The Second Metropolitan Debate in Olivia is ahead of us. Together with “Dziennik Bałtycki” – the organizer of the event and its substantive partner, the Gdańsk-Gdynia-Sopot Metropolitan Area Association, we are thinking about how to build a strong metropolis that will serve the inhabitants of our region well. Throughout the first half of 2018, representatives of local governments, universities, cultural and art institutions, entrepreneurs and politicians will meet in Olivia Business Centre, discussing the most important topics for our agglomeration.

The first debate at the headquarters of Olivia Business Centre took place on 22 January. The meeting, which was debated by representatives of the government, parliamentarians and local government officials (m.in. the presidents of Gdańsk, Gdynia and Sopot), ended with the signing of an important declaration by its participants. “We, the participants of the metropolitan debate organized by the editors of “Dziennik Bałtycki” in Olivia Business Centre and representatives of municipalities and districts associated in the Gdańsk-Gdynia-Sopot Metropolitan Area, express our support for the creation of a metropolitan union in the Pomeranian Voivodeship” – reads its first sentence. Read More…

On 2 March, Olivia will host a conversation on mobility. For the inhabitants of the entire region, the metropolis is first and foremost a hope for improving communication. We want to make it easier for us to move around both within Gdańsk, Gdynia and Sopot, as well as between the “core” of the metropolis and neighbouring cities or communes. We will therefore be discussing public transport, including the unified ticket. During the meeting, issues related to the development of SKM and the Pomeranian Metropolitan Railway will also be discussed. The interlocutors will also be looking for modern solutions – there is m.in on the agenda. the topic of the metropolitan bike. The debate “Metropolis and Mobility” will be attended by local government politicians and experts. The meeting starts on Friday, March 2 at 3:00 p.m. You will be able to follow them on an ongoing basis on the FB profile of “Dziennik Bałtycki”.

The debate “Metropolis and Mobility” will be attended by local government politicians and experts.

• Edyta Damszel-Turek, Director of the Gdańsk Development Office
• Magdalena Kołodziejczak, Head of the Pruszcz Gdański Commune
• Krzysztof Rudziński, CEO of InnoBaltica
• Kazimierz Smoliński, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure
• Ryszard Świlski, Member of the Board of the Pomeranian Voivodeship

If you want to take part in the 2nd Metropolitan Debate in Olivia, apply using the form available on the website of “Dziennik Bałtycki”. Write what topics related to the metropolitan area you are interested in. You will receive an e-mail confirming that you are eligible. The number of places is limited. The order of applications counts.

 

Go to the website dedicated to the Metropolitan Debates in Olivia

Register for the meeting

 

Today, i.e. On 22 January, the first debate about our metropolis took place in Olivia Business Centre. The meeting was attended by: Paweł Chorąży – Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Development, Kazimierz Kleina – Senator (PO); Marcin Horała – Member of the Sejm (Law and Justice); Paweł Adamowicz – Mayor of Gdansk; Wojciech Szczurek – Mayor of Gdynia; Jacek Karnowski – Mayor of Sopot; Zbigniew Canowiecki – President of Pomeranian Employers and Patryk Demski – Mayor of Pelplin.

The debate was opened by: Maciej Grabski , President of Olivia Business Centre and Mariusz Szmidka, Editor-in-Chief of Dziennik Bałtycki.

Watch the full transcript of the debate

At Olivia, we have been trying to talk about things that are important for our city, agglomeration, and region for a long time. We want to be a place of reliable, open discussions on important issues, those whose conclusions can be translated into real actions that serve all of us, the inhabitants of Pomerania. This time together with ” Dziennik Bałtycki”; The organizer of the “Metropolitan Debates in Olivia” and the substantive partner of the project, the Gdańsk-Gdynia-Sopot Metropolitan Area Association , decided to initiate discussions on how to build a strong metropolis. Throughout the year, we will invite representatives of local governments, universities, cultural and art institutions, entrepreneurs and politicians to Olivia Sky Club, raising the issues that are most important to the residents of our agglomeration.

The panelists of the first meeting spoke m.in. about how to create a metropolitan area in Pomerania and what can be achieved through cooperation. They wondered whether the development of a metropolis in Poland requires special legal acts, whether the creation of a metropolis will solve our everyday problems and whether the tasks should be fulfilled by the future metropolis. What can residents gain from it? What are the opportunities and threats of metropolises?

The debate ended with the signing of the “Declaration for the establishment of a metropolitan union in the Pomeranian Voivodeship” by the participants of the meeting and representatives of the municipalities and districts of the Pomeranian Voivodeship.

Go to the website dedicated to the Metropolitan Debates in Olivia

On 20 of January, for the 8^th time there took place a “Charity Ball with Heart” organised by Hospice Foundation. Also this time, Olivia Business Centre was the partner of the event.

