Slice is an added value of the economy in Macedonia as it employs over 600 people of different profiles and ages. Telegrafi Makedonija together with ECNWM conducted an interview with Butrint Sela, General Manager (GM) in Slice Macedonia. We learned how to change the pizza market in the US and what are the plans for the future there and here in Macedonia.

You have reached the top, can you describe to us your performance as a company?

Slice is a startup that was founded in 2010. Slice is the only technology platform that works with local pizzerias to enable customers in more than 2,000 cities across the US to order authentic and artisanal pizzas. Built with a focus on loyalty, Slice is dedicated to helping local pizzerias with large pizzeria chains by offering easy online shopping technology, two-way marketing materials and digital personalized advertising.

With Slice, customers will not only be able to find authentic pizzerias near them, they now have the opportunity to order from their favorite pizzeria by visiting slicelife.com or downloading the app on iOS or Android. Payment can be made quickly and easily through the information already stored, or with Apple Pay.

Slice will help local pizzerias by creating the largest network of passionate pizza producers in the world, enabled by an unparalleled digital ecosystem, a brand that everyone likes and a development economy that will ‘ enable local pizzerias to merge and thrive in the $ 155 billion global pizza industry.

Local owners will operate more easily for themselves, and not only, giving them the opportunity to enjoy the work they do, spend more time with their families and make the best pizzas imaginable – which, with ease can be ordered online from customers who love them so much. Because at the end of the day, we work together to provide customers who love pizza with the best experience possible.

What have you learned from all these years of experience?

Success does not come overnight, success is not an event but a process, success is a journey, not a destination. This means that what matters is not necessarily where you end up, but what you achieve while you are striving along the way. It means, that no matter what, as long as you try, you can never fail. It means you can learn from your mistakes and move on to the next journey with a little more knowledge.

In addition to your success in business, you have employed many young people in Macedonia. How capable is our youth to work?

Slice in North Macedonia currently employs over 600 people aged 18 to 50 years. Our principle for employment is to offer equal competition in every job, regardless of ethnicity, religion or age. If an individual fits in a position he will soon be promoted.

Working with this principle we have come to the conclusion that we have a youth with a lot of potential, motivated, but with insufficient experience to compete in global markets. With many investments in the various trainings we offer to new candidates, we have managed to adapt them to our needs in different sectors, and we have managed to use the potential and desire for work that the youth in Macedonia have.

What are your plans for the future?

Slice is a company still developing, in terms of the market we continue to be present only in the US market. In terms of manpower, Slice’s plan for 2021 is that 70 to 80% of new hires will be made in the Macedonian operational force. We plan to employ in the field of programming, in the services sector and many other jobs in various sectors such as data analyst, marketing and design.

What is your message to young entrepreneurs?

With the globalization of markets we have to think globally, we have to think and work to create opportunities when we are trying to create problems. The moment we see a problem, we should immediately start thinking about the opportunities that can be created by trying to solve that problem. This is the only reason why we are a successful company because we have tried to create opportunities, and by creating opportunities we have created many problems that we have solved together and we are here today where we are.