Polish entrepreneur, founder and co-owner of many companies in Poland and around the world, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the Upper Silesian Academy in Katowice, philanthropist, management expert, mentor in life and business, winner of more than 200 Polish and foreign awards….Actually, it is difficult to determine the correct order of roles. For Beata Drzazga is a woman in constant motion, with the soul of a visionary, fascinated by the energy of change, the beauty of the world and other people, full of empathy and openness to the new, and these qualities push her to take on new challenges. Although Beata Drzazga’ s business is distinguished by the dynamism of the new, her daily life is based on a timeless hierarchy of values, universal in every industry and at every stage of life. Career Direction: Albert Einstein said that “life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you have to be in constant motion.” I feel that these words, perhaps a bit metaphorically, but aptly reflect your need to constantly act, change, create.
Beata Drzazga: Indeed, it’s hard to disagree with that. I just love change! And realizing my visions and being able to evolve even gives me wings! At a time when fat manuals are being written on how to, how to overcome crises and manage change, you talk about it with such natural euphoria….Because life has proven to me that change for the better is possible! And I became convinced of this for the first time when , disagreeing with the fact, That health care sometimes employs people who do not like their jobs, That they often lack humanity and sensitivity to human suffering, I decided to quit my job at the hospital and set up BetaMed SA on my own. My idea was to create a place with the best medical care, where ailing, often elderly and lonely people are motivated to fight their illness, feel important and needed, and staff approach their work with great commitment and empathy for the patient. We currently have about 3,000 employees taking care of about 6,000 patients, and we operate in 91 branches in 11 provinces. So it is possible – we can change the world for the better! Please tell us how this is done? When building a position in the business world, is entrepreneurial sense enough? I think the key is to determine what interests we have, what we are passionate about in life, what dreams we have, simply – what is important to us. This has to form the base. In my case, it was being close to the other person and wanting to help those most vulnerable, i.e. the elderly and sick. For as long as I can remember, I have always enjoyed talking to elderly people, hugging them, sympathizing with them when they told me about their illnesses, suffering. I just have such an innate ability to listen to their needs, to empathize. On top of that, I am a born visionary. I love to create, to invent. Plus my rebellious nature, disagreement with the injustice of others and a strong element of entrepreneurial qualities – consistency, diligence, ability to work together, ability to take calculated risks – that’s the mix, that has determined where I am now and what I am doing. Now, being aware of my personality traits, calculating the proportions of this mix of my traits and skills I think, that it was empathy, probably passed on to me in my genes and strengthened over the years, that motivated me to take the next steps. It may sound high-minded, but it was out of love for people that I first decided to pursue an education in medical studies, and then more business majors, To have the knowledge of how to select people who share my values, How to manage them so that everyone benefits. I feel great satisfaction that BetaMed SA is characterized by a really high quality service with an individual approach, which, let’s face it, is not easy in the medical industry. My clinic is not a dreary building, but it looks like a hotel of the highest standards: beautiful, modern, cozy, well-maintained in every detail. Our residents have a church, spa and all the specialist doctors on site. We take care not only of their health, but also entertainment – a hairdressing facility, a clubhouse, entertaining. We have a beautiful garden, we have created a space for residents where they do occupational therapy. And above all, we treat each patient with care and attention. ForI believe that when we care for others, give support and love, we all benefit. Is it this approach that helps you to create a close-knit, trusted team and manage it in such a way, so that its work stems from a sincere need of the heart? That ‘s exactly right. Human-to-human contact cannot be replaced by any technology. It is , after all, a mutual response to a glint in the eyes, sometimes to a tear curling in it, to a smile. That’s why I personally take part in recruitments, to get to know the candidates, to give space for emotions, because they are always real, it can ‘t be faked. In my organizations I want to surround myself with sensitive people who share my visions, in whom I will have confidence that they are the best support for those in need of help. It is with satisfaction that I want to emphasize that I have managed to create a fantastic team and I can reward their goodness with goodness. Well, that’s right … Your social policy deserves special attention. Apparently, when you tell other entrepreneurs about your methods, they look at you with disbelief? Yes, it’s true. I have my own original concept of personnel management, which I am sure allows me to be a good entrepreneur. I have introduced a rule that each employee on his birthday does not come to work. I want them to celebrate that day, have fun, and this day off is my gift to them, which I pay for. I alsorecently decided that people work two hours less on Fridays. Weekends are very short, and when employees are rested, approach their professional dutiesbetter and more enthusiastically. I give gifts at Christmas, I also appreciate on a daily basis with words, because it strengthens relationships and ties. People need to see that the employer appreciates them, cares about them, because then they identify with the company and go to work with a smile. I treat my employees with respect, I invest in their well-being, because I know, that one person’ s moral behavior toward another gives rise to an expectation of reciprocity, and it works. Satisfying the team allows me to unleash a sizable amount of lively, good energy and its exchange is what it’s all about here. When I hear that I’m “infecting” with energy and optimism, the more they let me know. And you are coming up with other new ventures. Currently, you are also successfully running other companies, operating in many very different areas not only in Poland, but also abroad. Is there a common denominator linking these activities? Yes – the opportunity to improve the reality around and help people. Whether we are talking about BetaMed SA in Poland, my laser therapy clinic Drzazga Clinic, BetaMed International in Las Vegas, BetaInvest in Miami or BetaNest Electronics in Miami, which operated for seven years, or the fashion house Dono da Scheggia [Italian: Gift of the Splinter – ed. ed.], all are the result of my ambition and vision to create places, through which to change the world, to develop. These businesses are sometimes profitable, sometimes