Success Stories Bulgaria

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www.cotrugli.eu

COTRUGLI Business School has become a leading business school in SE Europe, whose programs of business education are completed by more than 10,000 people from the region.

At the very beginning a small group of intellectuals and business people

joined forces around the idea of starting a new business school. The goal was

to create such a school that will develop leaders who will care for the planet,

profit and the community as a whole.

Since then, COTRUGLI Business School has become a leading business

school in SE Europe, whose programs of business education are completed

by more than 10,000 people from the region. Our internationally accredited

MBA programs and prominent lecturers from around the world connect the

entire SEE region. The campuses we have in Zagreb and Belgrade, and repre-

sentative offices in Sofia, Ljubljana and Luxembourg are meeting points for

business people from SE Europe.

However, for us, the most important criteria for success is the satisfaction

of our participants. This publication honors them, their continuing journey

with us and their inspiring success stories. Once you meet them in person,

they will be more than happy to share them with you.

Enjoy the reading!

Jyoti Gupta, PhD

Dean

Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has. MARGARET M EAD

3

COTRUGLI Business School found me in a transitional moment

in my life when I needed a new catalyst for growth - both per-

sonal and professional. And ever since this journey started in 2007,

COTRUGLI has kept me actively involved and inspired to grow

and develop.

COTRUGLI proved to be a different kind of school in numerous

aspects but mainly in the personal touch and close connection

in its community. From the very start I felt I naturally belonged

here, surrounded by close friends to share my inspirational ‘a-ha’

moments throughout the program.

If I have to be honest, the biggest learning happened in the car

while we, the Bulgarian group, travelled for about 10 hours every

month from Sofia to Croatia. We had a chance to exchange a lot of

information, make sense of what we learned at the lectures, and

reflect on what it meant for our companies and to us. Every time

we were coming back home after a module, we were loaded with

energy and commitment to execute the new ‘revelations’. This

energy and motivation triggered by every module was one of the

most practical benefits of the program, which I will greatly miss

moving forward.

For me COTRUGLI was also a ‘vacation’ time, as I often said to my

colleagues. It was a time away from the ‘busyness’ I often created

for myself at home. Along with having quality party time, I also had

time to reflect on the important things. It was a chance to see from

a distance what was happening at my company, what was my role

in its development, what we were missing and what we were doing

better than the others. This gave me the different perspective I

was missing engaged in my daily routine at home.

Above all, COTRUGLI empowered me with a sense of direction

and inspiration to continue the learning journey and create mean-

ing for my life.

Assia Marinova Business Development Manager BR IGHT CONSU LTI NG Bu lga ria

Executive M BA / 2007

From the very start I felt I naturally belonged here, surrounded by close friends to share my inspi-rational ‘a-ha’ moments throughout the program.

4

What drives me in life is my enthusiasm and a desire to do

better, without limits, constant effort and a belief that there is

always a better way, the ability to distinguish between what is

essential to preserve and what is expendable, respect for my

partners and a work for the mutual success.

And here I am, living in London with my family, working for a

global power company with generation and distribution busi-

nesses. Through the diverse portfolio of thermal and renew-

able fuel sources, we provide affordable and sustainable energy

in 28 countries. With the workforce of about 30,000 people, we

are committed to operational excellence and meeting the world’s

changing power needs.

The first time I heard about COTRUGLI Business School was from

a colleague of mine. At that time, he was studying at COTRUGLI

and was very impressed by the program so he strongly recom-

mended it to me.

I had the possibility to choose among several business schools.

COTRUGLI attracted me with international contacts, flexible pro-

gram and the common final aim: to work together for the improve-

ment of the CEE region, business environment and business

opportunities.

During the regular two years of the EMBA program, I broadly

expanded my professional knowledge and experience, learning

from the expertise of the lecturers and all my colleagues. These

years taught me that to be successful means to keep your mind

open and keep learning. Thanks to the EMBA program, I taught

to be the best I can be, because the life does not allow rehearsals.

Our journey with COTRUGLI Business School did not finish after

the Graduation. The experience continues through all the fruitful

contacts made during the years, with all the fantastic people met,

with our common ideas that turned into realities and with all the

possibilities and opportunities in front of us that will enable us to

make a better world for us and for our children.

Diana Dimitrova Finance manager for Bulgaria AES COR POR ATION Un ited K i ngdom


These years taught me that to be successful means to keep your mind open and keep learning. Thanks to the EMBA program, I taught to be the best I can be, because the life life does not allow rehearsals.

