“I’ll enroll, study, get my diploma, and that’s it—my career begins!” Admit it—this thought might have crossed your mind when choosing what and where to study. But is knowledge and a diploma enough for a successful career? Every year, hundreds of students receive diplomas and enter the job market, so how can you stand out?

Soft skills are essential ingredients for success in the 21st century, both professionally and personally. These skills help you stand out, solve problems, achieve better results, and, of course, build self-confidence. So, what are they, and how can you develop them?

Communication

Why is it important?

• Clear and empathetic communication is the foundation of effective teamwork, alignment with clients, and collaboration with managers. The ability to express your thoughts and understand others helps avoid misunderstandings and conflicts.
• Today, communication is not limited to face-to-face conversations; it also includes polite, clear interactions through emails, social media, and phone calls. Regardless of your business field or position, communication with people is unavoidable.

How to develop it?

• Practice active listening—try to hear not just words but also emotions. For example, during conversations, ask questions that show you’ve truly listened.
• Learn to tailor your message to your audience: are you speaking/writing to a friend or a manager?
• Actively participate during lectures—it’s a great way to improve verbal communication skills.
• Practice writing clear and concise messages (e.g., emails). Don’t hesitate to ask for feedback on your texts and how to improve them.
• Study non-verbal communication—observe body language, eye contact, and tone of voice. These aspects reveal a lot about the other person.

Teamwork

Why is it important?

• One person’s weakness can be another’s strength, which means a team can accomplish tasks that would be impossible or difficult for an individual.
• Diverse perspectives and ideas within a team generate more solutions and help find unique approaches and innovative decisions.
• Teamwork teaches you to trust others’ abilities, accept their decisions, and let go of the need to control everything.
• It helps you learn to express your opinions clearly and respect others’, which is valuable for finding compromises in conflicts and even in personal relationships.
• In a team, you have the opportunity to learn from others, especially if they have different skills or experiences.

How to develop it?

• Participate in group projects and learn to share responsibilities. Don’t try to do everything yourself—trust others’ skills.
• Practice empathy and openness—listen to others’ ideas and suggestions.
• Get involved in volunteer activities at the college: the Student Association, “Profadienis,” various competitions, and other events.
• Spend time getting to know your team members—a stronger bond helps you better understand their strengths and weaknesses.
• Resolve disagreements openly and amicably—listen, understand, seek compromises, and don’t take everything personally.

Critical Thinking

Why is it important?

• Critical thinking helps evaluate information objectively. In the 21st-century world, filled with misinformation and AI tools, this skill is indispensable.
• It encourages deeper analysis of complex situations, identification of problems, and making informed decisions at work and in everyday life.

How to develop it?

• Ask yourself questions: “Why is this important?” “Are there alternative solutions?”
• Spend more time assessing the situation before making a decision.
• Analyze real-world problems or cases related to your studies or work. Ask questions like “What other possibilities exist?” “What could I do differently?”
• Dedicate time to reading and analyzing news or articles. Look for diverse opinions and sources, and evaluate facts critically.
• Actively participate in discussions during lectures where you need to justify your opinion and respond to arguments.
• Reflect after making significant decisions: what worked well, and what could have been done differently?

Emotional Intelligence

Why is it important?

• Recognizing your own and others’ emotions helps build strong relationships, manage conflicts effectively, and better understand colleagues.
• Emotional intelligence also aids in managing stress, staying motivated, and adapting to changes.

How to develop it?

• Practice self-awareness—notice how you react to stress or conflicts.
• Develop empathy by trying to see situations from others’ perspectives.
• Practice observing your emotions: when you feel frustrated or irritated, take time to name and understand the reasons behind these feelings.
• Learn to ask empathetic questions to understand how others feel (e.g., “Why do you think you feel this way?”).
• Manage stress through mindfulness or meditation—it helps you respond consciously rather than impulsively to emotions.
• Compliment others and express gratitude—it fosters a positive atmosphere.

Creativity

Why is it important?

• Creativity isn’t just for artists. This ability, inherent in everyone, helps generate new ideas, solve problems, and adapt to unexpected situations. Employers are looking for people who can come up with innovative solutions to traditional challenges.
• Creativity is also the foundation of innovation and competitive advantage.

How to develop it?

