Marcela Mogilska

𝑾𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒃𝒆 𝒂 𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝒐𝒓 𝒂 𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒆? To avoid the latter, asking good questions matters when relocating. I've changed countries twice, and most of my friends are expats. In my profession, I’ve supported countless expats on their journey. Hint: moving is almost never a walk in the park. Here are my personal top 11 questions to consider: 1. Do I prefer a productivity-oriented or family/friends/leisure-oriented culture? 2. Is there already an international/startup community? 3. Can I commit to learning a new language? 4. Is Amazon available? 5. How important is sunshine to me? 6. How quickly can I visit my family? 7. Can I easily go for a ride, swim, or hike in nature? 8. Can I get a decent flat white? 9. What’s the welcome culture and political sentiment like? 10. Can I afford the same or even better living standards there? 11. Will I be able to comfortably raise kids? What questions are in your top 3-5? What am I missing? 👉 Swipe the carousel for additional thoughts.

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Some thoughts from Berlin this morning: Entrepreneurs are more exposed to impacts than employees. Some impacts are positive: A deal is won. A great person joins. Some are negative: A business line loses money. An employee disappoints. These events often don’t cancel each other out, but we get a lot of negatives in a row. But if you stick to what you’re good at, invariably the positives will come as well. They always have for me. It is important to distinguish between strategic problems - changing market dynamics for example - and business as usual. Not all your hires will be perfect, not all sales will be won. Business is hard.

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A special reunion 11 months and one book later. Life in Product Management is fast and hectic at times. Having time to reflect on more than just the last sprint is a rare occasion, but it is always very valuable. Which makes me so grateful to Ronnie for coming to Hamburg. Three days to discuss and celebrate six years of doing Product Management together. A Product Therapy retreat, if you will. 😅 --- #productmanagement #productleadership  

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Please STOP learning vocabulary on tourism, deforestation, pollution, etc. I see too many German learners learning 100s of words on generic topics that have nothing to do with their industry, even if they learn German to build a career in Germany If you already have a B1ish level, do this instead: 1️⃣ Go to YouTube 2️⃣ Pick a German video on your industry 3️⃣ Start with a more general one 4️⃣ Choose a short one: max 2-3 min 5️⃣ Watch it 6️⃣ Copy the manuscript into Notion/Chat GPT 7️⃣ Ask AI to translate it 8️⃣ Ask AI to summarize it in (easier) B1 German 9️⃣ Make learning cards with keywords in Quizlet and learn the new words 🔟 Try to tell with your own words what the video was about You will get prepared for the next job interview by learning the industry-specific vocab rather than aiming at B2/C1 with some generic topics. Do that for the next 60 days and watch what happens. Do you already use AI to learn German? Would you like to know more about how to use the AI of Notion and Quizlet to accelerate your German learning journey? Repost it or send it to friends who want to reach German working proficiency! #germany #professionaldevelopment #germanlanguage

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Not just talking - but some action! 🚀💬 Last week, I was at the Landtag of the Bremen State Parliament. One of the topics was international skilled workers. German companies need these professionals, especially in IT and healthcare. But there are often hurdles. One reason lies in the different work cultures. 🌍💼 And this is where I come into play: I explain German culture simply and clearly—for both sides. For international professionals, we cover values, norms, rules, and typical behaviors. 📚✨ For the existing staff, we address how they come across to others and to international colleagues. 🤝🌐 The goal is to prevent cultural misunderstandings from occurring in the first place. 🚫❌ Ultimately, it’s about being successful and feeling comfortable, because when we feel good, we succeed. 🌟🏆 Follow me for more insights on how to bridge cultural gaps and foster better understanding in the workplace. Let’s make our work environments more inclusive and productive together! 🚀 #GermanCulture #GermanAngst #Innovation #Digitalization #CulturalInsights #WorkCulture #SkilledWorkers #ICATraining #Insidecultureacademy

