Business Arena Magazine recognized the talent, determination and overall success of women in business
Most Dynamic Career Development Award
IULIA GABRIELA NARTEA
UPS ROMANIA
…for developing strong expertise in a key market sector, creative planning and leadership.
Leading Corporate Executive Award
MIRELA IOVU
CEC BANK
…for overall leadership skills and for passionately supporting and mentoring employees within a major national organization.
Most Ardent CSR Advocate Award
ANDREEA MIHAI
CARREFOUR ROMANIA
…for vision, strong leadership and creative strategy planning in developing successful CSR projects.
Most Creative Leadership Award
MARIANA DIACONESCU
Asigurarea Româneascã – ASIROM VIENNA INSURANCE GROUP
…for developing expertise in a specific key market sector, creative planning and steadfast leadership.
Best Entrepreneur Award
MIRELA COLTEANU
VICTORIA’S STREET INTERNATIONAL
...for developing expertise in a specialized sector and for creativity and organizational ability in developing an expanding company in a competitive market.
Most Creative and Innovative Approach Business Excellence Award
TEODORA MIGDALOVICI
MIGDALE AMARE
…for outstanding vision, innovation and creativity in developing successful projects and business operations.
Model of Excellence Award
ANCA BIDIAN
KIWI FINANCE
…for analytical expertise in a diverse range of areas and for providing a model of leadership in a highly-competitive field.
Most Ardent Business Community Advocate Award
LUMINITA FATU
ASOCIATIA PARTENERILOR DIPLOMATILOR ROMANI
…for vision, strong leadership and creative strategy in promoting vital aspects for the development of the Romanian business environment.
Lifetime Achievement Award
MARIANA GHEORGHE
OMV Petrom
…for achieving a high level of recognition and admiration from the general business community for corporate success and qualities of creative leadership.
Most Admired Business Woman of the Year Award
BIBIANA DOLORES STANCIULOV
SONIMPEX SERV COM
…for achieving corporate success and a high level of recognitio for qualities of creative leadership.
Maria Grapini, President of the Board, Pasmatex Group
I am a little tense because from the very moment I arrived here tonight I have seen a lot of young people. While this makes me feel optimistic about the future, I am also somewhat apprehensive because one runs the risk of saying things and sharing ideas that might eventually be proved wrong, so the younger generation is then likely pick up notions that may not be accurate.
So I will say just a few words so the event goes ahead as planned, but I cannot help mentioning some words of wisdom which I appreciate very much and I have already put into practice. They belong to a thinker that I adore, not because I am now the Consul of India, but because Gandhi, the Father of India, the Father of the peaceful revolution in India, has left us many rich nuggets of wisdom that we can put into practice. Among other things, Gandhi said that “happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony”. And if you succeed in harmonizing those three aspects you will be happy. Looking back on my 34 years of activity, I would not change anything. And experts say that if there is nothing one would like to change about their past that means they have chosen the right path. I would like to add that I have always believed in destiny, but it has been said that life is equally based on destiny and character. I have been very careful with the way I have managed my attitude, character, posture and my given word and I have found success. I have succeeded in creating a group of companies, I received a trophy last year and many others before that and I have succeeded in passing on the business to the next generation, my son, who is 31. Nowadays I am only involved in sponsorships and sharing experience. I would like to wish you all the success and happiness.
Mirela Iovu, CEC Bank
What was the biggest challenge for you when you joined CEC Bank’s team?
I am nervous, confused, happy, proud, I am experiencing a wide range of feelings right now. Firstly I would like to address all the ladies that are here with us tonight, to congratulate them and dedicate this award to them. I would also like to dedicate this award to the 5,570 lady colleagues at CEC Bank. Of the total number of 6,300 CEC Bank employees, a vast majority are women, which made it possible for two ladies to become part of the managing team of Romania’s oldest bank. If I remember correctly, my colleague Mihaela Popa won this award last year.
To answer your question, I can say that I have had to deal with challenges every day for the last four years, since I joined CEC Bank. However, they are constructive challenges and perhaps this is why we’ve managed to turn the former savings bank into a real universal commercial bank. Having gained experience in other banking institutions, the first major difference that I noticed when I joined CEC Bank was the mentality. However, things have changed and anyone who walks into a re-branded CEC Bank unit can see the difference.
What motivates you as a leader and what are your expectations regarding the progress of your organization in the next five years?
