If you want something to happen to you, you must be the active party

Introduce yourself in a few words..

My name is Aleksandar Raychev, general manager for Bulgaria of the American public company LivePerson, specializing in the development of chat and voice-bot platforms with artificial intelligence. I took on the construction of the office and teams, and in one year we managed to establish representations in over 35 teams and around 100 people, with plans for this year to expand further in the region. Very quickly our office became one of the significant R&D centers and the second largest globally, which means a lot to me and to the expertise that our specialists possess. I have been in the IT sector for 20 years, having built successful teams and departments in software giants like SAP, VMware. Besides that, I have my own flair and initiatives in entrepreneurship, developing various new ideas in areas like tourism and hospitality, sailing, manufacturing, and so-called “business development,” which of course come with their challenges and search for different “right solutions.” I say about myself that I am effective, dynamic, unyielding, rebellious, and comprehensive, I always manage people with empathy, and processes with the necessary detail. I graduated from my secondary education at Natural-Mathematical High School “Nancho Popovich” - Shumen with a profile in mathematics, informatics, and physics, with German language, bachelor’s degree from IU-Varna, majoring in Informatics and a master’s degree, first graduating class of Microsoft Informational Technologies at TU-Varna. I speak English, German, Russian, and I learn various other languages when I have time, precisely because of my travels and meetings with people. I have two princesses. I was born in Varna (of course, the port of Shumen).

What does traveling the world mean to you?

A way to get to know yourself first, to change your perceptions and ways of communication regarding the culture and people around the world. I communicate daily with people from different continents and at different levels such as governmental delegations, ambassadors, presidents, and an important thing is to adapt to the culture and norms of behavior. I have led international teams in various locations and there are always challenges. An interesting incident recently. I met one of the princes of Nigeria, part of the government and business, a dynamic, mature person, an extremely influential figure on an international scale - it was not apparent that we had significant differences in our societies. I saw that he was considerate of the way of communication in our environment and I was curious about the opposite, as he told me that during my visit there, I should consider the customs, manners, and traditions, to kneel before him and express my respect for his title, personality, and rank. In different cultures, people strive to preserve their traditions while at the same time enriching themselves and learning many new things, meeting different people and places when they travel. Before empathy comes another word - “tolerance” – this is the key to successful relationships and business partnerships.

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

Maybe around 20 countries, mainly in Europe, mostly for work or short trips, having visited many cities in them. Personally, I love to travel by car, there is always excitement, thrill, this opportunity to be independent, to change plans in seconds (it often happens to me), to decide where to stay at the last moment, to shorten the route, or to jump to something interesting that you didn’t plan, and always in communication with the locals (which is very useful for me) you understand what you might miss. Of course, this type of travel is time-consuming, but when you are with the right person, sharing the same beliefs, it is more interesting. In business travels, you have to consider many more people and programs, and then traveling is almost always by plane. Unfortunately, the international situation is worsening with each passing day and historical, cultural, global sights may become increasingly inaccessible or not so safe for visitors. I am not an optimist, although I believe – the world is made for people, technologies have given us many means to quickly and easily implement our plans, and we still haven’t invented teleportation. I have quite a few interesting incidents. The most significant is that when I am in an unfamiliar place, I try to absorb a lot of artifacts from the city and the people in a short time – from history and sights, to cuisine. Usually, when I am on the road before 4 in the morning, I can’t manage to sleep, and by 8 I am up – the charge is so strong that it is worth it.

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

Of course, a person wants or does not visit different places according to their business interests, partnerships, and contacts. It often happens to me, because I have partners in different parts of the world and just as they are welcome in Bulgaria for me to show them sights, nature, of course the cuisine… so I can also be their guest and we can have great moments together. I am not one-time-traveler, but a person who builds bridges, connections, and long-term partnerships, of course with an emphasis on showing the true face of the people in Bulgaria, our hospitality, thinking, and attitude. An incident from this week – I was a guest at the Bulgarian-African Business Chamber as a leading speaker, after the Minister of economy of Bulgaria and the ambassador of Nigeria. The first lady of our economy did not show up (there were valid reasons for that), but afterwards the speech was not very positive regarding the attitude of our embassy, ministry, and attention to detail towards the delegation of Africans – it turned out that they had denied numerous visas and to serious government delegates who have a genuine desire (and capabilities!) to do business with Bulgaria. Just in the last year, the percentage of business between Bulgaria and Nigeria has jumped 400%, but when there is a personal attitude and neglect of opportunities, people are left with an extremely bad impression.. and even officially stated that they are baffled by the actions of the Bulgarian authorities. Just a day later, one of their ambassadors wrote to me – “Alex, we are in Mauritius with a delegation of 100 people from the government. We were welcomed greatly, we spent half a million dollars in this country instead of doing it in Bulgaria” – just a brief example of the opportunities we are missing from our modern political class and our face to the world! 

