In the dynamic realm of project management, leading effectively and achieving stellar results often hinges on more than technical skills and strategic planning. Treating your team and customers with empathy and honesty is at the heart of successful project management. These principles are not merely soft skills but essential drivers of success. Fostering transparency and care in the working environment paves the way for enhanced team motivation and stronger customer relationships, improving project outcomes. This article delves into the vital role of empathy, honesty, recognition, and teamwork and how integrating these aspects can bring project management effectiveness, no matter the challenges.

Treat Your Team with Empathy and Your Customers with Honesty. Results Will Be Better, No Matter the Challenges

Empathy and honesty are key to any successful business, setting the stepping stone for a positive work environment and strong customer relationships. Treating your team with empathy ensures they feel valued and supported, boosting motivation and productivity. Similarly, guaranteeing honesty in customer relationships builds trust and credibility, leading to loyalty and positive referrals to potential clients. Communicating transparently and setting realistic expectations is vital to customer satisfaction and project success. Together, empathy and honesty ensure better results, even in challenging situations.

Leading Projects with Heart and Innovation. Together, We Turn FinTech Visions into Reality

In the fast-paced world of FinTech, leading projects with heart and innovation is essential. Combining emotional intelligence with cutting-edge technology turns ambitious visions into reality. Leading with care fosters a culture of mutual understanding, compassion, and celebration of achievements, motivating the team and encouraging creativity. In the meantime, innovation drives the evolution of FinTech by embracing new technologies and continuously improving processes.

Project Success Celebration and Team Recognition Should Be Part of Your Planning Activities!

Celebrating project successes and recognising team contributions are vital for maintaining team morale and motivation. Actively planning celebrations for milestones and achievements, from simple acknowledgements to elaborate events, is crucial to employee satisfaction and performance. Recognition boosts determination, validates hard work, and assists organisations in establishing a culture of excellence. Celebrating together fosters community and belonging but also enhances team cohesion and productivity. A well-recognised team stays committed, reducing turnover and ensuring sustained project success.

Teamwork is the Ability to Work Together Toward a Common Vision. Collaboration, Respect, and Contribution are Key Elements for Project Success

Teamwork is the cornerstone of any successful project. It requires collaboration toward a shared vision, each member contributing unique skills. Effective teamwork leverages collective intelligence through idea-sharing, problem-solving, and innovation, necessitating clear communication and mutual respect. Respect involves valuing each member’s contributions, creating a safe space for expressing ideas and taking risks, thus leading to innovative solutions. Every team member should feel their input is valuable and actively contribute to project goals.

Every Project is an Opportunity to Learn and Invent New Ways to Manage People and Situations

Each project presents unique challenges and learning opportunities, making it crucial to approach them with an open mind and be ready to learn and adapt. This mindset can uncover new methods and strategies for managing people and situations, which is essential for staying competitive and achieving long-term success. Projects often involve diverse teams whose varying perspectives can be rich sources of innovation. Embracing these viewpoints and encouraging creative thinking helps develop new problem-solving and management approaches, improving current projects and building a valuable knowledge base. Learning from each project identifies skill and process gaps, enabling continuous improvement and fostering a culture of innovation and adaptability for sustained growth and success.

By embedding empathy and honesty into your project management practices, you enhance team dynamics and customer relationships, setting the stage for achieving exceptional results. Embracing these values, recognising contributions, and fostering collaboration transform each project into a learning opportunity and a chance for innovation. As you lead with heart and vision, remember that empathy and honesty are the cornerstones of building trust, driving motivation, and achieving excellence.

Ready to meet our team? Αpply today https://qualco.group/open-positions/

In the rapidly evolving world of technology, specialised roles such as Software Engineers and Integration Engineers have emerged to meet modern businesses’ demands. At Qualco, these two roles are essential, each playing a distinct part in building and maintaining the company’s technological ecosystem. Although both are rooted in software development, their focus and contributions differ significantly.

