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05 July 2023

Luiss Business School and KAPSARC present the first edition of the Summer School in "Economics of Energy and Environment" in Riyadh

Luiss Business School presents the new Summer School designed for KAPSARC in "Economics of Energy and Environment" starting next July 9th An initiative aimed at young graduates in economics, engineering and political science, who wish to explore the fundamental dynamics of the Saudi energy ecosystem and acquire the analytical tools necessary to understand it, with a method of empirical learning. The intensive 2-week training course designed by Luiss Business School, aims to consolidate the technical-economic skills of recent graduates and will be developed thanks to a faculty composed of professionals and academics of the highest international profile, from Luiss Business School and the most prestigious European universities, prominent in the fields of economics-statistics, energy transition and environmental policies. The King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) is an advisory think tank within global energy economics and sustainability providing services to entities and authorities in the Saudi energy sector. Through advisory services to the energy ecosystem, KAPSARC’s experts provide day-to-day insights and updates using a multidisciplinary team approach to drive long-term value and deliver tangible results at scale. Kapsarc's strategic goal is to produce internationally recognized research, tools and data to impact global policymaking. Kapsarc Academy aims to enable and empower future global public policy leaders and professionals to positively impact society by equipping them with the skills they need to effectively realize the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. Kapsarc academy offers a variety of executive education programs in collaboration with leading local and global educational institutions, including Luiss Business School. 05/07/2023

20 June 2023

Bando (Yo)U International Film Festival

Il concorso dà vita ad un nuovo ambito di innovazione culturale, volto non più solo alla formazione ma anche al sostegno e alla ricerca di giovani autori in ambito nazionale e internazionale. Possono partecipare al Premio tutti gli autori di nazionalità italiana o straniera – singolarmente o in gruppo – che rispettino i seguenti criteri di ammissione: non abbiano compiuto il trentaseiesimo anno di età alla scadenza del bando prevista per il giorno 1 luglio 2023 siano iscritti o abbiano terminato da non più di un anno rispetto alla data di scadenza del bando un corso di formazione universitaria. I candidati possono concorrere con una sola opera, edita o inedita, ma che non abbia già vinto altri concorsi o premi e che sia stata realizzata dopo il 1° gennaio 2021. È prevista l’assegnazione di una targa e di una borsa di studio per il primo classificato. Tutti i cortometraggi verranno visionati dalla Direzione del Premio che selezionerà 5 cortometraggi per la competizione ufficiale. Le opere selezionate verranno presentate e proiettate durante la serata finale dell’evento prevista il 18 luglio, presso la Casa del Cinema di Roma. Nella serata finale verranno inoltre premiati i vincitori. La scadenza per la presentazione delle opere candidate al Premio è fissata per il giorno 1 luglio 2023 entro e non oltre le ore 12.00 (ora italiana). Per partecipare il candidato dovrà iscrivere la propria opera tramite la piattaforma FilmFreeway (https://filmfreeway.com/YoUInternationalFilmFestival). La partecipazione è gratuita. Si raccomanda l’attenta lettura del bando. ITA SCARICA IL BANDO MODULO ISCRIZIONE INFORMATIVA PRIVACY ENG DOWNLOAD THE ANNOUNCEMENT REGISTRATION MODULE PRIVACY POLICY STATEMENT

12 June 2023

MBA and The Future of Management: A Business Talk with CEOs

MBAs’ community meets CEOs to discuss key trends and challenges shaping the business Luiss Business School announces the event MBA and The Future of Management: A Business Talk with CEOs, which will take place on Friday, July 7th, starting at 6:00 PM, at Villa Blanc. The event will feature the participation of Massimiliano Archiapatti, General Manager and CEO of Hertz Italia, who will share his professional journey and provide advice and experiences to the participants. During the event, the MBA portfolio will also be presented, offering interested participants an in-depth view of the educational program.The coordinators will be available to answer questions and provide detailed information, assisting potential future leaders in choosing the most suitable path for their ambitions. At the end of the talk, participants will have the opportunity to continue networking and further develop the relationships established during the event. AGENDA: 6:00 PM - Participant arrival 6:15 PM - Welcome and participant registration 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM - Talk 8:00 PM - Networking activity The event MBA and The Future of Management: A Business Talk with CEOs is part of the Beyond the Talks series, a cycle of meetings that not only allows participants to enhance their knowledge in relevant areas but also provides an opportunity to expand their professional network with industry experts and potential mentors. Registration is required to attend the event. Online Form - MBA and The Future of Management: A Business Talk with CEOs 12/06/2023

30 May 2023

International Call for Contemporary Generation On Shuffle EP

The proposal of the Luiss BS Records call focuses on the musical versatility of the contemporary generation. Through the selection of songs that range between different genres and styles, we want to highlight the artistic originality of the new talents. The result of the initiative will consist in the production and publication of an EP containing seven tracks by seven different artists, that will be given the opportunity to express themselves by uniting different influences and musical visions in the same project. The title "On Shuffle" refers to the concept of random playback: the songs of the EP, thanks to their variety, will therefore offer listeners the experience of reproducing tracks as if they were listening to a playlist in shuffle mode. The competition brings to life a new field of cultural innovation, aimed not only at training but also at supporting and identifying young authors nationally and internationally. All authors of Italian or foreign nationality - individually or in groups - who meet the following admission criteria can participate to the competition: • have not completed the thirty-seventh year of age by the call deadline set for 30 June 2023 • for groups, only one member can have already turned thirty-seven years of age by the deadline of the announcement Candidates can compete with only one song, necessarily unpublished, that must adhere to the theme of the competition. The seven selected songs will be produced within the Luiss BS Records studio and the artists will be assisted in the production phase by professionals of the sector and supported by the students of the Master in Management of Creative and Cultural Enterprises - Major in Music Business of the Luiss Business School S.p.A. The deadline for the submission of works nominated for the Award is set for 31 July 2023 no later than 12.00pm (Italian time). Participation is free. Please read the notice carefully. ENG DOWNLOAD THE ANNOUNCEMENT REGISTRATION FORM PARTICIPATION FORM