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

Take a moment for an incident that at first glance seems unremarkable but carries many lessons within itself. I was still a student in 2000 - the hungry years, the dot-com crisis, financial, Bulgaria after bankruptcy. To be able to pay for my education, to be independent and at the same time have something depend on me (what an illusion at that time) I became a sales manager for Northeastern Bulgaria at a manufacturing company. Great – travels, different people (although not expected from me, since I was studying something completely different). On a December winter day, armed with summer tires (there was no budget for others) I shot down the icy road to Kavarna – every truck is your judge, every carelessness is fatal, every movement is like in an electronic game, but – you grit your teeth, you are significant, you are doing something and you see the meaning of life (which hangs by a thread). It is sleeting, the road is ice, and the snowdrifts in the field are at least 3 meters – if you enter one, they will hardly find you before spring.  I enter Kavarna, there is no one, people are at home, who would even think that you consider yourself important to the Universe. I pop a tire at the entrance. I am hopeful, I am resourceful, I have changed tires, I am enthusiastic, I am wet…. And I see a sign “Tire shop – 300 meters” – fate! I turn up the radio, I am on the rim, but in a good mood. I reach the coveted sign. It is dark there, enthusiasm drops sharply below zero. Still, there is a bell – I ring, I ring again, and a third time. A woman comes out with two children and says that her husband has gone abroad for work and will soon take down the signs because “you see this poor country…” I apologize and still unload everything on the street (yes, it is still raining, and I am even wetter, and of course, the spare tire is at the very bottom). I manage, I never doubted (but apart from being wet, there is no way to leave better), I head towards Varna, of course in those times even a lone warrior is a warrior, my fuel runs out at the sign for Varna (yes, and there was not much budget for fuel), but after everything else I am somehow positive (and what else could happen to me), and my colleagues are having a Christmas party nearby. They came, pushed, put in 2 liters of diesel (they said it was more than enough in a crisis, after all, they pay from their own pockets, because the boss has to pay for the party), I go to the party (already completely wet and without mood). So, what are the conclusions…
- We have all heard and read about misfortune, but until it hits you in an unexpected moment, it’s not the same!
- Not every sign “Tire shop” can be of help to you! Work abroad is an important trait of our national psychology.
- Different manifestations of the body do not reflect the same from a psychological point of view
- In winter, you drive with winter tires (if the boss claims otherwise, he has not seen a real Dobruja winter)
- You should never give up your ideals and self-esteem
- Not every party can bring a positive charge
- The spare tire continues to be at the very bottom (if it exists) in the most inappropriate place even after 25 years.
- Having colleagues on site is much more than having a budget for anything
- Varna and Kavarna are two different things (especially in winter)
- Winter is…

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

Specifically for myself, I have many different examples of international work with different people and cultures. I was impressed by a team I had in South Korea – they were great professionals and worked 16 hours a day, without anyone forcing them.. Later I learned that this is part of their understanding and they cannot leave someone in need when they know that they have the opportunity to help.. I was extremely impressed by the way they communicated. I understood that they were doing something extraordinary, but they were still so responsive and communicative. I hit the table and wanted these people to pass on their knowledge to our teams in Bulgaria,… for their sake, for the project, for humanity. I think everyone appreciated the transformation. I myself adapt, organize, and manage challenges as gently as possible for everyone… because that’s how it should be?

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

A walk with a lesson. There was a moment in my career when the future of my team in Sofia was being decided and I had to be in Berlin to defend the project, the people, and their fate. As well as mine… I received an invitation for a long walk in this great city for me (the night before I had crossed half of it on foot) from my direct supervisor. I was warned that this is his passion – long walks and that this way he tests the will of his leaders. Hours – walking, conversations (this is the most priceless) and in the end – this is something that brings me pleasure. I received 2 invitations to finish, but – persistence, patience, character – and a few more places.. and at that moment both soles of my sneakers literally come off. I will hold on as long as I can, it’s uncomfortable. But around I see a store, I buy instant glue and patch up, we continue for another 2 hours and still decide that it’s late… and to this day I keep the sneakers as a memento! But when I returned to Sofia, I continued to develop my team with the necessary trust and pace. Trust is built with 2 worn-out sneakers…

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

It depends on the trip, but I am a person who seeks all opportunities for new challenges and new personalities. I have learned my lessons, and that when you want something to happen, you need to be the active party. Otherwise, you are just another visitor to the Great Wall of China… In every single trip, a person meets different personalities and the most logical thing is that since these people are on the road, they are significant in their field, that there is something to discuss with them and that you can always choose the right interlocutor. I have traveled with celebrities, some of them have had quite arrogant behavior, but there are also those who patiently stand in line and only then can you understand the value of a given person.

