Finding his rhythm at BE-terna: Sašo's journey in project management

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your current role at BE-terna?

I’ve always been passionate about discovering new places, listening to music, and everything on four wheels - and that same curiosity drives me in my professional life too. Recently, I stepped into the role of International Project Manager, a title that reflects both my professional experience and personal interests. It also marks a new level of complexity in the projects I handle. The IPM role is, in a way, a homage to the many international projects I’ve worked on over the past five years - and there have been quite a few.

How did your career at BE-terna begin, and how has it evolved over time?

Just before the COVID pandemic, I joined BE-terna as a student in my final year of economics studies. At the time, my only experience with project and team management came from student organisations. Starting out in a fully remote environment with digital meetings and virtual collaboration was challenging for everyone, but especially for someone new to the business world in a role that thrives on direct client contact.

From the beginning, I worked on various projects across technologies - from Business Central to Qlik and Power BI, and eventually D365 Finance & Operations. Each completed project didn’t mark the end of my relationship with the client. I built strong connections, often directly with company directors, and these relationships would often continue into a key account manager role after the project go-live. 

What has been your biggest challenge so far, and how did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge is always to build a motivated and reliable project team, especially in demanding situations. It takes effort to motivate colleagues, clients and, at times, myself - all while staying focused on a common goal in the face of stress, pressure and complexity. But with a human approach, support, understanding and a few secret ingredients, we always manage to succeed.

In terms of projects, the most challenging one was a multi-year international implementation spanning several countries in the EU and APAC region. Without an outstanding team, strong organisation, goal orientation and a flexible, creative approach, we wouldn’t have achieved the result we did. 

What do you enjoy most about your role as a project manager?

Those “A-ha” moments are what I enjoy the most. Seeing the end result come together as a sum of many decisions, actions and steps over time is incredibly satisfying.

Another part I love is working with people. Human interaction is fascinating in its complexity. So many personal and professional factors affect communication and outcomes. The context behind those factors and choosing the right way to connect with someone is the real magic of working with people. I try to always follow the principle: we work with people, not just technology. 

How would you describe the culture at BE-terna in your own words?

Trust is everything. When we trust each other internally, that same energy carries over to our clients – and they feel it. 

What advice would you give to someone just starting their career?

Be yourself and stay relaxed. Working with many different people has taught me that there is real value in individuality. It’s a beautiful thing to learn something new from someone’s personality, interests or hobbies. Being open, curious and easygoing in conversations can open many doors. 

We’ve heard you enjoy good music, parties and concerts. How do you like to spend your free time, and what has been the best concert or party you’ve been to? Do you see any connection between that energy and your work?

How I spend my free time depends on my energy and the moment in life, sometimes more relaxed, sometimes more active - but always with music. I love going to concerts that match my musical taste. Since high school I’ve been into energetic music, and over time I’ve developed a love for many genres, from rock to jazz. So far, Exit Festival has been the highlight of my music experiences, but I hope there’s more to come.

There are definitely parallels between those experiences and what I get from my work - meeting new people, feeling different energies in different moments, and the overall dynamic. In the end, every concert or party is a bit like starting a new project.