25 May 2023

International Higher Education at a time of Geopolitical Strife

A seminar organized by Luiss Business School Amsterdam in collaboration with Center for International Higher Education (CIHE) and European Association for International Education (EAIE) Higher education is a complex global enterprise. More than 220 million students study at some 23,000 higher education institutions worldwide. Universities are the single most important source of basic research worldwide, while at the same time educating millions for increasingly knowledge-based economies. The higher education enterprise has undergone dramatic and unprecedented change in the past 70 years—going from a relatively small elite sector to educating more than 70 percent of young people in wealthy countries and a third or more in most of the rest of the world. Massification has been the hallmark of higher education worldwide. At the same time, the global knowledge economy depends on universities for research, communication, and education. Higher education has also become more international. Recently, geopolitical tensions, health pandemics and climate change challenge higher education worldwide. In this seminar, we will address the development of international(ization of) higher education and the implications of geopolitical tensions.  Professor Philip Altbach, a leading scholar in international higher education and founding director of the Boston College Center for International higher Education, will introduce the theme, followed by comments and discussions with other scholars and practitioners and the participants. Participants: Hans de Wit, Professor Emeritus and Distinguished Fellow, Center for International Higher Education Piet Van Hove, President, European Association for International Education Mathias Falkenstein, Professor of Practice in Higher Education Management, Luiss Business School Prof. Dr. Philip G. Altbach, Research Professor, Distinguished Fellow and Founding Director Center for International Higher Education, Boston College, USA Laura Rumbley, Director Knowledge Development and Research, European Association for International Education Jon Chew, Navitas Stephen Orme, Senior Vice President, Studyportals Christof van Mol, Tilburg University WHEN: Thursday, June 22nd, 2023 WHAT TIME? 2:00 PM to 6:30 PM CEST (including network cocktail) WHERE: Luiss Business School Amsterdam Hub, Nieuwe Herengracht 103, 1011 RZ REGISTER 25/05/2023

19 April 2023

Discover our MBAs and meet our International Office

Join our Open Evening and explore the international exchange On May 10th 2023, join the MBA event to find out, with the support of our Staff, which MBA best fits your career goals. Let’s design your personalized growth project together! The event is a perfect chance to get a comprehensive overview of our MBAs: the Executive MBA, in Italian, on campus, designed for professionals, directors and entrepreneurs with at least seven years of work experience, starting in April 2024 the Part-time MBA, fully taught in English, on campus, aimed at middle-managers, entrepreneurs, and young professionals, starting in March 2024 in Rome and in November 2023 in Milan the Flex MBA, fully taught in English and designed  for managers, entrepreneurs and young professionals with at least three years of work experience. Starting in October 2023 the MBA Full-time, fully taught in English, on campus, for young professionals with at least three years of relevant work experience. Starting in October 2023. The Programmes Coordinators with our Recruitment Staff will be available for a One – to – One and info sessions. With Luiss Business School MBA you will: develop a broad, heterogeneous, and professional network enjoy an international Faculty where you can meet top managers and professionals improve your soft skills such as leadership and communication boost your career with our personal coaching and international experience abroad. Keep in mind that your participation exempts you from the admission fee amounting at €105 if you apply for the next selection dates: May 18th - May 25th, 2023. WHEN: May 10th, 2023 WHERE: Luiss Business School, Villa Blanc, Via Nomentana 216, 00162 Rome TIME: from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM CEST Online Form - Open Evening MBA - 10 Maggio 2023

MBA

18 April 2023

Strategies and Business Models in the Metaverse

Strategies and Business Models in the Metaverse for Media, Entertainment & Sports The Metaverse is poised to change the way we live, work, and play, and it will have a significant impact on the media, entertainment, and sports industries. In this event, we will explore and discuss the paradigm shifts, economic systems, possible futures and technologies behind the Metaverse, including generative AI. In addition, we will discuss the potential business models and strategies that organizations can adopt to make the most of these new technologies. Whether you are in the sports, media, or entertainment industry, this event is an opportunity to learn about the latest academic insights and business developments regarding the Metaverse and how you can use them to your advantage. We will round up the evening with a panel discussion and industry cases, followed by a networking cocktail. Speakers: Strategies and Business Models in the Metaverse Joris Ebbers, Full Professor and Academic Dean Luiss Business School Amsterdam hub, Luiss Business School State of Play of the Metaverse Hylke Sprangers, University Lecturer, Non-executive board member Panelists: Rosella Passier, Captain of Marketing, KNVB Michael Guntenaar, Chief Tech and Digital, ID&T Boris van Bennekum, Lead Innovation Strategist, BNNVARA When? Wednesday, May 17th What time? 17:00 to 19:00 (20:00 including network cocktail) Where? Luiss Business School Amsterdam Hub Nieuwe Herengracht 103 - 1011 RZ Amsterdam Fill in the form to confirm your presence. REGISTER 05/04/2023

21 March 2023

Online Masterclass Day at Luiss Business School

Join our Online Masterclass Day and get a front row seat to lectures from Luiss Business School professors for free. This is the perfect opportunity to experience our school’s approach to education and to preview what it is like to become a Luiss Business School student. Each Masterclass will be followed by a Q&A session. This is what you’ve been waiting for! From the comfort of your own home, you will gain invaluable insights on topics such as: Global Health Management | Cultural Gaps & Educational Bridges in Healthcare The online session will offer the opportunity to meet the director of the Master and get an overview of Cultural Gaps & Educational Bridges which Healthcare and Lifesciences Organization may leverage in their search of higher standards of efficiency and value delivery. Lecturer: Luca Magni, Ph. D. Professor of Practice of the Luiss Business School Digital Entertainment Business | The Metaverse State of Play of the Metaverse The online session will provide an analysis of the metaverse from a tech & innovation perspective and how to reimagine the role of companies in the metaverse. The session also offers an overview of the anatomy of the metaverse, future scenarios, and metaverse strategies. Lecturer: Hylke Sprangers, University Lecturer and non-executive board member Business Models in the Metaverse The online session will offer the opportunity to meet the director of the Master and get an introduction into business models and strategies in/for the Metaverse based on past and current practices in the entertainment industry, using real life examples including Roblox. Lecturer: Joris Ebbers, Full Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Luiss Business School and Academic Dean of  Luiss Business School’s Amsterdam Hub Transformational Leadership | Positive Impact Mindset The online session uncovers the two fundamentally different mindsets present in business and highlights what it takes for a leader and for an organization to create a positive impact. It also unpacks the current issue of having to work together in situations of polarization and explores best practice case studies in how to overcome such challenges. Lecturer: Katrin Muff, Professor of Practice at the Luiss Business School Sign up for one or more of our Masterclasses and we’ll see you online! When? Friday, April 14th, 2023 What time? Global Health Masterclass | 12:00 – 13:00 Digital Entertainment Masterclass | 15:00 – 16:00 Transformative Leadership Masterclass | 16:30 – 17:30 Where? Online Fill in the form to confirm your presence. REGISTER 21/03/2023

