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Miodrag Šajatović
Episode · #165

VRIJEME JE ZA GOSPODARSTVO Miodrag Šajatović

Guest Miodrag ŠajatovićHosted by Darko BukovićMay 3, 2026
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation

The path of an economic journalist often tracks the economy itself—through wars, transitions, and market shifts. But what happens when the journalist, after decades of reporting on others' ventures, decides to launch his own? Miodrag Šajatović, a name synonymous with Croatian business media, has seen it all. From starting as a sports reporter to becoming the long-time editor of the influential economic weekly Lider, he has not only chronicled the country's economic evolution but also shaped its discourse. His career has spanned the shift from socialist enterprises to a market economy, culminating in an unexpected entrepreneurial leap in his late 40s. This conversation explores the unique perspective of someone who has observed, critiqued, and then personally experienced the challenges of building a business in a rapidly changing landscape. It’s a masterclass in how a commitment to constructive journalism can inform—and be informed by—the very act of creation.

Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
During Lider's challenging startup phase, Miodrag Šajatović recounts how he and his co-founder, Željko Vukelić, would alternate between doubt and encouragement. A strong partnership provides not just complementary skills, but a crucial emotional corrective, preventing either person from giving up in the face of early-stage setbacks.
02
At 47, Miodrag Šajatović and his team left a stable media job to launch Lider, facing the uncertainty of 'slushy January mornings' and questioning their decision. The leap into entrepreneurship isn't limited to early careerists; sometimes, the most audacious ventures begin when experience has accumulated, demanding a different kind of courage.
03
Despite financial projections showing only a one-in-ten chance of success for Lider, Miodrag Šajatović and his partner found an investor within two days of completing their business plan. A solid reputation and established track record in an industry can compress the typically arduous fundraising process, proving more influential than raw statistical odds.
04
In 1989, Miodrag Šajatović launched 'Poslovni svijet' as an economic supplement in Večernji list, boldly using the term 'enterprise' in its slogan, despite later claims that such language was forbidden in socialist Croatia. The historical record isn't always what we remember it to be; sometimes, the constraints are only as real as the people who enforce them.
05
Miodrag Šajatović emphasizes that Lider, and his own columns, aim for constructive criticism rather than just pointing out flaws. Effective media engagement with business and policy requires not only identifying problems but also suggesting viable solutions, turning critique into a catalyst for progress.
06
Offered the editor-in-chief role at Polet magazine, Miodrag Šajatović declined, choosing to finish his nine remaining economics exams instead. Sometimes, delaying an immediate career peak to secure a deeper foundational education proves to be the smarter long-term investment, even if it means stepping back from a prominent role.
07
As editor of Večernji list's 'Poslovni svijet' supplement, Miodrag Šajatović noted that rising Wednesday circulation was attributed to his team, while falling numbers were blamed on the main paper. A distinct sub-brand within a larger media house can offer a unique position, allowing its team to take credit for its successes while insulating it from the broader entity's struggles.
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