Software Engineers

Software Engineers at Qualco create the company’s core products. Their primary role is to design, develop, and maintain applications and software systems that meet the business’s needs. Fluent in programming languages such as Java, Angular, and SQL, these engineers write clean, efficient code that powers everything from web-based applications to cloud-based platforms. Their daily tasks involve coding, debugging, and optimising software to ensure the best possible performance and user experience.
In addition to their technical responsibilities, Software Engineers work closely with other teams, including product managers and designers, to develop new features that align with the company’s vision. They also troubleshoot and resolve bugs, ensuring that the software runs smoothly for end-users. Continuous learning is vital to their role, as they must stay updated on the latest technologies and programming practices to keep Qualco’s products competitive and cutting-edge.
At Qualco, Software Engineers focus on solving complex problems with creative solutions. Whether developing a new application or improving existing software, their goal is to build robust, scalable, and secure systems that drive the company’s digital innovation. They play a crucial role in delivering software that meets functional requirements and exceeds user expectations.

Integration Engineers

At Qualco, our Integration Services department is at the forefront of innovation in software engineering. They are not just Integration Engineers; they are Software Engineers dedicated to designing, developing, and integrating systems. Their mission is to meet the current needs of our users while anticipating future demands. By seamlessly integrating with third-party vendors and our company’s other products, they aim to create a cohesive ecosystem that enhances user experience and drives business growth.
Success for our Integrated Services team is multi-faceted. It involves delivering secure, high-performance backend services and achieving flawless integrations with external and internal systems. Stakeholder satisfaction, positive user feedback, and measurable business impact are key indicators of our success. Ultimately, we aim to deliver innovative, reliable solutions that stand out in the market.
To achieve this, they foster a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and accountability. Open communication and agile methodologies ensure flexibility and responsiveness. They prioritise quality in every stage, from code reviews to deployment, with a commitment to excellence and innovation.

At Qualco, we strive to exceed expectations, delivering products and integrations that drive user satisfaction and business success. Software and Integration Engineers are essential to driving innovation and maintaining a robust technology ecosystem. While Software Engineers focus on developing and optimising core products, Integration Engineers ensure seamless integration with other systems and write code to build scalable, efficient architectures. They deliver high-quality, reliable solutions that enhance user experience and drive business growth.

Join our team, by exploring our open positions 👉 https://www.qualco.eu/careers/open-positions

The journey of job interviews can be both thrilling and demanding. Each interview provides a unique opportunity to present your skills and experiences while also offering a chance for professional growth. Our goal is to help you approach the interview process with confidence and success with a set of useful tips.

1. Research Thoroughly
   One of the most critical steps in preparing for a job interview is conducting research on both the industry and the company. Employers increasingly value candidates who demonstrate a deep understanding of their business landscape. Start by diving deep into research about the industry and the specific company you are targeting, exploring the company’s website, LinkedIn profile, and recent news articles. Familiarize yourself with the company’s history, mission, vision, and culture. Knowing their competitors and recent achievements will enable you to tailor your responses and show that you are well-prepared and genuinely interested in the role. This is the best way to demonstrate your genuine motivation to join the specific company.
   
   
2. Anticipate Questions and Prepare Answers
   Anticipating potential questions is essential. Review your CV and experience in detail, and prepare concise, specific answers to common interview questions. This preparation helps avoid stumbling and showcases your confidence. The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is an effective way to structure your answers, ensuring they are clear and focused on your achievements.
   
   
3. Personal Branding
   In the current job market, personal branding has become increasingly important. You are your own brand ambassador, and it’s crucial to highlight your unique selling points. Reflect on what sets you apart from other candidates—whether it’s your extensive experience, specialized skills, motivation or innovative ideas. Be prepared to discuss these strengths confidently and demonstrate how they align with the company’s needs and values. Clearly articulate why you’re interested in the job. Emphasize the aspects of the role that appeal to you and explain how your skills and experiences align with the job requirements. Showing genuine enthusiasm and commitment not only makes a positive impression but also demonstrates that you’ve done your homework and understand what the job entails.
   
   
4. Ask Thoughtful Questions
   Having thoughtful questions prepared for your interviewer is a critical component of a successful interview. Candidates who ask insightful questions about the company and role are more likely to leave a lasting positive impression, as it demonstrates your enthusiasm and motivation. Prepare questions that demonstrate your understanding of the company, such as inquiries about company culture, growth opportunities, or recent projects. This shows that you are engaged and proactive.
   
