In the podcast 'IT svět podle Jury', our CEO Tomáš Lodňan shared his experiences of building GoodRequest over the past 11 years. He discussed how we distribute profits amongst our staff, which AI tools really do save time, and the role that corporate culture and trust play in the company’s growth from 5 to 90 people.
Fairness that matters
For us, fairness and sharing success are not just benefits, but principles. GoodRequest has long shared a portion of its profits with the people who help generate them. In this way, we foster a sense of shared responsibility, trust and a culture that says: “If we do exceptional things, we do them together.”
When AI is not the goal, but a tool
The interview also covers practical experiences with tools such as Figma Make, Windsurf, Cursor and Claude. Tomáš presents specific data whilst explaining why we shouldn’t get carried away by the ‘AI hype’. Not every tool is for everyone; the important thing is to know where it helps and where it merely creates the illusion of productivity.
People, not positions
When a team grows from 5 to 90 people, processes, responsibilities and roles all change. One thing, however, remains the same: values. When hiring, it is not just years of experience that matter, but above all character, attitude and the ability to share common principles. The balance between skill and attitude is key; culture always takes precedence over hierarchy.
Tips for those building businesses for the long term
You’ll also take away some practical insights from the interview:
- how to maintain quality even during rapid growth,
- why it’s worth starting a business even when the timing isn’t ideal,
- which AI tools to use and how they save time.
