Month: September 2022

As CEO of a large, international company, I spend a lot of time on the move, whether in Europe, Africa, or Asia. It’s fast-paced, but I like it that way.

This year, though, brings pause for thought, as I turn fifty years old. It’s a milestone in anybody’s life, but for me it feels especially poignant as Delmec is also approaching its fifth decade.

It’s fair to say we’ve grown up together, Delmec and I. As a child I remember the excitement of visiting my family at work as the company evolved to meet the demands of a rapidly-changing telecommunications industry. From ‘brick’ phones and analog 1G to virtual reality headsets and 5G, it’s been an exciting journey for us all.

Just as I had to learn to crawl before I could walk, Delmec also started with the basics, the hard graft required to erect sky-scraping structures in all sorts of terrain. As our team moved from manufacturing to designing and optimising, I was building my own skill set too, first as a young engineer, then later as a manager, and finally, as CEO.

Celebrating the ‘big 5-0’ has meant reflecting a little on these years, and looking at what my role is — as a leader, a husband, and a father. I’ve realised that despite the raft of books, podcasts, and Ted Talks on the subject, happiness is not that complicated. For me, at least, it can be distilled into three things: health, purpose, and positivity.

We’re all a little guilty of taking our health for granted, but the last two years have reminded us that it’s precious. Equally, time away from the office has emphasised how important it is to have a sense of purpose. Whether that’s hitting a career-related goal, participating in a sporting event, or taking care of loved ones, we need to find meaning in our lives to be truly happy.

For me, my family is my priority. While I am dedicated to my work, my wife and children are the greatest joy in my life. Like everyone, I don’t always get it right, but I know that taking care of my family and protecting my home life matters most.

Last, but not least is positivity. Taking stock this year has made me realise how fortunate I am to really, truly enjoy my work. Over the decades, we’ve built an international team of dynamic, innovative, and highly-trained people who share my passion for connecting people and places. Every day we get to learn from each other, build our skills, and expand our knowledge — with plenty of laughs along the way.

When I was a younger man, my aim was to retire when I reached fifty years old. Now that the big day has come and passed, I have no intention of hanging up my hard hat. We’re still on this shared journey, Delmec, and I, with lots achieved, and much more to do in the future. It’s every bit as exciting in the 21st century as it was in the 20th — roll on the next fifty years!

In the latest instalment of our #TalentedTeamwork series, we chat to Sreto Jankic, Delmec’s Design Office Training Manager. He fills us in on the stroke of luck that saw him join our company, the great relationship he has with his team — and his love of the TV show, “Derry Girls”!

Ever since our early days in the 1970s, we’ve made it our mission here at Delmec to hire the brightest and the best in our industry. Sometimes people come to us seeking career advancement, or the chance to travel and learn exciting skills. Other times, it’s just what Sreto Jankik calls “pure luck”.

“I had no experience with telecoms, and at the time I wasn’t located in Ireland. It was a very long shot,” the Design Office Training Manager says. “But it all worked out brilliantly, and fit like a glove — I found everything I needed as a young engineer seeking to learn and grow, while Delmec got someone who’s willing to embrace every opportunity and really put their shoulder to the wheel.”

It’s the positive, uplifting environment that he has found most beneficial, even now, more than five years later. “I have a dynamic role,” he explains. “My work involves management, training, engineering, and consulting, all with different departments.” It’s that variety that really appeals to his nature, as no two days are ever the same. “I like Delmec’s people, their professional approach, and even the challenges that go along with the work,” he says.

Sreto spends most of his time upskilling and training new engineers as Delmec expands. “My job is to support the team and help them grow and build their careers in Delmec,” he tells us. When asked what advice he gives new hires, he’s unequivocal: “Don’t be afraid. Hit that wall. Make mistakes. Learn. Adapt. It’s worth it.”

He says that while his role is mostly internal, he always has an eye to the most important external factor: our community of clients around the world. “I want to show our clients that we have a strong team, with unique capabilities and cutting-edge skills,” he says. “Every day we work hard to make sure that Delmec is — and always will be — the best choice for them.” 

Sreto’s team maintains a busy schedule, but there’s plenty of time for a little levity too, especially in a group of creative-minded people. “There is so much fun among the guys in Design,” he smiles. “Between the working chats and meetings, our team shares gifs, memes and jokes with each other — it really lifts the spirits and makes the day fly by.”

During his downtime, Sreto enjoys watching comedy: “One of my favourite TV shows is “Derry Girls”,” he laughs. “It’s fantastic and absolutely hilarious.” On the weekends, he sometimes visits the Coumshingaun Loop Walk in the Comeragh Mountains in Waterford. He enjoys hiking, but likes to keep his two feet firmly on the ground, having discovered he’s not a fan of heights during a Delmec tower training course. He’s happy to leave that to the climbers on our team!

Looking ahead, Sreto believes that we’re entering an exciting time in our industry’s trajectory, and feels that Delmec is in a good position to overcome new challenges and embrace fresh opportunities. “In the last five years, the company has changed a lot and with that I’ve changed as well,” he says. “But I like where it went and can’t wait to see where It will go.”