How to become Nokia’s boss in Wroclaw at the age of 33?
Taras Lukaniuk, Director of Nokia’s Wroclaw branch: I will turn 33 only in a couple of months [laughs], but, to answer this question with a question: are 33 years little or much? I think that the most important thing during the selection of a candidate for the position of the new director of the Nokia Technological Centre in Wroclaw was a good knowledge of the company’s operations, its internal processes and project experience.
It has been 10 years now since I joined Nokia. During the last decade, we created and – together with colleagues from various teams – implemented many solutions, projects and technologies. When you work so long in one place, a special bond arises. I like my work and the people with whom I do it. The fact that over 1/3 of inhabitants of the world use our solutions every day is also a strong motivation and makes me very satisfied.
Getting to the point: in order to become the boss of the biggest R&D Centre in Poland, you need to love your work and believe in its sense.
What does Nokia do in Wroclaw?
What we do every day, is creating a telecommunications technology for operators. This sounds quite enigmatic, but, to put it very simply, we can say that our technology allows us to call another person, send an e-mail or watch a film from our smartphones or tablets. Although we no longer use our old slogan ‘Nokia connecting people’, it is still true.
Nokia’s European Centre for Software and Engineering in Wroclaw – this is the full name of our R&D institution – is a place where ideas and projects in the field of broadband access technology are born and created.
In Wroclaw, we have unique laboratories on a European scale where you can find latest-generation equipment for testing system & telecommunications solutions and virtually every mobile telecommunications technology that is available around the world today. We also come up with ideas that will play a significant role in shaping the future of telecommunications in the next few years – for example, 5G solutions, for which our specialists prepare implementation scenarios and the standardisation process.
How will Nokia’s co-operation with Wroclaw develop?
I think it will develop at least as favourably as until now. Nokia has supported the local ecosystem for years and it is willing to co-operate with Wroclaw universities, institutions or offices. We also try to turn our city into a smarter and more resident-friendly place, so we are eager to share our knowledge and resources with Wroclaw (though not only) within the Smart City project.
Moreover, we are aware of corporate social responsibility. Our employees have lots of ideas that we particularly appreciate and invite to participate in: we hold computer courses for elderly people, regularly donate blood or organise various fundraising events for the needy. We have also launched Bakcyl Programowania [Programming Bug] and Nokia Junior Academy – educational programs for children whose goal is to help them acquire programming skills.
We care about education and are eager to share our knowledge, so we have organised free events for all interested persons for years. I mean here, among others, the code::dive international programming conference or the Night of Laboratories organised in co-operation with local universities, research institutions and companies, during which everyone can learn about work in laboratories from behind the scenes. Now, during the pandemic, we support local hospitals by providing necessary equipment and materials to them. For example, we print protective visors for medical personnel on 3D printers in our Nokia Garage.
We are talking during the coronavirus epidemic. What does your work look like today?
During this new situation that is extremely difficult for everyone, we also saw that processes and solutions introduced by us many years ago still prove effective. A good example is the fact that each employee receives his business laptop and phone right at the beginning. Thanks to such simple solutions, we could actually make a full shift to teleworking from the first day of the epidemic, whereas others, instead of doing this, had to arrange equipment for their staff hastily.
Besides, teleworking is not a novelty to us. We have taken this model into account in our company policy manual for years and our employees often use it. Even before the pandemic, many activities and processes were carried out remotely, because we work in an international environment.
I know that you are not slowing down – you are looking for new employees and recruiting online.
Not slowing down is putting it mildly. It is not without reason that the company invests in Wroclaw, because our specialists have been recognised as one of the best around the world for years. A multitude of various projects and goals set for us is a proof of this. In the current situation, we are one of the few not to slow down – in particular, we hire experienced persons, whom we strongly invite to apply for vacant positions. For their convenience and safety, we have moved the entire recruitment process to the Internet. Today you can start working in Nokia without going out.
You were born in Lutsk, in Volhynia, Ukraine, but you decided to study at the Wroclaw University of Technology. Why?
To be precise, I completed master’s studies in Wroclaw. The capital of Lower Silesia is primarily a great place to live – there is a lot going on here at any time of the year.
Wroclaw is a very open city, with a large group of inhabitants being migrants. I found this out in 2008, when I could arrive here and take up studies thanks to the Wroclaw Now program. It is worth adding that such offers were very few 12 years ago, and Wroclaw as a modern city took one step ahead and attracted people already in those days.
You feel rooted in Wroclaw today?
I have lived in Wroclaw for twelve years. I met my wife here, our son was born here, I pay taxes here and I obtained Polish nationality here. At home, we speak only Polish, which I also learned from people in Wroclaw – not at language courses, but simply during conversations. So I definitely feel rooted in Wroclaw. This is the place where I feel good and where I want to stay for longer.
Thanks to Marcin Wolniak from Nokia’s Wroclaw branch for helping me prepare this interview.
Jarek Ratajczak