20 June 2017

Achieving an Automotive Career Dream: Ernesto, Brand & Marketing Analyst at Renault Italy, after the LUISS MBA

Since I was young, I have been passionate about cars and the automotive industry. During my economic studies in Milan, I worked in “Mercedes-Benz Milano”, which confirmed my interest in this field. After my university studies, I needed something that could help me put into practice all the theory I had learned. After long research, I thought an MBA could help me develop diverse skills to apply in many different professional situations. So I started an Executive Master focused on the automotive Industry and then an MBA, both at LUISS Business School in Rome. The best part of the MBA program was the practical approach of the teaching methods and the 360° degree personal development. I especially liked the continuous combination of work on hard and soft skills. Soft skills help you identify your strengths and weaknesses and work ethic including communication, problem solving, leadership and team collaboration. Hard skills are the same for everyone; soft skills differentiate you. Without any doubt, the most memorable experience was the “MBA-life”: waking up early in the morning, focusing on our goals all day and studying in the evening. It was fun because we students became like a family. We were often together and shared joys and sorrows. I have known great people who are my best friends. It was really an unforgettable experience. Living in Rome was also an important part of this experience. It allowed me to cultivate my passion for walking, exploring new things including art exhibitions. Living in a multiethnic city, rich with art and history, expanded my personal culture.  Plus Rome is the capital of Italy, and many multinational companies, especially in the automotive industry, have headquarters in Rome. I completed the last six months of the MBA in Paris, where I attended courses at ESSEC Business School. I wanted to learn a new language and experience the French culture and business environment. Back in Italy, my dream was to work in an automotive company, and I did many job interviews.  LUISS played a key role at this stage because it supported and directed me toward the best choices. We had several “career service” meetings where we simulated job interviews, learning how to handle stressful situations such as those sitting in front of an HR manager. Finally Groupe Renault hired me, after four rounds of interviews, in three languages ​​ with several tests. Groupe Renault is the third largest automotive group in Italy, after Fiat and Volkswagen, and its “Renault Clio” is the most popular foreign car in Italy.  My role is Brand & Marketing Analyst, and my team is responsible for pricing and positioning strategies for the Italian market. To be more precise, we are responsible for the analysis of trends and their impact on vehicle demand, and we are modifying constantly our car prices to respond to competitors' strategies. We collaborate with other business units, and we respond directly to the global management team to improve information flows and update weekly sales forecasts. When prospective LUISS MBA candidates contact me now, I tell them that companies are no longer looking for people who are prepared, skilled or with several degrees. They are looking for people who can bring innovation, ideas and… value! The LUISS MBA is a very intense and difficult program, and at the end, you feel great discovering how you have grown. The LUISS MBA has been an important step for me to bring this value and to achieve my career dream.

19 June 2017

The kick off of the Field Project Work of the LUISS Part time MBA students with WIND|3

On June 9, the kick off meeting of the Field Project Work of the LUISS Part time MBA students. A conclusive challenge of this advanced training and career path entirely taught in English, which allows students to elaborate a business consulting project working side by side with employers. Giancarlo Mazza, Head of Marketing Large & Top Offer WIND|3 will be supporting a team of LUISS Part time MBA students in realizing a strategic Marketing Plan for Large Enterprise Segment in Telecommunications industry with specific focus on ICT and new technologies trends. Starting from market segmentation and competition analysis, the project engages students to provide a strategic-medium term recommendation for WIND|3 through a SWOT analysis and WIND|3 positioning evaluation. As Giancarlo Mazza stated: “With this project WIND|3 confirms its willingness to drive digital transformation in B2B using also competencies and skills coming from executive educational program”. This innovative learning experience – based on a pragmatic approach – aims to develop students’ knowledge, skills and attitudes facing real problems and proposing real solutions to business related issues. Thanks to the guidelines and the suggestions shared directly by a top leader in the industry, the field project is a unique opportunity for the students to deepen how a distinct sector performs and consequently realize the skills to improve for their own career path. 19/06/2017

12 June 2017

A dream to join a European fashion apparel company: Natasha, US to Italy with the LUISS MBA program

Natasha Kuzmanovic has a dream to join a European fashion apparel company. Building on 11 years’ experience, most recently as Director of Merchandising at the University of Southern California (USC, one of the largest NCAA teams in the United States), the LUISS MBA is preparing her with the business, industry and cultural skills to make this transition. “Once I started considering the possibility of moving to Rome, I began to research schools in Italy. Through word of mouth I learned that LUISS has an unparalleled reputation in the Italian business community. From the beginning it was apparent that being associated with LUISS carries a lot of weight in Italy, especially in Rome. This was the driving factor in my decision making process.” As an American living in Rome, Natasha appreciates the hard-working and balanced lifestyle.  “Living in Rome is a unique experience that combines magnificent art and history with the modern world. The lifestyle in Rome replicates this model of time standing still and dynamic progress.   People are eager to work hard as well as to slow down and enjoy a good meal or time with friends. I find this balance very refreshing after living in United States, where the emphasis is more often on work than anything else.  My experience in Rome has been that we get everything accomplished, and we hold each other accountable, while respecting the boundaries and the need for personal life.” The program elements that make a difference for Natasha are the structure, complex problem solving and class diversity.  “The program is well-structured because it provides a good balance of a strong academic foundation with practical knowledge. As a class, we are challenged to solve complex problems, to think critically, to connect the dots and to get out of our comfort zone. The class diversity is an incredible advantage. Different backgrounds, education levels, skill sets and experiences contribute to dynamic and challenging discussions and help maintain high standards. We learn as much from each another as we do from professors.  The class profile is high quality, and we are constantly raising the bar higher. For example, our presentations have gone from basic, simple, and uncertain to elaborate, comprehensive, engaging and creative works of art. The LUISS MBA has been an invaluable experience for me. It has changed my life for the better, and I feel confident that I can succeed in the job market. I started this program hoping to get any job and now feel the ball is my court, and I can go after my dream.  Taking a year to attend the LUISS MBA program is changing the playing field for my entire career.”

