Mirjana Tatalović

When Mirjana Tatalović, Commercial Support Manager at Končar – Electronics and informatics,  Končar Group member, looks back on her career path, she clearly remembers the day she decided to enroll in an MBA program. She already had a wealth of experience in international trade, spanning industries in transition – from textiles and construction to IT – yet she felt something was missing. “I had gone through various industries and diverse experiences, but I still felt there was something more I needed,” she recalls. That was when she made the decision that would define her professional growth: enrolling in the COTRUGLI MBA.

From Industry Experience to the MBA Decision

It was not a decision she took lightly. She was looking for a program that would be more than theory – she wanted practical knowledge, professors from around the world, and an experience that would shape her, not just decorate her résumé with a diploma. “The distinction between academic theory and real business practice was important to me. I wanted business administration as something you live through – and that’s exactly what COTRUGLI offered,” Mirjana explains.

Over time, she realized the MBA gave her much more than additional knowledge in business and management. It also brought personal growth – an aspect she hadn’t fully anticipated, but one that left a lasting impact.

Along her journey, Mirjana met people who profoundly influenced her career. Early in her career, she worked at a company that grew from 10 to over 80 employees. “When a company grows that fast, you learn a lot – from colleagues, from the team – and those lessons stay with you for life,” she says. Later, in the family-owned IT business where she spent fifteen years, she learned directly from the owners about sales, finance, and business operations. “That was true hands-on learning,” she adds.

When it comes to leadership, Mirjana distinguishes between managing and leading. “In a larger company, you are more of a manager than a leader. Leadership is something I would have experienced more fully if I had been running my own company,” she admits. Still, she emphasizes that successful leadership ultimately depends on finding a balance between work, personal life, and continuous self-development.

Leadership, Growth, and Lifelong Connections

Reflecting on her MBA experience, a few moments stand out vividly. The self-development module initially felt unusual, but turned out to be the one that surprised her the most. “The professor connected the group in a way that made us share things rarely spoken about in the business world,” she recalls. She also fondly remembers professors Esteban and Gupta, whose knowledge and energy left a deep impression.

Her fondest memories, however, are tied to teamwork. The intense period of classes and assignments created strong bonds. “We stayed in touch even today. Some of them became true friends I can always count on,” she says with a smile.

Balancing MBA, work, and private life was demanding, though at the time she didn’t dwell on it. “I had a task to do, and I did it. Only afterwards did I realize how big a commitment it really was,” she admits.

Today, she passes on her knowledge to others, just as her first mentors did for her. She believes this is how the next generation of professionals is built.

When asked if she would choose the same path again, there is no hesitation. “The MBA gave me knowledge, experience, and people. It’s not just a diploma – it’s a process that changes you as a person,” she emphasizes. And her advice for anyone considering it: “If you decide to do it, go all in. Discipline, commitment, and openness – to people and to knowledge – are key. MBA is not the end, but a journey worth taking.”