convex
12 Jul 2010
Food / Activia/Danone - why so popular in Poland? [13]
gotta stay healthy so that you can enjoy that sick leave....
gotta stay healthy so that you can enjoy that sick leave....
convex
12 Jul 2010
Work / Average monthly salary in Poland is around 1000 PLN (few hundred bucks). [387]
Absolutely. Again, the majority of what they're doing isn't groundbreaking. They're a software house and systems integrator, and they provide the same thing that their competition provides, but cheaper. They are still however an incredibly bright spot. I'm not sure how big they are on developing their employees.
It is rather such companies as Assecco who should grow their own R&D.
Absolutely. Again, the majority of what they're doing isn't groundbreaking. They're a software house and systems integrator, and they provide the same thing that their competition provides, but cheaper. They are still however an incredibly bright spot. I'm not sure how big they are on developing their employees.
convex
12 Jul 2010
Law / Laundromats in Poland? Good business venture or not? [90]
Not sure if it's still around, but there was one in Wroclaw.
Also, there are many families on the dole that do laundry in their city apartments with the tax payer funding the water and electricity to allow those things to run 24/7... You would have some competition with zero overhead...
Not sure if it's still around, but there was one in Wroclaw.
Also, there are many families on the dole that do laundry in their city apartments with the tax payer funding the water and electricity to allow those things to run 24/7... You would have some competition with zero overhead...
convex
12 Jul 2010
Work / Average monthly salary in Poland is around 1000 PLN (few hundred bucks). [387]
There are plenty of bodies willing and able to learn, but the infrastructure to provide that learning isn't in place. One directly influences the other. Until that environment is in place, you won't have a very good pool of resources to pull from.
Again, it touches on the problem above. In CZ and HU for instance, you have about 4x as many CCIEs as a percentage of the population than in Poland. Poland is still seen by the majority of FDI to be a location that provides cheap labor. It seems like a disproportionate amount of FDI in Poland goes to creating low level manufacturing jobs compared to other CE countries. I'm curious as to why that is. The universities are a huge problem, emphasizing quantity over quality. Something is seriously wrong with the system when basic jobs require a university degree.
And sorry if I came off as slagging off Opera. I know it's not basic, but it's not revolutionary. It's more along the lines of getting the existing concept working properly. That said, it's a solid product, and there's a lot of hard work that goes into it at that little building off rynek :)
Well, in general I agree that Poland is relatively weak in terms of patents and it lacks both big industry and govermental support in scientific research. But on the other hand I can't agree that there is low human resources pool here.
There are plenty of bodies willing and able to learn, but the infrastructure to provide that learning isn't in place. One directly influences the other. Until that environment is in place, you won't have a very good pool of resources to pull from.
As for advanced certification, well it cost a lot of money and is rarely needed in tenders. So basic policy of most of companies is to pay for a training and exam of a few choosen ones in case of tender requirement.
Again, it touches on the problem above. In CZ and HU for instance, you have about 4x as many CCIEs as a percentage of the population than in Poland. Poland is still seen by the majority of FDI to be a location that provides cheap labor. It seems like a disproportionate amount of FDI in Poland goes to creating low level manufacturing jobs compared to other CE countries. I'm curious as to why that is. The universities are a huge problem, emphasizing quantity over quality. Something is seriously wrong with the system when basic jobs require a university degree.
And sorry if I came off as slagging off Opera. I know it's not basic, but it's not revolutionary. It's more along the lines of getting the existing concept working properly. That said, it's a solid product, and there's a lot of hard work that goes into it at that little building off rynek :)
convex
12 Jul 2010
Work / Average monthly salary in Poland is around 1000 PLN (few hundred bucks). [387]
I'm not a big fish in that field, most of my guys are doing consulting work with large companies. They're not doing development, it's primarily infrastructure design on the technical side and policy/strategy work. Despite having CCIEs working with customers, it's still just infrastructure design work.
And it's incredibly difficult to find good people here in my field. You can look at things like advanced certification count by country, Poland has a very low count as a percentage of the overall population even compared to other CEE countries.
See, this is exactly what I mean, it's basic software development, cheaper to do in Poland than in Norway. Other than the very small research technology department at Siemens, it's all run of the mill stuff.
Any place in Wroclaw doing anything really innovative?
