Mia Zečević, CEO of NOVASTON: We are constantly communicating with all relevant partners in Serbia and abroad

Our company has rather unique business partners and clients, owners and developers of shopping centres, retail parks and business premises, to whom we are at disposal at all times and to whom we give concrete suggestions and tips on how to maintain business operations in this period.

We spoke with the CEO of NOVASTON, Mia Zečević about how she organized her business activities during this crisis, a swift resolution of crises in the real estate segment and about acceptable procrastination. “We have been exchanging experiences and all relevant data with colleagues from Croatia, as well as from other countries in the region which, like Serbia, are affected by the coronavirus contagion. In terms of the state measures, we expect that they will help to preserve the business sector in our country because it is already obvious that the global pandemic will result in serious problems in many spheres,” says Ms Zečević.

How did you organize your business activities? How is communication with your clients going and what do you think about the moratorium?

A few days before the state of emergency was declared, we had organized ourselves in such a way that that most of the employees of the companies that make up our Novaston platform could work from home. For those who are working in the field, mostly property and facility managers, we have provided the required protective equipment. We have been constantly adhering to the officially prescribed measures and we are doing our best to keep our employees safe. It is important to underline that, at no point, did we stop working. We formed a crisis team and introduced on-call duties, as well as established clear lines of communication with clients.

Our company has rather unique business partners and clients, owners and developers of shopping centres, retail parks and business premises, to whom we are at disposal at all times so that we can resolve crises in a swift manner considering that the government devised new measures daily in accordance with we had to adjust our business and implement them as quickly as possible. Also, bearing in mind we have partners and associates abroad, we have to constantly communicate with them and inform them promptly about all changes and decision, as well as give them concrete suggestions and tips on how to maintain business operations in this period.

We have been exchanging experiences and all relevant data with colleagues from Croatia, as well as from other countries in the region which, like Serbia, are affected by the coronavirus contagion. In terms of the state measures, we expect that they will help to preserve the business sector in our country because it is already obvious that the global pandemic will result in serious problems in many spheres.

How do you spend your private time during the pandemic?

I am not idle or bored. Because of the responsibility that I have to our platform and all employees and clients, I cannot be completely relaxed during this period. As I said earlier, I am working from home, preparing different strategies fitting to the current moment, figuring out how to survive, but also getting ready for the period when the pandemic is over. I am constantly communicating with business partners and associates and I also keep track of what’s happening in the world and how it affects our industry. Although people sometimes think that working from home is kind of laid-back, a state of emergency does not leave much time for a person to devote to themselves and their loved ones. At least not enough time…

Yet, all that has happened to us, gave us a moment to pause on a global level, to reconsider and to start from the beginning, as well as to become aware of everything we have and to find happiness and satisfaction in it. It has also taught us how to appreciate the little things, such as walking your pet, which is now limited to all of us. We now know who our true friends are and why our family is important to us. That is why I try to find some downtime in all this to clear my mind and fill myself with positive energy and fresh strength for the next day and the next challenge.

What is the first thing you will do after the state of emergency is abolished?

I am going to meet up with my family, parents and friends. Immediately after that, I am going to meet with my team and clients to figure out what awaits us, to create a new strategy and to expand our range of services. All companies, both small and large, and even multinationals, have been very disturbed by this situation and made us think “as if there is no tomorrow”, and that, in addition to plan B, we always have to have plan C and D. 

As for me personally, isolation made me realize that it was not necessary to be available 24/7 to everyone, to control everything and to be in the state of constant stress. I learned that it is perfectly okay to leave something for tomorrow, and even say “this does not have to done”. 

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