MAGIC FORMULA FOR BALANCE BETWEEN CAREER AND PRIVATE LIFE DOES NOT EXIST, EVERYTHING COMES DOWN TO GOOD TIME MANAGEMENT

Aiming to make a review on, the always present topic about the gender equality in the academic environment, but also the eternal dilemma of the common person for the separation of the roles between the men and women in the family, at home, on the workplace and generally in the society, with special emphasis on the gender equality as an important moral principle that should be followed by all members and entities in the society, today we talk with Sonja Kitanovska Vasilevska, Business Solutions & Systems expert for commercial (BSS Commercial Expert) in Pivara Skopje. With a Bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering on the cathedra for computer engineering, computer science and automation, our speaker is yet another confirmation that in the modern world there are no male and female professions.

Tell us something about your beginnings…. Where did you start your career?

First I started as a high school professor of computer science in the secondary school Josip Broz -Tito in Skopje, but soon I found out that it is not something that should be my life profession. I decided that I should build my career in a software company. So, I began to study the development of software applications in a very small and unknown software company. There was my first introduction to the origins of Oracle database tools and Oracle Forms and Reports. I continued in the software company Ultra Computers where I was directly involved in the implementation of the ERP project for Pivara Skopje. I was involved in the development of a software solution for the beer production process, at first as a Junior developer and later I fully undertook that part. I must say that in this project I learned a lot about the processes and capabilities of Oracle tools. The wonderful team of beer production in Pivara Skopje gave me great support, because as a programmer I would not be able to make good system solution if I did not know the processes. After the project, I went to Seavus, a company for software development, where I worked on the famous project “e-tax” for the Public Revenue Office. The aim of the project was the electronic submission of tax returns. There I upgraded my previous modest knowledge of Informix database. The search for new challenges took me to the Customs Administration Office in the sector of Information Technology where I was part of the team that worked on the project “One desk system” that aimed at facilitating communication between state institutions. But my nature and desire for new challenges, and of course the need of labor validation and knowledge, has brought me to Pivara Skopje…

When did you joined Pivara Skopje and how was your career progress there?

I came in Pivara Skopje in 2008 due to the expansion of the software support team. The offer came because of my previous engagement in the implementation of ERP software in Pivara Skopje. I must admit that I accepted the challenge without hesitation, because I knew about the excellent status of the company and the IT team. I started as a Programmer for development and support of business solutions, then I rapidly progressed in Support Specialist and later I was promoted to Business support manager. I must say that it was a big challenge to face new process or improve an existing one, develop, test and run the new solutions in a productive environment, at the same time providing support to 70 Market Developers, 20 Distributors and 50 active users of the ERP system. In 2014 I accepted the challenge to be part of the team for implementation of the SAP system with a role of Leader of business systems in ​​Finance. After SAP go-alive I got even more challenging offer and I became part of a newly formed sector Business Solutions and Systems in which I took the position of Expert of business systems and solutions in commercial (BSS Commercial Expert).

What does your job position include?

As an Expert for business solutions and systems in the commercial sector, my responsibility is technical support in the implementation of all corporate and local projects, coordination of all upgrades of SAP system, coordination with key users of the systems, implementation of digital solutions for sales and market development, finding solutions to cover new processes and improve existing ones in communication with other countries in the CCHBC Group and the SAP design team and technical consultants shared services based in Sofia. In other words, I’m not programing now but I am responsible for system support of Pivara Skopje, in cooperation with the technical sector in support of SAP systems. Hence my position requires a very good knowledge of the processes in the company, particularly in ​​commercial including many technical skills too.

What are the core values and skills that you apply daily to be successful and to successfully perform your tasks?

The most important thing is to be a good organizer. Managing key customers is an important part of my job. You must be honest and tolerant with employees, respect their time and have friendly approach. Always to use the opportunity to praise the work done. You know, everyone wants attention. Sometimes a good word is bigger reward than the money.  Those who know me well, know that I work by rules from which I do not step back and I try, in the interest of the job, to impose those rules to my colleagues: coordination, timely information, clear and well-written e-mail with specific information and message, mandatory feedback. I think my close associates know how to appreciate my unconditional support, honesty, accessibility and friendly attitude and that makes me happy.

What are your greatest achievements in your career, something that makes you particularly proud?

The fact that in the factory colleagues perceives me as ” technical problem solver,” makes me proud. Whenever there is no hope or there is a difficult task, they address me. That is a compliment to me. When a problem seems unsolvable, I accept the challenge to solve it, not because I am the smartest, but because it is challenging to me and it makes me happy, strange but true :-). It is because I am persistent and sacrificial in everything I do in life. Never give up, I want to learn, solve problems and help. Even in school I whispered the correct answers because my nature did not let me remain silent. As achievements, I can say that I am particularly proud of system solutions as the projects for beer production, beer and non-alcoholic beverages planning, electronic banking, deposit system, “Gross profit per SKU” and SAP implementation.

According to you, what is the role of women in improving gender equality in the business environment? Do you feel that there are male and female professions?

For me there is no gender inequality, it is an excuse for inability and lack of desire to face challenges. As for the separation of male and female professions, I think the time of stereotypes and prejudices is passing. In my professional environment, although the profession is considered as more “male” more and more women are present. On the contrary, today the occupations that are perceived as “women” are chosen by men as their life vocation.

What is the formula of a business woman who succeeded in everything: to have a happy family and successful career? Is there a way to make balance between private life and career?

There is not magic formula. It all comes down to good organization and time management. Work and family are in compromise. What I have perfected as a discipline is “multitasking.” My character is to have all under control and so is at home. Cleaning, cooking and solving mathematical problems are fully in my hands and I consider myself equally successful as a mother and wife and as a expert in what I do. Life balance? There is, but it depends on the nature of the person. Honestly, I carry work home nearly every day for the weekend and on a vacation. What I learned is that over time you adapt and it becomes a normal part of life.