The financial services industry is changing profoundly as technology becomes increasingly integral to operations. Banks and financial institutions embrace innovative digital solutions to enhance services, streamline operations, and improve customer experiences. As regulatory settings and customer expectations evolve, organizations seek leaders who can overcome difficulties and drive meaningful change. The focus on integrating technology facilitates efficient processes and fosters customer engagement and loyalty, making it essential for institutions to stay ahead of the curve in this competitive environment.

Dr. Martin Sladecek went through an inspiring professional journey. He has a strong commitment to collaboration and continuous learning. He prioritizes collective good over individual ambition, fostering a culture of innovation. With an inherent curiosity about emerging technologies and trends, he continually seeks ways to integrate cross-industry insights to drive disruption in the banking sector. His passion for coaching and mentorship is evident in his approach to team dynamics, emphasizing the importance of honest communication and collaboration. He discovers enthusiastically the future of digital banking, to help to shift Komercni Banka to a leading position in client-centric transformation.

Komercni Banka stands at the forefront of the digital banking evolution, actively engaging in initiatives that redefine banking for a new generation. The organization is committed to providing innovative services that not only meet but exceed customer expectations. By embracing a client-first mentality and leveraging technology, Komercni Banka aims to create a seamless banking experience, underscoring its dedication to continuous improvement and industry leadership.

Let’s discover how vision is reshaping the banking experience. Join us in exploring the journey to the future of digital banking!

Journey through the Digital Banking Revolution

Martin has been passionate about innovative technologies since childhood, even during the fall of the communist regime in former Czechoslovakia. He highlights that he had minimal access to first computers, such as Commodores at youth hobby centers. After the Velvet Revolution, the situation improved, and Martin started to develop apps during his high school studies. He succeeded in selling his software for management of car race competitions when the internet was not accessible to the public.

As Martin grew up outside of the capital, in the countryside, he realized that his possibilities and impact were limited. Subsequently, he assessed all market possibilities and decided to become successful by combining technology insights with deep business understanding, especially in the banking sector, where technologies were becoming vital business enablers. The final winning match seemed to him to be within the consulting.

Transforming Challenges into Opportunities

After his career as freelancing consultant, Dr. Martin started working for Komercni Banka as an interim manager in the Digital Channels department. His leadership on a series of successful projects earned both client recognition and market awards. Dr. Marin highlights, “During the onset of the Payment Service Directive 2 regulation (PSD2), when many in the banking industry viewed it as a solely costly requirement, I saw it as an opportunity for transformation of growth.” This perspective led to his appointment as Open Banking Manager at Komercni Banka on the condition that he became a permanent employee. He took on this role as the first in the bank’s Open Banking, with responsibilities that included developing a comprehensive strategy, gaining the bank’s top management approval, building a dedicated organizational structure and initiate the real services deliveries.

These results transformed Komercni Banka into a leader in digital innovation, with multiple achievements recognized by clients, the market, and Societe Generale Groupe. He led numerous transformative projects, including the creation of Komercni Banka’s Open Banking platform, which received a nomination for the global SG Innovation Award in 2018.

His teams delivered several pioneering services on the national market, including the first commercial bank-and-fintech service, and multi-banking in digital channels for individuals and businesses. Dr. Martin’s most notable project was the co-foundation of the national Czech Bank Identity scheme, together with two other biggest Czech banks, which enables digital interactions between clients and the Czech government and commercial service providers.” This system has since become a national standard, used by millions of citizens, including high-profile figures.

In 2020, Dr. Martin was approached by the CIO of Societe Generale French Retail to join the strategic team taking the active role on the merger of two SG’s retail banking networks in France. After completing his mission in Paris, he returned to Prague and resumed his work at Komercni Banka, where he now focuses on strategic digital studies and convergence initiatives of Komercni Banka and Societe Generale Groupe.

Leading with Empathy

Throughout his career, Dr. Martin has experienced traditional project delivery methodologies, traditionally managed organizations, agile-driven deliveries, and even agile-driven organizations. He believes, “I had the privilege to be trained by the International Coach Federation or SCRUM Alliance, and all of these influenced my style.” “I appreciate the human touch, more coaching than a directive approach, and servant leadership over the autocracy,” he added.

Fostering A Culture of Collaboration

Dr. Martin highlights, “For me, a culture of collaboration means prioritizing Eco over Ego.” “I strive and cultivate the collaborative ‘Ecosystem’ rather than one’s ‘EGO,’” he added. He believes that the collaborative ecosystem naturally nurtures innovations, coming from the inner and outer space of the organization. Inner space cultivation takes both the organic (one knows that innovative proposals are always appreciated even though they cannot be prioritized just now) and organized way (feeling, sense, tools, ceremonies, and supportive environment). Outer space means the ambition and ability to partner even with direct competitors to boost and enable significant innovations on the market.

A real-life example was the success of the banking hackathon “Bankathon 2019”, the largest European Open Banking event organized by Komercni Banka and Finleap in Prague teaming up with many partners and even the direct competitors in banking (in the sense of coopetition) to boost innovative ideas and provoke disruption.

Harnessing Curiosity and Cross-Industry Insights

Dr. Martin asserts staying ahead of emerging trends and technologies is a crucial factor for a leader. He shares, “Curiosity, passion, and never-ending continuous learning help me to stay informed about new trends and technologies emerging in the banking sector.” He feels lucky to learn these qualities at the initial stage of his career as the necessity of successful consulting professionals. “One of the most important findings is to combine the cross-industry innovations that can bring the needed disruption that would not be expected previously or implicitly,” he quoted and concludes: “I am nurturing new innovations and ideas inspired by my symbiotic experience with Tesla’s inventions, turning its cockpit into my daily private innovation hub every morning during my commute. Of course, this is done entirely in a sustainable way.”

Leading with Purpose

Dr. Martin’s always prefers to prioritize ECO over EGO. This emphasizes the importance of prioritizing collective growth over personal ambition. He believes, “Success stems from focusing on the greater good rather than individual gain and to a sustainable growth rather than to a one-off success.”

Furthermore, Dr. Martin highlights the significance of maintaining curiosity and a strong drive for continuous learning. He believes that passion for one’s work and the pursuit of knowledge are crucial for staying relevant and making a lasting impact in the industry. He also advocates for a reciprocal approach, where the energy and effort invested in others will react. This principle reflects the benefits of meaningful relationships and contributions to the organization.

To conclude, Dr. Martin underscores the value of maintaining a positive mindset. He stresses that optimism can be a key factor in overcoming challenges and creating opportunities for success.

Driving Innovation and Client-Centric Transformation

Dr. Martin has outlined his priorities for personal and organizational development in the coming years, particularly in digital banking. His primary goal is to introduce innovative services that enhance value and overall experience for clients combined with sustainability factors. These services aim to be user-friendly and easily accessible, ensuring that customers benefit from a seamless banking experience while they are educated about their responsible behavior with aim to be more efficient, save money or act with purpose.

On a broader scale, Komercni Banka is currently engaged in a substantial transformation process, evolving to meet the demands of a new generation of banking. All bank’s staff are strongly committed for this transformation to succeed, emphasizing the importance of ensuring clients enjoy an enhanced, next-generation banking service that reflects the bank’s commitment to innovation and client satisfaction.