European Solidarity Centre gathered more than 250 guests. Carnival party, in accordance with ball’s tradition, was combined with raising money for foundation’s charges – guests were raising funds for people under the care of priest E. Dutkiewicz Hospice for Adults and Children in Gdańsk. Last year, during loud and silent auction, more than 180 thousand zlotys were raised. This year, the Hospice will receive nearly 240 thousand zlotys!

Honorary Consul of the Republic of Malta in Poland, Sławomir Kalicki and the President of the Management Board of the Association of Honorary Consuls in Poland, Magdalena Pramfelt, were engaged in the organisation of this year’s ball. The ball was organised under the honorary patronage of Natasha Meli Daudey, the ambassador of the Republic of Malta in Poland. The event in ESC was full of Maltese accents.

One of the most moving moments during the event were the words of thanks addressed to people, who have been actively engaged in helping the foundation for many years. For their good hearts they received symbolic… Hearts. This year, these unique distinctions went to Maciej Grabski, President of the Management Board in Olivia Business Centre, Barbara Zaborowska, the owner of Olimpia Group, Julian Pawlukiewicz, CEO of Johnny Bros and Maciej Kosycarz.

The above-mentioned 240 thousand zlotys will provide domiciliary health care for 80 children and adults in priest Dutkiewicz Hospice.

More information can be found on: http://www.fundacjahospicyjna.pl/pl/aktualnosci/806-osmy-charytatywny-bal-z-sercem

^{Photos thanks to the courtesy of Hospice Foundation, author: A. Łopatniuk}

“Discovering the geographical poles, crossing the desert, crossing the ocean is a fascinating and dangerous path, which allowed us to I discovered the Pole method – the art of self-discovery and achieving goals. Don’t worry, this is not an academic lecture, I don’t want to persuade or lecture you on anything. I would just like to share my experience and invite you to work on yourself, which is no less fascinating than an expedition to the farthest ends of the Earth. I believe that the method and exercises described in the book by psychologist Joanna Heidtman will open the door and the first step in your journey into yourself. A new door means a new path and new opportunities, and every journey begins with the first step.”

Marek Kaminski

The power of synergy and the art of building relationships are the two key pillars of creating the Olivia Business Centre community. One of our goals is also to show that Olivia is a place of development for many people and that it is always a situation of two-way exchange of ideas and experiences – participants of our meetings and invited experts.

Guest of the event “Azimuth for good luck. The Pole Method in Life and Business”, which took place in Olivia Sky Club, was recently Marek Kamiński; a charismatic leader, traveller, thinker, outstanding personality of Polish sport and business, who in July 2017 chose Olivia as the location of his foundation’s headquarters. In an interview conducted by Monika Bogdanowicz (Olivia Business Centre), Marek Kamiński shared his experience gained during numerous expeditions and travels that have led him to the farthest corners of the world. He told m.in. about the need and the possibility of consciously creating a feeling of happiness in our lives, both in the professional and personal sphere.

And they can be created m.in. through the consistent use of simple meditation techniques, an inner conversation with oneself and the so-called Thought notes – made every morning, just after waking up. He presented, on his own example, the ways of implementing new plans and goals. He brought those present in Olivia closer. his latest project ” Life plan ” and the “No Trace Expedition”. The latter is an innovative project promoting the idea of conscious travel, also into oneself, without leaving traces in the natural environment. Its implementation is planned for March-June 2018. Route – 20 thousand. kilometers – it will run through Kaliningrad, Belarus, Russia, Siberia, South Korea and Japan. The aim of the expedition is m.in. To show that an electric car can travel long and difficult distances, and at the same time have a positive impact on the world around us, leaving no traces of human presence in it. This idea is combined with the innovative “Leave Trail” approach, which is about leaving a mark, but not in nature, but in people’s minds.

During the event, elements of development programs implemented by the Marek Kamiński Foundation, which support various social and professional groups, including managers and executives of companies, were also presented. Among them was, of course, Kamiński’s original “Pole Method “. This one is focused on achieving goals, supporting development and preventing loss of motivation. A 10-step route leads m.in. to know oneself. It is based on dreams, because they are the key to determining one’s own Pole. The Pole method was described in the book “Discover that you carry the pole within you” and uses m.in. visualizations and physical exercises.

It is successfully used at the Camps of the Conquerors of the Poles organized by the Marek Kamiński Foundation. However, it can be applied to every level of life and include both personal and business goals. It becomes a multidimensional and fascinating journey that aims to give our lives a unique value. Soft skills, which can be acquired using this method, become useful in everyday life, at every stage.

See the full photo report from the meeting with Marek Kamiński

About the Pole Method

Marek Kamiński Foundation

Turquoise self-organization – a new paradigm of work

It’s Wednesday, a cold February evening. The Olivia Sky Club room is filled to the brim. Guests are waiting for the start of the lecture by prof. Andrzej Blikle’s “Let’s talk about Turquoise!“. The lecture was organized by Joanna Roszkowska and Maciej Winiarek , founders of Thinking Zone – a primary, middle and high school.