I am motivated by a number of things. I am motivated by the fact that this bank continues to exist and it has been around for 146 years, I am motivated by the challenges, I am motivated by the fact that we are a dynamic organization and by our business strategy. I believe this organization will go a long way, as in the last four years it has climbed from the ninth to the fourth place in the ranking of the largest local banks. We call it third and a half, because between us and the bank in third place there is only a gap of several hundred thousand lei.
What would be your advice to other ladies for a successful career?
I can only say they should believe in themselves, promote themselves, stop being modest and rely on the men in your lives, who must support you in your career whether they like it or not. At least that has been my case. My husband has supported my efforts, he has helped me focus on my career.
Anca Bidian, KIWI FINANCE
What are the three main ingredients for success at Kiwi Finance?
First of all thank you very much for the nomination and for the award, it’s been a great surprise for me because this is the first award that I receive in my name. So far, the company I founded has received various awards, and I am proud of it, but, personally, I am a somewhat discreet person, even though appearances may point in a different direction.
Coming back to your question, I believe the most important ingredients for success are the people you work with and the team that you create. I have an entrepreneurial background and in eight years we have managed to build a name for the company in a somewhat elitist and exclusive sector like the banking industry. We have achieved such a performance together with my colleagues with whom I share tonight’s award. Investors may have ideas, vision, money and everything they need, but if they can’t find the right people to put things into practice, nothing can be achieved.
What are the main challenges that you have to deal with on a daily basis?
We all have to face numerous challenges every day, but it is such challenges that help you make progress the entrepreneurial field. In a business that nosedived 90 per cent two years ago due to economic turbulence, it used to be a challenge to keep breathing. However, as I was saying, challenges will take you forward, not one of those “cozy” days when nothing happens. I don’t even want to have many of those.
What were the biggest difficulties that you have had to face in the last two years?
Two years ago at a similar Business Arena event I compared the economic situation to a ship in the middle of the storm. At the time, the biggest challenge was to decide without a compass which way the shore was. At the same time you had to be able to convince your crew that you are right. Looking back on things now, I believe the most dramatic moment was when I took the risk of going in one direction not knowing whether we are making the right decision. We were lucky and the shore is now in sight. However you always have to help your luck.
Iulia Gabriela Nartea, UPS ROMANIA
What are the strong points that have helped you build your career?
It’s been an honor for me to be nominated for this award, let alone win it. The company that I work for has helped me become what I am today, but obviously the personal contribution has also been very important. What can I say, I have been educated and taught to do things right and this has been my main guiding line in life. As the years went by, I wanted to make things happen, great things. So I’ve reached this stage today and managing this company is a challenge. International transport is not an easy sector for women. I have colleagues in the industry who sometimes call me the “Iron Lady” in the international courier business. And I am proud that I can do this.
Was there a specific person who inspired you in your career development?
I cannot say that I have had a specific role model for what I do today, but I have had models in life, especially in my family. They taught me and they gave me the determination to make things happen. In time, I have also learned to be myself and stay that way. And this the basis on which I am build my career from now on.
What would be your message to those business women who are at the beginning of their career?
It’s simple. They should have courage, determination, firmness, they should be able to uphold their point of view and I would like to end by saying that they should remain feminine and not try to be feminists.
Luminita Fatu, ASOCIATIA PARTENERILOR DIPLOMATILOR ROMANI
First of all I’d like to thank Business Arena because for one night it has succeeded in detaching me from the happy and noble title of “the Ambassador’s wife”. I totally agree with Ms. Iovu that we should rely on the support of our partners and husbands, but it is always a great honor for us when we are called to receive an award in our name.
The association I founded in 2008 has as its main objective to support the families of Romanian diplomats, but also one of the important objectives of our association is to promote Romania’s image in the world. We promote Romania’s economic brands and I am happy to see in the room tonight ladies whose brands we have promoted. We have managed to promote the brands with the help of other ladies who have sponsored us and are here tonight. I would like to thank them all. Thank you Mrs. Colteanu, it’s been a very pleasant surprise to see you again, and I hope I can carry on with this honoring business of promoting Romania’s economic and cultural image abroad.
What was the most important event that you organized this year?
They are all very important. The idea to promote Romanian values abroad was based on my 16-year extensive traveling experience. Having lived in very important countries I have been able to hear the opinions of both the street and diplomatic salons about Romania. We have been constantly congratulated for our development prospects. We are thus congratulated for what the world hopes that we could become. As an ambassador’s wife I have therefore tried my best to organize events in which foreigners – and by that I mean the foreign ambassadors to Romania – can see that we also have values in the present.
Mirela Colteanu,VICTORIA’S STREET INTERNATIONAL
What are the main elements that an entrepreneur should take into account in times of crisis?
