Bulgaria offers an increasingly high quality of life

Introduce yourself in a few sentences. What does your work involve as daily commitments?

My name is Ivo Tsachev and for 20 years I have been trying to contribute to a cleaner nature and cheaper energy.

I manage product teams in several countries for a global energy company, contributing to its transformation towards electric mobility

My specific role is ‘Head of eMobility Solutions’ at TotalEnergies.

In which country and city do you currently live and how did you end up there?

I have been living in Munich for 5 years. My life resembles the migration of orcas - I studied here, then returned south to Bulgaria, where I started a family and a business, now I am back north in Munich - the future will show how long.

What were the biggest challenges you faced at the beginning of your stay?

I didn't have any.

What resources or networks (local communities, colleagues, organizations) helped you adapt?

Old acquaintances. Colleagues, groups around Bulgarian schools, etc. can be helpful.

What are the main differences between the work culture in your current country and that in Bulgaria?

I wouldn't say there is a big difference in work culture. The difference is more about the size of the company I work for - my experience in Bulgaria is mostly from small companies, as most of them are like that.

What values and workplace practices impressed you the most?

I am lucky to work for global leading companies in a field like energy, which until recently was not necessarily a symbol of innovation. I am impressed by the speed at which companies in this field (including TotalEnergies) are transforming, digitizing, accelerating, and even becoming innovative.

On the other hand, my work gives me the opportunity to work with really great minds, to create very effective teams with them, to create new businesses, to change together the structure and culture of the company.

An example of this is how in Oil&Gas we started working as a technology and product scale-up - our processes no longer differ from those in IT companies, as our business is increasingly dependent on the development of software solutions.

Have there been situations where cultural differences have made it difficult for you?

I wouldn't say there are significant cultural differences.

How does finding a job differ in your current country compared to your homeland?

The choices and alternatives when searching for a job are more. As a large market, Germany is much more attractive for global companies than Bulgaria is, thus local talents are sought.

Did you have to go through any additional qualification courses?

Part of my job is to become better in the role I perform - I attend training and qualification courses at least 2 times a year.

Have you encountered prejudices or obstacles because of your foreign origin?

I do not manage business and teams in several countries and in none have I encountered negative attitudes due to my origin; on the contrary, my leadership position is accepted by colleagues at various levels.

What would you advise people who want to take a similar step?

Let them do it - relocating from Gabrovo to Sofia is not much different from Sofia to Munich.

If you could go back, would you choose the same path?

This step was the result of several situations - leaving a business, a desire for change (not necessarily permanent), opening up opportunities. If any of these events had not happened, I do not know if my family and I would have taken this step.

What do you miss the most from your homeland in professional and personal terms?

Quick access to many smart and innovative people with whom new ideas can be successfully realized. I'm not saying that there aren't any in Munich, I just don't know them well enough or don't have direct contact.

Have you considered returning and under what conditions would you do it?

Yes - I have considered and I am ready to look at specific proposals. If one appears that corresponds to my experience, expertise, and expectations, I will accept it. I think Bulgaria offers an increasingly higher quality of life.

What do you think about money? What is its influence on your life? What is your advice to people who often ask themselves questions related to money and how sufficient they are?

Money is an important incentive for success - what a person does with it is their personal choice.

Are money an incentive for relocation from Bulgaria abroad? In my opinion, no - purely financially it is not justified. The added value of life abroad is working in a large market, accordingly accumulating experience there, working for established companies, where one can gain many additional qualifications, the lack of fear of changing jobs due to the availability of numerous alternatives.