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

Sometimes I have also done experiments to test my knowledge of the world and the people around us. This is also the main thing that guides me when I am on the road – to be able to sense the person in front of me in seconds. I have done thousands of interviews, I have hired hundreds of people, the cases when I have had a wrong impression and have failed are few (there should always be such moments to know what failure is and how successful you are). One piece of advice from me for people who want to test their communication or other skills – use the time, when you are on the road. First, you can afford a different, informal communication, second, you could fully unfold and third… maybe you won’t see these people again (unless you have other preferences for the development of the world around you)

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

It’s not about the country, but about the people. I dare say that in recent years I have found business partners from different places. And not because I can offer them the best business partnership, not because I can fully satisfy their requests, but because all our communication has flowed in the form of mutual trust, openness in intentions, and a sense of partnership... To do business for me is primarily to be honest and open with people, regarding your intentions and capabilities. When they are aware of this, they see a stable future partner, a person they can trust, as well as a partner to whom they can entrust current business projects.

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

When a person is in an unfamiliar place, there is certainly a note of exploration (if they want it) towards the destination, but also towards the people. Motivation comes from the internal mobilization to show how much trust you would have in the person opposite and how much this is the desired  form of cooperation.

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

There are destinations that no longer exist and still sober and recharge the mind. Especially for me… And that is to absorb history, to know where you started from and what you can give to this nation, regardless of where you are. If I could go back, I would step across the Danube together with Asparuh, when he not only founded a state — but ignited an eternal flame of will and statehood, which guides us even today.  To find myself in the palace in Pliska, where the khans are not just military leaders, but visionaries — diplomats, legislators, and creators of order that will outlive their sword for centuries, just as the earth trembled under the horses of Krum — the lawgiver khan, whose justice and wisdom frighten even Constantinople (Great Empire, which trembles before a unyielding people and spirit). I want to feel the Golden Age of Simeon in Preslav, when Bulgaria not only reaches three seas, but also enlightens the world with word, culture, and wisdom. When the Bulgarian pen weighs more than a Roman sword and Cyril and Methodius are something more than enlighteners! We need to emphasize more and cherish what has been achieved!
To watch how from Preslav, Ohrid, and Tarnovo, Bulgarian scholars create, teach and spread the first writing system of the Slavs — our alphabet, our literature, which enlightens entire nations and cultures. Bulgaria is the mother of the word, not just a warrior on the battlefield. We have laid quite a few foundations. There is a story by Jack London "The Star Rover" – reading it, you see how the human body is made to be a bridge between consciousness and history.. How do you want to be next to Kaloyan, when a Bulgarian king defeats the very knights of the West. Next to Ivan Asen II, when Bulgaria is not just strong — it is respected, wise, rich, respected in Europe, in diplomacy, in trade, in spirit. Or the savior of Europe – Tervel… To enter Tarnograd or Serdica— cultural capitals of the Roman Empire itself, to meet  the Bulgarian spirit. Or something that I always mention – to appreciate the self-sacrifice and dedication of all known and unknown patriots, for whom we survived after 500 years of not being on the map of the world! There is no other nation that has survived so long and preserved faith, traditions, folklore… Here, this energizes me and during my travels, I always thought – who is the local hero, what has he done for this nation. We know Paisiy, Botev, Levski, our brave revivalists, who not only awakened the nation — but resurrected it, but we do not know much about other nations and what inspires them and makes them strong, independent. Yes, there are many monuments everywhere, but do we really care what their self-sacrifice is or do we just take pictures with them. Here, this motivates me, this energizes me and makes me grateful, because I know that when you lay foundations, they are for generations to come.

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

I maintain quite a dynamic balance between the two, but when you have focus on your commitments, then it becomes easier to find time for pleasures. You need to be highly effective, to know what you expect and what is expected of you when you are on a business trip.

