Find the key to business success
The Mini MBA is a unique programme focused on developing essential business skills and know-how. Our world-class, inspirational tutors will guide you through this prestigious programme, introducing you to valuable knowledge and skills in business, leadership, project management, and finance. They will also present proven business and marketing strategies. This training will help you grasp the bigger picture of the business world and understand the various perspectives that need to be taken into account when making business decisions.
The introductory module of the PwC’s Mini MBA programme sets the tone for the program by introducing a comprehensive mapping technique designed to illuminate the primary areas where organisations can cultivate growth.
The module commences with an overview of the contemporary business environment. It emphasises the dynamic nature of organisations in the 21st century, which undergo constant transformation driven by technological advancements and disruptive innovation, but also by factors as consumer behaviour shift, globalisation and demographic changes.
Following this introduction, the module delves into an in-depth exploration of 3 levels of strategy – Corporate, Business, and Functional – and delineates the objectives pertinent to each level. Participants are guided through PwC’s Mini MBA map, acquainting themselves with the concepts of external and internal analysis as integral components of strategic planning.
Moreover, participants will be expected to map their existing business experience onto these theoretical models and engage in discussions regarding the practical application of these models in real-life business environments.
Lecturer: Miro Smolovic, PMP
The "Operational Agility: Strategies for Efficiency" module is a natural progression from the “Corporate and Business Strategy” module, designed to equip Mini-MBA participants with the requisite knowledge, skills, and tools essential for steering and overseeing high-performing, adaptable operations across diverse business landscapes.
This module explores in depth the day-to-day operational management and process optimisation within a business context. It delineates the distinction between strategic planning, product design, resource management, and quality enhancement, emphasizing the pivotal role of operations management in executing strategic objectives and ensuring organisational effectiveness.
It is dedicated to imparting practical insights and actionable strategies for crafting and implementing operations plans. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how to translate strategic vision into operational reality.
By emphasizing the integration of operational tactics with strategic objectives, this module empowers participants to navigate the complexities of modern business environments with agility and proficiency, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.
Lecturer: Dr. Antonios Michail, DipCIM, MCIM, Ph.D.
This module explores market positioning, which combines offline and online marketing tactics, the use of social media for businesses, the significance of content and video marketing, and the quest for the right balance, as well as Customer Relationship Management through software systems and automation.
Marketing involves identifying customer needs and satisfying them through an appropriate "marketing mix." This module will focus on these aspects in conjunction with an analysis of the external environment from a marketing viewpoint, considering customers and competitors. Additionally, areas such as branding, internet marketing, social media marketing, and other related concepts will be explored.
The market is currently experiencing a strong shift towards visualisation, particularly videos, and content marketing. This module will delve into these trends along with other significant developments. Participants will gain the ability to apply various marketing tools and theories to real-life situations.
Lecturer: Lazar Dzamic
This module provides the basic principles of Accounting & Finance as it includes the areas that people involved in business should be aware of mainly at an understanding level (not necessarily synthesis).
Lecturer: Nemanja Djerkovic, ACCA
This module addresses key topics like complexity and change, and looks at the management skills needed to respond intelligently. It is based on the idea that more traditional management styles (that place an emphasis on command and control) are becoming less suited to a business environment where talent is mobile, innovation is essential and connection is everywhere.
The module will also look at the importance of differentiating between ‘performance’ and ‘contribution’ when giving feedback and creating a more engaged workforce.
Lecturer: Tim Kemp, MA MBA Chartered Fellow CIPD
High-quality leadership is a hallmark of successful organisations. Some people have a natural talent for the role, but good leadership can also be learned through training, coaching and practice. The quality of leadership in place through the ranks of an organisation will, in large part, determine the success of that organisation in the long term. It is therefore essential that anyone entrusted with a position and responsibility for leading people fully understands and appreciates what this leadership role requires in practice.
In this module, the emphasis is placed upon the efforts to understand individuals and to create an environment where differences, new ideas, curiosity and innovation are encouraged and cultivated.
Lecturer: Miro Smolovic, PMP
This module has been designed to provide an understanding of the importance of project management methodology and approach in everyday business. The goal of the module is to help participants develop a unified approach to project management challenges, fostering the reduction of stress associated with project management, and increasing the likelihood of completing projects on time, within budget, and meeting the required quality standards.
Furthermore, through practical exercises, participants will learn about the most essential project management tools and techniques.
Initiate, plan, execute, monitor and control, and close a project
Understand and manage stakeholder requirements and expectations
Manage a project in line with organisational strategy
Lecturer: Miro Smolovic, PMP
The "Innovation and Creative Thinking" module is specifically crafted to empower participants with the critical skills required to initiate and sustain innovation within their organisations. This module provides the tools and insights necessary to transform innovative concepts into practical solutions that can significantly impact business success.
