iNSTRID

   Who am I?
• I am a representative of J&T Finance Group, for which I have worked since 1996.
• I am one of the founding members of J&T Finance Group.
• In 1998, I was involved in the acquisition of Podnikateľská banka in the Czech Republic, which later became J&T BANK.
• In 2006, I founded J&T BANK in Slovakia. For the next few years, I was the bank's director and currently I am the vice president of J&T.
• During my leadership at J&T Banka, we built a well-known and respected private bank on the market with more than 10 thousand clients and an interesting market share in the wealthiest sector.

1. What does your job mean to you?

    My job? What I enjoy.
I have always been close to banking. Shortly after graduating from college, I started working for J & T, then a securities trader, now a successful private bank and a large financial holding. My work has also become my hobby. I am convinced that in order for a person to perform at their best, it is essential to find a hobby in their work. I worked for many years as a director of J & T Banka, currently I am the Vice President of the J & T Group and every day I encounter new tasks that are a challenge for me. I travel a lot, meet new people and constantly gain valuable experience that moves me forward in life.

2. What career did you dream of when you graduated from college?

   I always wanted to do what fulfills me, has meaning and I enjoy it, and that's when you can be better and more successful at what you do. Then you don't look at the time you spend working, because it's something you could do all the time. But after graduating from college, I had no idea that I would end up as a banker/financier. It's important to find your place in life where you feel "at home", where you are better than average and go that way. And at the same time, don't forget to constantly work on yourself, move forward and have new challenges ahead of you so that you don't stay in one place, and I'm doing well at that so far.

3. What is your opinion on the saying "money corrupts character"?

  Unfortunately, I have to partially agree. Nevertheless, I know many successful people who, thanks to their work and determination, have achieved a lot, which was naturally reflected in their income. However, they remained themselves. Money certainly makes our lives more pleasant, but real life is about other values. However, few people are aware of this fact, or rather, they understand the fact that money is not of primary importance only when they lose their real values.

4. Do you think it is possible to build a country similar to Switzerland in Slovakia?

  In my life, I am guided by the principle that nothing is impossible. Slovakia is a small country, but with great potential. However, becoming the "second" Switzerland will be a very long and difficult journey, on which it will be necessary to adopt many fundamental systemic changes, anti-corruption measures and many other interventions. Without them, Slovakia will remain at the stage before the founding of the republic, that is, only at the level of promises and wishes.

 5. What do you think is the difference between poor, middle class and rich people? What fundamentally sets them apart?

     Since J & T Banka focuses on private banking and, one might say, the richest people in the country, I personally know a few of them very well. And I must say that in general, I am very enriched by talking to them about their views on life, their hobbies, and the paths they took to success and wealth. And by wealth I don't just mean the amount of money in a bank account, but mainly the life experiences they had to go through in life to be who they are today. The rich certainly have more options, they can afford a more comfortable life, they can provide their children with better education or above-standard health care. The poor or the middle class often cannot afford that, or at least not to such an extent. However, money is only a means to a more pleasant life and does not indicate or guarantee a person's happiness or satisfaction.

 6. In your opinion, is the development and establishment of financial groups in Slovakia unique from the perspective of surrounding countries?

   The emergence of financial groups in Slovakia is mainly associated with the times of privatization. Their operation in our country is not unusual compared to the situation abroad. It was just a group of young people who were not afraid to start a business in the short time after the "gentle revolution", when entrepreneurship was a very unknown concept for many people who had lived for a long time under socialism. In our territory, people look at financial groups "through the fingers", so to speak, and perceive them more or less negatively. However, the fact is that they have an impact on our economy, employ many people, pay considerable taxes and, last but not least, invest in development in our territory.

7. Do you think it is possible to help others by changing their thinking?

    Of course, yes, but you will never change someone unless they want to change themselves. I am convinced that a person's life depends on their internal setting, their psyche and thinking. We cannot influence certain things in them, but thinking positively is the basis of a person's satisfaction. Feedback is very important, a person should have someone with them who can guide them or show them a different path. In this regard, our parents, friends or partners play an important role. As part of the primary social group, they perhaps influence our thinking the most and can help us in this way.