• Try new activities that push you out of your comfort zone, such as cooking, music, or even cold-water swimming.
• When faced with a problem, write down as many ideas as possible, even if they seem illogical or funny—creativity often arises from freedom to experiment.
• Read about innovations and new approaches to problems in your field—it might inspire fresh ideas.
• Play creative games, complete creative tasks, or participate in brainstorming sessions that encourage you to seek unexpected solutions.

At this moment, our guests from Poland, Latvia, Egypt, Turkey, Ireland, Iran, Lithuania, Portugal, Finland and other countries are listening to the presentations. These days is filled with  new connections, discussions, and  scholarly insights.

More information about conference can be found at: http://conf.kolegija.lt

How do our lecturers start the new academic year ? They start with one of their favorite activities – learning!

Yesterday, on September 4th, our lecturers participated in a training session for the college community titled Applying Large Language Models in the Study Process as an Example of AI Application. The session was led by our lecturer Dr. Aleksandr Igumenov. The training and active discussions among lecturers focused on the challenges posed by the rapid spread and evolution of AI, how to leverage AI capabilities in teaching, and which specific AI tools are recommended for use.

Thank you, Dr. A. Igumenov, for sharing valuable insights!

24-26 October, 2024 Vilnius-Lithuania

The aim of the International Conference of Business and Entrepreneurship: Best Practices and Challenges is to foster a dynamic platform for academia, industry professionals, and aspiring entrepreneurs to converge, exchange insights, and explore innovative strategies addressing the contemporary challenges and best practices in the realms of business and entrepreneurship. Through collaborative discourse and knowledge sharing, the conference endeavors to business olutions solutions toward existing, inspire entrepreneurial initiatives, and propel sustainable growth in the global business landscape.

 

 

Keynote speaker: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Emre Camlibel

He is the chairman of the Re-pie Portfolio Management company. He holds a PhD in Civil Engineering from Boğaziçi University, focusing on energy efficiency and conservation, energy systems, sustainability and carbon practices and completed his master’s degree at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston, USA. He served as General Manager and Board Member at Soyak Yapı between 2001 and 2008. He became the CEO of Soyak Holding in 2016. Çamlıbel is a part-time lecturer at Boğaziçi University, an associate professor at VBC, and a visiting lecturer at MIT and Columbia, teaching courses in energy and real estate.

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE:

Head: Prof. Alytis Gruodis

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bahman Peyravi

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Emre Camlibel

Prof. Dr. Kestutis Peleckis

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jelena Mazaj

The scope of the conference:

The scope of the International Conference of Business and Entrepreneurship encompasses a wide array of topics and themes related to contemporary business practices, entrepreneurial endeavors, and emerging trends. The conference invites contributions from researchers, practitioners, and thought leaders across various disciplines, including but not limited to:

• Business Process Management
• Marketing
• Human Resource Management
• Operations and Supply Chain Management
• Entrepreneurship
• Leadership and Organisational Behaviour
• International Business
• Information Technology and Management Information Systems
• Innovation and Technology Management
• Financial Markets
• E-business
• Business Law

Important Dates Before the Conference Date.

October 04, 2024 – Abstract submission >>> publisher@kolegija.lt

September 30, 2024 – Submission of full papers >>> publisher@kolegija.lt

September 15 – October 10, 2024 – Review process

October 09, 2024 – Submission of final full papers >>> publisher@kolegija.lt

Information for Authors/Participants

All submissions must be original papers, and organizers will employ the plagiarism detection system Crosscheck (iThenticate) to assess the authenticity of submitted papers. Competitive papers will undergo a single-blind review process. The proceedings will be published by VBC Publishing House „Applied Business: Issues & Solutions Journal“, with papers undergoing copyediting only. Therefore, authors are responsible for ensuring their papers are proficient in English. Submissions must be made electronically as an MS Word document file, adhering to the provided template (see below).

Important: Selected papers will be published at the jornal „Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues“ which index at Clarivate, WoS. ISSN / eISSN: 2345-0282

To submit an abstract, please send it via email:  publisher@kolegija.lt

IMPORTANT:***The participants can use both Erasmus training and Erasmus teaching Opportunity

Participation Fee`s

• Early-bird participation fee (for attending author) – 320 Eur (to be paid before August 1)
• Participation fee (for attending author) – 380 Eur (to be paid starting with August 30)
• Participation fee (for co-authors or accompanying person) (if attending) – 150 Eur
• Participation fee for PhD students – 320 Eur
• Virtual participation fee – 160 EUR (per presentation)

The fee has to be paid to:

