The Experience of Igor Vlahović, CEO of PRESS GLASS Croatia
Continuous skill development is essential for success in the dynamic world of manufacturing and industry. Igor Vlahović, CEO of PRESS GLASS Croatia, shared his experience with the COTRUGLI EMBA program, which enabled him to achieve significant professional growth and deepen his understanding of business operations. His story confirms that investing in knowledge and development yields invaluable results—for both the individual and the company.
From Engineer to Leader
“I started the COTRUGLI EMBA program with the 11th generation in Zagreb. Until then, I was a mechanical engineer serving as a production manager with 17 years of experience in a company where I was the 16th employee. Together, we built it from the ground up to become a regional leader in the industry, with almost 300 employees. As the company grew, my position within it became increasingly senior, and the number of employees and relationships I was responsible for kept growing.
Throughout those years, we used various trainings, seminars, consultants, and literature, but my superiors decided I needed something more comprehensive to enhance my managerial skills. That’s how COTRUGLI Business School was chosen—a decision I now consider one of the best business decisions in my career.
COTRUGLI opened a new business perspective for me—a new way of thinking and completing tasks. After so many years in the business world, it was rare to hear something entirely new, yet after every module, I filled some gaps in my knowledge. As a production engineer, finance, accounting, sales, and marketing gave me valuable knowledge and prerequisites for better understanding these functions within the company. Other modules, such as human resources, communication, and especially leadership, strengthened my sense of responsibility toward employees. But it’s not just about knowledge—it’s about the approach and understanding of the bigger picture.
Working in interdisciplinary teams allowed me to better understand different perspectives. My fellow students selflessly shared their knowledge and experiences. They were simultaneously friends, colleagues, and teachers. I learned a lot from them, and I can confidently say I built a fantastic business network during those two years. In the beginning, I was worried about balancing my private life, work, and business school, but COTRUGLI also taught me how much reserve and potential we can draw from ourselves. There’s a saying: ‘If someone wants to learn something, they will find a way, not an excuse.’ This may be the most valuable lesson because our growth and learning don’t end with graduation.”
COTRUGLI as a Driver of Development and Innovation
COTRUGLI EMBA is not just education—it’s an experience that transforms the approach to business and empowers leaders to address future challenges. The program combines practical knowledge across various business fields, from finance and marketing to leadership and communication, while simultaneously focusing on future technologies like artificial intelligence (AI).
AI augmentation, integrated into COTRUGLI programs, helps participants adopt advanced technologies and apply them to real business scenarios. Additionally, the CoLab mentorship network facilitates collaboration with top experts, guiding for implementation innovations and optimizing business processes.
Projects for Developing Industry 5.0
COTRUGLI Business School actively participates in the development of Industry 5.0, which is based on a human-centric approach, sustainability, and resilience. COTRUGLI equips leaders for the future through projects such as:
- CoLab Innovation Hub, connecting mentors and participants for faster innovation development,
- EDIH Training on blockchain digital technologies to improve business processes,
- Collaborations with leading companies and institutions to promote sustainable and technologically advanced business practices.
Register for the Info Session
If you want to improve your leadership and managerial skills, expand your business network, and contribute to the development of the industry of the future, like Igor Vlahović, COTRUGLI EMBA is the right choice for you. Register for the Info Session, which will be held on February 7, 2025, in Zagreb, and learn everything you need to know about the COTRUGLI MBA program.