   
5. Interview Setting
   Technical readiness is equally critical. Ensure you are in a quiet environment for virtual interviews .and maintain eye contact by looking directly at the camera. Pause briefly before responding to questions to gather your thoughts and deliver articulate responses.
   
   
6. Maintain a Professional Online Presence
   The impact of your online presence cannot be overstated in today’s digital age. Regularly update your LinkedIn profile to reflect your professional achievements and engage with industry-related content to demonstrate your expertise and passion. Remember thatemployers often review candidates’ social media profiles, so maintaining a polished and positive online presence is essential throughout your job search.
   
   
7. Continuous Improvement
   Job interviews may not always unfold as planned, but resilience is key to navigating setbacks. Following each interview, take time to reflect on the experience, identifying areas for improvement and learning opportunities. Embrace each interview as a steppingstone towards growth and success, continually refining your approach and skills.
   
   
8. Stay Updated and Network
   The job market evolves continuously, demanding candidates stay abreast of industry trends and skills. Consider enrolling in online courses, attending webinars, or participating in professional conferences to enhance your qualifications. Highlight these efforts during interviews to demonstrate your commitment to ongoing professional development. Networking remains a potent tool—actively engage with industry professionals via LinkedIn, attend industry events, and participate in professional associations to expand your network and uncover potential job opportunities.

Mastering the job interview process requires a blend of preparation, effective personal branding, and a commitment to continuous learning. By conducting thorough research, preparing tailored responses, showcasing your unique strengths, and maintaining professionalism, you position yourself for success in navigating interviews. Each interview experience offers valuable insights and growth opportunities—embrace them with resilience and determination on your path to securing your ideal job.

Ready to meet our team! Αpply today 👉 https://qualco.group/open-positions/

In the competitive landscape of today’s job market, your CV is often the first impression you make on potential employers. It’s essential to present a polished, professional document that highlights your skills and experiences effectively. Below are seven crucial tips to help you craft a standout CV.

1. Tailor Your Resume
   One of the most critical aspects of creating a compelling CV is tailoring it to the specific job you are applying for. Employers look for candidates who meet the requirements of the role, so it’s essential to customize your CV to highlight the most relevant experiences and skills. Review the job description carefully and incorporate the keywords and phrases used by the employer in your CV.
   
   
2. Focus on Achievements
   While listing your job duties is essential, emphasizing your achievements can make a more substantial impact. Employers want to see the value you have added in your previous roles. Quantify your accomplishments and use the CAR (Challenge – Action – Result) method to present them.
   For example, instead of saying “Responsible for sales,” say “Increased sales by 20% within six months by implementing a new customer engagement strategy.” Providing concrete evidence of your successes demonstrates your effectiveness and potential as an employee.
   
   
3. Keep It Concise
   A well-structured CV should be concise and to the point. Aim to keep it within two pages maximum, focusing on the most recent and relevant experiences. Avoid overwhelming the reader with excessive details. Instead, prioritize quality over quantity, highlighting key accomplishments and skills. Use bullet points for clarity, ensuring that each point adds value and is directly relevant to the job you are applying for.
   
   
4. Use Action Verbs
   Starting your bullet points with action verbs can help your CV become more dynamic and engaging. Words such as “developed,” “led,” “managed,” and “achieved” convey a sense of initiative and accomplishment. This method helps to paint a vivid picture of your contributions and successes. Action verbs not only make your CV more appealing, but they also illustrate your active participation in attaining accomplishments in previous roles.
   
   
5. Showcase your Skills
   Employers are particularly interested in the skills you bring to the table. Dedicate a section of your CV to showcase your key skills. This can include both hard skills (technical abilities, software proficiency) and soft skills (communication, teamwork). Align these skills with the requirements of the job you are applying for. Highlighting relevant skills upfront ensures that the employer can quickly see your suitability for the role.
   
