“My life mission is to promote cross-cultural networking and to educate migrant entrepreneurs and professionals that building strong and healthy business relations with British people can help them grow their careers, businesses and personal lives”, says Wojciech Kołodziejczak, business development and marketing manager in an interview with Brin Best.
When did you first come to the UK and what were your initial impressions?
“My first trip to the UK was in 2004, when I was visiting my family based in Wrexham (North Wales). At that time I was living in Poland and had begun studying law at the University of Łódź. I used to travel a lot to the UK during this period, typically spending a few months in the country.
My dream was to become a lawyer, and after three years studying in Poland, completing part of my degree, I realised the massive potential of a legal career in the UK, so I decided to continue that career by studying at the University of Chester, which is close to Wrexham. I was attracted to study here because UK universities have a great reputation all over the world, leading to plenty of opportunities for career development. It was also a great chance to master English and learn more about the British lifestyle, culture and business.
One of the first things I learnt is that British people are not as direct as Poles, so I had to learn a different style of communication – including the art of reading between the lines!”
Take us through your first few jobs in the UK during your studies
“This is an interesting topic because I’ve never worked in Poland. During my studies I worked, through various recruitment agencies, at many different factories, warehouses and building sites. I carried out jobs that many British people didn’t want – and still do not want – to do. This is one of the reasons, in my opinion, that there are so many workers from Eastern Europe in the UK today. During this period it felt like I was living in two completely different worlds, however I now realise how important it was for me and my career to see this other world. I can understand the life and problems of many Poles residing in the UK – the people working in the factories and warehouses. I also carried out many work experience placements during my studies, in Wrexham and Manchester, including at Wrexham Magistrates’ Court, at law firms and with an estate agent.
After graduating in law in 2011 I continued my education to become a solicitor, studying on a legal practice course at the University of Law. I then worked in Manchester for a while as a legal costs draftsman, but I realised that I didn’t really fancy a 9 to 5 job. So I set myself up as a self-employed business development consultant, working with a group of solicitors and other professionals from the legal and financial sectors. I built a network of ‘repeat business introducers’. These are agents who are referring business clients for commission. This was generating lots of revenue, but it was very difficult in those days (as it still is) to find a training contract to become a fully qualified solicitor. However, I secured one mainly because I was able to generate good business in the legal sector.
So I was working as a business development manager and as a trainee solicitor, however after two years I realised that I was so wrong about my career; being a lawyer was not as great as I thought it would be. It dawned on me that my real passion is business development and networking. So I dropped my legal practice course and resigned in the middle of my training course and contract. This was a shocker for my friends and family, who wanted me to qualify.”
Describe a typical day at work today.
“I’ve been working as a business development and marketing manager for the nationwide law firm Simpson Millar Solicitors for two years. My typical day starts very early, at 5.30 am, as I represent my firm at local breakfast networking events, which usually start at 7 am. I then usually have a series of meetings, either inside one of the company’s offices or visiting the premises of clients or business partners. I really enjoy what I do, because I have the opportunity to work with successful entrepreneurs and professionals. I also have less exciting – but very important – work to do, such as writing business development and marketing plans, analysis, proposals and reports. I also get involved in a lot of business pitching, trying to secure new work for my company. Finally, I also negotiate deals and eventually sign contracts. Between all these activities I have to deal with lots of emails, text messages, telephone conversations and online conferences. There are a lot of things taking place at high speed, but I love it!”
A significant part of your work focusses on British-Polish cooperation. Tell us more about this.
“Yes this type of work is very close to my heart. My life mission is to promote cross-cultural networking and to educate migrant entrepreneurs and professionals that building strong and healthy business relations with British people can help them grow their careers, businesses and personal lives. For the past three years I’ve been involved in organising more than fifty cross-cultural conferences and networking meetings in 22 cities across the UK.
I’m so excited about the new project that I co-founded this year, Multicultural Business Club, which aims to build networking opportunities for migrants and British people. This will enable them to get to know each other and to do business together. The project also aims to show the strong contribution that migrant entrepreneurs are making to the UK economy.”
Life Networker is your trademark. What does a Life Networker do? Can we all be one?
“Being a Life Networker is all about connecting business people from many cultures. I want people to get to know each other and embrace cooperation, creating win-win opportunities rather than competing with each other. As a Life Networker I promote cross-cultural networking through speaking or presenting at various events, as a guest speaker or visiting lecturer. I also organise my own networking workshops, online webinars and courses, which aim to teach cross-cultural networking and business skills.
Everyone can be a Life Networker because you can do networking virtually everywhere – at meetings, in a shop, in church or even in the sauna! My own career and business have grown as a result of consistent and planned networking. Additionally, my personal life changed as well, because thanks to networking I met the love of my life and many of my dearest friends.”
You are also known for your signature hat. How did this come about?
“Yes, I’m also known as the ‘man in the hat’, especially by British people who cannot handle my first and second name! It all started some time ago in Spain, when I was attending a Spanish language course. It was very hot in Valencia during the course, and I bought my first trilby hat to protect my head from the sun. Everyone said it suited me, so I started wearing the hat without any branding agenda. I now have 17 different hats at my disposal, hanging on the wall at home, so I can easily pick one for the next networking meeting. After three years of wearing a trilby it became my signature item and an addition to my personal brand.”
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
“I play basketball in a local team and I love hiking and travelling around the world, visiting new places and different cultures, and experiencing new things. One of my favourite pastimes is playing board games with my friends and family, which is far more exciting than spending time watching TV.”
What are your plans for the future?
“My future plans are very exciting. The Multicultural Business Club has been running successfully in Manchester, and together with a group of fantastic friends and business leaders we’re launching new networking groups in Hull, Birmingham and London. The Life Networker’s new website, with brand new courses, webinars and other materials is launching this year as well. There will also soon be the launch of a personal development book, of which I’m a co-author. Through many motivational stories, the book explains the importance of changes in our life and how we react to them.
My business development activities have been attracting a lot of interest from international investors and business clients, so there will also be many high-profile British-Polish and international dealings.”
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