8. Do you think it's possible that admiration will one day overcome envy?

   I believe so 🙂 Although one of the not very flattering traits of Slovaks is envy and looking at what someone else has and I don't. I think that over time there will be a shift for the better in this direction. There are more and more successful people in Slovakia who can and should be an example for us. I believe that it will be so one day.

9. Can a leader as a personality be irreplaceable in the management of a company?

   From a general economic point of view, every person is replaceable. However, not every manager in business becomes a natural leader. Leadership is something that a person must have within themselves, something they must be born with. From this point of view, leaders play a very important role in the management of companies and therefore they are certainly more difficult to replace, but in my opinion certainly not irreplaceable.

10. If you had a magic wand and one wish, what would you wish for?

   To have only happy and smiling people around you. And I believe that soon this wish will not be just a wish, but a reality;)

Vladimir Orth

   At the Frankfurt Motor Show, automakers showed themselves in a good light. They presented not only concepts and prototypes, but also production versions of long-awaited cars.

   Porsche 918 Spyder

   The new generation of hybrid supercars is complete. Porsche has unveiled the 918 Spyder, a competitive addition to the Ferrari LaFerrari and McLaren P1. It will be the manufacturer's top model and, according to many, will be the moral successor to the Carrera GT. The Porsche 918 Spyder is a powerful car with a hybrid gasoline-electric drive with a power output of 608 hp (447 kW), while the gasoline 4.6-liter naturally aspirated eight-cylinder will offer an output of 608 hp (447 kW) and the combined output of the hybrid system is up to 887 hp (652 kW). The maximum speed of the car is up to 345 km/h. The car is built of carbon fiber reinforced plastic, has a double wishbone front suspension, a multi-link rear axle and advanced technical materials complement the carbon-ceramic brakes.

   The prototype of Jaguar's first SUV

The aristocratic Jaguar showed a prototype of its first SUV at the auto show. Except for the futuristic interior, it could easily fit into a showroom without attracting negative attention. The design of the front grille practically coincides with the design of the XJ sedan and the updated XF sedan. It retains natural lines and the traditionally massive radiator grille. The rear of the vehicle is inspired by the F-Type supercar and its narrow taillights. The C-X17 model is still just a prototype, it should go on sale in two years.

 Aston Martin Vanquish Volante

   Carbon bonded body, weight 1,844 kg, 6-liter 12-cylinder engine with AM1 power of 573 hp and open roof. Aston Martin showed the new Vanquish Volante, the most rigid convertible in its history. The body bonding technique is unparalleled in the automotive industry, it was used only in aviation. The Vanquish Volante model combines the best of the Aston Martin world – sportiness, premium materials, top driving characteristics and stunning performance.

News from Audi

   The popular A-3 cabriolet has finally been rejuvenated. The A3 Cabrio is the first Audi built on the MQB platform. It is known for its lightness and strength, which even leaves more powerful vehicles like the Škoda Octavia RS room to stand out dynamically with relatively low power. In the case of the small A3 Cabrio, this means not only a first-class driving experience, but also acceptable consumption considering the engines used. In addition to the cabriolet version, Audi also showed the new A3 1.6 TDI ultra in Frankfurt, as well as facelifts for the A8 and S8 sedans and prototypes of the Nanuk Quattro and Sport Quattro vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz S 500 Plug-In Hybrid

   Battery-powered limousine. The eco-friendly variant of Mercedes' top-of-the-line S500 consumes just 3 liters per 100 km and can travel 30 km on electric power alone. This range is provided by a 109-horsepower electric motor that draws energy from a Li-Ion battery and a 6-cylinder gasoline engine with up to 333 horsepower. The drivetrain operates in four modes, with Hybrid mode enabling acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in a beautiful 5.5 seconds and a top speed of up to 250 km/h. In E-Mode, the driver drives on electricity, while E-Save stores the energy for later. After switching to Charge, the car recharges the batteries by recuperating during braking and then uses it again in E-Mode.

Frankfurt motor show full of news

At the motor show in Frankfurt, the car makers showed themselves in a good light. They introduced not only the concepts and prototypes but also the series appearances of long-awaited automobiles.

