Recently, you announced to the business community that Egzakta Group is entering a new era. Can you explain in more detail what that means explicitly?

Egzakta Group is entering a new, exciting era of transformation and growth. This latest phase of our development involves the integration of three key business lines: consulting, IT solutions, and AI with IoT and robotics. This synergy allows us to provide our clients with comprehensive, innovative solutions that address the complex challenges of modern business. Specifically, this means we have significantly expanded our capacities. For example, our IT division is now centered around TubeiQ, which has integrated Prozone and SSOE. Additionally, the merger with Dunav Net, a specialist in AI and IoT, has enabled us to build strong synergies across all three fields of our operations.

At the same time, we have expanded our geographical presence. We have opened offices in Amsterdam to cover the EU market, in Slovenia for the eastern part of the EU, while our headquarters in Serbia covers the Western Balkans region. We have also recently opened an office in Dubai, extending our presence to the Middle East. This expansion allows us to combine global trends with local expertise, providing our clients with tailored solutions that meet their needs and markets.

    Egzakta has quickly transitioned from a small, local consulting firm to a group competing equally with the world's most prominent players. What do you believe is the critical factor behind this success?

The key to our success lies in several factors. First and foremost, we can recognize and quickly respond to changes in the market and technology. Our business model integrates consulting, IT solutions, and the latest technologies, such as AI, IoT, and robotics. It allows us to provide comprehensive solutions that many competitors need help with. Second, we continuously invest in innovation and the education of our employees. Third, our approach is always client-focused. We combine a deep understanding of local markets with global trends, enabling us to provide solutions tailored to each client's specific needs.

Finally, our growth strategy, which combines organic growth with carefully selected acquisitions, has enabled us to quickly expand our capacities and market presence while maintaining the flexibility and innovation that led to our success.

    How does Egzakta differ from the competition in terms of approach and methodology?

What sets us apart is our integrated, multi-disciplinary approach. Instead of viewing consulting, IT solutions, and advanced technologies as separate entities, we merge them into a holistic approach to solving business challenges. Our methodology is based on deep data analysis but goes a step further. We use advanced AI algorithms and IoT solutions to analyze the current state and predict future trends and challenges. This enables us to provide our clients with solutions for current problems and strategies for long-term success.

Additionally, our global approach and local expertise allow us to provide globally innovative solutions tailored to regional specifics. This is especially important in today's globalized yet simultaneously fragmented business environment.

    How does Egzakta adapt to current trends in the consulting industry?

Adapting to current trends is at the core of our business. We continuously monitor and anticipate market changes through our network of global offices and partnerships with leading universities and research institutions. We focus on several key areas. First and foremost is digital transformation. We help clients successfully navigate this complex process using our integrated consulting and IT services. We are also deeply committed to sustainability and social responsibility, using advanced analytics and AI to develop sustainable business models.

Additionally, we believe in a personalized approach to each client. Thanks to our advanced analytical tools and AI solutions, we provide customized services to each client, tailoring our advice and solutions to their needs and goals. Finally, we focus on agility and rapid implementation. In today's fast-paced business environment, it is not enough to provide advice – solutions need to be implemented quickly. Our integrated structure enables us to do this efficiently.

You have announced further acquisitions. Can you tell us more about your plans in this regard?

Our acquisition strategy is carefully designed to support our integrated approach and expand our capabilities. We focus on three main areas. First, we look for companies that can expand our technological portfolio, especially in AI, IoT, and robotics. This allows us to stay at the forefront of technological innovation and provide our clients with the most advanced tools and solutions. Second, we target companies that can expand our geographical presence. Although we are already present in key markets, we always seek opportunities to deepen our local knowledge and expand our network. Third, we focus on innovative companies that bring new perspectives and approaches to solving business challenges. This helps us maintain the freshness of our approach and prevent stagnation.

It is important to emphasize that we do not view acquisitions merely as a means of growth but as a way to create synergies. Every acquisition must add value to our existing business lines and, most importantly, our clients.

    What are your key strategic goals for the next five years?

Our strategic goals for the next five years are ambitious but achievable. First and foremost, we aim to solidify our position as a leader in providing integrated solutions that combine consulting, IT, and advanced technologies. This involves further investments in the development of our technological capacities, particularly in AI, IoT, and robotics.

