It's interesting to feel the work and business culture of another country

Introduce yourself in a few words..

My name is Dimitar Ivanov, 53 years old, which in no way diminishes my desire and curiosity to travel and immerse myself in the local atmosphere of new and well-known destinations. For over 10 years, I have been engaged in consulting services in the field of Human Resources, with the last few years being fully dedicated to flexible benefits.

For you, traveling around the world is?

An opportunity to sharpen my senses for new architecture, culture, aromas, and flavors, nature… An opportunity to recharge the routine that we all fall into, more or less, in our workday, with creative curiosity and a different perspective.

An opportunity to attend concerts of all those rock bands that sI never even dreamed of seeing live as a teenager during communism before 1989. 

How many different countries have you seen so far? Share an interesting story or highlights from your travels?

Dozens, located on different continents. Interesting stories abound, but I would rather share how in every city I arrive, I try to find where the locals drink their coffee and have lunch. In such places, you can feel the true spirit of the residents, of the country, their culture, what excites them. A tip for everyone – try to immediately “get lost” in the small central streets of the city, there you will get to know it best.

Do you like to repeat destinations? Give examples and motivation “for” or “against”?

Definitely yes, there are several where I feel truly “at home”. Such are Rome, Florence, recently Valencia, London, the Caribbean area, Thailand has also become a major contender in this category… I wouldn’t want to justify myself with specific reasons – I just go with the feeling that I want to return to a specific place and the people there.

What was your first trip that truly changed you as a professional and can be said to have changed your thinking?

In the mid-90s, I first traveled to Western Europe – I went for a large trade exhibition in Düsseldorf, Germany. Aside from my first real encounter with “the West”, I found myself among an abundance of global corporations and their exhibition stands for the first time. A whole new world opened up before me, a new corporate culture. This changed me forever and my business trip to Milan a few months later went with much fewer cultural shocks 😊

What do you learn about yourself and your professional skills when you are in a new cultural environment?

To perceive it with open senses without trying to change it, to adapt to it in order to extract the maximum.

Have you met people or ideas during your travels that have influenced your career path?

At the aforementioned trade exhibition in Düsseldorf, I had a scheduled meeting with the Vice President of one of the world leaders in the production of construction glass. I expected to see a strict and inaccessible gentleman, bearing the surname after which the company was named. He warmly welcomed me, a two-meter giant, who at 10:00 in the morning directly asked me if I wanted to have a beer while we discussed business. This taught me never to take myself too seriously and to be as relaxed and approachable in my demeanor. At that time, I was only 26 years old…

Do you think that your travels help you expand your professional network? How?

Whenever I travel for work, my schedule is packed with meetings. This way, in a short period of time, you maximize your network of contacts.

What skills do you develop the most when you travel, and how do they affect your work?

Organization, curiosity, dealing with unconventional situations, openness to the new and unknown

Is there a city or country that has inspired you to start a new business or project?

Currently, Valencia is about to tempt me 😊

When you are in an unfamiliar country, do you feel more motivated or more distracted? Why?

I try to feel curious and open-minded to explore unfamiliar places unintentionally.

Are there destinations that act as a “restart” for your creativity and ambition?

Italy - I always return from there with senses overflowing with colors and beauty in every dimension.

How do you manage the balance between work and pleasure, when you travel?

There is almost no option to stop reading my emails or not to be tempted to join a long-awaited online meeting with a potential client. But this does not prevent me from resting effectively.

How have travels changed the way you perceive the value of money?

I try not to convert the local currency into leva, but to think in terms of value-value.

Do you travel with the aim of finding new ways to earn money?

Not so far, but it's never too late to change that.

What lessons about financial independence have you learned from different economies and cultures?

To think on a scale, but always strive to “stretch according to your blanket”.

Do you think it is better to spend on experiences, rather than on material possessions?

Definitely, from new sneakers, there are no memories for a lifetime /except for my first Romika during socialism 😊/.

How do you see the future of digital nomadic life?

I am from the old school that believes that the more time people from one company spend together in the office, the better. But the world has changed irrevocably after Covid and we must adapt to it. I believe that digital nomadic life will occupy an increasingly larger part of the global corporate culture.

Are there specific countries that are more favorable for work and investments?

There is no general and long-term recipe.

15-20 years ago, Ireland was a place torn by conflicts and one of the poorest and most backward places in Europe. Now they are home to global companies, a leader in innovative education and much more. Hungary, on the other hand, was one of the leaders in Eastern Europe in attracting quality foreign investments 10 years ago, and recently the trend is exactly the opposite.

The recipe for success for any country is to provide the right conditions for the right businesses at the right time. Period.

If you could choose one place in the world where to develop your next big idea, what would it be and why?

I am getting closer to my last big professional idea, namely how in not many years to gradually slow down and start thinking more about my hobbies than about the next business project, which will be more of an addition to the hobby part. I am starting to prepare for a smooth transition in that direction 😊 In this regard, the place should preferably be Mediterranean…

What are the destinations you would definitely recommend to be visited and why?

Definitely the countries in Southern Europe – very close to our mentality and culture as a nation, full of colors and surprising, at the same time familiar to us flavors.

The Caribbean – everything mentioned above, but with many more unfamiliar sensations for us.

Asia – to completely change your perceptions of our familiar way of life.

What is the career advice you would give based on what you have seen around the world?

As young people, the USA is a wonderful place to encounter business on completely different scales, a completely different work culture, encouraging you to give your best in the shortest amount of time. When you gain experience, returning to Europe, you will feel better in many respects and feel much more at home.

Make the most of the professional mobility that the world is currently offering you, you won't have a single reason to regret!