Dalibor Jakuš from Profesia: How did a programming experiment become a portal that changed the Slovak internet?
In the latest episode, Martin Krupa welcomed Dalibor Jakuš, co-founder of the portal Profesia.sk. They talked about the beginnings of the Slovak internet, why "laziness" is an important managerial trait, and how his son Šimon taught him to perceive differences through what unites us, not divides us.
The story of Dalibor Jakuš is essentially the story of digital Slovakia. From the times when the internet was used by 3% of the population to building a market leader that changed the way we look for jobs.
Profesia as a Programming Experiment
Few people know that Profesia did not originate as a result of a well-thought-out business plan. In the mid-90s, when Dalibor, along with Martin Krupa and Robo Mráz, founded the agency ui42, it was more about testing technological possibilities.
“We did an amazing thing called Yeti on the Snow. And we did Profesia. Those were, I think, the first two projects we did. The reason was to test our abilities,” Dalibor recalls the times when the internet in Slovakia was just "bubbling."
The Decision to Be Number One: More Than Just Code
When Profesia was the third on the market, the team faced a strategic crossroads: give up, sell, or go all in. They chose the third option. Dalibor emphasizes that it was not about thousands of small steps but about one fundamental mindset.
“If the whole decision was that we want to be number one, we want to do it properly, then it was reprogrammed.”
They added a then "killer" investment in advertising in the SME daily newspaper, and within a year, they became the market leader. With success came a high bar set in ethics – Profesia, as one of the few companies, checked every single ad to protect people from fraudsters.
The Theory of the "Lazy Manager" and the Pursuit of Efficiency
In the corporate world, Dalibor became known for his specific approach to management, which he calls the theory of the lazy manager. According to him, laziness (in the sense of seeking efficiency, not inactivity, more about comfort) is the engine of progress. Dalibor claims that the effort to make things simpler always forced him to design better solutions.
“The theory of the lazy manager is that laziness is a terribly good trait. ...When a person is lazy, they try, for example, to do things more efficiently.” This philosophy in Profesia was not only reflected in processes but also in the product itself. Dalibor sought ways to eliminate inefficiency wherever he saw it – whether it meant simplifying an internal process or increasing website usability by saving even one unnecessary click for the user.
This approach allowed him to build a company with 150 employees without having to work 12 hours a day. He believed that if someone had to sit at work until night, it was a problem of inefficiency that needed to be eliminated. The key was delegating to more capable people and constantly improving the path to the goal – a principle that is now the foundation for every successful online business.
About Family and the Diagnosis of His Son Šimon, Which Does Not Define Him
The most emotional part of the interview touches on Dalibor's son Šimon, who has Down syndrome. Šimon is now a successful actor and athlete, but Dalibor's approach was based from the beginning on pure rationality and love.
“Šimi has 47 chromosomes, but 46 chromosomes are the same as his brother's... I want him to be primarily defined in life by those 46, not the 47th,” Dalibor says about why he refused to define his son through his diagnosis.
Šimon now represents Slovakia, wins world games of special Olympics, and is living proof that inclusion in the family and society works.
Leaving Profesia and the Integrity of Values
After 27 years, Dalibor Jakuš decided to leave the company because he felt that the delicate balance between the interests of investors, clients, and employees was changing. The original culture of Profesia was based on the belief that client and employee satisfaction naturally leads to success for the owners.
Gradually, however, he perceived that priorities began to change. Dalibor admitted that he was no longer internally aligned with the new direction. He therefore decided to leave his place to people who are more in tune with such a setting and thus remain true to his own business values.
In addition to his family, Dalibor is now focusing on his company, which specializes in online English testing and where he explores the possibilities of current artificial intelligence.
Listen to the entire interview in the Biznislab podcast about how Slovak business has changed over 30 years, the power of family, and why not to fear contact with otherness. And you'll also learn how to prepare for 100 spring kilometers.