23 May 2017

Building a global Perspective: the story of Wen Ting Chang, LUISS MBA class of 2016

MBA 2016 "Prior to the LUISS MBA, I worked for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan. I had accumulated significant experience in organizing diverse activities, including governmental ceremonies and visiting programs of foreign political leaders. I had also led one branch of a renowned Taiwanese educational institute, setting annual plans and budgets, and our team was recognized as best branch of the year. After all this experience in Taiwan, however, I realized that I needed to 'Go Global' to become more competitive in the dynamic global business environment. The LUISS MBA was appealing because it helped a person like me, with limited financial and economic experience, to build a solid knowledge of business, both hard and soft skills. The most critical part of the program was the international perspective shared between the diverse nationalities of faculty and participants. This allowed me to meet, work and become friends with people from around the world. My most memorable MBA experience was with an international social impact program. The project was in partnership with Energia per i Diritti Umani (Energy for the Human Rights), a non-profit organization financing and managing schools for children in Senegal, Gambia and India. Our team participated in a competition called “MBA for Africa”, in which we designed, under time pressure, a game for Senegalese children to educate them on the importance of team work and role play. Following the competition the organization brought the best design to Senegal, teaching children there how to play the game and understand the lesson behind it. I was thrilled to have strengthened my ability to work in a group under pressure, and we learned the power of bonding. Each team member had distinct backgrounds with different work patterns and habits. To achieve high-performance, we needed to build trust and have each person in the right place to conquer the challenge.   This experience gave me the opportunity to DO something meaningful for society, contributing as a member of the global village. The LUISS MBA program was intense but worthwhile. It enriched my global perspective and my personal experience. I have become more confident and ready to confront and solve challenges. It was also a place to nourish my awareness of social global issues. In the end I achieved my goal. I have developed my career into the next level and am enthusiastic about my life and future". 23/05/2017

22 May 2017

#MasterYourCareer - Challenges and difficulties in your life are the starting point for your achievements: Greta, IBM Analyist after the Master in Corporate Finance

«The Master in Corporate Finance was 360° training. Since the first admission test I learned that nothing is given but you have to earn as much as you are willing to fight and to overcome your limits. At the end job offers arrived fast»: Greta, IBM Analyst presso IBM in the Finance and Administration department in Bratislava, which is the largest centre in Europe.  “If you want something, go and get it. Point.” (from “The Pursuit of Happiness”) I am Greta, I am 27 years old and my passion is Finance. After obtaining the Master of Science in Economics, Management and Corporate Finance cum laude and a scarce job offer I felt I needed to specialize more in that field; hence the decision to enroll in the post degree Corporate Finance’s Master at the LUISS Business School. From the admission test my English’s level was not high enough to access that kind of Master, but this was not, for sure, a good reason to be able to stop me. The following week, in fact, I went to London for six months in order to improve the language. In this time lapse I was studying at an English School and I was working in a restaurant. This was a constructive and not easy at all experience in a context quite different from “comfort zone”, but when I come back I passed the admission test with great satisfaction. A summary of the Master’s description is not simple, for me it was 360° training. Since the first admission test I learned that nothing is given but you have to earn as much as you are willing to fight and to overcome your limits. Obviously that there were “hard and discouraging” moments, where the first thought was to give up, but in reality it was those events reminded me that I was going in the right direction. If a specific way would be so easy it could be undertaken by everyone, but fortunately it is not. The hard work was paid off, and if I can be honest I have gained more knowledge and skills than I could expect: the possibility of facing business cases with Top Managers and highly qualified teachers, the possibility to interface with different cultures in an international environment, sharing, comparison, tears, smiles, friendships, ideas, challenges and growth, both on a professional level and soft skills level. At the end jobs offer arrived fast, first a six months internship in the Administration, Finance and Control at Costa Cruise, in Genoa’s headquarters. Then the permanent contract offer in one of the biggest American Company in the IT sector, globally speaking: IBM. Currently I hold an Analyst position in the Finance and Administration department in Bratislava, which is the largest centre in Europe. With great enthusiasm I really have the ability here, on daily basis, to practice what I learned during the Master, with a very great team. I could not ask for anything better, obviously there is still a lot of work to do, to learn, to grow and to be always better but I am always ready to accept new challenges. Someone says that I am as ambitious as combative, and I cannot deny it. What I would advise to the future LUISS Business School’s students is to pursue their way with passion, motivation, determination and responsibility. May you be always courageous to accept challenges in your life, there will be difficulties, but make it as a starting point for your achievements. 22/05/2017

15 May 2017

Discovering the power of friendship: the success story of Maria Clelia Pagliaro, MBA class of 2016

MBA 2015 When I applied to the LUISS MBA program, I had just graduated with a Master’s Degree in International Politics and Foreign Affairs. The business world was fascinating to me, and I liked the idea of challenging myself in a new and diverse career path. Nonetheless, I had a gap compared with future colleagues having a background in finance, marketing or economics. So I decided to go London for an intensive Business English course: the more I could become comfortable in English, the more it would help me overcome my limits in the other subjects. So I took a flight and arrived alone in snowy cold London. By the summer, with great sacrifice and hard study, I passed the LUISS admissions exam, and I was an MBA student! The LUISS MBA program was rich, intense and challenging, and my class had a melting pot of different nationalities, languages and cultures. I had the chance to learn many topics in the business world, from statistics to corporate strategy, and this was fundamental to acquire the necessary skills to enter the job market. During the MBA I discovered the power of friendship. Not having experience in finance and economics, I was fortunate to meet two people who became my dearest friends. They were experts in those fields and helped me every day to learn these new topics. In return, I helped them to learn the more humanistic subjects. Together we overcame all the challenges (even the hardest, the unthinkable ones!) thanks to mutual support and patience.  I will be grateful to them for all my life!! Following the program I got a position with the cosmetics company where I did my first internship. I am a junior brand manager in the marketing team. The MBA was a fundamental step in my career, and the decision to do it was the most important milestone of my professional life. Looking back on my experience I would give this advice to prospective candidates: Give everything - your mind, your heart, your soul - and enjoy what will be one of the best periods of your life! 15/05/2017

08 May 2017

Life begins at the end of your comfort zone: the career of Alessandro after the LUISS MBA

