BLAZEJ KOTELKO
Experienced Software Manager and Designer
e-mail: blazej@kotelko.com
Overview:
Experienced software team leader. Graduated Computer Science at Technical University of Wrocław and started as a programmer, but worked as manager and software designer and through most time of the career. Helped InsERT to reach the number one position in terms of own business software licenses sold in Poland (over 400 000 licenses sold). Now helping Microsoft gain more market share with its Bing search engine. Co-creator of popular, Polish software Subiekt. Inventor and geek, who does not give up and always tries to find a solution. Likes to solve problems. Has extensive knowledge of IT market (Poland and overseas) plus in- and outs- of commerce (including e-commerce). Very creative mind, high teamwork abilities, communication skills, energy. Great friend for team members and father for his two kids (who traveled around the globe with him).
Specialties:
Software development, MSF, business of software, general IT knowledge (software, hardware, Internet), Microsoft products, Microsoft Partner Program, UI design, team management, problem solving, creativity.
Employment History:
04.2011-now: Microsoft Search Technology Center Europe, Wrocław, Poland (development of BING search engine)
Lead Program Manager (as a vendor from SMT Software S.A.)
Working with two separate teams of software development engineers to help guide the project from concept to market. Working for Search Technology Center Europe based in London, UK on two separate sets of BING features: Collections and WPR (Autosuggest, Deep links and Related Search) for separate markets (UK, Germany, France, Australia and some parts of US). Coordinating all team activities for both London and Wroclaw offices with some v-team coordination with the US and other teams as well. Responsible (line manager) for a total of 8 engineers (including all HR and recruitment related activities).
03.2011-04.2011: SMT Software S.A., Wrocław, Poland (software house specializing in outsourcing contracts)
Lead Architect
Work for a Netherlands based customer, NedSense, specializing in software for fashion industry (NedGraphics, LOFT). Technical and team related guidance. Working with Visual Studio Team System 2010 and preparing the team for new version development. Managing tasks (as a scrum master) for an software iPhone/iPad team. Improving team communication.
01.2011-now: JOJO Mobile Sp. z o.o., Wrocław, Poland (Windows Phone 7 casual games and entertainment application vendor for the US and international marketplace)
Product Manager (part time job)
Designing new products, coordinating vendor efforts, helping with marketing and product placement activities.
01.2011-now: BRANDA, Wrocław, Poland (my own company)
Consulting services in the area of software development and IT strategy.
05.2010-02.2011: InsERT S.A., Wrocław, Poland (now part of the TETA/UNIT4 Capital Group)
Market Research Manager
Planning and designing market research in terms of software requirements, communicating with the market (customers and partners), managing software feature changes, product management of InsERT GT components , researching the competition (software-wise), managing organization change towards modern communication tools.
04.2009-04.2010: Hop! … Around the Globe (private/family project)
Independent traveler
A great, lifetime adventure! A one year long round-the-world backpacking trip with family (including and two kids 6 and 10 yrs old). Planning, executing the plan, sticking to the budget, exploring remote places, homeschooling the kids, writing a popular blog (7th place in Poland “Blog of the year 2009” in the Travel category: www.hoparoundtheglobe.com), returning safely home.
1996-2009: InsERT Sp. z o.o., Wrocław, Poland (most popular and one of the largest independent software vendors for small business solutions in Poland; privately held; 150+ employees; more than 400 000 copies of shrink-wrapped software sold; no. 1 in Poland; web page: http://www.insert.com.pl)
2000-2009: Software Executive Manager
Managing the Software Department of InsERT (more than 50 developers, analytics and testers). General product envisioning and development process management.
Management of software teams working on parts of InsERT GT ERP system or satellite products (e-commerce, mobile sales etc). Managing software changes and resource conflict resolving.
All soft HR issues regarding the development teams: compensation systems, reviews, feedback 360˚, recruiting, career management, couching and lay-offs. Extended activity towards Technical University of Wrocław and other local institutions. Contests, temporary positions, scholarships and other initiatives for students.
Product management and usage scenario consultancy of some projects (including parts of the mobile sales system, online sales system, product and price aggregator, our ERP solution and electronic commerce solution for eBay and Allegro).
Envisioning and executing on the modern software production strategy including the introduction of Microsoft Solution Framework based methodology, daily builds, automated testing, virtualization and modern team communication. Direct and indirect management of software teams including scheduling an budgeting.
General strategic company-wide software-related planning and consultancy (member of the board of directors) and various funding-related activities finalized in the acquisition by TETA SA (now also part of the Dutch UNIT4: www.unit4.com).
Microsoft partnership management, acquiring the Gold level, Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Vista certification, gaining new partner competencies. Co-creating a Polish Chapter of IAMCP. Very good knowledge of Microsoft strategy, initiatives, products and people.
1998-2000: Vice-Director/Brand Manager (“Subiekt” product line)
Product planning for the whole suite of "Subiekt" family including detailed specification for the Windows version (Grand Prix of Komputer Expo 2000 in Warsaw) and customization API. Product management of “Skarbnik” home budget solution. Management of development team of several people.
