1. What have you found most challenging as a CEO or executive of a large enterprise?

Change management - In my opinion it is crucial for any organization. Especially current when Covid19 changed businesses across the world.


2. How did you become a CEO or executive of a large enterprise? Can you please briefly tell the story?

I have a so-called “McDonalds” story... First I worked as merchandiser, then as Sales representative (being 2 years in the row the best Sales rep in the country), became Sales supervisor with high grades and started InBev talent program (finished successful), then promoted to Regional sales manager (the youngest one in that company)... Switched industry from Brewing to Confectionary and become Business development manager (newly introduced position in company)... gather more knowledge and then again moved to other industry on Route to market manager role (higher position, much more involved with strategy and people organization, involved in Sales, Trade marketing, Logistics...), and finally went to meat processing industry, and get wider scope of Sales, Marketing, Logistics and Procurement.
I personally think that my hunger for knowledge leads me to growth opportunities.


3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

Briefly:
5:00am waking up
5:00- 5:45 running
6:00am breakfast
6:30-7:00 newspaper/e newspaper informing
7:00-8:00 driving to job
8:00-8:30 (coffee with employees and small chats). Regular working time starts at 9 am
8:30-9:30 reading emails
9:30-12:30 - regular topics meetings
12:30-1pm - lunch break
1:00-3:00 - me time - working alone on new topics, finding new opportunities
3:00-4:30 - meetings with colleagues
4:30-5:00 pm short brake
5:00-6:00 - emails, finishing day obligations...
6:00-6:30 - making to do list for next day
6:30-7:30 - driving home
7:30-9:00 having family time
9:00 family dinner
9:30 pm put my son to bed
9:45-11:30 - reading book (every other/second book would be on business theme)
11:30 pm go to sleep
During the weekend (Sunday, Saturday) I do not work and try to spend as much time with my family.


4. What's the most recent significant leadership lesson you've learned?

He who dares - wins! Sometimes you need to be brave for the whole organization if you want to succeed.


5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

“Medvedi na putu” by Bojan Lekovic... it is entrepreneur story that opens us to new possibilities


6. How do you build leadership capacity in a large enterprise?

Learning every day...and working on people.

You need to “walk the talk”


7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a CEO or executive of a large enterprise so far?

Once I got to lead a team of very different personalities and capacities... In the beginning it was a nightmare, but with a lot of understanding and work on relations between team members, we manage to make great results in an even greater work atmosphere.
Diversity is great for any business, any team...