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COTRUGLI Business School has become a leading business school in SE Europe, whose programs of business education are completed by more than 10,000 people from the region.
Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has. MARGARET MEAD
At the very beginning a small group of intellectuals and business people joined forces around the idea of starting a new business school. The goal was to create such a school that will develop leaders who will care for the planet, profit and the community as a whole. Since then, COTRUGLI Business School has become a leading business school in SE Europe, whose programs of business education are completed by more than 10,000 people from the region. Our internationally accredited MBA programs and prominent lecturers from around the world connect the entire SEE region. The campuses we have in Zagreb and Belgrade, and representative offices in Sofia, Ljubljana and Luxembourg are meeting points for business people from SE Europe. However, for us, the most important criteria for success is the satisfaction of our participants. This publication honors them, their continuing journey with us and their inspiring success stories. Once you meet them in person, they will be more than happy to share them with you. Enjoy the reading! Jyoti Gupta, PhD Dean
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Assia Marinova Business Development Manager BRIGHT CONSULTING Bulgaria Executive MBA / 2007
COTRUGLI Business School found me in a transitional moment in my life when I needed a new catalyst for growth - both personal and professional. And ever since this journey started in 2007, COTRUGLI has kept me actively involved and inspired to grow and develop. COTRUGLI proved to be a different kind of school in numerous aspects but mainly in the personal touch and close connection in its community. From the very start I felt I naturally belonged here, surrounded by close friends to share my inspirational ‘a-ha’ moments throughout the program. If I have to be honest, the biggest learning happened in the car while we, the Bulgarian group, travelled for about 10 hours every month from Sofia to Croatia. We had a chance to exchange a lot of information, make sense of what we learned at the lectures, and reflect on what it meant for our companies and to us. Every time we were coming back home after a module, we were loaded with energy and commitment to execute the new ‘revelations’. This energy and motivation triggered by every module was one of the most practical benefits of the program, which I will greatly miss moving forward. For me COTRUGLI was also a ‘vacation’ time, as I often said to my colleagues. It was a time away from the ‘busyness’ I often created for myself at home. Along with having quality party time, I also had
From the very start I felt I naturally belonged here, surrounded by close friends to share my inspirational ‘a-ha’ moments throughout the program. 4
time to reflect on the important things. It was a chance to see from a distance what was happening at my company, what was my role in its development, what we were missing and what we were doing better than the others. This gave me the different perspective I was missing engaged in my daily routine at home. Above all, COTRUGLI empowered me with a sense of direction and inspiration to continue the learning journey and create meaning for my life.
Diana Dimitrova
Finance manager for Bulgaria AES CORPORATION United Kingdom Executive MBA / 2008
What drives me in life is my enthusiasm and a desire to do better, without limits, constant effort and a belief that there is always a better way, the ability to distinguish between what is essential to preserve and what is expendable, respect for my partners and a work for the mutual success. And here I am, living in London with my family, working for a global power company with generation and distribution businesses. Through the diverse portfolio of thermal and renewable fuel sources, we provide affordable and sustainable energy in 28 countries. With the workforce of about 30,000 people, we are committed to operational excellence and meeting the world’s changing power needs. The first time I heard about COTRUGLI Business School was from a colleague of mine. At that time, he was studying at COTRUGLI and was very impressed by the program so he strongly recommended it to me. I had the possibility to choose among several business schools. COTRUGLI attracted me with international contacts, flexible program and the common final aim: to work together for the improvement of the CEE region, business environment and business opportunities. During the regular two years of the EMBA program, I broadly expanded my professional knowledge and experience, learning from the expertise of the lecturers and all my colleagues. These years taught me that to be successful means to keep your mind open and keep learning. Thanks to the EMBA program, I taught to be the best I can be, because the life does not allow rehearsals. Our journey with COTRUGLI Business School did not finish after the Graduation. The experience continues through all the fruitful contacts made during the years, with all the fantastic people met, with our common ideas that turned into realities and with all the possibilities and opportunities in front of us that will enable us to make a better world for us and for our children.
