Editorial
-Alaya Brown
Spotlighting Purpose, Passion, and Perseverance
Ineverygeneration,thereareindividualswhorisenot
merelythroughambitionorsuccess,butbytheir abilitytotransformadversityintoopportunity,and dreamsintoactionablechange.Inthisspecialeditionof InsightsSuccessin Inspirational Icon to Look For in 2025,weareproudtoshineawell-deservedspotlighton onesuchtrailblazer,Mr.NevenRoginić.
Anamesynonymouswithresilience,innovation,and impact,Neven'sjourneyisnotjustapersonaltriumph,but aroadmapforthoseseekingtocreatemeaningthrough theirworkandleadwithauthenticity Whetherthroughhis contributionstoindustry,commitmenttocommunity,or pursuitofpersonalmastery,Nevenhasconsistently demonstratedthattrueleadershipstemsfromvisionbacked byvalues.
Aswestepdeeperintoaworldshapedbyrapidchangeand emergingchallenges,figureslikeNevenserveasreminders thatinspirationisnotadistantidealbutaliving,breathing force—foundinthosewhodaretoact,toquestion,touplift, andtogrow.Thiseditioncapturesnotonlythemilestones ofhiscareerbutthemindsetthatpropelshimforward:a rareblendofcourage,humility,andrelentlessdrive.
OurgoalwiththisfeatureisnotjusttocelebrateMr Roginić’sachievements,buttoofferreadersaspark—an invitationtoreimaginewhat’spossibleintheirownlives andcareers.Inshowcasingleaderswholeadwithheart,we affirmourbeliefthatinspirationisthemostpowerfulfuel forprogress.Wehopethiseditionleavesyounotonly informed,butempowered.
Happy Reading!
F E A T U R I N G
Neven Roginić The Visionary Bridge Builder Redening Global Business Collaboration
ARTICLES
22 What Every Digital Innovation Leader Must Know About Emerging Technologies? How the Business Ecosystem Architect Transforms Organizational Networks?
Business
Business
Chairman | UAE - Croatia Business Club
Neven
RoginiC
The Visionary Bridge Builder Redefining Global Business Collaboration
F E A T U R I N G
Few executives more aptly capture the essence of
international cooperation; one such individual is Neven Roginić. In a time when business crosses nationalboundariesandteamworkisthemeasureofsuccess. Heisabridgebuilderwhoiscreatingsignificantconnections between individuals, sectors, and countries because to his extraordinary ability to combine vision and execution. He is changing the way that East and West interact in business, culture, and innovation as the Chairman of the UAECroatiaBusinessClub.
Auniquecombinationofacademicrigorandentrepreneurial understanding shapes his leadership With two Master's degrees in civil engineering and agriculture, he is striking a balance between his extensive technical expertise and his creative intuition. His businesses, Format 3D and L33T DigitalAgency,haveledthewayinbridgingthegapbetween architectural visualization and digital storytelling, assisting international corporations and real estate developers in realizingtheirambitiousprojects.
But what distinguishes him is his dedication to leadership with a purpose. He is a clear leader who is empowering his peoplewhileadheringtotheprinciplesofcooperation,trust, and long-term planning. The Croatian Business Council inside Dubai Chambers is becoming a key platform for bilateralexpansionunderhisleadership;itismorethanjusta organization;itisadriverofsuccessforall.
Roginić is promoting a leadership style based on contributions rather than titles in all of his endeavors. His narrative is about creating ecosystems rather than just enterprises.Andindoingso,heisprovidingaconvincingroad mapforleaderswhowanttomakealastingimpression.
TheFoundationYears
Born and raised in Croatia, Roginić's journey began in a householdthatvaluededucation,curiosity,andthefreedomto chase one's passions. His academic path reflects this diverse thinking holding dual Master's Degrees in Civil EngineeringandAgriculture,acombinationthatmightseem unusualbutspeakstohisearlyfascinationwithbothstructural systemsandsustainabledevelopment.