MBA 2015 Over my desk hangs a saying: “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone”. Life is more enjoyable when I experience new adventures, both in my personal life and in business.  When it came time to choose an MBA program, I wanted one that would stretch me.  So I chose the LUISS MBA. I learned from challenging classes, valuable soft skill labs, carefully selected international students and talented international faculty. I had opportunities to meet influential CEOs from Italian and international companies, as well as board members and experienced managers. The LUISS MBA was the perfect mix between academia and a learning by doing experience. And Rome was the perfect setting for this experience. It was literally possible to breathe in all the ancient history coming from the past as well as the modernity of a capital city. Nightlife was another plus because there are many places where students can experience unforgettable nights. The result of this mixture was something unique because the challenging environment fit perfectly with the charming city and the business school location. Before joining the LUISS MBA program, I worked as a consultant and an entrepreneur in the medical equipment industry, selling products and services for private clinics. I wanted to make a career change to a larger company, and the LUISS career services team suggested many opportunities with well-known Italian and international companies. Currently I am a Buyer for Babcock Mission Critical Services in the rotary wings division (part of the UK company Babcock International Group). We save lives every day in our core business of HEMS service (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service).  The LUISS MBA helped me develop the tools to succeed. Mental flexibly, stress management, hard skills and negotiation abilities are valuable allies in my current professional life. All were improved in the LUISS MBA through academic lessons and practical training. To be accepted in the LUISS MBA program, it was essential to have two big qualities: motivation and skills. To cover the cost, I applied for the “AdVenture” full tuition scholarship, making a business plan for an innovative idea. When the LUISS Admissions Office called, I was excited to hear that I was one of the winners. It taught me that if you are resilient and believe in your dreams, no one can stop you. The LUISS MBA is a 360-degree program that changed my life, taking me far past my comfort zone. I loved every minute of this incredible learning experience.

MBA

03 May 2017

The path to leadership according to Sir Martin Sorrell: a long-term commitment to the creation of value

On  March 16 2017 Sir Martin Sorrell, CEO of WPP was guest at L4T – Leader for Talent –  a series of meetings aimed for Specialized Masters and MBA Students. This insight was written by Cristina Maria Mion, Student of Full Time MBA. On March 16th, students, professors and entrepreneurs had the unique opportunity to engage in an open discussion with Sir Martin Sorrell, CEO of WPP - the world’s leading company in marketing communications services, through the LUISS Business School Leader for Talent #L4T series. Sir Martin Sorrell approached the conference in a two-way conversation, using his keen ability to recognize global trends, and his vast personal experiences, to answer questions at the forefront of the audience’s mind. The interactivity and personal insights were characteristic of today’s style of communication, and offered an enriching experience for the leaders of tomorrow to engage with an individual who has shaped the business world of today. Sir Martin initiated the discussion by sharing his perspective on those trends that are defining the global market and the actions of its members. A time characterized by low GDP growth and minimal inflation, rising cost pressure, emergence of disruptive technologies, and a growing number of active investors, represent unique challenges for current and future leaders. The most significant of these challenges was identified to be the pursuit of balance whilst facing opposing pressures. Sorrell highlighted the importance for leaders to balance the increasing demand for short-term returns and cost-cuts, alongside the growing necessity that firms adopt a more sustainable long-term perspective to growth, capital investment, and value creation. At an individual level, Sorrell translated this into an ability to balance execution and strategy, that is, that successful leaders have the capacity to inspire and develop strategic visions, without losing sight of the technical performance details necessary to bring them to fruition. Sir Martin also shared with the students his personal leadership values which are characterised by a combination of persistence and speed, a refusal to be deterred by challenges, and a keen belief that nothing is impossible. For the future leaders in the audience, this insight was invaluable and brought a renewed a sense of strength to move forward in the pursuit of meaningful change, despite the somewhat uncertain waters of today’s economy. Sorrell’s own path to leadership was influenced by advice given to him by his father who stated that “you should find an industry you enjoy, find a company you like, build a reputation in that company, and if at a certain stage, you want to go and start something on your own go and do it.” Sir Martin maintained that this piece of advice should be held true for all those pursuing leadership positions today, with the understanding that the path to leadership is neither short nor linear, but instead requires a long-term commitment to the creation of value whilst facing cyclical changes, emerging obstacles, and opposing economic pressures. The leadership conference with Sir Martin Sorrell was a highly engaging and informative event that offered future leaders the opportunity to not only better understand the aspects that are shaping the business world of today, but how to can respond to those elements and develop into the leaders that will contribute to the business world of tomorrow. (Article by Cristina Maria Mion, Full Time MBA Student)   Gallery   03/05/2017

24 April 2017

International Management students finalists of "The Mark Challenge" competition

The students of the Master in International Management Giuseppe D’Auria, Anna Stella Dolcetti, Alessandro Azzolini, Andrea Vitale and Lorenzo Chieppa were ranked in the first five positions of “The Mark challenge” a luxury business competition hosted by the International University of Monaco that involved 75 teams coming from 24 Business Schools. "The Mark" allows students with an entrepreneurial spirit to pitch a luxury or premium business idea to a professional panel of investors and community leaders. LUISS Business School students will take part in the final on April 25th introducing “ID Shield” project “which aims to reduce the problem of counterfeiting in the luxury market by exploiting the innovative blockchain technology” explains Alessandro. “It is a digital guarantee system designed to protect not only the consumer when purchasing luxury goods, but also the manufacturer and retailers, allowing them to trace and verify the goods through the entire production chain” says Stella. “The project is part of an innovation process with a significant impact in the functioning of a developed and complex market – adds Lorenzo. – The Mark Challenge is an important opportunity in order to establish an idea which could become a standard of guarantee and authenticity.” The idea “arises from the common will to exploit the latest technologies to provide an effective service starting from the luxury sector but that may easily find further purposes in other sectors with similar needs.” It is indeed a project “scalable in all those sectors in which an unalterable guarantee of authenticity is desirable or fundamental, as for example, in the pharmaceutical industry where traceability and guarantee involve not only economic dynamics but also and above all the protection of consumer healthcare.” An entrepreneurial idea that combines social impact with innovation: “ID Shield provides innovation to those who have an economic and social interest – explains Andrea – aiming to weaken the criminal business of counterfeiting and the resulting labor exploitation (child labor too) which connected to this type of activity, establishing thus a positive impact on society. ID Shield is the synthesis of an entrepreneurial spirit that looks to innovation to solve critical issues while sharing the professional background and the experience of every team member, as Giuseppe mentions: “creating an innovative startup represents the affirmation of a mindset that gained maturity from previous entrepreneurial experiences, a specific and constantly evolving technical knowledge, marketing and business development skills. It means working on a highly innovative project, that enables us to exploit the disruptive potential of IoT and combined blockchains is a strong motivational driver.” Gallery 24/04/2017