   
6. Education and Training
   Your educational background and any relevant training or certifications should be clearly outlined in your CV. Include the names of the institutions, degrees or certifications obtained, and the dates attended. If you have recently graduated, you might also include relevant coursework or projects. For more experienced professionals, focus on higher education and continuing education that enhances your qualifications for the job. This section demonstrates your commitment to learning and professional development.
   
   
7. Proofread Carefully
   A CV with spelling or grammatical errors can quickly turn off potential employers. Proofreading your CV carefully is essential to ensure it is error-free. After drafting your CV, you can use a grammar correcting tool to correct speaking and grammar errors.

Creating an effective CV is a crucial step in your job search journey. By tailoring your resume based on the tips presented above, you can present yourself as a strong candidate. Remember, your CV is about more than just listing past jobs and education – it’s about telling the story of your professional journey! Invest the time and effort to craft a compelling CV, and you will increase your chances of landing the job you desire.

Our talent acquisition team can’t wait to meet you! Αpply today 👉 https://qualco.group/open-positions/

Steering Efficiency and Change Through Innovative and Digital Technologies

The maritime industry with its timeless connection to the seas, has always been a hub of innovation, adapting to changing times and technologies. From the transition from wooden ships to steel behemoths, and from sails to engines, this traditional industry has proven its ability to evolve. Today, it stands on the cusp of a new transformative journey, with Applied Intelligence as the wind in its sails, propelling it toward an era of technological innovation and operational efficiency.

At its core, Applied Intelligence (AI) is a powerful combination of artificial intelligence, automation, data analytics, and human expertise. It processes vast data streams, ranging from ship sensors and weather forecasts to historical data, all with the aim of providing actionable insights. These insights act as the guiding stars for maritime companies, steering them toward informed decisions and operational excellence.

The maritime industry faces numerous challenges, from fluctuating fuel prices to stringent environmental regulations, that demand innovative solutions. Applied Intelligence emerges as the industry’s North Star, optimizing routes and operations, minimizing fuel consumption, and predicting maintenance needs. This results in reduced costs and safer voyages, akin to a course correction that leads to greater efficiency, reduced risk and enhanced safety measures.

Navigating The Benefits of Integrated Applied Intelligence

Over the last decade, many industries and sectors have increasingly utilized data collection and artificial intelligence to help streamline many aspects of their business. The maritime industry is no different.

The integration of Applied Intelligence in the maritime industry offers numerous benefits, including informed decision-making, improved operational efficiency, cost reduction and risk mitigation. More specifically, some of the advantages of Applied Intelligence in the maritime domain are:

• Informed Decision-Making: Real-time insights empower decision-makers, ensuring safety, efficiency, and profitability.
• Improved Operational Efficiency: From cargo loading to route planning and fuel optimization, it drives operational excellence and cost savings.
• Cost Reduction and Risk Mitigation: Predictive maintenance minimizes downtime and costly repairs, contributing to significant cost reductions.
• Increased Safety and Security Measures: Enhanced monitoring and early threat detection prioritize crew safety and thwart security threats, fostering a secure environment for all.

AI adoption is continuously increasing in most industries, and the maritime industry is no exception. AI has a variety of capabilities that can be used to improve the quality and speed of operations. AI can be used to automate routine tasks, freeing up human workers to focus on more strategic tasks. A study by McKinsey showed that the adopters of AI in the transportation and logistics sector had more than 5% increase in profit margins.

A revolutionary solution that provides a very good example of Applied Intelligence’s possibilities for shipping companies is the Digital Twin. This solution creates an advanced digital vessel replica that can be accurately used for real-time monitoring and analysis of the twinned asset. This technology provides the ability to monitor equipment condition, produce real time risk insights, reduce downtime and optimize maintenance operations and voyage planning.

Unlocking New Possibilities with Generative AI

Generative AI is a rapidly developing technology that has the potential to revolutionize many industries, and maritime is one of them. It can be used to improve safety, efficiency, and sustainability in various ways.

By automating a big part of communications, it can be used to automate routine inquiries and generate detailed and standardized reporting for various sensors, ship systems, operations and department-level performance. Generative AI applications can produce and interact with necessary shipping documentation, certificates and reports, in a fast and efficient way, thus streamlining administrative tasks and reducing human error.