"My journey has been anything but linear, but always deeply drivenbyadesiretobuild,connect,andcreatelastingvalue." hereflects
This foundation led him to the prestigious halls of MIT in Boston,wherehebecameaPhDcandidateintheDepartment ofCivilandEnvironmentalEngineering.
“We listened closely to what clients needed in real time, restructured internal workflows for full remote collaboration, and invested in tools that boosted productivity and creativity even from a distance.”
Yet even as he pursued advanced academic credentials, his entrepreneurialspiritwasalreadytakingshape.
TheDigitalTransformation
ThebirthofL33TDigitalAgencymarkedRoginić'sentryinto the world of digital storytelling. Founded on the belief that creativity, when combined with technology, can transform howpeopleseeandexperiencetheworld,theagencybeganas afull-servicedigitalmarketingplatformhelpingbrandscraft theiridentityandbuildmeaningfulonlinepresence.
"We don't just 'show' projects, we translate them into stories that people can emotionally connect with, long before constructionevenbegins."heexplains,
This philosophy proved prescient As the agency grew, working with global clients across tech, hospitality, and lifestylesectors,henoticedacriticalgapinthemarket.Highvalue projects, particularly in real estate and architecture, needed more than traditional marketing they needed to be broughttolifevisually.
EnterFormat3D,hissecondventure.Thisspecializedstudio focuses on architectural visualization, cinematic renderings, and virtual experiences, helping real estate developers, architects, and designers present their visions in ways that sparkimaginationanddriveinvestment.
TheMiddleEastConnection
The expansion into the UAE marked a pivotal moment in Roginić'scareer Theregion'suniqueblendofinnovationand ambition proved to be the perfect testing ground for his companies'Europeancreativityandglobalbusinessstrategy
"It's a place where ambition meets execution and where our approachfoundstrongresonance."henotes.
Buthesawsomethingdeeperthanjustmarketopportunity He recognized the potential for meaningful, long-term collaborationbetweentheUAEandCroatiatworegionswith complementarystrengthsandsharedvaluesofinnovationand growth.
This vision led to the establishment of the UAE-Croatia Business Club, a non-profit initiative dedicated to fostering business, cultural, and investment ties between the two regions What started as a networking platform is now evolvingintosomethingfarmoresignificant.
BreakingNewGround
Inahistoricdevelopment,Roginić'sworkhasculminatedin the establishment of the Croatian Business Council within Dubai Chambers the first official Croatian business body in theUAE.Thismilestoneisrepresentingmorethansymbolic recognition;itrepresentsastructuredplatformforlong-term tradeandinvestmentcollaboration.
The impact extends beyond paperwork and protocols. Currently,heisworkinginclosecollaborationwiththeUAE Ministry of Economy to organize a delegation of verified EmiratiinvestorstoCroatia.Thisinitiative,ledandsupported bytheMinistryitself,aimstopresenthigh-potentialCroatian projectsanddeepeneconomictiesinastrategic,institutional manner
"We're not just facilitating business deals. We're creating frameworks for sustainable, long-term partnerships that benefitbothregions."heemphasizes.
NavigatingCrisisandOpportunity
The COVID-19 pandemic might have derailed many businesses,butforRoginić'scompanies,itbecameamoment of acceleration rather than disruption. Both Format 3D and L33T Digital Agency were already built on digital-first principles,positioningthemadvantageouslywhentheworld suddenlyshiftedonline.
"While many traditional sectors struggled, digital marketing actually experienced significant rise. Brands that had relied on in-person interactions suddenly needed to rethink their entirestrategy."herecalls.
Format 3D saw similar growth. With travel halted and real estateprojectsfacingdelays,thedemandforhigh-quality3D visualizations, virtual tours, and remote presentations skyrocketed. What was once considered “nice-to-have" becameessential.
The key strategy during this period was speed and adaptability "We listened closely to what clients needed in real time, restructured internal workflows for full remote collaboration, and invested in tools that boosted productivity andcreativityevenfromadistance."heexplains.
TheRecognitionFactor
Roginić'sworkhasn'tgoneunnoticed.TheAmericanDesign Award,aninternationalrecognitioninhisfield,validatedhis companies'commitmenttoexcellenceandinnovativevisual storytelling. But for him, the real validation comes from the trustandloyaltyofhisteamandthemeaningfulrelationships builtthroughsharedambition.
