What brought you from Skopje to Ljubljana?

I moved to Ljubljana almost five years ago to pursue a master's degree in Marketing at the School of Economics and Business. At the time, it felt like a significant leap into the unknown. I did not know anyone in Slovenia, and I had to adapt to a new culture, a new language and a completely different way of life.

Looking back, however, I can honestly say it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The experience challenged me in many ways and encouraged me to grow both personally and professionally. What I appreciate most about Slovenia is the quality of life and the balance between professional ambitions and personal wellbeing.

Interestingly, after five years, I sometimes find myself saying I want to go home whether I am in Skopje or Ljubljana. In many ways, I feel fortunate to have two places that feel like home.

What stands out when you look back on your time at the School of Economics and Business?

One of the first things I noticed was how well organised and digitalised everything was. Students had easy access to information, course materials and requirements, which made the entire experience very transparent and straightforward.

More importantly, the programme taught me how to think critically, analyse business challenges and adapt to changing circumstances. These are skills I rely on every day in my work.

I also have very positive memories of several professors, particularly Professor Barbara Čater, Vesna Žabkar and Irena Vida. One elective course focused on cultural differences and international business communication. At the time, I found it fascinating; today, working with customers and partners across different regions of the world, I realise just how valuable that knowledge has become.

Perhaps the most important lesson I took away from my studies is that learning never stops. Technology, business models and customer expectations are constantly evolving, and staying curious has become an essential part of my professional life.

Your career at Joan began while you were still a student. How has that journey unfolded?

I joined the company as a student in a hybrid sales and marketing role, which suited me perfectly at the time. My previous experience was in marketing, including working in the marketing department of Sparkasse Bank in North Macedonia, so the position allowed me to build on what I already knew while developing new skills.

Over time, I gradually moved towards sales and customer success. Today, I oversee one of Joan's largest regions, covering countries across Southern Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and the Baltics.

My role combines customer relationship management, business development, project coordination and strategic planning. I work closely with organisations to understand their workplace challenges and help them find the most effective solutions.

When I look back on the past four years, I am proud not only of the progression itself but also of everything I have learnt along the way. One lesson that has stayed with me is that progress is often more important than perfection. Sometimes the best thing you can do is move forward, learn and improve as you go.

In a digital world, how important is human connection?

Technology has undoubtedly transformed the way we communicate. It allows us to work efficiently with customers and partners all over the world, many of whom I may never meet in person.

At the same time, technology does not replace trust. Customers remember whether you listened to them, whether you understood their challenges and whether you genuinely cared about helping them succeed.

That is why personal relationships remain such an important part of my work. Whenever possible, we invite partners to visit us in Slovenia or make time to meet them face to face. Those interactions often create a stronger foundation for long term collaboration than any virtual meeting can achieve.

I have seen this first hand. A visit to one of our partners in Switzerland led to a major project because we were able to build trust, demonstrate our solutions in person and better understand their needs. Experiences like that remind me that business is ultimately about people.

What do you find most rewarding about working in sales?

The most rewarding part is helping customers solve real problems.

I enjoy the strategic side of sales and I find negotiations interesting because they challenge you to think creatively and approach situations from different angles. However, the greatest satisfaction comes later, when a customer successfully implements a solution and sees a tangible improvement in their daily work.

That is the moment when technology becomes more than a product. It becomes something that genuinely helps people work more effectively.

Seeing that impact is what motivates me most.

Joan develops solutions for workplace management. How do you see the workplace evolving over the next decade?

The workplace has changed significantly in recent years, particularly since the pandemic. Offices are no longer simply places where people come to complete individual tasks. Increasingly, they serve as spaces for collaboration, creativity and connection.

I believe that trend will continue. Individual, focused work may often happen remotely, while offices become places where people come together to exchange ideas, build relationships and work on shared goals.

Artificial intelligence will undoubtedly play an increasingly important role in helping organisations manage workplaces more efficiently. We are already seeing how technology can simplify everyday processes and improve the employee experience. At Joan, our solutions already contribute to this digital transformation by helping organisations manage meeting rooms, desks, visitors and workplace resources more effectively. By providing real time workplace data and improving visibility across office spaces, these tools enable companies to make better decisions and create a more seamless experience for employees.

However, I do not believe technology will replace the human aspect of work. Relationships, creativity and collaboration will remain essential. The future workplace will not be about choosing between people and technology. It will be about combining the strengths of both, using digital solutions to support people rather than replace them.

Having built a life between two countries, how does life in Ljubljana differ from life in Skopje, and what does each city represent for you today?

What I love most about Ljubljana is the balance between city life and nature. Within a short distance, you can move from the city centre to the countryside, a hiking trail or a mountain path. Spending time outdoors has become an important part of my life here, whether that means hiking, exploring Slovenia or simply enjoying nature with friends and colleagues.

Skopje, meanwhile, remains deeply connected to my family, my closest friends and my roots. Whenever I return, I enjoy slowing down, meeting people I care about and spending long afternoons over coffee and good food. That is a very important part of Macedonian culture.

Both places have shaped who I am today. Ljubljana represents the life I have built for myself, while Skopje reminds me where my journey began. I would not want to choose between them.