Roman Sledziejowski, born in Poland, started his professional journey in New York City at 17, working part-time at Salomon Smith Barney while still in high school. This early start set the stage for a meteoric rise through the ranks of the financial world. By 25, Sledziejowski was a Senior Vice President at Wachovia Securities, showcasing his exceptional talent and drive.
In 2006, Roman Sledziejowski founded Innovest Holdings, a financial holding company that operated several subsidiaries in the financial services sector. This venture saw both remarkable success and significant challenges, particularly during the 2008 financial crisis.
Undeterred by setbacks, Sledziejowski's resilience led him to co-found Savant Strategies in 2013, an international management consulting firm where he currently serves as Vice Chairman.
In this exclusive interview, he shares his insights on maintaining a professional reputation in the digital age and leveraging technology for business success.
How does technology influence your career and business strategy?
Technology plays a crucial role in my career and business strategy. At Savant Strategies, we leverage cutting-edge tools for data analysis, communication, and project management to provide top-tier consulting services to our clients. We constantly evaluate new technologies to stay competitive and offer innovative solutions.
What practices do you follow to help your company maintain a positive reputation in the digital age?
To maintain a positive reputation in the digital age, I focus on delivering consistent value to our clients and partners. I ensure that our online presence accurately reflects our expertise and achievements. We also prioritize cybersecurity to protect client data and maintain trust.
What is your superpower at work, and how do you use it to achieve success?
My superpower at work is my ability to remain calm and think clearly under pressure. This skill has been instrumental throughout my career, especially during crises like the 2008 financial turmoil. I use this to lead my team effectively and make sound decisions even in challenging situations.
How do you approach complaints, criticism, and feedback to strengthen your professional growth?
I view complaints, criticism, and feedback as opportunities for growth. I encourage open communication within our team and with clients. We analyze feedback systematically to identify areas for improvement and implement necessary changes. This approach has been key to our continuous development at Savant Strategies.
How do you use social media to build and enhance your professional reputation?
I use social media selectively to share industry insights, highlight our company's achievements, and engage with professional networks. I focus on platforms like LinkedIn to maintain a professional image and connect with relevant stakeholders in our industry.
What strategies do you employ to build and maintain trust with your clients online?
To build and maintain trust with clients online, we prioritize transparency in our communications, consistently deliver on our promises, and showcase case studies of our successful projects. We also ensure that our online presence reflects our company's values and expertise.
How do you stay ahead of digital trends to ensure your brand remains relevant?
Currently, I'm focused on expanding Savant Strategies' reach in emerging markets. We're also developing new service offerings tailored to the post-pandemic business landscape.
Staying ahead of digital trends involves continuous learning. I regularly attend industry conferences, engage with tech innovators, and encourage our team to experiment with new digital tools. We also closely monitor emerging technologies that could impact our clients' industries.
How do you balance transparency and privacy in your online interactions with clients and colleagues?
Balancing transparency and privacy is crucial in our line of work. We are open about our processes and general strategies but maintain strict confidentiality regarding client-specific information. Our online communications reflect this balance, providing valuable insights without compromising sensitive data.
What steps do you take to safeguard your company’s digital reputation from potential risks?
To safeguard my company’s digital reputation, I maintain a proactive approach. This includes regular monitoring of our online presence, swift and professional responses to any concerns raised online, and investing in robust cybersecurity measures to prevent data breaches that could harm our reputation.
In your experience, how has the digital landscape changed the way businesses operate, and how do you adapt to these changes?
The digital landscape has fundamentally transformed business operations. It has accelerated the pace of change, increased connectivity, and opened up new markets. At Savant Strategies, we've adapted by embracing digital transformation ourselves and helping our clients do the same. We focus on developing agile strategies that can quickly respond to digital disruptions and capitalize on new opportunities.
Can you share an example of how you've successfully leveraged digital tools to overcome a business challenge?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we faced the challenge of maintaining close collaboration with our international clients despite travel restrictions. We leveraged advanced virtual collaboration tools and data visualization platforms to create immersive virtual consulting experiences. This not only solved our immediate problem but also opened up new ways of working that have improved our efficiency and expanded our reach.
How do you envision the future of business consulting in an increasingly digital world?
I believe the future of business consulting will be characterized by a blend of human expertise and artificial intelligence. Consultants will need to be adept at interpreting and applying insights from vast amounts of data. At the same time, the human touch – understanding nuanced business contexts, fostering innovation, and navigating complex stakeholder relationships – will become even more valuable. At Savant Strategies, we're preparing for this future by investing in both our technological capabilities and our consultants' soft skills.
What advice would you give to young professionals looking to build a strong digital presence while maintaining authenticity?
My advice would be to focus on consistent, value-driven content that reflects your genuine interests and expertise. Don't try to be everything to everyone – find your niche and become a thought leader in that area. Engage meaningfully with your network, share insights generously, and always be open to learning. Remember, your digital presence should be an authentic extension of your professional self, not a carefully curated facade.
These insights from Roman Sledziejowski into leveraging technology, maintaining trust, and adapting to digital trends highlights the importance of these factors in today's business world. We thank Mr. Sledziejowski for sharing his time and expertise in this interview, providing a glimpse into the strategies that have contributed to his success in the international business consulting arena.