"Awards and recognition are appreciated, but legacy is built through contribution, and that's what drives everything I do." hesays,
LeadershipPhilosophy
For someone who manages multiple companies across different time zones and cultures, Roginić has developed a unique approach to leadership and work-life integration. Ratherthanseekingperfectbalance,hefocusesonlong-term clarityaboutwhattrulymatters.
"I believe in integration, not separation. My professional workisn'tsomethingthatpullsmeawayfrommypersonallife, it'spartofwhoIam.WhenIalignmyworkwithmyvalues,it doesn'tfeellikeI'mjugglingtwoworlds."heexplains.
His leadership style emphasizes delegation and empowerment. He believes that when leaders trustthepeople,theyworkwithandgivethem space to grow, they free themselves from micromanagementandfosterahealthier dynamic, both professionally and personally
“I believe in integration, not separation. My professional work isn't something that pulls me away from my personal life, it's part of who I am. When I align my work with my values, it doesn't feel like I'm juggling two worlds.”
“Whether it's my team, clients, or young entrepreneurs I meet along the way, I believe in sharing knowledge and creating space for others to grow. Success is most fulfilling when it's shared.”
ThePassionBehindthePurpose
What drives Roginić most is the passion for building meaningfulconnectionsbetweenpeople,ideas,cultures,and industries. This passion extends beyond business success to mentorshipandempoweringothers.
"Whether it's my team, clients, or young entrepreneurs I meet along the way, I believe in sharing knowledge and creating space for others to grow Success is most fulfilling when it's shared."hesays.
ThisphilosophyhasshapedhisapproachtotheUAE-Croatia Business Club and the Croatian Business Council. Rather thanbeingexclusivenetworks,they'redesignedasplatforms whereotherscanthriveandbenefitfromthebridge-building approachthatisshapinghiscareerovertheseyears.
LookingForward
As Roginić continues to expand his influence in connecting the UAE and Croatian business ecosystems, his message to aspiring leaders is clear: lead with clarity, humility, and purpose.
"Clarity means understanding where you're going and why Leadership is not about knowing all the answers but about askingtherightquestionsandcreatinganenvironmentwhere othersfeelsafetocontributetheirbestideas."headvises.
His practical advice emphasizes the importance of relationshipsandresilience.Heoftenhighlightsthatnoleader succeedsalone,andunderscoresthevalueoftreatingpeople with respect, keeping one's word, and thinking long-term. Accordingtohim,astrongnetwork,adependableteam,anda solidreputationaretheleader’sgreatestassets.
TheBridgeBuilder'sLegacy
Today, Neven Roginić is standing as more than just a successfulentrepreneur He'sbecomeabridgebuilderinthe realestsenseconnectingnotjusttwocountries,buttwoways ofthinkingaboutinternationalbusinesscollaboration.
His companies, Format 3D and L33T Digital Agency, continue pushing the boundaries of digital storytelling and architectural visualization.The UAE-Croatia Business Club and the Croatian Business Council are representing institutional frameworks that will outlast any individual businesscycle.
For those considering expansion into the UAE market, Roginić offers a direct message: companies should not ventureinalone.Heemphasizesthatwhiletheregionpresents immense opportunities, success relies heavily on understanding the local business culture, building the right partnerships,andstrategicallycommunicatingtheirvalue.As hecontinuestobuildbridgesbetweencultures,industries,and continents, he embodies a simple yet powerful philosophy: "Buildwithintention.Leadwithheart."
Inaworldincreasinglyconnectedyetoftendivided,hisstory is serving as a reminder that the most meaningful success comes not from what we achieve alone, but from what we enableotherstoaccomplishtogether
HOW THE BUSINESS ECOSYSTEM ARCHITECT TRANSFORMS ORGANIZATIONAL NETWORKS?