31 March 2017

Problem solving with LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® methodology

On the 9th of March MBA Part time students had the opportunity to confront themselves with a Case History in the FMCG field in which they experienced the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® methodology to improve the procurement function within a global organization. LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® is an innovative and effective methodology half way between consultancy and training, designed to improve business results through the use of LEGO Blocks. The project was born in the 1990’s thanks to Kjeld Kristiansen’s initiative, he was the grandson of the founder of Lego® not to mention CEO of the company, who in order to promote the creation of a working group formed by Johan Roos and Bart Victor, both professors at IMD Business School in Lausanne, Robert Ramussen, Director of educational research of Lego® and Per Kristiansen Global Brand Director of LEGO®. The goal was to develop a strategic approach to Problem Solving for the management capable of breaking barriers and limited beliefs, opening up to new points of view and developing innovative solutions. “It is an extremely flexible facilitation, no predefined content - said Rachele Soliera, consultant and certified facilitator at LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® - particularly suitable for all those activities that need to be developed or strengthened within an organization, such as problem solving, strategic thinking effective communication and team identity.” Participants use building blocks to build models representing metaphorically their thoughts, their challenges and their personal and professional aspirations. It is transverse methodology, cross - market and cross-function applicable in different contexts, orientated to business development, as much as teams and people. This methodology increases participants self-confidence because based on the precondition that every individual can offer unique contribution to the work of the team, and thanks to this participate in problem solving. The inclusive and involving approach changes the scope of commitment of individuals towards the team and allows them to transform classic meeting where 80% of the contents is generated by 20% of the participants in workshops with a 100% level and of commitment and involvement for all. For these reasons, it is a method that has been extremely effective for starting and/or ruling shared change processes; training and assessment; create project teams; manage risks or overcome team crisis situations; facilitate participation of planned processes for citizens and civil society; facilitate networking activities, get impacting insights; develop Business Model Canvas; resolve conflicts and deal with “indisputable threads” start start-ups. Propose students to experiment with innovative approaches and transversal activities is an aim of the Part Time MBA. In light of its horizontal application, LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® favours the development of managerial skills that puts at the core of business the growth of individuals and team work. “ The application of LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® methodology to the Business Case presented, is a solid example of its effectiveness - said Rachele Soliera - in a few hours students, according to the frame of the SWOT analysis identified and built up areas of strength and weakness, the threats and opportunities arising from the case concerned up to the shared Business Solution.” Gallery     31/03/2017

20 March 2017

The attitude to embrace changes, involve talents and take ethical decisions: leadership according to Marco Patuano

On  February 21 Marco Patuano, CEO of Edizione S.r.l was guest at L4T – Leader for Talent –  a series of meetings aimed for Specialized Masters and MBA students. This insight was written by Leone Bonanni, Student of Full Time MBA. On Tuesday, February 21st, full time MBA students had the opportunity to meet Marco Patuano, CEO of Edizione S.r.l through the LUISS Business School Leader for Talent series. The event was held in Sala Delle Colonne and students were extremely excited to get to meet such an influential Italian business leader. From the beginning, attendees could easily perceive Marco Patuano’s strong interpersonal skills, which are typical of today’s distinguished business leaders. As one of his main points, Marco Patuano stated that in order to be successful in our current and future endeavors, we must possess the right attitude. As future leaders, we must take pride in what we do and face every single challenge with our best effort. To be a successful leader, Patuano also highlighted that we must surround ourselves with talented individuals in order to maximize results both on a personal and a professional level. His team at Edizione S.r.l is filled with enthusiastic professionals who love what they do and strive to be the best every single day. Marco Patuano has worked in many different locations and has experienced significantly different working environments, which have allowed him to develop as a top executive manager. Patuano believes that future leaders must be keen to relocate in order to pursue a fulfilling and rewarding career due to the increased globalization trends that are taking place. Today, we live in a world that figuratively has no borders and there are potential opportunities all over the globe. The main challenges that a future leader may face are mainly related to globalization and the adaptation to changes with a particular industry. Adapting to certain changes within an industry is crucial if a firm wants to survive in a competitive environment. A leader must be able to embrace change and transfer his eagerness to change to his team ensuring positive results through high productivity and high employee morale. Another point made by Marco Patuano is that all leaders must behave in an ethical manner when making managerial and personal decisions. Patuano stated that when analyzing potential businesses to acquire, he makes sure to not invest in unethical industries or unethical firms. Today, ethics play a fundamental role in business activities due to increased visibility thanks to digital technologies and increased consumer awareness. Acquiring an unethical business may lead to devaluation of the whole brand portfolio, therefore a single wrong move may prove to be detrimental. There are also times when personal ethics may come into conflict with orders from the CEO. Marco Patuano described handling such a situation while working in Brazil and was able to deliver positive results to his CEO while preserving his own personal ethics by finding an efficient solution that worked for both parties. Making ethical decisions not only has a positive effect on the long-term sustainability of companies, but also safeguards individuals. The Leader for Talent series has once again proven to be a fantastic way for future leaders to meet current leaders and learn about the different challenges that leaders face on a daily basis. (Article by Leone Bonanni, Full Time MBA Student) Gallery 20/03/2017

24 February 2017

#MasterYourCareer - Continuous new stimulus and challenging international activities changed the way of conceiving my career: Carlo after the Master in Corporate Finance

 «Ambition, curiosity and need to challenge myself once again are the main reasons why I chose to enroll in the Master in Corporate Finance at the LUISS Business School»: the career of Carlo Venticinque after the MACOFIN   I graduated in Management Engineering and joined afterwards the Management Consulting company EY, where I worked for more than 2 years on different projects dealing with different areas from Operations Optimization to Business Development. Even though I was acquiring a good level of experience during these two years, I just felt I was missing something. Moreover, I have always been fascinated by the Corporate Finance world and its marvelous applications into the real life and in each business area: Finance is concrete and you need to know at least some if you aspire to become a good Manager. The Master in Corporate Finance at the LUISS Business School offered me the most complete and diversified path. It concerns different areas in which a manager should excel, not only the usual hard skills. We explored different aspects of finance from different points of view, while interacting with successful managers who shared with us their experience focusing on the skills the job market requires today. Not less, it gave me the opportunity to find smart colleagues who challenged me several times and pushed me to do better. The work environment is made of human connections and what really matters is the way we interact each other, how we communicate with people and especially how we inspire them. The most effective Communication and Public speaking lessons I have ever attended are actually the ones provided by the MACOFIN. The Global Business Opportunity Programme, an intensive educational path to develop an idea into s business project, and the Going Global Programme, a four month exchange at EM Lyon Business School, changed completely my way of conceiving my career and probably my life in general. These experiences enriched me with the smartness of the people that I met and helped me to realize that working abroad was what I was looking for. While I was looking for jobs in exchange, I discovered Flixbus, a company that is not widely famous yet but with an extremely interesting business model that is surprisingly expanding. I applied for a vacancy and then I joined the Business Development team for the Italian market. This working position is completely different from what I have done so far. The activities I deal with are not directly connected to the scope of the MACOFIN but I strongly believe that the knowledge acquired will be useful in my future path. I would suggest to the incoming students to leverage every single opportunity of interaction with the managers to get some good insights on how they climbed the career ladder  and what is really important to succeed in the workplace. I would suggest them to look continuously for new stimulus, following their own interests, and gather the maximum by all the international activities provided by the master to have great life experiences and build their network.   24/02/2017

