Interview
My name is Marina Markovic, and I am currently the General Manager of Business Units for Montenegro. Prior to this role, I served as the Chief Financial Officer for the Montenegro business unit. In April of this year, I transitioned into my current position as Business Unit Manager.
I’ve been with the company for a long time. I started working here, when it was still S&T, back in 2002, right after finishing high school. I was around 18 or 19 at the time, so I’ve now been with the company for 22 years.
I began as an administrative secretary. At that point in my life, I had just finished school and was making some key decisions about my future. I planned to work and pursue university studies simultaneously. I had three job offers on the table: one as an administrative secretary at S&T, a newly established company in our market; another as a secretary at an ice cream manufacturing company; and the third as a finance assistant at a company involved in gaming and betting.
As a young person, I turned to my family for advice. They pointed out that S&T was a new company and warned that it could face instability. They urged me to make a careful, long-term decision. However, I saw it differently. I was new to the job market too, and I figured, if the company doesn’t make it, I won’t lose much either—I was just starting out. So I decided to take the risk and join S&T.
It wasn’t easy at the beginning. The company was just three people, and I had no prior experience. But I saw it as a challenge and an exciting opportunity to be part of something new, helping to establish a company in a developing market. That sense of challenge and growth pushed me forward.
What makes Axians’ culture special is the strong sense of belonging. You truly feel like part of a larger team, with strong communication and collaboration across countries. Whether it’s colleagues from Germany, the Netherlands, or elsewhere, there’s a strong sense of unity and shared purpose. The ability to easily exchange experiences and ideas with colleagues across the group is something I find excellent.
In my previous company, it wasn’t like this. There were people I communicated with for years over email—I knew their names, positions, and companies—but we never met in person. Now, it’s different. Meeting people face-to-face, some after 20 years of only virtual interactions, has made a real difference.
This collaborative spirit and the opportunity to connect on a deeper level is what makes Axians’ culture truly special to me. I’m proud to be part of this team.
General Manager, Axians ICT Montenegro
I’ve faced many challenges throughout my career. I started as an administrative assistant, then transitioned into finance, marketing, and other roles. I’ve worked my way through various positions in the company, and now, as a Business Unit Manager, I’m faced with new challenges, though they aren’t entirely unfamiliar.
One of the biggest challenges is transitioning from being a colleague to becoming a manager. Leading a team where you were once on the same level requires earning and maintaining their respect, gaining their trust, and ensuring they believe in your leadership and vision for the business.Throughout my career, switching between roles has been demanding—whether it’s excelling in HR, marketing, or finance, I’ve had to adapt and be effective in each area.
Support from my Business Area Manager has been crucial. They trust my business mindset and strategy, which gives me confidence in achieving the goals of a Business Unit Manager. I also have great support from colleagues across the business area, whether it’s for HR, marketing, or other expertise. Everyone is willing to help, and that makes a big difference in overcoming challenges.
Right now, my focus is on establishing myself in my current role as Business Unit Manager. My immediate goal is to prove myself in this position and achieve success here. Once I’ve gained more experience and demonstrated my capabilities, I’ll consider my next steps in the coming years.
My advice would be to never give up. Many young people expect quick success, but that’s not how it works. Success takes time and effort. No one reaches the top of a mountain in tennis shoes, without knowledge and experience—it’s a long journey.
Focus on developing yourself and take advantage of being part of a large network. As a young talent, absorb all the knowledge and experience around you. Sometimes, money and salary shouldn’t be your main priority. Those will come when you’ve proven your expertise and gained valuable experience.
So, take your time, invest in yourself, and work towards becoming a highly skilled and valuable professional. Success will follow.