MERA’s plans & prospects in Serbia - High road to success runs through Belgrade

In July 2014 MERA Company started a new branch office in Belgrade. The Company is one of the global leaders in value added software R&D services. The company's clientele includes world-leading equipment manufacturers and software solutions vendors. MERA features a wide array of technological expertise in mobile, converged, wireless, wireline and enterprise communications. With a team of 1200 highly qualified software engineers and 25 years of experience, the company has earned a good reputation for quality, reliability and commitment to service.

We have interviewed key people in Belgrade’s office to share the experience of building a new MERA R&D site in Serbia.

(Milos Vlahovic) Milos Vlahovic, CEO of the Belgrade’s office, answers:

eKapija: Why was Belgrade chosen for a new MERA site location?

There were many reasons, which come together: MERA wants to expand services as a global leader with R&D offices located in Eastern Europe, come to an international arena and become one of the leading IT companies in the world. Belgrade is the right location because of good business atmosphere, talented and skilled employees with IT background,excellent English language, big number of IT Faculties, the same timezone as major European cities and maximum 2 hours flight to all of them.

eKapija: What goals and plans did MERA have?

To build and grow the company on a new site which will be an example of good business practice, an excellent partner to our customers and an admirable employer.

eKapija: Has MERA achieved the goals?

Yes. Now we have 150 employees, and we are growing despite all the difficulties and have the same plans to continue growth. Like in real life when you have a project, to make from something a living being, like to build and grow a company, you are faced with different challenges, especially in fast changing environment like IT industry. Our ability to learn,embrace and adapt to new business and market environment makes us more agile and successful in our work both as a partner and as an employer.

Now the company has opened an office in Zurich, Switzerland. The new corporate location will serve as global headquarters and help to strengthen footprint in Europe as a leader in software R&D industry.

eKapija: What is your impression regarding IT labor market in Belgrade?

IT labor market has become very popular for the last 5-10 years especially among younger people who are more and more interested in Mobile application and Open Source tools and frameworks. But what is missing among them is seniority and experience working in big projects and big teams, and this is exactly what MERA tries to get them involved in. People in Belgrade are very team centric and this works very well in companies like MERA.

(Dragisa Jevtic) We have also asked Dragisa Jevtic, a software designer at MERA, a number of questions:

eKapija: When did you join MERA team? What was your first impression?

I joined MERA in October 2014. All started smoothly as MERA already had 1100 software engineers in other offices and most of mechanisms and infrastructure were already working properly. It was a great pleasure to watch and participate in process of forming the company branch in Belgrade from its first steps to current size with 150 employees.

eKapija: Have you got new knowledge and skills at MERA?

MERA is the right place for developing new skills. Before joining MERA I worked with a couple of various technologies which were partially connected. At MERA I started to realize full power of those technologies with using different frameworks which I never used before. Also at MERA you have a power of choice in what direction you want to grow.

eKapija: What atmosphere do you feel in MERA projects?

Project atmosphere is something that is created by you and your colleges. We have a very friendly climate. Every problem can be solved with right communication. Always communicate - it is essential. At MERA I worked on short-term projects with tight schedule and it is really tense sometimes. Long-term projects are less tense and more comfortable for work as you have enough time for communication and planning.

eKapija: What would you recommend to your colleagues?

I would recommend more communication. If your colleagues are in different office,country or even continent simple chat is highly helpful and recommended. It helps you to break the communication barriers. With right communication your contact with colleagues won’t be based on boring emails but will be more friendly - like talk. Such approach results in less misunderstanding.

Milos Vlahovic