumpur and pro
mitment of our teams, we will quickly
lity to explore new solutions allowing
vide global support for North America,
achieve the stabilization of processes for
us to better support customers in their
LATAM, EMEA, and APAC regions. In addi
the integrated units.
animal care. What’s more, thanks to
tion to financial operations (PTP – Pur chase To Pay, OTC – Order To Cash, RTR – Record To Report), ESC has teams of spe cialists in the areas of HR Services, Inter nal Audit, Treasury, Tax, Procurement, IT, Supply Chain, Master Data, Quality, and Financial Controls, among others.
At the beginning of this year, we started the next phase of expanding our organization, a long-planned integration of ERP systems of Bayer Animal Health business, which in August 2020 became a part of Elanco.
Projects to establish shared ser vices organizations most often begin
How important is innovation and tech-
the acquisition, we have expanded our
with the formation of OTC, PTP, and RTR
nological development for the Elanco
global reach, and we are advancing our
financial towers first. In our case, a much
Solution Center and for the entire
omnichannel strategy.
wider portfolio of services was included
Elanco company?
For our shared services center, In
from the very beginning, which proves
Anna Szawluk, B2C Director: Inno-
novation and Productivity is all about
a high level of trust placed in our orga
vation and development are the pillars
implementing the latest systems, auto
nization and recognition of Poland and
of company’s values expressed in the IPP
mating processes, and attracting the best
Malaysia's potential as locations with
strategy that stands for Innovation, Port-
people, guided by a philosophy of conti
high quality of work. Thanks to that
folio, and Productivity, the signposts of
nuous improvement.
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
39
SSC LIONS
Sylwia Kozioł, PTP Director, Elanco Solution Center.
40
Polish Elanco SSC employs nearly 380
training programs and complemen
people. Why is it worth working for
tary e-learning platforms, including
you? There is lot of flattering opinions
a micro-learning platform, the imple
of employees about the company that
mentation of which coincided with
can be found online...
the pandemic period and the tran
Sylwia Kozioł, PTP Director: We
sition to remote working. We work
are a company that offers employees
in a dynamic environment; there
the opportunity for harmonious devel
fore, quick and short course modu
opment. There have been as many as
les make development processes
27 promotions at ESC in 2021. We have
more efficient.
We have a lot of attention and understanding for our employees and their well-being.
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
Anna Szawluk, B2C Director, Elanco Solution Center.
Innovation and development are the pillars of company’s values expressed in the IPP strategy that stands for Innovation, Portfolio, and Productivity, the signposts of our company for over 50 years.
We listen to the voice of the youth generation and respond with tailored
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
We also have a super-modern and safe office adapted to hybrid work.
benefits. Today the most desired one
We are pleased with good feedback.
is the flexibility of place and time of
We did a challenging project in a very
work. Our employees also appreciate
unpredictable environment, and it really
the extra days off. We use the Inspire
cemented us as a team. The pandemic
platform, where employees can appre
taught us that even working from home,
ciate the work and help of other col
we are still a community, so we focus our
leagues and exchange collected points
efforts on building a great place to work.
for material things in a platform store.
That’s why we have a lot of attention and
41
SSC LIONS
Agata Piotrowska, Order to Bill Director, Elanco Solution Center.
42
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
understanding for our employees and
you perceive the role of women in
us how they spend their free time, how
their well-being. We organize compe
your organization?
to cook Korean dishes or how to take care
titions and skills sharing festivals, par
Agata Piotrowska, Order to Bill
of their skin according to Asian rituals.
ticipate in tournaments and celebrate
Director: In ESC, the majority of the team
In return, we present to them how Polish
diversity by organizing meetings with
are women, which is reflected in the ma-
winter looks like, how to weave mac
the team from Kuala Lumpur. It's ama
nagerial structures. Right now, sixty-six
ramé, and how we travel. In total, both
zing how curious people are about each
percent of ESC's leaders are women,
locations employ about 11% foreigners,
other and how hungry they are for a dif
including the leader of our branch in
and we speak a total of 14 languages.
ferent perspective.
Malaysia. And they are not only very
At our company, we celebrate PRIDE
competent employees but also promote
month every year to not only promote
The pandemic has changed the nature
a work culture and ethics that coincide
the inclusion of all employees but also
of work and the rules of cooperation
with the company's values.
to celebrate the diversity of individuals.
in teams. How has this affected the hiring of new specialists for your growing financial teams? A.S.: Shared service center environ ments, due to the global reach of their processes, have for years offered their employees flexibility in both working hours and location. Many teams are dis
Right now, sixty-six percent of ESC's leaders are women, including the leader of our branch in Malaysia. And they are not only very competent employees but also promote a work culture and ethics that coincide with the company's values.
persed all over the world. The last two
We care about Integration. Our
We unequivocally condemn hate-based
years have only strengthened this model
team members must know and feel that
violence that targets people because of
of work and extended it to teams pre
they are co-creators of the company
their difference, disability, race, religion,
viously working from a local office.
atmosphere, and their opinion is valid.
sexual orientation, or gender identity.
Of course, this has forced the change of
We have a thriving team of local ambas
It has no place at Elanco.
communication channels and tools to
sadors who cascade engagement through
virtual ones, not only in the process of
their teams. We often ask employees to
How do you see the role of leadership
everyday work but also in recruitment
share their opinions in surveys, making
in your company? What are the leaders
processes. The majority of the current ESC
decisions or choices together. Recently,
at Elanco?
team are people hired through remote
we organized the skills sharing festival.
A.P.: Just like people, leaders in
recruitment. This experience is proof that
Our employees from Warsaw and Kuala
Elanco are different from each other.
the Future of Work is inextricably linked
Lumpur conducted workshops for other
Some are very charismatic, while others
to hybrid work or even, in some areas,
colleagues. They could tell others about
are more balanced in their actions. For
entirely remote work. We are currently
their passions, present themselves from
us, the key is authenticity. Our center is
preparing to create new positions as part
a different side than the professional
developing rapidly, and so are our lead
of our process integration with Bayer Ani
one. Some even involve their families in
ers, whose bar is set very high. What
mal Health, and one of the key things we
the workshops and presentations.
counts is not only expert knowledge,
consider when planning teams is flexibi
We especially enjoy such events as
work ethic, and persistence in pursuing
it is a chance to draw from diversity and
a goal, but also the ability to support and
multiculturalism, to tell stories about our
inspire others and openness to change.
What is the Elanco Solution Center's
traditions. Malaysia itself is multicultural.
ESC was established during a difficult
Diversity & Inclusion policy? How do
Our colleagues from Kuala Lumpur tell
time of the pandemic, which proves that
lity, engagement, and efficiency.
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
43
SSC LIONS
our leaders can build teams and manage
on our internal communication platform,
them effectively remotely. A leader in
where anyone can help find new homes
Elanco is a person who gets new chal
for dogs and cats from shelters. Besides
lenges all the time, therefore the ability
the ESC actions, we encourage employees
to think innovatively and agilely really
to volunteer for local organizations on
matters. I personally believe that a good
their own. Volunteers are even eligible
leader creates a friendly environment to
for extra days off for this purpose. Addi
show initiative and continuous improve
tionally, every year during the Global
ment. They focus on opportunities, not
Day of Purpose, all Elanco employees
adversities. They should have an indivi
have the opportunity to participate in
dual approach to their employees and be
numerous CSR initiatives, both globally
a partner they can trust.
and locally.
Does the fact that you are involved
work lives, and our pets are certainly
in animal health inspire you to take
winners in this situation, as we work
pro-animal activities? Can an employee
from home and spend much more time
bring a dog to work?
with them. Little friends often show up at
The pandemic has changed our
N.B.: In line with the company's
our meetings – they sit on our laps, walk
vision of 'Food and Companionship
on the backs of our chairs, and some
Enriching Life' animals and their health
times on our computer keyboards. They
are at the very center of our activities. We
make us laugh and put us in a positive
have become friends with the Guide Dog
mood, which is wy we decided that the
Foundation, which we support with fund
dogs would be able to accompany us on
raising events, and we are 'godparents'
some days when we started going back to
to two guide dogs in training: Bruno and
the offices in a hybrid model.
Mars. We also run an Adoption Corner Thank you for the interview.
44
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
45
BUSINESS
Lean implementation – stairway to heaven or highway to hell? Text | Justyna Rak
It may look strange, two great Rock Legends side by side in a serious magazine. Well, I thought that this is how I would get your attention and I guess that they match really well to the topic which I would like to talk about. Today I want to share with you my subjective, view on Lean implementation and why sometimes it’s a nightmare. Do I have enough experience to speak about Lean? I believe so, in my career I went from Lean hater to Lean enthusiast.
In many companies, at the certain period
several events, print poster to be visible
us to succeed. Seems that everything is
of time, the idea of having lean appears.
on every single wall. A set of new train
going as planned. But then, everything
The reasons behind such decision might
ings and new roles are being prepared for
begins to change. Top managers are not
be different. Starting from the concept
employees. All looks like a great plan and
appearing so often on the open space
that it may help improve the company’s
something what must be a great success.
as they used to be and start delegating
results, through the fact that others have
their tasks to other people including Lean
it and it’s trendy, ending with the posi
MIXED FEELINGS
Champions. Consultants are not any more
tion that from the marketing perspec
In beginning it’s going quite smooth.
so welcome as they ask difficult ques
tive it looks good to say: “We Have Lean”.
A great internal marketing campaign
tions (also to top managers), ask for some
When decision is taken the whole ma
has been prepared perfectly. Everyone,
actions. People are getting lost as they are
chine starts working. Depending on
including top management, is engaged as
expected to deliver their usual tasks but
what we chose we send people for some
this is something totally new. After first
also provide ideas for improvements, pre
Lean trainings or we are hiring the exter
weeks we even see the initial results,
pare experiments and present the results.
nal consultants. We all understand that
small but important. Consultants are
The expectations for efficiency are high
this is a huge initiative and we want all
always welcome as they know all those
and already added to their targets. What’s
employees to know about it. We organize
“magic words” and tools which will help
more, people are asked to fill in some tables, white boards which were bought for every team. However, except them and those “crazy consultants” nobody uses them, especially Leaders. On top of all people are requested to implement “a one standard” (which works perfectly in another department in which it had been piloted) but no one ever checked before that they have a totally different process. In the beginning they were told that their opinion counted but now no body is listening to them. The frustration arises when the results we have been expecting are not much visible. People start blaming each other and instead of the benefits we can only see the costs of trainings, con sultants, printed posters etc. We are on the highway to hell exceeding speed limit and wondering what went wrong.
46
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
STEP BY STEP Let me explain you why, in my opinion,
supervisors and observing them. If we
it didn’t work. First of all we tend to
want to be successful we need to lead peo
think that Lean is like a magic pill which
ple through this change. Like it was said
is believed to heal all of our diseases.
by Jacko Willing in Extreme Ownership
Secondly in many cases we treat it like
– If someone isn’t doing what you expect
another tool which we will simply buy,
or need them to do, look in the mirror and
train people how to use it and it’s done.
first determine what you can do to better
And last but not least, we like to think that
enable this. If we as leaders don’t show
if we hire the consultants their will do
what is the desired behavior, we shouldn’t
everything for us with a minimal involve
blame people that they are not doing what
ment from our side. It’s not like that.
we want. The best way to do this is to be
Lean is something more. It’s all
engaged in the changes and invite your
about people as they are our greatest
employees to this change. We can do this
asset we have in the company. It’s about
by making sure that we involve teams in
how we manage the business but also,
the decisions. And show that we think
what is the most important Lean is
about the needs of others as much as
the mindset. That’s why it needs to be in
about ours. We can do it in a different way.
DNA of the organization in order to work
The one which I would recommend
so we could see the benefits. How would
is to go to your people and start talking
I start doing this? Step by step.
and listening to them. Part of you may
First of all everyone from organiza
say: But I do, I listen to my people! For
tion needs to be involved in the change
sure but do you listen what they are tell
and managers must be the ‘role models’
ing you or only what you would like to
and ambassadors of this change in
hear? The leaders more often inform than
the organization mindset. People are
really listen and that’s why they hardly
always looking at their managers or
get to know what is really happening.
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
It’s all about people as they are our greatest asset we have in the company. It’s about how we manage the business but also, what is the most important Lean is the mindset That’s why it needs to be in DNA of the organization in order to work so we could see the benefits.
47
BUSINESS
It’s a long and difficult journey but when we get the trust of people and make them feel safe we will be able to achieve everything, so: Listen to your people, trust them and take care about them. OUT OF GLASS CASTLES
LONG JOURNEY
And here I’m think about the effective
involve the external consultants to help
You may say that I’m talking only about
listening what means – understanding
us? I would say that it’s always good to
leadership, engagement and listening
the point of view of the employees as well
ask for help.
to others. Nothing about tools and how
as the obstacles they face. That’s why in
A consultant is always a person
to use them. Yes, you are right but what
Lean we encourage all leaders and mana
from the outside of the organization.
do you need tools for if you don’t have
gers to come out from their glass castles
May not know all the rules, also those
people willing to learn about those tools?
and go to GEMBA to really feel and see
unspoken and may need some time to
And even more, not interested in using
the struggles which people tackle every
understand the organizational structure.
them? Tools are important, but without
day. Visits in GEMBA need to become our
But above this a consultant brings with
people who support our vision we will
new routine. In the beginning people
him not only knowledge about Lean,
not get far.
might be suspicious. They will treat it as
it’s principles, tools, and history but
It’s a long and difficult journey but
a temporary trend. Sometimes they might
also his experience and what is more
when we get the trust of people and make
even make bets how fast you will stop
important a fresh view. He will help
them feel safe we will be able to achieve
these visits. Believe me, I’ve been there.
you to see things the organization could
everything, so: Listen to your people,
Talking with the people is not
become blind to, or simply doesn't want
trust them and take care about them. Lis
enough. We need to respect and show
to notice. He will be the person who will
ten to your consultants and talk to them.
to our employees that their opinions are
be asking questions which nobody has
They really want to help you and ensure
important. We need to be consistent in
wanted to ask before but we all know
that you can succeed.
our behaviors. Encourage them to expe
they need to be answered. So I would
Lean is pretty simple but not easy
riment to help to solve the problems, to
say the consultants are important and
as it requires change in the mindset on all
raise their hands when they stuck. You
may help you, but they need to become
organization levels and takes time.
do not need to know all the answers but
a part of your organization. You need to
At the end, it’s your choice which
be there when they will be looking for
engage them like any other employee
path of Lean journey you shall choose –
solutions. …results will be more robust in
and trust them.
a stairway to heaven or highway to hell.
a long run when leaders don’t simply tell employees what to do or just do it them selves, but have “other focus” – being con centrated on people to help them succeed – said Daniel Goleman and I trust this man.
HELP FROM OUTSIDE
Author Justyna Rak | Program Manager / Senior Consultant at Adaptive Solutions & Advisory Group
And now the question appears, should we do all those things alone or we should
48
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
BUSINESS
When you are under fire or don’t want to be under fire – Problem Solving Text | Krzysztof Drozd
SEARCHING FOR THE ‘HOLY GRAIL’ IN BUSINESS
the above-mentioned categories stood no
sweeping them under the carpet. Others
chance and eventually went into bank
love to debate on the problems for ages
In the Middle Ages, it was popular to
ruptcy. Pan Am, the biggest in its sector
believing that the problem discussed is
search for the Holy Grail. The Holy Grail
for years. Nokia, possessing the biggest
the problem solved. We know the term
was considered as a magical artifact to
market share and the most loyal cus
‘firefighting’. It is not addressing a prob
solve all the problems and guarantee
tomers. Lehman Brothers as the most
lem at a source. There are two other
eternal life. In the business of today, many
innovative bank in its 150 years of exist
superficial approaches to problems
leaders and researchers try to answer
ence. Compaq, expanding faster than its
identified. Applying blindly the measu
the question what company attribute
archrival with superior quality products.
res that were effective in the past when
would safeguard existence and expan
Or Pontiac, the mostly recognizable brand
solving other problems (‘let’s stand
sion. Is it being the biggest? Is it being
in its time. All of them have two things in
ardize’), or simply moving the prob
the most innovative? Is it to possess
common. They do not exist anymore. And
lem to somebody else’s desk. Problems
the most recognizable brand? Is it to have
all of them ignored… problem solving.
are like a virus. They love to go under
the biggest market share? Or to have
ground. They love to grow in the dark
the most loyal customers? Or to compete
IF WE DON’T SOLVE THE PROBLEM
ness and ignorance. And finally, they
on the highest quality? None of them.
Many companies do not solve problems.
love to explode and erupt (see: Illustra
History shows that top companies in
Quite often they ignore problems by
tion No. 1 below).
Illustration no. 1. Typical reaction to problem situations.
50
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
THERE ARE PROFESSIONAL PROBLEM-SOLVING COMPANIES
the situation as it was. Even if the base
competence helps them to exit any crisis
CLARIANT GLOBAL BUSINESS SERVICES DECIDED TO ESTABLISH STRUCTURED PROBLEM SOLVING AS DNA OT ITS ORGANIZATION – IT REQUIRED A MINDSET CHANGE
stronger. A great example to reflect upon
Clariant GBS is a rather young organi
solve real problems based on the metho
is the Peak Oil Crisis in 2008. Sales figures
zation in the SSC sector with just more
dology, with rhythm and rigor. People
dropped by 40% in 2009 vs. 2008. ‘Detroit
than 7 years in business history. In 2018,
around the world love their comfort
Big Three’ (General Motors, Chrysler,
GBS leaders decided that all employees
zone, love to be trained, and to get a cer
Ford) acted in panic: closing plants, termi
should be professional problem solvers.
tificate for the training, but to engage
nating many projects, freezing R&D, mas
The Structured Problem-Solving program
individually, to commit to something
sive lay-offs and huge assets sold off. Only
commenced with an aspiration to create
serious and difficult, to be monitored,
in the USA over 300 thousand employees
higher value for the whole organization.
assessed – not so much. Majority of
There are companies that cultivate the art of problem solving. Surprisingly, that
line was recognized, it was not easy to mobilize and motivate employees to participate in GBS Structured Problem Solving. In particular to practice and
in the automotive sector received a termination letter. The only company that acted counter-intuitively was Toyota. They intensified Problem Solving training, workshops, and initiatives. Their Board of Directors started a structured deep disc ussion on reasons, root causes
People around the world love their comfort zone, love to be trained, and to get a certificate for the training, but to engage individually, to commit to something serious and difficult, to be monitored, assessed – not so much.
explaining why this oil crisis impacted them, and how to be better prepared for
Clariant GBS was not free from typi
business organizations failed in highly
any crises in the future. They did not dis
cal reactions to the problematic issues.
desirable and excellent ideas because
miss anyone, closed any factory, or cut
The organization openly admitted that
they did not challenge the mindset.