Today'shighspeedsandhyper-connectivitydon't permitbusinessestosucceedinavacuumanymore. Theybelongtoadynamicecosystemofsuppliers, partners,customers,regulators,evencompetitors.The worldthatisglobalizeddemandsanotherformof leadership—avisionaryleaderwhocanmap,blueprint,and navigatesuchcomplexnetworkstoinnovationand sustainability.
That is where the business ecosystem architect comes in, a visionary leader who is revolutionizing the way organizations operate, collaborate, and flourish.
EnvisioningtheBusinessEcosystemArchitect'sRole
Abusinessecosystemarchitectisnotjustaconsultantor strategist.Theyareasystemthinker—someonewho understandsthatbusinessesexistwithinbroader,breathing ecosystems.Theyhavearoletodesign,govern,and optimizetheinteractionsandrelationshipsamongvarious stakeholderswithintheecosystem.
Ratherthanfocusingoninternalefficiency,thebusiness ecosystemarchitectlooksout.Theyaskquestions:Howcan ourfirmco-createvaluewithothers?Howdowestayagile inashiftingenvironment?Theanswerslieinorchestrating awebinwhichmutualbenefit,openness,andinnovation formthegroundwork.
MappingtheOrganizationalWeb:BeyondTraditional Hierarchies
Inthepast,companieshadstatichierarchiesandsilos. Whilegoodasthismodelhasbeenincalmerdays,itisnot holdingupwelltokeepingpacewiththevelocityand multidimensionalityofcurrentmarkets.Enterthebusiness ecosystemarchitectwithamoremalleableorganization.
Theybeginbymappingoutthecurrent ecosystem—players,determininginterdependence,and delineatingvalueflows.Thatmightbetechnologypartners, logisticsfirms,buyers,influencers,andmaybegovernment agencies.It'snotsomuchwhoshowsupashowthey're connected.Usingthismap,thearchitectunderstandswhere thereareloopholes,threats,andsynergypotential.
BuildingaCultureofCollaborationandTrust
Perhapsthemostneglectedbutmostbasicfunctionofan ecosystemarchitectisbuildingacollaborativeculture.Trust iscurrencywithinecosystems.Co-branding,jointventures, orsharingdatawillworkaslongaspartnerstrustone another'sdependabilityandmotivations.
Todothis,thearchitectpromotestransparency,goal congruence,andclearmechanismsofgovernance.They providecommunicationavenuesthataremorethanjust emailthreadsorbureaucraticmeetings.Thinkaboutshared platforms,opendashboards,orcolocatedteams.These allowwallstobedemolishedandmakecollective ownershipofoutcomefeasible.
DrivingInnovationThroughStrategicAlliances
Nocompanyintoday'sageofdigitaldisruptioncan innovateinavacuum.Ecosysteminnovationisthenew norm.Thebusinessecosystemarchitectinthisscenariohas avitalroletoplaybyfiguringoutwhereexponentialvalue canbecreatedbyformingstrategicpartnerships.
Forexample,ahealthcarebusinesscanpartnerwitha wearabledevicecompanyandadataanalyticsproviderto offerpreventivecaresolutions.Whileeachofthepartners contributessomethingunique,theecosystemarchitect ensuresthatthosepuzzlepiecesfittogetherinawaythat servestheend-user
Theyalsoevaluateeachpartnershipfromalong-term view—exchangingshort-termadvantagesforlong-term innovation.Theirabilitytopredicttechnologicaltrends, regulatoryshift,andmarketdisruptionallowsthemtoguide theecosysteminbeingaheadofthecurve.
BuildingResilientandAdaptiveEcosystems
TheCOVID-19pandemichelpedfocusattentiononthe vulnerabilityofmostsupplychainsandorganizational networks.Itwasaneye-openerasfarasrequiring companiestoberesilientandresponsive.Thatiswherethe businessecosystemarchitectcameinhandy
Byalreadypossessingmappeddependenciesandpotential pointsoffailure,theywereabletoalloworganizationsto switchonadime—eitherwithdiversifiedsuppliers, acceleratingdigitalintegration,orredesigningdistribution models.Moreimportantly,theyembeddedflexibilityinto theecosystem'sDNAsothatfutureshockscouldbe absorbedmoreeasily
GreetDataasaUnifyingForce
Informationisthelifebloodofmodernecosystems.Getting itisnotsufficient,though.Thebusinessecosystemensures dataisaligned,securelyshared,andmeaningfully interpretedamongstakeholders.