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

Money is a real measure of the economic factors in the country. The human brain is wired to compare and you cannot avoid that. A pizza in Mezdra and a pizza in Moscow, for example, will be the same, but their value will be different for the traveler and still insufficient for the merchant.  Certainly, when a person is on the road, they consider "their pocket" and this psychological boundary will always exist, but the real value of money lies in the demand for the goods or services.

Do you travel to find new ways to make money?

Certainly! It also depends on the trip, but it must be justified at first. Money is an imaginary quantity, the question is what unique you offer to the world and how it will relate to your products or services. Every good idea is valued by the market and demand, you need to have the ability not only to produce a quality product, to advertise it, but also at the same time to tell the world about it and about yourself, and how this thing has come from your hands. Only then can you impress people!

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

The most valuable lesson is that financial independence does not depend only on income, but on mindset and long-term vision. In different cultures, I have seen how moderation, patience, and focus on long-term value lead to stability. In other places, initiative and quick action are valued, even taking uncalculated risks — but success comes when you balance them. I learned that money is a tool, not a goal. And that true independence comes when you know how to live well with little, even when you have a lot. And that this should not be common knowledge among the people around you. They should evaluate you by your actions and reactions towards people, empathy, and intentions.

According to You think it is better to spend on experiences rather than material possessions?

Experiences create meaning. They shape us, expand our horizons, connect us with people and cultures, teach us compassion, communication skills, and perspective. A conversation, a sunrise, or a shared trip sometimes gives more than the most expensive item. The material ages and is replaced — the experienced remains, changes, and often inspires your next steps. And often it is in experiences that the best ideas are born – when you are out of routine, far from schedules and familiar scenarios, space opens up for inspiration. That’s why I would invest again and again in memories, not in things. Recently, I took an American to Vitosha, where many people welcome July… for him, this is just a song lyric, but he really became intrigued by how we managed to adapt something foreign, to take the interesting perspective and turn it into an experience.. And he wished to welcome this 1st of July in Bulgaria…

How do you see the future of digital nomadic life?

I see it as a natural continuation of the transformation that has already begun. In the past, a digital nomad was a person seeking freedom, often outside the system. Today and especially in the future – this is the new form of a mobile, conscious professional. It’s not just about working from different exotic places, but about building a sustainable way of life, where you can combine your personal energy with global access to opportunities. More and more people will seek not just a place, where to work, but ecosystems – with a creative environment, good conditions, quality of life. And still – there is a saying I adhere to "He who pays, orders the music".

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

There are locations that create a better environment – with low bureaucracy, better tax regimes, fast digital infrastructure, or a strong community of entrepreneurs. But the most favorable place is not always the one with the lowest taxes or the most modern offices. Truly favorable is that place where your idea can breathe, grow, and find partners, mentors, energy. To feel significant, where you can freely share your idea, find like-minded people, outline your future.. Where you can combine quality of life with strategic positioning. That’s why for me the best place is where you have a conscious connection with what you do – no matter where you are…

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

I would choose a place that combines inspiration with silence, access with space. Ideas do not thrive in noise and chaos – they need focus, but also live people around them. A place where you can walk barefoot on the grass, but also have a video call with partners from three continents. For me, this is creating an energetic environment that supports the flow, rather than blocking it. And if I ever have to choose – it will be where the spirit feels free, and the thought is calm, clear, and deep. To be where they need you, but also to have the ability to recognize it before that need arises! And ideas do not develop on their own – it’s not interesting! Business has proven that good ventures need good partnerships and the ability to share and generate ideas.

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

There are many beautiful places in the world, I also have my favorite places. As a person who loves the history and nature of my homeland, I believe that we are a unique corner of the entire Universe. What I have always wanted is to go back in time, to feel the era. I would recommend places that expand the boundaries of perception. Not those that are just "beautiful", but those, that make you stop, think, feel that you are part of something bigger, and you are only temporarily here and now. Places where nature is in its most wild form – to see how the world existed before us, and will remain after us. Or cultures that think and live differently – to remind yourself that your truth is not universal. There are destinations that not only impress but change. Those are the ones we should seek – because true travel is what leaves a mark on you. There is a song by Pink – Walk me home – whenever I am outside my homeland, I think of it, as well as many other things nostalgically…

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

Today success is measured not in achievements, but in how often you can say ‘this really matters to me, the people I see are significant to me, the things we do together build us up and create value“. To realize the significant things and to see the meaning of your actions.