R&D investments, but kept recognizing
approaches such as problem ignorance,
Clariant GBS decided not to repeat that
profit and maintaining positive cash flow.
problem debate, firefighting, blind copy-
common mistake. The mindset change
As a result of the intensive and massive
paste of past solutions, and ‘selling’
in Clariant GBS organization was
Problem-Solving Workshops in their flag
the problem to other colleagues or teams
achieved through three mechanisms
factory in Kentucky, they recognized
occurred in the organization. GBS acted
put together and synchronized like in
2 million USD savings in 2009.
in a mature way to recognize and admit
a Swiss watch.
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
51
BUSINESS
Illustration No. 2. Example of the selected Problem-Solving practices presented in GBS SPS Program.
LEAD BY EXAMPLE – LEAD BY SYSTEM – LEAD BY COMMUNICATION
communication was based on full trans
CLOSING REFLECTIONS We observe that problem solving prac
In a traditional approach, leaders set goals,
parency. Every employee can see in
tice and habits are valued not only in
organize resources, motivate, and control.
PowerBI reports how he/she, other indi
the business environment. In today’s
In the GBS Structured Problem-Solving
viduals, teams, departments, locations
military training, there are quite inten
Program, the change started from the lead
and the whole GBS progresses against
sive trainings, and simulations on prob
ers: top and middle level. Of course, it did
the targets. Everybody has access to any
lem solving. US Special Forces are prac
not go smoothly or ideally from the begin
SPS case OnePager to be inspired, to
ticing After Action Review (AAR) which
ning. Some leaders embraced the change
learn from successes and failures. All SPS
is nothing else but Lessons Learned or
and decided to be role models. Typical
cases are traced in the system by apply
‘hansei’ in project management or Lean.
change agent behavior. Other leaders fol
ing the aging perspective for Not Started
Psychologists recommend problem
lowed the first ones. There were and still
Yet or Delayed in any phase of the case.
solving exercises with real or simulated
are leaders who occupy the observer's
As the ancient Romans loved to say:
cases as the best recipe for our brains
position and offer multiple excuses not to
finis coronat opus2, the success of the SPS
and emotions, in particular in pandemic
walk the talk. But the gravity of leading by
program in Clariant GBS is measured by
times, when people often stay and act in
example was becoming significantly big
facts and figures. In 2018 when the pro
isolation.
ger year by year.
gram was kicked off, there were just
Problem solving is indispensable
There is a statement often repeated
a few SPS cases delivered. In 2019 when
and will never become obsolete. You
in the Lean community that the hero's
the scope included basically middle
may be top one in anything. Like Pan Am,
path does not work. You need a system
management, there were ca. 40 cases.
Nokia, Lehman Brothers, etc. But if you
(ancient Romans used to say: serva ordi
In 2020 all levels engaged, and the yearly
do not cultivate Problem Solving, the next
nem et ordo servabit te1). The Opex/Lean
result was 98. Last year, 2020 ended with
challenge or crisis may hurt you badly.
Team in Clariant GBS developed, tested,
170. The aspiration for 2022 goes far
On the contrary, as Clariant GBS decided
and implemented multiple schemes like:
beyond 200.
strategically and seriously 4 years ago,
SPS Mentorship program, Dojo-Kata-Kumite laboratories, SPS Coaching Model, SPS Practitioner certification (provided
each challenge, or even a big crisis can 2
The end crowns the work.
make you stronger. Because you are a Professional Problem Solver.
when an individual successfully delivers two real problem-solving cases). And many new ones are in the pipeline (see illustration no. 2 above). People love to repeat that commu nication is key. In the GBS SPS Program, 1
52
Author Krzysztof Drozd | Senior Project Manager, Clariant Global Business Services
Keep the rule and the rule will save you.
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
MAIN INTERVIEW
AN IDEAL CLIMATE FOR THE BSS SECTOR POMERANIA – ONE OF THE MOST DESIRABLE LOCATIONS FOR BUSINESS IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE
Interview with Mieczysław Struk, Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship.
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
55
MAIN INTERVIEW
Wiktor Doktór, Pro Progressio: Accor
Another factor is the growth of glo-
manner. We are also the first region in
ding to last year's Business Environ-
bally valued specialised operations such
Poland to have our own Migration Policy.
ment Assessment Study, the Tricity,
as advanced financial operations, rapidly
All these factors mean that from
together with the entire Pomeranian
growing R&D centres and the develop
year to year the position of Pomerania
region, is one of the top four areas most
ment of AI, Biotech and offshore sectors.
as a location for investments in the BSS
attractive for business, with as much
The Tricity also plays host to many pres
sector is strengthening both in Poland
as 13% share of the region in foreign
tigious international business and sec
and in Europe.
direct investments in Poland. In turn,
toral conferences.
the modern business services sector
The development of the sector
You mentioned access to world class
is one of the fastest growing areas of
is of course seen in the numbers men
talent. Which employees are most often
the economy, with Pomerania as one of
tioned above, but it is more than that.
looking for by investors? Does and how
the strongest points on the industry map
It is implementing the values that
does Pomerania compete for talents –
of Polish. What makes the region's in
guide us to create a conducive business
in Poland and in the world? What is
vestment climate so attractive for BSS?
atmosphere. It is leveraging our natu
the interest of foreigners in working
Mieczysław Struk, Marshal of
ral advantages of being a seaside loca
in Pomerania?
the Pomeranian Voivodeship: Indeed,
tion with a high quality of life to act
Pomerania's competitive advantage
FDI, especially in the business services sec
as magnets to attract new talent from
lies in its multi-sectoral and diversified
tor has made it one of the most dynami-
across the world and thus attract bigger
economy, which creates many opportu
cally developing sectors of the regional
investors. Undoubtedly, being the larg
nities for talented employees. Add to this
economy. 2021 was a record year, we had
est agglomeration in Northern Poland
the excellent quality of life and ameni
more than 20 new investments and rein
with a stable business friendly govern
ties offered, and it will come as no sur
vestments and generated more than 2000
ment and an education centre also plays
prise that we are one of the most desira
new jobs.
an important role in helping us achieve
ble locations not only in Poland, but also
our goals.
in Central and Eastern Europe.
As a region we are very attractive for BSS investments for a multitude of
For many years, we have been com-
Who are our investors looking for?
reasons, including but not limited to
mitted towards implementing our values
For this I would have to broadly classify
access to modern office facilities, access
of inclusivity, openness, tolerance and
the economy into the high-tech, manu
to world class talent, universities, and
respect for diversity. We have gone
facturing, shipbuilding and logistics sec-
road and air networks. We are also
a step beyond and together with the Tri
tors. Each of these sectors is looking for
working on constantly expanding these
city authorities, signed a Declaration of
talented people from all over the world,
services to meet the growing needs of
Values to further commit ourselves to
with the skills needed to maintain
the investors.
developing in a sustainable and inclusive
the dynamic development of the region.
It is leveraging our natural advantages of being a seaside location with a high quality of life to act as magnets to attract new talent from across the world and thus attract bigger investors.
56
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
In order to meet the development of modern technologies in the Tricity, we have created and curated many tech communities like the AI Pomerania community and the Aviation hub.
In the technology sector, Tricity
Who wouldn’t, indeed. Pomorskie is
the IT Manager of Tomorrow conference,
investors are mainly looking for tech
also a real innovation hub and hub
Code Europe and other meetups and pro
nology specialists such as Java, .Net,
for companies in the area of state-of- gramming marathons. This is comple
Python, UX and testers across the spec
-the-art technologies, including AI or
mented by a rich educational offer at
trum of experience. They are also looking
electromobility. Does this mean that
public universities, as well as in private
for linguists to develop in the customer
while in the country there is a lot
coding schools, which has a direct impact
service and technical support depart
of talk about the conditions for Indus-
on the quality and number of graduates
ments. An interesting fact is that there
try 4.0 and introducing new solutions,
of faculties and trainings important
are more than 35 business langauges
here the fourth industrial revolution
for the development of AI and other new
spoken in the Tricity!
has been happening for a long time?
technologies. Definitely, the fourth indus
In the manufacturing, shipbuil
Naturally. It is worth distinguishing
ding, offshore, port and logistics sec
two levels of the issue here. On the one
tors, investors are looking for engi
hand, we are talking about modern
On the map of the province you can
neers with marine, electrical, electronic
industries, products or technologies, we
find as many as 4 (!) science and tech-
and mechanical specialisations. They
are talking about AI or electromobility.
nology parks. Who uses their offer
are also looking for marine architects,
Yes, in this respect, Pomerania has long
most often? What kind of activities
sustainability engineers and logistics
been on the map of key locations where
can they carry out?
experts. In addition, these industries are
such solutions are being worked on. Suf
The parks offer flexible office space,
always looking for factory and assembly
fice it to mention Intel's largest R&D cen
access to support, mentorship and trai
line workers.
tre in Europe, which is developing data
nings, that make them relevant to both
analysis technology used in autonomous
startups and domestic or international
Over the last ten years, the cam
trial revolution has been here for a while.
paigns Invest in Pomerania, Live more.
cars; Amazon working on the world- small or large companies.
Pomerania and Jobs@Pomerania com
famous Alexa, Aptiv, which also pro
Currently, the science and tech
bined with sustainable infrastructure
duces advanced electronics for cars with
nology parks and incubators are pri
development in cities and the region and
a higher degree of autonomy and North
marily used by entrepreneurs and start
our natural assets have made Pomera
volt producing energy storage systems
ups developing services based on new
nia a very desirable destination for com
that are to be a key aspect of the green
technologies. In Pomerania, these parks
panies and talented people who want to
energy transition. On the other hand, we
are also being used by global corpora
study, live and develop their careers here.
are talking about the progressive auto
tions using the excellent scientific and
If you look at statistics from Live more.
mation of production, robots in factories,
research infrastructure.
Pomerania and Jobs@Pomerania, it can
which is nothing new
The tenants are dominated by trans-
be noted that most of the people inte-
In order to meet the development
port and logistics companies, IT startups
rested in working in the region come
of modern technologies in the Tricity, we
and companies, biotech companies and
from Eastern and Central Europe, Asia,
have created and curated many tech com
creative industries. The Pomerania scien
South Asia and even parts of South Ame
munities like the AI Pomerania commu
ce and technology parks are more than
rica and Africa.
nity and the Aviation hub. We have also
just places of work. They provide valu
Who would not want to live, work
partnered with institutions and organi
able networking opportunities and also
and study in a truly friendly, hospitable
sations like the Infoshare Foundation
host events and conferences. A combi
and international region like Pomerania?
and their Tech3camps and roadshows,
nation of these tech parks combined
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
57
MAIN INTERVIEW
An investor interested in development in Pomerania can count on a number of incentives and facilities. First of all, it is a comprehensive service on behalf of the Invest in Pomerania initiative.
with attractive offers from flexi working
support aspect is also extremely impor
spaces has also gone a long way in help
tant to us. It includes, building a local
ing companies coming under the Come
business community, support in the pro
2Pomerania and Poland. Business Harbor
cess of legalising the stay of foreign
program set up in the region.
ers, because we care more. The result of this support, is the trust placed in us
What incentives and facilities can an in- by the investors. The results can be seen vestor who wants to start a business
in the increasing number of investments
in Pomerania count on? Can they also
and reinvestments in the region.
benefit from support during the implementation of the investment project?
What current or upcoming projects and
An investor interested in develop
initiatives addressed to business will be
ment in Pomerania can count on a num
in your opinion crucial for the develop-
ber of incentives and facilities. First of all,
ment and strengthening of the business
it is a comprehensive service on behalf
potential of the voivodship?
of the Invest in Pomerania initiative.
First of all, the Management Board
It acts as a "one-stop shop" in the region
of the Pomeranian Voivodeship has
providing information and support at all
decided to increase the budget of Invest
stages of the investment process.
in Pomerania for the years 2022–2023
At the outset, an investor's project
by PLN 20 million. Thanks to this, it
manager is assigned to the investment
will be possible to increase the scale
project, who is with them during all
of use of the tools operated by the Invest
stages the investment decision. The first
in Pomerania team, for the benefit
support includes preparation of reports
of investors.
and analyses, assistance in establishing
Secondly, we are developing a sys-
contact with local authorities and part
tem of supporting training aimed at re
ners, organisation of local visits, etc.
training. Currently, you can get support
After the decision to open the center,
for training in Data Science, Java and
Invest in Pomerania helps in marketing
Front-end. Additional trainings will be
activities building the employer's brand
launched in the near future. In the area
on the labor market and provides sup
of training, we are also working on
port in access to candidates. That's not
the continuation of this support within
all, the investor can also count on the sup
the framework of European funds from
port from the Słupsk Special Economic
the new financial perspective.
Zone and the Pomeranian Special Eco
Thirdly, additional funds for Invest
nomic Zone, as well as apply for govern
in Pomerania will increase the pool of
ment grants.
funds to support entrepreneurs conduct
Pomeranian investors can count
ing industrial and logistics investments.
on support at every stage of the invest ment process. The post-investment
58
Thank you for the interview.
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
INVESTMENT NEWS
E-COMMERCE BOOM CONTINUES TO DRIVE RECORD LEVELS OF INVESTMENT & LEASING ACTIVITY ACROSS EUROPE’S LOGISTICS MARKET According to Savills, the e-commerce
and the UK (5.1m sq m) drove the lion’s
In Poland, take-up of industrial
boom is continuing to drive demand
share of leasing activity, whilst Romania
space in 2021 reached an all-time high of
for industrial and logistics assets across
(+63%), France (+63%) and Spain (+62%)
7.35 million sq m with an 84% year on
Europe, as new records were set for both
performed the strongest above their five
year increase in net absorption. Under
levels of investment and leasing acti
year averages.
construction space is 55% pre-leased
vity in 2021. In Poland, take-up in 2021
Savills has observed that the re-
before completion and vacancy rates have
reached an all-time high and indus
cord shortage of prime stock has driven
fallen to under 4%. With EUR 2.96 billion
trial assets accounted for over a half of
upward pressure on rents, rising an ave-
transacted, industrial assets accounted for
the total investment volume.
rage of 5% year on year. London (+25%),
over a half of the total investment volu-
Dublin (+17%) and Prague (12%) were
me recorded in 2021, representing a 15%
the fastest growing markets in 2021.
increase year-on-year.
Some EUR 62bn was invested into industrial real estate across Europe, marking a 79% increase on the previous
Marcus de Minckwitz, Head of
John Palmer, Head of industrial In-
five year average. The UK (EUR 19.5bn)
Industrial & Logistics, Savills EMEA, sug
vestment, Savills Poland, says: – The ware
outperformed the rest of the continent
gests – Market fundamentals have been
house market in Poland is recording
and accounted for 31% of total invest
hugely favourable for the sector in recent
record-breaking figures. This trend is set
ment activity. Germany (EUR 8.6bn),
years, and they will continue to underpin
to continue if not accelerate in 2022 and
France (EUR 6.5bn) and Sweden (EUR
another strong performance for the year
beyond. Investor appetite remains strong
5.8bn) and the Netherlands (EUR 5.7bn)
ahead. Our European Logistics Census
for both income producing assets and
also recorded strong levels.
last year indicated that 46% of occupi
portfolios and forward funding of new
Savills research also noted that in
ers anticipate that they will increase their
developments.. Poland offers competitive
vestment into industrial assets accounted
warehouse floor space over the next 12
labour rates, FDI incentives, an efficient
for 66% of European omnichannel invest
months, among the highest in the online
planning and building permitting system;
ment in 2021, up from 47% in 2019, as
retail sector. With such constrained sup
and all this is backed by growing domes
investors were willing to pay premiums
ply, we expect to see increased develop
tic consumer spending. The dynamics of
to gain exposure to the sector.
ment in the sector, despite rising con
the occupier is changing with require
– The trend for customers shifting
struction costs, as well as appetite for
ments increasingly focused on quali
to online shopping throughout the pan
assets in non-core locations as inves
ty, sustainable and ESG focused proper
demic triggered the e-commerce boom,
tors move up the risk curve in search of
ties, professionally managed by long-
which has been a major catalyst for
higher returns.
term landlords.
this sector’s growth – comments Mike Barnes, Savills European Research. – So far it has shown little sign of slow ing, even as restrictions have lifted and, as a result, the significant weight of capi tal targeting these assets has compressed prime yields by an average of 27bps to 4.20% over the last six months. Portugal, Spain and Finland have hardened by 50 bps each. This demand is clearly represented by the unprecedented levels of leasing activity in the industrial sector across Europe last year, with take up reach ing 38m sq m, 28% ahead of the previ ous five year average. Germany (8.6m sq m), the Netherlands (6.9m sq m)
60
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
CYBERCENTER COMES TO KATOWICE configuring systems and handing over projects, to day-to-day support to protect an organization’s data, assets and identity. – To keep our clients’ data and assets protected against constantly evolving threats, Capgemini’s Cyber Defense Centers are designed to equip organizations with the best components and resources they need to prevent, detect, and respond to security incidents. Powered by innovative solutions, Capgemini’s pools of certified cybersecurity experts across the world provide clients with improved resilience, and comprehensive intelligence to secure their critical infrastructures – said Geert Capgemini has opened a Cyber Defense
The Katowice-based CDC will be
Center (CDC), expanding the Groups CDC
tasked with securing infrastructure sys
van der Linden, Cybersecurity Business
network. It is the first such center in
tems across a wide range of sectors.
