Strategy Director
About me…
I was born in 1974 in Warsaw, but I was raised in Zagreb, where I finished school. After graduating from the Faculty of Pharmacy, I gained experience working at Pliva as Product Manager for Sumamed Poland and cytostatic drugs until I moved to Rijeka for personal reasons. I completed an internship in a pharmacy here and passed the state professional exam, after which I was hired by JGL in 2000.
About my workday…
My day usually starts with waking up at six, when my cat starts meowing for me to feed him, and my dog waits to be walked. After that, I plan my daily schedule. A manager’s job involves a lot of meetings and conversations, which is wonderful because every meeting is an opportunity to improve on something. My team is based in three different cities, which is why we hold a lot of online meetings, and why on Fridays, I work from Zagreb. I especially value the time I carve out of my day for thinking; this is when I come up with ideas or solutions for ongoing challenges. Every week, I set aside some time for a “meeting with myself”, where I take on the role of my own boss and examine what I can do better.
About work challenges...
There are many challenges on the job, from business issues that need to be solved to people that need guidance or some other form of help. I think that clear, constructive and timely communication is the key to solving many problems. Team communication offers a greater range of options and innovation in solving business problems. At the same time, better mutual understanding increases motivation and gives a sense of purpose.
About the team environment…
A team is the only environment where a manager can work because no one knows everything. Only if we act as one organism in which everyone plays their part can we make progress and develop. I am incredibly grateful to be working in an encouraging environment, that my colleagues are open to cooperation, and that we solve problems pragmatically, as a group.
About work motivation…
People are my greatest motivation. I am surrounded by wonderful people who have a positive outlook, who want to work and develop, and who support and motivate each other. It’s wonderful to see people around me grow and improve and I believe that I grow and learn from them every day. Naturally, such an approach to work has its benefits – I am highly motivated when I see us reaching our goals, especially when we surpass our targets! One such example is the number of confirmed areas for developing new products that exceeded expectations last year or brands that grow and develop faster than the market. This drives us all to do even better.
About the desire for new knowledge…
Throughout my working life, I held various positions and functions in the pharmaceutical industry, from Registration, Medical Affairs, Marketing (in the RX and OTC segments) and Strategy, which has broadened my horizons and helped me face the challenges of my current position. In addition to completing my studies at the Faculty of Pharmacy, I also earned a postgraduate degree in Marketing Management. Now I specialise in communication, and I am a fourth-year student at the School of Cybernetics and Systemic Therapy. I have also completed mentoring and practical NLP programmes. I believe that communication is the key to the success of any team and organisation as a whole and that lifelong learning is essential for keeping an open mind.
About my hobbies…
I have been involved in music all my life, mainly through singing and dancing. Now I try to balance my demanding job with drawing, painting and making pottery, which relax me. Before the pandemic, I trained in long-distance swimming, and I hope that in autumn, I will be able to return to the pool as part of my routine.
About success and satisfaction…
My greatest achievement in life is a calm mind, a family that supports me and a job where I can grow and develop! What more can you ask for?