Ladies in Romania have started to increasingly value quality and as a natural consequence I thought we should bring in quality products. But I decided not to present the Luisa Spagnoli brand tonight because I have already seen several ladies in the room wearing Luisa Spagnoli garments.
What are you business targets for 2011?
Firstly, we want to consolidate the development of the brand in Romania and towards the end of the year we hope to bring in new well-known brands to Romania.
Teodora Migdalovici, MIGDALE AMARE
How did the me.alchemy project come to life?
I like very much Honda’s philosophy that says when you hate something, change something. It all started when I used to explore the local business magazines much more diligently than today. I knew many of the people featured in those magazines and I knew they were more beautiful than the image they put across. And I don’t just mean the physical aspect, but their personalities too. That’s how I decided to start this project aiming to put under the proper light business people’s personalities in business publications. I am convinced that the Africans are right when they say that a photo can steal your soul, if it’s well taken I might add. The same goes for the written text.
Bibiana Dolores Stanciulov, SONIMPEX SERV COM
I discovered the Topoloveni jam in 2001, when I bought the old fruit and vegetable processing facility. At the time I wanted to prove someone that proper business can still be done in the food processing industry. So the acquisition that year left me with a large pile of scrap metal, but also the smell of childhood. The Topoloveni plum jam dates back to 1914. Unfortunately, in 1990 we destroyed all the industry in Romania. In this context, I am proud that in two day’s time my daughter will be back at the International Taste and Quality Institute in Brussels to receive an award for the second consecutive year. The Brussels institute also appreciated our sugar free black cherry preserve Topoloveana. We have also made strawberry, sour cherry and quince preserves and zacusca. I believe we had the biggest growth in Romanian market over the last two years and this great success has been based on the wisdom of Romanian consumers who know how to choose quality. My jars did not look that attractive at first. Because we did not have the money, I created it together with my daughter, who is a lawyer, and my production manager. Only later could we afford to pay a company to design our label. But Romanian consumers are wise and if you explain on your label what your product is about they will buy it. This success belongs to all Romanian consumers and especially to my team, which is 99 per cent made of women.
How was 2010 for your company and what are your expectations for 2011?
I believe our company has received the largest number of national and international awards, but at the same time we are accumulating the biggest debts. However, I’m starting not to be bothered by that anymore. I love banks very much and I want to see who can last until the end, me or them? No body can take away from me that protected geographical indication. There are just 1,000 products recognized at European level. That entails a high quality level for the products. You cannot help being proud that in Europe, in Brussels, people talk about Romania in a positive note.
My grandfather was a student of the great Nicolae Iorga and I was brought up in the spirit of love for those close to us. Romanians are close to us and we produce for them. As for my colleagues in the food processing industry, I have a theme that should give everyone food for thought: together with their families, they should all eat what they produce for six months. If my daughter and I, a widow, have been successful, people who are a little more fortunate in life will certainly achieve even more. Please prove everyone that we are not rapists, thieves or murderers. Romania’s name should be recognized as it rightly deserves.
Maria Grapini, President of the Board, Pasmatex Group
I am a little tense because from the very moment I arrived here tonight I have seen a lot of young people. While this makes me feel optimistic about the future, I am also somewhat apprehensive because one runs the risk of saying things and sharing ideas that might eventually be proved wrong, so the younger generation is then likely pick up notions that may not be accurate.
So I will say just a few words so the event goes ahead as planned, but I cannot help mentioning some words of wisdom which I appreciate very much and I have already put into practice. They belong to a thinker that I adore, not because I am now the Consul of India, but because Gandhi, the Father of India, the Father of the peaceful revolution in India, has left us many rich nuggets of wisdom that we can put into practice. Among other things, Gandhi said that “happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony”. And if you succeed in harmonizing those three aspects you will be happy. Looking back on my 34 years of activity, I would not change anything. And experts say that if there is nothing one would like to change about their past that means they have chosen the right path. I would like to add that I have always believed in destiny, but it has been said that life is equally based on destiny and character. I have been very careful with the way I have managed my attitude, character, posture and my given word and I have found success. I have succeeded in creating a group of companies, I received a trophy last year and many others before that and I have succeeded in passing on the business to the next generation, my son, who is 31. Nowadays I am only involved in sponsorships and sharing experience. I would like to wish you all the success and happiness.
Mirela Iovu, CEC Bank
What was the biggest challenge for you when you joined CEC Bank’s team?
