Agile Consulting Firm Title

AGUARRA
What we do.
Sevices with Value.

Content
§ Owner & Story
§ Training
§ Consulting & Mentoring
§ Restructuralization
§ Meet-Ups & Conferencing
§ Our Project
§ Smart Investments
Aguarra, s.r.o., Plzenska 157/98, 15000 Praha, Czech Republic www.aguarra.com 2

My Story
I am the founder of Aguarra, and the first Scrum Master and Agilist in the Czech Republic. I am
passionate about discoveries of better ways of how knowledge-based organizations should be
managed, structured and organized.
I help to challenge the structure and routines in their organizations and removing bureaucratic
vertical structures, silos, obsession with budgeting, KPIs and prescriptive targets combined with
command-and-control management style. I replace it with lightweight methods, focused on
value delivery, and based on mutual trust, collaboration, creativity, experimentation and
environment that supports the intrinsic motivation of the people. I help c-suite executives to
understand agility and together we boost organization's performance and solve complex
problems creatively. I work internationally as trainer, coach and consultant.
To promote agility I founded the community Agilia and initiated a line of Agile conferences,
where we bring ultimate ideas and best talent to inspire us for radical organizational changes.
The Agilia conferences were recognized by the American website TechBeacon as one of the top
20 agile conferences in the world. In 2008, in the role of managing director, I led the first
“agile transformation” of the organization. In 2010 I founded Aguarra, a word I borrowed from
Guaraní language of Paraguay, meaning the wolf.
I hold a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering by the University of Zilina and gained an MBA
in 5 years program at Open University Business School in Milton Keynes, UK. I strongly value
ethical principles in business, in particular trust, partnership, collaboration, and engagement.
Ing. Michal Vallo, MBA
Founder and Principal Consultant

Trainings
§ Teamwork for executives
§ Creating high-performing teams
§ Introduction to Agile holistically.
§ Applied Agile Leadership – Building the Agile Organization
§ The Non-CertifiedTM Scrum Master – Advanced
§ The Non-CertifiedTM Scrum Master
§ Applied Kanban

Teamwork for Executives (1d)
Great organizations are formed by great executive
teams. They define the strategy together, translate it
into culture and environment, where talented people
can thrive. In the course, we will look at senior execs
and their collaboration. We help them realize, where
their weak points or dysfunctions are. We support them
while liberating from KPIs tyranny and help them open
up for mutual trust and collaboration. Finally, we will
challenge them beyond their comfort zone and
encourage them to imprint themselve into an
organizational success. In the course we discuss:
• Role of a manager in an agile organization
• Teamwork
• Team dysfunctions and how to overcome them
• Individual characteristic of the team members
Target group:
The course is for management
teams, that would like to uncover
the landscape of co-operation for
better performance together. Or
who just wants to lead
differently.

Creating High-Performing Teams (1d)
Knowledge and the creative economy changes the way
we work. Command-and-control style of management is
no longer appropriate and self-organizing teams of
engaged individuals seem to be a better option. People
are used to working in groups, sometimes they create a
team. But how to make team sustainably high
performing, which often means 400, 500 or even 800%
better than the traditional one? In the course, we focus
on aspects of teamwork, which enable teams to deliver
consistently higher value. In the course we will discuss:
• Characteristics of a good team
• Motivation
• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Value Delivery and Preconditions
Target group:
Team Leaders, Line Managers,
Team Members aspiring to lead
high performing teams, ...

Introduction to Agile in the Context of Business (1d)
We encourage you to think about Agile differently. We
explain some myths about agile techniques and show
how to utilize these techniques to build a modern agile
organization, how to understand the complexity and
adaptive systems, improve cooperation with customers
or how to manage innovations. The course includes the
rise and evolution of Agile, the context, and types of
problems it was designed to help within various parts of
the organization – management, organizational
structure, agile culture, regular delivery of value, the
importance of human capital, management of finance or
software development.
What others said:
"Very interesting training that gave me an overview of Agile methodologies and possibilities of its use in a corporate
environment. I warmly recommend the course to people who do not know what Agile methodologies can bring to their business."
Robert Handzus, DXC Technology, Bratislava, Slovakia
"The course has a reasonable structure for people who need a basic overview of agile methods. It opens up many topics relevant
to understanding the context and outlines the context of each method and its impact on the outcome of the activity."
Milos Liptak, Delivery Business Operations Manager, DXC Technology, Bratislava, Slovakia
"This course gave me a comprehensive overview of the origins and basics of agile methods."
Josef Frycak, Project Manager, MONET+, Zlin, Czech Republic
Target group:
CXO, Board members, Senior Line
Managers, Department managers,
Program & Products Managers,
Transformation Managers, Heads
of Centers, Agile Coaches,
Entrepreneurs, ...

Applied Agile Leadership – Building the Agile
Organization
Agile is buzzword and organizations want it. However, it
is not clear, what to do and why. In the course, we will
discuss practical steps, how to create an Agile
organization and what benefits it may bring. We will
look, how to in agile organization manage product,
finance, marketing, and sales, how to cope with
organizational structure, what should be company
culture like and how to manage it. We will also touch,
how to work with people enabling.
Target group:
Owner, Founders, Senior
executives, CxOs, Managers,
Scrum Masters / Agile coaches, ...

