Leadership and persistence: Scaling a global brand | Krzysztof Zdanowski

The Dev is in the Details

► From startup hustle to global muscle: What does it really take to build a billion-dollar brand?

In this episode, we’re joined by Krzysztof Zdanowski, the CEO and Founder of Summa Linguae Technologies. Krzysztof took his company from humble beginnings to becoming one of the leading multilingual data management providers worldwide, with over U$ 30 million in yearly revenue and offices across Europe, America, and Asia. We’ll uncover his journey, the bold decisions that shaped his success, and his unique take on leadership in a global context.

Learn how he navigated cultural differences, embraced AI, and kept the momentum going through tough times. Plus, Krzysztof shares the ups and downs of managing mergers, and his biggest lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to make a mark on the world stage.

► Our guest 🌟

Krzysztof Zdanowski 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/krzysztof-zdanowski-3926b322/

Founder & CEO of Summa Linguae Technologies, investor, pilot, and endurance runner passionate about AI and global business strategy.
► In today’s episode:

• The early days of Summa Linguae and how Krzysztof’s multicultural background influenced his business vision.
• Game-changing strategies that fueled Summa Linguae’s growth to a top global player.
• How Krzysztof’s leadership style has evolved and the tough decisions that came with scaling up.
• Missteps, lessons, and what he’d do differently if he could start over.
• Making AI work for your business: Beyond the buzz, real-world applications and insights.
• Mergers and acquisitions: What Krzysztof learned the hard way and what you need to know.
• Practical tips for building a cohesive, successful team across multiple countries and cultures.
• Key advice for entrepreneurs aiming to build a brand that stands out globally.

► Decoding the timeline:

00:00 – Summa Linguae’s first steps

03:52 – Krzysztof’s multicultural background influence on his business

09:00 – Power of networking

11:39 – Milestones and lessons learned

24:37 - Staying on top of time management

29:55 - Local vs global business insights

31:34 - AI-charging business

38:08 - Building a team and working with investors

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The Dev is in the Details is a podcast where we talk about technology, business and their impacts on the world around us.

Łukasz Łażewski 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukasz-lazewski-40562718/
Pedro Paranhos 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/pedroparanhos/
Write to us 👉 [e-mail]

Kapitler

1. Summa Linguae’s first steps (00:00:00)

2. Krzysztof’s multicultural background influence on his business (00:03:52)

3. Power of networking (00:09:00)

4. Milestones and lessons learned (00:11:39)

5. Staying on top of time management (00:24:37)

6. Local vs global business insights (00:29:55)

7. AI-charging business (00:31:34)

8. Building a team and working with investors (00:38:08)