Coupled with Digital Twins and Physics-based AI models, generative AI can significantly augment preventive operations when a particular component of a ship might fail or require maintenance, and it could even generate the next best corrective action for it.

There are a lot of ways that Generative AI can transform shipping. As AI technology evolves, we can only expect to see even more groundbreaking applications in the years ahead.

Challenges in the Industry Beckon Opportunities for Innovation

Maritime transport is the backbone of international trade and the global economy, responsible for ferrying over 80% of the volume of international trade in goods. However, despite its critical role, the maritime industry faces several pressing challenges, including cybersecurity threats, sustainability mandates and calls for greater operational efficiencies. Research and publications echo the industry’s clarion call for transformation.

These challenges also present opportunities for startups to address unmet needs in the industry. For example, the maritime industry is under increasing pressure to reduce its environmental impact. Startups can disrupt the industry by developing new technologies to promote sustainability, such as energy-efficient vessels, and waste reduction measures. The use of new technologies could also address the need for operational efficiency. Startups can develop new solutions to optimize operations, increase productivity and reduce costs in the maritime industry. For example, the use of AI and big data can help improve the efficiency of cargo loading, predict maintenance needs and optimize shipping routes. Such solutions would lead to the improvement of efficiency and to increased profitability.

Startups worldwide are pioneering innovations that promise to reshape the industry in various ways. For example, Windward focuses on maritime risk management by ship movements and predicting risks associated with particular vessels or routes. Orca AI offers a system that integrates with existing onboard sensors to provide crews with real-time insights, especially in complex or congested environments.

In Greece, a hub where the maritime industry has deep roots, startup companies like Synthetica are leveraging Physics Informed Deep Learning models coupled with Generative AI, to proactively optimise components and systems maintenance as well as emission indicators performance. MarineTraffic is also a well-known example of a successful Greek startup, that provides real-time AIS ship tracking and maritime intelligence.

Startups are the lifeblood of change. Empowered by Applied Intelligence, they are poised to tackle all the challenges head-on, ushering in a new era of maritime excellence. Let’s draw this route together – join the Innovation Hub by Qualco, submit your concept and develop it with the innovation ecosystem’s power.

Speaking at the 26th Annual Economist Government Roundtable – The Financial Markets in a Changing World: A Global Viewpoint, the President of Qualco Group, Orestis Tsakalotos, expressed his optimism that Greece could use the new crisis in the global economy as an opportunity for significant reforms, and especially, for fostering technological transformation projects.

In a discussion with Mohamed El-Erian, president of Queen’s College at the University of Cambridge and chief financial advisor of Allianz, PIMCO’s parent company, Mr. Tsakalotos referred to the significant financial crisis that marked Greece, emphasizing that everything that could go wrong went actually wrong. He then highlighted that the country learned its lesson from the 2008 financial crisis and evolved into an ideal laboratory for implementing new policies.

While describing the current financial and geopolitical landscape, Mr. Tsakalotos estimated that geopolitical tensions would be further elevated, with Europe facing severe challenges, especially with the inflation increase. He then stressed that within these circumstances, Greece could leverage its advantages, given the significant work carried out during the past few years in terms of reforms.

“Greece should take advantage of this changing landscape, and we are already witnessing significant wins since we are moving from the brain drain of the past to brain gain, with not only Greeks but also foreigners coming to work in Greece”, Mr. Tsakalotos stated.

“In a landscape of volatility and uncertainty, we need to lay the foundations for stability,” he declared. “The bet for the country,” he said, “will be to implement major technological transformation projects to improve the standard of living and positively impact our communities. In this context, timing, the collaboration of the public and private sector, and the role of institutional investments are of significant importance.”

“The four pillars for successfully implementing these projects are IT-driven technology, financial technology, project execution capacity, and institutional capital. We rarely see all four pillars together, while the execution of such large-scale projects demands the combination of those”, Mr. Tsakalotos stated.

Innovative public and private partnerships alongside the capitalisation on institutional capital are needed. In this context, Greece can showcase a series of positive examples, Mr. Tsakalotos emphasised, while pointing out the successful securitization transactions. At the same time, the prudent management of public money is the groundwork for upgrading our country’s investment rate.

