Pinoles employs 150 people, with 30% being women. Notably, however, women account for over 50% in the top management tier, explains Tijana Rauš, the company’s Chief Financial Officer
One of the fundamental principles of Pinoles is overcoming all forms of discrimination. The company focuses on the younger generation, helping them integrate and contribute to society while opposing ageism and valuing experience and longstanding service. Here its CFO, Tijana Rauš, explains that the right balance is achieved thanks to the significant presence of women in management, who are trained in compromise and balance, possibly representing the keys to success in this area.
As a woman who has spent most of her career in a predominantly male-dominated field, how do you view the position of women in business and society?
— Women are, in general, naturally calmer, more stable, loyal, courageous, analytical and persistent. They focus on a company’s wellbeing rather than on proving themselves.
While I’m fortunate to work for a company where these positive traits are recognised and valued, I still encounter outdated behavioural patterns and gender discrimination in my daily work.
In theory, we all have equal growth and development opportunities, but women face far more obstacles than men in practice, partly because they are often seen as the cornerstone of the family. One solution is undoubtedly the economic empowerment of women, as there is still a clear disparity in financial conditions between men and women, even in the same positions with identical results.
Do you think this disparity is related to the nature of women, a traditional upbringing, or the narrative being perpetuated?
— Women tend to naturally focus on what they lack, what they need to learn, and how to improve themselves. Men, on the other hand, emphasise and exaggerate what they know, often ignoring their shortcomings.
If you offer a man a new job, he will highlight his skills, while a woman will think about risks and her weaknesses.
Workers aged under 30 comprise 25% of the workforce at our company, with most of them engaged in IT, marketing, development and analysis
Moreover, we are constantly surrounded by a negative narrative, often influenced by the media. Beyond being the driving force of Pinoles, women are typically the initiators of humanitarian and socially beneficial actions, such as supporting sick and abandoned children, rehabilitation centres, hospitals, churches, monasteries, mountain rescue services and nursery school renovations.
Pinoles places a significant emphasis on developing talented youngsters.
— That’s correct! Workers aged under 30 comprise 25% of the workforce at our company, with most of them engaged in IT, marketing, development and analysis.
We encourage their creativity and productivity, resulting in the production of smaller software tools that greatly support our manufacturing and warehouse operations.
We help them overcome challenges such as a lack of focus, short-term thinking, a lack of responsibility and a diminished sense of belonging to society, as well as their need for instant gratification.
In return, we learn from them how to adapt to and embrace new developments, changing outdated patterns. They help us think “outside the box” and avoid falling into rigid work habits and behaviours.
This mutual support has led to your longstanding collaboration with the Belgrade Faculty of Organisational Sciences (FON) and the Faculty of Forestry?
— We provide financial assistance and openly share our practical experience, and in return receive recommendations for young talents before they even enter the labour market.
Our doors are open for internships and mentorship while they are studying, and they can find employment with us following graduation.
Over the past two years, we have hosted 16 FON students for internships, while 10 graduates of the Faculty of Forestry have been hired on the basis of recommendations from professors.