   Porsche 918 Spyder

   The new generation of the hybrid supersports is complete. Porsche introduced the 918 Spyder model, which is a competitive complement to the Ferrari LaFerrari and McLaren P1 automobiles. It is concerned with the best model of the producer and according to many people it will be the moral successor of the Carrera GT vehicle. Porsche 918 Spyder is the strong car with the hybrid petrol-electric drive with performance, whereupon the petrol 4.6-liter V8 engine will offer the performance of 608 horsepower (447 kW) and the combined performance of the hybrid system is 887 horsepower (652 kW). The maximum speed of the car is 345 km/h. The car is made of plastic reinforced by the carbon fiber, it has double trapezial hanging in front, more-parts rear axle and progressive technical materials complement the carbon-ceramic brakes.

   Prototype of the first SUV from Jaguar

   The aristocratic Jaguar showed the prototype of its first SUV at the motor show. Except for the futuristic interior, it could be equally included in the showroom without drawing negative attention. Design of the front mask is practically the same as the design of the saloon car XJ and renewed sedan XF. It keeps the natural lines and traditionally massive cooler mask. The rear part of the vehicle is inspired by the supersport F-Type and its narrow rear lights. Model C-X17 is for the time being only a prototype, it should be sold in two years.

   Aston Martin Vanquish Volante

  The carbon bonded chassis, weight of 1,884 kg, 6-liter 12-cylinder engine with performance AM1 with performance of 573 horsepower and opened roof. The car producer Aston Martin showed the new Vanquish Volante, structurally the most solid convertible in its history. The technology of bonding the chassis in the automobile industry does not have an analogy, it was used only in aviation. The Vanquish Volante model combines the best from the world of Aston Martin – sportiness, premium materials, top driving qualities and astounding performance.

   News from Audi

   Also the popular A3 in the convertible version finally waited to see the making young. A3 Cabrio is the first Audi built on the MQB platform. This is known for its lightness and firmness which gives the space to excel dynamically also to the stronger cars such as Škoda Octavia RS with relatively low performance. In the case of small A3 Cabrio it means not only the first.class experience of driving but also the acceptable consumption with regard to used engines. Besides the cabrio version, Audi also showed in Frankfurt the new A3 1.6-liter TDI ultra, facelift for the saloon cars A8 and S8 and prototypes of cars Nanuk Quattro and Sport Quattro.

   Mercedes-Benz S 500 Plug-In Hybrid

   The saloon car battery-operated. An ecological variant of the top car S500 from Mercedes has the consumption of only 3 liters per 100 km and it can drive 30 km solely on the electric drive. The
electromotor with performance of 109 horsepower, which pumps the energy from Li-Ion battery and gasoline 6-cylinder with performance to 333 horsepower, secure this trailig throttle. Driving mechanism works in four modes, when the Hybrid mode enables the acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in the course of beautiful 5.5 seconds and the highest speed to 250 km/h. In the mode E-Mode the driver drives on electricity then, while E-Save saves the energy for later. After switching to Charge, the car charges the batteries by the recovery during braking and then it uses it again in the mode E-Mode.

   It's generally said that to afford a Mercedes SUV, you have to be good at managing your money or get free capital. The latest GLK tweaks that dogma slightly.

   The new Mercedes-Benz GLK 220 CDI costs just over 39,000 euros including tax, which is the lowest of all the manufacturer's other SUVs. For the cheapest all-wheel drive variant, the 220 CDI 4Matic with the 7G-Tronic automatic, you will pay over 4,000 euros more, but it is still a very reasonable and affordable choice.

   Innovative design

The basic version of the new GLK retains the good and beautiful from the previous version. Mercedes decided to slightly round and soften the sharp edges, following the example of other models, which makes the new GLK look more elegant and less aggressive. However, it still clearly shouts to the world that it belongs to the family of better Mercedes.

   Compact SUV deceives with its body

   The Mercedes-Benz GLK is often mistakenly placed in the same class as the BMW X3 and Audi Q5. In reality, it is closer to the even lower class dominated by the BMW X1 and Audi Q3, or the Range Rover Evoque. With a bit of exaggeration, I could compare the space in the GLK to that of a C-segment sedan.