I'm not saying it's all doom and gloom, but lets be serious here...
I'm not a big fish in that field, most of my guys are doing consulting work with large companies. They're not doing development, it's primarily infrastructure design on the technical side and policy/strategy work. Despite having CCIEs working with customers, it's still just infrastructure design work.
And it's incredibly difficult to find good people here in my field. You can look at things like advanced certification count by country, Poland has a very low count as a percentage of the overall population even compared to other CEE countries.
Nokia-Siemens R&D with more than 1000 engineers or Opera R&D in Wroclaw, this is their latest success:
See, this is exactly what I mean, it's basic software development, cheaper to do in Poland than in Norway. Other than the very small research technology department at Siemens, it's all run of the mill stuff.
Any place in Wroclaw doing anything really innovative?
I'm not saying it's all doom and gloom, but lets be serious here...
convex
11 Jul 2010
convex
11 Jul 2010
Language / So why did you give up learning Polish? [105]
I absolutely agree, it would be ridiculous not to learn at least enough to get you by and be able to have a little bar talk.
That said, I'm in Poland about half of the week, and travel the rest of the time. I conduct all of my business in German and English, and have no long term plans to stay in Poland.
I'm learning Russian at the moment, great traveling language.
I do like Polish though, it's a fascinating language, but just don't have the time to devote to it.
Anyway, it it certainly beneficial when you live and work in Poland. Even with a limited knowledge of the language you at least know what is going on around you. I can't imagine living in any country and not to make any attempts to learn the local language and culture
I absolutely agree, it would be ridiculous not to learn at least enough to get you by and be able to have a little bar talk.
That said, I'm in Poland about half of the week, and travel the rest of the time. I conduct all of my business in German and English, and have no long term plans to stay in Poland.
I'm learning Russian at the moment, great traveling language.
I do like Polish though, it's a fascinating language, but just don't have the time to devote to it.
convex
11 Jul 2010
Language / So why did you give up learning Polish? [105]
No value outside of Poland. No long term plans to stay in Poland.
No value outside of Poland. No long term plans to stay in Poland.
convex
11 Jul 2010
Work / Average monthly salary in Poland is around 1000 PLN (few hundred bucks). [387]
I did fail to mention Scotland in my list there...
I did fail to mention Scotland in my list there...
convex
11 Jul 2010
Work / Average monthly salary in Poland is around 1000 PLN (few hundred bucks). [387]
I have a couple of people doing IT work for me, but it's not even close to top end. It is still extremely difficult to find someone competent on the operational side of things. It's damn near impossible to find anyone decent at development which requires any sort of innovation.
I have a couple of people doing IT work for me, but it's not even close to top end. It is still extremely difficult to find someone competent on the operational side of things. It's damn near impossible to find anyone decent at development which requires any sort of innovation.
convex
11 Jul 2010
Work / Average monthly salary in Poland is around 1000 PLN (few hundred bucks). [387]
alright, quality of graduates from top Polish universities vs. top German, French, Swiss, Japanese, American, Chinese, take your pick...
The undergraduates here seems to be especially poor. It seems that they just learn how to do their assignments and are never challenged to actually think on their own.
Considering the amount of university graduates here, the R&D isn't too hot.
Poland is a destination for companies interested in cheap labor and huge tax credits. Not because of promising talent...
alright, quality of graduates from top Polish universities vs. top German, French, Swiss, Japanese, American, Chinese, take your pick...
The undergraduates here seems to be especially poor. It seems that they just learn how to do their assignments and are never challenged to actually think on their own.
Considering the amount of university graduates here, the R&D isn't too hot.
Poland is a destination for companies interested in cheap labor and huge tax credits. Not because of promising talent...
convex
11 Jul 2010
Work / Average monthly salary in Poland is around 1000 PLN (few hundred bucks). [387]
Where will they be producing these pioneers? The universities aren't really producing good engineers...
Dell is a computer giant and the Poles are right up there with the best in this field. Mark my words, they will produce the computing pioneers of tomorrow.
Where will they be producing these pioneers? The universities aren't really producing good engineers...
convex
11 Jul 2010
Life / Car Crime in Poland [28]
My car is Czech registered. I've had some parts stolen off of it, but that's it.
