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In our NORMAPeople series, employees around the world talk about their day-to-day work, how they came to the company, and what they appreciate most about their jobs.
Mirjana Batanski is a Customs and Transport Supervisor at the NORMA Group site in Subotica, Serbia. In this interview, she tells us about the work she does every day, her hobbies, and why she likes working at NORMA Group.
Mirjana, what did you do before you joined NORMA Group?
I started working at NORMA Group four years ago. Before that, I worked in a number of large automotive companies.
What does your job involve?
A large part of my job is related to customs and transport – I am in regular contact with transport companies and customers. At the moment, I have a lot more to do because of various geopolitical events.
What does your daily work routine look like?
I usually start work at 7 a.m. and finish in the late afternoon. But there is actually no routine – so I may still get calls late in the evening if there is a problem somewhere.
I like to start work early because then it’s still quiet and I have an opportunity to finish my reports. When my colleagues come into the office, it gets noisy pretty quickly, we discuss things and talk on the phone a lot. But I really kind of like that type of stress – I can’t sit at my desk all day long.
What is the most exciting project you have been involved in?
One project I was involved in was reviewing and revising all the documentation of income customs clearance and customs clearance for the last few years in order to prepare everything for NORMA Group to become an authorized exporter and to gain the trust of the customs authorities for simplified customs procedures. I managed to finish the project after three years.
What do you like most about your job?
Every day is different – there is no such thing as a typical workday with tasks that seem to repeat themselves: My day depends on the people I am in contact with as well as on external circumstances that we have no control over.
And what is the biggest challenge in your job?
The biggest challenge I face is the need to complete all tasks on time: Meeting deadlines while at the same time ensuring that I also meet the standards of NORMA Group.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I like to travel. Before the Corona pandemic, I was in a different European country for a long weekend every month: Germany, France, Italy, Hungary, Poland or the Czech Republic. The cities I like best in Europe are Budapest and Brno.
Mirjana in Bratislava, Brno, Berlin and Belgrade
I also adopted a black cat. When I started at NORMA Group, I wanted to change a lot of things about the work structure in the team. But change is difficult for most people and my colleagues also struggled with it. So, they jokingly called me a witch. A black cat is a perfect match in that respect – even though I no longer have that nickname: My colleagues now appreciate the changes that I initiated.
Mirjana’s cat Maylo
What would you say to someone who is new to NORMA Group?
At NORMA Group, we are all part of one big family. We are a great team with a wonderful, healthy working atmosphere.
Please complete the following sentence: I work at NORMA Group because…
…NORMA Group always has an open ear for my wishes and needs. I asked my boss if it would be okay for me to work from home because I had moved. They trust me to complete my tasks on time even in the home office. And my colleagues and co-workers also contribute to the fact that I enjoy working at NORMA Group. We are more than just a team, we are a family.
