Waldemar Czarnocki
I like to evolve and change
Waldemar Czarnocki’s journey in the VELUX Group started ten years ago, when he spotted an advertisement for the VELUX LUMOS training programme at his university in Warsaw. Since then, he has moved around the company both geographically and in different roles and business areas.
“In VELUX there are many possibilities to develop your career. As long as you are open to changes and ready to get out of your comfort zone, you will definitely find an area in which you can grow - no matter what position you are in. I like to evolve and change, and try to catch opportunities, when I see them. Because of this, it does not feel like I am staying in the same place, even though I have been in the company for ten years,” says Waldemar. The LUMOS programme sent him to locations in Poland, Hungary and Russia, and later on he also worked partly from VELUX HQ in Denmark for a time as part of the PIM (Product Information Management) project. Moving around the organisation has given Waldemar a lot of knowledge about both products and production, and a large network. “Changing locations has been a positive and important experience. Everywhere I have been, I could count on my VELUX colleagues who have been always very helpful. This experience taught me a lot about cooperation in different teams and gave me a strong background when it comes to our products,” he adds. Talk to your manager about career opportunities After working on the product side for some years, the opportunity to work in the field as a sales representative arose. Waldemar decided that it would be a valuable experience for him.
Working as a sales representative is a very demanding task – you are responsible for gaining the trust of our customers.
Even though I had the products knowledge and my background from previous positions, I had to learn how to do it. It was a unique experience which helped me to understand what challenges my colleagues face on daily basis.” Waldemar’s career changes have been driven mainly by his own wishes, but also by recommendations from his manager. “I have continuous discussions about my progress and future opportunities with my manager Jacek (Siwiński) both at the Annual Dialogue and throughout the year. If you want to take your career to the next level, do not hesitate to talk to your manager. Of course, it’s not something that will change overnight, but a dialog it’s always a first step.” A new career chapter Seeing his potential, Jacek Siwiński (General Manager) and Anna Dudzińska (HR Business Partner) also recommended Waldemar for the GROW with Us programme. The programme has been an important element in Waldemar’s career path. “During the 2-year programme we have worked with challenges and dilemmas focusing on making a business and people impact. It was an intense and a very valuable time,” Waldemar recalls. Post Simplify, Waldemar was offered the position as Sales and Marketing Support Manager for Poland and Baltics – a position he is happy to continue in for the foreseeable future. “Being a manager is a new chapter for me, and I would like to grow in this role. I have a talented team and I feel responsible for creating possibilities for them to develop and learn through experience,” he concludes.