Stories of graduates: Andrej Jakubík

My name is Andrej Jakubík, and throughout my 30-year career, I have worked mainly in the pharmaceutical sector, holding various positions. I currently manage more than twenty independent professional pharmacy teams. This is a demanding managerial role that combines professional expertise with interpersonal skills.

Healthcare, including the pharmacy sector, faces a number of conflicting challenges today. On one hand, the state heavily regulates drug prices; on the other, customers expect increasingly high-quality professional services. There is a gradual outflow of qualified professionals abroad, student interest in the demanding study of pharmacy is decreasing, and at the same time, the pharmacy network continues to expand. Pharmacies, as business entities, must maximize value for their owners while also considering the needs of patients, employees, suppliers, and government institutions. For a manager, this means handling very challenging and often conflicting tasks. This also led me to further develop my management knowledge.

I therefore sought a high-quality educational program that would help me meet these needs effectively. I was particularly interested in studying an MBA at ESBM with a specialization in Executive Management.

During my studies, I gained comprehensive knowledge in the areas of strategic management, financial management, human resource management, corporate strategy, process management, and innovation management. In addition, I broadened my perspective through the elective module Myself Management. I have repeatedly experienced how demanding and at the same time essential it is to know oneself and to set the right life priorities. The well-known principle continues to prove true, if a manager cannot manage themselves, they cannot effectively manage others.

A major benefit of the program was the opportunity to meet fellow students from various fields, share experiences, and build valuable contacts. These synergies create new opportunities in a rapidly changing environment. Even after completing the program, I continue to participate in interesting and beneficial workshops organized by ESBM.