Michal Pakulniewicz is EMIS’s Warsaw-based financial journalist. Michal has been with the company for over six years now. He started off his professional career as an English language teacher but then found his true calling in journalism. Michal has worked as a reporter and editor at English-language weekly Warsaw Business Journal and at the Warsaw bureau of Russian news agency Interfax.
What was your first day with the company like?
It was very pleasant, as it turned out I already knew a couple of my new colleagues from press conferences and events. Furthermore, it turned out that one of the female employees of our company went to grade school with me and to make it more interesting, it was in the United Arab Emirates. It was the first time we met in well over 10 years. So, the first day at work already made me feel at home.
Could you describe your typical working day?
When I get to the office I go through the business news in the daily papers and pick up stories dealing with M&A or the capital market. I upload the news stories in Polish and then write English versions of them. Throughout the day I monitor our EMIS product, the media and listed companies' statements in search for M&A/ECM topics. I call up companies in order to conduct or arrange interviews to get exclusive stories. A few times a week I go to press conferences or industry events to get hold of company officials to get stories.
Is there something you cannot work without?
Probably my headphones. I either listen to music or radio podcasts. Sometimes I notice that I have my headphones on even though nothing is playing :)
What is your greatest challenge at work?
Getting exclusive stories. Either finding interesting companies that are not present in the media or getting stories from the companies that are well covered by the media earlier than our competition.
Would you share any of your favourite stories from your work life?
It must have been when our office was evacuated because there was a gas leak at the underground construction site, which is right in front of our office building. The underground construction is a source of endless excitement, as we had a small crane fall over as well.
What is your most memorable moment at EMIS?
It was probably the first time I saw my DealWatch story mentioned and quoted in a daily paper (Puls Biznesu it was).
Can you name your greatest success in your EMIS experience?
There was an interview I did with Adam Góral, the CEO of Asseco Poland, which was later quoted in a number of business dailies. Also, earlier this year I had a source story on Konsalnet selling its monitoring business before the other media reported it.
Could you share with us one local custom/celebration that you do at your local office?
In our office we have Easter breakfasts and Christmas lunches together. Also, we have this custom that whoever has a birthday brings sweets for everyone.
If you could have one super power, what would it be?
Flying. Maybe then I'll be better at getting to places on time:)... I would say predicting the future, but it would be too tempting to misuse that power.
If you had a year to spend doing anything you wanted, what would you do?
Travel. I like travelling and there are so many places to visit and so little holiday time to do that.
What is your favourite book/video game and why?
I don't have time to play video games anymore, but back when I did, being a football fan, I enjoyed Football Manager games. As far as books are concerned, I enjoy either biographies (mainly of statesmen) or historical books (mainly on Poland, the former Soviet Union and the Middle East). At the moment I'm reading Pity the Nation. The Abduction of Lebanon by Robert Fisk.
What is your favourite music band and why?
Hard to pick one particular band/artist. My favourite music genres are hip hop, soul and R&B as well as 1980s pop and jazz (quite a range, I know). I have albums by Jay-Z, Michael Jackson, Sade, Miles Davis, Justin Timberlake and Metallica and listen to them all.
If you could learn any skill, what would it be?
Speak as many foreign languages as possible.
Where do you think EMIS will be in another 20 years?
Probably in many new countries, as many new states will become emerging economies.
If you had to sum up EMIS in one word, what would this word be?
Two words, "all" and "one" (All the news in one place).