Team manager translates his role into one that inspires others


Unipart Expert Practices, the consultancy arm of Unipart Group, urgently needed a translator to support a transformation project for a client in Croatia.

While the team hit the web looking for a translator, word of the search got round to food distribution centre team manager Srdjan Tatic who wanted to take on the role.

In putting his hand up to volunteer, he also stepped out of his comfort zone and into a new world of personal development.

This project was, indeed, a world apart from his normal day-to-day job managing a small team. But it drew out a genuine enthusiasm that, once witnessed by more senior managers, completely changed his life.

The first thing that Srdjan did, both in work time and his own time, was to translate a wide range of standard Unipart documentation as well as more than 60 PowerPoint training slides into Croatian.

Even though the initial plan was for Srdjan to attend training courses purely to translate, it soon became clear that he was keen to do more.

He began to help deliver workshops, adding his own examples and personal experience to add credibility to the courses. He engaged with local client directors, managers and staff and supported the successful delivery of the Unipart Way tools on site.

Srdjan demonstrated an exceptional step change in roles from leading a small team in the day-to-day operation of picking and packing, to running workshops of more than 20 people of varying seniority in a client operation.

His enthusiasm and determination to deliver change in line with Unipart Way principles was impressive. His persistence in engaging staff and driving culture change was exemplary and he provided the client with an excellent impression of what UEP project delivery looks and feels like.

Srdjan demonstrated an exceptional step change in roles from leading a small team in the day-to-day operation of picking and packing, to running workshops of more than 20 people of varying seniority in a client operation.

His commitment, professionalism, ability to enthuse the client and the great rapport that he developed with his new colleagues was outstanding, and he was recognised with a Mark in Action award for his achievement.