ICE Questionnaire #WeAreICE Jakub Krejčí

Kuba Krejčí began his career at ICE 11 years ago as an electrician, traveling to projects across Europe from Italy to Sweden. Over time, he accumulated experience and worked his way up to chief installer and later to Product Owner. Currently, he leads the installation team and shares his experience with new colleagues.

 What are you currently finding most enjoyable about your work?

 I am currently finishing a project at Valeo, making many adjustments and changes. At the same time, we are starting to work on new projects for Scania for next year. Additionally, I manage our team's operations, so I've got quite a lot on my plate.

 What does your job involve at the moment? 

My role as a Product Owner involves managing projects for the installation team. And then it's working with the schools, recruiting and developing individuals in our team. And not forgetting setting strategy and direction for the whole installation team.

 How did you start at ICE, how have you progressed, and what are your work visions? 

I started as an electrician, a kid fresh out of school who knew nothing. I learned from experienced colleagues and progressed to chief installer. When we introduced Product Owners, I became one of them. Now, I'm the team leader for installations, which is new to me, and I'm still learning new things.

 Can you describe a typical workday? 

I'm not someone who likes to sit in the office. I enjoy working on projects. Mornings start with five-minute briefs, quick meetings to align all teams for the day's work. During the ongoing project, I handle situations that arise during installation. I ensure everything is installed on time and to the required quality. If something doesn't go as planned, I communicate with other teams to ensure the project's progress isn't compromised. Throughout the day, I also join various meetings related to the operations and functioning of the installation team.

 What has made you truly happy at work recently?

Since September, three guys who were previously with us for internships and part-time jobs have joined us full-time. They were impressed by our operations, values, and culture. I'm pleased that our collaboration with schools is paying off – as a result, skilled young people like I was years ago are joining us.

 How has traveling for work benefited you and why is it good to leave the comfort of home?

Traveling often puts us in challenging situations that we have to manage. We rely on ourselves, which teaches us self-sufficiency. I enjoy visiting new countries. The need to step out of my comfort zone and start communicating in a foreign language with strangers has definitely given me a lot of experience. Now, I'm not afraid to go anywhere alone and arrange everything by myself.

 When it comes to self-improvement and working on yourself – what have you most worked on at ICE? 

Self-development is a big theme for me. A year ago, I completed the Academy of Self-Management. It was a challenging year. Initially, I was afraid to speak in front of 10 people. By the end, I was presenting at a company-wide event in front of 200 people. But development never ends, I continue to work on myself, educate myself, and read. But mainly, I try to motivate people around me to start doing something.

 And the last question – how do you like to spend your free time? 

I spend most of my free time working in the garden. I go on trips to nature. I enjoy reading. And lately, I've started planning a house renovation.

 What does a colleague and automation electromechanic František Mládek say about Kuba? 

"Kuba fulfills all company values at 150%. It's a pleasure to work with someone like him because his dedication and approach are always of a high standard. He has a huge overview of everything, making him indispensable to the team. Besides, he's always willing to help with anything, whether it's colleagues in trouble or more complex projects that require a broader perspective."