HR answers the most frequently asked questions

We celebrate the successes of our inventory team with a bonus article and Dennis Kamburov - department head.

Before we get started we want to congratulate Dennis and his team on the great successes this month.

But before we take a look into the world of inventory and your hard work, could you tell us a little more about yourself - who is Dennis outside of all of this?

My name is Dennis and I am 27 years old. I have been working for Trenkwalder Bulgaria for 3 years as Inventory Supervisor and since March 2024 as Head of the whole department. Outside of work I am a person with a great sense of humor and a great sense of self-irony. I love spending time with my family, watching movies and being lazy together. I generally consider myself a good person who can be counted on, and as long as I can, I look to always help, whether it's with work or something on a personal level.

And who is the leader Kamburov?

I've been working since I was 19 and have always been loyal to the companies I work for. I have a bad habit of caring and wanting the company to move forward because I realized very quickly that if a company performs well, I benefit from it too. Otherwise, I don't take myself as a super strict manager during a shift. My employees know that when there's work to be done, work gets done, and when they can drool, I drool with them.

Can you tell us more about what inventories are?

Inventories are one of the most important processes and are an essential part of any company. It doesn't matter if the company consists of only 1 or 100 locations - inventories are, to say the least, a must. In short, inventories are a process that determines the current stock at a given site. Thanks to inventory, all possible gaps are revealed, from deliveries to theft by customers or employees.

How does a day at work go for you, and a month?

In a word - dynamic. My day starts with waking up around noon because I was on inventory the night before. The good thing about us is that week in and week out don't look alike. I might be 4 nights in Sofia one week and 3 nights in 3 different cities in Bulgaria the next. After a quick check of emails from the morning, I open the laptop and organize the inventory for the next week. A quick breakfast follows and I'm off to the store for the next inventory. I'm not going to tell you how a month goes by because this post will get very long (laughs).

And what are the advantages and disadvantages of this mode of operation?

For me, the biggest advantage is that every day is different. Today I'm in a small shop in Stara Zagora, the next day I'm in a big and heavy shop in Plovdiv. As someone born in Sofia, apart from the sea and the mountains, I have hardly travelled around Bulgaria. After I started working at Trenkwalder and travelled around most of the small towns, I was honestly quite pleasantly surprised. Every day I meet different people, good ones, and the shifts pass easily and without tension. Of course, there are the exceptions, but we'll talk about them next time.

As for the disadvantages - for me personally there is only one, and that is that I am away from my family for a few days almost every week. Next year my first born daughter will come into the world and the thought of leaving them for 3-4 days a week drives me crazy. Another downside is that our work is almost always at night. Not everyone likes to work nights, and a lot of people turn down shifts just because they are nights and can't stand working all night.

Why should companies choose to outsource the inventory process?

We offer objective counting and our goal is to provide 98% accuracy. When a company chooses an outside vendor to do their inventory, they are assured that the inventory will be done correctly and there will be no manipulation. As a former employee of a grocery store and someone who has been on the other side, I know very well how employees can manipulate the outcome.

Who are the biggest partners you have worked with? Who is easier to work with - larger or smaller companies?

All of the current clients are large international companies, some of which are "small" in Bulgaria with 2-3 stores and others with 50-60. The smaller the company, the more demanding their bosses are. The big companies already have processes in place on how to do the inventory and what report to make to them at the end, which makes things much easier.

Your work is very dynamic. What is the "recipe" for survival and what is the biggest sacrifice you make?

One of the advantages with us is that the work itself is not mentally taxing. This is not the case for me as a supervisor who is in charge of the whole process, but I survive thanks to my family, whom I met, as it usually happens at work, my colleagues and my friends. The sacrifice we all make in the department is being separated from our loved ones.

Is work-life balance possible in this type of activity?

Of course, yes. If there was no balance, this type of activity would not exist. Except for the fall, which is the busiest season for us and almost all clients have inventory then, the rest of the year I am able to make the schedule so that all employees have what is called a long weekend. They have Friday, Saturday and Sunday off almost every week so they can relax and see their families.

Why would you direct someone to do inventories? What would you say to a candidate to get them on your team?

Inventories is a specific activity and anyone who likes to travel could do it. As long as you are sociable and enjoy interacting with people, this is the job for you.

But apart from people, how much does the software and devices you work with matter?

Huge. The more optimized the process is at the software level, the easier the task is for supervisors during an inventory. If the supervisor doesn't have to be in front of the laptop all the time, they have more opportunities to supervise employees and distribute them for faster inventory completion. Often, our teams use mobile apps to get inventory reports on the go so they don't have to wait at the end of the inventory to see what the result is.

In any job there is a risk of errors and failures - what are they for you and are there any fatal ones?