The curriculum is designed to challenge conventional thinking patterns and encourage a departure from traditional solutions. By fostering a deep understanding of the innovation theory, coupled with practical techniques, this module ensures that participants can adapt and thrive in diverse business environments.
Interactive sessions, along with collaborative projects, practical exercises, insightful discussions, and case studies of successful innovations, will provide participants with a real-world perspective on overcoming challenges through creativity. This learning experience not only enhances individual capabilities but also prepares participants to lead their organisations towards a more innovative and competitive future.
Lecturer: Dr. Antonios Michail, DipCIM, MCIM, Ph.D.
This module links together all the other modules. It will help you to put the individual parts of the programme together into one cohesive whole and thus help you understand in depth the functioning of the business world.
At the end of it, you will take part in the Harvard Case Study Assessment Paper. By completing this case study, you will receive the PwC Mini MBA certificate.
Lecturer: Miro Smolovic, PMP
In 2019, our PwC's Mini MBA programme won the prestigious Education Leaders Awards in the Best Learning Experience category.
PwC's Mini MBA comprises 9 related sessions that will provide you with comprehensive and practical-oriented business knowledge and skills which you can apply in your own company. It takes 15 days in total (100 training hours).
All sessions are interactive and provide a lot of oportunites for discussions, exchanging ideas and networking.
What is the difference between PwC's Mini MBA and a regular one?
PwC's Mini MBA programme is led by internationally recognised lecturers and experts from the business world who have extensive practical experience in managing their own projects and businesses.
It can be completed faster than a traditional MBA programme offered by business schools.
More than 1000 CEOs, managers, and entrepreneurs have already successfully completed the PwC's Mini MBA programme. Our experience thus far has been highly positive, even among CEOs, who have stated that the programme helped them update their knowledge and establish connections with various operational levels of management. Additionally, managers with technical backgrounds have noted that the programme aided them in comprehending broader aspects of business and encouraged more strategic thinking.
Managers at all levels in various lines of service
Owners of small and medium-sized enterprises
Individuals intending to start their own businesses or startups
Key talents in the succession pipeline aspiring to senior leadership roles
Anyone seeking to enhance their strategic thinking and gain a comprehensive understanding of organisational functioning
Participants are expected to possess relevant knowledge of the company's operations and an understanding of its strategy, human capital, marketing, and other operational challenges.
Upon completion of the programme, all participants receive a PwC's Mini MBA Certificate.
In order to receive the certificate, 76 hours of attendance and passing the final Harvard Case Study Assessment Paper are required.
Currently Miro Smolovic is a Partner in the training organisation StudySmart, and a Senior Advisor to PwC’s Academy in Central and Eastern Europe. He is an expert with more than 25 years of experience in providing services to corporate, private, and non-governmental sectors.
Prior to StudySmart, Miro spent 13 years as PwC’s Academy Leader for SEE, practicing also as trainer and consultant. Miro was engaged in creating PwC’s Academy in Serbia and he is a co-creator of the PwC's Mini MBA Programme. His ideas were replicated across PwC’s Network when starting PwC’s Academies in CEE and globally. He worked in Central and Eastern European emerging markets, where he gained experience in management, organisational behaviour, and leadership by working with international inter-disciplinary project teams on both private sector and donor-funded development projects.
Miro is an experienced PMP trainer covering different types of business training in both hard and soft skills. He delivers training courses in Serbia, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Poland, and in other countries in the Region.
Sessions Miro leads in the Mini MBA Programme are:
Session: Corporate and Business Strategy
Session: Leadership in the 21st Century
Session: Project Management
Session: Linking it all together
Dr. Antonios Michail holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree from National& Kapodistrian University of Athens (Greece), a Master of Arts (MA) degreefrom University of Central Lancashire, a Postgraduate Diploma in StrategicMarketing from CIM, and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from University ofCentral Lancashire. He is Chartered Marketer (MCIM) and also a FellowChartered Marketer (FGMN).
He has over 15 years of experience consulting and advising both small and large corporations in relation to their marketing strategy, implementation,and company growth, and he has led these companies through start-up, survival, turnaround and growth modes.
Antonios’ experience is from a variety of industries, including food and beverage, fashion, IT, heating, consumer durables, building products and construction, and environmental services. He has experience in auditing the marketing function, strategy, and tactics develop and execute marketing strategies, provide direction for future growth and development, new product development, effective budgeting, forecasting, and measurement.