In any case, as Mr. Tsakalotos highlighted, a time of crisis is the opportunity to implement significant reforms while emphasizing PPC’s successful reorganisation program as the most indicative example.

He stated that the last three years have proven that everything is possible, commenting that Greek companies are used to operating in tough times. Today, businesses should function like families that take care of their children to cope effectively with all emerging challenges.

Tune in to watch the discussion.

Always envisioning a sustainable future, we remain committed to reducing our environmental footprint by focusing on saving natural resources.

To this end, we join forces with Polygreen, an organisation that offers integrated and innovative circular economy solutions worldwide that improve our quality of life. The collaboration involves launching the Just Go Zero Programme, which aims to transform us into a Zero Waste organisation.

In this respect and on the occasion of World Environment Day 2022, we held an informative webinar, during which specialists from Polygreen introduced the Just Go Zero programme to our people.

Our partnership with Polygreen and the implementation of the respective programme complement our broader plan of action, encompassing the following:

• Reduction in energy consumption
• Recycling of materials
• Use of digital tools that reduce paper
• Utilisation of eco-friendly products on our premises
• Energy upgrading across our infrastructure

The 2022 World Environment Day campaign #OnlyOneEarth calls for collective, transformative action on a global scale to celebrate, protect and restore our planet.

Agility and Wellness in the spotlight!

The radical changes caused by the pandemic have practically transformed our working reality. In this newly formed era, we can all work from anywhere and anytime, provided that the appropriate technological tools are at our disposal and the necessary infrastructure is in place. The future of employment has now been marked by agility on the one hand and technology on the other. Agility has evolved into the ultimate prerequisite for all organisations’ sustainability, with technology constituting the central pillar for the future of entrepreneurship.

For us, however, offices still constitute the heart and soul of the organisation, reflecting its identity and culture. In working spaces, employees interact, share both personal and professional experiences, build strong bonds, and generate social capital with collective knowledge, ideas, and innovation.

Implementing a development strategy based on employees’ needs

As part of our people-centric approach, we granted our employees the agility required, adopting a new hybrid working model and designing the “office of the future,” infused with the extensive use of technology. The new spaces reflect our environmental, social, and corporate culture while allowing people to work seamlessly from every part of the world.

Our spaces are designed to ensure greater physical distancing alongside the hygiene of the entire workforce through the following:

• Application of a system of natural air
• Provision of natural lighting
• Installation of external noise reduction elements

As part of the new hybrid working model and with both the well-being and safety of our people as a focal point, we established:

• A Hot Desking system that allows our employees to use the new spaces according to their teleworking schedule. Our people can now schedule their working days with a physical presence and “book” their office via mobile applications.
• A dedicated medical room within our premises, with an experienced nurse always on the front line to assist our people.
• A fully equipped gym space, enabling our people to blow off the steam.
• A therapeutic space, where they can lower their stress levels through massage treatments.
• A beauty salon aiming to boost their mood.
• A healthy in-house restaurant, offering healthy meal options and promoting the adoption of balanced nutritional habits.

An array of initiatives that are just the tip of the iceberg; A plethora of actions that constitute just a part of a broader plan, aiming to bring the work-life balance to a whole new level, ensuring our people’s wellbeing in both professional and personal terms.

At Qualco Group, establishing a safe and healthy workplace while nurturing our employees’ quality of professional and personal life constitutes a focal point of our people-centric culture.

With World No Tobacco Day as a flashpoint and aiming to inform our people about the benefits of quitting smoking, we joined forces with the Hellenic Cancer Society, organising an internal online webinar.

Over 100 employees participated in this informative session, where our special guest, Dimitra Filopoulou, Psychologist at the Smoking Cessation Counseling Department of Hellenic Cancer Society, highlighted the importance of kicking smoking out of our lives while sharing useful tips on how to prepare ourselves and what to expect from this uncomfortable process. At the same time, Ms. Filopoulou indicated valuable alternative options, such as making a free appointment at the Stop Smoking Center or letting our family and friends know that we plan to quit smoking, to increase our chances of succeeding.