You have been with the company for 20 years. Do you still remember your first day and what surprised you the most?

I certainly remember my first day. But honestly, I had no idea “what” I was getting into, because I had only a very limited knowledge of facility management at the time. The owner, Michal Jelínek, personally recruited me to the company. I started as a project manager for the Hamé project and my first task was to optimize pallet management services and set up processes for fulfilling SLAs.

In cooperation with a colleague, I gradually gained experience in other areas, such as technical administration, cleaning, and security, on this project.

When you look back – what has changed the most in the company over the past 20 years?

Today, we use our own operating system, have advanced tools for maintenance and inspection management, work with predictive maintenance, IoT sensors and other technologies. I must not forget robotization, especially in cleaning services, which was complete science fiction 20 years ago. I dare say that we have transformed ourselves from a “service provider” to a technology leader who really knows a lot about buildings. Our expansion into foreign markets in Central Europe is also important. And what I consider key – there is always a desire to grow and move forward at OKIN Facility.


What moment or project in your career are you most proud of?

When I look back over these twenty years, it is difficult to choose one moment or project. Every year brought something new and every project had its own specifics that pushed me forward. That is where I see the greatest charm of facility management – ​​in its diversity.

Nevertheless, I would like to mention two milestones. Right at the beginning, it was an asset inventory project for Komerční banka, which was exceptional at its time. I still see it as a moment when we proved that we are not afraid of big challenges and can see them through to a successful conclusion.

The second – and for me personally the most significant – challenge is managing our sister company in Slovakia. I have been working here for ten years and I still enjoy watching the Slovak team progress. Leading a team in another country is not only about management, but also about understanding the market and building trust. It taught me patience and strategic thinking.

What still excites you and motivates you to come to work after so many years in the company?

It is primarily the people, that is, my colleagues, and the overall dynamics of the company. Facility management is never boring, every day is different and brings new challenges, whether in solving operational situations or in communicating with clients and employees.

I simply can’t imagine that – like in a Šimek and Grossmann sketch – I’d be selling the Večerní Praha newspaper alone in the Kunratice forest, with no competition anywhere around.

Personally, I am motivated by a satisfied client and the knowledge that our work is visible. And this in the form of well-functioning buildings and a clean environment. And also by the fact that there is always something happening at OKIN Facility. Stagnation has no place here. The needs of our clients, which constantly push us forward – in the quality, scope and method of services provided, are also a great motivation for me.

What do you see as the difference between the Czech and Slovak markets in the field of facility management?

In my opinion, the Czech market is a bit larger and perhaps even a step further in implementing technological solutions. This may be related to the higher number of large industrial and logistics centers. On the other hand, the Slovak market seems more personal and in some ways more open. Relationships play a very important role here. In any case, the Slovak market is a great inspiration for us. It makes sense to share experiences across countries – to use the best of Slovakia in the Czech Republic and vice versa.

If you had to give one piece of advice to people who are just starting out in our country, what would it be?

Facility management is a complex field that is constantly evolving. Don’t expect to learn everything in one month. Educate yourself, gather experience from colleagues and be inspired by them.