Sessions Antonios leads in the Mini MBA Programme are:
Session: Operational Agility: Strategies for Efficiency
Session: Innovation & Creative Thinking
Tim has over three decades of experience as a leadership and management coach, author, program designer and facilitator. He has a long track record of producing relevant and original content delivered to a broad range of clients across geographies and sectors.
His specific areas of interest and experience include: leadership and the use of action learning to facilitate change; building cross cultural and innovative teams; and the transformation of managers to enablers.
Tim is also a faculty member of PwC's engaging and award winning Mini MBA programme for Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Poland, Romania, the Czech Republic, and Montenegro and a tutor for Mini MBA Modules on Leadership and on People Management.
In addition, he designs and facilitates Masterclasses on the Evaluation of HR, L&D Effectiveness and Talent Retention, as part of PwC's innovative partnership with the UK Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Tim develops new courses and workshops of relevance to various PwC clients.
In the Mini MBA Programme Tim leads the session: Enabled Organisation.
A former Head of Brand Planning in Google's creative think tank ZOO in London, where he created the strategy team and two of the world’s first Creative Data Scientists. His mission at Google was to "Turn Light Into Heat": a vast amount of Google data into surprising and deep insights for creating great brand stories. Prior to Google, he also served as a strategy head in several London creative agencies and was one of the first digital strategists in the United Kingdom in 2000. He worked on campaigns and programmes for some of the UK’s most loved brands such as Tesco, John Lewis, Waitrose, Virgin Holidays, Nando’s etc.
After his return from London, Lazar is a much sought after trainer for digital marketing transformation in CEE, working with some of the biggest local and regional clients such as Triglav, Mercator, Telenor, Adidas, Erste Bank, Frikom and others. He is a lecturer in Digital Marketing at the Faculty for Media and Communications in Belgrade (FMK), Business School Lausanne (BSL) and marketing trainer at the regional PwC's Academy Mini MBA programme.
He is the creative industries consultant for The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), an ex-journalist, contributor to The Guardian and also a best-selling non-fiction author in Serbia. He is a regular speaker at global and regional conferences on topics of digital marketing and brand storytelling.
"He lights up the room with positive energy, makes you feel so relaxed and engaged even when you are a total "rookie" and dazzles you with his creative, yet very hands on, practical approach."
In the Mini MBA Programme Lazar leads the session: Marketing in the Digital Age.
Nemanja Djerkovic has over 15 years of experience in auditing,consulting, and CFO roles across both national and multinationalbusiness landscapes.
Nemanja has spent part of his career at PwC and S&P 500 companies,where he was responsible for organising financial functions as well asvarious projects and initiatives including product assortmentsoptimisation across numerous countries, product line transfers, growthinitiatives, pricing optimisation, the rollout of decision-making tools andrestructuring programmes. In addition to his corporate experience,Nemanja has been a lecturer for over 10 years on the Finance &Accounting module of PwC's MBA Programme and other financerelated topics within the PwC’s Academy portfolio of courses.
Currently, as a founder and partner in Growius, Nemanja specializes inbusiness and financial consulting with a strong focus on appliedbusiness analytics and decision-making in various areas, includingSales & Commercial, Finance, HR, Production, Logistics, andMarketing. Nemanja is dedicated to helping clients transition into data-driven organisations, leveraging analytics to drive informed andimpactful decisions.
In the Mini MBA Programme Nemanja leads the session: Accounting Basics & Financial Management
Module: | Date*: | Timing (EET): |
Module 1: Corporate and Business Strategy | 9 & 10 October 2025 | 12:00 - 18:00 |
Module 2: Operational Agility: Strategies for Efficiency | 16 & 17 October 2025 | 12:00 - 18:00 |
Module 3: Marketing in the Digital Age | 20, 21, and 22 October 2025 | 14:00 - 18:00 |
Module 4: Accounting Basics & Financial Management | 27, 28, and 29 October 2025 | 14:00 - 18:00 |
Module 5: Enabled Organisation | 11, 12, and 13 November 2025 | 14:00 - 18:00 |
Module 6: Leadership in 21st Century | 18, 19, and 20 November 2025 | 14:00 - 18:00 |
Module 7: Project Management in Everyday Business | 24, 25, and 26 November 2025 | 14:00 - 18:00 |
Module 8: Innovation & Creative thinking | 9 December 2025 | 11:00 - 18:00 |
Module 9: Linking it all together - Preparing a business plan or a business analysis plan | 16 December 2025 |
11:00 - 18:00 |
*PwC reserves the right to change the sequance of the modules or the dates if any unforseen circumstances occur. |
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Early bird price until 31 August 2025: EUR 2 500 (excl. VAT)
Standard price: EUR 2 700 (excl. VAT)