PUBLISHER'S NOTE

My 16-year-old daughter returned from a 2-week exchange trip to Stockholm yesterday. She was a bit unlucky with her stay with a local family, but what left an impact on me was her reflection on the experience. She said thoughtfully, “you know, dad, I have learned that I should really appreciate what I have – my school, classmates, and friends are amazing and my family support is a perfect base.” I am sharing this with you because we are living through very difficult times. While we all take time to reflect on the positives in our life, I am also sure that we sometimes forget to appreciate everything that we have and the fact that we should treasure it while it lasts. (And this is something that all of us living in Poland are sadly and regularly reminded of when we meet Ukrainians at our work, on the street, and in the shops. We still stand with you Ukraine.)

Of course, this is a business magazine and I shouldn’t be philosophizing over these issues, but maybe I do it because I believe that we are still somewhat hampered by our tendency to engage in short-term thinking. I know that gas prices are increasing – it is sad and terrible, and I am afraid we will still see many closed, or temporarily closed companies, shops, and restaurants. It is sad for credit holders that interest rates are rising, stock markets are going down and recession is on our collective radar. But as a friend of mine says “your health, your family and your mind are the most important.”

We will eventually get through this. I would even say that this is a great opportunity – for Poland.

In times of difficulty, new business opportunities and models are created, and we should use these times to push our boundaries. Even though we are probably looking at 12 months of tough and challenging times, this is a good moment to review our business and our costs and look around for ways we can do things smarter, better, and more effectively. I do respect and sympathize with small and medium businesses (service providers and the whole gastronomic industry) who are facing a terrible battle, and I am well aware of how much these ‘battles’ can negatively influence our mental energy.

This issue is highlighted by the success story of Norblin Factory presented in this issue. Their story clearly shows how things can get difficult and yet still produce amazing results when issues are confronted with belief, engagement, and hard work. This is a great example of the Polish will to succeed.

We also bring you good news about Polish exports of business services, the inspiration for the work-cation, insights from Polish company business leaders, insight into unemployment numbers, a currency status update, and several other great reads.

Keep on fighting.

Remember to keep on the right side of history, be kind and appreciate what you have today.

See you again soon. Morten

On The Cover

Contributor

Sergiusz Prokurat

Our macro-economic and political commentator with over 15 years of experience in Europe and Asia as a lead manager, entrepreneur, PhD lecturer, project expert and journalist, Sergiusz is an IT-savvy economist and published author.

Sergiusz's opinion about the Odra river and the Polish currency start on Page 54

Guests In This Issue

Morten Lindholm

Editor-in-Chief/Publisher mlindholm@valkea.com

Kevin Demaria Art Director kdemaria@valkea.com

Jessica Sirotin Editor

Krzysztof Maciejewski Business & Web Editor kmaciejewski@wbj.com

Contributors

Nikodem Chinowski Sergiusz Prokurat

Anna Rzhevkina

Krystyna Spark Alex Webber

Szmich, CEO of Delia Cosmetics

The CEO of Delia Cosmetics since 2015, Szmich has been with the company since 2009, and previously served as COO.

Kinga Nowakowska COO, board member in Capital Park Group

Since 2007, she has been associated with the Capital Park Group. She is involved in the Group’s largest projects, including Royal Wilanów. Since 2009, she has been responsible for the implementation of the prestigious revitalization project of the Norblin Factory in Warsaw. She is the author of the Biuro Plus concept, which provides individual solutions in each of the Capital Park Group's projects to support the needs of tenants. The idea is based on design principles, ecology and sustainable development, art and culture in common spaces, and a creative approach to asset management. She founded and manages the Black Swan Fund which invests in start-ups managed by women. One of her most interesting investments is BioBazar - the first organic, certified food market in Poland.

Delia Cosmetics is one of the leading cosmetics producers in Poland, exporting to 60 foreign markets and employing 370 people in Poland. Szmich has also been a member of the Supervisory Board of the Polish Union of the Cosmetics Industry (PZPK) since 2021.

Nikodem Chinowski's interview is on Page 48

Dariusz Kubacki, Vice-President Business Intelligence & Thought Leadership, ABSL

Currently at KMD, an NEC Company, Dariusz is Managing Director of KMD Poland and Vice President of the Digital Transformation Services global unit. He leads the Polish subsidiary of KMD with 600+ employees onboard. Between 2013 and 2018, he led the Warsaw Chapter of Association of Business Service Leaders (ABSL) and in 2021 was appointed ABSL VP responsible for Business Intelligence and Thought Leadership.

Article begins on Page 36

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