Ondřej Štětka_ Curriculum Vitae (2)

Andrzej Stetka has had a diverse and successful career, working at companies like IKEA and Sim's Recycling Solutions. He has shown adaptability, ambition, and a focus on sustainability throughout his career. He has excelled in operations, sales, and leadership roles, and has a passion for making a real difference in the world. His personal strengths include building genuine relationships, taking responsibility, generating ideas, analyzing context, and being disciplined. He is a developing leader who empowers and inspires his team members. He has demonstrated problem-solving skills, resilience, and the ability to handle high-pressure situations. The big question now is what is the perfect next chapter for him, considering his motivations and strengths. All right, let's dive in today and unpack the career of Andrzej Stetka. Andrzej Stetka, see, this isn't just your run-of-the-mill resume review. We're talking about someone who's worked at IKEA, been involved with a global IT asset disposition. Like, the range is incredible. So what are we trying to do here? Well, we've got this interesting mix of resumes, company websites, and even, get this, case study guidelines. We're going to use all that to try to figure out, like, what's the perfect next chapter for this guy? You know, it's really interesting to me. It's not like we're looking at the straight-line, you know, career path here. Andrzej, he's always kind of jumping into these roles that push him, really says something about him, you know, adaptable and ambitious. Yeah. And there's this whole thread of sustainability throughout his choices that we definitely need to explore more. But first, back to the beginning. Andrzej's upbringing, super international, fluent in Czech, German, and English. I mean, trying to find that on a resume, that multilingual background is, like, gold in global business. And you can see how it all started, right? With Regio Plan Consulting in Austria, then he moved on to S&K Public, handling these big accounts like Audi and Volkswagen. Even way back then, you can see leadership brewing. And then there's IKEA. Feels like a big turning point, you know? He was a recovery manager focused on damage prevention. And I know what you're thinking, damage prevention at IKEA. But think about it, the scale of their operations, even a tiny improvement, I mean, that's huge for their bottom line. Oh, totally. And his results, definitely not tiny. We're talking a 24% reduction in store costs. That's through his process improvements. He wasn't just fixing damage, he was stopping it before it even happened. That takes some serious understanding of how things work, how people behave, the whole nine yards. And get this, he was also part of IKEA's succession leadership training. They clearly saw something in him, even back then. So he wasn't just making a difference, he was being groomed for bigger things. He really shows you what he's capable of, executing, learning, growing within this huge company. And that experience, it really laid the groundwork for everything he's done since. So from IKEA, he goes to Bometa Design, bathroom fixtures, right? He's their export manager, and boom, sales go through the roof. We're talking over 150%. It makes you wonder if all that time at IKEA, all that focus on efficiency and processes, maybe that's what gave him the edge in sales. It's amazing how things connect, right? Processes that seem totally different, they build on each other. And then he takes all that and dives head first into global IT asset disposition, or ITAD. This is with Sim's Recycling Solutions. And for anyone out there who might not know, ITAD, that's all about managing old IT equipment responsibly and sustainably, computers, servers, phones, you name it. We all know e-waste is a huge problem, and it's only getting bigger. Right. So when Andre joins Sim's Recycling Solutions, it's clear his interest in sustainability is really taking off. And he wasn't just some low-level employee, he's a country manager leading a team of 24 people, securing those critical certifications for the company, and hold on implementing recycling technologies for Apple. Talk about pressure. Yeah. Apple is known for their, well, everything has to be perfect, so for him to be trusted with something like that says a lot. Oh, yeah. So he can manage a team, navigate all those complicated regulations, and handle those high-profile clients. And this is where sustainability really starts to take center stage for him. You got it. From there, it's on to PFM, Greenview. They're all about sustainable green solutions, green roofs, living walls, that kind of thing. The stuff you see popping up in those cool urban areas. It's like he was ready to embrace this whole new world, a field that's growing like crazy, taking on those challenges head on, process optimization, product development, you name it, all in this totally new context. But then he goes back to something a little more familiar, sanitary technology, joins Alka as head of business development. It's funny how his career kind of spirals out, trying new things, but always circling back to his roots. This seems pretty strategic, right? Always looking for challenges, but using what he's already learned. And hey, let's not forget, at Alka, he lands a major win, gets their products listed with the biggest plumbing wholesaler in Germany. Talk about impact. Okay, so now we're up to his latest role, sales director at Hockster. High quality fireplaces and stoves. And managing a sales network across, get this, over 30 countries, this guy's a global player, no doubt. But there's a twist. A change in the company's strategy meant his role at Hockster came to an end. And that brings us to the big question we're trying to answer today. What's next for someone with a career this diverse and successful? Right. He's got to excel at operations, sales, leadership, and there's always that sustainability theme running through it all. It's like he's building towards something bigger, but what is it? Well, to figure that out, we've got to dig a little deeper into the why behind his choices. What's really driving him? Is it about moving up the ladder, leading huge teams, or is it something more? Something about making a real difference in the world? Exactly. Because it's clear he's not just looking for a job, he's looking for a mission. He's looking for something where he can use his skills and passions to do something meaningful. And that's what we're going to dive into in the next part of our deep dive. It's like we're putting together a puzzle, right? All these pieces of his career, but how do they fit? What's the bigger picture? I like that. And luckily, you know, we've got some clues in our sources. These are about what makes Andre tick, beyond the job titles and