Fueled by curiosity: Stjepan’s journey to business unit manager

Having joined BE-terna as a student, Stjepan has grown with the company, taking on new challenges and responsibilities along the way. Today, he leads a dynamic team in one of the most exciting and fast-evolving areas of tech. 

We sat down with Stjepan to learn more about his career path, the key moments that shaped his professional growth, and what advice he has for the next generation of talent. We also got a glimpse into what fuels him outside the office. Spoiler alert: it includes some high-speed action on the weekends. 

I joined BE-terna in 2013 after winning a student competition. I started as a student in the CRM team while still working on my bachelor’s degree. At that point, I wasn’t sure which area of IT I was most interested in. As I learned more about the company and its main focus areas, I discovered my passion for data. 

After some conversations and a lot of questions, I finally moved to the Data team, where I still work today. I went from being a student who was curious about every part of the job, unsure if I could handle certain tasks, to a BI consultant, then a team lead, and now business unit manager for the Data team. 

I’d say there are three main influences on who I am as a professional today: my upbringing, my colleagues, and my clients. That combination really shaped me. 

Early on, my upbringing played the biggest role. I was taught to always respect the people around me, give 100 percent to any task, and be someone others can rely on when I commit to something. 

From colleagues, I’ve learned to absorb everything, whether it’s hard skills, soft skills, or how they tackle challenges. I also learned that asking questions is encouraged, and no one judges you for being curious. 

Working with clients has taught me a lot about industry-specific knowledge. I’ve also come to understand that some things that might seem unusual at first are often just how they need to be in a specific context. 

But what matters most at the end of the day is this: personal contact can’t be replaced by Teams calls or emails. Sometimes, a quick phone call or a short visit is all it takes to break down big barriers.  

That’s a tough question. With time, even the biggest challenges start to feel more manageable and less overwhelming. Looking back, there isn’t much I would change, even the difficult moments helped shape the way I handle challenges now, and they all feel like an essential part of the journey. 

There were definitely a few intense and demanding periods, but most of them ended well. Interestingly, many of those projects involved clients we still collaborate with today. We’ve built strong relationships and continue to grow together. 

One of the biggest challenges was the COVID lockdown. It came without warning, and unlike most changes where you can at least prepare a bit, this one didn’t give us that chance. As a relatively new team lead at the time, losing in-person contact and the ability to rely on my own judgment was tough. But we pulled through. 

Another major milestone was the transition to the euro in 2023. It was a significant change that affected all of our clients at once, and there was no real way to simulate or test for it. 

Most recently, I’ve been part of building and growing a completely new team, working with technology that’s new to our company. It has its challenges, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Seeing progress and development in just a few months is a great feeling. 

I truly hope that people at the beginning of their careers find themselves in an environment that values sharing time, knowledge, and habits. Investing in someone’s growth is never wasted effort. That’s something I always appreciated. I could ask any question and get an answer, whether from my team, other departments, or colleagues across the region. 

My advice is simple. Ask questions, lots of them. Curiosity is one of your greatest tools for growth. But growth doesn’t come from asking alone. Take the time to reflect on what you learn. That’s how you begin to understand what truly works for you. It will help you figure out the direction you want to grow in. And even if that direction isn’t clear right away, that’s completely normal. With time, it becomes clearer.

Finally, talk to your superior. That’s the only way things can change and the best way others can support you.  

Yes, I’m a big motorsport fan and follow both MotoGP and Formula 1. What fascinates me most isn’t just the speed and technical detail, but how much of the strategy depends on data and analytics. 

Like any true Dalmatian, I enjoy a good coffee in good company. I also love discovering new countries and cultures. And when it comes to food, I definitely enjoy eating more than cooking—but I’m not a stranger to the kitchen either.