FBA Students Visit LIDER to Explore Customer Care and Entrepreneurial Empowerment
On December 16, 2024, Dr. Aida Akagić Hodžić, lecturer at the IUS Faculty of Business and Administration, led her E-Business students on a visit to Microcredit Foundation LIDER. This educational trip provided students with an in-depth view of the operations of one of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s leading microcredit institutions.
Celebrating 22 years of service, Microcredit Foundation LIDER has been a cornerstone of financial and non-financial support for entrepreneurs and residents in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Operating in 53 municipalities through 16 field offices, LIDER serves over 7,900 clients with a dedicated team of 75 employees. The foundation prides itself on providing transparent, straightforward financial services and educating clients about financial terms and conditions in a clear, accessible way.
During the visit, LIDER’s management team showcased their commitment to excellence and client-centricity. They highlighted key aspects of their operations, including an impressive 84% customer retention rate, emphasizing their dedication to superior customer care. Students gained valuable insights into the organization’s strategies for maintaining high standards in client relationship management and learned about the free non-financial services LIDER offers to entrepreneurs—services that are rarely available in the region.
This hands-on experience allowed students to see the practical application of e-business concepts in the microcredit sector. They explored LIDER’s innovative practices and its role in empowering entrepreneurs across BiH.
Dr. Akagić Hodžić expressed gratitude to LIDER for providing her students with the opportunity to connect classroom theories to industry practices. She highlighted the importance of such experiences in preparing future business professionals to succeed in a dynamic and competitive marketplace.