25 January 2017

Leadership Through Diversity and Inclusion

LUISS Business School has positioned its female students at the centre of a new project named GROW – Generating Real Opportunities for Women. The project promotes diversity and inclusion in management culture, and has an aim to enhance the vision of leadership that could create growth in contexts characterised by high variability. In this view, diversity is considered as a resource that enriches companies with values and skills. GROW was initiated and will work as a collection of ideas and tools that helps its participants develop both their personality and professional skills. For the students of LUISS Business School participating in the GROW project means broadening their skills to become future leaders through mentoring and networking, Talent Programme and Data Girl Programme – the integrated initiatives to support the career development of women. However, it also means working with the corporate world to bring about innovation thanks to a different management culture, and to create a strong connection between the companies and the academy with an aim to build balanced teams of professionals on all organisation levels. The focus on diversity in educating the future leaders involves the whole community of LUISS Business School students: GROW is open to all students enrolled in graduate and master's programmes, including the MBA and Executive Master’s programmes. Having a direct contact with female leaders who have led a successful career and are therefore very useful role models, all the students have an opportunity to understand which aspects of their personality and professional skills should they concentrate on in order to grow. To gain self-awareness, set priorities, combine passion and hard work, go beyond one’s limits and be open-minded – these are the characteristics considered as essential for true leaders by Simonetta Iarlori, the COO of Gruppo Cassa Depositi e Prestiti. Simonetta Iarlori, who met the students during the GROW presentation on November 29, 2016, emphasised the necessity for those traits in order to be able to take complex decisions in very heterogeneous environments, and encouraged the students to work on these aspects. (Article by Marica Bartoli, student of Master in Trade Management)   03/01/2017

24 January 2017

#MasterYourCareer-"Data is meaningless without its market context": Marco, Business Analytics Specialist after the Master in Big Data

 «After my Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, I was looking for a field to apply my knowledge and my mindset: something concrete, real, demanded by the market with a great business value. The big data industry was the perfect solution to combine my passion for numbers and their application to one of the most developing areas of business»: the career of Marco, Business after attending the Master in Big Data.   In Italy, business innovation led by data analytics is only starting to develop, if compared to other countries. Nevertheless, big companies are now changing their approach to bring their business up-to-date. LUISS Business School was a pioneer in investing and believing in this great opportunity. The Master in Big Data (MaBDA) is a dynamic programme, a great source of motivation to explore the evolving world of big data. The key element of the Master’s success is the synergy of three main aspects. First, the technical part: computer science with particular attention to big data infrastructures and R, a leading data analytics programming language. Second, my favorite area: the numeric one. Data scientists deal with a mixture of mathematics, statistics and econometrics, they have to face problems in a logical way, trying to consider all the factors and the points of view involved. My background, of course, was an added value in this scenario. And last but not least, a data scientist should also have business skills: data is meaningless without its market context. As a matter of fact, MaBDA involves many subjects focused on this, and I appreciated them a lot because I had the possibility to study something new that has fostered my skills. MaBDA is not only a matter of traditional lectures: it also consists of group works, projects, workshops, all the activities that train one’s ability to work in a group, share ideas, research to find solutions and communicate. A data scientist absolutely needs these skills as well! I would recommend to those who want to attend the MaBDA programme to consider all subjects, in particular the technical ones that make up the base structure of the programme. The winning choice of the Master’s programme is to initially get acquainted with as many topics as possible in order to get a general perspective, and then deepen one’s knowledge according to personal preferences. Currently I am a trainee at a consulting company that deals exactly with data analytics and business intelligence. Thanks to the support of the LUISS Business School’s Career Service, I found the perfect solution for my ambitions. I am very satisfied being able to apply the skills I learned in a real business context. My plan is to continue growing in this company, learning other tools, and improving my analytics skills. MaBDA was a great experience: it gave me new insights, skills, motivations, and also the opportunity to meet a wonderful network of people and professionals with whom I really look forward to work with again.   24/01/2017

