Beyond the Average – Creating Conditions for Breakthrough – Manager Congress 2025
“The only way not to be left behind again, as we have too many times in the past, is to stay ahead — constantly, every single day. There is always plenty of unoccupied space at the front,” said Dr. Iztok Seljak, President of the Manager Association (ZM), as he addressed 450 participants of this year’s Manager Congress in Portorož.
At the evening ceremony, the Manager of the Year 2025 award was presented to Enver Šišić of Perutnina Ptuj, while the Vključi.Vse Award, which highlights exemplary companies that foster inclusion and diversity among employees, went to Intera.
This year’s congress focused on the key challenges shaping our economic and social reality: Slovenia’s strategic breakthrough beyond mediocrity, creating an environment where top talent thrives, responsible leadership in the age of artificial intelligence, and navigating social uncertainty.
Seljak vividly summed up the message:
“I have often spoken of the tsunami from the East and our total complacency in the comfort zone while it still lasts. For each of us, and for our companies and organizations, it is crucial to develop — alongside technological innovation — new solutions and business models that will make us sustainably more competitive in what we do.”
The Strength of the Foundations of Social Prosperity Depends on Concrete Reforms
“Without decisive changes, we will remain mere bystanders as the very foundations of social prosperity crumble,” emphasized Petra Juvančič, Executive Director of Združenje Manager.
She pointed out that the demographic shifts already reflected in the labor market require a broader response:
“But without fundamental reflection and reform — extending working life, increasing the participation of older workers, attracting talent from abroad (and keeping the best at home), advancing robotization and automation, and above all, increasing added value — the demographic crisis will be unmanageable.”
We Can’t Just Wait for the Storm to Pass
“In the past 20 years, we have watched other powers rise while European productivity lagged behind. Yet we have all the levers to reverse this trend: knowledge, capital, an internal market of 450 million people, and social security — we just need to show more courage and determination. Especially at the EU level, we must ask ourselves what we can do better, less bureaucratically, and more efficiently,” said Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement, in her opening address.
She added:
“We want to create an environment where companies do not look for ways out of Europe but find within it the right conditions for growth — where rules empower companies rather than stifle them.”
According to her, the role of managers extends beyond running businesses; they shape the trajectory of both Slovenian and European society:
“This is the kind of leadership Europe desperately needs today. We cannot simply wait for the storm to pass.”
The Greatest Risk Is Excessive Fear of Uncertainty
An exaggerated response based on the idea that the future should be feared poses the greatest risk to companies, argued Jonathan Terra, political analyst, former diplomat, and expert on transatlantic relations and security policy.
“Why? Because fear leads to paralysis. Paralysis leads to stagnation. And stagnation leads to failure,” he explained.
To maintain resilience and competitiveness in today’s unpredictable world, “trust and reliability must become your brand.”
Navigating the Intersection of Technology, Business, and Human Potential
Leadership in a new world requires different approaches, emphasized Claudia Olsson, one of Sweden’s most influential figures in technology and business, named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
“The greatest impact of artificial intelligence will not come from algorithms themselves, but from what they demand of people. Those who can navigate the intersection of technology, business, and human potential will shape the organizations of the future,” she observed.
Entrepreneurs Call for More Support, Responsibility, and Simplification
“To make doing business in Slovenia easier, we need more support, stability, and accountability — at all levels. We need a stronger voice for business leaders in shaping state-driven changes, a brutal simplification of legislation and procedures, and, above all, a clear sense of direction for Slovenia,” participants of Thursday’s discussion titled “Us Today. Us Tomorrow. All of Us Together: The Developmental XYZ of Leadership” conveyed to political representatives.
Panelists included Boštjan Jerončič, CEO of Incom Leone; Blaž Strle, CEO of the Be-Terna Group; Maja Strnad Cestar, CEO of Medis; Petra Parovel, founder of SWY Brand; and Martin Jezeršek, CEO of Jezeršek Catering.
Manager of the Year 2025: Enver Šišić, Perutnina Ptuj Group
At the evening ceremony, the Manager of the Year 2025 award went to Enver Šišić, CEO and President of the Executive Board of the Perutnina Ptuj Group. When Šišić took over in 2019, the group generated around €250 million in revenue. Five years later, revenues exceed €532 million, and sales volumes have doubled. With more than 5,160 employees, the group has become the fastest-growing agri-food company in the region and one of the most profitable poultry businesses in Europe — a testament to Šišić’s thoughtful, strategic, and responsible leadership. Above all, he never forgets that leading a company means taking responsibility for people.
The award is presented by the ZM Management Board and recognizes outstanding business achievements of top executives leading their organizations to success.
Include.All Award to Intera from Ptuj
The Include.All 2025 Award went to Intera, a high-tech company that has been developing its own digital business solutions — Intrix — for 23 years.