The Non-CertifiedTM Scrum Master (1-2d)
This course replaces in full Certified Scrum Master (SA) /
Professional Scrum Master (Scrum.org). You will learn the
SCRUM method and how to understand it right, how to
set up an agile team, how to build your product or what
to be aware of if you use Scrum as a project
methodology. You will learn how to adapt to changes,
work with the team, and monitor teams dynamics. In the
theoretical part, we will show you, when to use Scrum in
practice, what are its advantages and disadvantages and
what is the job duties for each role.
What others said:
"The course was very well organized. The trainer is a professional who has a long experience and is able to share them to the
trainees - both theoretical concepts and practical live experience. I rate the course positive, I'm glad I attended the course
and obtained new knowledge and experience for the future. The course was definitely a benefit to me."
Liana Vargova, VSE Holding, Kosice, Slovakia
"Overall I think the training gave useful insights on the Agile methodology. There tends to be a lack of understanding about
the methodology and even the term "agile" but the instructor gave a clear, simple presentation that gave us a good basic
knowledge. This helped us open up the discussion on how we can improve our team culture, workflows, etc."
Miharu Sugie, XAPT Corporation, Budapest, Hungary
"I have had the opportunity to attend several trainings organized and co-tutored by Michal and those were one of the best
training sessions I have ever attended. Michal is not only able to clearly share his own ideas, but he is always able to bring to
the table excellent tutors and trainers from all around the world. Trainings offered by Aguarra are definitely one of the best
in the field in the Czech Republic and I highly recommend them."
Ondrej Krajicek, General Manager Research and Development, Y Soft Corporation, Brno, Czech Republic
Target group:
Developers and development
teams, Team Leaders, Scrum
Masters / Agile Coaches, Line
Managers, ...

The Non-CertifiedTM Scrum Master – Advanced (1d)
This course enhance the practical skillset needed for
creating hyper productive teams and production groups.
It address in depth:
§ Role and duties of Scrum Master
§ Team and organizational culture
§ Techniques to build high performance teams
§ Building human capital
§ Non-violent communication
§ Organization of work around the teams
§ Performance evaluation
§ Metrics & Remuneration
Target group:
Team Leaders, Scrum Masters /
Agile Coaches, IT Leaders, People
Managers, CxO, Entrepreneurs, ...

Applied Kanban (1d)
Many organizations apparently do not reach performance,
which they could. One reason for this might be the process
and the way, how the work is organized. In this course,
participants will get an overview of technique Kanban, and
how to utilize it for managing and improvement of the
processes and how to improve the one they own. On the
example, we will show, how to identify Value, and how to
tailor processes accordingly. We go beyond the team level,
observing the use of Kanban at product and portfolio level. In
the course we will discuss:
• principles of visualization,
• planning, limitation of WIP and why it is important,
• optimization of processes and performance improvement,
• risk management,
• theory of constraints and what is interesting in it,
• metrics and measurements,
• company culture and why transparency is important
• use of Kanban beyond team level – product, portfolio
• how to design your Kanban
Target group:
Team members, Team Leaders,
Mid-line Management, ... and
anyone who would like to
improve the organization of the
work.

Agile Consulting & Mentoring
§ Consulting
§ Mentoring
§ Coaching

Consulting
We help organizations to benefit from Agile approaches. With more than 15 years of experience, we help you adopt
the ultimate techniques to lead your organization. We work in close partnership with you because agile adoption is a
team sport. Instead of promoting a framework for your IT staff, we suggest a holistic perspective. Our assessment
includes Strategy, Culture or Processes in Finance, People Management, Value stream and Delivery, Software
Development, Marketing, R&D, Innovation, or HR. Together we can develop a novel approach to the situation. One
that activates talent already available, for even radical and sustainable change, and better performance.
What others said:
"We approached Michal right at the start of an Agile transformation process of our software solution development operation, spent more than a
year together in nailing down the basis of such operation. Michal has great understanding of the software development methods and processes,
in-depth understanding of the Agile domain. We highly valued his hands-on experience in transforming an software development organization
into Agile like operation. Able to handle critical situations, clear communication and plans, good strategist and leader of the roll-out as well.
Should you need a person to lead your Agile transformation or operation I would highly recommend Michal to be considered for that role."
Zoltán Faluvégy, Executive Vice President of SW Operations, XAPT Corporation, Budapest, Hungary
"Training and consulting from Aguarra enabled us to properly initiate the Agile transformation for our European B2B Portal team. The main
added value was in Michal Vallo, who gave our teams and management not only how should we do things, but also principles why. Our teams
felt safer to start our Agile transformation immediately, business was finally convinced. After running Scrum with 2 customer/supplier mixed
teams for 1 year, we would choose Michal again"
David Erbmann, Manager Portal B2B Europe, Konica-Minolta Business Solutions Europe, Brno, Czech Republic
"With help of Michal Vallo, who made Scrum Observation and Assessment in our team, we were able to boost productivity, break stagnation, and
inspire team members for better communication. In time frame of 2 weeks and couple of follow-up sessions, we collected enough objective
points to inspect and adjust, which leaded to about 10% raise of team velocity and open additional potential for improvements."
Nick Entin, Vice President, Polarion Software GmbH, Czech Republic / Germany
Target group:
Owners of companies, senior
executives, mid-line managers or
team leads, ... or anyone who
needs external expertise on
solving complex business
problems.

