Optiweb

How a Slovenian technology company grew from a garage project into a strategic partner for integrated digital transformation and development of complex digital ecosystems where technology serves business goals.

Optiweb is a Slovenian technology company with more than 15 years of tradition, which acts as a strategic partner to companies in the integral digital transformation. They specialize in the development of complex digital ecosystems, where technology is consistently subordinated to business objectives.

The company was founded in 2009 by Miha Lavtar, now a director, who gradually developed Optiweb from a “garage” project into a mature organization. A key lesson of growth has been a conscious decision to focus, specialize, and stability instead of growth at any cost. In the last period, they strategically sold the marketing department and completely focused on the development part and building a strong, senior technical team.

Optiweb's culture is characterized by integrity, transparency and team decision-making without hierarchical imposition of opinions. The team is motivated by their involvement in business results, and they also pay great attention to social responsibility, knowledge transfer and sustainable business.

Going forward, Optiweb focuses on deepening its expertise, especially in the areas of AI, data orchestration and cybersecurity, and on deliberate expansion within the EU, especially in manufacturing and retail environments. Their long-term vision remains clear: a stable company that creates value for employees, customers and the wider community.

ABOUT THE COMPANY AND THE BEGINNINGS

Optiweb is a strategic technology partner for companies that want a serious digital transformation. They do not just make “websites”, but build complex digital ecosystems (eCommerce, PIM, B2B portals, configurators) that optimize processes for customers and increase sales. With a focus on data and advanced technologies, they make sure technology works for business and not the other way around. They have developed and maintain the largest Slovenian online retailers such as Intersport, Mass, Harvey Norman, Iglu Sport and others.

The story of the company began in 2009, when Miha Lavtar, director, was 19 years old. It started in the “garage” style with the creation of simple websites and SEO optimization. The turning point was not a single event, but the realization that if he wanted to do serious things, he could not be a “one-man-band”. Hiring the first people and moving from “page maker” to “team organizer” was that key leap into entrepreneurship.

“If I look back now, I would probably be more cautious about the rapid growth of the team and always keep in mind that when growth stops, it is necessary to change strategy and focus. In a certain period, we grew very quickly (even up to 70 people), which brought a lot of administrative work and a loss of focus. But when that stopped, there were too many people behind the operational work and the finances couldn't handle it. Now, when it's not the time to grow, unless you find a new niche, we bet on a more specialized and “senior” team and stable growth instead of growth at all costs.” - Miha Lavtar, Founder and Director

TODAY'S TIMES AND CHALLENGES

Currently, their biggest challenge is the transition and stabilization after the sale of their marketing department. The lack of specific technical personnel on the market who can immediately jump into complex projects and the balancing of “resource planning” between different projects is also an obstacle.

Recently, they were given a new impetus by the strategic decision to sell the marketing department and full focus on the development part. This was a difficult but necessary move for the long-term stability and specialization of the company. Nevertheless, they have preserved the culture and are now building an even stronger, more connected technical team.

The most difficult decisions are often the ones that are most important to make. I don't remember the difficult decision I made and I regretted it.” - Miha Lavtar

PEOPLE, CULTURE, TEAM

At Optiweb, people work with integrity. They value transparency and realize that the success of the team is more important than the ego of the individual. There is no room for the “HIPPO” effect (Highest Paid Person's Opinion). At the same time, it is a good mix of people who have ambitions and those who are stable team members in their positions.

When looking for new employees, the most important thing for them is the matching of values: integrity, excellence, responsibility, innovation and team spirit. Technical skills can be learned, His character does not.They search mainly through their own networks, LinkedIn and by building a strong “employer brand” - that people themselves want to work for them.

They motivate the team through transparency and inclusion. They have an “Open Book” policy where everyone is familiar with how the company does business and is also rewarded from it when it goes well. They report this data on a monthly basis and on a quarterly basis in the “Quarter Impact Report”.

Their teambuilding is not just fun, but networking. They try to give people some new experience to go beyond the home environment and experiences. They also love New Year's Eve parties when they get married right in their offices. Until late or early in the morning.:)

SOCIAL ROLE AND PUBLIC IMAGE

They present themselves to the public as experts and a trusted partner. They are most present at LinkedIn, where they share professional content and insight into their culture, their siteThis is the main “showcase” for case studies.

They are also very socially active. “We have pledged to donate at least 1-2% of profits each year to charity. We also have the opportunity for people to take the day off if they go to do something charitable. In the past, we organized Optiweb Academy, where we shared knowledge free of charge to young people, many young people also went through our Let's boostpractice and thus prepare for the first career experience.”

Message to young people who are considering a career in technology, entrepreneurship:

“Do not be afraid of mistakes. Be curious and don't wait for someone to give you a chance, create it for yourself.”

BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT AND FUTURE

Slovenia has top talent, it is geographically extremely well positioned, we have natural resources, but the business environment is too bureaucratic and tax-burdensome for the salaries of highly qualified personnel, which makes it difficult for us to compete with the rest of the world. Not only for the best people, but also more and more companies, especially foreign ones, move their headquarters from Slovenia and as a result many times also move the business that we do, for example.

Abroad (especially the DACH region) appreciates quality and is willing to pay for it. The difference lies in the speed of decision-making and budgets, which are generally higher abroad for comparable solutions. There you are more “one of many”, so you have to stand out with specific expertise.

“If we had a magic wand, we would establish wage relief in the corporate environment to such an extent that there is not too much difference between the normalized S.P. and the salary, and that there would no longer be so much “unfair competition” here. It would simplify and relieve the burden of rewarding associates through the 13th salary and share buyback option.”

Their strategy has changed a lot over the years because the environment and trends have also changed. The current vision is stability for employees and customers and providing the best service. In the long term, however, they are looking for new niches that will again give an opportunity for further stable growth.

The industry trends that, in their opinion, will have the greatest impact on the future are artificial intelligence (AI), which has already and will further increase productivity, data orchestration and cybersecurity (Security).

They are thinking about expanding into new markets or into new segments, but thoughtfully. They focus on deepening their presence in manufacturing and retail companies that need complex B2B portals and PIM systems, especially in EU markets.

Sustainability is of utmost importance to Optiweb. It's not just about supporting remote work, separating waste, but about sustainable business — stable finances, caring for employees (work-life balance, vacations) and giving back to society.

“Above all, I want us to be part of the mosaic of companies that work for the good of the community. So not only for the owner, but also for colleagues, customers and the surrounding area.” - Miha Lavtar