We believe that walking is the simplest thing we can do for our health. Moreover, we also know that while walking, knowledge sticks better in our heads. Connecting the dots, we decided we will walk, talk, and converse. And today for such a conversation with our special guest, I present Marcin. Marcin Czyczot, how are you?
Hi. Marcin Czyerski. Czyerski, sorry.
Oh, I'm very well. Walks are so nice. Great. Glad you joined. Listen, we are also joined by participants of the IT Manager of Tomorrow conference. Hey, hey. Greetings to everyone.
We started the day with a walk. Look what great company we have.
I usually come alone or with someone. And here, what numerous company.
Exactly.
Marcin, we have a cool topic today that I want to talk to you about related to Powerwalk. So I'll do an introduction, but first maybe I'll ask you: can you introduce yourself, say what you do?
Sure. Marcin Czyczerski, currently primarily at GCG Partners, a boutique advisory and investment firm where we help companies with transformations, strategy building, and execution on a co-management basis. I invite you to check it out. Additionally, I serve on several supervisory boards, including Exotic, CCC, Rainbow Tours, and Polish Cable Cars, so there are some sports and tourism elements. So I'm more advisory and supervisory, supporting companies, boards, and owners. Previously, I was the president of CCC Modivo and managing director of one of Volkswagen's manufacturing companies.
Wow. Impressive. Great. What caught my attention is the Polish cable cars. So that includes, I don't know, Gubałówka or Kasprowy Wierch? The lift or cable car. I'm curious, how did you end up on their supervisory board? What made them attract you or you end up there?
I think being on supervisory boards is a question I get many times. It's a natural step in many managers' careers. Two things determine it: first, networking, because owners appoint you, so you need to be recognizable. Second, what you bring to the board. Usually, it's industry knowledge or transformation expertise. Polish Cable Cars are very customer-focused, which is common with retail and e-commerce. They have a well-developed omnichannel model. The company is dynamic and wants to grow, so I think that explains my interest and theirs in me.
Yes. Looking at your track record and experience, it perfectly complements your knowledge. Good. So, I have a rule: I ask my guests about habits. We talk a lot about healthy habits, but they don't have to be health-oriented. I'll ask you about two habits. First, tell us one that serves you well and inspires us.
First, the most important habit that has been with me for many years is long, healthy, good sleep. Everything starts and ends with getting a good night's sleep. I go to bed relatively early, 10 or 11 PM. I don't remember a sleepless night. I can manage myself to fall asleep in five seconds. It's my main element for dealing with stress.
You don't remember a sleepless night?
Yes, yes, yes. I manage myself so that I always sleep. And the second habit I strongly introduced is healthy eating at sensible hours. When I compare to my student days when I didn't eat breakfast for 25 years, now I've reversed it. So those are the two key habits.
I always say sleep, what we eat, and physical activity are the three pillars, the foundation available to everyone. But I wanted to ask about a habit you haven't introduced yet but would be useful. Do you have one on your wish list?
Recently I hear more about meditation. Basic elements would be a great addition.
That's a good habit. I have a method from Paul Elvstrøm, the four-time Olympic gold medalist sailor. Before a regatta, he would sit and imagine the race and maneuvers before they happened. I do the same, whether in sports, business, or private situations. That's my kind of meditation.
OK, good. Listen, Marcin, I'd like to ask you, as an experienced manager, about introducing projects to foreign markets, using Powerwalk as an example. We've been walking for over a year now, reaching the B2C audience. We have partners like Multilife from Bedfit Systems and Longevity Center. But we only operate in Poland. I'm thinking how to take this idea abroad. How do you do it? What should we pay attention to? Maybe you can give us some tips.
