Ingram operates in more than 200 countries and has more than 24,000 employees, Certified as a “Great Place to work”, it has a 95% score on the HRC Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index
Technology is changing and AI is assuming its own role, while people are still at the centre of everything and my motto remains ‘think globally, act locally’ – says Katarina Jovanović Bućan, who has spent more than 20 years working for global companies and with whom we discussed HR trends, staff shortages and the issue of employee turnover.
How much does it mean to you that you have the backing of a major corporation with clear rules and processes? Does that provide you with both strength and structure?
— Throughout the years, our executives and teams have seized opportunities, our leaders are overcoming obstacles with resilience, we have reached many milestones and amassed incredible achievements.
The Ingram journey is possible thanks to the exceptional talent of our team, our customers and vendors, as well as the invaluable support of our partners. We have continued to innovate, by thinking globally while acting locally, and I believe strongly – as a professional oriented towards the HR business – that aligning global strengths and local needs is one of our greatest strengths, as there’s no limit to what we can do when we work together. Finally, if as a company we want to continue evolving rapidly, we need to keep focusing on upskilling our leaders and employees, remain open, learn daily and thus evolve.
More than 80% of companies worldwide are reporting a lack of qualified IT experts and indicating a high employee turnover rate among tech experts. How does Ingram Micro deal with this issue?
— Ingram Micro is always progressing when it comes to creating an environment in which every person finds their own role and place; where employees are engaged not just because they are working for one of the world’s leading technology companies or because we are working on innovative technologies and projects, but also because we are a team in which the tenets of our success striving to cultivate a positive and productive work environment and every function – talent acquisition, talent development, HR business partnerships, diversity and inclusion, employee relation and trusted leaders – plays a crucial role.
We are focused on internal mobility, growing potential within the organization, and developing a proper mindset and ambition among our employees
We aim to stay connected with the needs of the market, to support each other and to be open to the needs of our partners and vendors. While feeling appreciated, meaningful and involved in daily company life, we are together shaping tomorrow, as both local and global teams. So, if you are results-oriented and responsible, and if you are talented and love to work and collaborate with others, Ingram will make sure to retain you and to gain your trust and provide opportunities to work together.
We are focused on internal mobility, growing potentials within the organisation and developing a proper mindset and ambition among our employees.
On the market and talent acquisition side, our management and HR team are led by principle: “Hire character, train skills.”
How does Ingram Micro approach Generative AI, which is becoming a key partner in many aspects of business?
— In the modern business environment, AI is a key partner for continuous growth, and Ingram Micro has recognised this for over 45 years. The arrival three years ago of Sanjib Sahoo, an innovator and leader in technological advancements, has further enhanced the development of AI platforms and the prediction of future trends. Locally, under the leadership of Vladimir Popović and with high business standards, Ingram Micro remains focused on partnering and digitalisation, while maintaining a clear awareness that people are at the centre of all business initiatives.