Earlier in the day, in the space of Coworking O4, where the Thinking Zone is located, a several-hour workshop “Turquoise self-organization – a new paradigm of work” was held, led by prof. Blikle for the headmasters of Tri-City schools.

Both events were attended by over 200 people – teachers and school principals, parents, entrepreneurs. Professor Blikle talked about what it is like to work in teal organizations and manage them. This knowledge, as the organizers of the meeting say, can become an inspiration for many to change the way they think, communicate, even live…

What was the motivation for the creators of Thinking Zone to undertake the organization of these events? “We are guided by values that coincide with the values of teal: share information, surround yourself with partners, seek cooperation, and continue to grow. This is the course we have taken in our school, this is the approach we infect our environment, this is how we create a culture of thinking and partnership” – Joanna Roszkowska and Maciej Winiarek tell us.

Where to start implementing the concept of teal management?

The basic issues of teal management are included in Frederic Laloux’s book “To Work Differently”. In the “teal organization,” traditional management gives way to participatory self-organization. Prof. Andrzej Blikle is the ambassador of the above-mentioned concept in Poland and supports company leaders in the processes of creating high business culture and quality in general. He is also the author of books presenting the subject of turquoise in detail: “The doctrine of quality. It’s all about effective management” and “The doctrine of quality. Second edition turquoise. It’s about turquoise self-organization.”

Benefits of implementing turquoise according to professor A. Blikle

“So it is not true, as we sometimes hear, that the joy of work is a luxury that we cannot afford today. On the contrary, it is the lack of this joy that generates considerable costs, both emotional and material. In a team based on suspicion and violence, instead of cooperation, we fight, we play games, we destroy each other, and as a result we are unhappy, and our actions bring mediocre or even destructive results.

The first law of social gravity states that people who trust each other and act out of dignity are better at achieving their goals.

Why, then, is happy cooperation not as widespread today as it should be? In my opinion, the main reason is a misconception about motivational mechanisms, and hence about the role of a leader in a team.

All the widely used carrot and stick “motivators” (bonuses, commissions, bonuses, etc.) invariably lead to a situation that I call a war game between the strong who hold the stick or the carrot and the weak against whom these treatments are applied. Besides, the difference between a carrot and a stick is only apparent, for avoiding the stick is like a carrot, and depriving the carrot is like a stick.

Being herded to work with a stick or a carrot also makes obtaining a carrot or avoiding a stick the most important goal for the weak, and an end that justifies the means, because the stick and the carrot automatically turn off the internal motivation to act. The student who learns for the sake of a degree, and not for the sake of knowledge, concentrates his ingenuity on cheating.” *

Interview with Prof. Andrzej Blikle

As part of the “Olivia’s Conversations” series, we talk about how to develop the potential of companies and people, why it is worth opening up new ideas and activities, and how to find the way to a good life without waiting for retirement, with Prof. Andrzej Blikle.

Monika Bogdanowicz (Communication Expert, Olivia Business Centre): Observing your life, it is clear that you have been active in many fields of professional activity. You have been a businessman, a teacher, a lecturer and you have many successes to your credit. What are your favourite flavours in life, or what should you do to make life taste good? What is your recipe for a happy life that people dream of?

Professor Andrzej Blikle: There is only one recipe for happiness, but there are various ways to implement it. I believe that we have to do what we like to do. And this is also my advice, especially to young people. When you choose a profession, think more about what you would like to do than what you can make money on. If you do something you like to do, you will do it well, and if you do it well, there will be a demand for your work. I talked about it during a lecture at Olivia Business Centre. You have to make an effort to make a good life every day, and success and money usually come as a consequence. Smessing up in life is first of all doing what you like, and if you like it, you know how to do it, so you do well. This is also when we improve, and we know that we can only achieve mastery in the area of our talents. It is worth devoting yourself to what you have a talent for, you just have to be able to recognize it. It is often the case with talent that when we like something very much, we think that it is our talent. However, I would like to clarify this. You have to do what you like, but in the sense that it has to be your passion. Because, for example, people say: “And I like to sit in a bar, so I’ll open a drink bar and it’ll be great.” But then it usually turns out that sitting in a bar as its host is not the same as sitting as a customer. We need to find an occupation that will encourage us to act, that will “pay” us a dignity reward. That’s why I need to think about what I can do to be satisfied with it. Because this is the most important source of motivation to act.

