Many individuals offer insights into economies, but few possess the depth of understanding that Hana Součková, the Czech Republic’s SAP director, brings.Her expertise spans across 1,400 companies, which collectively represent 80% of the Czech economy. Součková is acutely aware of what the Czech Republic is grappling with, especially in the business sector, and has a clear vision of the steps needed to elevate the nation. Her analysis and recommendations are both surprising and inspiring.
What is the most significant issue you see when observing the Czech economy and society?
“In my view,there is a persistent lack of determination to build something truly remarkable in the Czech Republic. There’s a prevailing sense of domestic contentment—a feeling that what we have is sufficient.While there are exceptions, generally, there’s a missing hunger for global success, the ambition to truly ‘conquer the world’. This leads to compromises at various levels,which is something that deeply disappoints me. However, on the bright side, there are islands of positive deviation. Our startup scene is gradually growing. In recent months, I’ve visited several companies doing absolutely amazing, amazing things—revolutionary microscopes, comprehensive solutions for smart charging, and much more. This has given me a bit of optimism that we could progressively bring the Czech Republic back to the forefront of global or at least European affairs,” Součková remarked.
The domestic contentment you mention—do you believe it’s the reason why, as Prime Minister Petr fiala stated, we don’t have salaries comparable to Germany?
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What you’ll read next
- How ‘comfortability’ manifests at the company level.
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- What we can learn usefully from other cultures.
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