   This is primarily due to the dimensions, which place this SUV among the smallest on the market. The car is 4,536 mm long and 1,840 mm wide, so two passengers do not feel the freedom typical of the M-class or even the GL. However, it cannot be said that the new Mercedes does not provide first-class comfort. If you have driven any other car from any “less valuable” manufacturer, you will be delighted with the GLK. The unladen weight of the vehicle has reached 1,888 kg.

   Top driving characteristics

   Multi-link axle, independent suspension, coil springs, double gas shock absorbers with SDD system at the front and rear and of course progressive all-wheel drive with electronic traction system 4ETS – all of this contributes to the fantastic driving characteristics of the vehicle. Driving the new GLK is accompanied by real driving pleasure, also because in a relatively small compact vehicle you get an experience comparable to driving in a larger SUV. The vehicle does not lack the ability to easily handle moderately difficult obstacles with the need for strong axle flexibility, while providing a pleasant experience while driving in an urban environment.

   Interior like in a luxurious CLS

   The interior of the vehicle has also undergone changes, primarily in terms of significant innovations. The space in which the driver works is strikingly similar to the latest CLS and C interiors. It beautifully combines elegance with a reasonable degree of sportiness, while the manufacturer placed great emphasis on direct interaction. Therefore, the materials used to make the steering wheel covers and control elements are of a premium nature and touching them never causes unpleasant sensations. Chrome, soft plastic imitating leather and hardened synthetic imitation wood are widely used. However, the layout of the basic control elements is identical to the previous version, so a driver with experience with another Mercedes vehicle will not be surprised.

 The parking brake and its mechanical release lever remain on the left under the steering wheel, within reach of the left foot – an unusual but typical solution for Mercedes. The COMMAND system, displayed on a large color display, has also not undergone any significant changes at first glance, so even die-hard fans of the previous system will not get lost in it.

   The perfect SUV for the city?

   The Mercedes-Benz GLK is still the good old Mercedes we are all used to. However, it does not deny its efforts to progress and adapt to supporters of an active lifestyle based in larger cities, where even the SUV category requires a certain degree of compactness.

"Honda's i-DTEC 1.6 engine is a very pleasant surprise even for a professional driver. The Civic driving experience is now supported by beautifully low fuel consumption." This year, Honda introduced the Civic with a 1.6-liter i-DTEC engine. In addition to pleasant performance, it offers extremely low consumption, which during our test did not exceed 5 liters per 100 kilometers on a combined basis.

   Despite the new Civic's aggressive exterior, it only has a 1.6-liter engine under the hood. That's a big step down from the 2.2-liter current variants. But whatever the paper specs, this one-and-a-half-liter diesel is still capable of squeezing passengers into the seats while still maintaining excellent fuel economy.

   The current appearance of Honda Civic vehicles has become closer to the average customer who has no taste for sci-fi design. The previous generation, which caused a stir on the European market, is typical of this. The current one maintains its avant-garde position, but now also takes into account the conservative customer. The interior of the Honda Civic has remained practically the same, it is downright futuristic, with a noticeable amount of plastic revealing lower production costs. However, this plastic does not have the character of a cheap material - the surface of the plastic modules is modified so that it does not look cheap and provides the driver and passengers with a high level of comfort. The seats are firm, comfortable, with significant lateral guidance, and we appreciate the extensive position adjustment options. All three levers designed to adjust the position are easily accessible and their functions are obvious from the first use.

The technical equipment of the interior in the tested version of the car included 2-zone air conditioning, simple cruise control, LED daytime running lights, automatic lighting mode, USB connectivity of the music system, literally futuristic design of the information panels behind the steering wheel and a color display. We must also praise the "one-click" engine START/STOP function, good sound of the built-in audio system, very well-adjusted parking camera with excellent image even at night. The headlights, which are already typical for Honda, also deserve praise. The 5-speed manual transmission is excellently graded, the course of torque action is balanced and the turbo starts to engage at about 1500 rpm.

   The price for the new Civic starts at just over 13 thousand euros. At this price, it is necessary to take into account that the engine of this car really has the potential to save you money on fuel every month, with a luggage space of 477 liters you will not have problems even when picking up friends at the airport from a long vacation and last but not least, you should think about the 5-star rating of the car in the Euro NCAP safety tests.