^{Fig. Maciej Roszkowski, We Love Photo, in the photo prof. Andrzej Blikle during the workshop “Turquoise self-organization – a new paradigm of work”}

M.B.: Nowadays, we have to make hundreds of choices every day, in every area: from everyday matters to the most important issues related to the decision about the path of career or business development. Hundreds of possibilities in every topic concerning our lives. Have an unlimited field Is the possibilities offered by the modern world good or maybe too many options make it difficult to make a choice that can be successful

A.B.: I wouldn’t ask the question whether it’s good that the world is the way it is. That’s the way it is, and you have to deal with it. However, there are different emotional profiles. Some people want to have a very large choice, while others prefer it when someone helps them with this choice. Some people want to have a lot, while others prefer to have less, because having it involves various responsibilities (e.g. you have to take care of your car) and threats (they can steal it from you). Today, especially young people, believe that many things are not worth owning. You just need to be able to use them. I think this is the right direction. I don’t have a car, and when I need to go somewhere, I order it easily through an app on my phone. I find a car around the corner, drive as long as I want and leave where I want. Such an option is not yet common in Poland, but it is already in many countries. In the same way, you can use luxury goods, e.g. rent a top-of-the-line tie for one evening or a women’s handbag from one of the most expensive brands. In this way, for one weekend you can have, for example, 30 pounds, something that costs several thousand and you would not be able to afford to buy. And so we can have it and use it as needed. I think that this direction, this trend will develop.

M.B.: Who does Polish business want to listen to and who does it listen to today? Who are today’s key economists, advisors or entrepreneurs who are most often listened to by Polish leaders and managers of companies?

A.B.: Oh, it’s very different. There is no one answer to this question. My experience is that every manager has different expectations. And it must be remembered that economics, which is so important in business, is not the knowledge of management. These are two different fields. Just as computer science is not electronics. Of course, businessmen listen to economists, the good and important ones, and sometimes they listen to those who say foolish things. Such a thought, in my opinion, was formulated by e.g. Milton Friedman, who, as a Nobel Prize winner in economics, people believed. He said that “the main goal of any economic organization is to maximize profits.” Why do I think this is unwise? Because the goal of the company is what the owners choose to be their goal. Dot. The law of economics is that profit is a necessity, but that doesn’t mean it has to be the goal. To live, one must eat (necessity), but he who lives in order to eat (purpose) lives a shorter life. It’s the same with companies. One of them was called Enron, the other was called Lehman Brothers. And there are many more such examples.

M.B.: So who do you think is the authority for Polish entrepreneurs, including you?

A.B.: We cannot speak of a single authority. It is a difficult task to present inspiring people. I’m not going to list all the very important business professors here, because I’d probably leave someone out. I can tell you who was my inspiration. William Edwards Deming, Peter Ferdinand Drucker, Alfie Kohn – I’ve read a lot of books by these authors. I really, really appreciate what I learned from Marek Kosewski – a social psychologist who dealt with business psychology. I recommend his book “Values, Dignity and Power. Why do good people sometimes steal, and thieves take honor on them?” At the moment, a very important book for me, from which I learned a lot of important things, is the book by Professor Rafał Ohme, “Emo Sapiens”, I also wrote a review of it , which you can find on my website. Knowledge must be drawn from various sources. I recommend, for example, getting to know the work of Jacek Jakubowski and Dorota Jakubowska, the founders of the TROP Group, who are a source of constant inspiration for me. Including. run the “Agreement for Empathy” project. I learned a lot from them. I couldn’t omit Jacek Santorski either, he has been the source of many of my inspirations for years. Inspirers can have a significant impact on our development with their non-standard thinking. I recommend looking for such guides on your way.

M.B.: Your motto, derived from the “Constitution of Freedom”**, referring to missionary activity in the area of promoting the idea of high-quality management, is: “Development is when a few convince the many. New thoughts must appear somewhere before they can become the views of the majority.” Does your activity, promoting organizational turquoise, which opposes democracy, partnership and shortening the distance to the culture of the grange, have a chance for a good adaptation in Polish business, and what is the scale of such a formula of organization in Poland?

A.B.: I don’t know if anyone has conducted a study on this topic in Poland. I know that there is a person who deals with this at the University of Finance and Management in Warsaw and intends to carry out such research. He wants to check what the population of Polish companies in our country looks like. From my own observations, I can say that during my more than 80 meetings a year – similar to the one in Olivia – I am approached by 1 to 5 people who say that they already organize their work in this way. So every year I meet about 200-300 people actively thinking about the turquoise style. And a few years ago, I didn’t hear such statements. This proves the growing scale of this phenomenon in Poland.

M.B.: Do the leaders of Polish companies want to go beyond the mental scheme and the current ways of acting? Are they open to these ideas and do they want to take them up?

A.B.: Some want to, others don’t. It is known that this is a novelty. On the other hand, the manor farm syndrome is very common, although it is difficult for me to say whether it is prevalent. Some people think so, e.g. Jacek Santorski. The farm system is highly anti-democratic. Turquoise is not a majoritarian democracy, where the majority is right in principle. To put it in a nutshell, turquoise is making decisions on every issue by the minority who know about the matter. So each time it can be a different minority. This is not minority rule, but participatory decision-making in an atmosphere of trust. In a democracy, on the other hand, the decision is made by the majority, which cannot know everything.