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Portugal update - no, I still don’t know about my visa application 🤯 … but I have started saying goodbyes. Last week I had my last haircut before I go, with my hairdresser of 15 years. Below is a photo of me around the time she started cutting my hair. She’s an absolute gem: she helped me grow out my blonde bleached hair back in 2008 and learn to love my natural hair colour (pic below, found while sorting through my paperwork - an absolute horror show). And we’ve never seen each other outside my hair cuts, but we chat while I’m in the chair about life, business, kids, the state of the government. When I arrived, she checked it was my last appointment and then gave me a hug. When we said goodbye, she put her hand on mine and said “you’re doing the right thing, it’ll be great” and made me promise to pop my head in and let her know how I am when I’m next in the UK. I had tears in my eyes, I hadn’t realised this was an important goodbye. She really meant it. And it came to me, it’s more than business. We care about each other. And that doesn’t stop us having a brilliant and productive sales agreement. That’s why I run a small business, supporting other small business owners and that’s why I love being a customer of small businesses and part of a community of small business owners. We form relationships, because we simply can’t do everything alone. And that doesn’t stop us running financially sustainable businesses or selling to each other, in fact it supports it. The process of offering a service in exchange for money is very human, especially when you’re pouring your heart & soul into the service. It’s not true that as soon as you bring in your passion, sales becomes a dirty word or is ‘icky’. Unlike that peroxide blonde … so tell me, what’s your fashion / hair disaster you’d rather forget about? And did anyone help you leave it behind?

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My client: “Marta, after the job interview I felt like a failure.” (If you've felt this way, you need to hear this today!) His German was B1ish. He applied for a job in Berlin. The job interview was mainly in English. Then they switched to German. What happened: ✖ His German was not good enough... ✖ They told him so. ✖ He felt like a failure. What ACTUALLY happened: ➡ He has learned 300+ hours of German ➡ He dared to say YES to a job interview party in German ➡ He learned typical questions, phrases, and new words when he prepared Lesson: Yes, you can feel all those feelings! BUT: Use the competence-confidence loop to improve: -> Do it even if it feels scary -> Prepare well -> Learn and adjust for the next time -> Build competence and confidence along the way Have a growth mindset! What helps you keep your glass half full? How do you appreciate your achievements? ♻ Repost if you think people in your network need to hear this today! 🔔 Follow for actionable tips on how to improve your German for a career in Germany: Dr. Marta Kojnok PS: The Hungarian national football team lost against Germany yesterday... Does it mean they are not good? I don't think so :)

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You’re not active on LinkedIn, but deep in your heart you want to be? Stop 🛑 And read this post📚 Today I talked with my colleague Julian. He wanted to know why I’m so active and how I started posting and commenting. During the conversation, he shared relatable and frequently heard reasons to not post. And trust me, I’ve had these doubts too. I’m going to show them and tell you why you should forget them. 1.“I don’t have any experience, so I feel my voice doesn’t matter.” 🗣 That’s what I thought as well back in 2021. And yet, I started posting. Soon, people appreciated me for my story, curiosity and willingness to learn. You have your own story and your unique point of view. Even with 0 years of experience. And you’ll realize that people care about that. 2.“I feel like being too active will result in people unfollowing me.” 👎 Yes, some people unfollowed me because they weren’t interested in my posts. But they weren’t the ones I wanted to reach anyway. Instead, I’ve gained a lot of new followers with like-minded interests. And I’ve even made friends on LinkedIn and Twitter (more on that later). 3. “I feel like I can’t add value to other people’s posts.” 💬 You can always share your own perspective. And if you can’t, why not ask a question? When I started on Twitter, I asked, asked and asked. And I took a lot of notes to learn from the people around me. It had two benefits: 1) I learned a lot of new things about Marketing and Community Management. 2) People started noticing and following me for the questions I asked and the learnings I shared. To top it off, here’s what being active on LinkedIn and Twitter gave me: 🏆 - Invitations for job interviews. - Two appearances on Kevin Berry's podcasts. - Insights I’m still using as of today. - Writing and community management experience. - Meeting Brianne, Jason and Christine IRL. - A strong personal brand and professional brand (Company). Being active on LinkedIn is scary. But your voice matters more than you think. And maybe, in some years, you’ll realize that all the effort you’ve put into creating and connection was worth it.  

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You are a start-up, and you have hired a 🇩🇪 team because you expect long-term business success in the German market 🇩🇪. But how do you get there?  Here are 3️⃣ strategies that are fundamental to the success of your team ⤵️ 1. Listen to them You hired a local team because they know more about the German market than you do, have more experience with German customers than you do, and speak better German than you do (ideally in that order). Take advantage of that and listen (really listen) to their feedback. 2. Believe what they say It may sound counterintuitive to some startup management teams that someone knows something about their business that they don't, but when you hire a local team, start by believing what they say about the market. (See point 1 on why you hired them) Too often I hear from (especially French 🇫🇷) management teams that they simply do not listen to their German colleagues, creating frustration and resignation. 3. Implement their suggestions quickly Save yourself some time and trouble. Remember, the local team is working FOR you, not AGAINST you. Of course, their suggestions need to be evaluated and incorporated into the overall strategy, but you're usually better off implementing local adaptations quickly to adapt to the market. I would love your feedback on what I missed! Comment below or drop me a DM 🙏

