Optimod team proudly participated in the 42nd International Conference on Organizational Science Development in Portorož, Slovenia, from March 22nd to 24th, 2023. With the theme of "Interdisciplinarity Counts", the conference brought together academics, researchers, practitioners, and students to discuss innovative approaches to organizational science development. 

Optimod started a research collaboration with the University of Maribor – Faculty of Organizational Sciences,
represented by associate professor Miha Marič to increase the impact among students.

The paper we have submitted is based on the results of the "Improving Entrepreneurial Journey" project executed by the Optimod team, which came in the form of a brochure. 

CONFERENCE PAPER OVERVIEW

The survey gathered insights and perspectives from over 100 CEOs and best-in-class leaders in various industries through a series of questions that aimed to gather information on their experiences, challenges, and strategies for success in their respective fields. The participants represented a diverse range of industries, including technology, finance, healthcare, and more, and were sourced from all over the world through the business-oriented online social network LinkedIn.

The survey results were analyzed and presented in the paper, categorizing the 24 points of summarized advice into four categories: 

1. mindset and mental health, 
2. team and network, 
3. communication and vision, and 
4. business and career. 

The results revealed a wide range of advice and recommendations for improving the entrepreneurial journey, providing valuable insights to young entrepreneurs and those already in the world of entrepreneurship who face various challenges on their way towards optimum success.

The first category, mindset and mental health, emphasized the importance of resilience and determination, learning from failure, staying focused on goals, taking calculated risks, having self-confidence and belief in oneself and one's vision, taking care of oneself physically and mentally, staying true to values and principles, never stopping learning, being self-aware and seeking feedback from team members, setting big goals and being persistent and patient, being pragmatic and setting short-term and mid-term goals, being a creator of new categories or trends, and having a long-term vision.

The second category, team and network, advised against surrounding oneself with a solid and supportive team, accepting help and guidance from experienced individuals, supporting the growth and development of team members, and fostering a culture of continuous learning within one's organization.

The third category, communication and vision, advised having a clear vision and communicating it effectively to one's team, being a good listener and seeking out the perspectives and advice of others, and taking ownership of one's own personal development and actively seeking opportunities for growth and learning.

Finally, the fourth category, business and career, advised being open to change, being flexible and adaptable, developing a growth mindset, investing in oneself and one's business, staying up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies, being financially savvy, building a strong brand, and creating a work-life balance.

Figure 1: Summarized advice presented in 4 categories

Overall, the survey results comprehensively examined the experiences and insights of CEOs and top leaders in various industries, offering valuable advice and recommendations for those embarking on the entrepreneurial journey or looking to improve their existing businesses.

 Download Conference Paper (PDF)

Be sure to visit the University of Maribor's digital library to view all of the papers published this year. 

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

SARA KREMSAR

Sara Kremsar is a business process expert with a Master's degree in Business Systems Engineering from the Faculty of Organizational Sciences. Since 2016, she has been helping companies optimize their processes and guiding them towards success in the field of organizational science. Sara is passionate about entrepreneurship and personal development. She aims to help individuals learn about the vast opportunities in the world of entrepreneurship and the importance of continuous learning and personal growth. In 2017, she began creating an ecosystem to support this goal, which has since evolved into the company known today as OPTIMOD. She is a dedicated and accomplished business professional committed to helping organizations and individuals achieve their full potential.

MIHA MARIČ

Miha Marič, Ph.D., is a researcher in the field of leadership, management and organizational sciences. He holds a Ph.D. from the Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana. He is currently employed as an associate professor at the University of Maribor's Faculty of Organizational Sciences. His research interests are power, leadership, organizational behavior, human resource management, organization and management. He is the author of numerous original scientific articles, professional articles, papers at scientific conferences, scientific monographs, and was an editor and reviewer. He also participates in research projects and consulting work.

CONCLUSION

To sum up, adopting good business practices to improve the entrepreneurial journey is a key factor for the success of any business venture. This collaboration between Optimod and the University of Maribor exemplifies the significance of partnerships between businesses and academic institutions, resulting in innovative solutions and impactful outcomes. We believe that this conference has provided a platform for constructive dialogue, the development of new relationships, and ultimately, a positive impact on the future.

QUESTION:

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