In this practical seminar, we will look at how Baťa and Toyota managed to succeed even in times of uncertainty. They are united by a philosophy based on trust in people, process improvement, and a vision that extends beyond short-term goals. Even today, in the era of digitalization, these principles prove to be timeless – they just take on a new form.
When Growth is Built on People and Order
The philosophy of Baťa and Toyota shows that even in difficult times, a company can grow if it has order in its processes, a clear vision, and respect for people. Modern businesses face the same challenges every day, just under different conditions. Digitalization has brought a huge amount of data, information, and projects that need to be harmonized. Whoever manages this gains an advantage.
The company TECHNODAT also responds to this need of businesses, which has been helping businesses for over three decades to transform the complex world of development and production into an understandable system. It is a partner that helps companies not only to digitalize but also to understand the connections – to see the entire process as one living organism, where every person and every piece of data has its place.
“Technology only makes sense when it helps people understand their own work and move it forward,” says Roman Lisičan, CEO of TECHNODAT. “What connected Baťa and Toyota was the ability to think in context. Today, we give it a digital form.”
Precisely this philosophy – thinking in context, trusting people, and building a system that serves – connects TECHNODAT with companies that live it in practice. One of them is also ŠVEC GROUP.
When Philosophy Takes Concrete Form
The principles we will discuss at the INOVATO seminar are also reflected in modern solutions that help companies maintain order in projects, communication, and innovation. One of them is ENOVIA – a system that connects people, data, and processes into a single environment where everything collaborates, not competes.
Teams always have an overview of where the project stands, what is changing, and what impact each decision has. What Baťa once called management through understanding, companies today achieve precisely through ENOVIA – a solution that brings certainty, clarity, and a common language between technology and business.
Just as digitalization brings order to systems, the philosophy of Baťa brings order to interpersonal relationships. And this is where the worlds of TECHNODAT and ŠVEC GROUP – in the conviction that technologies and processes only make sense when they help people grow.
Where Philosophy Becomes Reality
Even in challenging times, companies can progress if they have the courage to innovate and a strong internal culture. This is precisely how Ľubomír Švec, founder and leader of ŠVEC GROUP, who has long been inspired by Baťa’s philosophy, sees it.
“For me, it is important that people learn to understand themselves, their work, and their value. Investments in people have a higher priority than investments in machines. Every employee needs to have a happy life – physically, mentally, and morally. Only then can they fully serve customers and develop the company,” he says.
And the concrete results of such an approach are also visible in practice. TECHNODAT helped ŠVEC GROUP streamline the creation of price offers – in 2023, through digitalization and optimization of the TPV team’s work, processing time was shortened by 15.5%, errors were reduced, and data overview was improved. The company is thus faster, more accurate, and people can focus more on development and creativity. ➡️ Read more about the case study
The most Effective Programs are those that Develop a Person as a Whole
Ľubo’s approach to company management is very close to the philosophy developed by Roman Lisičan at TECHNODAT – both speak of a system that serves people, not the other way around. While TECHNODAT connects data, ŠVEC GROUP connects people.
“We have created independent economic centers – they sell services to each other, manage their orders, and share profits. Twice a month we meet, evaluate results, and share experiences. Otherwise, I give them free rein,” explains Švec.
According to him, it makes sense to support people not only financially but especially in their development: “The most effective programs are those that develop a person as a whole – physically, mentally, and spiritually. When a person grows, the company grows too,” he adds.
He finds inspiration precisely in the principles of Tomáš Baťa – in responsibility, independence, and service to others: “A person should first serve themselves, then their family, colleagues, and only then the company or the state. It is a natural process. I perceive a crisis as a healing moment – it forces us to reflect, mobilize, and strengthen. If we use it correctly, strength grows from it,” says Ľubomír Švec.
His perspective beautifully complements the vision of Roman Lisičan from TECHNODAT – both believe that growth is not just about innovation, but about understanding, responsibility, and the ability to see the whole picture.
A Philosophy that Still Matters Today
TECHNODAT and ŠVEC GROUP are proof that growth does not arise despite a crisis, but because of it. Whoever can think in context, trust people, and have a clear vision has a chance to succeed even when others are slowing down.
Baťa might say today that technology is just a new tool for old wisdom – that a company’s success begins with a person who knows why they do what they do.
Want to see how this philosophy can be put into practice? Come to Vráble on November 5 for the seminar “How to Grow When the Market Declines”, where Ján Košturiak and Lukáš Richter will tell you more about this topic and show you how to draw inspiration from the best of Baťa and Toyota.
TEXT: Natália Stašíková
PHOTO: INOVATO