These years taught me that to be successful means to keep your mind open and keep learning. Thanks to the EMBA program, I taught to be the best I can be, because the life life does not allow rehearsals. 5
Dobrin Mirevski Business Development Director EOS MATRIX Bulgaria Executive MBA / 2007
As I said during our graduation ceremony, I do not regret a single centimeter of the fifteen thousand kilometers I had to travel to participate in the Executive MBA program of COTRUGLI Business School. It was worth each one of them. It all started a bit by chance – seeing the ad in the Bulgarian weekly newspaper Capital. Took off with a bit of a glitch – when I did not get the notification text message that I won one of the scholarships. But went on in a seamless and fruitful way – to prove me right I made the best choice I could have made. The Executive MBA program at COTRUGLI is not just about the theoretical knowledge in the books you have to read through it. For me personally it was mostly about sharing real-life experiences and expertise, getting from fellow participants and lecturers multiple points of view to situations I was facing in my job at that time, about sourcing know-how and advice directly from the experienced faculty members. In a friendly, open and very supportive environment.
I do not regret a single centimeter of the fifteen thousand kilometers I had to travel to participate in the Executive MBA program of COTRUGLI Business School. It was worth each one of them. 6
When you add to these building a network of contacts throughout the region, becoming familiar with the culture of other countries, creating lifetime friendships, setting up new business partnerships and having great time at the social events, you will get the full picture of what this programs gives you. Far more than just an academic learning experience. Being all that, the EMBA program at COTRUGLI in a way changes your life – both personally and professionally. Often very deep, to the root of who and what you are. I believe, for good.
Elena Altimirska Managing Partner BUSINESS EFFECT Bulgaria Executive MBA / 2009
Starting and running own business for a psychologist like me could be a very challenging task. When my partner and I decided to start up a consulting company, I did not know any of the basic entrepreneurial principles. Therefore, I needed a systematic way to gain new business knowledge. I looked for very practically oriented Executive MBA program with good reputation and qualified lecturers. And that is how I found out about COTRUGLI Business School. Let me use SWOT analysis technique to explain my experience at COTRUGLI’s Executive MBA program: Strengths: • All modules are very practically oriented and combine systematic review of the theoretical principles with exercises and case studies; • Lecturers are outstanding professionals in their fields and provide not only academic knowledge but also live examples from their experience. Even in the fields which are my areas of expertise I could get insights and inspirations for my work; • Intense teamwork provides the opportunity to learn from the colleagues and share experiences about best practices. Weaknesses: • EMBA program is limited in time. However, what remains after the program are not only the acquired knowledge and skills, but also wonderful memories and good friends. Opportunities: • EMBA provides great opportunities for networking in the whole SEE region and COTRUGLI pays special attention to various social events – sport competitions, parties, informal meetings, etc. which is quite important for entrepreneurs like me; • COTRUGLI provides unique opportunity to feel the spirit of beautiful places in the region, where we had memorable experiences. Threats: • Combining studying with intense work and family life is sometimes hard to handle. But as they say: Where there is a wish, there is a way. I wish to all the future participants to find this balance and to grab all the opportunities during the two wonderful years of studying and living in accordance with the COTRUGLI values.
Combining studying with intense work and family life is sometimes hard to handle. But as they say: Where there is a wish, there is a way. 7
Petko Karamotchev
Managing Partner MERAR INVESTMENT NETWORK Bulgaria Executive MBA / 2007
To be completely honest with you, it appears that I am kind of addicted to COTRUGLI Business School. I am surrounded by the COTRUGLI brand name! My partners in the company are participating in the program; the angel investor who put money in our web-development business completed his Executive MBA program at COTRUGLI, not to mention the fantastic client relationships we established with other participants in the program. To those who ask me, is it really worth investing in the COTRUGLI Executive MBA, I can tell that I managed to double, even triple every cent I put in the program. And it is not just the fantastic contacts. It is a combination of knowledge you receive and a network you create by establishing relationship with professionals from all over the region.
To those who ask me, is it really worth investing in the COTRUGLI Executive MBA, I can tell that I managed to double, even triple every cent I put in the program. 8
Therefore, it should not sound strange that the project I am currently working on (Merar Investment Network: www.merar. com) is inspired very much from what I learned in the COTRUGLI program. As a network, we want to open new doors for starters and entrepreneurs from all over the world and especially from the emerging markets. This is also what the COTRUGLI Business School program is about – broadening the horizons for businesses and the creative minds.