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Have you ever used a word in a foreign language which meant something completely different to what you intended? 😬 It's all fun and games until the context is completely wrong! 😧 Let's take the word "meaning" (significance) in English...and imagine that we want to use in German? 🤔 How would you say it? 👀 Take a moment to think.... Many people say... "die Meinung"! Which is, in fact, a German word. But not quite the one you want to use here. 💭 "Die Meinung" refers to an opinion, not "significance". If you want to use it properly, in most contexts, the word you want to use is "die Bedeutung". For example... Meiner Meinung nach ist die Bedeutung des Wortes jetzt klar. (In my opinion, the meaning of this word is clear now.) 🤝 Now, this is not a problem if you've confused it, you can laugh about it and learn. 📃 Let me know in the comments if you've ever confused a word like this! :-) #german #germanlanguage #germanvocabulary

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🌿 Some of you asked me how to become a UN Convention to Combat Desertification Land Hero 🌿 I want to elaborate on the idea that helped me win the Land Hero Competition for Community Level Land Restoration. My winning concept revolves around the beautiful idea of Barefoot Paths – We do have a few of these special paths in Germany but it is not a well known concept across borders. Why Barefoot Paths? 🌍👣 Walking barefoot is one of the most profound ways to connect with nature. This idea combines several key elements: Land Restoration: By creating barefoot paths, we can revitalize local ecosystems using native plants/trees and sustainable practices to incorporate a barefoot path into new nature parks. Eco-Tourism: These paths offer unique, immersive travel experiences that attract visitors, supporting local economies and promoting environmental awareness. Education: Along these paths, educational programs can teach visitors about the environment, sustainability, and the benefits of reconnecting with nature through direct sensory experiences. Barefoot Paths go beyond just walking — they offer a journey of connection, understanding, and appreciation for the land beneath our feet. This initiative merges environmental sustainability with community engagement, fostering a deeper appreciation for our natural world. To illustrate, I used the example of Germany's oldest Barefoot Path in Bad Sobernheim. You can view a graphic of it here. Along this 3.5 km trail, you encounter various surfaces and enjoy sensory experiences through wooden attractions. The journey begins with a mud bath for your feet, followed by a river crossing (with a bridge available if the water level is too high), and concludes with an exciting suspension bridge crossing. And all of it beautifully embedded into nature. #LandHero #BarefootPaths #EcoTourism #LandRestoration #Sustainability #UNited4Land #NatureConnection #EnvironmentalEducation Feel free to connect with me to learn more about this idea or to get involved. Together, we can make a difference! 🌱 G20 Global Land Initiative Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) Lieselotte Heinz Silke Koenighofer Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

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HOW TO GET A HEAD IN PRODUCT #9 Did you know that being multilingual as a product person, is a superpower? I remember studying a few languages at school…French, Latin and German. I did ok but only lasted two weeks learning German as I didn’t get on with the teacher, so I never had a real passion for languages in my early days. But this post isn’t about learning different human languages. This post is about a superpower I feel I have picked up in product innovation & delivery over the years. As a young and eager product guy without enough linguistic skills I regularly felt ‘stuck in the middle’. People from business functions would say things like ‘what do you know, you are in tech or delivery’. People from technology functions would say things like ‘what do you know, you are in biz or strategy’. Hilarious as this sounds, it confused and frustrated me at times. Until I realised this was not my problem. This was a problem in the way traditional businesses operate. All functions inc marketing, IT, finance, HR, operations, c-suite, investors and partners have their own jargon, values, needs and perspectives. So I learned as many languages as I needed to become a universal translator. Something that created profound benefits to me, the people I have worked with, and the businesses I have helped over the years. A superpower that continues to pay dividends to this day. This does not mean you need to become an expert in every single business function and discipline. You just need to learn how to listen and understand the languages of different functions. Then become comfortable enough with talking these different languages, so you can begin to create a common language that can bring all functions together over time. What are the benefits you have experienced of being multi-lingual? Any tips for creating and getting adoption for a common language that all functions of a business can use to better understand each other? If you find this interesting, then please comment, like, follow and connect 🙏 #productoperatingmodel #business

