Leading with integrity to your team – that`s more or less Kalina`s motto when we talked about what is like to be the Product development lead at BGO Software. “You have to know your team, their weaknesses and strengths. The key is to develop the strengths and manage the weaknesses. Not the other way around.”
Tell me who is Kalina at BGO Software?
I`ve been working with BGO Software for 6 years. I started as a Junior Developer and now I am the Product development lead at BGO Software, responsible for the products. Who am I at the company? One of the many professionals who realize that the only way to achieve something is hard work. I take my job seriously as if those are my products. There is no 9 to 5 rule for me. If something has to be done, I`ll make it happen.
What are the products that you and your team are developing?
We are developing 2 platforms – CTMS (Clinical Trials Management System) and Metaforms – a product in the field of clinical trials and ECRFs, but it can be used for more generic purposes. We are a team of 5 people – developers and QAs.
So far you have 6 years at BGO. What happened during this time?
Spending 6 years in a single company is a significant amount of time, during which I had the opportunity to expand my skills across various domains. Being responsible for a team and spearheading the development of a product that improves the quality of clinical trials presents its own set of challenges. Effective communication within the team and with clients becomes crucial. As a result, I have become a complex player, actively engaged in project management, business analysis, and DevOps.
Which of the company values resonates with you the most?
Ownership is the core principle that guides both my personal and professional life. It emphasizes taking responsibility for my decisions and actions. Failure is inevitable, as we all make imperfect choices at times. I experience failures daily, but I understand that I have to learn from them and avoid repeating the same mistakes. This mindset drives me to continually improve myself, approaching each situation with dignity and self-awareness. Ownership forms the basis for teamwork, pride, and personal growth.
What is the most important quality of a technical lead?
Understanding your team is crucial for a leader. By discovering something you appreciate in each person, you gain insights into their strengths. Let’s face it, it’s impossible to like everyone, but even in such cases, you can identify positive qualities and concentrate on them. Typically, when meeting someone new, our subconscious tends to notice up to 5 negative aspects. However, if we shift our focus towards finding 5 positive traits, we instantly develop a liking for them, making communication smoother and more effective.
If I was a junior developer, what advice would you give me?
The key to success is persistence and hard work. There are no shortcuts and no easy way if you want to achieve great results. You have to walk every step, experience every level of your development, give yourself time, and be patient. Success does not come overnight, but if you are self-disciplined and organized, it will happen.
What does it mean for you to work in the healthcare domain?
Knowing that I am part of the digital health movement is exciting and motivating. Being involved in the development of the products at BGO Software, I can say that doing something that is helping and improving people`s lives is invaluable. I am part of something bigger than me and you. And this is the added value of working in the healthcare domain.
