“Business between the lines” – The first book from Naša mreža reveals the experiences and lessons of local entrepreneurs

n the Great Hall of the Belgrade Youth Centre, the book “Business Between the Lines” was presented — a collection of columns originally published on the business platform Naša mreža. The book offers a unique overview of topics, experiences, and practical advice for everyone looking to grow their business, from idea to successful operation.

Speaking with the authors, Ivan Minić, editor and one of the book’s contributors, highlighted that the platform has so far been visited by more than 3 million people, with an average of 135,000 visitors per month. During this time, over 150 interviews were conducted, 125 authored columns were written on more than 180 business topics, and documents from the platform were downloaded more than 60,000 times — confirming that Naša mreža has become one of the key places for knowledge exchange and inspiration in Serbian entrepreneurship.

“In just two and a half years, Naša mreža has become a meeting point for sharing experiences and ideas, as well as a support system for everyone who wants to improve their business. The book ‘Business Between the Lines’ is our way of preserving part of that knowledge and giving it new value — to serve as inspiration and encouragement for further creation. This promotion is actually a celebration of the shared achievements of all our authors, collaborators, and readers,” said Ivan Minić, editor of Naša mreža and one of the book’s authors.

Branka Pudrlja Durbaba, Chief Business Director at A1 Serbia, the company that launched Naša mreža in 2019, noted that 99 per cent of the Serbian economy comprises micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. Around 360,000 such businesses are registered, employing 63 percent of the workforce. This makes them the backbone of the economy — but also highlights the challenges they face.

“Digitalization is an opportunity for all businesses, but it’s crucial to bring it closer to entrepreneurs and show them that it’s not a privilege reserved for large corporations. That’s why our portfolio includes modular and adaptable solutions — a business can start with the simplest services, such as cloud storage or online collaboration tools, and gradually expand to advanced ICT services. The goal is to help them become more efficient, faster, and more competitive, without feeling like they’re entering complicated or costly processes,” added Pudrlja-Durbaba.

During the evening, Jovana Mihailović and Nikola Gulas, ICT experts from A1 Serbia, also addressed the audience and presented the company’s latest ICT solutions and projects tailored to business users.

Naša mreža is a free business platform that was initially created to connect market participants. Over time, it has evolved into a kind of media outlet, intending to educate and inform entrepreneurs and helping them on their path to success and strong business performance.

In the previous period, a series of Naša mreža Entrepreneurship Talks was held, gathering hundreds of participants in Subotica, Niš, and Kragujevac, to foster dialogue and exchange experiences and ideas beyond Belgrade.