My car is Czech registered. I've had some parts stolen off of it, but that's it.
convex
8 Jul 2010
Travel / Motorcycle tour of Poland [137]
Going to pick up a new to me CBR1000 today. Anyone in Wroclaw want to do a couple of laps at the track?
Going to pick up a new to me CBR1000 today. Anyone in Wroclaw want to do a couple of laps at the track?
convex
7 Jul 2010
Work / Some opinions about current pay rates (normal pay per hour for housekeeping in Poland)... [19]
fairly
has more to do with laziness and appreciating a clean house. plants need to be watered, kitchen needs to be cleaned. my place is pretty dusty too.
fairly
has more to do with laziness and appreciating a clean house. plants need to be watered, kitchen needs to be cleaned. my place is pretty dusty too.
convex
7 Jul 2010
Work / Some opinions about current pay rates (normal pay per hour for housekeeping in Poland)... [19]
I think for 22zl/hr@20 hours, you can probably be fairly picky. Especially if it's under the table...
I pay 200 a week for cleaning 120m2 apartment twice a week.
I have a 5 year old boy and I'd like some light housekeeping done. Is 22zl an hour too much? Long term it will only be 20 hours a week with some nights out but during school breaks it would be 40 hours. I do not want to pay rock bottom prices either as I believe moral is important when dealing with children, as you couldn't pay me enough to babysit a kid that wasn't mine. LOL
I think for 22zl/hr@20 hours, you can probably be fairly picky. Especially if it's under the table...
I pay 200 a week for cleaning 120m2 apartment twice a week.
convex
7 Jul 2010
Life / Is Poland split into two religions: catholicism and non-believers? [103]
People in bright colored clothes with funny hats being chauffeured around in Audi A8s...at least here in Wroclaw...
Do you see where that money goes, Am? On marble floors and Alfa Romeos. When I go to a footie match, I watch it and enjoy it. I see where my money goes.
People in bright colored clothes with funny hats being chauffeured around in Audi A8s...at least here in Wroclaw...
convex
5 Jul 2010
News / Will Komorowski be Poland's worst ever president? [72]
If there is open competition, yes. But there will be no open competition. So the options are basically expensive tax payer funded service, or expensive private sector service.
So when the dominant utilities companies are sold , when the natural monopolies such as PKP Intercity are sold, you believe the American, German and Chinese potential owners will behave nicely and compete as they tell you in Economics 101 text book?
If there is open competition, yes. But there will be no open competition. So the options are basically expensive tax payer funded service, or expensive private sector service.
convex
5 Jul 2010
News / Komorowski won Poland's presidency vote? [125]
Bronislaw Komorowski won in 11 north- western provinces. For Jaroslaw Kaczynski voted more numerous eastern wall . Internet users compare the map of voting ...
Komorowski won in 11 provinces - Podlaskie , Mazowieckie , Warmia-Mazury , Pomeranian , Kuyavian - Pomeranian , Greater Poland , West Pomerania , Lubusz , Lower Silesia , Silesia and Opole .
Kaczynski turn in five provinces - Podkarpackie , Lesser , Lublin , Świętokrzyskie and Lodz.
Bronislaw Komorowski won in 11 north- western provinces. For Jaroslaw Kaczynski voted more numerous eastern wall . Internet users compare the map of voting ...
Komorowski won in 11 provinces - Podlaskie , Mazowieckie , Warmia-Mazury , Pomeranian , Kuyavian - Pomeranian , Greater Poland , West Pomerania , Lubusz , Lower Silesia , Silesia and Opole .
Kaczynski turn in five provinces - Podkarpackie , Lesser , Lublin , Świętokrzyskie and Lodz.
convex
5 Jul 2010
News / Will Komorowski be Poland's worst ever president? [72]
And Slovakia, Portugal, Kosovo...yea, ouch.... Or buying an apartment in Berlin vs Warsaw, ouch indeed. Expensive places...
Very good points there, Polityka. I've seen how expensive life is in countries with the EURO. Austria, for example. Ouch! What a farce!
And Slovakia, Portugal, Kosovo...yea, ouch.... Or buying an apartment in Berlin vs Warsaw, ouch indeed. Expensive places...
convex
4 Jul 2010
News / Poland still developing strong economy despite red tape [8]
wow, got me fooled. the whole "middle class boom" is from credit. All that domestic spending? Maybe it has something to do with all those financing companies that actually have little offices in all the malls and larger shops...
