Sustainable Values in Changing Times

Introduce yourself in a few sentences..

My name is Ivan Georgiev and I am co-founder and CEO of Pontica Solutions. I have over 12 years of experience in leadership positions and as an entrepreneur in the field of outsourcing and digital services.

Tell us what the philosophy and values of the company you represent at the moment are?

When we talk about values, it is key to rely on sustainable models and philosophies. From day one, the foundation of my company's values has been laid on mentorship and experience sharing through communication, open relationships leading to strem towards autonomy and taking responsibility. To try to become better at what we do, with respect for the profession.

How long have you been developing your current company? What are the most valuable lessons that the events during this period have taught you?

The company celebrates 10 yearsof its existence this summer. During the past time I have learned many valuable lessons and continue to learn every day and with every new challenge. The first lesson and what distinguishes your business and team from the others, is the following - do more than you plan. Success is measured by actions and results from them. Adaptability and flexibility (not slipperiness) are more important in modern times than good planning.

The people you surround yourself with, are very morevaluable for the success of the business than the idea, product, or market.

Business is driven by the person and from their interactions. And for them it is much better on the way to have both rise, and fall, rather than just successful steps.

If you personally had to write a job advertisement, how would you attract the attention of a future employee?

For this answer I will rely on the feedback that our colleagues have given during our regular engagement surveys in the company, namely:

• Clear goals and a path to them: You know how unpleasant it is to feel to start working somewhere and not know for a long time what and why you are doing. We all move together in a very clear direction. The sense of purpose drowns out the risk of disorientation for newcomers - our onboarding processes are structured, comprehensive, and clear.
• Development and progress: For us, the development of individuality through programs and mentorship is very clearly expressed and established by all our colleagues; we believe that a professional should always develop and we provide all the prerequisites and opportunities for our colleagues to become better experts in their field. This development plan is something very rarely encountered in the outsourcing companies, but with us, it is felt "even from the corridor".
• Workload without stress: With us, everyone feels part of the whole, takes responsibility for their actions, but stress and pressure for the business are always on the upper levels. I strongly believe that the best leadership quality is the ability to absorb stress and pressure and not to pass it down the chain.

What does your company do to organize a constructive and fruitful working environment for everyone? Should people in the team be friends?

People in the team should have a clear goal and direction and to give their best at every moment. They do not need to be friends, they do not even need to like each other, no they should respect each other mutually, as well as follow the established rules and policies. Consider that if we apply this in any organization, it will lead to progress.

What makes you enjoy going to work? How do you deal with difficult and stressful moments?

I enjoy going to work because I find meaning in what I do, and because of the communication and collaboration with my colleagues.

Regarding difficult moments – I believe that for everyone, difficulties are a similar feeling, regardless of whether the outcome of actions has a global, local, or individual effect. In such moments, I just roll up my sleeves and start to act.

What work model does your company adhere to – office or remote?

As a flexible and modern company providing outsourced business and digital services to clients from all over the world, we have a physical office, but we also follow a remote working model.

What do you think about the possibility of offering flexible working hours, within which employees have greater freedom to allocate their personal and work commitments?

I think this is great and we have been practicing it for years. We do not observe a decrease in the quality or productivity of the work process, but still, I think that excessive tolerance and promotion of remote work has other effects related to the loss of social skills, which are far more important than the freedom to allocate personal and work commitments.

I strongly hope that those working mainly from home will reflect on this. 

How do the continuous technological changes on a global scale affect your business?

In one word, I can say that it is challenging, I suppose and in many other industries. My partner Evgeni Borisov and I had to adapt significantly our services, operational models, and plans for development. This requires a lot of energy, entrepreneurship, and good management, but when you have sustainable values, a good team, and a common goal – these are good prerequisites for success. And we are doing quite well with the changes, I would say modestly. 

How important is hierarchy and what does it mean to you? What kind of communication do you advocate in your company?

We are firm advocates of open communication. In order for our colleagues to work productively, they need to have the necessary information. But it comes with responsibility for its preservation and for actions with it. This is exactly the reason why I believe that hierarchy is not only important – it is necessary. Levels of responsibility must be clearly defined, because otherwise, there is a general irresponsibility.

What is your career advice for all the people who are building a strategy for their professional development?

• Do not stop learning new things. The most important skills are related to work and communication with people. Expertise is important, but always in the background.
• Build a network of professional contacts, by regularly attending events and communicating with your colleagues in person.
• Always give your best. All obstacles to being noticed or appreciated are cyclical, n professionalism should be constant, because it is the prerequisite to build a good career and reputation.