With over 40 jubilees in CMG, we managed to grab an interview with Gordana Jerković, CMG’s Service Development Director. After 13 years of working in CMG, we thought she’d have lots to say about the beginnings of CMG and what “the rest is history” section looks like now 🙂
Check out what she told us!
"Roll up your sleeves, be ready to learn a lot, and have fun along the way."
Q #1 | You’ve been a part of CMG for 13 years! When CMGers talk about you, they use expressions like “kind & respected leader”, “a genuine team player” and someone who can “break walls in any situation”. Can you please give us a glimpse of what CMG was like for you as a newcomer 13 years ago?
The least I can say is that it has been a long and exciting journey. I was one of the first employees, and there were just a few of us when we started. We were all working from home in 2008 and 2009 when the pandemic was way out of our wildest imaginations, and we made it work even then.
Since then, I have worked on many projects, brands, and met so many exciting people along the way. As you can imagine, there were a ton of great moments and some not-so-great ones, but that’s normal. The important thing is to do your best and grow along the way, and of course, have fun while you’re at it!
Q #2 | Tell us about the most exciting project you worked on?
I worked some time ago on an IoT project, a very innovative solution at that time (well, even today) It was truly great to be involved in the early stages of the project, while even the brand was not yet defined. It gave me the opportunity to learn a ton, experience many things, and meet amazing people.
Q #3 | What is your advice to all CMG newcomers?
Your opinion is valued no matter how new you are in the company. Be brave and push yourself out of your comfort zone every now and then. Be proactive. Be positive & constructive. Sometimes a bit patient as well. Roll up your sleeves, be ready to learn a lot, and have fun along the way.
Q #4 | Can you describe to us the funniest experience you have had in CMG so far?
It’s hard to pick one moment within almost 14 years, but there is one I very vividly remember 🙂 One of our first business trips was to Geneva, and both Ana Tolić Božić (today our Managing Director) and I were there for the first time.
Once we arrived, we were asking for directions, and we had to speak 4 different languages to find the client’s office. At one point, Ana spoke in Spanish with an older lady. When she went away, I said to Ana: “I didn’t know you speak Spanish.” She replied: “I don’t. I spoke Italian, and just added “os” at the end of words.” 🙂
Q #5 | Who do you look up to within the CMG?
Honestly, I look up to many people. Some of these people have been in the company for a long time, and others are quite new. Every person is different and contributes to the team dynamic in their own way, which is a great thing. The key is to find the best fit where each and every employee can give his/hers maximum.
Q #6 | Tell us all about the photo! It doesn’t look like a client meeting! 🙂
You’re looking at the happiest Comic-Con moment for me because I’m a huge “South Park” fan! 🙂
I was in San Diego to have a workshop with the client. Everything was going well until it became surreal. A participant asked the client: Can we visit Comic-Con during our lunch break? I must say, I was very happy when they said “Sure!”. Talk about being at the right place at the right time!
Q #7 | Last but not least, can you please share what are you doing right now in the CMG?
I am currently Service Development Director at CMG. My team’s key responsibilities are services strategic planning, new services piloting, and scaling based on market, competitors, and trends analysis. Aside from this, we provide strategic support to clients, accounts, resource management and plan out strategic partnerships.
There is always something new to be researched, tested, and implemented, which makes our days sometimes challenging but always exciting!
