Eusediu Margasoiu is the Managing Partner at The Network, a business strategy consultant with 25 years of experience, ranging from aerospace engineering to upstream marketing at Pepsi, and from strategic consulting to entrepreneurship in proptech.

C&B: How would you describe yourself in a single sentence to spark the curiosity of those who don’t know you yet?
Eusediu Margasoiu: I’m the guy who learned ‘the hard way’ how to turn Romanian chaos into business algorithms and who believes that the best strategy starts with the question “why?” instead of “what?”.

C&B: If we were to trace the narrative thread of your career or business, what were the key defining moments?
Eusediu Margasoiu: The transition from aerospace engineering to Pepsi taught me that both rockets and brands need fuel – some use kerosene, others use insights. Winning the Donald M. Kendall Award in 2007 within the Pepsi system confirmed that Romania can be the best globally, breaking the “it’s good enough” mindset. Founding the strategy consulting firm The Network in 2008 taught me that the best time to build is when everyone else is hiding. And the proptech startup feexers – with six-figure investments and the best resources and capabilities in Romania – taught me that failure is the most expensive but also the most effective teacher: it teaches you to forget what you thought you knew, in no time. Because the hardest thing is not learning, but unlearning.

C&B: What has been the most difficult moment in your journey so far, and how did you overcome it?
Eusediu Margasoiu: The proptech startup I co-founded, feexers, was the most expensive lesson: I applied everything I knew best – upstream marketing (15 years at Pepsi, with the last 10 as marketing director), rigorous segmentation, targeting, positioning with extensive market research, branding and naming using the best specialists, UX/CX using Design Thinking and Agile – all ‘by the book’, with top talent and six-figure investments. The result? The illusion of ‘customer centricity’ and technology without social trust is like a Ferrari without fuel – it looks spectacular, but gets you nowhere. The turning point came when I realized that everything I knew was based on VOC (Voice of the Customer) and research done in the universe of solutions, not in that of fundamental needs. From there, I discovered ODI & JTBD – probably the most customer-centric, pragmatic, and scientifically rigorous innovation process in the world – a methodology that challenges all current paradigms and teaches you that no matter how well you execute a strategy, it won’t work if it doesn’t start from people’s fundamental needs. “In every dark cave there is always a bright side too.”

C&B: Is there a dream or ambition that has always guided you, regardless of obstacles?
Eusediu Margasoiu: To prove that Romania can be a laboratory of innovation, not just a consumer market. When I see “Made in Romania” on something truly innovative – not just on a label of Chinese-made headphones – I know the dream is heading in the right direction.

C&B: How did you look at the beginning of your journey, and how do you feel you’ve transformed since then?
Eusediu Margasoiu: At the beginning, I was an engineer who believed everything could be solved with precise formulas. Mathematical Platonism Now I think I’m a strategist – or something like that – who has learned that the best formula must inherently include the human variable – the most unpredictable and fascinating of all.

C&B: If we met your team or collaborators, what do you think they would say about you?
Eusediu Margasoiu: Probably that I’m the guy who asks uncomfortable questions at the wrong time and turns meetings into “why are we doing this?” sessions until everyone either truly understands or realizes they didn’t know why they were doing what they were doing. Also, I crack jokes (sometimes a bit too much), and I dig deep until I reach the root – at least working with me isn’t boring

C&B: What is the most important decision you’ve made that changed your trajectory?
Eusediu Margasoiu: Leaving the corporate world in 2008 for consulting. It was like jumping out of a plane without being sure I had a parachute – but I discovered you can build one on the way down if you understand the principles of flight… from this part of the world.

C&B: How did you develop your leadership style or decision-making approach? Was it a natural or learned process?
Eusediu Margasoiu: 50% I learned from my own mistakes, 30% by observing what not to do from others, and probably 20% controlled improvisation I realized that the best leadership style is being your true self – updated – with your bugs fixed and respecting the divine ratio: 2 ears to 1 mouth, just as God intended.

C&B: What do you think differentiates your business or professional approach from the rest of the industry?
Eusediu Margasoiu: While everyone asks, “what do customers want?”, I ask “what are customers trying to achieve when they buy my product or service?”. It’s the difference between giving someone a fish and teaching them how to fish – except I help clients understand why they need the fish in the first place, not just that they want it. That’s where strategy begins. The rest is noise.

C&B: What does a typical day look like for you now, and which moments bring you the greatest satisfaction?
Eusediu Margasoiu: In the morning, I triage the chaos – what’s urgent, what’s important, what’s just noise. During the day, I turn enigmas into heuristics and sometimes algorithms, with partners and clients. In the evening, I read and draw inspiration from experience and mistakes – and if I find something worth not dying with me, I write and share it. My greatest satisfaction: that ‘aha!’ moment when a client moves from ‘what?’ and ‘how?’ to ‘why?’ – it’s like turning on the light in a dark room.

C&B: What values or principles guide you in what you do, and how do you apply them daily?
Eusediu Margasoiu: Truth before politeness, questions before answers, simplicity before unnecessary complexity. Day by day means not accepting “this is how it’s always been done” as an answer, and transforming “it’s good enough” into at least “it works well”.

