We discussed the significance of managerial skills, their impact on company growth, and the necessity for their improvement with Martin Válek, the director of KARAT Software a.s.
You were among the top ten managers in the Manager of the Year 2023 competition. What do you think impressed the evaluation committee?
After becoming CEO, one of my primary objectives was to establish a workplace where employees feel happy, valued, and motivated. Therefore, we prioritised developing a strong company culture as a fundamental aspect of our management approach.
I believe that supporting independence and promoting creativity is essential for keeping the team motivated. We aim to create an environment where team members feel free to share their ideas and have the space to experiment. As a highly professional company, we value the natural willingness of our people to contribute to our development. Our goal is to avoid questions like “we should innovate – so what do we do to get things done”. Instead, we strive to inspire teams to continuously improve their performance without the need of managerial incentives. We assist them in defining the metrics for good work and then create the conditions necessary for implementing the proposed changes.
Additionally, to ensure we are on the right track, we rely heavily on feedback. For instance, our new employees, who often have a fresh perspective on the job market, particularly value the friendly attitude of their colleagues, the well-developed training system, and the overall effort to integrate them successfully. They also appreciate that company management is approachable, willing to address issues directly with them, and open to implementing their suggestions for innovation.
Does your KARAT system provide effective management, planning, and process optimisation to ensure a company’s success?
Yes, our KARAT system is specifically designed to support effective management, planning, and process optimisation. We aim to exceed the current “standards” by encouraging our customers to think beyond merely maintaining their customer, production, supply, and distribution processes at optimal levels. Often, we observe that companies are managed by individuals who should focus on strategy and the future but instead spend most of their time searching for data and managing teams and projects via email. Our solutions include tools that enhance the productivity of managers, who may not realise that improving their own efficiency is directly linked to the company’s overall progress.
Does the fact that your clients include major companies and cultural institutions indicate that the information system you offer is multifunctional?
Exactly. The KARAT information system is designed to be a multifunctional and flexible tool capable of meeting the diverse needs of our clients. Additionally, our solutions are highly scalable and adaptable to the specific requirements of individual customers, allowing us to provide tailored services for various sectors. However, we do focus on certain selected market segments where we have extensive expertise. This specialisation not only allows us to effectively cover these areas with our solutions but also streamlines implementations, ensuring that we provide more than just a software replacement. Our goal is to help our customers gain a competitive advantage, enabling them to thrive in today’s challenging market.
Thank you for the interview.
