Eduard Cobîlean, Process Manager in the Business Banking Lending Orchestra at maib, is the person who efficiently manages both the processes in the bank and the beehives.
He combines the world of finance with an unusual passion - beekeeping. Behind the banking job is a dedicated beekeeper, drawn to the fascination of the bee world and the deep connection it brings with nature.
Discover his exciting story in this article, where efficient management of banking processes goes hand in hand with beekeeping.
How did you discover your passion for beekeeping?
It all started thanks to my grandfather, who also loves bees. Ten years ago, I was visiting my grandfather and read my grandfather's literature about bees in my leisure time. This inspired me to study beekeeping further. Grandpa keeps about 40-50 families of bees that he takes care of all year round.
How have you balanced your role as a process manager with your passion for beekeeping?
Effective time planning helps me balance my role in maib with my passion for beekeeping. However, I provide hands-on support to my grandfather during the honey harvest season, during May and July, when I become one with the bees, and seasonal work in preparing the bees for winter and the warming period.
Can you apply a principle or approach from the beekeeping world to manage company processes?
Indeed, one of them would be "working together effectively to achieve a common goal". In beekeeping, bees work together harmoniously to accomplish their specific tasks, thus contributing to the success of the whole hive.
What's the biggest challenge you've encountered in both process management and beekeeping?
The major challenge in beekeeping came when I was in charge of collecting honey-filled honey packages in an environment surrounded by bees, being in a stressful situation that I had to struggle with, and the biggest challenge in process management was creating a new and unique head-to-tail process.
How does your experience in beekeeping add value to your team and professional approach?
It develops organisation, attention to detail, and effective resource management. In beekeeping, it is essential to be well organised to monitor the condition of the hives, to pay attention to detail to observe small changes in bee behaviour and to manage resources such as collected honey efficiently.
In addition, working with bees can develop adaptability and problem-solving skills, as the beekeeping environment can be dynamic and demanding. These skills can help to manage complex situations and find innovative solutions in the professional context.
What has been the most memorable moment in your management and beekeeping career?
As a manager, one of my most memorable moments was successfully implementing an innovative process optimisation strategy within TTC processes and creating a new and unique process in the market.
As a beekeeper, a key moment was when we achieved our first honey harvest after a challenging work season. This success was a tangible reward for the hard work and an unforgettable experience.
How do you maintain energy and motivation when juggling professional and beekeeping responsibilities?
Efforts are in direct proportion to results. Achieving results, whether the honey harvest or meeting organisational goals, brings great satisfaction and motivates continued commitment in both areas.
What, if you were to share for beginning beekeepers and process management professionals, would that be?
My advice is to be tenacious and agile. In both beekeeping and process management, we face constant challenges and changes. Being perseverant and flexible in facing changes is the key to success. In beekeeping, you will encounter different weather conditions, bee diseases and variability in honey production. In process management, you will manage various challenges and market developments. Perseverance helps you overcome difficulties, learn from experiences and stay committed to your long-term goals. Adaptability, in turn, allows you to adjust quickly to changes, revise your strategies and find innovative solutions to problems that may arise.