^{Fig. Maciej Roszkowski, We Love Photo, in the photo: Monika Bogdanowicz (Olivia Business Centre), prof. Andrzej Blikle}

M.B.: Skeptics say they don’t believe in companies that don’t have bosses.

A.B.: Everyone has the right not to believe even in what exists. When Ludwig Pasteur announced his findings, many doctors did not believe in the existence of microbes. On the other hand, the word “boss” is very capacious. I think that every team needs leaders, leaders of ideas, social leaders, leaders who inspire people. Such people are needed, because a team in which no one cares about anything will not work well. Leaders are needed, but not one supreme and infallible leader, but many. Different in each case. Then it’s fantastic.

M.B.: What are some good examples of turquoise companies in Poland?

A.B.: As I said, I meet a lot of such companies. Some are described on my website. Among them are Marco, Mentax, Brewa and KamSoft Podlasie. These are not big companies, but recently I learned that turquoise is being built by the Polish branch of the international corporation Decathlon. The Polish Sodexo is also turquoise. Many companies are not yet familiar with this method, so it is new to them. Turquoise is very different in Poland. Some people have heard of it and think it’s idiotic. Others have heard and want to go in that direction. It all depends on the awareness of the leaders who decide about the future of the organization.

M.B.: Are there any risks for companies related to the choice of turquoise? After all, not all companies want to change the world.

A.B.: The main danger is that this is a far-reaching revolution. If you do it incompetently, you can fall into the so-called Newspeak. People are starting to talk the way they used to say in the Polish People’s Republic: “with the Soviet Union at the forefront”. And no matter what was said, when it ended with the famous “with the Soviet Union at the helm”, there was no longer any discussion. Turquoise newspeak is the repetition of slogans without caring about adhering to them in daily practice. If the company doesn’t realize this, people start to treat turquoise as another manipulation on the part of the management. Once you get on this road, it’s hard to turn back.

M.B.: Trust cannot be decreed…

A.B.: You definitely can’t!

M.B.: And how can we recognize the authenticity of the implementation of this method and not just a declarative approach in the business environment?

A.B.: You have to talk to people honestly, but first you have to get them to be honest with you, which is not that easy. I’ve never said it’s easy. I’ve said it’s effective and it’s worth it, but it’s certainly not simple.

M.B.: You say , “I keep telling everyone that it’s not worth worrying about things you can’t control.” Where do you get the strength to be so active every day?

A.B.: I train all the time. I train teaching – I have an average of two trainings a week, all year round. Sometimes it’s half an hour, sometimes it’s two, sometimes it’s nine hours in one day. So I teach a lot, but I also do a lot of sports: downhill skiing and ski-mountaineering, which are my number one sports, but also windsurfing, mountain biking, rowing on a skiff (the so-called Olympic one), and in the winter in the city a gym. Sports have always been present in our family. My parents were athletes, not competitively, but always in a meaningful dimension of life. I recommend sport to everyone as an important part of a good life.

M.B.: Thank you for the meeting and the inspiring conversation. I hope that it will contribute to strengthening the importance of the idea of turquoise in Poland.

SEE THE PHOTO GALLERY FROM THE MEETING:

Workshop “Turquoise self-organization”

Sky Club Evening – lecture “Let’s talk about Turquoise!”

^{*”The Doctrine of Quality, Second Turquoise Edition. A Thing About Turquoise Self-Organization”, more on
http://www.moznainaczej.com.pl/137-dzialania/moja-ksiazka?start=12}

^{**”The Constitution}

of Liberty” – a book considered one of the most outstanding contemporary works on political philosophy, the 20th-century equivalent of John Stuart Mill’s On Liberty! The author, Friedrich August von Hayek, winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics, discusses his theory of neoliberalism, in which the central place is occupied by the problem of individual freedom, understood as independence or lack of coercion. The author criticizes theories of political freedom as the power and possibility of personality fulfillment or prosperity. It combines the personal freedom of the individual with the functioning of a free-competitive economy based on the law of demand and sale. It is opposed to the classically understood justice, which finds expression in the rules of the distribution of goods. He believes that imposing any model of distribution on society is a denial of freedom. Justice can only be based on the principle of free contract. According to the author, individual freedom is a necessary but not sufficient condition for the existence of a social order, since its content is determined by moral principles that govern the exercise of freedom and indisputable legal principles that bind the will of the majority. Hayek examines how Western societies defend individual freedom. It compares the market system and the welfare system. It is still a lively discussed critique of contemporary society, which has entered the canon of reading social and political sciences.