The Polish Center in Katowice,
Eastern Europe and will play a strategic
The company’s specialists will secure end-
located in the Face2Face Business Cam
role in protecting critical infrastructure
to-end project support, from transitioning
pus office building completes thirteen
across the territory, as well as globally.
and migrating cyber security processes,
CDCs Capgemini’s existing network.
Lead at Capgemini.
VILNIUS DEDICATED FINANCIAL TIMES AWARD TO KYIV Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, has
innovative ideas, and solutions, benefit
To participate in said categories,
just received a prestigious award by
ing the residents, investors, scientists,
Vilnius submitted an application, which
fDI Intelligence, a specialist division of
and entrepreneurs.
contained pandemic management re
the Financial Times, for first place in fDI
This year the capital of Lithuania
view, descriptions of current and past
Strategy and second place in the Mid-Size
made it to the top 10 in other sub-cate
investments, sustainability initiatives,
European Cities category of European
gories of this group, ranking third in Eco
and tourism promotion activities. The city
Cities and Regions of the Future 2022/2023
nomic Potential as well as Human Capi
also listed biotechnology, ICT/fintech,
ranking. However, as a gesture of relent
tal and Lifestyle, as opposed to the fifth
and laser technology as their three main
less Lithuanian camaraderie, the city dedi-
place last year. It also secured the sixth
growth sectors with great potential for
cated the award to the war-afflicted Kyiv,
spot in Business Friendliness.
inward investment and post-pandemic
the capital of Ukraine.
In the Small European Regions of
economic recovery.
During the award ceremony which
the Future category, Vilnius was named
fDi Intelligence produces the Euro
celebrated the most entrepreneurial,
fifth. The capital also earned the seventh
pean Cities and Regions of the Future
financially, and economically advanced
spot in the Economic Potential sub-cate
rankings every two years in order to dis
cities and was held at the world’s biggest
gory, ninth in Human Capital and Life
tinguish the best locations for business
property event MIPIM in Cannes, Remi
style, tenth in Cost-Effectiveness, and
development and investment.
gijus Šimašius, Mayor of Vilnius, took
the sixth spot in Business Friendliness.
the opportunity to commend Ukraine for its resistance in the war. – When I was collecting the award, I voiced out a phrase printed on my t-shirt: on behalf of Vilnius, we dedicate this award to Kyiv – the European capi tal of the future in all aspects – said Mr. Šimašius. According to the Mayor, both Vil nius residents and Lithuanian citizens can be rightfully proud of their capital, which is continuously focused on growth,
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
61
INVESTMENTS
Trends, Pros, and Cons of BPO destinations in 2022 Interview with Peter Ryan from Ryan Strategic Advisory.
Wiktor Doktór, Pro Progressio: The BPO
shows that Colombia and Bulgaria need
Latin America is a crucial part of
and CX (Customer Experience) worlds
to be top of mind. Bottom line is that there
the BPO offshore puzzle. There is hardly
are changing every day. The same is
are a lot of shifting sands when it comes
a day that goes by when you don’t hear
also true regarding the global location
to offshoring and what is seen to be a top
about Colombia as one of the most in-
trends for the BPO and CX companies.
destination one year can fall apart in
-demand destinations for both US and
What has 2021 been like in this regard?
a matter of months.
European Spanish. Equally, Mexico’s
Peter Ryan, Ryan Strategic Advisory: If anything 2021 showed that there is still a great of disruption in the BPO space globally. The return to ‘normal’ never occurred the way it was supposed, while the appetite for new delivery destina tions continued at a frenetic pace. Equally,
Bottom line is that 2021 indicates that the BPO space is likely to continue no clear patterns or trends in 2022, until there is a line in the sand where the global economy is going in a post-COVID world.
acquisitions were notable and aplenty too. Bottom line is that 2021 indicates that
Let’s take a closer look at Asia. India has
value just keeps getting more and more
the BPO space is likely to continue no clear
been the top BPO destination for a very
important, given its status as the nearest
patterns or trends in 2022, until there is
long time, often closely followed by
of the nearshore in the American con
a line in the sand where the global eco-
the Philippines. Broadly speaking, how
text. A true Cinderella story is Honduras,
nomy is going in a post-COVID world.
is Asia viewed as a BPO/CX delivery des-
which overcame great odds a decade ago
tination and/or an offshoring location?
to become perhaps the most-sought after
At Ryan Strategic Advisory you have
It is still seen as a very high caliber
conducted a number of very interesting
destination, one that is scalable and that
studies in 2021. Some have presented
has great talent. Take India for a moment.
Let’s move to Africa. For a long time
the global CX and BPO preferences.
My last business trip prior to the pan
it was either Morocco or Egypt when
What, according to your research, are
demic was to Mumbai and Bangalore.
the subject of outsourcing to Africa
the top 5 destinations BPO and CX com-
What an amazing country. Equally,
came up. But Africa is changing as
panies should consider in 2022?
the Philippines retains a great deal of
well. According to your research South
Well, this is a tough one because
value in key demand markets. Let’s also
Africa is the top-performing outsour
what ‘should be’ and ‘what are’ can be
not forget Malaysia, which is a mainstay
cing destination that should be taken
two very different things. That said, our
of offshore activity for pan-Asia cam
into consideration. Is this right?
research is showing continued interest in
paigns, and for the ever-important Aus
South Africa (the most preferred desti
tralia / New Zealand market.
nation for BPO buyers in 2021), Jamaica,
62
Central American BPO option.
South Africa can be considered the most mature BPO delivery point in sub-Saharan Africa, there is no question
Egypt and Poland. India cannot be coun-
That’s Asia covered. What does the situ-
on this. The country has attracted out
ted out either. That said, according to our
ation in South and Latin America look
sourcers from around the world, due
most recent study assessing how outsour-
like? I heard some great stories about
to a focus on quality labor, strong Eng
cers in nearshore / offshore locations feel
such outsourcing destinations like
lish skills and a dynamic industry. That
about where they are operating from
Colombia, Mexico or Costa Rica.
said, this is not to mean there aren’t
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
challenges. Stability in South Africa
Central & Eastern Europe than ever
is under close scrutiny, especially fol
before. Not just the established destina
lowing the sad events in Durban and
tions but also some of the more up and
Johannesburg several months ago.
coming countries that include Croatia,
Equally, the country’s electricity grid
Republic of Georgia, Slovenia and Alba
is also a point of contention and rightly
nia. The opportunity to source value-
so. Unless South Africa can ensure
-driven partners and solid language skills
improvements in the power supply,
in some of these emerging destinations
BPOs will be forced to look elsewhere.
knows no bounds. Watch this space for
South Africa can be considered the most mature BPO delivery point in sub-Saharan Africa, there is no question on this. Last but not least – Europe. What’s
more interest and activity in the emer
the story on Europe and, more speci
ging Central & Eastern European coun
fically, countries like Poland, Roma-
tries in 2022.
nia, Lithuania or Bulgaria? Can we expect more outsourcing focus on
Peter, thank you. It will be great to lis-
this part of the world in 2022? What
ten to you during The BSS Forum orga
are the main benefits of Europe as
nized in Tricity, Poland on April 7th,
a business destination?
2022. I’m already looking forward to
Absolutely – I have had more en
your presentation.
quiries come across my desk about
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
63
INVESTMENTS
A multifunctional ecosystem in Oliwa
We talk to Bogusław Wieczorek, Management Board Representative for Public Relations at Olivia Centre about the projects implemented and developed within the centre, and also about successes achieved in 2021.
FOCUS ON Business: Last year was
Olivia with the maximum score of 25
from pathogenic microorganisms, and
full of new investments, openings and
points out of a possible 25, in 22 basic and
in addition, the level of air filtration was
awards. Attention is drawn, among
3 additional categories related to innova
raised to the highest level available (from
others, by the award that named
tion in the field of employee safety and
G4 to F7).
Olivia Centre as the safest business
well-being.
centre in the world. What made you win this title?
This is not the end of the awards
No other facility in the world has
we are proud of. The jubilee jury of
obtained such high marks so far. Such
the 20 th edition of CIJ Awards Poland
Bogusław Wieczorek, Manage-
a result was possible only thanks to
awarded Olivia Garden – the tropical gar
ment Board Representative for Public
the commitment to the implementation
den opened in May 2021 on the ground
Relations at Olivia Centre: All thanks
of the most modern safety solutions: air
floor of Olivia Star, with a victory in
to the Well Health Safety Rating, con
handling units were equipped with air
the Best Interior / Exterior Design cate
ducted by 600 scientists from around
ionizers that purify the air in buildings
gory. In an exotic garden with 8,720 m³ of
the world, cooperating with the Inter
removing fungi, viruses and allergens. In
green space, there are 3,000 plants, some
national Well Building Institute in New
the common areas, active titanium coat
even 11 meters high, comprising 150 spe
York, which in March 2021 awarded
ings were used, creating surfaces free
cies from 4 continents. Importantly, it is
Olivia Centre.
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Focus on Business | March–April 2022
a place inspired by residents. In 2018, dur
over 12,000 people, companies and 3,000
for Tai Chi classes organized by the local
ing workshops, employees of companies
non-business signatories in over 160
association Park On, the organization
located in Olivia indicated that they want
countries. Together with this organiza
of a sports and educational path at
a natural, green oasis in order to fully
tion, in March 2022 one of our annual
the Primary School No. 35 in Oliwa and
regenerate, regain energy and stimulate
awards will be presented – the Olivia
the Christmas Festival, organized on
creativity during breaks at work.
Prize Eco. Together with the UNGC, we
the market square in Oliwa by the Tri-City
will reward the initiatives that protect
NGO’s called Inicjatywa Miasto. For years,
Does this mean that concern for human
the environment and promote environ
we have been supporting the Kropelka
safety and comfort has set the main
mental responsibility by employees of
Energii campaign, under which blood is
directions of the company's activity?
companies from the Olivia Centre.
donated. This year 150 liters have been
It certainly had a huge influence on them. We are also active in the field of ecology. In January, we announced the implementation of a new environ mental policy and social responsibility standards, creating initiatives to raise environmental awareness among our employees and residents, as well as participating in educational campaigns
The jury of the 20th edition of CIJ Awards Poland awarded Olivia Garden with a victory in the Best Interior / Exterior Design category. In an exotic garden with 8,720 m³ of green space, there are 3,000 plants, some even 11 meters high, comprising 150 species from 4 continents.
contributing to the spread of good ESG
Olivia is also engaging in various acti
collected, and the total number of edi
practices. At the end of the year, our com
vities in corporate social responsibility
tions has already reached 45.
pany joined the United Nations Global
area. What was achieved in this field
Compact (UNGC) which emphasizes our
in 2021?
commitment to care for the natural envi
We also take care of the good shape and development of our employees' pas
We are involved in many initiatives
sion. In 2021, a volleyball court was built
that create an active, integrated commu
next to Olivia, residents had numerous
The United Nations Global Com
nity. For example, we support the resi
opportunities to sail around Gdańsk Bay
pact was founded in 2000 and is now
dents of the Gdańsk district by organizing
as part of the Olivia Yacht Club, not only
the largest corporate sustainable devel
the Oliwa Neighborhood Budget every
in the season, but practically during
opment initiative in the world, involving
year. This year, funding was obtained
the entire year. There are also clubs
ronment and its resources.
INVESTMENTS
Arco by Paco Perez Restaurant. Photo: IHIL Ivo Ledwożyw.
related to employees' private passions
festival, which for years has attracted
cooperation with the largest Polish com
in the centre. The running club prepared
thousands of residents of the district to
mercial banks results in a safe and diver
its members to participate in numerous
street fairs, cultural events and street
sified financing structure of the Olivia
marathons and half-marathons as well
parades. This year, the choir recorded
Centre project.
as several ultra-marathons, also taking
their first music video, and preparations
The year 2021 was also the time to
place in the Tri-City Landscape Park adja
for the release of their debut album will
start new investments in the area of hou
cent to Olivia. Lovers of outdoor recre
soon begin.
sing construction. @Home has been built
ation took part in over 30 hiking and
in Gdańsk Zaspa. It’s one of the most eco
biking tours, organized as part of the Ex
And what was the past year like from
logical residential buildings in the Tri-
pedition Club.
a business point of view?
-City, which will be intended for longterm rental. The essence of the invest
Olivia Centre is much more than just a space to work. On the top floors of Olivia Star there are prestigious restaurants run by Paco Perez, winner of 5 Michelin stars, a public observation deck and a conference centre.
ment is the Scandinavian way of think ing about energy efficiency and minimiz ing the necessary natural resources that were used during construction. @Home is a five-storey building, which was built on Rzeczypospolitej Street in Gdańsk. Its representative entrance zone, facade
66
During the year 12 photography
We definitely also have something
and common spaces will be decorated
workshops were organized, during which
to celebrate in terms of commercializa
with graphics by Seikon, a mural artist,
the employees of companies from Olivia
tion of the space. 36 thousand sq m in
painter and sculptor who comes from
had the opportunity to develop their urban,
signed contracts, with 18 thousand sq m
Gdańsk and is recognized in Poland and
portrait and business photography skills.
of the newly acquired space make the last
around the world. In this way, the build
The workshop ended with an exhibition
year the second best since the beginning
ing fits in with the local tradition of deco
of the best works in the main lobby of
of the project in 2010. Most contracts
rating the facades of buildings and cre
Olivia Star. However, one of our most
included extension of existing contracts,
ating an open-air gallery of large-for
original initiatives is the choir, which
which shows how positively the presence
mat paintings. Each of the functionally
brings together the employees of a dozen
in Olivia is received by her current resi
designed premises at @Home will be fully
or so companies based there. For a long
dents, who, even in such dynamic times,
equipped and furnished. Also the inte
time their performances have graced
decide to stay in the current location.
rior design comes from The Design Ana
not only the events in the centre, but
Importantly, we also enjoyed great inte
tomy studio, the award wining com
also important events for the local com
rest from investors. Bond issues in 2021
pany which designed many office and
munity, such as the Oliwa Viva Oliwa
ended in oversubscription. Our long-term
recreational spaces in the Olivia Centre,
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
Conference centre, 34th floor. Photo: IHIL Ivo Ledwożyw.
the interior of the Olivia Star observation
hugely popular attractions that attract
This shows how unique and multi-func
floor and the conference and event cen
crowds of tourists, lovers of excel
tional the building is.
tre on the 34th floor of this building. Long-
lent cuisine, and also fans of Polish
term rental will also be one of the vari
music at its best. Last year, two nights
ants of the offer for our residents, who
in the Olivia Stars series took place on
more and more often relocate their
the 34th floor of Olivia Star. These are
employees to the Tri-City, often with their
prestigious evenings, during which there
entire families. Currently, the recruit
were concerts by Krzysztof Zalewski
ment level in our office centre residents
and Daria Zawiałow, tasting of exclu
reaches nearly 2 thousand positions, so
sive types of alcohol, culinary shows by
the building located near the business
chefs and an afterparty at a height of
centre is another important convenience
130 meters above the ground.
for recruited employees.
Olivia Centre, in the difficult, second year of the COVID-19 pandemic,
In common understanding, a busi-
used the time to increase its attractive
ness centre is associated with a work-
ness for tenants, Tri-City residents and
place. How is the concept of multi-func-
tourists by creating a project unique on
tional, user-friendly space that is open
a European scale, in which the largest
to the city, implemented at Olivia Cen-
global corporations open their head
tre, perceived by tenants, residents
quarters, but also in which micro-com
and guests?
panies thrive in the O4 coworking space,
Olivia Centre is much more than
located across 4 buildings of the com
just a space to work. On the top floors
plex. In 2021, Olivia Star manag ers
of Olivia Star there are prestigious res
received the award of the Marshal
taurants run by Paco Perez, winner of
of the Pomeranian Voivodeship for
5 Michelin stars, a public observation
the tourist offer created on its top floors.
Thank you for the interview.
Olivia Centre, in the difficult, second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, used the time to increase its attractiveness for tenants, Tri-City residents and tourists by creating a project unique on a European scale.
deck and a conference centre. These are
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
67
INVESTMENTS
Lithuanian GBS ecosystem fully embraces ESG practices Text | Kasparas Butkus
Standing for Environmental, Social, and Governance factors, ESG is a framework that covers a wide range of sustainability issues across three verticals. The framework gained traction after the successful “Who Cares Wins” program by the UN Global Compact, a voluntary initiative based on CEO commitments to implement universal sustainability principles. The core elements of the ESG framework revolve around reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollution, improving social justice, human rights, as well as fair wages and benefits of employees. In this article, I’d like to show the many ways that Lithuania’s Global Business Services (GBS) sector has embraced this progressive framework.
Photo: Matas Jankauskas.
THEORY IN PRACTICE In Lithuania, where the business com munity is tight-knit and best practices spread quickly and efficiently, the ESG framework has gained massive ground in the last couple of years. First of all, we see many examples of policy-oriented research happening in the country. For instance, Lithuania’s Agency for Scien ce, Innovation, and Technology (MITA) opened its Sustainable Economy and Ana lytics centre in September 2021. The cen tre is already focusing on the digitalisa tion of industry, circular economy prin ciple, strategic value chains, and the use of green hydrogen. Research aside, we see multiple enterprises in Lithuania showcasing their strong commitment to the ESG frame work and UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At the same time, actions taken in Lithuania-based branches and departments have a truly global impact. A good example of this is Danske Bank Lithuania, which employs over 4,000 talented specialists who develop banking products, services and ensure the smooth day-to-day operations of the entire Dan ske Bank Group. In addition to a myriad of other functions, Danske Bank Lithuania also helps the Group achieve its sustainabi lity goals. Danske Bank has a sustaina bility risk methodology embedded into
68
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
the way they analyse investments and
been popularising the idea of impact
includes representatives from several
make evidence-based decisions. By tak
measurement for startups. Launched
major players of the Lithuanian GBS sec
ing not just financial, but also ESG fac
in 2021, their Rockit Impact Accelerator
tor – Cognizant, Moody’s, and Nasdaq.
tors into account, the Nordic bank gains
2.0 is the first B2B accelerator in Lithua
The structure of Lithuania’s ESG
greater insights into their investments
nia that matches positive-impact start
strategy is multifaceted. While global mar
and can identify sustainability risks and
ups with top industry companies to scale
ket leaders such as Danske Bank, Moody’s,
investment opportunities.
sustainable solutions.