Mentoring:
§ Having enormous hands-on experience from managing organization, assessing them or from visits in best and
inspirational companies around the world. Thus we feel confident in helping speed up other’s managers'
journeys to excellence. We can help them navigate by providing advice, oppose their ideas and plans, or simply
show them contextual cases they may not be aware of. Or simply help them link many dots.
Coaching:
§ Working with people is difficult and everyone sometimes runs at low energy. We know that feeling. And we are
here to help you concentrate on your performance, provide you with feedback or simply encourage you to
overcome the status quo of your comfort zone so the next shot can be outstanding as those many before.
Target group:
team leads, ... or anyone who
needs external support to
overcome challenges.
What others said:
"You write great motivational emails. Thank you for it. If you lived through several transformations, you know, that beyond
great vision there is also important right timing and desire for change. And this preparedness stays at your intuition. In all
cases, discussions with you are great look into the mirror."
Marek Vandák, Head of Software Development, Anasoft, Bratislava, Slovakia

Restructuralization
Restructuralization
Sometimes your organization needs a strategic transformation to adapt to challenges of the
VUCA world. Over the years we have collected tons of hands-on experience. And we can help
you redesign your strategic plans to accommodate agility and recent trends in the business.
This includes intensive collaboration, even in the form of interim management, on events like:
• spin-offs,
• divestment,
• M&A or even
• crisis management for improvement of value delivery.
What others said:
„In 2012 we have started process of company revitalization to prepare us for
international expansion. We invited Michal to join our internal Allegro Scrum
Competence Team to work together and guide us through the process of change - agile
transformation. Starting with top management, Agile became part of our strategic
plans, in structure, in processes, in operations and in responsibilities. Quite radical
change for organization with long history and culture. Later Michal trained
development teams for Scrum, agile and non-agile techniques and helped us to create
new roles – ScrumMaster, Product Owner or agile managers. In following months he
have provided regular support, coaching and mentoring on our agile journey. During
transition we have learned a lot about ourselves. We have got to the path of continuous
improvement, attracted new talents and enhanced collaboration among colleagues,
internal departments and with customers. And we still continue. Working with Aguarra
is inspiring, radical, and often challenging us from status quo. With greatest pleasure
we recommend Aguarra.”
Radek Havlik, CEO, NetDirect, Ostrava, Czech Republic
Vaclav Liska, Webshop Segment Leader, Allegro Group, Czech Republic / Poland
Target group:
program managers, ... or anyone
who needs external expertise on
solving complex business
problems.

Meet-ups & Conferencing
§ Agília Meetups
§ Agilia Conference
§ Agile Management Congress

Agilia Meet-Ups
Regular meetups in Prague and on irregular basis in Brno, Bratislava and/or other places. Follow dates and
events at Eventbrite. It is also available as On-Line while travel restrictions remains in place.
Topics includes: true agile, agile way of work, case studies, ...

Conferencing
§ Agilia Conference – general agile techniques for organizations beyond ICT
§ Agile Management Congress – practical agile workshops for board members, c-suite managers and owners
§ Agilia Prague – agile techniques in banking, finance and large enterprises
§ Agilia Budapest – agile techniques for product management
§ Agilia Scrum Master Day - simulation games for Scrum Masters and Agile Coaches
§ Agilia Open Space – community event for exchanging experience

Our Project
§ Our Project

Our project
As a conference organizer, I have a dream.
I wish we could overcome the struggle with finding a
modern conference venue in Eastern Europe. The one,
which would enable the creation of a conference
atmosphere, where ideas can flourish. The one that
would permit experimenting with new formats and
amenities, for necessary conference innovation. And at
the same time a masterpiece of the modern
architecture, filled up with ultimate green technology
and zero carbon footprint (LEED certified) that brings
value for local communities.
There is no another option than to build one.

Smart Investment
§ Angel investor
We have formed a group of former executives and organizational experts to help
finance new ideas for future entrepreneurs. Beyond the funds, we can also offer
years of experience and networks of contacts to help entrepreneurs kick off its
business. We are interested in organizations to build around agile practices and
unorthodox organizational construction, that unlock the creative potential of the
people in it.
Smart investment is a combination of funds and deep hands-on organizational
expertise available for your project.
Target group:
Entrepreneurs looking for first
Angel investment and support.

Contact
Aguarra s.r.o.
Plzenská 157/98
150 00 Praha
Czech Republic
www.aguarra.com
Tel. + 420 312 245 630

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