Zane Sivina, BSMS Marketing Project Manager

What was your starting point in marketing? Every project can inspire and be exiting. I can compare it to a book that may reveal some new storylines to the reader, but at the same time, it`s not known how it will turn out and what business opportunities will be discovered. Similar to me, looking back on my career, I came to a marketing agency bit by bit. If at first I saw myself in the field of sales management, then slowly my path started to reach the marketing world. In retrospect, I think no choice, meeting or conversation is accidental, on the contrary, you never know how decisive it can actually be.

How to get a successful project outcome? Often the real idea and feeling about a project doesn’t come at once. However, you get there through the process. In everyday life, colleagues often exchange ideas and experiences, which don’t always have to be a formally planned meeting. A great benefit, as well as some comfort, is the recently established photo and video studio b-studio, a meeting place for conversations. It allows important issues to be discussed in a relaxed atmosphere.

What is crucial when implementing marketing projects? For me, carrying out larger or smaller projects, first of all, means to fully understand client’s current needs and evaluating realistic options against the allocated budget. Often, the first impressions need to be critically evaluated and specific project guidelines have to be set beforehand. It has to be said, that this is vital for marketing campaigns. One of the biggest challenges is being able to offer customers alternative solutions that are not the usual. I believe that it`s our mission as an agency to get the client to start thinking more broadly and reaching their goals as part of the campaign.

You have done many projects during these years. Which one is the most memorable and why? Maybe not the brightest one, but definitely memorable was a project for BSH (Bosch, Siemens, Neff, Gaggenau), where we planned a corporate event for company`s employees. The main duty of ours were decoration and idea itself. And must say, that cooperation was perfect in sense of trust. BSH left the design of idea to us and was fully satisfied when we came with a solution. Every project manager can relate to the feeling, when you are given a total freedom to show your best, and the ending result is great, because your client chose to trust professionals in their field.

What three characteristics would you recommend to future project managers to develop?

• Self discipline
• Ability to find a connection with customer. Must admit, that this is only possible through practical experience. Don`t stop at failure, but learn from it and move on.
• Don`t overlook at small projects. Often, they give us the best experience base, the most interesting solutions and the drive.

What are the specifics and challenges of choosing an approach to customer needs? Customers’ wishes and needs are different. Everyone has their own approach, which shouldn’t be underestimated. My conviction is that face-to-face meetings help to understand the other person better. It’s important to establish and maintain a high quality contact in order to realize the project together.

Pursue and be present! The most valuable asset of our time is selfless time devoted to each other!