We recently sat down and had a very engaging interview with Nikola Sekulic, a hard-working and progressive-thinking individual who works as a Sales & Client Success Manager at one of the biggest and most reputable brands in the iGaming realm, SiGMA. Keep reading and learn what it takes to be a top-tier Sales & Client Success Manager at a leading company such as SiGMA, as well as its intricate way of doing business on a global level!
Hello Nikola, first of all, let us start by saying that we are very happy to have you as our guest, we were looking forward to this interview.
Nikola, you work as Sales & Client Success Manager at SiGMA, arguably one of the biggest and most reputable brands in the iGaming industry. Tell us a bit more about your journey in the iGaming realm. What inspired you to enter the world of iGaming? Is this your first gig in iGaming?
First of all, I would like to thank you for the interview. It is a pleasure to be your guest. I started my iGaming journey eight years ago, dealing with consulting and marketing in the iGaming industry. Later I focused on selling iGaming premium domains. My goal was to find a reputable and quality media company to promote my domain business, and SiGMA was the right choice. That’s when I came up with the idea of creating a project to expand the business of the SiGMA brand to the Balkans.
I got in touch with the founder of SiGMA, Eman Pulis, and presented the project, which was given the green light by him and the company’s management. That’s how my career at SiGMA began. We are growing constantly, organizing an increasing number of events and expanding our business in different verticals. I can proudly say that we deservedly bear the title of one of the largest and most respected iGaming brands.
What is it that you love most about your job as a Sales & Client Success Manager? Also, what is the most challenging part of your profession?
What I love most about my job is the dynamism and interaction with people. Working in the iGaming industry is particularly exciting because of the constant development and innovation, which allows me to learn and evolve alongside the industry constantly. Every day, I face different challenges, which is an opportunity to use my creativity to find solutions for clients. Each client has unique needs and goals, and it is an absolute pleasure when I succeed in helping clients achieve their goals and overcome obstacles. It is necessary to be very organized, flexible and able to make quick decisions to meet the demands of clients.
Being a Sales & Client Success Manager requires possessing exceptional people skills that are essential for building customer loyalty and developing close, long-term client relationships. What attributes do you believe a CSM should possess in order to be successful in his job?
I would highlight organization, communication, understanding, patience and flexibility. Understanding the client’s needs, putting yourself in their position, and finding a quality and satisfactory solution is crucial. Building long-term relationships takes time and commitment. The CSM must be patient when working with clients, even in challenging situations, and persistent in finding solutions that meet client needs.
As one of the most important figures in the relationship between the clients and the company, you are undoubtedly required to bridge the gap between not just external factors, but internal teams as well. What do you find is the most effective way to maintain such a tricky balance?
Effective communication is fundamental to bridging the gap between clients and internal teams. Clients must be regularly informed about their requests’ status, and internal teams must be informed about client feedback. Transparency in communication builds trust and reduces misunderstandings.
While we are on the subject of challenges, it is no secret that the world of iGaming is susceptible to a plethora of regulatory challenges and obstacles, especially for a brand like SiGMA with such a huge global presence. How do you battle regulatory obstacles in different jurisdictions?
The challenge of regulatory compliance in the iGaming industry requires constant monitoring of changes in legislation, flexibility in operations, close cooperation with regulatory bodies, continuous education of employees, use of technological solutions for compliance, preparation for different scenarios and proactive legal advice. The key is to combine a global perspective with a local approach to ensure compliance and minimize risks across jurisdictions.
Speaking of the global events hosted by SiGMA, we are months away from the much-anticipated SiGMA East Europe that will be hosted in Budapest, Hungary. What can we expect from SiGMA at this groundbreaking event?
Less than three months away, in fact. In Budapest, exhibitors and visitors will connect with the strong Slavic community and what it has to offer. SiGMA East Europe, like all our other regional events, will bring together the region’s biggest B2B and B2C companies. What makes SiGMA events stand out, and the Budapest event will be no different, are the unmatched networking opportunities. There will also be a two-day conference featuring content focused on the region and of global interest, held both in English and Russian. Another plus is that attendees can extend their stay and attend the Affiliate World conference, as both events will be held back-to-back in the same venue.
In an era of technological advancements where AI is taking over every facet of our society, iGaming is certainly no exception. Nikola, what is your stance on AI? Do you see a role for AI in a company such as SiGMA?
I believe that AI is becoming a necessary part of modern society and business, including the iGaming industry. The fact that it took only 5 days for Chat GPT to reach one million users, compared with 3.5 years for Netflix and 2 years for Twitter, speaks volumes about the popularity and impact of AI. At SiGMA we use AI tools in various aspects of our business, and in this way, we improve the efficiency and optimization of business processes.
Let’s go into the future for a bit. Where do you see SiGMA 5 years from now? Even more importantly, Nikola, where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
SiGMA is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, and when you look at the starting and current points, you can only see an upward trajectory in all business segments. From one to 6 events per year, expansion of business in different verticals, numerous acquisitions, opening of offices in Malta, Cyprus, Serbia, Brazil, The Philippines, and now India. I am sure that the upward trajectory will continue. Eman and the whole team at SiGMA always turn their creative ideas into great initiatives and events, so I do not doubt that this will be the case for the next 5 years as well.
In the next 5 years, I see expanding the business to new verticals, following the trends and innovations in the iGaming industry. In addition to the iGaming industry, we also operate actively in the Crypto/FinTech industries, so new projects and developments in those areas can be expected. I am a visionary and ambitious and hope to continue participating in this growth and success, actively contributing to the company. The industry is dynamic and constantly evolving, so I look forward to challenges and new opportunities.
We would like to end this interview on a more personal and fun note. Tell us Nikola, what do you like to do in your spare time? Do you have any hobbies or activities that are your favourite pastime activity?
Getting together with family and friends is the most important part of my free time. I am a big football fan, so watching football with friends is an absolute pleasure. Now is the current EURO 2024, so I can say that this is my period 🙂 I also like to read books and watch quality educational podcasts.