Nasdaq and Cognizant drive the imple
In the long-lasting quest for ESG
mentation part of the process, the pub
EVERY LITTLE ACTION MATTERS
implementation, the academia also
lic domain and the academia function as
“If you want to change the world, start
played a crucial role. Especially, institu
the central pillar of support. By combi-
with yourself” is a quote attributed to
tions like ISM University – one of the main
ning the efforts of the leaders of the pri
Mahatma Gandhi. The saying perfectly
management institutes in the Baltic
vate sector, as well as the bright ideas
encapsulates the actions taken by many
region. In 2022, ISM established its own
of start-ups, academia and the support
global companies that are embracing
ESG Council that will help disseminate
of government bodies, Lithuania moves
the ESG framework and other sustainabi
the ideas of sustainable governance in
closer towards collective conscientious
lity practices. Let’s take a look at a couple
the country. Unsurprisingly, the Council
ness for social and environmental factors.
of examples from Lithuania. Telia Global Services Lithuania, for instance, already
Photo: Andrius Aleksandravicius.
reached a 100% renewable energy goal for its office in 2021, an achievement that many will seek to emulate in the future. Interestingly, Telia had also previously pioneered sustainability reporting in the country, being one of the first com panies to start following this practice in 2006. By the way, soon it is going to be even easier to go green in Lithua nia, as the country is planning an off shore 700 MW wind farm able to gene rate a yearly output of 2.5–3 TW/h. That’s almost a quarter of the country’s needs! In addition to focusing on their environmental footprint, Telia also encourages employee initiatives that are geared to community outreach (another impor
Photo: Andrius Aleksandravicius.
tant aspect of the ESG framework). One of the long-lasting initiatives of this sort is EduCare – an outreach program meant to educate young children about ways to safely navigate the online space. When it comes to corporate social responsibility, similar programs and initia- tives are becoming more and more com mon in Lithuania’s GBS sector. According to an annual industry survey conducted by Invest Lithuania, the share of GBS cen tres carrying out CSR activities has almost doubled between 2018 and 2020 — from 38% to 68%.
KNOWLEDGE-SHARING IS KEY TO LONG-LASTING CHANGE Sharing knowledge on sustainability practices is crucial for successful adop tion. In Lithuania, we see more knowl edge sharing spaces emerge each year.
Author Kasparas Butkus | Investment Advisor, GBS & ICT, Invest Lithuania
One of them, Rockit Vilnius – Home of Fintech and Sustainable Innovation – has
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
69
INVESTMENTS
The interview was conducted a few days before the start of the Russian military invasion of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian IT industry is thriving
Ukraine is very successful IT hub and one of the largest exporters of IT services in Europe. We talk about sector’s structure, growth and initiatives with Konstantin Vasyuk, Executive Director of the IT Ukraine Association.
FOCUS ON Business: Ukraine is well
Ukraine is a 44.13 million nation
USD 2,800 in the above-mentioned cities,
known as the IT business destina-
with a gigantic IT talent pool dissemi
the data underlines the high level of spe
tion. What is the size of the industry
nated throughout its territories. The big
cialists’ proficiency with no correlation to
in the beginning of 2022?
gest cities have had highly evolved Tech
the areas and the clients’ indifference to
Konstantin Vasyuk, Executive
communities for years and are conti
the location of IT specialists itself.
Director of the IT Ukraine Association:
nuing their development as the local
Overall Ukraine is providing high-
2021 became a year of substantial growth,
population strives to tie their lives with
-class professionals and is creating the per-
the Ukrainian Tech sector has been mas
the world of IT. On the other hand, small
fect environment settings for the ongoing
sively expanding over the last 25 years
and medium-sized cities are also not
expansion of IT ecosystems.
and for the first time in its history, the IT
being neglected and have been notori
industry is no longer a niche sector, but
ous for forming IT hubs in recent years.
The IT Ukraine Association has recent-
instead a very broad and diversified one.
Currently, there are 21 active IT clusters
ly completed the important report des-
It encompasses almost 300,000 thousand
operating across the country, formed to
cribing IT Industry. What are the main
professionals with 54% of Ukrainian high
create horizontal communities between
outcomes from that report?
school students surveying that they want
local IT companies, educational institu
to work in IT.
tions, and legal and financial advisors.
Over the last few years, the IT industry has undergone many changes.
Each year Ukrainian universities and non-formal education institutions prepare around 16-17 thousand new bachelors and 10-12 thousand new IT specialists respectively. The increased interest of applicants to the specialty and state financing of training will make the number of universities’ graduates
The Ukrainian Tech sector has been massively expanding over the last 25 years and for the first time in its history, the IT industry is no longer a niche sector, but instead a very broad and diversified one.
soar to 23 thousand in 2025. The “Com
70
puter Science” and “Software Enginee
Kyiv serves as the primary busi
Therefore, the Association together with
ring” majors of Ukrainian universities
ness location for the IT industry due to
key stakeholders decided to conduct
alone have attracted more than 80 thou
its attractive opportunities and active
a comprehensive study that would show
sand applications from prospective stu
population, the most prominent IT hubs
what Ukrainian IT looks like today, and
dents. However, the size really speaks for
following the capital are Kharkiv, Lviv,
why Ukraine is a very promising player
itself when we take a look at the impact
Dnipro, and Odesa. These are the areas
in the region as an IT hub. The Ukraine
it has had on Ukraine’s economy over
present on radar screens of the majority
IT report 2021 provides a lot of engross
all – over $6,8 billion made from service
of IT companies operating in Ukraine or
ing information, for instance, in 2021,
export in 2021 and, statistically, gene
considering to enter the Ukrainian mar
the Ukrainian IT sector grew by 36%
rating 1,5 times more export revenue
ket. Here, the number of IT specialists
from USD 5 billion to USD 6.8 billion in
than the mechanical engineering indus
living in the cities ranges from almost 100
exports, it already tops the list of ser
try in 2020.
thousand in Kyiv to just a bit more than
vice exporters and generates more than
a dozen thousand in Odesa. However,
4% of Ukraine’s GDP. At the same time,
What are the main business locations
what does not differ as much through
the number of specialists increased from
and how the IT industry is organized
out the regions is the median income of
244 thousand to 285 thousand. Thus, over
in Ukraine?
IT specialists. Varying from USD 2,600 to
the past three years, the industry has
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
more than doubled in exports and has
(40% of exports) and Great Britain (10%),
digitization, production, and business
grown by more than 50% in the num
followed by Malta, Israel, Cyprus, Ger
process automation services, across
ber of specialists. Now Ukraine is one
many, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Ca-
the entire spectrum of the economy.
of the largest exporters of IT services in
nada, and Denmark. They are represented
The IT sector is quite diverse, as well as
Europe. The above-mentioned attests to
by diverse companies ranging from big
the services provided by it. Ukrainian
a small fraction of the report where you
corporations looking for specific IT solu
companies have competencies in e-com
can also find both short-term (up to one
tions to SMEs considering to outsource
merce, banking & fintech, pharmtech
year) assessments and medium-term
individuals for separate projects. Now
& healthcare, logistics, media & enter
(until 2025) forecasts for the development
Ukraine continues to develop sustainable
tainment, education, and so on. Defi
of the IT industry, specialized education,
partnerships also with Asian countries,
nitely, it’s not a full list because reason
as well as a comparison of Ukraine as
the Middle East and the African region.
ably everything can’t be named here,
an IT hub with the neighboring coun tries. The study also presents data on the state of the office real estate market and the impact of COVID-19 on the for mat of work of the companies. What is the profile of an international client of IT suppliers in Ukraine? International clients of Ukraine IT
In 2021, the Ukrainian IT sector grew by 36% from USD 5 billion to USD 6.8 billion in exports, it already tops the list of service exporters and generates more than 4% of Ukraine’s GDP. At the same time, the number of specialists increased from 244 thousand to 285 thousand.
services are buyers prominently located
The business clients of Ukrainian
however, Ukrainian developers provide
in the European region and North Ame
Tech are from both the private and pub
splendid solutions for businesses’ needs
rica, the main growth drivers are the USA
lic sectors. They are on the lookout for
in all sectors of the economy.
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
71
INVESTMENTS
Every year Ukraine hosts important IT
• U Tomorrow Summit – a yearly meet
events – what are they and where are
ing of leading senior executives of
they organized?
the Eastern European innovative com
• Synergy. IT Business & IT Education.
management of the Ukrainian outsour cing service industry.
Being quite a big country and
panies, venture investors, tech start
The biggest specialized conference in
having a highly developed IT infrastruc
ups, prominent intellectuals and jour
Ukraine that drives IT Education deve-
ture, Ukraine is a host to many state and
nalists in order to develop partnerships,
lopment. Since 2014, IT Ukraine Asso
international events. Working on the IT
find new opportunities to scale business
ciation has been gathering representa
market requires businesses and profes
and identify global trends, hosted by
tives of government, business and edu
sionals to exchange information quickly
UNIT.City, the largest innovation park
cational institutions on a single plat
and steadily. In addition, the diversity
in Eastern Europe.
form to boost IT Education. These are just a few of the confe
Working on the IT market requires businesses and professionals to exchange information quickly and steadily. In addition, the diversity of the IT industry in Ukraine creates a strong demand for events that allow a free exchange of experience and ideas. of the IT industry in Ukraine creates
• Lviv IT Arena – an annual event in Lviv
a strong demand for events that allow
that brings together developers, mana
a free exchange of experience and ideas.
gers and business owners to share expe
Hundreds of conferences and meetups
• iForum – an annual conference dedi
try in business communication and pro
cated to Internet business, techno
fessional growth, and thousands of online
logy, and startups. The event has been
and offline seminars and lectures ensure
held in Kyiv since 2009 and is annually
the relevance of knowledge and skills of
attended by tens of thousands of people.
specialists of all levels. Some of the main
• Kyiv Outsourcing Forum – a forum
events are:
72
riences and discuss new trends.
annually meet the needs of the IT indus
rences Ukraine invites you to. Come, see them with your own eyes, feel the atmos phere, become a part of the community, and join our journey to great success. That sounds highly appealing. Thank you very much for the interview. The Ukraine IT Report 2021 – a national study on what the IT industry is like today and what its prospects are for the future, is available here:
that annually gathers the owners and
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
INVESTMENTS
Elbląg's investment diversity
Elbląg is a city of many successful domestic and foreign investments. The business are thriving, among others, due to their location, Elblag’s growing infrastructure potential, good university base and support for investors from the local authorities. We asked representatives of two entities that make up the city's business fabric: the Polish geoinformatics Research and Development Center OPEGIEKA and the global BPO leader – Transcom Worldwide, about how they perceive their presence and development prospects in Elbląg.
MADE IN POLAND – OPEGIEKA FOCUS ON Business: OPEGIEKA in Elbląg dates back more than 30 years. How has the company's activity evolved during that time? Adam Augustynowicz, President of the Management Board, OPEGIEKA: Thirty years ago, we were a branch of a geodesic and cartographic company from Gdańsk. In 1989, through its com mercialisation, the present OPEGIEKA in Elbląg was established. At that time, we were involved in land surveying, land register maps, master maps, maps for design purposes, divisions of land plots. We still carry out many of these activities, but in a more modern form of course. In the 1990s we started new activities such as IT, cartography, photogrammetry and GPS measurements. It was a result of the development of IT and measurement techniques. In 2009, we decided to transform the company into a research and deve lopment centre. It was a breakthrough moment not only for our company, as it was the time when the opportunity to benefit from EU funds arose. The first grants were used to create a base for future innovation activities. In the follow ing years, we invested in airborne plat forms, cloud computing, drone techno logies and machine learning. To date, we have completed a total of 20 R&D&I grants co-financed from national contests of the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBiR), Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (PARP), Regional
74
Adam Augustynowicz, President of the Management Board, OPEGIEKA.
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
Operational Programmes (ROP) as well
the key issue for us. Of course telework
A communication barrier for our air
as H2020 and ESA European contests.
is possible, but direct contact, creating
crafts is the lack of a paved runway at
Since 2013 we have maintained the sta
new ideas in teams, creating innovations
our airport.
tus of Research and Development Centre
are important in our work, because they
granted to us by the Minister of Economy.
translate into work efficiency and com
What are the company's further deve
pany competitiveness.
lopment plans? What else will it sur-
In 2021, by the decision of the Com
prise us with?
mission for the Evaluation of Science,
I think that a common saying is still
we were recognised as a scientific unit
true among Elbląg residents: 'The grass is
It is not easy to answer the ques
belonging to the system of higher educa
always greener on the other side'. I think
tion about future plans, because the envi
tion and science in Poland, just like uni
that the opinions of outsiders, people who
ronment in which we operate is changing
versities and institutes. The research and
come here for a while only, like our cus
rapidly. Technology is changing, competi
science element has become our trade
tomers and subcontractors, but also those
tion is growing. All this affects the direc
mark on the market and drives our inno
who decide to stay here for longer, like
tions of development of the technology
vative approach. It is also an opportunity
some of our employees, are more unbi
company that we want to be. For our
for those who would like to pursue not
ased. The first group appreciates easy
plans the ability to adapt quickly to new
only a business career but also a science
access via the S7 road, the greenery
conditions is fundamental. In recent
career path.
in the city and of course the boat trip
years, we have invested a lot in tech
along the slipways. The second, i.e. our
nology, while putting aside soft matters such as organisation, promotion and
At that time, we were involved in land surveying, land register maps, master maps, maps for design purposes, divisions of land plots. We still carry out many of these activities, but in a more modern form of course. What is the company currently focu
employees, appreciate the peaceful life,
sing on and what is the significance of
lack of traffic jams, proximity to the sea,
its location in Elbląg in this context?
the Tricity, lack of problems with access
We currently focus on remote sen sing, information technology and land
to schools or kindergartens, and competi tive real estate prices.
surveying activities in business and scien
We are glad that we are able to pro
tific context. We are involved in the cap
vide a very interesting and modern work
ture of airborne data, the construction of
place here, which makes people even
information systems and the digitisation
from big cities decide to move to Elbląg,
of map resources. We have three photo
sometimes with their whole families.
HR. I hope that this year we will com plete a number of activities addressed to internal needs of the company and we will work on our corporate image and building international relations.
In my opinion, the role of geospatial information will continue to grow. Location and navigation are already commonplace today. But the most interesting is yet to come.
grammetric aircrafts, with the fourth one taking delivery in March this year. We have the latest airborne laser scan ners, large-format aerial cameras, obli que cameras, thermal cameras, our own datacenter-tier processing centre, a con fidential office, and we are developing our own technologies using geographi cal information systems, big data and artificial intelligence. We have IT specialists who develop complex systems using geoportals, e-ser vices or mobile applications. We have land surveyors who handle investments and create geodatabases. We use really high-tech, advanced and automated tech nologies on a daily basis, but the essence and advantage in our business is the cre ative work of people and their compe tences. Technology can be built or bought. But how to attract and keep interesting and talented people to work in Elbląg is
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
75
INVESTMENTS
Main office of OPEGIEKA in Elbląg.
This is a result of the development of Industry 4.0 concept, and the increasing digitalisation of our lives. In order for robots or autonomous vehicles to move, digital spatial awareness and precise 3D models are necessary. They are also necessary for public administrations to optimise management, development and implementation of e-services. We are working to ensure that our data, images and maps are understood not only by humans but also by machines, so that they can be retrieved, processed and analysed automatically. In Poland we are already an interesting place to work, where you can ‘touch’ the latest techno logies in the field of obtaining and pro
We are also looking for further develop
administration and everyday life, they
cessing aerial data, creating IT systems,
ment opportunities in the fields of IT and
are built-in in our phones. But the most
building mobile applications, cloud com
ICT, as well as aerial and satellite remote
interesting is yet to come. Until recently,
puting technology, big data or machine
sensing.
we were talking about the idea of a smart
learning. It is time for the company from
In my opinion, the role of geospatial
city. Today we are talking about digital
Elbląg to be heard more about in Europe
information will continue to grow. Loca
twin, that is, accurate and digitalised
and beyond.
tion and navigation are already common
models of the reality around us, digital
place today. We use them in business,
models of entire cities or even countries.
Thank you for interview.
INTERNATIONAL ACCENT – TRANSCOM WORLDWIDE FOCUS ON Business: Elbląg is another location for your
What is the main scope of your activities and how does
operations in Poland and the second one in the Warmiń
the city fit into your business strategy?
sko-Mazurskie province. What convinced Transcom to enter Elbląg?
Transcom Worldwide is one of the global leaders in the sector of business services outsourcing that operates cus
Piotr Ćwikliński, Client Service Manager, Transcom:
tomer service centres for clients in various industries in 25
That's right, Elbląg is the fourth location of Transcom World
countries worldwide. We provide support in 33 different lan
wide in Poland (after Olsztyn, Gdańsk and Białystok – currently
guages from over 60 branches, where we employ over 28,000
works are underway to build our fifth branch, this time in
consultants. As I mentioned earlier, we currently have four
Poznań), but in a way it has a pioneering and unique character.
branches in Poland, with a fifth on the way. In these branches
As a result of the dynamic development of our projects,
we run projects for leading brands from the telecommuni
we have decided to modify our current strategy of choosing
cations, e-commerce, banking, automotive, household appli
the cities in which we want to establish our offices – we have
ances and many other industries. It is also worth mentioning
decided to use the model of the so called satellite branches – in cities with approx. 100,000 inhabitants, located no further than 100 km from one of the already existing branches. We have analysed a few different cities in Poland that would meet the above criteria and finally we have chosen Elbląg. Today, after almost two years in the city, we can only confirm that it was the right choice. Our decision to locate the future of Transcom Worldwide Poland in Elbląg was largely influenced by excellent connection via the S7 road with our branch in Gdansk, access to a wide selection of job applicants available on the local labour mar ket, the proximity of several universities, which is of course also important for us, since an important element of working for Transcom is the flexibility of working hours, especially appreciated by pupils and students. We also appreciate great support and responsiveness we have received from the local Town Hall and Labour Office.
