Thought on operating in Poland A Polish perspective

UKTI Presentation: Discover your Opportunities in Poland Workshop February 2016Michal Chantkowski MA BScThoughts on operating in Poland A Polish perspective

Why are we here?

Business opportunities in Poland Understanding the background How can we help?

Our background We have operated in the North East since 2009 Based in Sunderland Working with minority ethnic people in the region, especially Eastern European migrants, including the Polish community A range of targeted projects, including advice and guidance, advocacy, employability, culture, environmental work (also energy advice), English classes Trust of the local Polish community and over 550 ICOSs members Sunderland Community Safety Award Nomination (Sunderland Echo, 2013), Sunderland BME One Voice Award Employer (2015)

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The culture and the country Poland is often associated with the East of EuropeHowever, its geographic position place it in the middle of Europe (Central Europe)Polands real geographical position is linked to its history and culture. Poles are both Eastern and Western. While being disciplined, they are also creative and independent people. Before communism, the most important cultural influences could be attributed to French and to a lesser extent German (including Prussian and Austrian). This has influenced our day-to-day life, as well as the legal framework and the legal culture (e.g. Napoleonic Code)Linked to the above is the codified rather than common law legal system and the legal culture (need for paperwork)

continuationAn a divide between towns and large cities driving economic development Also, an urban rural divide More socially conservative than the UKA higher level of participation university education and vast majority of university students progress onto masters level. Knowledge is respected. Primary and secondary education is developing quickly; university education still some time to catch upPoland is not a class-based society (albeit not completely classless).

The languagePolish is a complicated language but not impossible to learn the basicsThere are good reasons for that Pronunciation will might be the problem prepare yourself for a lot of sh More words and a more precise language and perhaps less flexible language

e.g. Szklanka = Shklanka = a Glass (an item)Vs. Szklo (Shklo) Glass (e.g. window glass)

Some tips:Follow things upBe honest Poles like complaining - it does not mean they are necessary sceptical about your project idea or that they do not like you In Poland, titles (e.g. a PhD) are matter more than in the UK and business culture is slightly more formal (especially applies to people over the age of 40 and the public sector)Trust is very important and in Poland it is hard to gain it if you are not conducting business in person (e.g. try to meet your partners/clients in person and then follow-up over the phone / skype / a webinar etc. Polish people are risk-takers and might sometimes seem to rush into new schemes, ventures etc.

Local and regional government Gmina 1-tier authorityResponsible e.g. for primary/secondary education, local transport and roads, culture, but also ID cardsPowiat 2-tier authority /responsible e.g. for public health, social security, water management, environmental protection (many of those functions in the UK are undertaken by quangos, private entities and national agencies e.g. the Forestry Commission)Some cities and larger towns are unitary authorities (BUT still independed of regional authorities) Wojewodztwo (Voivodship) regional authority and the regional assembly. A bot similar to English devolved authorities e.g. infrastructure. Their status does not depend on negotiation with the government

Boundaries for health services, regional government and emergency services overlap along regional lines

Map courtesy of Wikipedia

How are they governed?All tiers of government are elected Key influencers are local and regional politicians and officers.Civil service now (theoretically) independent of local politics. New and old civil servants Government officials not yet wedded to the idea of soft power Departments and government agencies are also key influencers of local and regional decision making As in e.g. France, local and regional officials are not always good at cooperating with one another

How to engage with Polish clients?Since EU enlargement in 2004, about a million Poles have moved to the UK. For many, this will prove to be a one-way ticket, at the same time, we know that there is a constant flow of people backwards and forwards.Poles in the UK can guide cooperation between UK and Poland-based businesses as interpreters of language, but also, as interpreters of culture

Why work in Poland, why work with the Poles?

The shortest and simplest answer is: our cultures are different and complimentary.Poles will be focused and driven English people can and will negotiate and compromise to achieve results. Business people are always pragmatic (that is, when successful) and both Poles and English are more than capable of this Additionally -> an open door to other countries in the region especially Ukraine, Slovakia and Lithuania

How can we help?

Translations / interpreting Courses / intercultural training / taster language / language tuition Events Experience of EU exchange programmes

THANK YOU!How can we help?Michal.chantkowski@icos.org.uk Daniel.krzyszczak@icos.org.uk www.icos.org.uk / www.necs.org.uk 0044 792 698 4180