Our software is designed to prevent loss of information. It has three levels of protection, allowing us to find it at any time. Mistakes can always happen, whether it's counting or scanning, but we have supervisors to monitor the process, as well as store colleagues.

We know that your successes are now spreading beyond Bulgaria. What are the differences between the Bulgarian and foreign markets?

I was pleasantly surprised to find that the stores in Bulgaria are significantly better prepared for inventories compared to those in Croatia, Slovenia and Romania. Our overseas projects are not many yet, so I cannot give an objective assessment, but at least in this respect Bulgaria is not lagging behind, as it is in many other aspects.

Is it easy to find people who are willing to be posted abroad? What are their expectations?

At the risk of jinxing things, for the projects we've had in Greece, Romania, Croatia and Slovenia, I managed to get the teams together in one day. The overseas assignments are heavier, with more shifts, but always provide the opportunity to walk around and see the city. Unfortunately, not everyone has the chance to travel abroad, and we offer this opportunity so people can earn money and see Europe.

What is the project you are most proud of?

I've been running the department since March 2024. Just two months after I took over the department, I managed to win back one of our biggest clients, which has over 50 stores in Bulgaria. Furthermore, in the last six months we have increased the department's turnover by 40% compared to 2023. For the first time in the six years that Trenkwalder Bulgaria's inventory department has been in existence, we will be able to scan over 1.5 million units in a single month. These are three achievements of which I am extremely proud.

What are your plans for the future? What can we expect from you?

We continue to look for new customers both in Bulgaria and abroad. We expect 2025 to bring a minimum of five new international projects.

And to finish... Anything from you?

The one thing I want to say to my peers and those younger than me is that not everything is served on a platter and it doesn't happen with a magic wand. Stop being lazy and realize that you have to give first in order to receive.

Emotional intelligence is a powerful tool that can help every employee and leader achieve better performance at work. The ability to manage emotions, understand others and adapt to different social and emotional situations not only improves individual performance, but also creates a harmonious and productive work environment. Developing it is a key investment for both personal and professional success.

1. Practice self-awareness

Start by becoming more aware of your own emotions. You can keep an emotion journal where you note how you feel throughout the day and how you react to different situations. This will help you recognize patterns in your emotional behavior.

Tip: Whenever you feel upset or stressed, try to pause and ask yourself, "What exactly am I feeling right now and why?"

2. Manage your emotions

In moments of stress or conflict, instead of reacting impulsively, try to stay as calm as possible. Practicing deep breathing or pausing briefly can help restore balance.

Tip: Try a technique like the "10-second rule" - count to 10 before responding or reacting in an emotionally charged situation. This allows time for reflection and self-control.

3. Develop your empathy

Try to step into the shoes of others, especially when conflicts or misunderstandings arise. Active listening is a key part of empathy - be fully present in the conversation without interrupting or thinking about your response.

Tip: When talking to colleagues or friends, use phrases like "I understand how you feel" or "Can you tell me more about what you're feeling?" - this shows that you're genuinely interested in their perspective.

4. Practice self-regulation

Instead of giving in to negative emotions, find positive or constructive ways to express them. Reflection on past situations can help improve your reactions in the future.

Tip: When feeling tension or anger, you can use physical activity as a way to release stress - a short walk or exercise often helps to 'clear' thoughts.

5. Motivate yourself

Set realistic but challenging goals. The motivation that comes from your inner need for achievement will help you overcome difficulties along the way.

Tip: Divide big goals into smaller ones and manage the process of accomplishing them. Each small accomplishment can act as an extra incentive to keep moving forward.

6. Work on your social skills

Communicate openly and constructively with colleagues, even in difficult situations. Maintain good working relationships and always participate actively in team projects.

Tip: Improve your ability to give and receive feedback. Use positive language and encourage dialogue. For example, instead of saying "You're wrong!", you could try "Can we look at the situation from a different perspective?".

7. Seek feedback

Don't hesitate to ask colleagues or friends for their opinion on how you manage your emotions and how they perceive your empathy and social skills.

Tip: Use anonymous surveys or structured questions for feedback if you are wary of open dialogue. This can give you more honest and specific observations.

8. Keep learning and developing

Attend trainings and workshops on developing emotional intelligence or read books and materials related to the topic.

Tip: One of the most effective trainings can be role-playing in simulated work situations where you can practice your reactions and approaches.

9. Build a habit of positive reflection

At the end of the day, take time to reflect on how you managed emotions and how you handled social interactions. This will help you understand where you can improve.

Tip: Keeping a journal to record your successes can serve as motivation and show you how far you've come in your development.

10. Be patient and consistent

Developing emotional intelligence takes time and persistence. Don't expect results overnight. Be consistent in your efforts reward yourself for small successes.

Tip: Use an app or reminder on your phone to check your emotional state regularly and track your progress.