   We would like to thank Honda Motor Europe Limited Slovakia for lending us the vehicle.

   In the first issue of United Life magazine, we revealed more about the pseudo-adiabatic engine from Slovak manufacturer RTU Europe. This time, we will also look at other alternative eco-friendly engines that could eventually replace current combustion units.

    Electric motors and hybrids

Electric cars or those with hybrid solutions are experiencing their biggest boom in recent months. Electric motors are not new in professional practice and their use in vehicles is not exceptional, but they have only now entered the environment of commercially available cars. Car manufacturers place great trust in electric motors and hybrid solutions and invest billions of euros annually just to improve them. The pioneer in hybrid engines is the Japanese Toyota, but BMW also makes a significant contribution to the development of this ecological trend with its "i" model line.

   Electric motors have several advantages compared to combustion engines. The first is, of course, that they operate solely on electrical energy. No liquid, gaseous or solid fuel is required, which also brings with it a slightly higher level of safety, reducing the risk of explosion and fire. In addition, electric motors can operate without loss of efficiency at speeds that are at the limit or even far beyond the limit for today's combustion engines. In addition, the torque curve is available at virtually any time without the need to change gears. This is why there are no clutches or gears in electric cars.

   The main problem with current electric vehicles is their high energy requirements and the inability of manufacturers to produce a battery that can handle this requirement. Electric cars can travel a relatively short distance on a single charge. This is why electric motors are more often found in smaller and lighter cars such as the Citroën Zero, which are designed for driving in cities.

   However, we have also seen progress in this direction. The Chevrolet Volt brought the principle of electric energy recovery to the world of electromobility, thanks to which the range is extended to up to 600 kilometers. This is a value with which it can compete with most conventional cars. The Chevrolet only takes 4 hours to charge, and it needs to be plugged into a conventional 230 V socket. The American Tesla Model S has a slightly shorter range, but on a single charge without recuperation. It can travel up to 426 kilometers on one 85 kWh battery. Manufacturers are solving the high cost of equipping a vehicle with sufficient energy storage in various ways, in addition to recuperation, for example with hydrogen…

   Hydrogen propulsion in two ways

   It seems as if the trend of electric motors has overshadowed the not-so-distant popularity of hydrogen propulsion. However, this is not entirely true, because hydrogen propulsion could represent a sustainable and ecological concept. At the last Frankfurt Motor Show, Hyundai showed the hydrogen ix35. At first glance, this large SUV looks like any other, only after starting it does not make the typical sound of a combustion engine. The car is "fueled" with pure hydrogen, which then produces electricity through a fuel cell. This recharges the battery, which powers a standard car electric motor. Hyundai plans to produce a thousand units of the hydrogen-electric ix35 by 2015 and up to 10 times more after 2015. It is at that time that the price of the car should reach acceptable levels. We have also encountered similar hydrogen propulsion at Honda, General Motors, Daimler and even BMW, which several years ago demonstrated the BMW Hydrogen 7 as part of the BMW Clean Energy project. The older generation of the 7 Series sedan was equipped with an engine capable of running on hydrogen, which produced electricity. However, today, the development of this technology is not widely expected, the future lies with the BMW-i sub-brand and its electric motors.

   However, hydrogen as a basis for off-road generation of electricity is not a typical concept of hydrogen propulsion. If it was written above that electric motors did not overshadow hydrogen, because it can be a part of them, this will not apply now. Pure hydrogen propulsion is almost passé today. Having high-pressure containers with liquid hydrogen supercooled to -253°C with explosive potential in a car is unacceptable neither for car manufacturers nor for car manufacturers nor for customers. Hydrogen propulsion is based on a not very complicated concept, which produces water vapor as emissions. Thanks to this, it is quite environmentally friendly.

   Air drive from Citroën

   "What did Citroën present in Frankfurt? A car that runs on air? Unbelievable!" say experts and lay observers. The second prototype of the Hybrid Air drive has received great marketing and the public perceives it as "something capable of running on air". However, this is not true, even though air plays a significant role in the entire drive process.

