Back in the summer of 2003, Tamara joined Zubak Grupa. She started as a sales consultant for SEAT vehicles in the Velika Gorica showroom, after which she became Head of SEAT Sales at the same branch, where she remained for nine years.
Tamara, what did your career path look like after you became Head of SEAT Sales?
– In November 2012, I became Head of Škoda Sales in Sesvetski Kraljevec, and in January 2024 I moved to the Sesvete location as Head of Audi Sales. Each position and location brought me new experiences, broadened my horizons, and offered variety. I can’t single out which location I liked more or less, because in each one I learned a lot about myself,” said Tamara, an economist who is just one step away from her degree, as she decided to complete her studies at the Faculty of Economics and is very close to achieving that goal.
How do you feel every morning when you come to work?
– Every morning, when I arrive at work, I feel as if I’m coming to a safe and familiar place. I’m coming home. That’s how I feel,” says Tamara.
Although it is not due to just one thing but rather a whole set of circumstances, she is proud and grateful that she comes to work with a smile. It is, she points out, a combination of diversity and activity, of new and existing people who enrich her everyday life.
Surely everything isn’t always perfect. Do you face challenges at work?
– Challenges that neither my company nor I can influence take the most energy from me. At the moment those are vehicle delivery deadlines; tomorrow it will be something else. But a solution is always found, or we adapt to the situation. – Tamara explains.
When it comes to business in general, she says digitalization and continuous improvements in operations at Zubak Grupa have been a great help.
Is it difficult to keep up with changes in the market and in business?
– We are leaders in our field, we listen to the market and react very quickly to changes, says Tamara, who has been connected to cars her whole life, so it is no surprise that she found her place in this profession.
She grew up in a family where cars were part of everyday life, with a father who was a mechanic and a race car driver. And when she comes home from work, she relaxes without cars — she swaps engines for time spent in nature.
Tamara, how do you like to spend your time when you’re not at work?
– Whether it’s the sea or the forest, I love being in nature, and I also enjoy recreational running. It all depends on the situation and the occasion, but sometimes — actually, always — shopping is a great way to relax! – Tamara concludes.
Colleagues about Tamara:
Tamara is a person who is incredibly dedicated to her work, fully committed to meeting targets, and always pleasant in communication — a true fair-play player. Even today, after many years at Zubak Grupa, Tamara has not lost her drive; her enthusiasm is still there, and she celebrates every success just as she did when she first joined us. What I am especially proud of is that, despite her top-level professionalism and dedication to work, Tamara never steps over people — on the contrary, she respects her colleagues and is always ready to help, which is why I am extremely happy and proud to have her on my team. (Antonio Novak)
I am lucky that Tamara is not only my colleague but also a dear friend. With her you can have a serious conversation, laugh from the heart, or sometimes just sit in silence and enjoy it. She is always there when you need advice, support, or a word of encouragement. For 22 years in this business she has shown how much she knows, how capable she is, and how much she cares not only about results — which are outstanding — but also about the people around her. (Ivana Vukašinović)
I have worked with Tamara for 20 years and there has never been a situation where she did not find a solution for our clients and colleagues. That says enough about her as a person and her approach to work. (Dimitrije Trbović)
Always professional and supportive of all colleagues. Even the busiest days in the showroom felt pleasant and stress-free when she was around. She also has a wonderfully warm sense of humor. (Tomislav Smolčić)