“Intera embodies the values of diversity, inclusion, sustainability, and social responsibility. Through innovation, openness, and commitment to the common good, the company not only sets high standards in the technology sector but also co-creates an exemplary inclusive workplace,” reads the award citation presented by the Women Managers Section at ZM.
Slovenia 2050: Lower Taxes on Wages, a Debureaucratized System, Clear Priorities
During the 2nd day of the event at the MQ Forum, one of the messages was that the Future of Slovenia Lies in Its Ability to Cooperate. Political party leaders and their economic representatives exchanged views on productivity, the urgent need for de-bureaucratization, and attracting talent. They agreed that the challenges facing Slovenia are too serious to be tackled in the same way as before.
The second day of the congress was devoted to a strategic reflection on Slovenia’s future in light of the upcoming 2026 parliamentary elections. The key challenges shaping the country’s development range from technological change and demographic trends to increasing geopolitical pressures.
How can Slovenia, through higher productivity, less bureaucracy, and by attracting top talent, rise above mediocrity and establish itself as an innovative, competitive society?
Participants included Klemen Boštjančič, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance (Gibanje Svoboda); Matjaž Han, Minister of the Economy, Tourism and Sport (SD); Zdravko Počivalšek (SDS); Jernej Vrtovec (NSi); Dr. Anže Logar (Democrats); Dr. Vladimir Prebilič and Marko Lotrič, President of the National Council (Fokus).
They agreed that key priorities include tax relief on wages, de-bureaucratization, and setting clear national priorities. Han added that “smart solutions that are good for Slovenia will have our support — even if we’re in opposition.”
In Good Shape, but Falling Behind in Competitiveness
Opening insights were provided by Prof. Dr. Mojmir Mrak (Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana), Prof. Dr. Andreja Jaklič (Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana), and Dr. Peter Wostner (IMAD).
Mrak emphasized that Slovenia remains in solid condition after the COVID crisis, but is losing ground in terms of competitiveness due to a weak business environment, unpredictable tax policy, and low business investment.
Defense spending will need to rise, likely through additional borrowing, while the absorption of record EU funds remains slow due to administrative complications.
The European Commission’s 2028–2034 proposal foresees a larger budget with more funding for competitiveness and security, as well as new European taxes.
“Over the next ten years, a new global order will be established for a longer period,” Mrak noted, adding that Europe needs a serious reflection on its future role.
How did the panelists respond?
Logar argued that technological development is the only thing that will secure the EU a seat at the ‘big table’, stressing that Slovenia’s only ally in the new geopolitical order is the EU itself.
Vrtovec agreed: “Individual countries cannot function on their own.”
Boštjančič added that more decision-making powers should be transferred to the European Commission and commissioners, stating: “We need a new decision-making system. Consensus is outdated.” Han concurred.
How to Keep the Shy Birds?
Jaklič observed that Slovenia is increasingly struggling to attract and retain foreign investment, as it can no longer rely on its geographical position, EU membership, and relatively stable business environment and infrastructure — advantages it once enjoyed.
“In 2024, foreign investors still saw Slovenia as an attractive location, but its appeal is declining,” she said, pointing out that investors mainly see obstacles in slow bureaucracy, complex legislation, high labor taxation, and the responsiveness of the public sector, as well as slow progress in infrastructure.
Logar noted that Slovenia “could be a golden destination, but due to taxes and wage burdens, we’re on the grey side.”
Han listed tax reform and better investment conditions as key priorities.
Boštjančič emphasized that creating a supportive environment and investing in knowledge, education, research and development, and people is a long-term effort.
Lotrič added another concern: “In Slovenia, we not only distrust foreign investors — we also distrust private enterprise.”
Prebilič called for a more pragmatic approach: “Let’s promise less, announce less, and do more. Politics must learn to listen to the economy and create a supportive environment for it.”
Step on the Gas for Innovation-Driven Growth with High Productivity
“Slovenia’s quality of life is relatively high, but to maintain or improve it, we must accelerate the transition to innovation-driven growth with high productivity,” said Wostner.
He stressed that Slovenia needs more high-productivity companies, which requires a (political and societal) consensus on key development priorities.
“The keywords for forward-looking approaches — for companies, the state, and other stakeholders — are activation, attractiveness, automation, investment in future skills, modernization and innovation, and a responsive, efficient state that operates in strategic partnership with key stakeholders and within a restructured tax system.”
Asked when Slovenia would move from strategies to action, Počivalšek stated that “the Bible of Slovenian business is the Manager Association’s Action Plan, and it should be followed.”
Vrtovec welcomed such dialogue between business, politics, and other stakeholders, as it offers hope that words will finally turn into action.
Logar urged participants to remember the discussion’s consensus on tax relief on labor and a developmental cap — calling for this to be the first measure of the next government.
He concluded that the Manager Association Action Plan will only begin to be implemented once it gains support in parliament and is publicly defended.
Source: Press office of Združenje Manager
Photos: Borut Cvetko, Mediaspeed, and Matic Kremžar for Združenje Manager
