The General Manager of MK Group, Mihailo Janković, spoke as part of the “AmChamps” mentorship program of the American Chamber of Commerce in Serbia (AmCham) with this year’s program participants, which includes twenty students and twenty young managers from successful companies. During the lecture on the topic “Change Management,” held at the Grand Kopaonik Hotel, Janković shared his extensive experience in the field of strategic corporate transformation with the goal of achieving sustainable growth and business development.
Mihailo Janković encouraged participants to reflect on how they respond to change and to recognize all phases in the process of accepting and adapting to new circumstances. Speaking about what is necessary for successful change implementation, he emphasized that resistance is natural and that it is important to identify people who can serve as ambassadors of change and mobilize a critical mass around them. “In this process, constant communication plays an exceptionally important role. The uncertainty felt by many employees is reduced precisely by explaining the goals of the changes, the strategy behind them, and the benefits that both individuals and the company will gain. When people recognize the need for change, they will be willing to join in, and when they see the first concrete results and ‘small victories,’ it opens the space for developing a corporate culture rooted in continuous innovation and development,” Janković said.
The “AmChamps” program enables students and managers to gain new knowledge and develop business skills and abilities through work in mentoring pairs, which will help them in their future careers. Throughout the program, participants work on tasks and projects, either in mentoring pairs or larger teams, fostering mentoring relationships and teamwork.
The annual educational program AMCHAMPS – Young Leaders of Change, was launched by AmCham in 2014 and is an excellent example of how the private sector can participate in the process of improving young people who will, in the future, become leaders and guide the business community in Serbia.
Through the program of professional development and training, more than 400 young people — managers and students — have participated, and MK Group has supported this mentorship program for many years.