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𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝗮𝗽: 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼-𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆" 𝗯𝘆 Dillpreit Kaur. Imagine stumbling upon a kindred spirit in a crowded room—or, in this case, the vast digital expanse! That's how it felt meeting Dillpreit (aka DK) the first time. A social scientist, seasoned sustainability expert, and now the author of her first book, DK has an extensive body of work focused on #sustainability in the private sector, politics, and civil society. In an era where #climatecrisis and #socialequity issues loom large, DK's in her book shares strategies for businesses striving to adapt and prosper. Key takeaways: ✳️ Self-leadership when working towards sustainability is imperative. Leaders should reflect on their values as foundational sources to driving broader systemic changes in business and society. ✳️ 'Co-Prosperity' should be a core business value. This holistic approach advocates for systems where businesses simultaneously contribute to the well-being of the community, environment, and economy. ✳️ The overarching role of #Dignity and weaving 'dignity consciousness' into businesses stems from the #DEI discipline shaping future-ready workplaces. Her proprietary "Dignity Audit" is a framework for ethical business to identify strengths and areas for improvement in maintaining a dignified work environment. This process enhances employee well-being and satisfaction, strengthens stakeholder relationships, and boosts the company’s public image. A transformative read for conscious leaders and change-makers, get your copy (link in the comments) Location: The Work Project

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Just finished facilitating a 2-hour training in German, my native language. I love working in other languages from time to time, even though most of my clients are English-speaking (as well as some Spanish-, Portuguese-, and German-speaking). It keeps those languages alive for me and it makes it easier for some clients to transform through coaching or learn through the training sessions. (No worries, I'll not teach in French anytime soon... gotta brush that up a lot before that happens. Lack of practice...) What's another language you usually work in, apart from English? I'm curious! Comment below! #leadershipcoaching #leadershiptraining #careeradvancement #careercoaching #careersuccess #languages

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This time next month (read: Jun 3rd), I'll be in Vienna for #ViennaUp. I gotta admit, that’ll be my first time going there… I guess I haven’t fully realized before just how many things are happening in a single week, heck, even if you go just for a few days you’re bound to find a bunch of interesting and useful events. 🤓 My problem is that some I want to go to are at the same time, of course they are. 😑 Any ideas on how to clone myself? 😂 Anyhoo, do check the program (https://lnkd.in/e7gNcj37) and see you there! #startup #startups #innovation #startupecosystem ViennaBusiness Vienna Business Agency CRO STARTUP

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What is the best way to get from Berlin to Lisbon and how environmentally friendly is it? Here is what I found out over 2 years of traveling. Car: Time: 26 hours of driving, spread over a minimum of 2 days, better 3. Environmental Impact: Driving emits a significant amount of CO2, especially over long distances. The use of fossil fuels contributes to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the journey involves the consumption of resources for accommodation and meals, adding to the overall environmental footprint. Effort: High. Driving for 26 hours requires significant effort, including managing fatigue, navigating toll roads, and dealing with potential traffic. Costs: approx. 900€ Airplane: Time: Approximately 3.5 hours for a direct flight. Environmental Impact: Flying has one of the highest carbon footprints per passenger mile. The aviation industry is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, and air travel significantly impacts the environment despite its convenience and speed. Effort: Low to moderate. However, it’s the quickest option. Additional time should be considered for airport transfers and check-in. Costs: approx. 150€ Train: Time: Uncertain. Train connections are not feasible for the entire journey. Environmental Impact: Trains are generally the most eco-friendly mode of long-distance travel, emitting significantly less CO2 per passenger mile compared to cars and planes. However, the lack of a coherent, connected rail route through Spain and Portugal makes this option impractical and highlights the need for improved rail infrastructure to support sustainable travel. Effort: Very high. Planning this route would be complicated due to multiple transfers, uncertain schedules, and potential delays. It is not a practical option with the current infrastructure. Costs: not determinable, but most likely high What would be the route of your choice if you take into account that you don't have infinite time to be on the road?

