The Executive Centre Celebrates 30 Years of Excellence | Exclusive Interview with Founder and CEO Paul Salnikow

"As TEC marks its 30th year, we caught up with the visionary leader behind it all, Founder & CEO Paul Salnikow, in this Q&A."

We are grateful to announce that The Executive Centre (TEC), which started with a simple vision, is marking its 30th anniversary this month. Since its humble beginning in 1994, TEC has been dedicated to providing the most up-to-date, premium, and flexible workspace solutions for empowering businesses of all sizes around the globe. Over the years, the company has worked with many of the world's leading companies, with 83% of the client portfolio being MNCs and the balance being high-net-worth SMEs. Today, The Executive Centre has established itself as a leading premium, flexible workspace provider serving over 48,000 Members across 36 cities in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.' The firm is also the largest flexible workspace provider in Asia-Pacific, boasting an expansive portfolio of over 200' locations, generating USD 315 million in revenue, driven by an annual compounded growth rate of '18%.' To reflect on this journey of growth, we had the chance to speak with the visionary leader behind it all, Paul Salnikow, Founder and CEO of The Executive Centre, in an inspiring Q&A.'  

The Inspiration Behind The Executive Centre

Who originally inspired you to become an entrepreneur?

Salnikow, the founder and CEO of TEC, takes inspiration from his father, who he believes has an interesting background. His father's family was of Russian nobility, and they became refugees after the revolution in the last century.

"My Dad's family first moved to Yugoslavia as refugees and then emigrated to Argentina during the onset of the Second World War, where he met my mother. They got married, moved to New York, where my Dad got a job with IBM, and built up a successful career."

He says his challenging childhood instilled in him the drive to maximise opportunities and make things work. Travelling and being raised surrounded by global perspectives have further enhanced his need for stimulus.

"I feel that there's always been restlessness in me. I feed off of the stimulus that occurs by seeking out opportunities and trying to react to them." He added while reflecting on how it all began with the formation of TEC.  

Embracing the Power of Consistency

What has surprised you the most about TEC's journey since its beginning?

Reaching the 30-year milestone, celebrating almost three decades, is something that has surprised Salnikow the most.

'The length. I never envisaged 30 years! I don't feel that it's been 30 years because we've not been static; we have a constant drive to evolve, and we're never content with 'good enough' each new centre is a stepping stone, not a finish line.' While he said that it took him some time to embrace the growth, success, and sustainability of his business, he now understands the undeniable value the TEC workspace solutions offer to the wider world.' 

The Journey of TEC's Mission

How has the executive centre's mission evolved over the past 30 years?

The demand for TEC services has been incredible, leading to rapid expansions across 7 cities. While this progress inspired them to provide more and better services through new markets, they almost failed due to the risk of this workspace concept being new to many countries.

"We learned then that it's a service business, not real estate. Great management and a client-centric approach saved us." Salnikow said while addressing how their mission has changed over the 30 years. "Understanding clients is the art, and building is secondary" has been TEC's differentiator and unique selling point. This perspective has changed their mission to be more client-centric while providing flexible premium spaces to help clients achieve success.

 The Secrets of Success

What are some of the most valuable lessons you've learned from your clients and partnerships?

"Listening to Clients; when we get it wrong is when we stop listening."

Salnikow pointed out as one of the most valuable lessons this entrepreneurial journey has taught him.

During weak markets, the Executive Centre had automatic renewals in leases, which made clients feel trapped and angry. This was when they understood that fairness goes both ways, so they discontinued the policy.

He explains this two-way approach by saying, 'As clients, you pay on time and respect the community, and we offer market rates, quality, and support.'

The founder also confidently believes that there are no shortcuts to success. He reveals that as a business, the moment you decide to take shortcuts is when client satisfaction starts to drop.  

Envisioning the Ideal Workspace

After building 200+ centres, what is your ideal workspace?

In the words of the inspiring entrepreneur, an ideal workspace is one that is located in the middle of a vibrant community. He believes that while a private office may sound nice, it's the people who surround you who matter in a workspace. "Strong connections, shared lunches, and even dog visits on Fridays fuel community interactions and keep work enjoyable. Of course, reliable Wi-Fi is a must, but beyond that, it's the people who make the workspace worthwhile." He continued, emphasising the importance of connections and community further.  

Breaking Barriers

What have been your biggest hurdles, and how have these experiences shaped your growth?

"Businesses, like relationships, face setbacks. How you handle them defines you. I would like to think that most of our setbacks have come from areas that we didn't know were under-evolved."

According to Salnikow, most of the setbacks TEC faced were due to a lack of internal controls. As a team, they were able to comprehend that structure is crucial to compliance, processes, and internal audits.

"It's not mistrust but building maintenance. Learn from negatives, fix them, and move on. This approach makes us comfortable with future challenges." He added.  

Paving the Way Forward

What core values do you believe will continue to guide TEC in the next 30 years?

The driving force behind TEC, Paul Salnikow, remains positive that the company's future hinges on empowering the team.' He says they invest heavily in nurturing young talent to become future leaders and also prioritise a premium client experience, centring mutual respect, responsiveness, and a human touch.' "As a company that is built on fairness and capability, we attract naturally diverse talent who share our values, allowing us to thrive in any market." He concluded while expressing confidence in the future of the brand.  

Honouring Three Decades of Dedication

TEC will host a series of events and activities throughout the year to celebrate its 30th anniversary, including client appreciation gatherings, thought leadership forums, and community outreach initiatives. The company has also launched an upgrade to its MyTEC app, further strengthening its premium offerings and value-adding services to enhance Members' experiences and mark this auspicious occasion. For more information about The Executive Centre, please visit www.executivecentre.com.