ALWAYS STAY ON THE FAIRWAY

[golf SK, June/ July 2007]

A good golfer is like a zen archer. He observes his target. He chooses a strategy to reach it. And then he looks into the distance for a long time. He clears his mind and visualises the trajectory. In his mind, he has sent the ball in the right direction. Energy follows the thought! Then he narrows his eyes and strikes the ball. With ease… We talked to golfer Ján Trgal, partner in the largest Slovak consulting company, CENTIRE.

You have become a golfer...
Now that’s quite a bold statement. I don’t know enough golfing jokes yet, so I’m still at the beginning. I consider golf to be a very pleasant, beautiful, motivating game and that’s why I believe that I will be part of it for a long time.

What parallels do you see between golf and the consulting business?

If I can generalise, both are certainly on the conservative side of things, even though they display their progress and innovation. Just as in business, in golf it’s especially important to concentrate as much as possible on every affair, to have a sense of strategy, to bring unique solutions to the situation or problem based on real needs. In golf and business, intuition is very important; the ability to see the target before you.

The consulting business is quite conservative, in the same way as golf...

Golf and business are not about a couple of good hits, but about a balanced performance which follows the final target; many players/ clients choose a tried and tested way to resolve the arisen situation. Both have their own rules and protocol, but at the same time, they require creativity and the desire to find solutions.

One of the most difficult tests for Slovak golfers is “moral self-discipline”…

Moral indiscipline is probably displayed in the same way in golf as in business. It’s the rule that from the long-term point of view, it certainly doesn’t support or create good relationships. More and more people understand the nature of this concept. Until recently, this wasn’t so clear. If we want to live in a decent society, it’s essential to accept certain written and unwritten standards and rules which people have to live by. But everyone has to acknowledge this for himself.

Slovak companies mostly remain the same, or else grow slightly, or in the best case scenario are swallowed up by a supranational giant. Only a few exceptions cross the borders of one country…

There are many successful Slovak companies which have already crossed these borders, even though perhaps not so much in the field of consulting, rather in other sectors. I am convinced that the key is to provide added value, the willingness to work hard, the courage to have “moral discipline”.

Can local and international companies live in symbiosis?

Of course. But it’s not simple, since here (SR) there is still in many cases too much of a fixation with the top world brands without taking into account the quality offered, solutions etc. We still believe that those from outside are better, more educated, cleverer.

However, I know that they aren’t aware of our particularities in the same way as we are…

If a local consulting company wants to be successful, it has to be a lot better than its foreign competitors for someone to take it seriously at all, but you succeeded…It’s slow and hard work, during which you look only forward. As I mentioned, in order to win and beat your better-known world competitors, you always have to remain on the fairway or green.

Where do Slovakia’s riches lie?Mainly in people, in their potential for development and growth, in added value, in the country…

What is the most important thing for a good consulting business?

To know the client’s needs and requirements well, to dispose of the know-how to satisfy these needs in a high quality manner. To have good quality people. To want to do the right things in the right way.

At this very moment, CENTIRE is going through some very positive changes…

Yes, S&K Management Systems is successfully joining its forces with an international partner and changing its name at the same time to CENTIRE. We certainly perceive this as a significant event, since this change gives us new visions, opportunities and we are also delighted to become an every stronger company. In the near future, we plan to open a branch in Brussels in order to better identify the possibilities for drawing funds for clients and also to participate in interesting projects of an international nature within the EU.

You are an expert in the field of Euro-funds. What do you see as Slovakia’s greatest handicap in its success with obtaining finances and what on the other hand are its greatest attributes?

EU funds are, or in my opinion should be, the driving force behind a targeted positive development. As a fundamental handicap, I see the lack of strategy… Not of EU funds, but of Slovakia, who should support the add-on effect of EU funds. And I mean at least a medium-term strategy. As attributes – resources from EU should relatively suffice to really start off some things. The positive benefit of EU funds for Ireland needs no particular introduction. I believe that it will work in Slovakia, too, and together with our company, we will try to make a significant contribution.

What makes you most happy?

When I reach a goal and can then define another one immediately. If it’s the process itself, the path to the goal, then they give sense to my work and life.

Your golfing dreams...

HCP 5? Hole in one on a 180m three-par? Or perhaps both?

Name: Ján Trgala

Age, star sign: 29, Virgo

Marital status: Single

Education: University

Position: Partner

Credo: It is not he who has much who is rich, but he who has enough (not just about money)

Hobbies: Sport, music, work

Desires: There are lots of them.

I like: the smell of spring

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