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I will get personal now. Just warning you. 👇🏻 Guys, I can't tell you how exhausted I am. The last months have been intense. But the last 2 weeks have been on another level. Working day and night to build a business is something most founders can relate to. Building 2 companies, both skills. & Break The Box, at the same time, is ... well.. insanely intense. So understand this: - You will be distracted. - You will make prioritize the wrong things. 🤯 - You will cry. 😭 - You will have sleepless nights. 🥱 - You will argue with your co-founder & advisors - like a lot. 😂 Would I change anything? No. Highlights from the week: "You guys have really challenged me and made me move mentally in this process. It's been really hard but I am so grateful." - One of our advisors "The fourth line of the written statement is inclusive and welcoming to people of all backgrounds and experiences, which is simultaneously comforting and empowering to those who read it." - Feedback from a user who really resonated with the mission statement So what happened the last 2 weeks? - We had to change our platform last minute, seriously, 2 weeks ago = I had to move ALL content to a new platform, design a completely new user interface, and redesign the entire website. - We had to process the HUGE amount of trainer applications we got in... like a freaking river of people = we had to put a few people on a prolonged waitlist. - We had our first training lounge meet-up! = preparations, platform functionality, and everything needed to be ready. - We had to record material for launch and courses = Jesus, it took a long while to get this one right. Our CMO and youngest daughter Danae provided much-needed help. -I also had to record a pod about my #book and women in sales. And manage to be present in that. - We also have a rolling project with a client related to their revenue strategy with Break The Box revenue hot fix - for start-up founders who are looking to accelerate their revenue. - We needed to prepare for a #keynote at the Twentythree Summit in Copenhagen next week, a fully sold-out amazing event about the Attention economy and video. - On top of all this - I am in the middle of a diagnostic investigation to assess if I have a personality disorder ON TOP of being #Bipolar. This means sessions = questions about life and emotions = digging into history = ENORMOUS emotional pressure. 😭 - And on top of that - we are also parents and I will admit that I have not been the most present the last couple of weeks. I am trying to not be so hard on myself for that. But all moms out there can relate to how I feel, I bet. 😓 So, if you appreciate the openness of my content - do me a solid. Put JOIN in the comment field and I will send you a link to the free trial. 👇

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How to increase diversity and equity in your company, i.e. increase the number of employees from underrepresented groups, e.g. people with disabilites, women and racialized employees and make sure they get as many promotions as white abled men: - Allow home office. No "3 days at the office" nonsense. This allows women and people with disabilities or chronic illnesses to work more hours or work at all. It also helps racialized employees who live farther away from the office than white employees. - Allow part time from day 1, not from day 183 as legally required [Germany], to get more female applicants and applicants with certain disabilities and chronic illnesses. - Anonymous applications. Hide the first and last name (and photo in countries/companies where photos on applications are still used) until the minute the applicant walks in the door. - Check your statistics. Do your female, disabled or racialized employees stay on career levels longer than your white male abled employees? Do they earn less on average? (Don't go in assuming Asians in non-Asian IT companies don't face discrimination - while they get hired as frequently as white people they are promoted less and earn less on average.) Talk with the responsible managers.

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𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐂𝐞𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠? 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐟… I recently read – 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 – piece on why women in executive positions quit in droves. In Germany, for example, where there are only 23,4% female C-Levels in DAX companies (compared to 32,6% in the US or 29,5% in the UK), women on average stay 3 years and 2 months in a C-level position, compared to men who last twice as long (6 years and 11 months). 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭? Speaker and author, Sophie Williams, brilliantly answers this question first in her Ted Talk, and now in her new book “The Glass Cliff: Why Women in Power are Undermined and How to Fight Back”. Breaking through the Glass Ceiling, she writes, is a momentous achievement, especially for women, who often find themselves stepping into leadership roles later than their male counterparts. However, there’s a hidden danger lurking beneath the surface of these dream roles: the Glass Cliff. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐟? It’s the tendency for women to be offered senior leadership positions in companies facing crises. Instead of being set up for success, these individuals may find themselves associated with failure from the get-go, ultimately leading to reputation damage and career setbacks. Williams lists some 𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 when considering a new opportunity: 🔍 Moment of Crisis: Research shows that in times of crisis, businesses often turn to female leaders, valuing their perceived soft skills and emotional intelligence. However, this preference can sometimes mean being set up as the scapegoat rather than empowered to enact change. 🔍 History of Homogeneous Leadership: If previous leaders of a company have all been of the same demographic, a new leader who breaks that mold might be brought in to signal a shift. But beware, this can come with added pressure and shorter tenures. 🔍 Lack of Internal Support: Women often face more skepticism and lack of internal support compared to their male counterparts. Establishing strong support systems within the organization is crucial for success. When I coach female executives in 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 100 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬 in their new leadership roles, we are keenly aware of all of the above. Any more valuable insights into the phenomenon, dear hive brain? #leadership #womeninleadership #careers

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