not, but they allow me to take more actions, to engage in charitable activities. Helping is not only about giving money, but also about sharing your time – that , in my opinion, is the most valuable thing. That’s why I opened the Beata Drzazga Foundation, because I want to learn how to act together, not just levy money. Together with people who have a desire and a good heart, we will implement various projects. My priority project is to help the people I know – the patients. I have a database of those people who had bad conditions at home, they could not afford many things. I will buy beds, bedding, just support so that they live better. I have the comfort that I can afford a lot of things, and it gives me great joy, when I can make a gift to someone, make someone happy. For example, I felt great satisfaction, when I could take my Dono da Scheggia staff to fashion shows in Milan, Miami, Las Vegas or Dubai. The joint trip was not only a form of surprise, but also an opportunity to strengthen my relationship with my employees, as well as contribute to their professional development. I believe that every employee should have the opportunity to improve themselves and acquire new knowledge. A person can and even should learn throughout life. You are an excellent example of this. You are constantly developing and educating yourself, having completed seven majors, including an MBA International. Based on your experience, what would you suggest to young people about what to follow when choosing their education fields? I choose majors that are consistent with my interests and what I want to do. I want to feel confident in what I do, to be good at it. I’ ve always been interested in human resource management, management in general, I did a specialization in geriatrics….But I’m also interested in European integration, new technologies and artificial intelligence. That’s why I’m a co-organizer of the Silicon Valley New Technology Conference in Palo Alto, USA. I want to be professional and properly prepared. I always advise young people to focus on their interests, because then what they do is authentic, in line with themselves. It is important to remember that we do not study for a diploma. We should be accompanied by the idea that through learning we become more aware of our surroundings, we broaden our horizons and are able to look at problems from a broader perspective. Learning rejuvenates the mind, strengthens self-esteem, and is the basis for professional success. I am glad, that during my classes with students of the Medical Faculty of the Upper Silesian Academy I can add my “brick” to this priceless capital of young people and – in addition to medical knowledge – also share with them experience and insights on desirable attitudesand values. in addition to medical knowledge, also share with them my experience and insights into desirable attitudes and values. You participate in numerous conferences, congresses, in Poland and abroad, inspiring not only the business community, but also young people standing on the threshold of adulthood, facing professional challenges in demanding times. What advice do you give them? How are they supposed to find their way in a world that is hard to keep up with? Indeed, times have changed and I am glad, that I can be a mentor for young people, sharing my experiences. I alwaysadvise them to be ambitious and believe that everything is in their hands. Happiness is not given to us, but we create it for ourselves. Therefore, there is no point in fantasizing about what if… just need to take matters into your own hands here and now. Success, whether professional or in the private sphere, requires work, effort. You need to understand that you have to travel a certain distance to achieve the goals of life. This involves accepting that a career is built step by step, rung by rung, and things will not always go our way. Promotion plans are not always easy to implement and stumbles happen – after all, our careers and life in general, is a kind of sine wave. However, it is necessary to learn from them and see what you gave the maximum of yourself in, in order to have a clear conscience that one has done everything. And what do you suggest to young entrepreneurs? I advisethose who are taking their first steps in business to start “with a small sample.” Let’s know the pros and cons, opportunities and threats first, only then can you grow. When I opened my first business, I thought about what really turns me on, what I could still do, how to compete with quality. Step by step, I learned from my mistakes and successes. Also, be careful with credit, be prudent, because when a business idea turns out to be wrong or the market reacts differently – you can back out and try something else. It is worth looking for role models and authorities. At the same time, let ‘ s remember that a good mentor leads the student to independence and helps him to mature, to see more. Let’s not allow ourselves to clip our wings! The world has become very small, we can operate anywhere in the world. Of course, it is worth remembering that business varies a lot, depending on the laws, regulations, the political and economic conditions of a country, and the mentality of the people. I , for example, dreamed of Las Vegas! When I got there, I started participating in economic missions, to help connect the interests of Polish entrepreneurs and universities with those of Nevada. Thanks to these missions , we signed cooperation between Poland and Nevada, and I was awarded the title of First Business Ambassador with Nevada. I am very proud of this. I recently became a member of the Council of the Polish Business Center of the Polish Community. I will now participate in economic missions to all countries of the world and help Poles to develop. Today we are required to be feisty, courageous, assertive. And there is nothing wrong with that, because it can be combined with timeless values that will never devalue. I always uphold the traditional principles of kindness, From which should come respect for the other person, for nature, politeness, ordinary personal culture. Let’s not forget humility, let’s not get overly accustomed to the “highs”, because nothing is given to us once and for all. Regardless of your position, you need to be yourself, respect the employees and people around you, be normal, because money and achievements should never change us. It issaid that in life everything is for something, that fate knows better what to put in front of us. Your achievements, success show that good returns. I firmly believe that, but I don’t help others just for the good to come back to me. I think I have in me such a…. “splinter” of disagreement with the injustice of others, which does not allow me to sit still. Always, in any business, I see an opportunity to introduce something good, beautiful, which the world then enjoys. I try to inspire others with the approach not to lose sight of the good that has happened to us. It is worth noticing and sharing it with joy.
When I go beyond myself with my actions, I think about what good I can give of myself, how to devote time, energy, abilities, money to support someone else, then I feel the real pulse of life. I congratulate you onthis and thank you for the interview. Marta Prusek-Galińska Source: Kierunek Kariera Quarterly