We also plan to expand our global presence. In addition to our recently opened offices in Amsterdam, Slovenia, and Dubai, we are exploring opportunities to enter new markets, especially in Asia and the Americas. Furthermore, we remain focused on developing our human capital. We plan to expand our business school and MBA program and deepen our collaboration with leading universities globally. We want Egzakta to be recognized as a consulting firm and a center of excellence and innovation. One of our essential goals is to be leaders in sustainable business. We are developing innovative solutions to help our clients achieve their sustainability goals while increasing efficiency and profitability.

Finally, we aim for organic growth and strategic acquisitions that will enable us to expand our capacities and market presence. Our goal is to grow sustainably, always prioritizing the needs of our clients and the quality of our services.

    Consulting companies are increasingly providing services that combine global insights with local knowledge. What is your stance on this issue?

This is precisely the core of our approach at Egzakta Group. Combining global trends and local knowledge is crucial for providing top-notch consulting services in today's complex business environment. Our network of offices – from Amsterdam through Serbia and Slovenia to Dubai – allows us to understand local markets, cultures, and regulatory frameworks deeply. At the same time, our global perspective will enable us to recognize and apply best practices worldwide.

This combination is essential in the era of digital transformation and global connectivity. Clients want solutions that are globally competitive but tailored to local specifics. Our integrated approach, which combines consulting, IT solutions, and advanced technologies, enables us to provide precisely such solutions.

Our collaboration with local universities and institutions further deepens our local knowledge. At the same time, our business school and global network of experts ensure we always have access to the latest international trends and expertise.

    What are the most significant values that consulting brings to a company, and how can a client recognize the right time to engage external partners?

Consulting brings several fundamental values to companies. The first is objectivity – an external perspective can often identify problems and opportunities internal staff may overlook due to daily routines. The second is expertise – consultants bring deep knowledge and experience from various industries and projects. The third is innovation – consultants often bring new ideas and approaches to solving problems.

In the case of Egzakta, we go a step further. Our integrated approach, which combines consulting, IT solutions, and advanced technologies, allows us to identify problems, propose solutions, and implement them efficiently.

There are several indicators of the right time to engage external partners. The first is when a company faces complex challenges that exceed internal knowledge and resources. The second is when a company wants to accelerate growth or transformation. The third is when a fresh perspective is needed to solve long-standing problems or identify new opportunities.

It is important to note that at Egzakta, we do not see our role as a one-time intervention but as a long-term partnership. Our goal is to work together with our clients, transferring knowledge and building internal capacities so that they can continue to grow even after our engagement.

    To what extent does Egzakta use digital technologies and data analytics to improve the services it provides to clients?

Digital technologies and data analytics are at the core of our business at Egzakta Group. Our integrated approach, which combines consulting, IT solutions, and advanced technologies, allows us to utilize the potential of these tools entirely. We use advanced analytical platforms and AI algorithms to analyze our clients' data in-depth. This enables us to identify hidden patterns, predict future trends, and provide insights beyond traditional analytical methods.

Our AI solutions enable us to collect real-time data from various sources, giving us a comprehensive picture of our clients' operations. We then process this data using advanced AI algorithms to generate actionable insights.

It is important to note that we do not use technology for its own sake. Our focus is always on how these tools can bring concrete value to our clients, whether through increased efficiency, cost reduction, or identifying new business opportunities.

    How do you integrate artificial intelligence and machine learning into your consulting services?

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are vital elements of our integrated approach at Egzakta Group. We use these technologies to enhance our consulting services and provide additional value to our clients. For example, we utilize AI and ML for advanced data analysis. Our algorithms can quickly process vast amounts of structured and unstructured data, identifying patterns and trends that would be difficult or impossible to detect using traditional analysis methods.

Additionally, we use AI to automate and optimize business processes. For instance, we develop AI-powered chatbots for customer support, automated supply chain decision-making systems, or AI algorithms for price optimization. This allows our clients to increase efficiency and reduce costs significantly.

Machine learning is also significantly applied in the domain of predictive analytics. Our models can forecast future market trends, consumer behavior, or potential risks, enabling our clients to be proactive in their strategies. Moreover, we integrate AI into our IoT solutions. This allows us to collect real-time data and analyze and respond to it immediately, creating intelligent, self-adapting systems. We also use AI to personalize our services. Our algorithms analyze each client's specific needs and challenges, allowing us to provide highly customized solutions.