C&B: How did the idea for your business come about, and how did you choose its name?
Eusediu Margasoiu: The Network started from the need to connect people and strategy with execution – too many beautiful plans were dying in drawers. The name is simple: everything in business is about connections – between people, opportunities, ideas – in that order. And “The Network” sounds better than “Chaos-Heuristic-Algorithm Consulting” – though that’s what we actually do.

C&B: If you could send a message to people following in your footsteps, what would it be?
Eusediu Margasoiu: There is no universal recipe for success, but one constant does exist: dare to ask uncomfortable questions and don’t settle for “it’s good enough.” Romania needs fewer “copy-paste” approaches and more originality. We have what it takes. And last but not least: even chaos can be organized, if you understand the logic behind it.

Eusediu Margasoiu reminds us that authentic strategy begins with uncomfortable questions and a genuine desire to understand. Through courage, accepted failure, and critical thinking, he outlines a meaningful path for any professional striving to build with purpose.

The post Eusediu Margasoiu: Lessons from Failure, Authentic Strategy, and the Power to Rethink Everything from Scratch appeared first on careers-business.com.

C&B: What is the story behind Happy Cinema?

Ecaterina Mateescu: The Happy Cinema story began in 2012 and is one of passion for film and the desire to bring cinema closer to people. I joined this wonderful journey in 2015 with a clear goal: to contribute to the development of an accessible, friendly, and modern cinema chain. Over the years, we have expanded and adapted, investing in cutting-edge technology and innovative concepts to provide audiences with the best possible experience. We now have 11 cinemas, including one outside the country in the Republic of Moldova, and we have ongoing expansion plans.

C&B: You lead an important cinema chain in Romania – Happy Cinema – which has recently expanded abroad. What are the core principles that guide your work?

Ecaterina Mateescu: My fundamental principles are quality, innovation, and accessibility. I firmly believe that a cinema should be more than just a place to watch movies—it should be a complete experience where comfort, top technology, and diverse content blend seamlessly. For example, in the last three multiplexes we opened—in Chișinău and in Bucharest at Vitantis Shopping Center and Colosseum Mall—we replaced traditional seats with armchairs, and in VIP halls, we even have recliners, ensuring that viewers feel as comfortable as if they were on their own couch at home.

C&B: Despite a turbulent period with inflation, the war in Ukraine, etc., Happy Cinema continues to expand—you opened a new cinema at Vitantis Shopping Center last year and this month at Colosseum Mall. How do you manage to achieve this?

Ecaterina Mateescu: Indeed, the current context presents many challenges, not just in our industry but across all sectors. However, we have managed to stay on course thanks to a well-thought-out strategy, smart investments, and, most importantly, a loyal audience that continues to visit our cinemas. We believe that movies offer an escape, a form of refuge, and the need for entertainment and memorable experiences remains constant, regardless of external circumstances. In fact, I would say that the escapism provided by a good movie in a cinema is even more necessary in these turbulent times.

C&B: Tell us more about the new premium multiplex, Happy Cinema Colosseum.

Ecaterina Mateescu: Happy Cinema at Colosseum Mall is our newest premium multiplex and a passion project. With five ultra-modern halls, laser projection technology for superior image quality, and comfortable seating, including recliners in the VIP hall, this cinema sets new standards for movie viewing. Furthermore, we want to transform it into a dynamic cultural space that hosts special events, artistic performances, and alternative screenings.

C&B: What makes Happy Cinema Colosseum different?

Ecaterina Mateescu: Happy Cinema Colosseum redefines movie-watching standards, offering an experience at the highest level. With five projection halls equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the new multiplex promises cinephiles exceptional image clarity, thanks to laser projection systems that surpass the performance of traditional lamp-based equipment. Additionally, the halls are designed for maximum comfort, featuring modern armchairs and, in the VIP hall, luxurious recliners that turn every movie into an unforgettable experience.

Beyond top film screenings, Happy Cinema at Colosseum Mall stands out for its diverse alternative content offerings. The spaces are designed to host private events, artistic performances, and theatrical productions, further establishing the cinema as a modern cultural hub.

C&B: Do you have plans to expand internationally?

Ecaterina Mateescu: Yes, international expansion is a strategic goal for us. We have already taken our first steps in this direction, and in the coming period, we plan to explore new markets, particularly in regions where there is demand for modern cinemas with an accessible approach. Last year, we opened our first cinema abroad, in Chișinău, Republic of Moldova, and we plan to expand further into other countries, such as Bulgaria and Serbia.

C&B: What advice do you have for those starting their careers?

Ecaterina Mateescu: My advice for those just starting out is to be passionate and persistent. Success doesn’t happen overnight, but with hard work, vision, and a continuous desire to learn, any goal can be achieved. It is also essential to know your audience well and always be open to innovation.

C&B: What are your views on society, business, and careers in Romania?

Ecaterina Mateescu: Romania is a country with immense potential, both in business and careers. I believe adaptability and the willingness to evolve are crucial for success. Society is constantly changing, and those who can identify and respond to current needs will benefit the most.

C&B: Your favorite movie is…

Ecaterina Mateescu: It’s hard to choose just one, but a film that has stayed with me is Cinema Paradiso—a story about the love of cinema and the impact that film has on people.

The post Ecaterina Mateescu, Managing Partner Happy Cinema: “Film Creates Memorable Experiences, Regardless of the Times” appeared first on careers-business.com.