   The prototype of the Citroën Cactus with Hybrid Air drive is equipped with an economical 3-cylinder engine and air tanks. These are a storage for compressed air, which is supplied by suction using recovered energy. When there is sufficient pressure in the air tank, it can literally help the combustion engine and reduce its energy requirements. This means that the energy gained while driving by the combustion engine is converted into pressure capable of moving the car a little further or a little faster. This helps save fuel, the amount of emissions and, of course, the driver's financial budget.

   Eco-efficiency at the expense of emotion

   What does the future of car propulsion look like? Even today, in the age of cutting-edge technology, it is not at all clear. The commercial automotive industry will most likely switch to electric motors over the next few decades, but developments in the field of power supply for these motors will continue. Hydrogen, compressed air, highly efficient recuperation, all of these are a fraction of what the still not entirely clear future offers us. However, what we can predict with great certainty is the gradual disappearance of the combustion engines that are so popular today or their relegation to a marginal position. Are we living in the last decades of honest, powerful, noisy cars?

   How would you define success? Can you say what all the attributes of leadership include? Despite our best efforts, we cannot precisely define these terms or what causes them. However, in today's world, we can use some shortcuts to measure and compare terms such as value, success, or leadership. Mammon rules the world and can be a direct indicator of success and leadership. If we think at this level, we have the opportunity to look at the most valuable commercial brands in the world. The ranking of the most valuable brands in the world for 2013 was compiled by Interbrands as part of its tradition. After many years, the primacy that previously belonged to the Coca-Cola brand has changed, the sweet drink has been replaced by a healthy bite-sized apple - Apple Inc.

Most valuable brands in the world 2013

How would you define success? Can you say what everything includes the ability to be a leader? Despite our sincere effort, we cannot determine these concepts exactly and either that, what all is their cause. However, in today's world we can use some abbreviations to measure and compare the concepts such as value, success or leadership. Mammon rules the world and it can be the direct coefficient of success and ability to be a leader. If we consider at this level, we have the possibility to look at the most valuable commerce brands in the world. Scale of the most valuable brands in the world for the year 2013 was made by the organization Interbrands as part of its tradition. After many years the primacy which up to now belonged to the Coca brand. Cola changed, the sweet drink was replaced by the healthy bitten apple – Apple Inc.

   Máme za sebou päť rokov Krízy. Pri tak dlhom čase je už na mieste písať to slovo s veľkým K. Čo bude ďalej? Čaká nás nejaká zmena? Kríza stále pretrváva alebo sa veci zlepšujú?

   Okrem toho, že každý z nás pociťuje krízu inak, niekoho sa dotkla viac, niekoho menej, môžeme sa pozrieť na objektívne makroekonomické čísla. Podľa odhadov na nasledujúci rok nás výrazne zlepšenie nečaká. Rast HDP je odhadovaný len mierne nad nulou, najväčší odberatelia Slovenska budu radi, ak sa vôbec dostanú do kladných čísel. Slovensko je možno s odhadmi jeho rastu niekde na vrchu v rebríčku v rámci Európskej únie, ale náš najväčší problém, nezamestnanosť, to určite nevyrieši. Rast bude príliš nízky na to, aby sa s nezamestnanosťou začalo niečo pozitívne meniť. A zmena nás tak skoro asi nečaká.

   Európska únia nás so svojimi riešeniami krízy tiež nikam neposunie, skôr naopak. Čoraz viac sa prejavuje skôr ako byrokratická mašinéria, než ako združenie štátov, ktoré mali tvoriť opozíciu k veľkým štátom a ich ekonomikám. Ekonomické rozhodnutia robí skupina úradníkov, nie trh. Dotačný systém v podobe eurofondov a priamych dotácií do poľnohospodárstva len živí korupciu a ničí zdravé podnikateľské prostredie. Zvolené riešenia z jej strany momentálne krízu skôr len tlmia a namiesto jednorazových rýchlych opatrení, ktoré by naštartovali rast ekonomík v krátkom čase, sme si zvolili pomalé trápenie a spoliehanie sa na nejaký zázrak v budúcnosti. Ale na toto už si budeme musieť asi zvyknúť, politici svoje správanie budú meniť len veľmi ťažko a vždy uprednostnia krátkodobé ciele pred tými dlhodobými.

