About my work and background
My name is Dijana Novak, I’m an architect, designthinker and business coach, splitting work and living between Zagreb, Croatia and Amsterdam, Netherland.
As an architect, for many years I worked as Project manager and Investment specialist in small companies, as well as in corporations.
My passion lies in creative business and entrepreneurship. For 4 years I had owned a small art gallery where I exhibited applied art artefacts made by emerging designers.
Another 4 yrs I was a CEO and co-owner of corporative interior design and construction company.
After leaving that company 7 yrs ago, I started organising personal creativity development coaching courses, that led me to several coaching educations, expressive art therapy, stress release practices, as well as agile and design thinking coaching expertise.
For me, creativity is a way of thinking, applicable in every segment of life, especially in business. I believe that every business can be done creatively and authentically, with unique personal quality – and that is the best way to differentiate ourselves and claim our the position of One.
People who think differently are often bright and fiercely, they have the urge to follow their dreams, and at the same time, they need the creative system that will help them structure their thoughts, define the processes and build the strong foundation for their business.
Because I’m an architect Design Thinking methodology comes naturally to me – it’s the process very similar to architectural designing – and because I’m a tech savvy person, I developed my own framework that helps to connect human-centred product development with building an online presence, in order to claim unique market positioning – and that’s Creative Business Drive.
My education
Foundations in Design Thinking certificate, IDEO U
Executive coaching, LQ Zagreb and AoEC London
Scrum Master Certificate, CROZ, Zagreb
Therapeutic Photography education workshop with Judy Weiser, Bologna
Clinical Expressive Arts Therapy, 2 years of education + 2 years of assisting at the next education, teacher dr. Avi Goren Bar PhD, Zagreb
NLP Master Practitioner, Life coach, Emotional intelligence coach, Weight loss coach – Global NLP, Amsterdam
Wingvawe coach, NLP Academy, Zagreb
TRE® certified provider, with David Berceli & Fiona Liebowitz, Bucharest
MA Architecture, Zagreb