Prečo je zmena najlepší podnikateľský nástroj | Aleš Mlátilík | TEDxTurcianskeTeplice

Quick Overview

Aleš Mlátilík concludes that continuous change is the best tool for an entrepreneur, recounting his journey from aspiring hockey player to building a successful company, Zlavomat, despite early setbacks and the initial lack of understanding from others regarding his career pivot.

Key Points: The speaker, Aleš Mlátilík, transitioned from aiming for an NHL career to building a successful Slovak company called Zlavomat. At age 15, he programmed his first website, and at 16, he sold his first film, earning 1 million (currency unspecified) by age 18. He spent four years working in the US for major companies like GE, NBC, Universal Studios, Boeing, and Airbus before returning to Slovakia. His initial attempts to pitch his business idea (a discount portal) to established companies were met with rejection, but he persevered. His current company, Zlavomat, is one of the most successful Slovak brands, enabling him to travel globally and gain diverse experiences. Mlátilík emphasizes that success or failure is viewed differently over time, and that constant change and learning from experiences are crucial for growth.

Context: Aleš Mlátilík delivers a TEDx talk focusing on the importance of embracing change as an entrepreneurial tool. He shares his personal narrative, detailing how his early ambition in sports (hockey) shifted towards technology and entrepreneurship, ultimately leading him to found and scale Zlavomat, a significant Slovak discount portal, while navigating professional rejections and gaining international experience.

Detailed Analysis

Aleš Mlátilík recounts his non-linear path to entrepreneurship, starting with his early passion for hockey and his aspiration to reach the NHL. However, this path was abruptly cut short when he realized his world was 'underwater' (01:15). He made the decision to study, which led him to get a four-month Work and Travel visa in the US while studying at a university. During this time, he worked multiple jobs, including waitering and manual labor, to afford basic expenses like accommodation and food, earning between $100 and $150 weekly (02:55). He notes that he never saw the ocean or foreign countries before age 20 (03:44). Upon returning, he had no formal job experience relevant to his career pivot, leading to rejections from companies when pitching his concept for a discount portal (03:38, 04:58). He eventually secured a position at General Electric (GE) after previously working with major global firms like NBC and Universal Studios, realizing these massive corporations were built on similar principles. He stresses that his biggest success was realizing that his entire life, including his hockey career, was preparation for his current venture. He concludes by stating that continuous change is the best tool for any entrepreneur, as it forces adaptation and growth, contrasting his past life with his current success running Zlavomat.