Vilnius Business College

Beneficiary’s code: 191807983

Account no.:  LT637300010126322216

Bank name: AB Swedbank

Bank code: 73000

BIC (SWIFT): HABALT22

Bank address: Konstitucijos pr. 20A, Vilnius LT-03502, Lithuania

 

>> For more Information please contact information@kolegija.lt

VILNIUS CITY MINI GUIDE –DOWNLOAD

Conference Venue – Radisson Collection Astorija Hotel Didžioji str. 35/2, LT01128 Vilnius, Lithuania

 Please find bellow the Virtual Tour:

https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=tmydv3v99nN&sr=-.15,-.87&ss=107

Conference Programme >>> For more Information please contact information@kolegija.lt

October 24, 2024, Radisson Collection Astorija Hotel Didžioji str. 35/2, LT01128 Vilnius, Lithuania
9:30 – 10:30 – registration and welcome coffee (Entrance)
10:30 – 12:00 – Presentations in sessions
12:00 – 13:00 – Lunch (Radisson Collection Astoria)
13:00 – 15:00 – Presentations in sessions
15:15 – Day 1 Closing speech

October 25, 2024, Radisson Collection Astorija Hotel Didžioji str. 35/2, LT01128 Vilnius, Lithuania
9:30 – 10:30 – Second day Morning coffee (Networking)
10:30 – 12:00 – Presentations in sessions
12:00 – 13:00 – Lunch (Radisson collection Astoria)
13:00 – 15:00 – Presentations in sessions
19:00 – GALA Dinner

October 26, 2024, 14:00 – Discover Vilnius

Recommended Accommodation: >>> For more Information please contact information@kolegija.lt

Radisson Collection Astorija Hotel Didžioji str. 35/2, LT01128 Vilnius, Lithuania (%15 Discount for conference participants)

Hotel Radisson Blu Lietuva (Location: Konstitucijos Ave. 20, LT-09308 Vilnius)

Hotel Best Western Vilnius (Location: Konstitucijos Ave. 14, LT-09308 Vilnius)

Hotel Congress (Location: Vilniaus str. 2/15,  LT-01102 Vilnius)

Hotel Holiday Inn (Location: Šeimyniškių str. 1, LT-09312 Vilnius)

Hotel Europa City Vilnius (Location: Jasinskio str. 14, LT-01112 Vilnius)

Hotel Tilto (Location: Tilto str. 8, Senamiestis, LT-01101 Vilnius)

Hotel Domus Maria (Location: Aušros Vartų str. 12, LT-01129 Vilnius)

 

Contact Information

Chair of Organising Committee

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bahman Peyravi

Vilnius Business College

Head of International Business Studies

Saltoniškių g. 2, 08126 Vilnius

Tel. +370 64797704/+37060383398

e-mail: bahman.peyravi@kolegija.lt

Conference Coordinator

Vakaris Šaulys

e-mail: information@kolegija.lt

Communication Manager

Mantas Barkauskas

e-mail: mantas.barkauskas@kolegija.lt

Conference Secretary

Monika Klimasauskaite

e-mail: monika.klimasauskaite@kolegija.lt

 

CONFERENCE IS CO-FUNDED BY:

VILNIUS CITY MINI GUIDE – DOWNLOAD

Students Scientific-Practical conference “Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education: Challenges and Opportunities” happening at Vilnius Business College (Saltoniškių str. 2, Room No. 1).

We would like to invite you to participate as listeners!

For those who unable to attend in person, we would like to invite you to join ONLINE.  A live stream  available via VBC’s social media platforms

FACEBOOK

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/SxLqeeri1Ujb2C66/

YOUTUBE:

On 6th of May, 2024 an evaluation of the Information Technology Study Programmes Will Take Place at Vilnius Business College.

Here is agenda of the visit:

Evaluation 6th of May, 2024 Agenda

 

This Friday, October 27, our college will be immersed in the Halloween spirit. As soon as you enter the college, you’ll find yourself caught in the clutches of Halloween, where you’re guaranteed to be affected by a spooky atmosphere and horrible sensations. The witching hours are from 9 AM until precisely noon when you’ll have to work hard to get a candy.

Later, the event will continue at Lyglaukių 38, where a wild party with costumes beyond your imagination awaits you from 8 PM. All Vilnius Business College students are invited to the party.

So get ready. Halloween is waiting for you.

The Halloween event is organized by the Vilnius Business College Student Council.