Theycreatedatagovernance,interoperability,andethical deploymentmechanisms.Thisresultsinbetter-informed decision-making,enhancesinnovation,andenhances customerexperience.Whendataflowsfreelybut responsibly,theentireecosystembecomessmartand respondsaccordingly.
MeasuringEcosystemSuccess:ExceedingProfit Margins
Theconventionalconceptsofperformancemetricslike revenueormarketshareareinsufficienttoquantify ecosystemhealth.Thebusinessecosystemarchitectcreates somenewKPIsthatencapsulatetherichnessofinterorganizationalcollaboration.
Thesecanbepartneringsatisfaction,rateofecosystem innovation,time-to-marketforco-developedproducts,or evensocialimpactmetrics.Shiftsinperceptionlead organizationstovaluelong-termecosystemwell-beingat thecostofshort-termgain.
TheHumanFaceofEcosystemArchitecture
Fundamentally,beingabusinessecosystemarchitectisan extremelyhumanoccupation.Itdemandsempathy, negotiating,persuading,andtheabilitytogetloadsof differentpeopleontothesamepagewiththesamevision. They'reoftenthebackroomheroes—leapingfrom boardroomtosupplierwarehousetomakevisionsbecome reality.
Theydon'tjusttransformsystems,theytransformattitudes. Theymoveleadersfroma"me"toa"we"mentality, tappingintopotentialthatislockedincollectiveprogress.
Conclusion:AVitalRolefortheFuture
Asthebusinessworldisinterconnected,thedemandfor skilledbusinessecosystemarchitectswillincreasinglybe crucial.Thoseorganizationsthatspendmoneyonthiswill bebetterequippedtodealwithuncertainty,createvalue collaboratively,andleadresponsiblyinthe21stcentury
Lastly,thebusinessecosystemarchitectisnotatitle,itisa missionandframeofmind.Onethatrecognizesthat successisnolongeramatterofindividualperformance,but anorchestraofcombinedeffortsbyanever-evolving networkofpeople.
WHAT EVERY DIGITAL INNOVATION LEADER MUST KNOW ABOUT EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES?
Inatimeofspeeddefinedbydata,disruption,andendless change,thedigitalinnovationleaderrolehasneverbeen morevital.Chargedwithguidingorganizationsthrough cyclesoftechnologicaldisruption,digitalinnovationleaders are more than change managers; they're visionaries who bridgegapsbetweenthefuture'spromiseandtheconstraints ofthemoment.
As emerging technologies revolutionize industries, it is critical that digital innovation leaders are informed, responsive, and visionary. Here's what all digital innovation leaders must know to succeed in today's rapidly evolving world.
1.FamiliaritywiththeEmergingTechnologyLandscape
The first move for any digital innovation leader is to get to know the technologies transforming industries From artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and blockchaintoquantumcomputing,5G,edgecomputing,and themetaverse,theinnovationpaceismerciless.
These technologies are already deployed they're being rolled out across sectors such as healthcare, finance, manufacturing, logistics, and education.AI, for example, is revolutionizing customer service through chatbots and predictive analytics. Blockchain is revolutionizing supply chains with greater security and transparency A digital innovationleaderneedstofigureoutwhereeachtechnology standsonitsmaturitycurveandevaluatehowitmightimpact theirbusiness.
2.AligningTechwithBusinessStrategy
New technologies themselves do not instill transformation —strategic alignment does. A discerning digital innovation leaderdoesn'tchasetrendsbutviewstechnologyadoptionin order to achieve a certain business objective. This involves scanning for pain points or growth areas and how new tech canprovidequantifiablevalue.
For instance, implementing robotic process automation (RPA) on back-office processes can help save costs and enhance efficiency But if customer experience is the core issue at hand, then spending on AI-based personalization platformsmightpaygreaterdividends.Thedifferenceliesin beinggoal-focused,nottech-for-tech's-sake.