76
Piotr Ćwikliński, Client Service Manager, Transcom.
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
here that, like many other companies
The goal we set ourselves before
Usually the percentage of employees who
in the industry, since the beginning of
entering Elbląg was to quickly build
express their satisfaction with work in
the COVID-19 pandemic we have been
a strong base of qualified and satis
our Elbląg branch is over 90%.
implementing our projects in a hybrid model, with a large part of our consult ants working remotely. Elbląg fits perfectly into our busi ness strategy in Poland, because we see a great demand for this type of work here – our job offers are very popular from
The goal we set ourselves before entering Elbląg was to quickly build a strong base of qualified and satisfied employees in our company. And I am pleased to say that we have more than fulfilled this goal.
the very beginning and we find here a lot
fied employees in our company. And
Time will tell what the future holds,
of talented and ambitious people who we
I am pleased to say that we have more
but one thing is certain – the experiment
teach from scratch how the work of a pro
than fulfilled this goal: We are currently
with building satellite branches, which
fessional customer consultant should be
using our available office space in almost
we have just started in Elbląg, can be
like – no previous experience is neces
100%, we employ about 80 consultants
considered a big success. It will certainly
sary, what we expect is willingness and
guided by four excellent team leaders.
contribute to choosing other potential
involvement.
As for employee satisfaction, I can also
locations of new Transcom Worldwide
proudly say that Elbląg stands out in this
branches in Poland.
Considering the development path
respect among all our locations – in our
of Transcom in Elbląg, what can we
regular employee satisfaction surveys
expect in the short and long term?
we receive a lot of satisfied votes here.
Thank you for your comments.
More information Promotion, Culture and Tourism Department, Promotion and Entrepreneurship Unit | City Hall of Elbląg Stary Rynek 25 Street, Ratusz Staromiejski, IV floor, room 400, 82-300 Elbląg Phone: +48 55 239 32 90, 55 239 33 17 e-mail: invest@umelblag.pl www.inwestycje.elblag.eu
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
77
INVESTMENTS
Business is doing well in Łódź
Industrial revolution – a term probably used for the first time by the French diplomat Louis-Guillaume Otto in a letter from 1799, describing the first leap of mankind towards new technologies. Back then, people were talking about water wheels, steam engines or power looms that would increase the efficiency in weaving by as much as 40 times. Today, we are already dealing with the fourth industrial revolution – and the words that are constantly repeated are automation and robotization.
At the end of 2021, Business Develop ment and International Relations Bureau
MAŁGORZATA GAWROŃSKA, COMMERCIAL SERVICE CENTER LEADER, AXALTA COATING SYSTEMS POLAND SP. Z O.O.
of the City of Łódź Office has conducted a study on the dynamics of employment. It turned out that in Łódź the number of people working in BSS (Business Ser vices Sector) amounted to nearly thirty thousand.
The opening of our Shared Services Center in Łódź was not a difficult decision, although War
The report focused not only on
saw and Prague were also taken into account. There is
the past but also on the future, presen
already a powder coatings department in Łódź but we did
ting the market demand. It shows that
not have BSS unit. Ultimately, 50 people will be employed
the most, over half a thousand appli
there. Our office employs people from Warsaw, Poznan,
cants, will find a job in Finance and
Sosnowiec, and we even have a friend from the Czech
Accounting Departments. IT, customer
Republic who moved to Łódź for us.
service, logistics and human resource
We have been saying in the company for 150 years
employees are most in-demand, right
that our varnishes are to be durable, efficient and stand
after accounting staff.
out with perfect colors, leaving the smallest possible
Łódź, like it used to be in textile in-
footprint on the environment. This is still the case today
dustry, today has become a leading loca
thanks to R&D centers located in Wuppertal, Philadelphia,
tion on the investment map of the shared
Shanghai, Mt. Clemens.
services sector and business process out
Our office in Opera Park meets the strict standards
sourcing. Why did this happen? Not only
of our US headquarters. We took care of relaxation zones
due to its central location, strong aca
as well as interesting and functional interiors conducive
demic centers educating future staff,
to effective work. We want working at Axalta to give you
but above all thanks to the unique atmos
satisfaction and we want people to associate their future
phere and cultural and entertainment
with it.
events characteristic of this former fac tory town. The maturity of the BPO/SSC sector
Łódź is especially close to me, because it is my city of origin and I am very pleased to say that I contributed to the establishment of the Shared Services Center in my city.
in Łódź is confirmed by the hundredth foreign investor who decided to locate his center here – the company "Axalta", a leading supplier of liquid and powder varnishes.
78
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
However, Łódź is not only an ideal place
to find themselves in the economy of
Nordea (with its center in Łódź) is Busi
to work and live. It is also a city that edu
tomorrow.
ness Process Automation. For its gradu
cates staff for current and future inves
An example of the field of study
ates, terms such as robotization or auto
tors. The universities of Łódź build their
that was created as a result of close
mation will not be secrets, and everyone
education programs in such a way as to
cooperation and exchange of experi
will benefit from their knowledge com
provide practical skills that allow them
ences between the University of Łódź and
bined with enthusiasm and creativity.
DR ARTUR MODLIŃSKI – HEAD OF THE AUTOMATION OF BUSINESS PROCESSES – BPA AND RESEARCH CENTER ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND CYBER COMMUNICATION AT THE FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ŁÓDŹ Who is the field of study addressed to?
three-year study cycle had the same com
with new technologies and foreign experts.
What is RPA?
petences as his / her peer receiving a Bri
So far, classes have been conducted not
tish or American diploma.
only by scientists from Poland, but also
Automatisation Business Process – BPA is directed for all interested in new
from Finland and Italy.
technologies, who would like to find
What is the university-business rela-
themselves in the era of the digital revo
tionship?
What are the possibilities and prospects after completing the course? What
lution. In our studies, we combine digi
The relationship between the Facul
tal competences with inter-team commu
ty of Management and business is the foun-
nication – we allow students to fuse hori
dation for the development of BPA. Thanks
The main places of employment for
zons by involving various experts classes
to the exchange HR and support from
BPA graduates are companies that decide
areas.
companies such as Nordea, DXC, Digital
to introduce robotization and automation
Teammates, Digital Workforce, Fujitsu,
of their processes. Nevertheless, we try to
What does education look like? What
BSH or Mindbox, we are able to provide
make students start their own business
are the practical classes?
our students with the most up-to-date
(including in the consulting area). BPA
A full course in the field of study
knowledge and skills, which are a key
students write a final thesis, but work on
is six semesters, one of which is fully
axis of their development in the era of
a practical project solving a specific prob
devoted to apprenticeships. Most of
the digital revolution.
lem identified in the company or in a spe
the activities are practical. Thanks to
industries can you work in?
cific technological space. This is the time
the accession of the Faculty of Manage
Does the university help in finding
when some of them can develop their own
ment to at the prestigious Blue Prism
internships / jobs and where?
start-ups, and we are willing to support
Academy, students can use the Blue Prism
Students in the fifth semester of
program to create RPA solutions. In our
studies undergo internships – largely in
them in this process.
studies, classes in this program are over
companies associated with them around
Why do you assume that it will be rela
100 hours workshop. During the entire
our Program Council. At the same time,
tively easy to find a job after gradua-
cycle, we place great emphasis on deve
the university practically does not have
tion? Is this field of study promising for
loping soft skills – work in an IT team,
to support them in finding a job – most of
the future?
researching technological needs or pre
them find employment while still study
Business Process Automation is defi
senting your own ideas. English is also
ing. Our students meet with interns from
nitely the field of study of the future. We are
becoming the key language, which is
various companies during each semester
sure our students will find employment
the basis for working in international
– this builds relationships, which often
without any problems – they often manage
technological environment.
result in further professional projects.
to do it while still studying. We talk to our
Has business had an influence on cre-
Who will conduct the classes?
business partners on an ongoing basis and ating the study program?
The teaching staff in the field of BPA
The BPA course was created on
are practitioners from friendly companies,
the initiative of business, and its program
scientists recognized in Poland dealing
we realize that the demand for a BPA grad uate is enormous and in the coming years the trend is not likely change.
was co-created by practitioners and aca demic teachers working at the Faculty of Management (Prof. Tomasz Czapla, Ph.D. Dominika Kaczorowska-Spychalska, Emilian Gwiaździński MA). At the same time, we were drawing good practices from our befriended foreign universi ties, so that a student completing our
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
79
INVESTMENTS
AGNIESZKA BELOWSKA-GOSŁAWSKA, HEAD OF ROBOTICS – DYREKTOR ROBOTYKI, BANK NORDEA ABP In Nordea Bank we have been automating
Łódź and other companies on the mar
business processes for the last 6 years,
ket was to create new faculty: Business
which helped us to increase our custom
Process Automation. I am impressed how
ers satisfaction due to high quality and
quickly and efficiently we managed to
speed of delivered service.
put this concept into practice. The pro
IT area has been developing in
gramme of studies was created by both
a super dynamic way, it is not about years,
great specialists from the University but
months but days that bring new solutions.
also business experts. I am convinced that
The question we all face is not IF but HOW
companies from Łódź region look for
to enter the train called “AUTOMATION”,
ward to employing our future automa
as it will rapidly leave the platform.
tion specialists. Having in mind speedy
While building robotics center of
development of technologies, which will
excellence we focused on training our
in the end change completely job mar
own talents but also we tried to recruit
ket eliminating 30-40% of existing posi
developers from the market. We faced
tions, this profile and faculty guarantees
huge difficulties due to high competition
solid future.
and low supply of employees with those
Additionally I think that building
capabilities. One of the constructive and
new Tech Hub in Łódź can bring poten
fruitful idea discussed with University of
tially new investors to our region.
More information Business Development and International Relations Bureau Piotrkowska 104a Street, 90-926 Lodz Phone: +48 42 638 59 39, Fax: +48 42 638 59 40, e-mail: boi@uml.lodz.pl www.lodz.pl, Linkedin: Invest in Lodz
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Focus on Business | March–April 2022
Modern office space | Restaurants and cafes | Theatre Museum | Concerts and events | Art galleries
INVESTMENTS
Kielce attractive for the investor More and more production plants and innovative enterprises contact the Investor Assistance Centre of the Kielce City Hall with inquiries about the possibility of locating their activities in Kielce or for help with expanding their existing business.
Recently, we have observed a signifi
approved the land development plan as
cant increase in the popularity of our
well as the architectural and construction
city among companies from all over
plan and granted a building permit for
Poland, which is undoubtedly related
Cromodora Wheels Sp. z o.o. for the con
to the investment of the Italian manu
struction of an aluminum rims factory at
facturer of rims, the Cromodora Wheels
Olszewski Street in Kielce.
company. The second magnet that signifi
– We are in constant, ongoing con
cantly influences the growth of interest
tact with the investor's representatives,
in Kielce among investors and entre
and just like throughout the administra
preneurs wide range of production (but
tive process, I also declare full cooperation
also logistics) industry is the opening
of the city in the implementation of this
of almost 80 ha of investment areas in
investment. I appreciate the fact that this
a perfect location, intended for indus
is one of the largest, and certainly the most
trial activities.
important, investment in the city recently – emphasizes Bogdan Wenta, Mayor
STRONG PRODUCTION – THE METAL AND MACHINE INDUSTRIES ARE THE CITY'S HALLMARK
of Kielce.
At the beginning of February this year
and service building, a social and office
The Mayor of the Kielce City, Bogdan Wenta,
building and an access control building,
The issued permit covers construc tion of a production building, a technical
Magnet that significantly influences the growth of interest in Kielce among investors and entrepreneurs wide range of production (but also logistics) industry is the opening of almost 80 ha of investment areas in a perfect location, intended for industrial activities.
Areas of logistics and warehouse services.
82
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
as well as an underground fire-fighting
willingness to develop the economic
as well as proposals for halls and offices,
tank, a ceramic pipe washing system and
zone in this area, allocating the land to
please visit the Investment Offer Data
a bicycle shelter.
the needs of the production sector, indus
base, run by the Investor Assistance Cen
try and warehouses.
tre of the City of Kielce at www.mapa.
The city authorities emphasize that this is an important, priority project
– There is no doubt that such
for Kielce. About 400 people will find
a large investment area is an opportu
invest.kielce.pl/en
employment in the plant, and another
nity for hundreds of new jobs in newly
LOGISTICS AND WAREHOUSE INDUSTRY
half a thousand jobs will be provided
established enterprises. Therefore,
An undoubted advantage of Kielce
by cooperating companies. Cromodora
the priority today is to make every effort
in the challenge for an investor from
Wheels plans to invest over EUR 100 mil
to ensure that these industrial functions
the logistics industry is a very good loca
lion in Kielce.
of the area are preserved. We are work
tion in the immediate vicinity of the S7
Companies interested in develop
ing on updating the spatial development
route, between Warsaw and Krakow, as
ment opportunities in connection with
plan for three hundred hectares of land
well as the strong production industry
the new investment are invited to contact
in Dyminy, and in particular 80 hectares,
present in the city and already devel
the Investor Assistance Centre of the City
which have changed owners – declare
oping companies from the logistics and
Hall of Kielce [www.invest.kielce.pl/en].
the city authorities.
warehouse sector.
Cromodora Wheels is the largest investment project supported by the In vestor Assistance Centre of the City of Kielce. Other successful Centre’s projects include the introduction to the Kielce market such companies as Britenet or Transition Technologies, representing the IT industry.
Investment area of 78.6 hectares of space is located in the southern part of the city, by the national road no. 73 (Kielce - Tarnów). Recently, there has been a change of owner of this property, extremely valuable for economic development.
FURTHER DEVELOPMENT – INVESTMENT AREAS
The Investor Assistance Centre of
The increase of the attractive
the City Hall of Kielce confirms the great
ness of Kielce for logistics is also influ
Investment area of 78.6 hectares of space
interest in the investment area, after
enced by the opening of new investment
is located in the southern part of the city,
the former Belgian Brewery at Ściegien
areas and the already existing potential.
by the national road no. 73 (Kielce – Tar-
nego Street. Currently, several signifi
The availability of warehouse space in
nów). Recently, there has been a change of
cant investors interested in locating their
Kielce and its vicinity is approximately
owner of this property, extremely valua
activities in this area are being guided.
90 thousand m 2 , more than half of
ble for economic development. The repre
For more information on investment
sentatives of the new owner declare their
areas available in Kielce and the vicinity,
which is located in two modern logis tics centers.
Infrastructure of the Kielce Technology Park and investment areas.
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
83
INVESTMENTS
Office complex in Kielce. Photo: Łukasz Zarzycki.
buildings or their parts and structures related to business activities in the field of production. The draft resolution introduces a real estate tax exemption for newly constructed buildings or their parts and structures related to business activities in the field of production, constituting an initial investment, located in Kielce. The adoption of the resolution allows entrepreneurs carrying out initial invest ments to obtain real estate tax exemption for a maximum period of 3 years.
CLOSER TO BUSINESS The Mayor of Kielce, Bogdan Wenta, con siders good contacts with entrepreneurs to be a priority in his local government
TAX RELIEFS ALSO FOR OFFICES
the usable area will be high-standard
activity. In addition to proposing resolu
The city of Kielce has a constantly growing
office space.
tions exempting real estate tax, he person
potential for the development of the office
The real estate tax exemption for
ally visits companies located in the city,
sector: 20,000 students, good quality of
newly built office space is a clear sign
talks with owners and employees. This
life, location between two strong centers,
for companies from the modern business
takes place as part of the Closer to Busi
which are Warsaw and Kraków, by the S7
services sector and office space develop
ness initiative, which aims to show
expressway, and companies that have
ers that Kielce wants to be at the fore
the potential of local companies, support
been operating for many years make
front of cities with top-class office space
their development and promote entrepre
a favorable climate for investment. This
and attracting the modern business ser
neurship. Through a series of direct visits
is reflected in the proposal for resolu
vices sector.
to the companies, the Kielce authorities
tions on the property tax exemption for newly built office and production build ings, which were adopted by the Kielce City Council. The resolution on the exemption from real estate tax for the initial invest ment in the field of newly built office buildings was a response to the trend and expectations of investors visible through out Poland. This is an important progress
The city of Kielce has a constantly growing potential for the development of the office sector: 20,000 students, good quality of life, location between two strong centers, which are Warsaw and Kraków, by the S7 expressway, and companies that have been operating for many years make a favorable climate for investment.
in creating the economic development of Kielce.
This is an important step for Kielce
want to present the current needs of
The adoption of the resolution
– resolutions along with other incen
enterprises and talk about how to support
allows entrepreneurs carrying out ini
tives for investors offered in the city,
their development by creating favorable
tial investments to obtain real estate
incl. human capital, competitive rental
conditions for running a business.
tax exemption for a maximum period
prices, or the support offered, are
So far, the president has already
of 3 years. The resolution introduces
a bargaining chip in the competition for
visited companies from the IT, produc
an exemption from real estate tax for
new investments.
tion and food sectors. The visits are very
newly constructed buildings with a usable
Another important document is
popular in the local media, and more
area of at least 3,000 m2, related to run-
also a draft resolution on real estate
entrepreneurs are waiting in the queue
ning a business, where at least 80% of
tax exemption for newly constructed
to host the Mayor.
More information Investor Assistance Centre | Kielce City Hall Strycharska 6 Street, 25-659 Kielce Phone: +48 41 36 76 571, 41 36 76 557, e-mail: coi@um.kielce.pl www.invest.kielce.pl/en, www.mapa.invest.kielce.pl/en
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Focus on Business | March–April 2022
FOCUS ON complete reports about Polish cities
www.proprogressio.pl
INVESTMENTS
Contemporary Katowice The last two years have clearly highlighted the transformations that are taking place in almost all sectors and industries of the economy. Here, the COVID-19 pandemic has become either an intrinsic generator of transformations or their undeniable intensifier.