–/–

^{Prof. Andrzej Blikle – mathematician, computer scientist, entrepreneur. An employee of the Institute of Computer Science of the Polish Academy of Sciences, a member of the European Academy of Sciences (Akademia Europaea), the Council of the Polish Language of the Polish Academy of Sciences and over 20 other organizations. He has lectured in Warsaw, Berkeley (USA), Waterloo (Canada), Linköping (Sweden), Lyngby and Copenhagen (Denmark). Founding member, former president, and today honorary member of the Polish Information Processing Society. Former president of the Polish Federation of Food Producers. In the years 1990-2010 he was the President of the Management Board of A.Blikle Sp. z o.o., today a member of the supervisory board of this company. Former president of the board of the Family Business Initiative association, and today its honorary president. He is also the honorary president of the Adam Smith.}

^{William Edwards Deming – an American physicist who revolutionized management methods based on the philosophy of quality called TQM (Total Quality Management). He used to say, “Quality is everyone’s responsibility.”}

^{Peter Ferdinand Drucker – Expert on management, academic lecturer, researcher of organizational and management processes in corporations and non-profit organizations. He is considered one of the most outstanding management thinkers and theoreticians of the twentieth century.}

^{Alfie Kohn is an American interdisciplinary researcher specializing in the field of education and upbringing. His fields of interest include issues of motivation, cooperation and long-term effects of parenting strategies. A well-known opponent of grades in schools and a competitive approach to learning.}

READ MORE ABOUT “OLIVIA’S CONVERSATIONS”

 

–/–

Photo materials courtesy of Maciej Roszkowski from We Love Photo and Thinking Zone.

 

The Pomeranian Regional Chamber of Commerce has its seat in the Olivia CONNECT area of the Olivia Business Centre and has been supporting domestic firms in their operations, development and execution of international projects for years. The Olivia Business Centre is, again, a patron of the event the Transport Week Conference whose eighth edition focused on projects involving development of the port infrastructure in Europe and opportunities offered by the New Silk Route. As a part of the conference we talk to Bogdan Ołdakowski, a member of the Management Board of RIGP and President of Actia Forum sp. z o.o., the organizer of the Transport Week. Some of the keynote topics of the “Olivia’s interview” include the foreign expansion of Pomeranian firms, a vision of development of Pomerania and the role of the developing TSL industry in that process (transport, shipping, logistics).

CHALLENGES FOR FIRMS IN POMERANIA

Monika Bogdanowicz (Communication Expert, Olivia Business Centre): Do Pomeranian entrepreneurs have any reason to be satisfied? What is the main challenge for firms in 2018 according to the Pomeranian Regional Chamber of Commerce?

Bogdan Ołdakowski, President of the Management Board of Actia Forum Sp. z o.o., organizer of the Transport Week conference, a member of the Management Board of the Pomeranian Regional Chamber of Commerce (RIGP).: Yes. Last year was good for the economy in Poland. Positive effects of the fast economic growth can also be observed in Pomerania; corporate revenues are on the increase and the exports are growing as well, even though the growth rate is not as fast as in previous years. There is no doubt that finding workers is a challenge this year. Problems on the labour market can be seen almost everywhere. Obviously, this fact, apart from labour shortages, translates into an increased value of salaries, which increases costs of business operations.

INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION OF POMERANIAN FIRMS

M.B.: What is your general opinion about the potential of Pomeranian firms and their preparation for international expansion? How is the TSL industry coping in this race?

B.O. The region of Pomerania is very open to the cooperation with international markets. This is the effect of many factors such as the characteristic coastal location of the region that has always encouraged people to travel, to search for markets overseas. I have a high opinion about the preparation of Pomeranian firms for presence on international markets. One can obviously always notice some problems, e.g. the collapse of the offshore market (extraction of oil and natural gas from the sea worldwide) that many firms took advantage of. The international TSL industry is also in good condition. This industry, by its very nature, operates on international markets but Pomerania is the core activity of many firms representing that industry because market is growing very rapidly here.

RIGP SUPPORT

M.B.: How is the Pomeranian Regional Chamber of Commerce really helping their members to develop and promote themselves abroad? What benefits do RIGP members get and why is it worthwhile to be an active participant in meetings and training courses organized, among other things, in conference areas of Olivia?

B.O. Many firms belong to the RIGP and it is mainly thanks to their services that other entrepreneurs have an opportunity to take advantage of professional help. RIGP also implements projects to help firms on international markets, for example the project titled the Pomeranian Export Broker where it is one of the partners. From the perspective of a firm interested in a specific market, it is just worthwhile to come to seminars or training courses to learn about the details of business operations, e.g. in Norway or Iran. We offer professional consulting to those who want more help. The Pomeranian Export Broker project can also co-finance costs of travel to fairs, conferences, etc. Let us not forget that the Chamber can suggest specific aid in the funding of business operations. I invite everyone to become a part of the Chamber.

