The MBA Opened Doors and Gave Me Knowledge I Still Use Today
“I still use the knowledge I gained. I believe in the MBA so much that I’d love for my children to enroll at COTRUGLI one day. It’s an experience that opens doors, provides knowledge, and creates a network of contacts for a lifetime.”
“I still have great memories of it; it was one of the highlights of my career,” says Gaber Marolt, reflecting on his MBA days. At the time, he was already the director of a company with 25 employees, but he felt he lacked the tools and knowledge to take things further. “A university degree and talent aren’t enough. I needed broader skills, efficiency, and perspective. That’s exactly what I found at COTRUGLI – knowledge, but also people I connected with and grew alongside.”
The MBA as a Surprise
Initially, he admits, he was skeptical. “I thought I might not even need an MBA because, as an economist, I felt like I already knew it all. But I quickly realized the program offered a completely different perspective. The professors were exceptional, both professionally and personally. I’m still in touch with some of them today. I can confidently say the MBA exceeded my expectations.”
New Doors and New Opportunities
The degree and knowledge he gained steered him toward new challenges and opportunities. “I worked for large and successful companies in Slovenia, but the academic title opened additional doors for me. On top of that, the networking I built during the program still lasts today, with colleagues from both Croatia and Slovenia.”
Today, Gaber runs several of his own companies, focusing primarily on two. One is dedicated to business education, particularly soft skills like communication, relationships, conflict management, and emotional intelligence. “People are very satisfied with our programs, and we consistently receive top ratings.” The other is a leadership academy where he works with CEOs and executive boards. “I especially enjoy working at the highest level because the new generation of leaders has expertise and ambition, but they often lack leadership knowledge. That’s where we step in to help.”
He is also involved in NLP and coaching. “We’ve trained five generations of NLP trainers, even in England. Someone can come to us with no prior knowledge and become an NLP trainer, which takes about three years.” Gaber has been active as a coach for 15 years, and he particularly enjoys working with directors and professionals from various industries.
Leadership as Inspiration
For Gaber, a successful leader is someone who earns trust and motivates others, even in their absence. “External motivation is short-lived, but internal inspiration lasts much longer. That’s the zen of leadership.”
To those stepping into leadership roles for the first time, he offers this advice: “First, work on yourself. Personal development needs to become a routine. Second, stay curious, because curiosity leads to knowledge. Third, have a system. Routine and structure are key, but so is the flexibility to adapt the system when needed.”
Balancing the MBA, Work, and Family
Although the MBA program was well-organized, it wasn’t without its challenges. “At the time, I had just welcomed my fourth child, so it wasn’t easy. But the modules were mostly held on weekends, which made it more manageable. I was able to balance everything, even though it was demanding.”
He particularly remembers the team competitions. “We were like a small company working on a marketing strategy in Šibenik. In the end, we won, even though it wasn’t the only competition. However, that victory brought a special sense of satisfaction.”
Looking Ahead
When it comes to today’s MBA programs, Gaber believes leadership and interpersonal relationships should receive even greater emphasis. “In the end, you’re not leading a company, you’re leading people. You can have the best idea or product, but without a team, there are no results. It’s like basketball; Luka Dončić is one of the best players in the world, but he can’t win on his own. Success comes from the team.”
That’s why Gaber describes the MBA as one of the best investments of his life. “I still use the knowledge I gained. I believe in the MBA so much that I’d love for my children to enroll at COTRUGLI one day. It’s an experience that opens doors, provides knowledge, and creates a network of contacts for a lifetime.”