I am nervous, confused, happy, proud, I am experiencing a wide range of feelings right now. Firstly I would like to address all the ladies that are here with us tonight, to congratulate them and dedicate this award to them. I would also like to dedicate this award to the 5,570 lady colleagues at CEC Bank. Of the total number of 6,300 CEC Bank employees, a vast majority are women, which made it possible for two ladies to become part of the managing team of Romania’s oldest bank. If I remember correctly, my colleague Mihaela Popa won this award last year.
To answer your question, I can say that I have had to deal with challenges every day for the last four years, since I joined CEC Bank. However, they are constructive challenges and perhaps this is why we’ve managed to turn the former savings bank into a real universal commercial bank. Having gained experience in other banking institutions, the first major difference that I noticed when I joined CEC Bank was the mentality. However, things have changed and anyone who walks into a re-branded CEC Bank unit can see the difference.
What motivates you as a leader and what are your expectations regarding the progress of your organization in the next five years?
I am motivated by a number of things. I am motivated by the fact that this bank continues to exist and it has been around for 146 years, I am motivated by the challenges, I am motivated by the fact that we are a dynamic organization and by our business strategy. I believe this organization will go a long way, as in the last four years it has climbed from the ninth to the fourth place in the ranking of the largest local banks. We call it third and a half, because between us and the bank in third place there is only a gap of several hundred thousand lei.
What would be your advice to other ladies for a successful career?
I can only say they should believe in themselves, promote themselves, stop being modest and rely on the men in your lives, who must support you in your career whether they like it or not. At least that has been my case. My husband has supported my efforts, he has helped me focus on my career.
Anca Bidian, KIWI FINANCE
What are the three main ingredients for success at Kiwi Finance?
First of all thank you very much for the nomination and for the award, it’s been a great surprise for me because this is the first award that I receive in my name. So far, the company I founded has received various awards, and I am proud of it, but, personally, I am a somewhat discreet person, even though appearances may point in a different direction.
Coming back to your question, I believe the most important ingredients for success are the people you work with and the team that you create. I have an entrepreneurial background and in eight years we have managed to build a name for the company in a somewhat elitist and exclusive sector like the banking industry. We have achieved such a performance together with my colleagues with whom I share tonight’s award. Investors may have ideas, vision, money and everything they need, but if they can’t find the right people to put things into practice, nothing can be achieved.
What are the main challenges that you have to deal with on a daily basis?
We all have to face numerous challenges every day, but it is such challenges that help you make progress the entrepreneurial field. In a business that nosedived 90 per cent two years ago due to economic turbulence, it used to be a challenge to keep breathing. However, as I was saying, challenges will take you forward, not one of those “cozy” days when nothing happens. I don’t even want to have many of those.
What were the biggest difficulties that you have had to face in the last two years?
Two years ago at a similar Business Arena event I compared the economic situation to a ship in the middle of the storm. At the time, the biggest challenge was to decide without a compass which way the shore was. At the same time you had to be able to convince your crew that you are right. Looking back on things now, I believe the most dramatic moment was when I took the risk of going in one direction not knowing whether we are making the right decision. We were lucky and the shore is now in sight. However you always have to help your luck.
Iulia Gabriela Nartea, UPS ROMANIA
What are the strong points that have helped you build your career?
It’s been an honor for me to be nominated for this award, let alone win it. The company that I work for has helped me become what I am today, but obviously the personal contribution has also been very important. What can I say, I have been educated and taught to do things right and this has been my main guiding line in life. As the years went by, I wanted to make things happen, great things. So I’ve reached this stage today and managing this company is a challenge. International transport is not an easy sector for women. I have colleagues in the industry who sometimes call me the “Iron Lady” in the international courier business. And I am proud that I can do this.
Was there a specific person who inspired you in your career development?
I cannot say that I have had a specific role model for what I do today, but I have had models in life, especially in my family. They taught me and they gave me the determination to make things happen. In time, I have also learned to be myself and stay that way. And this the basis on which I am build my career from now on.
What would be your message to those business women who are at the beginning of their career?
It’s simple. They should have courage, determination, firmness, they should be able to uphold their point of view and I would like to end by saying that they should remain feminine and not try to be feminists.
Luminita Fatu, ASOCIATIA PARTENERILOR DIPLOMATILOR ROMANI
First of all I’d like to thank Business Arena because for one night it has succeeded in detaching me from the happy and noble title of “the Ambassador’s wife”. I totally agree with Ms. Iovu that we should rely on the support of our partners and husbands, but it is always a great honor for us when we are called to receive an award in our name.