THE ROLE OF GRAŃSK IN THE INDUSTRY

M.B.: Let’s talk about the Transport Week conference prepared by Actia Forum for the 8^th time, which is one of the most popular events devoted to the TSL industry. What is the role of Gdańsk and the entire Pomerania on the international market today? What I have in mind is the cooperation of our enterprises with firms from the Baltic area, Europe and the world?

B.O. The role of Gdańsk and Gdynia increased significantly in the last few years, mainly thanks to the development of ports in Gdańsk and Gdynia. Poland’s accession to the EU, i.e. the year 2004 was the cut-off date. Rapidly growing reloading operations in ports reflected the rapid economic development or the country and its trade. Additionally, there were large investments in the transport infrastructure, also thanks to EU funds, which strengthened the position of ports even further. The transport industry which, to put it simply, deals with the trade and cargo service is also growing along with the increase in the quantity of cargos. It is an industry that generates a lot of jobs, mainly related to ports. The role of Pomerania in the Baltic region is the role of the leader and, from the European perspective, ports in Gdańsk and Gdynia are one of the most rapidly growing medium-sized port centres in Europe.

POMERANIA 2030

M.B.: What if we wanted to describe daringly a vision of Pomerania in 2030 from the perspective of logistics and the transport industry? What shall we have then, what we do not have now and what still requires a lot of effort and energy today?

B.O. If I were to try and describe a vision of Pomerania 2030, I would say that the scale of the port, business, and the TSL industry would be much greater. Larger shops will arrive here, ports will have a larger and more modern infrastructure. The road and railway infrastructure is one of the key issues to be settled, both as regard the access to ports and further, i.e. as support centres. Therefore, if we talk about effort it shall be directed both towards the development of ports and the development of the land infrastructure. And development is not only expansion but also the intelligent management of such expansion and traffic.

NEW SILK ROUTE

M.B.: A discussion about the development of the New Silk Route will be one of the conference topics. What do you think about the chance for further development of the Baltic and European logistic sector?

B.O. This topic is discussed at many meetings and conferences. The policy of the government of China related to the New Silk Route mainly consists of the strengthening of China’s presence as regards investments worldwide, including Europe. Chinese investments are also made in ports, e.g. in Greece and Portugal. One has to remember that the transport route between Europe and Asia, especially China offers the largest scale of trade in Europe. Therefore, we can say that Chinese investments in European ports are a natural direction to attain the goals of the Silk Route. However, the scale of investments is still minor in Europe. Time will show whether the Chinese capital will be invested in ports to a greater degree.

INNOVATIONS IN BUSINESS

M.B.: You have been observing the development of the TSL industry for many years; Do you believe that there is space for the creation of demand for innovations, new types of services and development of forms such as start-ups there?

B.O. Of course there is. The port sector or, more generally, the TSL is a fast growing industry and, at the same time, considered rather conservative. The simultaneous development of the industry and its technological advancement creates opportunities for the realization of many innovative projects or start-ups. In general, we have been observing the process of digitalization of that industry for a few years that, as a consequence, is supposed to help improve the effectiveness of logistic solutions for the transport of goods.

TRANSPORT WEEK GALA IN OLIVIA

M.B.: You have also planned a special meeting for all guests as a part of the agenda of the 3-day event at the Transport Week 2018 which was held in a unique place: Olivia Sky Club from where one can see the panorama of the entire Gdańsk Bay. It is from there that one can also see sea transport routes. Please tell us, what the guests experienced during that special evening?

B.O. In particular, guests had an opportunity to have a good time in the Olivia Business Centre with a view of the Bay. Such meetings offer an opportunity for non-formal conversations, initiation of business contacts. In general, guests who visit Gdańsk or Gdynia once in a few years are surprised with the development rate and with places such as Olivia. On behalf of the organisers of the Transport Week, I want to thank you for hosting us that evening. It is worth mentioning that the Baltic Transport Journal handed out awards to firms for special achievements in the transport industry in the Baltic area at the meeting. Winners included firms from Pomerania: DCT Gdańsk and the Management of the Gdańsk Seaport.

POMERANIA – WINDOW TO THE WORLD

M.B: When I listened to you talking about your experience presenting the development of Pomeranian firms and their connections to the world, I observed the intense growth of transport-related industries focused on Gdańsk – we can safely say that our window to the world is open increasingly wider!

B.O. Oh yes! Windows of Pomerania and Gdańsk have always been and still are wide open to the world.