   Všeobecne v západnom svete začínajú prevládať skôr socialistické modely riadenia ekonomiky, ústup z liberálnej ekonomiky je zjavný. Už to nie je len o Francúzsku, socializujú sa aj Spojené štáty. Firmám sa obmedzujú flexibilné možnosti na riešenie zamestnanosti a dá sa očakávať ďalšie postupné zvyšovanie daňového zaťaženia príjmov aj spotreby.

   Ako byť v tejto situácii úspešný? Zázračné slovíčka sú efektivita a flexibilita. V dnešnej dobe si každý zákazník dvakrát rozmyslí každú kúpu. Jedinou šancou predať mu akýkoľvek produkt je, aby tento spĺňal všetky očakávania, bol maximálne kvalitný a stál minimum. Spoločnosti teda momentálne nemajú žiaden priestor na neefektívne položky. Tlak na zamestnancov z titulu ich pracovného zaťaženia a bezchybovosti je momentálne enormný.

   Môžeme sa tešiť na nejaké pozitíva? Pri tak veľkom tlaku na efektivitu je nutné, aby sa začali objavovať nové nápady, investície a zlepšenia. Čaká nás v budúcom roku nejaký vynález, ktorý obráti celosvetovú ekonomiku k väčšiemu rastu? Dúfame, že áno. Minimálne bridlicový plyn nám ukazuje, že nie všetko, čo sa v minulosti javilo ako čierna diera a beh do záhuby (zmenšujúce sa zásoby ropy), tak naozaj aj skončí.

   Pozrime sa na odvetvie, ktoré je blízke jednak nám z United Group, ako aj samotnému Slovensku. Čo sa bude diať na trhu s automobilmi? Už spomínaná efektivita je uplatňovaná aj výrobcami automobilov, snažia sa maximálne obmedziť nevyužité výrobné kapacity. Zároveň nie je vôbec vylúčené, že niektorá z automobiliek sa opätovne a možno definitívne priblíži ku kolapsu. Je vôbec v tomto biznise priestor na tak veľký počet výrobcov, aký momentálne na trhu je? Akokoľvek máme radi rôznorodosť a diverzitu, očakávame, že ponuka sa bude v budúcnosti znižovať, respektíve spájanie alebo preberanie spoločností v rámci sektora bude pokračovať.

   Predaje nových áut v roku 2013 dosiahli tak nízku úroveň, že ďalší pokles v roku 2014 je už nepravdepodobný. Očakávame mierny nárast a ten vedie pri najpopulárnejších vozidlách k značnému predlžovaniu dodacích lehôt.

   V rámci United Group očakávame najväčšie zmeny v rámci požičovne. Napriek slabému rastu ekonomiky vidíme rok 2014 ako plný príležitostí. Popri predĺžených čakacích dobách na nové vozidlá, čo automaticky vedie k vyššiemu dopytu na vozidlách autopožičovne, vidíme aj postupný nárast záujmu o túto službu aj zo strany fyzických osôb na súkromnú spotrebu. Konečne sa tak v tejto oblasti začíname približovať západným krajinám.

   V budúcom roku bude naša snaha byť bližšie k zákazníkovi opäť navýšená. Plánujeme rozšíriť portfólio ponúkaných automobilov o ďalšie novinky a každý si tak nájde u nás presne to, čo potrebuje.

Vladimir Zalesky
Foto: European Union

   The Double Tree by Hilton Hotel welcomed 150 guests on September 24, 2013, including businessmen and managers of national and international companies, journalists and public figures. The international organization Superbrands awarded the “Oscars” to the best brands. In addition to announcing the best brands and presenting the prestigious award, the rich program of the grand gala evening was also enriched by the presentation of the Superbrands Yearbook 2013. The Yearbook describes those brands that excel in their innovations, research and development, quality of service and socially responsible business, thanks to which they have become an integral part of consumers' lives.

   The evening was opened by Mr. Andras Wiszkidenszky, regional director of Slovak Superbrands. He also welcomed the guests Peter Mihok, Chairman of the Slovak Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Among the awarded brands were AVIS, HC Slovan, ČSOB, Orange, Rádio Expres, TA3, Tatra banka and other significant brands from various industries.

