Interview with Zoltán Paksy
Meet our new European Executive Director, Zoltán Paksy
By Maxine Brock, International Marketing Manager, MGI.
With several years at a senior level working for the Forest Stewardship Council and after a long period as Managing Director in Hungary of the Saatchi & Saatchi communications company, Zoltán Paksy brings his wealth of experience to MGI.
But what is the real Zoltán Paksy like? How would he describe himself? What is his greatest strength and what does he love, like and want in life? Find the answers to all these questions and more from my interview with the man himself, the real Zoltán Paksy.
1. What brought you to MGI? Many things and luck also played an important role. I also think a few decisive moments helped along the way, mainly; my relationship with the partners of BPO and the brand building work I do for them. Also my interest in entrepreneurship and that of building SME business. The potential of building MGI further in Europe and sharing my expertise was also a key driver. Last but not least the good feelings I had upon meeting Clive, Erik, and László.
2. What attracted you most about the opportunity? The greatest attraction was my curiosity towards different people, company culture and management style.
3. What do you enjoy most about what you do? I love building brands and sharing expertise.
4. How would you describe yourself? I am passionate about ideas, entrepreneurship and sustainability. I spent the past 20 years enriching my career with brand stories, creativity and challenges of company management. I have built small and big brands as well as Hungarian and international ones within an international company culture environment. I uncover opportunities. I look for simple solutions and never compromise on the quality of the executions. On top of delivering business results I focus on finding and motivating talents.
5. What is your greatest strength? I love to sell ideas. I specifically enjoy the ones that are related to new business.
6. What are your Top 5 Tips to succeed in business?
No 1 Stamina: I have run a few half-marathons. It's taken me some time to get there!
No 2 Focus on talent and ideas: Technology is an important driver however only great ideas will help us to succeed in business.
No 3 Build diversity of teams
No 4 Have a series of failures: Actually I hate it and it could cost a fortune however what I have learnt is priceless.
No 5 Strive for the best execution
7. What are your loves, likes, wants and aspirations?
Loves: My wife and the family, and my friends
Likes: Pictures (paintings and photography) music, brands, design and talents of any shape or format
Wants: Stories, ideas, inspiration and more importantly a baby or two
Aspirations: Simplicity in solutions, openness in relationships, to serve a good cause
8. What was your last great read? Jonah Sachs: Winning the Story Wars: Why those who tell the best story will rule the future. I also saw a movie recently that I loved very much: Jiro dreams of sushi by David Gelb.
9. If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why? Primarily where my family is. Otherwise probably I would try Hong Kong - seems a bit scary though.
10. Tell us something we don’t know about you? Surprise us. I like cooking schools. I am not a great cook, not even a good one but I adore good, simple food and I am very much interested to learn how to make it.
Zoltán Paksy - My Top 3
No 1 Career Highlight: Creating a brand for a global NGO...
No 2 Best Personal Achievement: Considered as the best boss during my advertising career...
No 3 Biggest Ambition: Build, build, build...
Zoltán, many thanks for your time. It’s great to have you on board!
You can meet Zoltán at the European Area Meeting in Brussels, Belgium on the 27-29th June, where he will be presenting his ideas and vision for MGI.
Get in touch I Want to know more? Have a specific question? Or simply want to chat?
Zoltán Paksy I European Executive Director I [email protected]
Would you like to be interviewed for the newsletter? If you have an interesting MGI story to tell, let me know. Contact Maxine Brock, International Marketing Manager at MGI, [email protected]
May 2013