achievements, right? Like his resumes, they highlight these personal strengths, insights from something called the CliftonStrengths Assessment. Ah, yeah. That's a popular tool. It helps you understand individual talents, how those talents lead to success. And get this, Andre's top strength, Relator. He's all about those close, genuine relationships. Which totally makes sense. I mean, look at his success in sales and leadership. You need to build trust, connect with people. It's not just about closing deals or telling people what to do, right? It's about that deeper connection. And that leads to loyalty, better teamwork, better results in the end. He also talks about responsibility as a core strength, taking commitments seriously, honesty, integrity. Again, not surprising for someone who's been in so many leadership positions. Yeah. You've got to be trustworthy to be a good leader. And Andre gets that. But here's where it gets really interesting. His next strength is ideation. He loves ideas, making connections between things that seem totally unrelated, that spark of creativity. So that's why his career path is all over the place. He's not just following the usual steps. He's looking for those intriguing connections, those chances to learn and grow in new ways. Exactly. And then there's context. Shows he's strategic, analytical. He wants to understand the present by looking at the past, you know, tracing how things got to where they are. So he's not just reacting, he's thinking ahead, anticipating. And finally, discipline. That tells us he's structured, organized, loves routine and clarity. No wonder he's so good at improving processes. It's really something, isn't it? All these strengths, plus his experience, they paint this picture. Andre's not just adaptable and driven, he's also thoughtful, wants to make a real contribution. Okay. So we've got a handle on his strengths, but what about his leadership style? We keep saying leadership, but what kind of leader is he? Well, one of his resumes, it describes his style as a developing leader. That's all about empowerment, inspiring people, creating a shared vision, and helping team members reach their full potential. Yeah, that fits with what we've seen so far. He's not about bossing people around or micromanaging. He creates an environment where people feel valued, challenged, and like they can do their best work. Right. And remember those case studies we talked about? They give us even more clues about how he solves problems. There's one that really stands out, the one about closing a manufacturing plant. Talk about pressure. Sounds intense. He was brought in as a financial manager, had to figure out how to close this whole plant, and it had to be super discreet. No one could know until it was officially announced. Wow. So not only was he dealing with the money and logistics of shutting everything down, he also had to manage the people side of things, all the anxiety, the uncertainty. That takes some serious emotional intelligence. He even says in his notes for the case study, he wasn't sure if it was even possible. The deadlines were crazy, and it was all so sensitive, but he did it. The company met its obligations, they sold off the assets, and the whole thing was handled professionally. Respect for everyone involved. That shows real resilience. It can do attitude. He doesn't back down from challenges. He tackles them head on, and it shows he can not only come up with a plan, but actually make it happen, even when things are super stressful. All right. So we know Andre is a leader who gets things done, solves problems, cares about sustainability, and understands people, but now for the fun part, what's next? What's the perfect next chapter for him? The million-dollar question, right, and to answer it, we've got to think about what really motivates him. Is it about climbing that corporate ladder, leading a massive team, or is it something more? Maybe making a difference in the world. Right. Because it's clear, this isn't just about a job for him, it's about a mission. Finding a place where he can use his skills and passions to do something that truly matters to him, and that's what we're going to explore in the final part of our deep dive. Okay. So we've been through a lot. From those early days in international business to leadership roles in everything from furniture to sustainable solutions, quite the journey. It really has been. Yeah. We've figured out his strengths, his leadership style, and that passion for sustainability is always there, but now let's switch gears a bit. Instead of just looking at what he's done, let's focus on what's next. I like that. We've already said he's not just after any job, right? He wants something that fits his values, something where he can make a difference, but what does that actually look like? Well, we've already talked about a few things. A CEO or COO position, that could be great, especially for a company that needs a turnaround expert or someone to help them grow quickly. Yeah. Remember his time at Sims, restructuring the sales team and then closing that whole manufacturing plant. Clearly, he doesn't shy away from tough situations, he actually thrives in them. Absolutely. But remember, we also talked about him maybe joining a startup. That ideation strength, his love of connecting the dots. He could be a real innovator in a fast-paced environment. Imagine him leading a company that's pushing the boundaries of the circular economy, perfect match for his passion for sustainability. I can see it now. Leading a company that's developing those cutting-edge recycling technologies, or creating new materials that minimize waste, so many possibilities. And don't forget all that international experience. He could be the key to helping a startup go global, building those relationships, navigating different cultures. We even talked about venture capital. Using his expertise to support other companies that are trying to make a positive impact, he'd be a huge asset to any firm that's looking to invest in sustainable solutions. Totally. He could spot those promising startups, give them guidance, help them grow. It's not just about the money, it's about building a better future. So as we wrap up our deep dive, I want to ask you, the listener, a question. If you were advising Andre, what would you tell him? What kind of company? What industry? What do you think would be the best fit for his unique set of skills and experience? What kind of impact do you see him making? Let us know what you think. Maybe you'll even inspire Andre's next big move. That's what I love about these deep dives. We're not just sitting here, you know, passively analyzing stuff. We're engaging with it, brainstorming, maybe even coming up with some new ideas. So until next time, keep thinking and keep diving deep.