The association I founded in 2008 has as its main objective to support the families of Romanian diplomats, but also one of the important objectives of our association is to promote Romania’s image in the world. We promote Romania’s economic brands and I am happy to see in the room tonight ladies whose brands we have promoted. We have managed to promote the brands with the help of other ladies who have sponsored us and are here tonight. I would like to thank them all. Thank you Mrs. Colteanu, it’s been a very pleasant surprise to see you again, and I hope I can carry on with this honoring business of promoting Romania’s economic and cultural image abroad.
What was the most important event that you organized this year?
They are all very important. The idea to promote Romanian values abroad was based on my 16-year extensive traveling experience. Having lived in very important countries I have been able to hear the opinions of both the street and diplomatic salons about Romania. We have been constantly congratulated for our development prospects. We are thus congratulated for what the world hopes that we could become. As an ambassador’s wife I have therefore tried my best to organize events in which foreigners – and by that I mean the foreign ambassadors to Romania – can see that we also have values in the present.
Mirela Colteanu,VICTORIA’S STREET INTERNATIONAL
What are the main elements that an entrepreneur should take into account in times of crisis?
Ladies in Romania have started to increasingly value quality and as a natural consequence I thought we should bring in quality products. But I decided not to present the Luisa Spagnoli brand tonight because I have already seen several ladies in the room wearing Luisa Spagnoli garments.
What are you business targets for 2011?
Firstly, we want to consolidate the development of the brand in Romania and towards the end of the year we hope to bring in new well-known brands to Romania.
Teodora Migdalovici, MIGDALE AMARE
How did the me.alchemy project come to life?
I like very much Honda’s philosophy that says when you hate something, change something. It all started when I used to explore the local business magazines much more diligently than today. I knew many of the people featured in those magazines and I knew they were more beautiful than the image they put across. And I don’t just mean the physical aspect, but their personalities too. That’s how I decided to start this project aiming to put under the proper light business people’s personalities in business publications. I am convinced that the Africans are right when they say that a photo can steal your soul, if it’s well taken I might add. The same goes for the written text.
Bibiana Dolores Stanciulov, SONIMPEX SERV COM
I discovered the Topoloveni jam in 2001, when I bought the old fruit and vegetable processing facility. At the time I wanted to prove someone that proper business can still be done in the food processing industry. So the acquisition that year left me with a large pile of scrap metal, but also the smell of childhood. The Topoloveni plum jam dates back to 1914. Unfortunately, in 1990 we destroyed all the industry in Romania. In this context, I am proud that in two day’s time my daughter will be back at the International Taste and Quality Institute in Brussels to receive an award for the second consecutive year. The Brussels institute also appreciated our sugar free black cherry preserve Topoloveana. We have also made strawberry, sour cherry and quince preserves and zacusca. I believe we had the biggest growth in Romanian market over the last two years and this great success has been based on the wisdom of Romanian consumers who know how to choose quality. My jars did not look that attractive at first. Because we did not have the money, I created it together with my daughter, who is a lawyer, and my production manager. Only later could we afford to pay a company to design our label. But Romanian consumers are wise and if you explain on your label what your product is about they will buy it. This success belongs to all Romanian consumers and especially to my team, which is 99 per cent made of women.
How was 2010 for your company and what are your expectations for 2011?
I believe our company has received the largest number of national and international awards, but at the same time we are accumulating the biggest debts. However, I’m starting not to be bothered by that anymore. I love banks very much and I want to see who can last until the end, me or them? No body can take away from me that protected geographical indication. There are just 1,000 products recognized at European level. That entails a high quality level for the products. You cannot help being proud that in Europe, in Brussels, people talk about Romania in a positive note.
My grandfather was a student of the great Nicolae Iorga and I was brought up in the spirit of love for those close to us. Romanians are close to us and we produce for them. As for my colleagues in the food processing industry, I have a theme that should give everyone food for thought: together with their families, they should all eat what they produce for six months. If my daughter and I, a widow, have been successful, people who are a little more fortunate in life will certainly achieve even more. Please prove everyone that we are not rapists, thieves or murderers. Romania’s name should be recognized as it rightly deserves.
Business and Pleasure
Together with its more practical objective, giving well-deserved recognition to the most successful and dynamic business women, female entrepreneurs and professionals, this year’s edition of Business Arena’s Most Admired Business Women Awards Gala reached new levels of glamour and sophistication. It featured ballroom dancing demonstrations and a hairdressing presentation by Laurent Tourette, official brand ambassador for L’Oreal Paris. The participants also had the chance to win fitness passes offered by World Class Fitness Romania.S-ar putea să îți placă:
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