SAŠA Region Transformation Laboratory

A free advanced development program designed for companies and organizations facing structural changes, new market challenges, and the need to adapt more quickly. The program builds on the experience of the first generation of the non-certified “Reinvention Academy” training and incorporates elements of a startup mindset, agility, and innovative practices that are key to the successful transformation of established companies.

What do you gain?

The program develops the following competencies:

Mindset and Culture

understanding change and the psychology of resistance,
Developing a startup mindset: speed, experimentation, learning from mistakes,
strengthening organizational resilience.

Tools and Methods

the use of agile approaches,
tools for the systematic implementation of changes,
design thinking and systems thinking.

Innovation and Opportunity Development

identifying new business models and services,
prototyping and testing,
measuring the impact and value of innovations.

Implementation and Sustainability

the introduction of reinvention as a standard practice,
the development of internal innovation ecosystems (teams),
preparing a transformation plan for the organization (e.g., the Stellar Model).

Participants will receive workshop materials, access to digital textbooks, a set of association cards, and a 3-day pass to the DIFFRNT festival (provided they attend at least 3 modules).

Who is the training intended for?

companies with a long history that want to increase their innovation and agility,
organizations undergoing restructuring or growth,
management teams that want to adopt a startup mindset,
employees who take on the roles of innovators, change ambassadors, or project managers,
public institutions and organizations that wish to strengthen their transformational competencies.

When?

(March 2026 – June 2026)

Module 1 – March 26, 2026 (between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.), Vista – Park z Razgledom, Backstage 3 Meeting Room, Velenje

Module 2 – April 21, 2026 (between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.), Vista – Park z Razgledom, Backstage 3 Meeting Room, Velenje

Module 3 – May 12, 2026 (between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.), Vista – Park z Razgledom, Backstage 3 Meeting Room, Velenje

Module 4 – June 9, 2026 (between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.), Vista – Park z Razgledom, Backstage 3 Meeting Room, Velenje

Where?

Velenje

Scope of the programme:

The program is designed in a modular format, with a strong practical component. Each module includes lectures, workshops, examples of best practices, and work on specific challenges faced by participants. It consists of 4 modules, each lasting 4 hours (16 hours total), with individual work in between on a participant’s own case study within their company.

Content of the programme:

MODULE 1: Understanding Change + The Startup Mindset as a New Organizational Logic

Participants understand why traditional approaches no longer work and how a startup mindset complements established processes within a company.

The Importance of Organizational Resilience During Times of Transition
Why Established Companies Struggle to Innovate (Organizational Barriers)
The Psychology of Resistance and Behavioral Patterns in Organizations (Psychological Block)
Startup mindset: speed, experimentation, learning from mistakes, iteration
Examples of Best Practices
Mini-Assessment: “What is our current mindset?”

MODULE 2: Reengineering Tools + Agile Approaches for Faster Decision-Making

Participants will gain concrete tools for quickly testing ideas, making decisions, and reducing resistance to change.

Innovation Tools
Agile Approaches
Rapid Validation of Ideas
The Role of Leaders in Experimentation
Hands-on Exercise: 1-Day “Innovation Sprint”

MODULE 3: Creativity, Systems Thinking, and the Development of New Business Opportunities

Participants develop the ability to create new solutions that take into account the complexity of the region, the company, and the market.

Identifying New Business Opportunities
User Perspective
Creative approaches (design thinking, service design, value proposition design)
Prototype Development
Measuring the Impact of Innovation

MODULE 4: Transformation Plan

Participants develop a feasible plan for how innovation and a startup mindset can become part of the organization’s day-to-day operations.

A Culture of Experimentation and Psychological Safety
Internal Innovation Ecosystem
The Role of Management
Measuring Progress
How to Establish a Transformation Lab as a Standard Practice
Measuring Progress
Final Project: Transformation Plan

Lecturer: Sabina Popek Simšič

Sabina, a business coach at Hansen Beck, brings 26 years of experience in the business world, primarily in finance. In leadership roles, she was responsible for managing complex projects, coordinating across departments, and ensuring that systems and business processes were aligned with organizational goals and strategies. As a coordinator, Scrum Master, and program designer, she has fostered the development of employee potential across all levels of a global organization. As a certified mentor and coach with the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC), she has helped individuals with their personal and career growth, which has also strengthened her leadership and talent development skills within the company. As a mentor, she has supported entrepreneurs in business planning. She is an active member of the board of directors of the ICF Charter Chapter Slovenia, with the ambition of raising standards of professionalism and ethics in the coaching industry. Her areas of expertise include leadership and management, sales and negotiations, team development, communication, project management, public speaking, and time management.

Hansen Beck is an international people and organizational development firm that helps companies achieve sustainable change and greater effectiveness through education, training, and coaching. They believe that every individual has the potential to be activated by improving their mindset, key skills, and influence, which leads to positive results in both their professional and personal lives. The company operates in more than 25 countries across 5 continents and offers programs tailored to the needs of organizations—ranging from short workshops to in-depth 6–12-month programs, delivered in person or online. The programs cover topics such as leadership, sales excellence, effective communication, team development, change management, and business transformation. Hansen Beck focuses on practical, interactive methods that foster lasting behavioral change and measurable improvements in the performance of individuals and entire teams.

Registration:

The number of spots is limited, so please register as soon as possible (up to 20 participants). We will accept registrations until all spots are filled. Cancellations are accepted up to seven days before the start of the training.