Exports? It helps when you devalue your currency by nearly 30%. Investments tend to pick up when you can get the work done in Poland cheap.
definitely helps.. part of this "help" is the tightness of the credit market in PL..
wow, got me fooled. the whole "middle class boom" is from credit. All that domestic spending? Maybe it has something to do with all those financing companies that actually have little offices in all the malls and larger shops...
Exports? It helps when you devalue your currency by nearly 30%. Investments tend to pick up when you can get the work done in Poland cheap.
convex
2 Jul 2010
Life / How do Polish people see homosexuality? [152]
Better than being treated by one with a drinking problem.
Better than being treated by one with a drinking problem.
convex
27 Jun 2010
News / US shouldn't interfere in Polish election (Polish-American Advocacy Initiative) [60]
Yes, so should the rest of the foreign ministers attending the CD meetings, which were planned a couple of years ago. Takes a special amount of stupid to link the two together.
As for the notion of any US official like Mrs. Clinton trying to influence the election, this is wrong. The US government should stay out of the Polish election. But I don't know how true this notion is.
Yes, so should the rest of the foreign ministers attending the CD meetings, which were planned a couple of years ago. Takes a special amount of stupid to link the two together.
convex
22 Jun 2010
USA, Canada / US Polonia 70% for Kaczyński [343]
There are Poles who can vote in Polish elections and Canadians who can vote in Canadian elections. I suppose as long as you don't try to play both sides, there's no problem.
I fully believe that Poles that go out and seek another citizenship (swearing allegiance to another nation) should be stripped of the Polish citizenship.
And I am certainly Poland's political subject. As a democratic country it does have a constitution and that constitution ensures that I can vote in Polish elections wherever I live and wherever there is a Polish voting booth. That constitution was voted for by democratically elected representatives of the nation. And that is democracy indeed.
There are Poles who can vote in Polish elections and Canadians who can vote in Canadian elections. I suppose as long as you don't try to play both sides, there's no problem.
I fully believe that Poles that go out and seek another citizenship (swearing allegiance to another nation) should be stripped of the Polish citizenship.
convex
21 Jun 2010
History / Israeli wants to wipe Poland off the map! [198]
Poland has already sided with the US...it happened formally a while back...
If Poland choses to side with Russia or USA
Poland has already sided with the US...it happened formally a while back...
convex
21 Jun 2010
News / Who are you voting for in the 2010 Poland's presidential elections and why? [82]
Gotta love that man
JKM: 27 corpses put together don't make a living organism...
Gotta love that man
convex
21 Jun 2010
History / Israeli wants to wipe Poland off the map! [198]
Or that Greeks, Bulgarians, Albanians, Macedonians, etc are European.
Or that Greeks, Bulgarians, Albanians, Macedonians, etc are European.
convex
21 Jun 2010
Travel / Why do people say that Poland is so unsafe? [60]
Images of track suited AK toting Mercedes drivers running things. I'll repeat it here, this place is candyland.
Images of track suited AK toting Mercedes drivers running things. I'll repeat it here, this place is candyland.
convex
21 Jun 2010
News / Decoded talks inside Poland's president's plane are released in Internet [337]
I reckon not. Radar altimeter + bad weather + non precision approach = dead pilot.
Minimums for that approach were 100m/1km
I reckon not. Radar altimeter + bad weather + non precision approach = dead pilot.
4 minutes prior to impact the Yak-40 crew radioed the Tupolev crew again reporting they estimated the visibility to 200 meters only. Smolensk Tower told the Tupolev crew, that visibility was 400 meters due to fog.
Minimums for that approach were 100m/1km
convex
21 Jun 2010
History / Israeli wants to wipe Poland off the map! [198]
Turkey is taking care of Turkey. They have their alliances and they've been very supportive, especially regarding their participation in NATO. With any luck, they'll stay out of the EU sinkhole and just go the free trade route. They're doing a great job of managing their economy and their internal problems. No one is making decisions in Turkey other than the Turks...
Turkey is taking care of Turkey. They have their alliances and they've been very supportive, especially regarding their participation in NATO. With any luck, they'll stay out of the EU sinkhole and just go the free trade route. They're doing a great job of managing their economy and their internal problems. No one is making decisions in Turkey other than the Turks...