It is difficult to make unambiguous value
knowledge-based economic sectors.
were 120 centers with a much higher
judgments about such transformations.
A high level of education, knowledge
level of employment. What needs to be
In some cases, they have had a very posi
of foreign languages, ability to work in
particularly emphasized, this sector is
tive impact on the development the cer
a modern business environment, and
characterized by an extraordinary diver-
tain industries, such as e-commerce or
familiarity with advanced IT and tech
sity in terms of the type the services pro
courier services, while in others – such as
nological tools – these are the dominant
vided, because it includes both a wide
MICE or HoReCa – they have clearly be
features of employees who find employ
range of IT and technology services, as
come the beginning of negative economic
ment in the most dynamically develop
well as telecommunication services, but
consequences that bear the hallmarks of
ing industries, and the abundant human
also logistics, banking, finance and
a crisis.
resources of such high quality are cur
accounting, payroll, HR and human re
In this context, it is worth taking
rently one of the most important factors
sources management services which are
a closer look at the economy of Katowice
influencing the attractiveness of Kato
gaining more and more popularity in
in search of the most significant features
wice. The knowledge-based industries,
the international environment. The best
determining the current directions and
the development of which so significantly
proof of their scale and range is the fact
scale of its transformation. Most reports
shapes the economic image of Katowice
that companies from this sector offer
and studies stress the phenomenon of
today, comprise three harmoniously con
their clients specialized services in more
Katowice's economic transformation
nected areas – the business services sec
than 30 languages!
which, in just three decades, has com
tor, R&D centers of new technologies, and
In relation to research and develop
pletely shattered the city's decades-long
the creative industry, with a particular
ment centers for new technologies, it is
stereotyped image. A good example of
focus on the computer games sector.
worth pointing out, that they have a long
the changes is the development of busi ness tourism, where Katowice before the pandemic recorded a steady upward trend exceeding the magic limit of 1 mil lion visitors in 2019. This is not just an effect of Kato wice's effective promotional campaign, but a verifiable set of facts that have been objectively recognized and appreciated by, for example, granting the city the sta
The knowledge-based industries, the development of which so significantly shapes the economic image of Katowice today, comprise three harmoniously connected areas – the business services sector, R&D centers of new technologies, and the creative industry, with a particular focus on the computer games sector.
tus of host of the 11th edition of the World
86
Urban Forum, that will held in June 2022
The business services sector is
tradition in the structure of science and
under the theme Changing our cities
the most talked about one because al
the economy of the whole agglomeration
towards a better future.
ready in the middle of 2021 in Katowice
and can boast an impressive track record,
So what is the phenomenon of
and the Upper Silesia Metropolis in 115
the particular attribute of which has been
Katowice and the new quality the city's
centers providing IT, BPO, SSC/GBS, R&D
and still is a close relationship between
economic structure, in which we can see
services, located in the of Upper Silesia
the solutions developed and the needs
the great dynamics of development?
capital and the Metropolis, it gave em
of the dynamically operating industry.
The answer is simple – in the last
ployment to an impressive number of
The change of the profile of these centers
years the leading branches have become
27,500 people. By the end of 2021 there
and directions of research results from
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
Photo: Przemysław Borsuk, Katowice City Hall.
economic transformations in the context
The above presented information
from the academic education, Katowice
of which the heavy mining, metallurgy,
shows, that the transformation the Kato-
can also boast an excellent educational
machine-building and chemical indus
wice's economy towards knowledge-
offer at the level of secondary educa
tries give way to the production of tech
-based industries would not be possible,
tion, which also includes, for example,
nologically advanced products for which
if it were not driven by science and edu
the P-TECH world programme whose
innovative solutions based on the results
cation institutions. In the case Katowice
main goal is to support local communi
of the latest scientific research and tech
and Metropolis GZM, they provide on
ties by properly preparing young people
nical expertise are necessary, all the more
the labour market 23,000 well-edu
to work in IT professions, where apart
so because the current research areas
cated graduates every year. Therefore,
from a high school diploma they need
are being extended into completely new
it is worth pointing out what potential
appropriate skills, but not necessarily
fields, such as technological effectiveness
the Upper Silesia capital city can boast.
several years of the university education.
or nanotechnology. Katowice and Upper Silesia can also be impressive, cause the Silesian Voivodeship has the largest number the industrial, scientific and tech nological parks in Poland – 23, of which 8 centers are located in Katowice.
The transformation of Katowice's economy towards knowledge-based industries would not be possible, if it were not driven by science and education institutions
The importance of the creative in
Currently in GZM Metropolis ope
With such an impressive potential
dustry, including the computer games
rate 26 higher education institutions
in the science and education area the City
industry, for the dynamic development of
(including affiliates), educating ca. 90
of Katowice in cooperation with the Uni
Katowice has already been mentioned in
thousand students, and Katowice has 11
versity of Silesia have been consistently
our last publication "Focus on Business"
universities with almost 52 thousand stu
striving to formally confirm its high status
in the article "Katowice – the best game to
dents. What requires special emphasis is
in education area as "a city with a special
play", one of the most spectacular proofs
closer direct cooperation of Katowice's
role in the science development". There
of the importance of the gaming industry
universities with employers' organisa
fore, as a result of joint actions, the pres-
in Katowice are the Intel Extreme Mas
tions, production companies operat
tigious title has been obtained and in 2024
ters e-gaming championships, which take
ing on the basis the advanced technolo
Katowice will be the European Capital of
place every year in the capital of Upper
gies, science and technology parks and
Science!
Silesia and are a global event.
business services sector. And yet, apart
More information Investors Assistance Department Katowice City Hall www.invest.katowice.eu
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
87
INVESTMENTS
Business Summary of the Year 2021 in Poznań
Last year was excellent for business in Poznań. We announced 13 new investments in the modern services and IT sectors. In addition, companies, present in Poznań for many years, have developed significantly. In comparison with the year 2020, we observed the growth in the number of students in Poznań. For the third time, we have organised one of the most substantive events for IT specialists – the Pozitive Technologies conference.
– The investment potential of Poznań is
the category of the "Most dynamical-
IT, among others Infosys, ALTEN Polska,
proved by investors’ decisions, who more
ly developing city in Poland". Both
B. Braun, Transcom or Nobl9. Over 120
and more often choose our city and cre
the Moody’s Investors Service agency and
BPO/SSC, employing in total over 24 thou
ate here attractive workplaces for our
the Fitch Ratings confirmed Poznań’s high
sand workers operate in Poznań.
residents, as well as by high international
rating in 2021. It means that the City has
Last year we have celebrated seve
ratings of the Fitch and Moody’s agency.
a very high capacity of keeping its com
ral anniversaries. The MAN Shared Ser
I am glad that the employment rate in
mitments. The stable prognosis notifies
vices Center was opened in Poznań 15
Poznań is becoming low again, returning
that Poznań’s financial credibility should
years ago. The McKinsey office has been
to the pre-pandemics levels. Last year
not change in the nearest future.
operating in our city for a decade. Rock
proves that we manage to create a great
wool Global Business Service Center,
climate for investments and that busi
NEW INVESTMENTS MEAN NEW JOBS
Volkswagen Group Services and Cap
nesses can develop and grow here – states
The year 2021 abounded in new invest
gemini are present in Poznań for already
Jacek Jaśkowiak, the Mayor of Poznań.
ment projects in the sectors prioritised
5 years. Computacenter has celebrated its
In April, at the CEE Business Ser
for the City of Poznań. We have anno
third anniversary. All employers declared
vices Summit&Awards 2021 conference,
unced 13 new investments in the sec
to increase employment soon, enlarging
the City of Poznań was the winner in
tor of modern services for business and
their staff in Poznań.
Deputy Mayor of Poznań Bartosz Guss with representatives of Poznań business during the ABSL gala.
88
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
In the middle of 2021, we published the second edition of the IT Sector Investment Potential in Poznań 2021 report, prepared for us by ManpowerGroup. At the occasion of the premiere of the report a debate of experts, who tried to answer the question Is the IT sector is booming during the pandemic period? was held. Poznań is the second most attractive city for business in Poland according to the Business Environment Assessment Study, carried out by Antal, Cushman & Wakefield and Vastint.
Additionally, the Chinese company
most important real estate industry-
partners and the program council – says
Tuopu – the world leader in producing
-related events in Europe – the fair MIPIM
Katarzyna Sobocińska, Deputy Head of
components for electric-powered cars,
in Cannes and Expo Real in Munich.
Investor Relations Department.
has announced its new investment in
– This year’s offer of municipal pro
In the middle of 2021, we pub
Poznań. Over 450 people will get a job
perties turned out to be very attractive
lished the second edition of the "IT Sec
in its modern factory. Although we have
for investors. The property at Olsztyń
tor Investment Potential in Poznań 2021"
not presented it officially yet, another
ska street and the investment fields in
report, prepared for us by Manpower
new Chinese investment in the produc
the Franowo area and the Rataje round
Group. At the occasion of the premiere
tive sector – the Sinoboom factory will
about were sold in the tenders organised
of the report a debate of experts, who
hire around 100 people.
in 2021. Now our priority is to sell further
tried to answer the question "Is the IT
It is worth mentioning that the de-
properties at the corner of Hetmańska and
sector is booming during the pandemic
mand for warehouse spaces has increa-
Górecka streets and the Unii Lubelskiej
period?", was held. At the headquar
sed during the pandemics (in Poznań at
street – stresses Bartosz Guss, the Deputy
ters of the Data Center Beyond.pl a dis
the record level of +31% y/y). Currently,
Mayor of Poznań.
cussion on the recruitment process took
i.a., two large logistic investments of Panattoni are in progress in the Poznań
The up-to-date offer of investment areas is available on our website.
Agglomeration area, of a total area of 70 thousand sqm. The CLIP company is enlarging its transshipment terminal.
Demand for warehouse spaces has increased during the pandemics (in Poznań at the record level of +31% y/y).
place. Justyna Mazur, head of Expe ris IT Perm (ManpowerGroup), Beata Lewicka-Arendt, head of HR Beyond.pl
PROJECTS OF #BOITEAM (INVESTOR RELATIONS DEPARTMENT TEAM) IN 2021
and Wojciech Wencel, CEO summ-it took part in it.
Over the last year, we carried out many
On social media and the website,
projects aimed at the promotion of the em-
we posted a series of publications enti
ployers in Poznań, though the most
tled "Start IT up! In Poznań", which was
important one was undoubtedly the third
dedicated to companies whose success
Pozitive Technologies conference.
stories started in Poznań. In a series of
– Nearly 1000 participants from
posts and articles, we presented the most
Poland and abroad registered to attend
interesting projects of summ-it, STX Next,
this year’s edition. Panels were divided
Verseo, Curiosum, IC Solution and Mood
into 5 thematic tracks – NaraMobile,
up Team.
GrundSec, WilData, Jeżyce ++ i PiątkOps.
Furthermore, we attended the JOBI
AN ATTRACTIVE OFFER OF MUNICIPAL REAL ESTATES
For the first time, Żabka company became
CON, the festival of job offers, organised
the strategic partner of our event. Obvi
by Pracuj.pl. The participants could find
After a break due to the pandemic, this
ously, Pozitive Technologies could not take
out more about the current job offers
autumn we again took part in the two
place without the support of our other
of the employers operating in Poznań
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
89
INVESTMENTS
Fifth anniversary of the Capgemini branch in Poznań.
during the online meetings with repre
the city. The scholarship is predicted for
for co-financing 10 internship places.
sentatives of two HR agencies – CPL Jobs
six months in the amount of PLN 6,000.
We are also continuing cooperation
and HAYS. In the "Poznań #EMPLOYS"
After completing the internship, it is
with Poznań universities in the field of
file we published job offers of nearly 30
required to employ an intern and main
promoting the city as a strong academic
companies operating in Poznań. Many
tain the workplace created in this way
centre. At the beginning of February,
employers are looking for candidates
for 6 months.
an agreement for the launch of the base
with knowledge of foreign languages. In the folder, we have especially high lighted job offers for foreigners without knowledge of Polish (or with basic knowl edge of Polish). These include the offers of such international giants as Carl Zeiss, Carlsberg, Duni EFF, Franklin Templeton,
The Adam Mickiewicz University and the Poznań University of Technology have signed a letter of intent with IBM on the creation of new fields of study related to quantum computer science.
Imperial Tobacco, Lorenz, Lumen, MAN, Miele, and Roche.
Last year, a scholarship program
PLANS FOR THE NEW YEAR
was signed. Thanks to it, the Poznań
– We begin the year 2022 by updating
Supercomputing and Networking Center
the "Move to improve" booklet, which is
joined the IBM Quantum Network and
already available on our website. In March,
together with Polish scientists and IBM
the stand of the City of Poznań once again
will develop quantum-computing tech
will be presented at the MIPIM invest
nology. In addition, the Adam Mickiewicz
ment and real estate fair in Cannes. We
University and the Poznań University of
also believe that in the autumn of 2022
Technology have signed a letter of intent
we will meet in person in Poznań during
with IBM on the creation of new fields of
the fourth edition of the Pozitive Techno
study related to quantum computer sci
logies conference – sums up Katja Lożina,
ence. Highly qualified employees are one
BOI Director.
of the reasons why Poznań is an attrac
for students preparing for employment
For 2022, we have planned the con
in Poznań has been launched once again.
tinuation of many projects and initia
All updated information from
It aims to make it easier for Poznań stu
tives. The next edition of our scholar
the Poznań business may be followed at
dents to find attractive internships, and
ship program for Poznań students has
the "Invest in Poznan" profile on Face
then to work in companies operating in
already started. This year, we have funds
book and LinkedIn.
tive city for investment.
More information Investor Relations Department | City of Poznań Za Bramką 1 Street, 61-842 Poznan Phone: +48 61 878 54 28, e-mail: inwestor@um.poznan.pl www.poznan.pl/invest
90
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
INVESTMENTS
IT & more
IT is a Bydgoszcz specialty on the Polish market of modern business services. This is evidenced by, among others, a high concentration of IT companies in the City, which makes Bydgoszcz one of the leading locations chosen by global technology companies. Local competences and an attractive investment environment of the City are also important. Thanks to these, for many entities, Bydgoszcz has become a convenient place to expand business activities with more and more advanced projects, including the R&D area which is of key importance for the further development of the industry.
In Bydgoszcz, IT is responsible for ap
and offer attractive jobs in internatio
automation activities. Moreover, in 2020
proximately 80% of employment in
nal teams implementing projects on
the investor decided to establish a new
the entire sector of modern business ser
a global scale.
company focused on IT research and
vices. The dominant share of companies
development – Atos Poland R&D. A sepa
of the sector distinguishes the City from
IT INNOVATIONS SERVE THE ENVIRONMENT
other BSS centres in Poland. The main
Atos GDC Poland has been intensively
representatives of the sector in the City
developing its activity in Bydgoszcz for
are developing specialised business pro
years. It has become the largest entity
cesses and realise projects for the largest
from the BSS sector on the local market,
global IT, telecommunications, insurance,
and in 2019 it moved its headquarters
or automotive companies, confirming
here. Specialists from Bydgoszcz carry
the highest level of services and compe
out strategic projects for global clients
tences of their Bydgoszcz branches.
and participate in work on such impor
from this industry in the local structure
Service centres of such global cor
tant and prestigious projects as, for exam
porations as Atos, Nokia, Asseco and Sii,
ple, IT services for the Olympic Games, for
already existing in Bydgoszcz, appreci
the office of the Prime Minister of Belgium
ate the qualified specialists, office oppor
or the Municipal Service Center for Refu
tunities offered in the City, as well as
gees from Ukraine in Bydgoszcz, as part
the region's experience in supporting acti-
of which the company launched a dedi
vities in this field. The competences and
cated helpline to register refugee visits.
availability of staff, convenient location
Atos GDC Poland develops R&D
or the City's attractive investment offer
activities through the Atos + Google part
also encourage new entities from the IT
nership, IOT projects and a wide range of
rate R&D department was created as a response to the needs in the field of new
Specialists from Bydgoszcz carry out strategic projects for global clients and participate in work on such important and prestigious projects as, for example, IT services for the Olympic Games, for the office of the Prime Minister of Belgium or the Municipal Service Center for Refugees from Ukraine in Bydgoszcz.
industry to enter the Bydgoszcz market. The prospect of further develop ment of the IT industry in Bydgoszcz is currently related to, among others, the dynamic growth of the e-commerce market, the development of cloud tools, data security, 5G technology, industry 4.0, and smart city solutions, as well as auto mation, or the possibility of cooperating with various other sectors and indus tries. Therefore, companies located in Bydgoszcz are not slowing down – they develop innovative technologies, invest in R&D activities, develop novel solutions
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Focus on Business | March–April 2022
technologies and innovations, as well as the implementation of end-to-end pro jects. Just a year after starting its opera tions, the company received the status of a Research and Development Centre from the Ministry of Development and Technology, and recently registered two new patents. – The latest ideas registered by the R&D company are dedicated to deepsea shipping and concern increasing effi ciency while reducing CO2 and SO2 emis
sions. They fit into the global Atos strategy of offering environmentally friendly solu tions and developing a zero-emission IT world – emphasizes Aleksandra Tyszkie wicz, Research Lead at Atos Poland R&D. – The number of new patents clearly shows our innovativeness. Having them increases our credibility and proves our constantly strengthening position in the field of technical solutions – comments Robert Wichłacz, member of the Atos Poland R&D management board. Deepsense.ai, operating on the Bydgoszcz market since 2018, has also been running interesting projects that also con tribute to the protection of the natural environment. The company produces advanced information systems based on artificial intelligence and deep machine learning. In addition to implementing commercial projects, it actively partici pates in the scientific development of these fields, and deepsense.ai teams have
The IT industry in Bydgoszcz has its well-established, historical traditions – it derives from the telecommunications industry, which has been rooted in the City for decades, strongly connected with the education system.
been occupying leading positions in pres
IT DEVELOPMENT IN LINE WITH THE BYDGOSZCZ TRADITION The IT industry in Bydgoszcz has its well-established, historical traditions – it derives from the telecommunica tions industry, which has been rooted in the City for decades, strongly con nected with the education system. Today, the over 90-year tradition of the ICT industry in Bydgoszcz is successfully continued and constantly developed by Nokia. Nokia's internal factory in Byd goszcz, the Industrial Competence Cen tre (one of three in the world), deals with the integration and testing of advanced systems and ICT networks. It is also here that the company has created its Techno
tigious global competitions in the field of
and the smart city idea, are also created
logy Centre, which combines the know
advanced data analysis for years.
in PIXEL in Bydgoszcz. The company pro
ledge and experience of experts from
One of the most interesting deeps
duces electronic devices and IT systems
many different departments of Nokia in
ense.ai projects was the system created
primarily for the public transport market
one location.
for the National Oceanic and Atmos
(public transport and railways). Recently,
The largest branch of Nokia Soft
pheric Administration – an American
in Białystok, the company has introduced
ware R&D in Poland is located in Bydgo
governmental institution that deals with
and implemented an advanced toll col
szcz, which creates software for the lar
protection of the oceanic fauna and flora.
lection system – Smart PixBee Tariff.
gest operators in the world from the con
The aim of this project was to develop
The latest project of PIXEL is a dynamic
cept stage to implementation. The com
an automatic whale identification sys
passenger information with displays in
pany is also included in the group of
tem based on the analysis of aerial pho
the ECO-SDIP e-paper technology. It is
leaders in the field of ICT services, and
tographs to track the migration of spe
characterized primarily by a minimal
the Global Services Delivery Excellence
cific representatives of this endangered
power consumption which, combined
department with the Service R&D team
species and to develop protection over
with the installed photovoltaic panels,
located in Bydgoszcz is behind the success
the entire population. Based on artifi
ensures energy autonomy for the devices.
of these projects. The Bydgoszcz depart
cial intelligence and computer vision,
– We develop and introduce innovative
ment deals with architecture, program
the system successfully replaced long-
solutions, thanks to which both the trans
ming and testing of solutions that are
term manual analyzes by researchers,
port operator and travelers see benefits.
used by telecommunications giants in
reducing the process of identifying indi
As a result, we encourage passengers to
the United States on a daily basis for net
vidual whales from three hours to just
use public transport as often as possible,
work management, development plan
three minutes.
which has a positive impact on the qual
ning and designing new services. Every
ity of the surrounding environment – sum
day, huge amounts of data are automati
marizes PIXEL.
cally collected and processed, allowing
Technologically advanced solu tions, in line with pro-ecological trends
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
93
INVESTMENTS
not only to solve current problems, but also to predict potential issues. All this means that the servers in Bydgoszcz are constantly working on over a thou sand projects at the same time, and the services are provided in the "follow the sun" model.