5

As I said during our graduation ceremony, I do not regret a single

centimeter of the fifteen thousand kilometers I had to travel to

participate in the Executive MBA program of COTRUGLI Business

School. It was worth each one of them.

It all started a bit by chance – seeing the ad in the Bulgarian

weekly newspaper Capital. Took off with a bit of a glitch – when

I did not get the notification text message that I won one of the

scholarships. But went on in a seamless and fruitful way – to prove

me right I made the best choice I could have made.

The Executive MBA program at COTRUGLI is not just about the

theoretical knowledge in the books you have to read through it.

For me personally it was mostly about sharing real-life experi-

ences and expertise, getting from fellow participants and lectur-

ers multiple points of view to situations I was facing in my job at

that time, about sourcing know-how and advice directly from the

experienced faculty members. In a friendly, open and very sup-

portive environment.

When you add to these building a network of contacts throughout

the region, becoming familiar with the culture of other countries,

creating lifetime friendships, setting up new business partner-

ships and having great time at the social events, you will get the

full picture of what this programs gives you. Far more than just

an academic learning experience.

Being all that, the EMBA program at COTRUGLI in a way changes

your life – both personally and professionally. Often very deep,

to the root of who and what you are. I believe, for good.

Dobrin Mirevski Business Development Director EOS M ATR I X Bu lga ria


I do not regret a single centi-meter of the fifteen thousand kilometers I had to travel to participate in the Executive MBA program of COTRUGLI Business School. It was worth each one of them.

6

Starting and running own business for a psychologist like me

could be a very challenging task. When my partner and I decided

to start up a consulting company, I did not know any of the basic

entrepreneurial principles. Therefore, I needed a systematic way

to gain new business knowledge. I looked for very practically ori-

ented Executive MBA program with good reputation and qualified

lecturers. And that is how I found out about COTRUGLI Business

School. Let me use SWOT analysis technique to explain my experi-

ence at COTRUGLI’s Executive MBA program:

Strengths:

• All modules are very practically oriented and combine system-

atic review of the theoretical principles with exercises and case

studies;

• Lecturers are outstanding professionals in their fields and pro-

vide not only academic knowledge but also live examples from

their experience. Even in the fields which are my areas of exper-

tise I could get insights and inspirations for my work;

• Intense teamwork provides the opportunity to learn from

the colleagues and share experiences about best practices.

Weaknesses:

• EMBA program is limited in time. However, what remains after

the program are not only the acquired knowledge and skills,

but also wonderful memories and good friends.

Opportunities:

• EMBA provides great opportunities for networking in the whole

SEE region and COTRUGLI pays special attention to various social

events – sport competitions, parties, informal meetings, etc.

which is quite important for entrepreneurs like me;

• COTRUGLI provides unique opportunity to feel the spirit of beau-

tiful places in the region, where we had memorable experiences.

Threats:

• Combining studying with intense work and family life is some-

times hard to handle. But as they say: Where there is a wish,

there is a way.

I wish to all the future participants to find this balance and to grab

all the opportunities during the two wonderful years of studying

and living in accordance with the COTRUGLI values.

Elena Altimirska Managing Partner BUSI N ESS EFFECT Bu lga ria


Combining studying with intense work and family life is sometimes hard to handle. But as they say: Where there is a wish, there is a way.

7

To be completely honest with you, it appears that I am kind of

addicted to COTRUGLI Business School. I am surrounded by the

COTRUGLI brand name! My partners in the company are partici-

pating in the program; the angel investor who put money in our

web-development business completed his Executive MBA pro-

gram at COTRUGLI, not to mention the fantastic client relationships

we established with other participants in the program.

To those who ask me, is it really worth investing in the COTRUGLI

Executive MBA, I can tell that I managed to double,

even triple every cent I put in the program. And it is not just the

fantastic contacts. It is a combination of knowledge you receive

and a network you create by establishing relationship with profes-

sionals from all over the region.

Therefore, it should not sound strange that the project I am cur-

rently working on (Merar Investment Network: www.merar.

com) is inspired very much from what I learned in the COTRUGLI

program. As a network, we want to open new doors for starters

and entrepreneurs from all over the world and especially from

the emerging markets. This is also what the COTRUGLI Business

School program is about – broadening the horizons for businesses

and the creative minds.

Petko Karamotchev Managing Partner M ER A R I N V ESTM ENT N ETWOR K Bu lga ria


To those who ask me, is it re-ally worth investing in the COTRUGLI Executive MBA, I can tell that I managed to double, even triple every cent I put in the program.

