Jakub Zahrádka

Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover

Excerpt from an interview in Volvista magazine 2019/2020 – page 11

 

A Few Years Ago, You Found Yourself at a Crossroads and Brought in an External Consultant for Help. What Happened?

 

Karel Stolejda

 

A few years ago, our company was expanding—another dealership was added, and we started building new branches. We needed protocols, approvals, and processes, and I realized I had too much on my plate. Two of us were managing the company, but with the increasing workload, we had to either bring someone in or offload some of our responsibilities.

 

At the same time, we were asked to help restructure another company that was in trouble due to poor sales and operational inefficiencies. The owner brought us in, and I started working with Martin. Together, we identified the key issues, set new procedures, and improved operations. Our work with this company taught us that we had to manage our own business in a similar manner—eliminate redundant processes and increase efficiency. We needed to focus on profitability rather than just expanding.

 

One of the biggest changes was hiring Martin as the company’s new CEO. It was a crucial decision, and the company needed fresh leadership. Thanks to his involvement, we restructured our management team and set the company on a more sustainable path. It was a period of change, but the company emerged stronger, leaner, and more efficient.

 

Today, Martin and I share the leadership of the company. Our main goal is to create a firm that operates with clearly defined rules, efficient financial management, and streamlined processes. At the same time, we are making space for the next generation of leaders. Martin now focuses on new projects while I handle the company’s traditional operations. This setup has given us stability and a clear division of responsibilities.

 

Martin Veselý:

 

Karel possesses several admirable qualities, and one of them is his exceptional sensitivity to recognizing when something is not functioning properly within the company. He often comes in when something needs to change and cannot be done any other way.

 

That is why I approached him—to help navigate the challenges and pain points of restructuring. We managed to avoid many unnecessary missteps, and what I appreciate the most is that the restructuring was carried out in a humane and considerate manner. Karel is not just a personality; he is now part of our company and our lives.

Contact me

+420 737 33 00 22 | mail@jakubzahradka.cz |  LinkedIn
Jakub Zahrádka © 2025 Všechna práva vyhrazena!

Advisory for Selling, Acquiring, or Transferring a Business

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Mentoring

Advisory for Selling, Acquiring, or Transferring a Business

Crisis management and restructuring

Business and project management

Business and project management

Mentoring

Advisory for Selling, Acquiring, or Transferring a Business

Crisis management and restructuring