Archive: COTRUGLI Launched Strategy in Action in Croatia in 2022

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 The programme is no longer active at COTRUGLI, and applications are closed.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 Launched the SiA – Strategy in Action Program

On Tuesday, November 8, 2022, COTRUGLI Business School officially launched the Strategy in Action (SiA) program. As a key component of the London Stock Exchange’s prestigious ELITE program, SiA was designed to help leadership teams in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) develop and implement their strategic plans.

The program equipped companies to co-create and activate their strategy, scale operations, access capital, attract investors, and prepare for potential public offerings. With this launch, COTRUGLI became the exclusive distributor of the SiA program in Southeast Europe—supported by strategic partners Privredna banka Zagreb d.d., the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and the Zagreb Stock Exchange.

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Tools for Sustainable Business Growth

Vedrana Jelušić Kašić, a Management Board member at Privredna banka Zagreb d.d., said at the launch:

“Accessing the capital market is one way companies can strengthen their financial position—especially in a rising interest rate environment. Through this partnership, we aim to educate and support businesses that are strategically planning their next steps. Quality corporate governance is essential, and that’s what capital market investors demand.”

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Empowering the SME Sector

Tomislav Gračan from the Management Board of the Zagreb Stock Exchange underlined the importance of SMEs in Croatia and across Europe:

“Small and medium-sized enterprises are the backbone of the economy, yet they often face challenges when it comes to accessing growth capital. Many are unaware of the opportunities available through financial markets. This program helps bridge that gap.”

He also highlighted the Progress Market, launched by the Zagreb Stock Exchange as one of Europe’s first SME Growth Markets.

“We’re pleased to support this project, and we believe it will help many SMEs choose the right financing strategy for future development.”

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Real-World Impact and Expert Insights

Around 30 leading Croatian SMEs participated in the program launch and attended an engaging lecture delivered by Davide Sola, PhD, a globally recognized expert in business strategy.

Nikola Dujmović, CEO of SPAN and former ELITE program participant, shared his experience:

“The program taught us how to think more structurally, listen actively, and accept objective feedback. These are essential skills for long-term growth. I highly recommend it to any Croatian entrepreneur looking to sharpen their strategic thinking.”