   They came to accept the award for AVIS car rental as one of the award-winning brands Mikuláš Fedor (COO), Filip Orth III., Vladimír Orth (CEO), Erik Čillík (CSO), Martin Viktory (Multibrand) and Vladimír Záleský (CFO)"We are very grateful for this award, we are pleased that what we do leaves a good impression on people, which makes us enjoy our work all the more. We see this success as a commitment to the future, we achieved it thanks to the professional work of our entire team," said Sales Director Erik Čillík.

   Many years of experience and communication with clients have led us to constantly supplement our portfolio of services and to strive to improve them as much as possible and bring them closer to the client so that they become as interesting as possible for him. One of the basic characteristics of our services is their complexity. For companies that operated their own fleet and had vehicles purchased from their own property, we bring a solution for comprehensive fleet outsourcing. We will take over the existing fleet and ensure its effective replacement. This means that, based on an evaluation of the cost of operating individual vehicles, we propose to the client the replacement of his vehicle with a new one that best suits his operating conditions.

   In this way, the entire fleet will gradually be put into the form of operational leasing - long-term rental. We sell old vehicles either through our own car dealership or an electronic auction based on the clients'
agreed price. Throughout the entire period, the client can use the discounted price list of AVIS rental for short-term vehicle rentals.

   The aim of this service is to ensure that the client's costs are more efficient, personnel requirements are reduced, and administration is saved, which ultimately creates the conditions for the client to do what is important - to focus on their business.

AVIS Lease
– a complex care of your carriage stock

   Long years of experiences and communication with clients led us to continuous renewal of our service portfolio and to the effort to improve it at most and to bring it closer to the client and so to become the most interesting for him. One of the basic characteristics of our services is their complexity. For companies which were running the carriage stock on their own and they had the cars as their own property, we bring a solution of the complex carriage stock outsourcing. We will take over an existing stock to our management and we will secure its effective modification. That means, that on the basis of evaluating the running costs of single cars, we will suggest the client a modification of his car for a new one, the best fitting his running conditions.

   This way the whole carriage stock will gradually get to the form of an operative leasing – a long-term rent. We sell the old vehicles either through an own used car dealer or an electronic auction on the basis of the price which is agreed by the client. During the whole time, the client can use the advantageous price-list of car rental AVIS for the short-term car rentals.

   The aim of this service is to secure the client the effectiveness of company costs, decreasing of the personal demands and administration saving, what in the end creates the conditions for the substantial things for the client – to devote to his business.

   Multibrand is a media agency operating within the United Group. In addition to marketing activities for this group, it also develops activities and ensures marketing communication for several important and interesting clients, for whom it has recently provided valuable implementations.

   In our activities, we always try to look at the project through the client's needs, bringing trust and partnership into relationships. We believe that this approach, even if it is more energy-intensive, will bear fruit in the form of new projects, campaigns and clients.

   Within the group, one of these fruits is the Superbrands award for AVIS. Together with AVIS representatives, we also attended the gala evening on the occasion of the presentation of this prestigious award. AVIS – congratulations and we are glad to have been there!

   Multibrand also played a significant role in the grand opening of the film Rivali in Slovak cinemas.

   The film has become recognized not only among viewers, but even among experts and is constantly receiving new awards. If you haven't had the opportunity to watch the film Rivals yet, definitely do so - it is really worth seeing the story of the rivalry between Niki Lauda and James Hunt in the early days of the F1 series on the big screen. The grand premiere was possible thanks to the support of the brands TAG Heuer, Ford and AVIS, which were provided by Multibrand as general partners. The film was brought to cinemas by Magic Box, with whom we tried our hand at cooperation and we firmly hope that this cooperation brought benefits to all parties involved.

   If you watch the news channel TA3, you have the opportunity to register campaigns from our clients AVIS and Racio, created by Multibrand. Racio promotes the Longines and Breitling brands through the campaign, while AVIS promotes its services.

   We will evaluate what we have produced for clients at Multibrand over the past year, and clients will evaluate how we did it. We are confident that we will stand the test of time in this mutual relationship.

Martin Viktory