Written by We celebrate the International Women’s Day 2023 with the start of our series GrECo Women´s Voices. We invited our colleagues to share their thoughts, challenges and aspirations.
What are your current professional challenges?
Vesna Raičković, Serbia:
At this moment, my greatest challenge is learning and practicing some new skills, which help me in my daily work.
Krystle Lippert, Austria:
I chose to start studying again next to my full-time job. So, structuring everything accordingly to be able to focus and give work projects the attention needed can be challenging from time to time. It’s also fun though and a great opportunity to grow, that I am thankful for.
Austria
I chose to start studying again next to my full-time job. So, structuring everything accordingly to be able to focus and give work projects the attention needed can be challenging.
Jelena Savić, Serbia:
Even though I have over 20 years of experience in international companies, it has always been a challenge to collect feedback from colleagues in different markets with various language proficiency, understand the needs of the users and represent them to the development team. Overall, I’m proud of my commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to work for a company that values these principles as well.
Tiina Pajusalu, Estonia:
My main challenge is working with people from the different business cultures. I have always liked to be a part of international companies and working with colleagues from different countries. I have also been involved in several integration teams, teaching and mentoring our new colleagues.
Jovana Pavlović Radovanović, Serbia:
My current professional challenge is learning to take small steps of improvement every day, rather than strive for perfection. Also, I made my goal to use the opportunity to brush up my German language skills, since now I am working with many nice German speaking colleagues.
What are your ideas on your future professional development?
Sandra Catherine Lebrun Carmina, Romania:
In general, I feel that the more experience I have, the more I could teach others. I believe that transferring my know-how via formal and informal teaching (especially using digital learning opportunities) would also help me move to the next level in my professional life, in order to concentrate on new products and new competences.
Jelena Savić, Serbia:
I am always excited when I can grow with the company I work for and gain new skills and expertise. Being able to keep up the pace in an ever-changing market where technologies are advancing so fast, is only possible if I constantly develop myself and be up to date with professional trends.
Serbia
Being able to keep up the pace in an ever-changing market where technologies are advancing so fast, is only possible if I constantly develop myself and be up to date with professional trends.
Petya Ivanova, Bulgaria:
For me, it is very important to develop my knowledge and expertise and to improve my professional and soft skills in Health & Benefits. It is no longer about insurance, employers have to focus on their employees mental and physical well-being.
Barbara Schaffer-Stockhammer, Austria:
To be an Account Manager for international clients is perfect for me. But it’s becoming more and more important to work together as a team with my colleagues. Otherwise, it is not possible to keep the work-life balance.
Jovana Pavlović Radovanović, Serbia:
The mindset shifts that have been brought to us (due to the mixture of hybrid work models being widely accepted, new generation entering the labor market and digitalization of working and learning) are very fertile soil for further development of knowledge on how and why people learn. What a time to be a learning professional!
How do you fill up your batteries (on and off work)?
Monika Hálová, Czech Republic:
I am recharged by my 3 children. Watching their development, their wins, losses, love, laugh and tears, all this regularly charges my batteries. In the summer, I love hiking in the mountains or just sitting and watching the sea.
Krystle Lippert, Austria:
At work batteries are boosted when projects are successful and hard work pays off. Also, thanks my colleagues, there is never a day without a good laugh, which helps keeping refreshed.
Tiina Pajusalu, Estonia:
A good way to fill up my batteries is gardening. To see how flowers bloom in the garden, the plants grow from the seed, the taste of home-grown tomatoes and cucumbers – it makes me happy.
Estonia
To see how flowers bloom in the garden, the plants grow from the seed, the taste of home-grown tomatoes and cucumbers – it makes me happy.
Any Luminita Morosan, Romania:
My batteries are usually easy to fill up because I like working and also my job. So, I fill myself up with the satisfaction of achievements..
Irina Pavlova, Latvia:
Long walks and travel also add positive emotions and fill me up. At work, coffee breaks recharge and invigorate me.
How are you coping with all the current changes?
Monika Hálová, Czech Republic:
Digitalization is a step in the right direction. I really appreciate working from home. It saves me 2 hours a day when I don’t have to commute to work, which I can use for housework or a walk.
Sandra Catherine Lebrun Carmina, Romania:
I believe we need make a balance between digitalization and the classic approach in professional and personal life. For example, when building a relation with a client, we also need some face-to-face meetings to connect and to build trust. In personal life, we will always need the opportunity to be close to our loved ones and to hug them when something goes wrong or just because we feel so.
When building a relation with a client, we need some face-to-face meetings to connect and to build trust.
Petya Ivanova, Bulgaria:
I think the best advice is to approach change with a positive and curious mindset rather than with fear or resistance. It is good to be open to new ideas, perspectives, and experiences.
Irina Pavlova, Latvia:
I am trying to look at the positive sides of the digitalization process, such as a high mobility and saving time.
Tiina Pajusalu, Estonia:
Since I live nearly 25 km from my office and there is usually traffic during rush hours, working remotely saves time for me. At the same, I wouldn’t like to be working from home for more than few days per week, because I need my colleagues around, communication with them and office team spirit.
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