3.BuildingaCultureofInnovation
Technology is only as good as the human beings who use it. Perhaps the most underappreciated work of an innovation leader in the age of the digital is creating an internal culture thatwelcomeschange,experimentation,andlearning.
Creating innovation laboratories, rewarding innovative problem-solving, and cultivating cross-functional collaboration are key processes. Psychological safety, generatedfromnothavingthefearofspeakingupwithideas or concerns, should also be fostered by the leader That is whereinnovationoccursnotduetotop-downordersbutdue tobottom-levelinitiativeandcuriosity
4.ManagingtheRisksofRapidAdoption
With the speedy rate of innovation, there is great danger—dataprivacyissues,ethicaldilemmas,cybersecurity attacks,andpossiblyjobloss.Aresponsibledigitalinnovation leader has to balance the advantages of new technologies againsttheserisks.
ConsiderAI,forexample.Sure,itcanmakedecisions,butit also creates the problem of algorithmic bias and openness. Blockchainissecure,butregulationisstillintheworks.Good governance systems, compliance with the law, and always balancingtheethicaleffectsoftechnologydecisionsmustbe maintainedbyleaders.
5.BuildingFuture-ReadyTeams
Nomatterhowsophisticatedatechnologyis,itcannotreach itspotentialifthereisnorighttalentpoweringit.
Perhaps one of the most important tasks for a digital innovation leader is investing in ongoing learningandupskilling.
Upskilling and reskilling programsmustfocusontechnicalskillssuchasdatascience, cybersecurity, and cloud computing as well as softer skills such as critical thinking, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. By building adaptable, diverse teams, leaders will build an organization that's not just change-ready but builtforchange.
6.LeverageDataasaStrategicAsset
Dataisthefuelthatdrivesinnovationinthedigitaleconomy. Data drives smarter, faster, and better-informed decisions fromcustomerandoperationperformance,markettrends,to predictiveanalytics.
Adataliteratechampionintheorganizationiswhatadigital innovation leader ought to be. It is about creating data governance standards, democratizing analytics tool accessibility, and threading data-driven thinking into all decisions.DataneedstobethreadedintoorganizationalDNA fortruedigitaltransformationtobeachieved.
7.ThrowingAgilityOverPerfection
Inaworldwhereintheonlyconstantischange,perfectionisa progresskiller.Thebestdigitalinnovationleadersunderstand thatholdingbackforthe"perfect"solutionmostofthetimeis tantamounttolosingtheopportunity
With rapid prototyping, adopting agile practices, and promoting iterative development, organizations can experiment,adapt,andlearninrealtime.This"failfast,learn faster"philosophyguaranteesthatinnovationisnotstifledby bureaucracyorfear.
8.StayingAheadoftheCurve
Toinnovateaheadofthecurve,oneneedstoremainastudent ofchange.Aneffectivedigitalinnovationleaderconsistently tracks technology trends, interacts with thought leaders, contributes to industry forums, and utilizes networks to remainaware.
Buying entry to research magazines, going to innovation summits,andworkingwithacademicorstartupcollaborators are all great ideas for remaining on the bleeding edge. Innovation is never a singular act but an ongoing process—andleadersneedtobeconstantlylearninginorder toremainup-to-date.
FinalThoughts:LeadingWithVisionandEmpathy
At its core, digital innovation isn't simply about embracing newtechnology—it'saboutfixingissuesandenhancinglives. A digital innovation leader has to contain the thrill of innovative solutions with the seriousness of impactful responsibility
Thisinvolveshearingfromstakeholders,honoringthepaceof organizationaltransformation,andalwayskeepinghumanat the center of digital transformation. Technology is the enabler;leadershipistheseparator.
Amidst this ever-changing environment, being a digital innovationleaderisasmuchofachallengeasitisareward. Keepingcurrent,strategic,andastute,theseleadersareableto pavethewaytothefuture—oneinnovativeideaatatime.
For Subscrip on: www.insightssuccessmagazine.com
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