–/–

^{Bogdan Ołdakowski, President of the Management Board and founder of Actia Forum Sp. Ltd. He has been performing the function of the Secretary of the General Organisation of Baltic Ports since 2006. He is also the President of the Management Board of the Baltic Press Sp. z o.o. publishing house and the Motus Foundation. In 1996-2003, connected to the Management Board of the Morski Port Gdansk S.A. occupying various positions. In the same period, he participated in the work of the Baltic Ports Organisation, European Sea Port Organisation and other international organisations. Worked as an advisor at the Gdansk Airport. Lech Wałęsa Sp. of o. about. in 2000-2003. In 1994-1998, a team member in GEOMOR with which it finished his cooperation on the position of a Management Board Member and the Managing Director. He participates in the work of industry and economic organisations, is a member of groups of experts and advisory groups, among other things, a Management Board member at the Pomeranian Regional Chamber of Commerce, a member of the European Sustainable Shipping Forum and the European Ports Forum, consulting groups at the European Commission. A participant in many consulting projects related to sea sectors, ports, infrastructure, transport, energy and environmental protection. An organizer, lecturer and speaker at conferences and international forums. Graduated from the Faculty of Biology, Geography and Coastal Science at the Gdańsk University. A scholar of the Tempus Program during the studies. A scholar of the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark after graduation. He graduated from the Law and Management Postgraduate Studies at the Management and Economics Department of the Gdańsk University of Technology and a managerial course: Port Management and Organization organized by the Ports of Stockholm. He also completed the Baltic Leadership Programme organized by the Swedish Institute. He practices sports: tennis, football, skiing. He is interested in jazz, literature and contemporary painting.}

–/–

^{About Olivia CONNECT. The CONNECT Project was established to stimulate and facilitate the cooperation between all residents of the Olivia Business Centre. Its priority is to create the environment promoting business development and to initiate projects whose joint realization helps expand the region of Pomerania. Numerous non-governmental organisations have their offices in Olivia CONNECT, e.g. associations, foundations and business support organisations. Residents of Olivia CONNECT include: the infoShare Foundation, Marek Kamiński Foundation, Marek Kamiński Institute and the Inspiring Examples Foundation as well as the Regional Chamber of Commerce of Pomerania, Pomeranian Union of Entrepreneurs Lewiatan, GUP Job Office, ICT Interizon Cluster and the BPO Education Centre – Sopot High School.}

GALA TRANSPORT WEEK 2018 IN OLIVIA

OLIVIA – A TRANSPORT WEEK 2018 PARTNER

READ MORE INTERVIEWS IN OLIVIA

From 6 to 8 of March there will be held the 8^th Transport Week conference, which is one of the most respected events connected with transport and logistic services industry in Central Europe. This year’s meeting of the representatives of transport and logistic sector will be devoted to the analysis of current and upcoming projects of port infrastructure development in Poland and Europe, as well as opportunities offered by the New Silk Route.

Olivia Business Centre, the biggest business centre in northern Poland, will be the partner of Transport Week 2018. Already on March 7, the centre will host top European representatives of transport and logistic companies. This day, in Olivia Sky Club, there will be held “Baltic Trendsetters Club Certificates” award ceremony. The certificates are awarded by the editorial staff of “Baltic Transport Journal”. The winners of these awards are the companies, which drive the development of the Baltic Sea Region, while implementing unique and daring undertakings, which have a lasting impact on logistic and transport industries.

 

CONFERENCE

Before talking about the subject of international logistic industry, the participants of Transport Week will have a chance to take a closer look at the issues connected with the development of transport infrastructure in the region. During the debate entitled “Infrastructure and transport and logistic services industry – Pomerania 2030”, which will be held on the first day of the conference, there will be presented a general picture of the current state of regional projects connected with logistic sector. On the second day, there will be, for example, the summary of the situation in the port market. Among panellists and speakers there will be the representatives of the biggest Polish sea ports – Gdańsk, Gdynia, Szczecin-Świnoujście – as well as guests from Rotterdam, Stockholm, Helsinki and Wilhelmshaven. There will be a discussion about, among other issues, the financing of the development of port infrastructure, spatial planning, coexistence of ports and cities, as well the influence of automation on the development of ports and terminals. Participants will pay special attention to the New Silk Route and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) – these initiatives will be the main subject of the third day of the conference. Legal regulations, using the potential offered by the Silk Route, the role of Poland as railway gates leading to the Middle East, intercontinental services from the point of view of road and railway operators, as well as Digital Silk Route – these are just some of the subjects, which will be touched upon on that day.

Every year, during Transport Week conference, there meet key representatives of the European transport sector, the biggest market players, investors, experts. Among the participants there are the owners of shipping and container lines, Ro-Ro operators, port and terminal authorities, railway operators, as well as the representatives of administrative bodies in Poland and abroad or the representatives of European transport and logistic organisations.

PATRONS OF THE EVENT

The honorary patronage over the event was taken, for example, by the Ministry of Infrastructure, the Ministry of Maritime Economy and Inland Navigation, the Marshall of Pomerania Voivodship, the mayor of Gdańsk and key European institutions – for example The Baltic Ports Organization (BPO), European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) and Polish Platform LNG.

The conference will take place in the Congress Centre of the Polish Baltic Frédéric Chopin Philharmonic.

Actia Forum is the organiser of the event.

More information can be found on the official website of the conference

Watch the coverage of Transport Week Gala 2017