It is important to note that while AI and ML are critical tools in our arsenal, they never replace human expertise. Instead, they empower our consultants, enabling them to focus on strategic thinking and creative problem-solving.

    What are the key challenges you face in attracting and retaining talented consultants?

Attracting and retaining top talent is one of our key priorities at Egzakta Group. We face several challenges in today's competitive job market, but we have developed strategies to overcome them.

First, there is a high demand for experts with business, technological, and analytical skills. To attract such talent, we have heavily invested in employer branding to position ourselves as an employer that fosters a highly innovative approach and offers opportunities to work on cutting-edge projects. We recognize that talented professionals want to work in organizations with a strong culture and values, so we nurture a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. Our cooperation with leading universities, such as FON and the Faculty of Economics, allows us to identify and attract the best young talent early on.

Second, today's professionals seek more than just good salaries—they want meaningful careers and opportunities for continuous development. Therefore, we have developed training and development programs, including our Rome Business School Belgrade and MBA program. These programs attract talent and ensure that our consultants stay up-to-date with the latest trends and skills.

While we face the challenge of talent being able to quickly move to other countries or work remotely for global companies, our network of international offices and the opportunities to work on global projects help us remain competitive.

    How do you ensure your consultants stay up-to-date with the latest business trends? How do you develop and enhance the skills of your employees?

Continuous learning and development are at the core of Egzakta Group's culture. We have implemented a multi-layered approach to ensure that our consultants are always up-to-date with the latest trends and continuously improve their skills. Programs we conduct in collaboration with the Rome Business School provide our employees access to the latest business, technology, and leadership knowledge. We regularly update curricula to reflect the latest trends and best practices.

Additionally, we frequently organize internal workshops and seminars where our experts share knowledge and experiences from their projects. This helps spread knowledge within the organization and fosters a culture of sharing and collaboration.

We encourage and support our employees' attendance at leading industry conferences and seminars to stay current with the latest trends and build networks with other industry experts.

We must note that our performance management system nurtures a culture of continuous learning. We regularly set learning and development goals for each employee and monitor their progress.

    What are the current significant challenges in the consulting services market?

The consulting services market is facing several significant challenges shaping the industry's future. First and foremost, the speed of technological changes poses a considerable challenge for the entire industry. Consultants must continuously update their knowledge and skills to remain relevant. On the other hand, clients increasingly demand personalized and specialized solutions as more than generic approaches are required. As sustainability and social responsibility become increasingly important factors in business, consultants must be able to integrate these aspects into their advice and solutions. There is also a noticeable trend of increasing pressure on consultants to demonstrate tangible value and ROI of their services. Additionally, globalization of the market leads to increased competition and a need for global knowledge combined with local expertise.

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated digitalization and transformed working methods. Consultants must be prepared to provide advice and support in this new, often virtual, working environment. There is a growing need for interdisciplinary approaches to solving complex business problems.

    How do you see the future of the consulting industry? What changes do you expect in the next decade?

Numerous transformative trends will shape the future of the consulting industry.

Firstly, technology, especially AI and machine learning, will play an even more significant role, and consultants will need to be both business experts and tech-savvy. At Egzakta, we have already integrated these technologies into the core of our business. Secondly, we foresee an increase in the 'consulting as a service' model. Clients will seek more flexible, on-demand approaches to consulting services. Our integrated model positions us as pioneers in this approach.

We also expect the boundaries between strategy, implementation, and operations to blur. Consultants will need to provide end-to-end solutions. Our structure, combining consulting, IT solutions, and advanced technologies, puts us in an ideal position for this trend. We also anticipate further specialization and niches within the industry. General approaches will give way to profoundly specialized expertise. Our model, which combines broad expertise with in-depth knowledge in specific areas, allows us to respond to this trend.

The importance of soft skills, such as emotional intelligence and creative problem-solving, will also grow year by year. These skills will become crucial for differentiation in an era where many routine tasks will be automated. Considering that remote work and virtual consulting will likely become the norm rather than the exception, consultants must develop new skills to provide services in a virtual environment effectively.

Finally, we see a future where consultants increasingly become partners for innovation, helping clients solve current problems and create new business models and opportunities. At Egzakta Group, we are actively preparing for this future. Through our continuous investments in technology, talent development, and innovative business models, we are positioning ourselves to be leaders in this new era of consulting.