LOCAL SKILLS AND TALENTS FUEL THE INDUSTRY It is human capital that is a strong advan tage of Bydgoszcz and that is noticed by companies from the IT industry investing here. The local specialisation of the City means, among others, better access to talented specialists. Bydgoszcz has a good academic base and is constantly develo
the City organized by local IT companies
partner relations with the environment.
ping its potential in creating IT staff.
– "bITconf", or the annual event of Nokia
In the coming year, we will significantly
Also at the level of secondary schools,
"IT Women", promoting science and infor
expand our recruitment activities.
the City focused on education with a tech
mation technology among women, show
On the local market, WTT is also
nical profile, and the Electronic Techni
ing many opportunities for professional
an example of an innovative approach
cal School in Bydgoszcz is one of the best
development in the industry of modern
in selecting staff: – We extend the tradi
in the country. In addition, Bydgoszcz
technologies.
tional approach based on roles and posi
actively supports cooperation between
– Bydgoszcz is a dynamically deve
tions (Tech Lead, UI Engineer, QA Engi
science and business. Bydgoszcz pupils
loping agglomeration with a strong techni
neer, etc.) by understanding what kind
and students benefit from attractive
cal background – notes Łukasz Mądrzak-
of skills our employees have (skills-based
programmes of patronage classes and
Wecke, CTO at Wunderman Thompson
approach). Instead of the role an employee
courses created in cooperation with com
Technology (WTT). – When you think about
plays in the project, we plan to organise
panies investing in the City.
Bydgoszcz, you can think of respected
work based on competences (e.g. creating architecture, fixing application errors).
The potential of the Bydgoszcz IT industry is primarily talented specialists representing various fields, many interesting projects focused on creating more and more advanced solutions, as well as the stories of global successes of our investors.
This will result in the development of peo ple adjusted to the emerging project needs. We open doors (also completely remote ones) for front-end, Java, .NET program mers, project managers, AI specialists and technology enthusiasts who will feed our ranks with knowledge and innovation – comments Łukasz Mądrzak-Wecke. – The potential of the Bydgoszcz IT
The development of human resour
universities, valuable meet-ups and meet
industry is primarily talented specialists
ces for the IT industry in Bydgoszcz is
ings devoted to the industry, as well as
representing various fields, many inte
also fostered by more and more initia
intensive development of IT companies.
resting projects focused on creating more
tives popularising the research and devel
The City can be proud of strong IT staff and
and more advanced solutions, as well
opment sector, and building a commu
talented young people interested in new
as the stories of global successes of our
nity around the industry itself. Bydgoszcz
technologies and focused on education in
investors. This is our local specialty, which
hosts, for example, meetings of specialists
this direction. By running one of the offices
undoubtedly constitutes a unique element
who exchange practical knowledge on
in Bydgoszcz, we create jobs and contri
of the investment offer of our City – sum
an ongoing basis, the Bydgoszcz Hacka-
bute to the City's business development.
marises Edyta Wiwatowska, President of
thon initiated by the Bydgoszcz IT Clus
We employ fantastic people who want
the Management Board of the Bydgoszcz
ter, the typically technical conference in
to develop their skills and we establish
Regional Development Agency.
More information Bydgoszcz Regional Development Agency 4C Unii Lubelskiej Street, 85-059 Bydgoszcz Phone: +48 52 585 88 23, e-mail: barr@barr.pl www.barr.pl
94
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
Work With Us. Work The Future. Talent acquisition and development of the best specialists determines the success of organization on the market as never before. Cpl deliver advanced RPO solution that comprehensively supports the company's development in the current talent shortage. Looking for Recruitment Process Outsourcing services? www.cpl.com/pl
HR NEWS
SOFTSERVE POLAND WILL EMPLOY 1,000 PEOPLE IN 2022. SEBASTIAN DRZEWIECKI IS THE NEW COUNTRY MANAGER gender equality and support women in business. The company employed a new managing director to meet the ambi tious goals of its new business strategy. At present, SoftServe Poland employs nearly 1,000 people, and the company plans to double this number by the end of the year. They will include experts in the areas of data analysis and migra tion – Big Data, DevOps, Cloud, but also artificial intelligence, machine learn ing or augmented reality and more. These experts will be working for cli ents from Europe, USA and the APAC region. Increasing number of clients (mainly from FinTech, Healthcare, and new technologies industries), projects
96
SoftServe Poland presents a refreshed
-Packard, and Sabre – in Poland, the Philip-
(by more than 70 in 2021 alone), employ
development strategy. Sebastian Drze
pines, India, China, Malaysia, and Costa
ees or even geographical locations (in
wiecki, the company's new vice presi
Rica. When managing an organization,
2021 SoftServe Poland has expanded
dent and Country Manager of the Polish
he believes in proper relations between
to 3 new cities) – it all creates new
branch, will be responsible for its imple
key stakeholders and his team, which
challenges related to the functioning
mentation. Ambitious goals have been
he builds on the foundation of transpa
of the operational offices. In the near
set, such as increasing employment by
rent communication, mutual trust, and
future, the company expects to improve
1,000 people, strengthening the compa
a development-oriented working envi
its internal structure and processes in
ny's position in local markets and adapt
ronment. In his free time, Drzewiecki
order to accommodate the business
ing the structure and internal processes
runs a podcast and a blog titled “Mod
growth. Additionally, it seeks to become
of the organisation to changing business
ern Leader” [“Nowoczesny Lider”]. He is
an employer of choice in the highly com
conditions.
an active mentor and a winner of multi
petitive market for IT professionals.
Sebastian Drzewiecki is a manager
ple industry awards, recently received
Paweł Łopatka, the former coun
with over 20 years of experience in IT.
an award in the Male Champion of
try manager of SoftServe Poland,
Throughout his career, he has led the deve-
Change category in the Sukces Pisany
remains within the company and is
lopment of technology centers for com
Szminką foundation competition. It is
now a Client Success Lead. He will help
panies such as GlaxoSmithKline, Hewlett-
a recognition for his efforts to promote
develop a new market, APAC region.
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
A NEW MEMBER OF TIMATE’S TEAM – CHIEF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER. THE COMPANY ENTERS FOREIGN MARKETS In January 2022, Grzegorz Cichoń became
countries – says Sebastian Młodziński,
TIMATE’s Chief Business Development
TIMATE’s CEO.
Officer. He will be responsible for setting
Grzegorz Cichoń is a manager with
up a network of distribution partners in
nearly 20 years of professional experi
Europe as well as developing and imple
ence. For a long time he worked for Eti
menting a strategy aimed at launching
soft. He was responsible for sales devel
the TIMATE system in foreign markets.
opment on foreign markets among other
The TIMATE system has been on
duties. He studied law at the Univer
the market since 2019. Today, thousands
sity of Silesia in Katowice and he also
of TIMATE cards are operating in many
holds the MBA degree from the Oxford
Polish businesses. They mainly include
Brookes University.
companies from the sectors of logistics
At TIMATE, he will be organising
(Raben Logistics), manufacturing (Hal
an international network of distributors
and who will enthusiastically recommend
sang) and healthcare (ALAB).
for the purpose of selling our product in
it. Therefore, it will not be a large network
selected European markets.
of distributors. We will choose several
– We have a strong network of cus tomers in Poland and many companies are
– Our goal is to start collaborating
companies for whom TIMATE will be
testing our solution as part of the Proof of
with distributors who specialise in imple
come the key system in their portfolio –
Concept. The TIMATE system is proven to
menting IoT solutions and have customers
says Grzegorz Cichoń. The new mem
be reliable and ready to operate in orga
who are potentially interested in using
ber of TIMATE’s team will also manage
nisations of different sizes. We are fully
the TIMATE system. Importantly, we want
the collaboration with the company’s
prepared to offer our product in other
partners who will understand our product
Polish partners.
KAROL GREJBUS HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO THE POSITION OF ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR IN SAVILLS OFFICE AGENCY delivering offices for new work models. Prior to joining Savills, Karol was Head of Tenant Representation at Knight Frank. In the course of his professional career, he has advised on more than 100,000 sq m of leases, representing such companies as InPost, X-Trade Bro kers (XTB), ENEA S.A, Wonga, and Flint Group. Karol has his personal YouTube channel “Karol Grejbus – Biura wyso kich lotów”, dedicated to showcasing unique office locations across Poland. – I am delighted that another experienced and market-leading profes sional has joined our team. Karol brings a significant contribution to our grow Karol Grejbus, an expert with almost
to office tenants in the Polish market as
ing market position to support our fur
15 years of commercial real estate expe
a complementary service to its busi
ther expansion. I am confident that his
rience, has joined the Tenant Representa
ness line dedicated to international cor
extensive experience and fantastic energy
tion team of Savills Office Agency in
porate clients. He will be responsible
will closely align with the nature of our
Poland, led by Jarosław Pilch.
for driving the expansion of Savills cli
team to deliver true value to our current
Karol Grejbus has been appointed
ent portfolio and providing companies
and future clients – says Jarosław Pilch,
to the position of Associate Director to
with a complete leasing service and assis
Head of Tenant Representation, Office
further develop the firm’s offer dedicated
tance in response to today’s challenges of
Agency, Savills.
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
97
CAREER&DEVELOPMENT
BSS: this is where work is looking for people An interview with Joanna Wanatowicz, Grafton Recruitment Managing Director.
FOCUS ON Business: Investors are
companies more willing to entrust this
enough. Employer branding, employee
more and more willing to locate in
role to specialized agencies. The employee
opinions, and whisper marketing are
Poland centers focused on servicing
market, the growing role of specialization
playing an increasingly important role.
complex processes e.g. in the field of
in the field of new technologies make also
The most successful companies are spon
finance, IT, Big Data or research and
the role of recruitment agencies not only
taneous recruiters – if candidates apply
development; robotisation is also beco-
significantly increased, but also changed.
themselves, companies can announce
ming more common. How is the recruit-
They are partners to an ever-increasing
their success.
ment industry changing, in the context
extent, who, together with their princi
It is worth remembering that can
of the demand of the modern business
pals, build a recruitment strategy and
didates have easier and easier access
services sector?
a route to reach candidates. Trust and
to information about companies, their
Joanna Wanatowicz, Grafton
knowing what to expect is crucial. As time
organizational culture, opportunities
Recruitment: Poland is a country valued
passes and the projects are carried out,
for development, atmosphere. They
by investors because of its attractive geo- the agencies become more and more
do research, they consult the commu
graphical location and a good quality- familiar with the companies they coop
nity, they check. The opinions they trust
-to-cost ratio. We have become a deve
erate with. They often do not multiply
first are those of people who work at
loped and mature shared services mar
the number of suppliers, but focus on
the recruiting companies. The conclusion
ket. After a downturn, the industry is
cooperation with several or even one in
is obvious – the candidate will choose
thriving, handling increasingly complex
the area of a given specialization. It is
the company that is closest to their values
processes that require specific, speciali
more efficient, recruiting is done more
and expectations. If it turns out that
zed competencies. It hires all the time.
efficiently and faster.
the promise doesn't match the reality,
This has an impact on the recruitment industry as a whole, which is facing challenges in recruiting employees with the expected and often rare competen cies. Meanwhile, companies from abroad began to reach for Polish staff by offering remote work, interesting projects and higher remuneration. In the BSS sector, we have long been
98
Employer branding, employee opinions, and whisper marketing are playing an increasingly important role. The most successful companies are spontaneous recruiters – if candidates apply themselves, companies can announce their success.
in the employee market. This is where
For a long time we have been dealing
the hire will leave sooner or later. That
work is looking for people. According to
with the employee market in Poland,
is why the recruitment process is also so
our latest "Business Services 2022" report,
the earnings of employees in the mo-
important, choosing a candidate who will
supply chain (+103 percent), HR and Pay
dern business services industry are
"blend in" with the company, who will
roll (+93 percent), marketing (+83 per
constantly growing. How to attract and
function well in it. So what if you recruit
cent), as well as finance (63.7 percent),
then retain qualified employees?
someone with outstanding skills if they
customer service (60.3 percent) and
It is a complex subject. The prob
accounting (47.1 percent) roles have seen
lem of finding employees has been seen
don't find their way in the organization.
very strong growth over the past year.
for some time, and solving it is a key to
What motivates employees? What bene-
This growth means competition for staff,
maintaining the growth rate of the BSS
fits are attractive to them today?
even closer cooperation between HR and
industry. Currently, the number of offers
Poles are increasingly looking for
business, and the need for recruiters to
is at a record high. So it is not easy to find
opportunities to influence the organi
improve their competencies.
employees. Even a very good recruitment
zation. They like to get goals, accomplish
The increasingly difficult and time-
campaign – eye-catching, original and
them on their own, create value, and
-consuming recruitment process makes
full of encouraging information – is not
grow. We have candidates who are not
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
The instability of Polish economy and the supply chain, and above all the geopolitical situation, must not be forgotten.
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
99
CAREER&DEVELOPMENT
Currently, there are already over 1,600 shared services centers in Poland, and by the middle of this year another 50 will be opened. ABSL data shows that employment in business process outsourcing (BPO), shared services centers (SSC/GBS), information technology outsourcing (ITO) and research and development centers (R&D) exceeded 360 thousand last year, and at the end of 2022 it may reach 370 thousand. Forecasts for the coming years are equally optimistic. Not without significance is the attractiveness of Poland's location on the European map and access to qualified staff.
willing to blindly perform tasks, but sug
architecture, Big Data, process automa
expectations. This is all the more chal
gest improvements. They want to feel part
tion, but also security. At the same time,
lenging because we are seeing tremen
of the company, not a cog in a big machine.
digital competencies are increasingly
dous growth in the demand for recruit
This is worth keeping in mind. The era of
necessary in other industries such as
ers. Competent employees are at a pre
true leadership meaning partnership,
marketing or sales, logistics, finance,
mium – the industry is thus becoming
openness, flexibility is coming. Leaders
accounting. Outsourcing centers employ
vulnerable as it hunts for talents itself.
who don't understand this will lose.
people with very good knowledge of
We exercise caution at the same
What matters is how benefits blend
foreign languages, including niche lan
time. There may be a slowdown in
into the company culture, how consist
guages. We can also see that soft skills
demand due to higher costs for compa
ent they are with it, and whether they are
– openness, flexibility, communication
nies resulting from rising inflation and
a set of benefits from which employees
skills – are becoming more and more
changes in tax legislation. With higher
can choose. News? Companies are outdo
desirable, not only in customer service.
labour costs, Poland may cease to be
ing themselves with proposals. Interest ing benefits are additional days off, e.g. more days every year, and in some orga nizations even with no limit. In the era of hybrid work, we all work more, it's harder to separate our personal and
The HR sector is inextricably linked to the economic condition. If it continues to grow, the developmental trend will continue in our industry.
professional lives, and we lack distance.
100
Not surprisingly, this benefit is among
What is the future of the recruitment
an attractive country for foreign inves
the most popular.
industry since it is doing so well at
tors. The instability of the economy and
the moment?
the supply chain, and above all the geo
What has changed recently, especially
The HR sector is inextricably linked
political situation, must not be forgotten
under the influence of the pandemic
to the economic condition. If it contin
either. The crisis across our eastern bor
in terms of required competencies in
ues to grow, the developmental trend
der is a global crisis.
various professional groups?
will continue in our industry. Last year
I expect companies to increase their
The acceleration of technological
and the beginning of this year were
optimization processes – the competitive
change, to which the pandemic has con
record-breaking in professional recruit
ness of the market requires them to be
tributed significantly, makes the need for
ment of specialists. At Grafton Recruit
very disciplined with their budgets. How
employees with specialized skills in par
ment we are still up and running and we
might this affect employment? Employers
ticular areas even greater. The emergence
have many orders. We are focused on
will not want to increase the number of
of more specializations in IT is obvious,
the ongoing challenges of record demand
employees, but to retain the best ones.
there is a need for specialists with high
for employees, labour shortages, rising
competence not only related to cloud
staffing expectations and competency
Thank you for the interview.