Cooperation with Technical University. Jury in InsERT-funded scholarship board.
Marketing and PR for most of the then-current company activities; relationship with media and subcontractors; general strategic company-wide planning; managing the marketing/PR team of 5 people.
1996-1998: Product Manager, “Subiekt”
Envisioning and developing "Subiekt", the most widely known sales and invoice tracking system in Poland. Team leader (team of 6 people).
1996: Intuit, Toronto, Canada (makers of Quicken, QuickBooks, etc. - Canadian subsidiary)
Marketing department partnership as part of E/WEE program. Learning the company and its product and preparing a business plan to localize Quicken and put it on the Polish market together with InsERT. Preparing the complete business plan.
1992-1996: InsERT, Wrocław, Poland
1995-1996: Development Team Manager/Business System Analyst (“Subiekt 4”)
Envisioning and developing of "Subiekt 4". Team manager (team of 4 people). Designing most of the UI. Managing a team of 4 people.
1993-1994: Software Developer (“Subiekt 3”, “Subiekt 4”)
Software development in FoxPro (DOS version).
1992-1993: salesman, help desk consultant, IT serviceman.
1993: SECCO, Wrocław, Poland (batteries and toys wholesaler)
IT system and network (Novell NetWare) administrator, trainer
1991-1993: Almi DECOR Sp. z o.o., Wrocław, Poland (household decorations wholesaler)
Network Administrator (Novell NetWare), IT specialist, trainer.
1990-1994: JOKO s.c., Wrocław, Poland (cosmetics wholesaler)
Developer (own invoice tracking system), IT system and network administrator.
Education:
1996: semi-MBA business course at “East/West Enterprise Exchange”; York University, Toronto, Canada (full 3 months).
1995: Master of Science in Computer Science; degree work in early e-commerce: “EDI between Business Software Systems” from the IT faculty of Technical University of Wroclaw, Poland.
1990-1995: Engineer degree in Technical and Science Information Systems at the Computer Science and Management Department of the Technical University of Wroclaw, Poland (Information Systems).
Other post university education:
2006: “Microsoft Solution Framework v4.1 for Agile System Development”, BPD, Warsaw
2004: “Project Management for Managers”, SAP Academy, Warsaw
2004: “Microsoft Office System as a workgroup platform”, CSS, Wrocław
2002: “Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2000”, Edusoft, Warsaw
2000: “Microsoft Solution Framework”, ARIS, UK
1995: “Software Engineering”, Technical University, Poznań
IT Industry Experience:
Member of the board of International Association of Microsoft Channel Partners Poland, co-creator of the Polish Chapter (http://www.iamcp.org)
Jury of Microsoft ImagineCup Poland in 2007
Managing a strong cooperation with Microsoft in terms of ISV help and partnership programs
Taking part in various computer fairs (Infosystem, Komputer Expo, Softarg, Microsoft ISD, Cebit)
Plenty of attended Microsoft conferences and events (Microsoft Synergy, Microsoft Fusion, Microsoft Industry Solution Days; Microsoft Partner Days; Microsoft DevDays; Microsoft Business Framework Roadshow; Microsoft APEX; and several Microsoft WPC’s)
Great knowledge of the “Subiekt” system (the most popular sales system in Poland) and general architecture and business rules for sales, inventory and logistics systems (including e-commerce, online transactions, B2B and B2C systems)
Knowledge (both theoretical and practical) of smart software development methodologies including MSF, Scrum or XP
Great designing skills, modern user interface design
Knowledge of software architectures and database modeling
Hands on experience in programming and knowledge of programmer’s recruitment techniques including practical tests and assessment centers.
Knowledge of Polish ISV companies especially in the ERP market share.
Market research knowledge with information tools including survey design and data analysis and visualization.
IT Tools and Systems Knowledge:
Very skilled in Internet, software and computers; a real geek
Visual Studio Team System, SharePoint Portal Server, Microsoft Office 2010
Windows Phone 7, Apple iOS, Windows Mobile (Pocket PC), mobile solutions
Relational databases: Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft FoxPro, Microsoft Access
SQL queries – perfect understanding of relational databases
Programming languages: FoxPro, VisualBasic, C++, C#, Pascal.
Other tools: Visual Source Safe, Microsoft Project, Virtual PC and many more.
Microsoft Windows Azure platform knowledge
Internet as a whole, various online tools, HTML, WWW sites design (some examples can be seen at: www.hoparoundtheglobe.com, www.exstream.com.pl, www.diveshop.com.pl, www.kotelko.com)
Knowledge of computer games market and XBOX platform
Other skills:
Languages: Polish (native), English (fluent), German (good)
Driving license, diving certification, motorboat license
Strong trainer and teacher skills with plenty of practical experience (leading of various trainings and shows including lectures at Technical University)
Very creative mind, high teamwork abilities, leadership and communication skills, energy
Other hobbies and activities:
Independent travel, geography, maps
Electronic gadgets, computer/video games, digital photography
Scubadiving (PADI AOWD), snowboarding
Rock music, classic SF literature, LOTR/Star Wars, good movies…