Together 2025 Speaker Article: Part 4 with Petra Šešljaga Paradi
Next up in our series of Speaker Articles is Petra Šešljaga Paradi, who, alongside her presentation partner Ivana Barisic Oharek, explored the evolving skills and relationships for LSPs and vendors at ELIA Together 2025. Read on to learn more about Petra’s perspectives and key takeaways:
The Perfect Prompt: Steering Relations and Skills of Language Professionals to New Heights
Attending ELIA Together 2025 was an incredibly enriching experience, both professionally and personally. As a first-time speaker, I had the opportunity to share my insights as a vendor manager, discussing the evolving relationships with vendors and the skills that are most valuable in this rapidly changing AI-driven landscape.
Leading up to the event, I was filled with anticipation and a bit of nervous excitement. Speaking in front of an audience of industry professionals was a new challenge for me and my colleague Ivana, who was my presentation partner and gave valuable insights into the changing environment for the employees in an LSP. However, from the moment I stepped onto the stage, I felt a great sense of engagement from the attendees, which helped ease my nerves. My speech focused on how AI is reshaping vendor management, i.e. what skills I look for in vendors today and how collaboration is evolving in response to automation and machine learning tools. I emphasized the importance of adaptability, technological literacy, and strategic thinking, as these qualities are becoming increasingly crucial in the industry.
The response to our presentation was overwhelmingly positive. Attendees approached us afterward to discuss the insights further, and many expressed appreciation. It was incredibly rewarding to hear that our talk resonated with both vendors and other industry players alike. Engaging in these discussions reinforced my belief that while AI is transforming the translation industry, the human element remains irreplaceable.
Beyond our session, the conference offered a wealth of valuable takeaways. It was fascinating to hear different viewpoints on how AI can be leveraged to enhance efficiency without compromising quality. The consensus seemed to be that AI should be seen as a tool to augment human expertise rather than replace it, and this is a perspective I wholeheartedly agree with.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the conference was the opportunity to network with industry professionals. The conversations I had over coffee breaks and networking sessions were just as valuable as the formal presentations, providing new insights and potential collaborations that I am excited to explore.
Overall, my experience at Together was incredibly positive. Speaking for the first time at such an event was a milestone in my professional journey, and the encouragement and feedback I received have only motivated me further. Even though the translation industry is at a pivotal moment, this event reaffirmed my belief that innovation and human expertise must go hand in hand. I left feeling inspired, more connected to my peers, and eager to apply the insights I gained to my work as a vendor manager.
I am already looking forward to future events and the opportunity to continue contributing to the dialogue. This experience has strengthened my passion for the industry, and I am excited to see how we all continue to adapt and grow in this evolving landscape.
What is your opinion on the evolving needs in vendor management? Don’t hesitate to reach out to Petra via LinkedIn to continue the conversation!Share your thoughts on this topic here on LinkedIn, and follow this series where we will share more speaker articles from Together 2025.
