Gaining experience without prior basic knowledge is difficult and ineffective

Mr. Georgiev, imagine that Elon Musk has achieved a big breakthrough in space travel, and you are going on a one-year trip to Mars. Which three celebrities (living or dead) would you like to accompany you?

Elon Musk, Brian Cox and Richard Feynman.

You are entitled to spend one working day with a company executive (living or dead). Who would you choose and why?

Bill Gates, because of his concept of time management.

Imagine you are shipwrecked on a lonely island with all your basic human needs (food, water, shelter) met. What two things would you like to have with you and why?

A solar panel and a laptop with an internet connection, because WiFi is now one of the essential components of the base of the new version of Maslow's Pyramid.

If you could give away just one book as a gift for the rest of your life, which one would it be?

A book on Bulgarian history as too few people know it well.

You are a time traveler. You have the option of moving forward into the future or going back into the past. Where would you want to go and why?

I would visit the future, at a point when there are no countries, and we live as an interplanetary advanced civilization without politics and crime.

You have the chance to get a superpower (any skill you can think of), but only for a day. What will you pick and why?

Being able to heal all sick people.

Can you identify the biggest threat or challenge for your company in the next five years?

The emergence of too many unprepared competitors, which could spoil the right idea of digitization.

In which area Bulgaria has the greatest potential to become a leader in Europe? 

The same areas as before – outsourcing and R&D.

AI is a hot topic, but what is the most neglected issue about it that is important to discuss?

That AI is just a tool and not a panacea. The synergy between it and other technologies must be used for optimal results. AI is not a solution in itself.

Which work task of yours would you never want to outsource to a robot?

Meetings with partners and networking events.

Which is more important: talent or hard work?

The song "Remember the Name" (by Fort Minor) says it right: "This is ten percent luck, twenty percent skill. Fifteen percent concentrated power of will. Five percent pleasure, fifty percent pain”. I would only replace the word "pain" with "hard work".

Which is more important: education or experience?

Gaining experience in certain fields without prior basic knowledge is difficult and ineffective. Education without experience is incomplete. Having an education means there is a foundation upon which to build experience. Modern trends emphasizing that it is important only what you did, and not what you studied, are slightly exaggerated and lead to tunnel vision.

What are the three things without which success is impossible?

Hard work, good team and a mentor.

What fascinates you nowadays?

Thinking, capable people.

What's the best advice you've ever received?

That I should learn when to say "No".

What is the hardest lesson you’ve learned?

That time spent with family is the most important and irreplaceable time.

What’s the biggest challenge you've overcome?

A life-threatening condition due to burnout.

When was the last time you said to yourself: “This was my best day at work”? What was the occasion?

The day we made the biggest business deal of my life.

What is your biggest passion – something you are ALL IN?

Digitization and efficiency.

Translated by Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov