I was interested in languages even when I was a child. I always wanted to learn several different languages, but English felt so natural to me from the beginning that it almost seemed like it was my mother tongue, and, over the years, I realized that this is what I do best and with ease and that I should pursue my career in this field, so I started working for Ciklopea while I was still a college student and stayed after I got my Master’s in English and Informatics.

 How many languages can you speak and/or understand?

 Croatian, English and Italian.

 How did you become a linguist specialized for LifeSciences?

 Medicine and pharmacy are two fields I am most interested in and I translate these types of texts pretty much every day. Every linguist has certain fields that they prefer, and I believe that specialization in the language industry is very important because it enables the linguist to continuously improve, grow, learn and really become an expert in their job. Since these fields are highly specialized and extremely regulated, I wanted to learn more about medicine and pharmacy from the medical perspective, so I recently participated in a 4-week online training for medical translators and interpreters which, in combination with my linguistic knowledge, enabled me to get a better insight into how these fields work. After I got my certificate, I gave a presentation and shared what I’ve learned with my colleagues in Ciklopea, and I’ll soon hold a webinar for vendors and other colleague translators who are also interested in these fields, which is a great opportunity for people to share their knowledge and experience and discuss the most important aspects of medical and pharma translations.

What is the driving force of your job?

 My driving force is the fact that I really love my job and that I don’t consider it as a job only, but also as an opportunity to learn and share new things every day. Things are much easier when you’re passionate about what you do, and when you see how much you’ve improved over time and how much you’ve learned, it keeps you motivated to keep up the good work and continue growing.

 If you were to choose a career outside the language industry, what would it be?

 I grew up in a family of sports enthusiasts, so, when I was younger, I wanted to be a sports journalist. When I think about it now, since I’ve become increasingly interested in medicine and pharmacy, I would probably choose one of these two fields.

 What is your piece of advice to your younger colleagues?

 Choose a profession that will bring the best out of you and invest all your energy into things that make you happy, keep you motivated and guide you to success, in both professional and personal sense.

 What is your secret superpower?

 I trained football for 4 years. I’m a bit rusty now, but I can still play :D.

 What is your favorite quote?

 It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities – Albus Dumbledore.

 The three things you would take to a desert island?

 Any of the Harry Potter books (preferably all of them), sunblock and liquor.

 Describe Ciklopea in one sentence.

A great environment for learning about all aspects of the language industry and advancing professionally.

The post My Ciklopea Story: Mirna Relić appeared first on Ciklopea.

I have been a fan of literature and foreign languages for as long as I can remember. Over the years, these passions combined with a love for travel. This combination of interests was crucial for my choice of education and it inspired me to study Italian and Czech language and literature. I found work in the language industry almost immediately after graduation, first as a translator and later on as a project manager.

How many languages can you speak and/or understand?

In addition to being a native Croatian speaker who can also understand the related South Slavic languages, I am fluent in English, Italian and Czech. I can also understand quite a bit of Macedonian, Slovak and Spanish.

How did you become a project manager?

I applied for the position out of curiosity and it turned out to be a fun combination of my interests. Project management in the language industry combines linguistic skills, IT, problem solving, communication, organization and coordination, and it is never boring. After five years on this job, it would be hard for me to imagine myself doing anything else.

What is the driving force of your job?

What excites me most about my job is that I get to learn new things every day, either related to the new technologies or about the process improvement. I always try to think about new solutions for my teams, with the goals of doing an even better job and finding the best possible solution for our clients. The biggest success is when the whole team feels good about having done the best job possible. In Ciklopea we like to say that we prefer doing things the smart way rather than the easy way.

If you were to choose a career outside the language industry, what would it be?

Before deciding on an education and career in the language industry, I had a strong interest in the visual arts. Drawing and design have remained my hobbies, so if I were to work outside the language industry, it would probably be a creative job that has something to do with art or design.

What is your piece of advice to your younger colleagues?

Without the intention of sounding like a meme :), I would advise all junior project managers to keep calm and manage projects, no matter what unpredicted situation they encounter. The job is dynamic and it can sometimes be stressful, but if you think about the new situations as challenges and opportunities to be creative instead of being afraid of them, it can be a lot of fun!

 What is your secret superpower?

I sing in a band. But don`t tell anyone! 🙂

What is your favorite quote?

“Do. Or do not. There is no try.” by Yoda 🙂

The three things you would take to a desert island?

My e-book reader for pastime on the beach, a phone with wireless Internet so that I can advertise the place online and invite other travellers to come and enjoy the intact nature with me, and lots of sunblock.

Describe Ciklopea in one sentence.

Ciklopea is a friendly and dynamic team with continuous learning opportunities.

The post My Ciklopea Story: Maja Peradin appeared first on Ciklopea.

I have been fascinated with the phenomenon of language and cross-cultural communication for as long as I can remember. I was fortunate enough to realize that my career would be somehow related to linguistics and foreign languages either through teaching or translating quite early on – at least since I was 15 – so I’m not quite sure if that was a fully conscious decision or a touch of destiny (if these two are indeed separate things), but here I am. It was the most natural career choice for me.

How many languages can you speak and/or understand?

Not including my native “Central South Slavic diasystemic”, I can speak four languages with varying degrees of proficiency and understand about eight or nine.

How did you become a marketing manager?

I started off as a translator, then moved to content production, later on to localization project management, quality control, transcreation, consulting, pretty much checked out every position in the language industry. That provided me with an invaluable, deep insight into the work, expectations and challenges of all stakeholders in the localization process, from the clients to the linguist and technical teams, and, given my creative string, it turned out that I was best suited for a marketing manager. And I’m not complaining. 🙂

What is the driving force of your job?

Its challenging nature. Developing marketing and suggestive content for an intellectual service and making it clearly understandable is something that takes a lot of thinking and always includes a bit of risk-taking and some exploration of uncharted territories – and that is the beauty of it all.

Is there anything you would change about your career path with hindsight?

No. Of course, I did make some mistakes along the way (Who doesn’t?), but these mistakes took me where I am today and provided me with an experience that I simply couldn’t have acquired any other way. Hindsight is a great thing and an excellent learning device, but only if we don’t forget the original context of the events – and people often tend to forget it.

What is your piece of advice to your younger colleagues?

Take a good look at yourself, discover what it is that you are good at and that you like doing. Find your own voice. Get to know it, tune it up, use it. There are millions of others who may or may not be more successful than you are, but there is only one you – and there will always be.

What is your secret superpower?

I can speak Greek.

Who is your hero and why?

I have always had huge admiration for the maverick figures who weren’t afraid to swim against the tide if that was what it took for them to achieve their creative freedom and independence, because only that particular kind of person is in the position to discover and say something truly meaningful about this crazy world of ours, often with a few unpleasant truths thrown in. Orson Welles is a huge inspiration to me in this regard. Branimir Štulić. David Lynch.

What is your motto or favorite quote?

If you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, on where you stop your story.

The three things you would take to a desert island?

I would take music, so I’d have to find a way to pack all albums by Sparks and by Georgios Dalaras. I would also take a suitcase filled with books that require careful reading and contemplation – Herodotus, Homer, the Bible, the Quran. And a Swiss Army knife, of course.

Describe Ciklopea in one sentence.

My natural environment.

The post My Ciklopea Story: Miloš Matović appeared first on Ciklopea.

Hello!

My current role is a digital marketing specialist, which includes various activities. It’s shocking how a millennial earns money working in digital media, right? And my mother always told me I spent too much time on my phone.

Now, for the most part, I write blog posts for Ciklopea and then try to promote them through social networks. When I get stuck with writer’s block, I turn to graphic design and visual materials, whether it be photos, videos or brochures and flyers. Besides that, I’m helping Sara with some HR activities and internal events organisation.

It’s a funny story how I got this job, actually.

When our Chief Operations Officer dug out my personal Twitter account, where I cry and swear a lot, I thought I had only two options – to block her or to delete the whole account. After I slept it off, I decided to let it go since it was her decision to follow my emotional rollercoaster. Then, a few days later, she followed me on Instagram and our Managing Director did the same. The same day, just minutes later, our HR manager called me into her office “for a quick chat” and I thought to myself okay, this is it, I’m getting fired or something for what I post on social media and for my language there.

Luckily, it wasn’t like that at all. As it turned out, our management team liked what they saw and thought I would be a good fit to their marketing team.

I accepted the offer without hesitation, because I live in the virtual world 24/7 anyway, so I might make something meaningful and useful out of it.

And who would’ve thought my whining to strangers online will ever land me a job?

How did you get into the language industry?

I came to Ciklopea during my final year at university as an intern at the QA/technical department. Since I studied information sciences, where we placed a lot of emphasis on natural language processing and language technologies, Ciklopea seemed like a great place for me to experience first-hand how it all worked in the real life.

I got to learn all the details and possibilities of CAT tools and everything else about the translation and localization industry.

Of course, none of that would be possible without the necessary resources that Ciklopea provided me with, and without my mentor Nikolina who unselfishly introduced me to the job and shared all the tips and tricks with me.

You work both at the marketing and technical departments. It’s a very rare combination of skills so could you tell us how the different parts of your job influence each other?

It is, indeed, a very rare case and I don’t really think they can influence each other in any way. One job is more analytical, requires a lot of attention to details and often has strict rules and instructions, while the other is more creative, somewhat uncertain and rule breaking.

That’s what’s interesting because it reflects both sides of my personality, even though it’s not always easy to manage them.

What is the driving force of your job?

Creativity and the possibility to switch from one thing to another, so I don’t get fed up with the same routine tasks.

Also, the people I work with. I enjoy the atmosphere here and I made some really close friends. The job gets done easier when the working environment is positive and encouraging.

What is your secret superpower?

I make great pancakes. And coffee!

Who is your hero and why?

It would have to be Božo Vrećo because he always sees the beauty in things and always tries to stay positive, no matter how hard life hits him sometimes. And I think that’s what we can all learn from him. It’s what’s desperately missing in this world. Dwelling on negativity or self-pity will lead us nowhere. Life always gives us back what we offer it. So why don’t we spread love, positivity and good vibes, instead? What’s the worst thing that can happen?

What is your motto or favourite quote?

Be yourself and don’t give a damn what anyone else says or thinks about you.

It’s a cliché, I know, but it’s the truth I had to experience on my own skin. There will always be people who will try to bring you down, but you don’t have to go with them. Obsessing over someone else’s opinion of you will only do you harm. So instead of always trying to please others, try living your own life for a change, because you only have one. 😉

The three things you would take to a desert island?

A cheesecake, Marcel Proust’s Combray and a friend or two so I don’t always have to talk to myself.

Wilson, Cast Away, 2000.

Describe Ciklopea in one sentence.

The place where it never gets boring. 😉

The post My Ciklopea Story: Juraj Močilac appeared first on Ciklopea.

Hello reader! 🙂

My Ciklopea story began about two years ago. I have a strong background in economics, IT and organization. Before joining the Ciklopea team, I worked in the healthcare industry and for one of the biggest regional IT companies.

I was working on IT process and software development in the healthcare industry. Between jobs, I applied to an open Project Manager position at Ciklopea and it turned out that I had just the right combination of skills and experiences to meet the job requirements. I wanted a new challenge, to explore and master a new IT niche and Ciklopea offered me just that.

What’s the driving force of your job?

People. My colleagues and the clients.

I have been enjoying learning, working and growing with all my teammates and Ciklopea as a company. I aspire to become even better at what I do, to set up the new standards, services and procedures in the language industry, to develop business processes and high quality end products, with the high productivity and the added value for the client from my side.

You committed yourself to website localization and the processes behind it. How did that happen and why?

Given my education and experience, website localization was a natural choice. I took SEO for my master’s degree. Every content, marketing or sales manager understands the importance of SEO and SEM.

Combine that with my IT development experience and you get a perfect formula for a website localization manager. I think that this area is certainly the one where I can really show my strengths.

Which CAT tools make your job easier? Can you name some of their advantages?

I work with practically all of them, but Memsource is my personal choice. The main advantages of Memsource are a very fast and easy assignment of multiple jobs, automatization widgets and the possibility to connect directly with the website.

Once you do some tweaking to adapt the process in accordance with the specific requirements of a client or a website, Memsource is making website localization fast and easy.

How can you automate the website localization process? Are there any specific plugins that can come in handy?

There is a specific plugin for website localization automatization. For the WordPress CMS there is the WPML plugin (WordPress Multilingual Plugin) that, combined with Memsource automation widget, provides an optimum value for the client, high level of process control, reduces the time and the costs and make my job easier. I have more time to focus on the business process development and to create additional services and benefits for the client.

What’s the toughest/most complex thing about it (website L10n)?

Setting the process up. Every website is different and has its specificities. Good analysis, preparation and testing is a must. Another important aspect is having a good information flow with the client’s marketing and sales department in order to tailor the localization process in accordance with to the client’s goals, short-term and long-term strategies.

A quality feedback on the localized material leads to creation of translation assets in a stable and high quality process that provides high quality end product over and over again.

How can the client’s feedback help you? Has there been any situations where it wasn’t helpful and where your suggestions were more practical and beneficial for the client?

There are examples of both. In one project the client edited the translation on their end without informing the project manager and that did lead to complications in the localization process, consistency and accuracy errors.

On the other hand, a quality feedback on the localized material leads to creation of termbases and other translation assets in a stable and high quality process that provides high quality end product over and over again.

When you’re not working hard to deliver high quality solutions, how do you fill your time? What are your passions outside the office space?

I have several fields of interest. Shooting pool, playing basketball and playing PES (gamers will know what PES is 🙂 ) are some of my favourite things to do. Besides that, I like to watch a good movie (at home and at cinema), hit the gym , ride the bike.

I have somewhat funny hobby – I like to tweak OS or game setup to perfection and after the game is running as smooth as possible – my job is done and I usually do not play the game afterwards 🙂

The three things you would take to a desert island?

A knife, a flint and Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe – it would be a perfect opportunity to fully enjoy, experience and understand my favourite book

If it were up to you, how would you make the world a better place?

Like in the Ancient Greece – I would delete all financial records and redistribute the wealth among the people.

Describe Ciklopea in one sentence.

Added value for everyone involved.

The post My Ciklopea Story: Nikola Đorđević appeared first on Ciklopea.

I joined the language industry as a human resources manager after working  in telecommunications and the IT industry for 12 years. This was a big challenge for me since I knew nearly nothing about this industry. I have really learned a lot since. Terms such as glossary, TM, fuzzy match and grid are a part of my everyday vocabulary now. I also learned how important it is for a good product to be accompanied by a good translation. Translation can be compared to a product’s identity card, or in the HR language: a good CV!

My responsibilities include recruitment, employment, onboarding, career and talent development, KPI, EPC, vendor management, L&D, collaboration with universities and academic institutions, improvement of partner relations, organizing a summer school program, internships and other business activities.

What motivates you to get out of the bed in the morning and do a great job, besides the need to pay the bills?

I am convinced that nothing we do is more important than hiring and developing people. At the end of the day, you bet on people, not on strategies and this is the reason why I am truly passionate about human resources development and delighted with the progress of every single team member and every little step forward in our organization. Every little thing leads to a better tomorrow for all of us. I am motivated by the differences between people, their growth and development. Since I am a very open and extroverted person, working with people is something that truly fulfills me.

We heard that you have recently became a proud owner of a diploma that is a pretty big deal in the HR world. How did that happen?

After attending many interesting lectures, networking with colleagues from the HR world and defending my thesis on the topic of Recruitment and Selection, I have recently become a proud owner of a degree in Human Resources Management from the Institute for Management in Zagreb. Seeing as my formal education is from the field of Public Relations and Media, I have always wanted to receive education in the field of Human Resources and Ciklopea made this possible by granting me a scholarship in 2016. I am very grateful for the opportunity to obtain a theoretical basis for my professional practical knowledge.

Lately, people have been referring to HR Managers as Happiness Managers. Can you explain to us the meaning of this term? What is the idea behind it?

They are increasingly being called Happiness Managers and/or Culture Managers. This is a soft component of organizational success, an intangible component that is very important, but can’t be prescribed by any process or procedure. The HR Manager is a Culture Manager – he is a living example of the organization’s values (walks the talk), which are then transferred onto other team members.

It is no secret that HR managers are modern psychologists, so it is no surprise that they are seen as an ally, someone people often turn to for advice and conversation. The HR Manager is a consultant of the management board and an advocate for employees. In a way, this makes him responsible for the feeling of happiness and satisfaction of both parties.

What are the upsides and downsides of being the Happiness Manager?

We at Ciklopea believe that people are the most valuable asset that needs to be carefully cultivated. Our organizational processes are designed by people and for people, so that every team member can discover and make full use of their potential, as well as find personal fulfillment in their job. However, seeing as organizations are living organisms, and our profession is not completely predictable, responding to all industry demands can often be challenging. This motivates all of us individually to reach our SMART goals and make tomorrow at least a little bit better than today.

What is the most satisfying thing about working with people?

The best thing about working with people is witnessing their personal growth and satisfaction. The most valuable moments are definitely those when I realize that the student has surpassed the teacher. Or as one of my colleagues likes to say: Sara, we have created little monsters! These monsters of ours are progressing each day, fueled by their ambition and the desire to learn and prove themselves. I can’t imagine anything better than that.

Hire for attitude,
train for skill.

Can you tell us the secret of how to spot a good candidate? What are some people’s traits that can indicate they will be good and hardworking employees?

My first manager taught me something wise that I try to pass on to younger HR generations selflessly: hire for attitude, train for skill. A person’s attitude is the most important thing – how they approach their work, colleagues and life in general. If they have a positive, open and well-meaning outlook, any knowledge gaps can be filled.

Of course, competencies, experience and education are important, but I never consider them crucial during the selection process. I have a very high appreciation for people who have established a work ethic early in life because this speaks volumes about them. The concrete position that a candidate held doesn’t matter; what counts is their desire, will and commitment. Most people spend their youth living with their parents, thinking about little more than studying and partying, so it is always commendable when individuals express a wish early on to prove themselves and start earning their own money.

Responding to stress well and being a team player also counts for much.

We are all witnesses to the age of digitalization, which is extremely useful and desirable, but unfortunately too often results in people becoming alienated and isolated, so characteristics such as empathy, collegiality and openness are all the more valuable.

If you had to describe Ciklopea in one sentence, what would it be?

People are our most precious asset.

How do you stay happy outside the office space? What are your hobbies, passions and interests?

I love spending time with my family and friends. I have many friends and try to spend time with them so that it counts, which entails a lot of laughter, fun, talking, going out, traveling, good food… I also like to read and occasionally watch a good film. I have a deep appreciation for Nolan’s masterpieces. I have two brothers and we have a very strong connection, so I share every moment with them. One lives in Italy and the other in Germany, but we have never allowed distance to become an obstacle in our relationship.

I am also enthusiastic about working out and eating healthy, so there are good chances that my after-work hours will be spent either in the gym or in the kitchen preparing a healthy meal! 😉

Name the three things that you would take to a desert island.

1. Lip balm. This is the only material possession I can’t do without. I could never imagine my life without lip balm 🙂
2. I would take my friends and family because everything’s better in good company (also, to be realistic, they would help me build shelter and catch fish).
3. A toothbrush. The teeth are the mirror of the soul.

What is your secret superpower?

A sixth sense. I am a very empathetic person who is able to read people easily. This helps me both in my personal and professional life, particularly in the sense of communicating successfully, seeing as people are my job.

If it were up to you, how would you make the world a better place?

I would launch a super cool global movement to encourage people all over the world to get off the couch and move! Did you know that our body releases endorphins for hours after exercising? You are welcome.

The post My Ciklopea Story: Sara Demiri appeared first on Ciklopea.

Ciklopea was an interesting choice because I didn’t really know much about the language industry. I really wanted to put my best effort into the internship/work practice because that is always the best way to learn anything. That was my mindset and I realized that Ciklopea could provide the perfect opportunity for me to learn something new.

It’s interesting that you are not a linguist and yet you saw the opportunity in Ciklopea. What’s the connection between Ciklopea and your chosen career, management and economics?

Language industry is most definitely connected with the knowledge I have been acquiring at the university. Marketing and sales are among the core departments in any company and so it is in Ciklopea.

You’ve been with us for a while and you’ve worked on several interesting projects and tasks. What is the most interesting project you were assigned on?

I would like to point out a parallel project that I’ve been working on, and that is developing a presentation for the team that explains the issues of lack of the internal communication in a company and how to improve that. Research and spreading of knowledge is an extremely satisfying part of the job.

Could you please compare how you saw us the first time you came to Ciklopea and how you see us now?

I have felt like being at the right place since day one. The friendliness and the warmth from everyone that I experienced on my first day never ceased and I hope that I have managed to give some of it back.

What have you learned at Ciklopea?

Ciklopea has provided me with a lot of invaluable business information. I believe I will be able to understand the technology, knowledge and features of every new company. I will most definitely be able to provide answers to the questions such as “How?”, “Why?” and “When?” to my future colleagues much easier thanks to my experience at Ciklopea.

Is there anything worthwhile that you’ve learned at Ciklopea and that you will be able to use in the future?

I believe that Ciklopea taught me more than just business. I would like to emphasize human relations as one skill that Ciklopea has made me better at. It’s an asset that will stay with me forever, thanks to Ciklopea, inter alia. My mentor Zana Boljkovac expressed great patience for me during the learning process.  In addition, all the business knowledge that she and the marketing and sales team shared with me will definitely be useful in the future.

What are your professional ambitions?

Ambition is a virtue of many young people in this day and age. I certainly believe that I am a fighter, I don’t give up easily and keep on fighting until the very end. I believe that I could achieve a lot in the business world with such attitude, and that is certainly my goal after the graduation. Having a top position in a comparatively new, but highly competent company is not an easy task, but that’s a goal high enough for me. But even if that happens, I believe I could achieve even more, but I wouldn’t worry about it at the moment.

Could you see yourself as a permanent member of the Ciklopea team? Could Ciklopea be the place to satisfy your professional ambitions?

Ciklopea is most definitely a quality company that provides a lot of space for advancement of the individuals who prove themselves. I would like to work in a company like that once I graduate and I would certainly be happy to return to Ciklopea.

Marketing or sales – which one do you prefer and why?

Marketing has always been a more appealing aspect of economics for me because I believe that sales takes a particular talent and that it can’t be done right by anybody. I never worked in sales, although I’d like to see if I have that particular talent. But anyway, marketing is my thing.

How would you describe work atmosphere at Ciklopea?

As a very relaxing one. There’s no too much undesired pressure in the office and the hard work of the colleagues provides a solid base for work throughout the day.

Are the tasks/projects that you are assigned on educational?

Every task is educational if you really pay attention to the data you are working on. There’s a lot to learn from everything and I believe that curiosity is a desired attitude of a business man. I want to be able to speak with everyone I meet on any subject and that’s why I liked all tasks.

Are the project/task requirements clearly communicated to you?

Each task and every project have their issues. There were always questions from my end at the beginning, but I always had enough information to resolve all the issues.

What is it that you particularly like about Ciklopea?

The humanity of all team member. Every question was answered and every help was given instantly. The importance of such work environment can never be emphasized enough and that’s a very positive side of Ciklopea.

Do you like your work or do you hate that period after 10 PM on Sundays?

Liking comes from interesting tasks. Everyday office work is not an issue for me because I always have interesting tasks.

Thank you Tin for sharing this with us. We wish you a very successful professional journey and hope our paths will cross again. 🙂

The post My Ciklopea Story: Tin Režek appeared first on Ciklopea.