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
CAREER&DEVELOPMENT
Focusing on Employees’ needs “2022 will see a definite return of the employee market as for another year we will be facing the lack of specialists. Therefore it should be the time to take care of the needs of employees: the ones we have and those who would like to work for us in the future”, says Rafał Glogier-Osiński, Country Manager at LMC Polska.
FOCUS ON Business: What is happening
expert and specialist positions – who
learn what conditions have to be met in
in the labour market in 2022? What are
impose the conditions. If they want to
order to get the right position. And here
the biggest challenges?
work with us, it is a good sign about
I would see an opportunity for companies
Rafał Glogier-Osiński, LMC Polska:
the way we recruit and induct them – it
and employers to present their offer as
The challenges that recruiters faced
is also positive information about our
one that potential employees should take
before the pandemic have now intensi
corporate culture.
advantage of.
There has been a high demand for spe
So the challenge is how to reach with
What, then, should employers pay atten-
cialists for several years, and employers
your offer those who want to change jobs?
tion to in 2022?
are increasingly feeling the lack of people
The challenge is that out of 38 mil
In the era of the employee mar
willing to work. The pandemic has only
lion Poles 16.5 million work. According
ket, I would take care of the well-being
accentuated these problems: there are
to the December 2021 Polish Internet
of the team first and foremost. Physical
workforce shortages in all sectors, pro
Research Mediapanel, there were 14.1
and mental health should be at the top
fessions and specialities.
million internet users who use web
of the list of things companies need to
2022 will definitely be an employee
sites from the ‘job’ category. These are
address today. Tired, overworked, isolated
market, or to be more precise a labour
the users of all recruitment sites in
and additionally burdened with, for exam
shortage market. Therefore, it should also
Poland and other sites that post job ads
ple, the remote schooling of their children,
be a time to take care of the needs of em
or write about work-related topics. This
white-collar workers are beginning to
ployees: the ones we have and those who
is a huge number.
deteriorate in health. It is worth suppor
fied, they have never actually gone away.
would like to work for us in the future.
Probably not everyone is looking
ting them with health programmes that
for a job, but almost all working Poles are
improve physical condition or, for exam
How, then, can we find and retain em
interested in something related to work.
ple, subsidising ergonomic chairs and fur
ployees when unemployment is at its
These can be such questions as How to
niture for work at home. I would support
lowest level ever and all Poles who
develop yourself? What are the popular
production department employees with,
want to work already have a job – here
benefits now? How to get a raise?
for example, an additional health package
or abroad? When we are looking for emplo yees, let us do it effectively. And let us measure effectiveness not by the num ber of CVs received. Rather, it should be measured by the number of hires and the number of employees who stay with
Probably not everyone is looking for a job, but almost all working Poles are interested in something related to work. These can be such questions as How to develop yourself? What are the popular benefits now? How to get a raise?
us after the trial period, i.e. for longer
102
than three months. This shows that
Poles also make online searches
for the family, facilitating shift work
the recruitment was properly conducted,
for information on specific employers.
for families, flexible working hours for
that we found the right people, that they
Today nothing can be hidden. Everything
peripheral production employees, and
liked working for us.
is known about everyone. Most Poles
subsidising meals, which – incidentally –
We must remember that today it
use the internet to look for a job or to
is a major logistical challenge in the reali
is rather the employees – especially in
find out about job opportunities, to
ty of health-related security regimes.
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
2022 will definitely be an employee market, or to be more precise a labour shortage market. Therefore, it should also be a time to take care of the needs of employees.
CAREER&DEVELOPMENT
Once employers have succeeded in
important in every company. And they
recruiting and retaining staff for the long
will need good and – I emphasise it yet
term, it is necessary to continuously work
again – effective solutions.
on their commitment and sense of job
2022 will indeed be a difficult year
satisfaction. I would recommend pay
in the labour market: not only because of
ing attention to the needs that the team
the lack of employees, but also the next
themselves signal. It is also worth ask
waves of the COVID-19 pandemic and tax
ing employees what they need, what is
changes, which are already causing a stir,
important to them, what benefits they
among employers and employees alike.
would choose from the available ones.
All the more reason to pay attention
For example, LMC Polska’s own study1
to whether what we are doing is effec
shows that Poles value development and
tive and good for our company. And for
training. As many as 65% of the respond
our people.
ents of our survey said that they would change their job if another employer
What about benefits? In line with what
offered them a better development pack
you say, we should examine whether
age, e.g. training.
they are effective and tailored to
We cannot forget about training for managers – direct team leaders also
employees. Are benefits the way for enterprises to attract people?
need knowledge and new skills, e.g. how
We hear today about new needs for
to manage a dispersed team, how to
benefits, because the existing COVID-19
build and maintain commitment when
pandemic has turned them upside down.
the team works in a hybrid formula, how
In fact, it makes sense to start by asking
to motivate and appreciate employees.
employees what kind of benefits would
The line supervisor is the first person
increase their sense of satisfaction and
whose skills detect problems. It is also
engagement. From conversations with
the first person who, lacking competence,
employers, but also job candidates,
can seriously harm the employee, them
I know that employees expect health
selves and the company.
packages extended to immediate family
Will new, different benefits attract employees to companies? What surely will, above all, is a good salary, an empathetic and mature leader, a supportive organisational culture and good opinions about the enterprise or brand found online. There are many opportunities to achieve this.
members, extra days off, meetings with Work takes place online, and recruit-
therapists and home-delivered meals
ment too. Are there solutions that help all
when working remotely.
those who meet in the labour market?
I would also stress the need for
Today, the most important thing
training and development, which I have
Will new, different benefits attract
is to have solutions for employees that
already mentioned. Polish employees
employees to companies? What surely
support their work. Starting with making
want to learn and we know what it is that
will, above all, is a good salary, an empa
joining a daily video conference fast,
they want to learn. In LMC Polska’s study,
thetic and mature leader, a supportive
simple and intuitive, and ending with
employees have indicated that they need
organisational culture and good opi
making the flow of documents smooth
language courses (number one), followed
nions about the enterprise or brand
and seamless. All employees may have
by those in the area of personal develop
found online.
switched to remote work, but it is too
ment and those related to the accelerated
There are many opportunities to
bad if they cannot go online efficiently
digitisation of life and work, e.g. opera
achieve this. I encourage you to be sen
or deliver an important presentation
ting computer programs used for profes
sitive to your employees’ needs in 2022:
because, for example, their private con
sional purposes.
those you have and those you want
nection is too weak.
to hire.
Other departments in companies
fying the opinion of employees on the be-
also need support. It is worth checking
nefits offered, to check whether they
whether certain tasks take up too much
receive what they need, what gives them
time – perhaps we could use a solu
pleasure and is necessary. It is impor
Rafał Glogier-Osiński is Country
tion available on the market? There
tant to distinguish between a benefit
Manager at LMC Polska, which owns
are many tools that can support e.g. HR
and a work tool. Are subsidies to elec
the application Praca Za Rogiem,
departments, which in 2022 will be very
tricity bills and unlimited internet and
the recruitment system Teamio, a portal
home web connection a benefit or simply
Atmoskop.pl as well as an online
a reimbursement of additional expenses
learning platform Seduo.pl.
LMC Polska’s own study conducted on a sample of 2004 working Poles aged 18 to 64 in July 2021.
1
104
From time to time, it is worth veri-
Thank you for the interview.
of an employee?
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
CAREER&DEVELOPMENT
The interview was conducted a few days before the start of the Russian military invasion of Ukraine.
Are foreign employees cure for the Polish labor market?
More and more Polish entrepreneurs are becoming convinced that employing foreigners is conducive to development of their businesses. We talk to Natalia Myskova, Director of International Recruitment and Justyna Lach, Director of the Progres HR Logistics Line from the Grupa Progres company, about the challenges and overcoming barriers of the process of taking up employment by foreigners in Poland.
FOCUS ON Business: According to ZUS
Belarus, Armenia, Georgia and Mol
with, and how do you help them? Amid
(Social Insurance Institution in Poland)
dova. Until now, it has been much easier
so many formal procedures, is there
at the end of 2020, a record 725,000
to legally employ people who have just
room for a case-by-case approach?
foreigners were working in Poland,
arrived in Poland, compared to those
J.L.: When it comes to regulations
while in April 2021 there were already
who have been working in our country
concerning foreigners, they change fre
780,000. Is it easy to employ a foreigner
for some time. This is because a change
quently and we update our knowledge
in our country?
of employer meant a change of residence
practically every day to keep up with
Natalia Myskova, International
permit documents, which was a compli
them. The greatest barriers concern
Recruitment Director, Grupa Progres:
cated and lengthy process. It is modified
the employment of people from countries
The process of employing foreigners in
by regulations in force from the end of
not covered by the simplified procedure.
Poland has never been simple, but – for
January 2022. They are intended to make
In most cases, in order to legalise their
tunately – it is easier now than it used
many things easier, including the afo
stay, foreigners need an “A” permit, which
to be just a few years ago, when only
rementioned laborious procedure for
takes much longer to obtain than a simple
the largest employment agencies were
hiring foreigners when they change
declaration of employment. Apart from
willing to recruit foreigners. It required
positions or move to another employer.
that, there is the time-consuming and
specialist knowledge that few experts possessed. Training on the legalisation of foreigners’ employment was very popu lar, and more and more positions were created for specialists dealing with such legalisation, who can now be found in many companies. There has also been
There are noticeable changes in relation to the organisation of foreigners’ employment. Currently, a simplified employment procedure applies to citizens of six countries – Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Georgia and Moldova.
an increase in the number of small busi nesses employing foreign nationals,
Will this happen and will it become sim
difficult process to obtain a Polish visa.
and helplines have been set up in pub
pler? It is difficult to say at this point, as
Although we have many people willing
lic offices to answer questions on legal
time is needed – a ‘trial period’ that will
to work in Poland, very many of them
employment. Moreover, instructions,
show how the new rules work in practice.
drop out of the recruitment process at
publications and video consultations
106
subsequent stages, while they are wait Collecting tons of documents, intricate
ing for a set of documents enabling them
Justyna Lach, Director of Progres
rules and complicated official proce-
to come to Poland.
HR Logistics Line, Grupa Progres:
dures – all this looks like an area that
N.M.: Changes in the law require
There are noticeable changes in rela
requires a lot of knowledge, not to
us to constantly check what the cur
tion to the organisation of foreigners’
mention the responsibility it entails.
rent regulations prescribe. We remove
employment. Currently, a simplified
What kind of barriers connected with
this burden from our clients, to whom
employment procedure applies to citi
the demand for workers from other
we provide comprehensive service.
zens of six countries – Ukraine, Russia,
countries do your clients come to you
We start with a full audit of their needs.
are available.
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
Justyna Lach, Director of Progres HR Logistics Line, Grupa Progres.
Then we get down to business – we han
makes citizens of that country want
dle the entire multi-step process of hiring
to work here in such large numbers?
and retaining workers: legalisation of
What skills and qualities do Polish
residence and work, quarantine, accom
employers look for in them? And in
modation, training, medical examina
what industries?
tions, contracts, payment of wages, and
N.M.: The cultural and linguistic
even provision of working clothes for
proximity of Poland and Ukraine, as well
employees. Despite our growing num
as the very similar mentality of the two
ber of clients, we approach each one
nations, mean that Ukrainians assimilate
individually and adapt our actions to
quickly in Poland. This works both ways,
the diverse needs of organisations.
and is the reason why Polish employers hire Ukrainians and why Ukrainians
The largest group of foreigners wor
willingly choose Poland as a country for
k ing in our country (about 75% of
labour immigration.
the total) consists of Ukrainians. It
J.L.: I would like to add that when
was in Ukraine that the Progres Group
it comes to employers, Polish companies
opened its first foreign branch. What
value Ukrainians for their commitment,
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
Polish companies value Ukrainians for their commitment, perseverance, willingness to perform professional duties even in difficult conditions, as well as the ability to quickly acquire the competencies required for a given position.
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CAREER&DEVELOPMENT
Natalia Myskova, International Recruitment Director, Grupa Progres.
perseverance, willingness to perform
about jobs that require specialisation
professional duties even in difficult con
and higher qualifications.
ditions, as well as the ability to quickly
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acquire the competencies required for
So are workers from the East the cure
a given position. An advantage of Ukra
for the labour shortages that are
inians is their willingness to work over
increasingly affecting companies? Are
time and at weekends, which guaran
employees from Ukraine potentially
tees them the possibility of earning more
those who can stay with the company
and supporting their families living in
for the long term?
Ukraine. Some employers offer jobs for
J.L.: Employees from Ukraine are
couples, they willingly take advantage
a very good solution for Polish compa
of such offers and come to our country
nies. However, this group may shrink
together, starting a new life here. Indus
every year, as other EU countries are
tries in which there is no shortage of
increasingly willing to employ our eastern
jobs for Ukrainians and in which they
neighbours, offering them, among other
are most willing to take up work include
things, much higher salaries. We pre
logistics and manufacturing, although
dict that attracting and keeping Ukrain
there are more and more enquiries
ians at work will become increasingly
Whether workers from the east will stay in Poland for longer depends on several variables. In our experience, there are groups who not only make such declarations, but actually live in Poland for many months.
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
difficult. Not only will the salary offered
Therefore, it is best to use the services
assistance to return voluntarily to their
be important, but also the social condi
of large agencies – such as ours – which
country of origin and for the period of
tions, accommodation or free transport
have many years of experience and
the entry ban to Poland to be reduced.
to work, and the additional benefits they
ensure the legality of the employment
Moreover, the provisions of the pandemic
expect, which unfortunately are rarely
process, and support employees at every
shield provide ample scope for resolving
provided in the case of temporary wor
stage of that process, including after
any problems related to legal residence
kers. And this is a mistake, because
its completion.
and help avoid many of the unpleasant
every additional element and any non-
J.L.: I agree with what Natalia says,
wage benefits make a company’s offer
you should only work with experienced,
situations that arise from working in the black economy.
more distinctive, attract candidates, and make them want to stay with the com pany for longer. N.M.: Whether workers from the east will stay in Poland for longer depends on several variables. In our experience, there are groups who not only
The provisions of the pandemic shield provide ample scope for resolving any problems related to legal residence and help avoid many of the unpleasant situations that arise from working in the black economy.
make such declarations, but actually live in Poland for many months. Among
recognisable, proven employment agen
Is the amended Foreigners Act really
them are foreign students and university
cies that have a good reputation and are
a ‘game changer’? What changes does
graduates starting their careers in low-
able to provide stories of people who
it provide that are beneficial from
skilled jobs, but planning to progress
have used their services. It is important
the point of view of foreign workers
and, over time, change from blue-collar
to check the credibility and opinions of
and employers interested in hiring
to white-collar work. Professional long- previous employees. From the beginning
a foreigner to join their team?
-distance movers also include people
of the recruitment process the agency
N.M.: The amendment, which came
moving to Poland with their families, and
should be represented by a person who
into force on 29 January, is in fact the big
those who have been here for some time
communicates with the candidate in his
gest change in the last 10 years, that is,
and are planning or have started the pro
or her mother tongue. It is also necessary
since the number of foreigners employed
cess of buying an apartment.
to read the documents you sign, and cer
in Poland started to increase significantly.
tainly to ask the employer to write them
The most anticipated modifications con
For a foreigner who does not know our
in your mother tongue or another lan
cern the extension of the validity period
language and regulations, finding a job
guage you understand. As a preventive
of the declaration of employment and
in Poland can be extremely difficult
measure, before arriving in Poland it is
simplifications in issuing decisions on
and may create a situation in which
advisable to find out where the Ukrai
temporary stay and work. The question
one is exposed to dishonest interme-
nian embassy is located, which will
remains, will the implemented changes
diaries and companies ready to employ
provide legal and information support
work in practice?
illegally. Every now and again we
if necessary.
receive reports, for example, of viola-
J.L.: I, too, ask myself this ques tion and hope that the new rules can be
tions of workers’ rights or of the inhu-
It is no secret that many foreigners are
implemented without too many prob
mane conditions in which workers
staying in our country illegally. Can
lems. This is particularly important
from other countries are forced to live.
you also help such people who want
because the amended law was needed.
What should a non-Polish person wish-
to “start over” and work in Poland?
Its main changes regarding the exten
ing to work in our country do to avoid
J.L.: Workers are often employed
sion of the validity of declarations mean
illegally not through their own fault, but
that an employee will be able to work
N.M.: Such situations do happen,
because they have come across a dis
in Poland for a longer period of time
but they should not. The Progres Group
honest intermediary. Of course, we are
without having to take a break and go
is opposed to such practices and we are
in a position to help such people, but
to Ukraine. In addition, the rules on
doing a lot to counteract them. Our organi-
we have to look at each case individu
the validity of Residence Cards and “A”
sation has over 20 branches located in
ally. In addition to support such as legal
Permits are changing – there will be no
Poland and several in Ukraine, each
employment, we can also provide assis
need, as before, to change documents
staffed by bilingual consultants. Contac
tance such as professional advice from
when changing positions or rates. This
ting them is the first and fundamental
our legal experts, who are well versed in
will facilitate access to the legal market
step to take to avoid the fraudsters who
current legislation.
for many people who, because of various
such risks?
often mislead workers. Unfortunately,
N.M.: Unfortunately, not every
the number of lawbreakers and dishon
person working illegally in Poland can
est brokers is high, and we still hear very
be helped. However, we do not leave
often about attempted sales and forger
them on their own – we advise them to
ies of documents, or unsigned contracts.
contact the border guard and apply for
Focus on Business | March–April 2022
life events, have had to part with their previous employer. Thank you for the interview.
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