We talk with Rafal Sonik, athlete, entrepreneur, philanthropist and social activist, about his participation in the European SME Congress in Katowice, change as a component of doing business, as well as responsible helping and investing in social development.
The excuse for our conversation is your participation – as a Special Guest – in the European SME Congress in Katowice. What does participation in this type of industry event aimed at entrepreneurs give you?
Entrepreneurs are the biggest capital, that our country has. Those are committed people, often enthusiasts, who devote more than enough time and a huge part of their lives to realizing their ideas. They are the ones who build the strength of our economy, facing multiple, staggered challenges. To use a racing comparison – they are the real long-distance runners. Thus, the European SME Congress for each participant is certainly an opportunity to exchange experience, knowledge and ideas for dealing with adversity. Such meetings give a powerful boost of energy, and often the beginning of new, good projects.
The slogan of the 13th edition of the congress is READY FOR CHANG/CE? – every change is an opportunity. How to manage change in practice and, above all, not be afraid to take risks in doing business?
Change is an elementary component of doing business, and there is no single recipe for management in this area. The same is true with risk. I will again use the comparison to cross-country rallying, which in this case has a lot to do with running a business. Here, too, change is a fundamental part of the pursuit, and the winner is the one who can build up his capital with experience and patience. It is of great importance to have a team of professionals who will not only have the necessary knowledge, but above all feel the identity of the goals. Based on the available knowledge and in-depth analysis, we cannot so much prepare for a specific situation, but how we should react and what steps to take.
I’m tempted to say that this congressional slogan could be your business motto. After all, you realize yourself in so many areas….
My main motto, taken from competing in the Dakar Rally, is: „Challenges are for those who hit the road. Dreams for those who stay at home. Although everything begins with dreams.” This motto implies that in order to achieve success, to climb to the top and be able to see the next peak from there, we must constantly face risk and change. I think that every entrepreneur with relatively big experience is familiar with such long-distance tactics.
For several years now, more and more former and still active athletes are not only engaged in business, but also act as experts, business influencers with their power speeches. Does success in sports predestine this type of involvement?
Success by itself is not interesting. What’s interesting and valuable is the story behind it, so if an athlete can tell the story of his way to the top and thus inspire listeners to stand on the starting line of their own Dakar, that’s certainly valuable. The fact that success in sports requires hard training and dedication is known to everyone. The distinctive feature of athletes who inspire and motivate others is that they can tell you about the many levels and components that influenced the outcome.
And what motivates you to act? Do you have ideas for new projects under the Rafal Sonik banner?
There is no shortage of projects and ideas. I’m more interested in inspiring people with my story than boosting my ego. What motivates me right now is the desire to do good and inspire people to also give as much of themselves as possible to others. An example of this is “Wielka Wyprawa Maluchów”, during which we gathered more than two million zlotych for children – victims of road accidents. drivers in the history of Polish motorization participated in it. They sat behind the steering wheels of Fiat 126p, which are the symbol of our motorization. The energy of the combined forces, the positive reactions we encountered and the joy of joint action meant that this is not the end. We will go on and I believe it will be a beautiful continuation of the project.
Many entrepreneurs think, that their business is socially responsible. What is the importance of CSR activities for you?
The best investment is the investment is society. I’ve bees saying that for many years, supporting among others the cracow Siemiacha – an organization, that shapes the future leaders. I think it is the duty of every entrepreneur to give something from himself. And referring to the well-known saying about the fish and the rod, it is always better to bet on the second one. Give impetus to development, not ready-made solutions. There are many ways to help, but responsible philanthropy can be called only when it is well thought out.
The last four years were hard for companies all around the worlds. The pandemic, disrupted supply chains, rising energy prices, inflation. Economists and geopolitical analysts say that crises are a permanent feature of the 21st century… What lessons should we learn from these experiences? What could you advise entrepreneurs?
As I said before – change and crisis are an inseparable part of an entrepreneur’s reality. So it is always worth being open to the knowledge and experience of others in the business world. The saying that a person learns from his mistakes is true, but I would add that these are not necessarily our mistakes. That’s why such occasions as the European Congress of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises are an ideal platform to prepare for the unpredictable situations that may confront us in the coming days, weeks, or months, based on conversations and exchanges of insights. And the fact that they will meet us borders on certainty. I think I will have the opportunity to say more about this during our panel in Katowice.
Interviewed by Jaga Kolawa
RAFAŁ SONIK – rally driver, winner of the Dakar Rally and nine-time FIM World Cup winner. Entrepreneur. He is the owner of Gemini Holding, a company operating in the commercial real estate sector, managing the Gemini Park shopping malls in Bielsko- -Biała, Tarnów and Tychy. In the 1990s, he introduced brands such as McDonald’s and BP to Poland. Philanthropist and social activist. For nearly 30 years he supports the SIEMACHA Association as well as the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity. Founder of the Clean Poland Association, which organizes the largest environmental events in Poland. Co-organizer of a charitable automotive project – Wielka Wyprawa Maluchów – which aims to raise funds to help children, victims of road accidents.
The interview appeared in the September issue of the Business HUB quarterly.