Power is of the female gender, despite the barriers of traditional world views. This is clear to the women who have explored their potential to the limit. Svetlana Glumac is one of them.
Svetlana Glumac, the Director of Corporate and Regulatory businesses of the “My Brands” (ser.: “Moji Brendovi”) corporation talks to us about the principles of doing business to the highest standards, the position of women in business, and her experience when it comes to the most important elements that create a complete impression of a person, both professionally and outside one’s working environment.
Foto: Mirko Tabašević
“My Brands” carries a leadership position on the market. What do you believe has contributed most to such a success?
A leadership position is difficult to achieve and even harder to maintain. The “My Brands” company, as well as all of its members, exhibit growth year after year. This is due to their survival among strong competition and the substantial share of the market that our brands have in Serbia as well as in the neighbouring countries. The “Imlek” company has marked the previous year by launching new products, which fortified its leadership position in the domestic and regional markets, but was also very emotional for me, as my favourite “Moja Kravica” yoghurt triangle found its way back onto the shelves. The top-notch successes of the “Bambi” company and the myriad of its new products also make us very proud, and so does “Knjaz Miloš”, which caps its long tradition with outstanding results. All of these three companies have had significant CSR campaigns.
From your experience, what are the key values that connect the consumers to a specific product?
Only a product that does not compromise its quality can find its place with the consumers and last for years or even decated. This is why the “Knjaz Miloš” mineral water exists for two centuries, “Bambi Plazma” has been a household staple for 50 years, and why “Imlek” is able to sustain its 60-year-long tradition.
What are the greatest challenges in the world of high business when it comes to women?
The greatest challenge for a woman is to break the stereotype that she cannot be a good mother and a good wife and be successful in her career at the same time. Many of us have succeeded in this, but to break down all barriers and conquer the highest peaks in business, a woman has to invest more effort and dedication, and even have a higher education than a man.
Do you consider yourself to be a figure of authority? What is your strategy for maintaining quality communication with your associates?
Authority, for me, is something that should not be imposed and that does not always automatically come with a position. Authority comes from respect. When a colleague respects you, they feel that you deserve this respect because of your knowledge and experience, and also that these qualities have led you to the position that you hold. They need to feel that you are sharing this with them, that they are learning and developing by working with you. This is also key to having good communication with everyone.
What is the role of an individual style in the world of modern business? How have you developed your own style with respect to clothing and communication?
It is important, but is not essential. I find it to be more of a something that you carry within. My job makes my style visible as I am exposed through our companies, but I used to have it as a girl and as a student, as well. One’s style is the way in which one sees oneself. I’ve always been somewhat rebellious, daring, and different. Even now, I don’t believe that I fit into this general standard of dressing and communication in my personal life. Professionally, I do follow the corporate style.
Foto: Mirko Tabašević
What do you believe is the key to a successful career, in addition to talent and education?
Courage and hard-headedness! If you take the safe, well-charted route, you may go far, but if you play your cards bravely and fearlessly at the right time, you could reach unimaginable heights and successes.
When talking about the position and perception of women in high business, what is the wright that your image carries? What are its most important elements?
Every woman should take care of herself. A woman needs to be a woman. Nurtured, carrying a beautiful energy, for all other beauty fades. Young in spirit and self-loving. That is the image that she should be projecting. Does that matter? It should matter to her, and then it will matter to others as well. Her most important element is her spirit, and as Friedrich Schiller said, it is the spirit that builds the body.
Does the way we dress accentuate our character? What is its role in the non-verbal presentation and the ever-important first impression?
Your personal presentation, the way in which you show yourself to others, and the clothes that you wear definitely leave an impression of you as a person. However, both in my professional and my private life, I follow the rule that the clothes do not make the man, but that a great deal of weight comes from what a person says, in what way they say it, and what is the energy that they carry and share with others.
Given that you travel a lot, is Belgrade still able to surprise you? What is it that you enjoy most here?
Belgrade has this magical power to surprise you over and over again. I love my city, this is where I was born, this is where my children were born and raised, this is where my family and friends live. I do travel a lot, yes, but nothing can compare to the feeling I get when I’m approaching Belgrade. I simply know that I am home and that everything will be OK.
How important is travelling for you? How do you select your destinations?
I enjoy travelling, be it for business or for holidays with my family. I used to fulfil my touristic curiosity when I was younger and had more time, but there are many places that I still haven’t explored. I do my best to make it possible for me and my family to visit these new destinations.
By: Ivana Čikarić