Gabrić: Through Innovations, We Need to Become Drivers Instead of Observers

‘This year, we have emphasized creativity and innovation because new ideas and creative thinking are the only paths we can choose if we want to free ourselves from the role of observers and strongly take on the heavier and more responsible, but certainly much more desirable, role of drivers,’ stated Ivan Gabrić, CEO of Combis, on the occasion of the opening of this year’s Combis conference, whose overarching theme is ‘Research. Innovations. ICT.’

‘We have often, added Gabrić, followed trends, made efforts to adapt to market dictates, now it is time to utilize knowledge, technology, ideas, and specificities to create new value, with our own positive connotation. Irena Jolić Šimović, Chief Operating Officer for Business Customers and a member of the Management Board of Hrvatski Telekom, the owner of Combis and partner of the conference, emphasized that we must seek a strong breakthrough by stepping out of existing patterns in our own innovations that bring us positive change and help us make a significant step forward. As a reason for the acquisition of Combis, she cited HT’s desire to offer specific ICT products and services tailored to business customers.

At the round table ‘From Innovative Potential to Growth,’ participants (besides Gabrić and Jolić Šimović, the General Director of IBM Croatia Krešo Perica, Director of the Business Innovation Center of Croatia BICRO Dalibor Marijanović, innovator, founder, and owner of the company TEMA – Branimir Ružojčić) attempted to answer questions such as ‘What enables the development of a favorable innovation climate?’, ‘Can one learn to be inventive and innovative?’ and ‘Does our society support innovation?’ The round table was moderated by Dubravko Merlić.

Commenting on investments in innovation, Marijanović highlighted that BICRO has invested 200 million kuna in innovations over the last three years. ‘It is worth noting that the state gives little, but these are still significant funds. After all, innovations do not arise because the state provides funds, but simply because there is an innovation need,’ said Ružojčić, emphasizing that we must not underestimate the impact of education and science. ‘An idea may come to mind, but from idea to product, high science is needed, and therefore it is essential to nurture top-quality education,’ added Ružojčić.

Gabrić followed up with a comment that the function of faculties is to provide a good foundation, and it is up to companies to further develop and build upon that. ‘What we lack as a society is fundamental work. Namely, sometimes we talk more than we work, and thus we create double standards,’ emphasized Gabrić. Ružojčić agreed, noting that we are often superficial in perception because we only see the final success, while forgetting the actual amount of work invested, which he considers an anomaly of our culture. Reflecting on education, Perica stated that the educational structure among ICT employees is very high and that there is certainly creative potential. Citing the most important elements for increasing the usability of innovative potential, Jolić Šimović concluded: ‘Knowledge is certainly the first priority, and technology is also very important, as well as financial backing. However, alongside all this, positive energy, a healthy innovative spirit, and faith in the idea are indispensable.’ (Matilda Bačelić)