Developing emotional intelligence is a process that requires constant work on yourself, but the benefits are immense. With these tips and tricks, you can take the first steps toward better self-awareness, managing your emotions, and building better relationships both at work and in your personal life.

Today we would like to introduce you Ms. Sevalina Yaneva - Recruitment Team Manager. With her invaluable experience and passion for people development she gave us professional answers but in a personal way. "Because first we need to be good people and then good professionals" (her words). And what else did she share with us? You will find out in the next lines!

But before that, who is Sevalina Yaneva outside of professional life?

My name is Sevalina Yaneva, 34 years old, from Plovdiv. I am married, have a lovely 8-year-old daughter and a cute 5-year-old Yorkie dog. I graduated from Technical University - Sofia, and I am currently a Recruitment Team Manager at Trenqualder Bulgaria. About myself I can say that I am a good person who insists on friendship, honesty and fairness. I like my job and in my free time I like to dance. I love children and I have a Latin dance school. It's where I relax and express myself. I am a very outgoing person, ready to lend a hand to anyone, but allowing few people near me.

That's me, and you can find out more about my professional side in the next few paragraphs.

1. Let's start from afar. "How does your day start?

Every morning on my drive to work, I listen to my favorite music on the radio. When I get to the office, I make myself a coffee, which I drink almost all day (it's nice to drink coffee cold - anti-wrinkle 😉 ). The first thing I do when I sit down at my desk is to make a list of things I need to get done during the day. That way I can organize and prioritize work tasks easier. I prefer to get most of my work done before lunch because I feel more productive then.

2.What is the biggest challenge you face in your work?

Our work is full of challenges. All day long we interview and organize interviews with different people for different positions. For me, the best result is when I manage to convince a candidate to accept the offered position or when a colleague makes an offer to a candidate.

3.When we talk about starting a new job, one of the key elements is the CV we apply with. What is the first thing you notice in a CV?

Depends on the position I'm considering it for. I always look first at how it's structured and if it's properly written. Then I can check the age of the candidate if I have such a requirement submitted by colleagues. Not everyone can write good resumes, but that doesn't mean they aren't a good hire. We can always help with resume formatting to present candidates better.Then I format and send the information to colleagues. This way I highlight the candidates capabilities and I send a good looking profile.

4.And then what don't you like to see in a CV?

I don't like to see inappropriate photos and comments in the candidate's additional information section.

5.Many young people face the problem of no work experience. It is possible for a candidate with no experience to be preferred over a candidate with a lot of experience? If yes, why?

Yes, it is possible, and this is where a good interview performance plays a role.

6. For you, what makes you believe in a candidate and give them a chance, even if they don't have the right experience?

A personal interview with the candidate is very important because you can find out much more about the person through their behaviour. How you approach the candidate and how engaging you can be is very important!

In my opinion, you should give candidates without experience a chance, because this way you give them courage, room for expression and the opportunity to prove themselves.

7.Great! Mentioned the interview performance. Let's talk about it then. What are the top three tips you would give to candidates?

They should always try to be confident in themselves and their abilities.

It is important to arrive early and in appropriate clothing.

They should speak and present like the job is already theirs and they are part of the team.

8.And what is the best interview style? Is there a universal outfit to make sure we are dressed appropriately?

Clothes should always be suitable for the position you are going to interview for.

9.If a candidate has a choice of only one thing to improve, what would you advise them to choose? Courses, a foreign language, general culture, or something else?

To cultivate himself as a person and a virtue! Because first we have to be good people, then good professionals.

10. So, the process is two-sided. What advice would you give to our partners and, in general, to all those who stand on the other side? For example, how do they know if a candidate is a good or right and is there a difference between the two?

The right candidate will perform their tasks proficiently and the right candidate will integrate into the team, contributing to the success of the organization.

11.But how to reach them? What is the best platform for candidate search right now, in your opinion, and why?

I am all about sourcing candidates in a manufacturing environment. I use a variety of channels, but for me the most effective is Facebook. I reach the most candidates there. Not everyone can prepare a resume and apply through a job search platform. There, everyone is free to just call or email you to help them find their job. By creating job profiles for these candidates and finding them a job, I feel satisfied and know that I have done my job.

12.And what are the main things candidates look for when looking for a job? What are they willing to compromise on and what would they not change about their requirements for their future job?

Most candidates are interested in the salary first, which is normal nowadays. Everyone has bills, needs and wants to live peacefully and well. There are candidates for which the position and money are not so important. Usually these people have been in senior positions and know that the high pay requires some sacrifices, one of which is personal time, which for me is the most valuable. Time does not come back and cannot be bought with money.

We will let Sesi continue her search for the most suitable place for you, and to finish what she wants to tell you is:

It is very important to love what you do in order to get results and feel satisfaction! It is important to be kind to yourself and to others because "kindness is the only garment that does not wear out".

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