8

I have always shared the opinion that every successful person

should develop simultaneously not only proficiency in his/her

work and personal skills, but also should seek constant knowl-

edge and development. What I missed most at the time when

applying for MBA at COTRUGLI Business School was definitely

international exposure and networking with successful peo-

ple from Bulgaria and the region. At the beginning, this was what

I expected from the MBA program. But later, I got much more! I

met people who have the skills and knowledge to drive change

and, what is most important, - dare to try and realize their ideas

and dreams. I gained knowledge and different, fresh perspec-

tive of business, which I applied directly in my work. I had the

chance to have open communication and free networking with

people from some of the leading companies in the region.

When I enrolled in the MBA program, I was a Key Account

Specialist in a telecommunication company in Bulgaria. As the

modules passed one after the other, my managers assigned

me with more responsibilities – to lead important projects and

take part in creating company strategy for development. Now,

I am a Sales Specialist at Adecco Bulgaria, part of Adecco S.A.

and I am responsible for half of the country market. What hap-

pened to me in the past few years was exactly what I wanted –

gaining new knowledge, together with career development!

I will always remember one quotation from my commencement

day: “This is just the beginning, fellows”, which keeps on remind-

ing me of the priceless moments during my MBA. I believe that the

decision to enroll in this program was one of the best I have made.

This is a great landmark not just in my career, but in my develop-

ment as a person and a specialist. What I got from the program is

something which cannot be described, it should be experienced!

Stela Stefanova Regional Sales Consultant A DECCO BU LGA R I A Bu lga ria

M BA / 2008

What happened to me in the past few years was exactly what I wanted – gaining new knowledge, together with career development!

9

I was eager to improve my educational background so I decided

to enroll in an MBA program. I found out that COTRUGLI Business

School would suit me best.

I can say that starting the program was one of the most crucial

decisions and actions I have made. In these two unforgettable

years I have established very valuable friendships, I improved my

managerial and leadership skills and the most important achieve-

ment was that I shaped and developed my personality.

Throughout the modules, especially the case discussions,

I changed my managerial approach towards different aspects

of the business environment. I will always keep those wonderful

moments during the class sessions where we discussed and ana-

lysed cases like we were in a real business situation. The interven-

tions were so close to reality that it motivated me to give the best

of me and share it with others. I also improved my communica-

tion and presentation skills towards a more interactive and pro-

fessional manner. This was one of the biggest challenges and I am

very proud and pleased with the results.

I was engaged from the very beginning of the program and my will

to explore and learn increased progressively. I was feeling that all

my efforts were reasonable and would be rewarded. When you see

the same attitude all around you it increases your readiness

to contribute in the name of the team.

I can honestly state that the knowledge I obtained and the expe-

rience I gained at the School are the most valuable impact on my

personality so far. Now I feel more confident and ready to share

them to achieve the goal of a better society.

Let us all do the same and only then our mission will be completed!

Tsanio Tsanev Manager Business Consulting and Software Solutions M AGIC SOLUTIONS Bu lga ria


I can honestly state that the knowledge I obtained and the experience I gained at the School are the most valuable impact on my personality so far.

10

COTRUGLI MBA is not about improving your professional skills by

upgrading your academic knowledge. It is a platform to exchange

knowledge and experience, broaden your network of contacts

and challenge your mind and skills to drive positive change in

your business environment.

The main benefit from my MBA degree is intangible. I have

changed my mindset!

Since enrolling an MBA at COTRUGLI Business School till now

there has been a tremendous progress in my career. When

I started my MBA two years ago, I had been working as a financial

analyst for almost two years. At that time I felt the need not only

to progress in my career but also to become a driver of change

for the Bulgarian market. I believed I was able to become one of

these change drives with innovative thinking, current concepts

and entrepreneurial approach that trigger the development of the

markets. And the MBA program became the tool, my lecturers -

the guides, my MBA fellows - the ones to exchange knowledge

and experience with, and my colleagues – the ones to support

me in achieving this goal. Of course, the core was hard work.

The immediate benefit was I could apply the gained knowl-

edge to my work environment. The long-term benefits are

new business opportunities that I discovered thanks to my

MBA program, the partnerships I gained and the invest-

ments I managed as a result of all the mentioned.

Tsvetomira Tsotsova Investment Manager I N N I M MO I N V ESTM ENTS Bu lga ria

M BA / 2008

The main benefit from my MBA degree is intangible. I have changed my mindset!

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Success Stories Bulgaria