Archive: COTRUGLI’s SiA Programme, 2022–2023

Archive note: This article covers COTRUGLI’s former Strategy in Action (SiA) programme. The programme is no longer active at COTRUGLI, and applications are closed. Interviews and quotations reflect the time of original publication. For current options, see our programme comparison.

COTRUGLI’s former Strategy in Action (SiA) programme combined software, expert workshops and coaching to help businesses develop and implement their strategies.

COTRUGLI’s role in bringing SiA to the region

Eight companies participated in the first generation of the SiA programme from November 2022 to March 2023. They developed strategic plans and, at the time of the original article, were beginning to implement them.

Implementing the SiA Strategy at DRACO

Among these companies is DRACO, an enterprise specializing in the production of technologically innovative, tailor-made solutions for waterproofing challenges. Established in 1997 and headquartered in Solin, Croatia, DRACO possesses ambitious plans for the future. CEO Oliver Vuco stated, “We have ambitious business plans. Part of our future investments is the expansion of the production plant for an additional 1,500 square meters, further employment, and the digitalization of our business, which would close the short-term investment cycle. The medium-term plan is to launch a significantly expanded range of products from our own research and development department, and significantly increase exports to new foreign markets. I am optimistic because our successes so far are the result of the work and commitment of extremely dedicated, responsible, and motivated DRACO employees.”

Speaking about the key advantages of going through the SiA program, DRACO’s President Igor Drašković said, “I think the main benefit is connecting all components of strategy formulation into one cohesive whole and communicating the vision, mission, and main goals of the company to the internal organization and the market. Each step of formulating the strategy forced us to reconsider the fundamental assumptions, resulting in high-quality long-term reflections and goals.”

Navigating competition and triumphing in the market

Following the successful completion of the SiA program, DRACO embarked on the implementation phase, cascading the devised strategy down throughout the entire organization. This involved aligning corporate goals across departments and carefully evaluating financing options for the company’s next significant leap in development.

Drašković explained that their main competition primarily comprises global corporations. Thus, having a clear strategy empowers them to effectively navigate the competitive landscape and triumph over their rivals in the domestic market. “Every domestic company that is ambitious and thinking about growth can benefit from this program, which is a distillation of the best business practices from developed markets. Croatian companies that want to develop their business outside the borders of our homeland, on the competitive European and world market, must compare themselves with the best,” he stated.

Big plans for fall 2023

At the time of publication, COTRUGLI announced plans for a second SiA generation in autumn 2023. This was a historical programme announcement; the COTRUGLI SiA offering is no longer active.

COTRUGLI Business School formerly distributed the Strategy in Action (SiA) programme in Croatia, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.