“Given the fact that I started working early, I practically grew up and matured as a person in this company that I feel like a second home, and my colleagues Pivarci as a second family” – says Olja Gigova, Route Settlement Team Leader in the Finance Department in Pivara Skopje. With bachelor degree from the Faculty of Information Technologies at the University “St. Cyril and Methodius “, 27 years ago Olja started her career in Pivara Skopje, in which, she says, from the very beginning, she recognizes a company with huge potential for career development. Wife and the proud mother of her son’s student, the unbridled desire to travel constantly brings her to new destinations, and when she does not travel, she spends her free time on walks in nature with her family or friends and in the Association for the Culture of Living “Dr. Olga Djordjevic “, which represents the Macedonian history, tradition, folklore and culture and organizes humanitarian actions to help the socially vulnerable categories.

1. You actually started the career in Pivara Skopje. Do you remember your beginnings in the company?

Even today, with great joy I remember the year 1991, when I was still at the beginning of my career, without previous work experience. I am proud that from the very beginning my career is connected with Pivara Skopje. About 27 years ago I was fortunate enough to become part of the family of Pivara Skopje, where I stayed until today because in this company I recognized the huge potential for development, which was confirmed as true.

2. How much Pivara Skopje has helped you to progress and achieve your professional goals?

Pivara Skopje has helped me to fully realize myself in a professional manner, and this has been reflected positively on all the other areas of my life all these years. Considering the fact that I started working early, I practically grew up and matured as a person in this company that I feel like a second home, and my colleagues Pivarci as a second family.

3. What does your working position include?

My position in Pivara Skopje is Team Route Settlement Team Leader within the Finance Department. I am in charge of controlling, timely and accurate process of route reporting, invoicing and bookkeeping. I organize and coordinate the work of the team and I take care that every member of the team is properly trained and directed towards the performance of the work duties.

4. What are the key values ​​and skills that you use daily in order to be successful at work?

I think that we all learn throughout our life, regardless of the years and experience we have. As the folk says: “Man learns while he is alive”. I study every day, and I consider it to be a prerequisite for success in every job. Certainly, it is worth mentioning that Pivara Skopje and the Coca-Cola HBC & HEINEKEN systems to which we belong, learning and continuous professional upgrading of employees are a strategic commitment. I am also investing heavily in developing and maintaining the team spirit in the environment where I work. If your colleagues in the team are satisfied, the success in the work is guaranteed. I approach to the work with a positive attitude and I believe that with that I contribute Pivara Skopje always to have loyal and satisfied customers.

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

I am very happy with my long career in Pivara Skopje, but if I already have to point a special success, I would say, my engagement in the implementation of the SAP -Systems, Applications and Products software and the standard for corporate operations that Pivara Skopje implemented it among the first companies in Macedonia. It was a long and complex process, which showed that when it is done systematically and with teamwork, nothing is impossible.

6. According to you, how many things have changed in the field of gender equality and the role of women in modern society?

We, the women, are really able to function successfully in multiple fields at once. Today we are witnesses of especially successful women in the team of Pivara Skopje, and also generally in the business world, who with their career show and prove that women are not lagging on the business plan behind the members of the opposite gender.

7. What is your greatest support in life?

My family, of course. Without it, I could not achieve all my successes, either on a private or professional level.

8. As a woman who has a successful career, how do you balance work and family?

As I have already mentioned, we can function successfully in parallel both on a private and professional level. Thanks to the support I receive from my family, I succeeded in building a career and completing myself as a person. They have a complete understanding of the occasional longer absences from home, but at the same time, they know that I always compensate that with a quality time spent with them.

9. Do you have a hobby, something that relaxes you after your workday?

I am relaxed in nature walks, which I regularly do with my family or my friends. I love traveling, exploring and getting know new places, people and cultures, so I can freely say that travels are my hobby. Also, I am an active member of the Association for the Culture of Living “. Olga Djordjevic “, through which we are representing the Macedonian history, tradition, folklore and culture. In addition, we organize humanitarian actions to help socially vulnerable categories, children, elderly people, etc., and we also cooperate with similar associations in the region on projects of common interest.

10. What is your life motto?

Rejoice every day of your life and live your life under full steam 😊