Stela Stefanova Regional Sales Consultant ADECCO BULGARIA Bulgaria MBA / 2008
I have always shared the opinion that every successful person should develop simultaneously not only proficiency in his/her work and personal skills, but also should seek constant knowledge and development. What I missed most at the time when applying for MBA at COTRUGLI Business School was definitely international exposure and networking with successful people from Bulgaria and the region. At the beginning, this was what I expected from the MBA program. But later, I got much more! I met people who have the skills and knowledge to drive change and, what is most important, - dare to try and realize their ideas and dreams. I gained knowledge and different, fresh perspective of business, which I applied directly in my work. I had the chance to have open communication and free networking with people from some of the leading companies in the region. When I enrolled in the MBA program, I was a Key Account Specialist in a telecommunication company in Bulgaria. As the modules passed one after the other, my managers assigned me with more responsibilities – to lead important projects and take part in creating company strategy for development. Now, I am a Sales Specialist at Adecco Bulgaria, part of Adecco S.A. and I am responsible for half of the country market. What happened to me in the past few years was exactly what I wanted – gaining new knowledge, together with career development! I will always remember one quotation from my commencement day: “This is just the beginning, fellows”, which keeps on reminding me of the priceless moments during my MBA. I believe that the decision to enroll in this program was one of the best I have made. This is a great landmark not just in my career, but in my development as a person and a specialist. What I got from the program is something which cannot be described, it should be experienced!
What happened to me in the past few years was exactly what I wanted – gaining new knowledge, together with career development! 9
Tsanio Tsanev Manager Business Consulting and Software Solutions MAGIC SOLUTIONS Bulgaria Executive MBA / 2008
I was eager to improve my educational background so I decided to enroll in an MBA program. I found out that COTRUGLI Business School would suit me best. I can say that starting the program was one of the most crucial decisions and actions I have made. In these two unforgettable years I have established very valuable friendships, I improved my managerial and leadership skills and the most important achievement was that I shaped and developed my personality. Throughout the modules, especially the case discussions, I changed my managerial approach towards different aspects of the business environment. I will always keep those wonderful moments during the class sessions where we discussed and analysed cases like we were in a real business situation. The interventions were so close to reality that it motivated me to give the best of me and share it with others. I also improved my communication and presentation skills towards a more interactive and professional manner. This was one of the biggest challenges and I am very proud and pleased with the results. I was engaged from the very beginning of the program and my will to explore and learn increased progressively. I was feeling that all
I can honestly state that the knowledge I obtained and the experience I gained at the School are the most valuable impact on my personality so far. 10
my efforts were reasonable and would be rewarded. When you see the same attitude all around you it increases your readiness to contribute in the name of the team. I can honestly state that the knowledge I obtained and the experience I gained at the School are the most valuable impact on my personality so far. Now I feel more confident and ready to share them to achieve the goal of a better society. Let us all do the same and only then our mission will be completed!
Tsvetomira Tsotsova Investment Manager INNIMMO INVESTMENTS Bulgaria MBA / 2008
COTRUGLI MBA is not about improving your professional skills by upgrading your academic knowledge. It is a platform to exchange knowledge and experience, broaden your network of contacts and challenge your mind and skills to drive positive change in your business environment. The main benefit from my MBA degree is intangible. I have changed my mindset! Since enrolling an MBA at COTRUGLI Business School till now there has been a tremendous progress in my career. When I started my MBA two years ago, I had been working as a financial analyst for almost two years. At that time I felt the need not only to progress in my career but also to become a driver of change for the Bulgarian market. I believed I was able to become one of these change drives with innovative thinking, current concepts and entrepreneurial approach that trigger the development of the markets. And the MBA program became the tool, my lecturers the guides, my MBA fellows - the ones to exchange knowledge and experience with, and my colleagues – the ones to support me in achieving this goal. Of course, the core was hard work. The immediate benefit was I could apply the gained knowledge to my work environment. The long-term benefits are new business opportunities that I discovered thanks to my MBA program, the partnerships I gained and the investments I managed as a result of all the mentioned.
The main benefit from my MBA degree is intangible. I have changed my mindset! 11
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