Interesting thoughts by Janez Novak from the conversation
I expect youth to have a quality called curiosity. Curiosity, together with the knowledge gained through practice, can lead to innovative creativity. If we combine this with the opportunities we have in our company, it can work out very well.
It is one thing to know how to do something, and quite another to know how to advertise yourself – so that people find out about you.
The internet is fantastic because you can use it to find out something useful. Of course, you do have to be a bit curious to search for the information yourself rather than just watching rubbish.
With all this development, I wonder – do we really need all of this?
The need for growth that our world requires is driving development. On the other hand, waste is accumulating and natural resources are diminishing.
It is hard for me to imagine starting a new business nowadays. Before independence, there was somehow a very good atmosphere for entrepreneurship. Today, I imagine that is harder. It is harder to get an idea of what to do, because quite a lot of that is already present. Otherwise, young people might say that there is still plenty that can be done, especially in connection with artificial intelligence... Of course it can be done.
Sport builds discipline, execution focus, concentration, and requires you to give it your all. All of this is also important in business and engineering. You can’t be “half-in”.
Children must be given freedom. If someone becomes enthusiastic about something, you have to let them do it. If they are enthusiastic about working in a company, let them work. But if they are enthusiastic about being a firefighter, let them be a firefighter; if they are an enthusiastic kayaker, let them be a kayaker.
With artificial intelligence it is just like with any advanced thing – it can be a tool or a weapon. With a well-sharpened knife you can cut bread, or you can also cause someone harm. It depends on the human being, on their consciousness, on their awareness – what you want.
I value freedom very much, which is why I went out on my own, and I like to give it to others too.
How much value has been created for the wider community, for the users? Have you done anything of value? Then it is also important *how* you did it – were you fair to your employees and the wider social environment, were you ethical, did you build a company culture...?
We humans dictate to nature and natural resources. We will probably come to realise in the future that we cannot go on like this. It would be wise to consider using a large part of the money currently generated for activities that would curb environmental degradation and look after the future. Such an activity will not generate a direct profit, but it will prevent damage.
It is easier when you have money. It is easier to invest something. You can send this money into a new cycle of creative development that will bring new value. This money will have to find its way into those activities that may not exactly bring a profit, but will keep us on this planet, where we are threatened by many environmental problems.
It is good to earn something, as you can do something with that money. But money is not the goal. The goal of a business and an entrepreneur is to create value. What is valuable, someone is willing to pay for. If you know how to do it well, you will also get some money for it.
If I sold the company? Not at all. Why would I? The point isn't about having money. The essential thing is having a good time, creating something. And I wouldn't want someone dictating to me what I have to do.
All employees are top-notch. Everyone is needed. Everyone is important in the company. Colleagues create value.
It is important to properly protect that in which you invest your development. Let us protect what is worthwhile. However, it is difficult to know in advance what will be worthwhile, we can only assume.
There is something of the social scientist in the engineer's mission. However, it is true that there is somewhat less engineering in the social scientist's mission. Social scientists greatly enrich the engineering environment.
