Interview with a Pole about Doing Business in Poland: Comparing Polish and Ukrainian Entrepreneurs

Many foreign entrepreneurs aspire to start a business in Poland, seeing the country as a playground for new development opportunities. However, to run a successful business here, it is essential to understand the specifics of the Polish market and identify the main competitors. In this article, you will discover the nuances of doing business in Poland from the perspective of a Polish entrepreneur, how Poles conduct business, and the differences between Polish, German, and CIS entrepreneurs. For the full interview, watch the video.

Types of Polish Entrepreneurs

Polish entrepreneurs can be roughly divided into two categories:

1. Those who decided to take a risk and start their own business (in the CIS countries, this type of business is referred to as individual entrepreneurship). They do not like working for someone else and are well aware of the risks associated with starting their own business. Doing business in Poland is not an easy task; when opening a company, one must consider numerous factors, including high competition in the chosen niche.

2. Entrepreneurs who were forced to start their own business due to circumstances. This category includes workers who were successfully employed by others but, in order to continue their cooperation, required the status of an individual entrepreneur.

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Each type of individual entrepreneurship brings its own nuances. Reviews of doing business in Poland show that the best option for a Polish worker is to be employed under an official contract. In this case, the employer ensures all social guarantees (insurance, tax payments).

Difference Between Polish and European Entrepreneurs

Poles are often compared to Germans, but these two nations differ significantly in mentality:

• Germans love to plan everything in advance. They outline in detail the scenario in which events are expected to unfold.
• Poles are more impulsive in their decision-making. In a good way, they call themselves “combinators” – within the law, they find multiple ways to make their ideas work as best as possible.

Germans are reluctant to cooperate with Poles due to their impulsiveness. However, residents of post-Soviet countries often surpass Polish citizens in inventiveness. Looking at the bigger picture, Poles are more inclined to do business with Ukrainian and Russian entrepreneurs than with Germans, as the mentalities of Slavic peoples are closer, and in the CIS countries, they have a larger market for selling their products.

There is an opinion that young Polish people are influenced by Germany:

• Over time, they have become more reserved and distant, feeling uncomfortable showing affection toward each other.
• A trend has emerged where Poles are less hospitable than they used to be. They typically host guests for 2-3 hours rather than several days in a row.

Poles view these gradual changes in mentality positively. They note that their quality of life is improving. However, while fifty years ago, people in Poland saw work as a secondary factor in life (working 7-8 hours without overexertion), the modern generation places business at the forefront. Most young successful people cannot imagine their lives without career growth and a stable income that keeps increasing. After all, more money leads to more opportunities.

Most foreigners prefer to do business in the sales sector. For them, the key question is how to present their proposal to a potential buyer. For a Pole, it doesn’t matter if the offer is sent via email or if they are called directly. If the proposal is honest, they will be interested and may take action.

Advice for Entrepreneurs Planning to Open a Company in Poland

Many foreigners believe that doing business in Poland involves significant risks due to differences in mentality compared to potential customers. However, the country attracts investors with its favorable legislation that encourages small and medium-sized businesses. Advice from a Polish entrepreneur for foreigners:

1. Don’t be afraid. Many thousands of people from various nationalities have opened businesses in Poland and are thriving.
2. There is no corruption in the Polish market. This is hard to believe for people from the CIS countries. To open a company, you won’t need to bribe anyone. But if you break the law, you will have to pay hefty fines. There will be no opportunity to avoid penalties. However, if you work within the law, you won’t face any fines.
3. Have a solid business plan. With a strategy, it’s much easier to operate legally.

Uniconsulting.group team helps to open businesses in Poland. Submit a request for consultation, and we will find the best solution for your business activity.