16 November 2016

The Recipe for Success by Walter Ruffinoni

On November 8 2016, LUISS Business School hosted Walter Ruffinoni, CEO at NTT DATA Italy, for the «#L4T - Leader for Talent» event reserved for the Students of Specialized Masters. Here are the insights written by Katrina Ustyuzhanina, student of the Master in Tourism Management who attended the event. Leader for Talent is a great opportunity for  LUISS Business School students to meet the most successful professionals from the corporate world.  During an hour of listening to the Leader's speech, students can enrich themselves with the most useful operational methodology information used in the World's leading companies  and get precious advices for their career paths. This time students had a chance to meet an outstanding professional - Walter Ruffinoni. Walter Ruffinoni is a CEO at NTT DATA Italy. He joined the company in 2010, bringing to the role more than 20 years of experience in the Technology and Consulting Industry along with an Executive Management Leadership. His main mission as a CEO is to make NTT DATA Italy the leading company in digital innovation and in particular cybersecurity, undoubtly he has been extremely successful in brining this mission into action. Mr. Walter Ruffinoni shared with the students his vision of the leader in the future and gave some suggestions about building a successful career plan according to his personal professional experience. Mr.Walter Ruffinoni mentioned that we are living in the time of  digital revolution, where the changes are happening with an unusual speed  and are transforming not only the way we interact with each other, but also the business society. Our generation will be facing the biggest opportunities in the business world, but in order to find your place in it you will have to be educated and to be an advanced user of new technologies.  Every step forward that technology is making is also creating an exponential disruption , however it means that there are no more boundaries that were preventing people in the past to make their dreams come true, today you have a chance to become a corporate citizen , to be a start uper,enterpreneur or to have any career you wish. There are 10 basic rules that Mr. Ruffinoni suggested the students to follow when they will start their career path: First rule is to choose the right company to work for. In order to do that you have to understand the vision a company has, the values it is endorsing, along with the culture and the people that are envolved in it. The company you will choose has to be a right fit for your personal characteristics, because at  the end of the day you invest so much of your personal time in it, that it will really make an incredible difference if you are sharing the vision and feel the purpose of  making all the effort. Second rule is to periodically check your own progress. Take a couple of hours to ask yourself  ''Am I learning? Am I acquiring new skills that are taking me to the goal I would like to pursue?''. Make sure if the answer to these questions is ''No'', you have to do something about it. Third rule is to always ask feedback from the people youwork with, from your boss and your leader. It will help you to distinguish your strengths and your weaknesses. Certainly your weaknesses are  something you have to work on , but do not forget to know your strengths, you have to build on those, because  they are  going to be an accelerator to  your career. Fourth rule is to never stay in your comfort zone. You have to always push yourself beyond your limits. Once you feel confident and comfortable in what you are doing in your work – it is time to move on. It has to become your philosophy and the  rythm of your internal clock. Fifth rule is to put passion in everything you do. Passion is an amazing engine that potentially can make anything possible. Try your best not to be shy but to use the maximum of your energy and passion in the job you do. Sixth rule is to not be afraid of making mistakes. Never be afraid of failing, because by trying you will either win or you will learn. It is important to put all of your effort in a task rather than doing nothing, even if you are not sure whether you  will  succeed. Seventh rule is to not put a lot of attention  on  your salary or earnings   at  the beginning of your career. In the first 5-6 years your goal is to  lay the grounds  and build  the  leader you want to become, therefore your salary or earnings  in this period of time will not be a critical factor. However, in order to do that you need to pick a job that you like, where you can learn a lot of things, improve your skills and put yourself out of a comfort zone. Eighth rule will apply when you will become a leader. Remember that a Leader is different from a Boss,a leader is generous, welcoming, suggesting and proposing. You will have to set a vision, that is inclusive and sustainable, because you have to give a purpose for the people working with you, for you and around you. Your strategy has to take the right focus, to be simple and understandable for everyone. Nineth rule is to be a brave leader and to always be yourself. If somebody is putting you in a particular place, there must a reason why it is you and not another person. Some  people  tend to  change their  personal characteristics depending on the position they were given in a company, never do this kind of mistake – always stay true to yourself. Tenth rule is to always think of talking to the people's mind and heart, emotions play an incredibly important role in being a leader. Apply story telling every time you can and listen to the people. Communication is the key, it makes people feel a part of the big picture which will definitely stimulate their perfomance. Mr.Walter Ruffinoni is an expert in  technology and executive management field, LUISS students could not miss an opportunity to ask him questions, Mr. Walter Ruffinoni gave full answers to all of them. Here are the list of Questions and Answers: How did a small start-up in Calabria, one of the Italian regions most affected from the digital gap, succeedin becoming a center of excellence in Cyber Security Research? There are three main ingredients for that. First a purpose, going back to the 2000, it was  3 people’s dream to build a working positing  and an opportunity to hire employees, which will prevent people from leaving Calabria, because there is no work. Second is passion, by becoming a visible leader in technology we are able to attract many young people to work with artificial intelligence, cyber security and so on. Third is the innovation ecosystem, we started collaborating with a local university, which is preparing trained specialists with the skills we are looking for. We also think about Cosenza employees’ future, if one day our operation there will stop, they will have a good technology experience and will be able to find a job anywhere else.  Currently  we  have  grown from 50 people to 200 people within 3 years. Now we are coming to do the same in Naples. Which are the actual risks led by the digital revolution in terms of cyber security? Which viable solutions do you see in a long term perspective and in particular which strategy is NTT pursuing?  Cyber security is very complex, investing in a cyber security seems strange, because if everything is going well you will be wondering why are we investing in it, but once it goes wrong it can be very dangerous. The more digital world is developing, the more data is growing and today data gives organizations a competitive advantage. These days the companies have to protect a complex environment. My vision is that the cyber opportunity will be perceived  as a threat in doing business in a future world; you need to protect an amazing number of elements that are going to become a potential source of attack for your company. However, there is  another way to go, our strategy is to put  cyber security in  the 1st place, our company was even thinking to reframe  its identity to a security company. There is a lot of awareness that needs to be carried out in the society, corporations, institutions and the private life. We need to educate our children to the right use of a social media, data and how to have more privacy sharing.  The Europe Code Week has just ended. What do you think about coding courses introduction into fancy school programs?  How teaching paradigms are evolving with the digital revolution? There will be an empowerment of next generation learning capacity or we risk digital dementia to 
gain the upper hand? We strongly believe that we need to get more people exposed to technology, especially women. It is not easy to find a presence of women in STEM universities. We have  a  day dedicated to kids, which is called ''kids in the company''. We try to let them start coding from  scratch, for children it serves as a game instrument, but it gives them a basic understanding. Our purpose is to make sure that every year more boys and girls attend this course. One thing we are lacking is people coming out from the technology faculties. In our case we try to fill the gap. Do you think the company with Japanese origin and its peculiar mindset has had an influence on the corporate pursued strategies? In my career I was working for a company acquired by USA, it had  a ''straight to the point''. We had to plan the budget for this quarter and to always increase the bar, we worked as if there was no next quarter rather than this one, and it was kind of a ''hire or fire'' strategy. If the change in numbers was not as it was written in the plan, for the first time you were safe, next time you were out. On the opposite, Japanese culture is very different. In Japanese company they asked me to do a long-term plan. The first and second year while we reaching the planned number in our budget I didn’t get the request to raise the bar. There is more attention to sustainability, it is not about making the numbers bigger, but  creating  the grounds   to keep achieving the same numbers and  get  the company to grow. We are an Italian company owned by a Japanese company. From our starting point they gave us enough time to transform the company and to build the right  grounds. Which is the role played by women in the digital revolution and the more effective ways to attract female talents? I strongly believe that women have a great opportunity in a digital world. We are taking this topic seriously in our company, we set up a target of having 50% of hiring women employees, 50% of the management promotions need to be women too, probably the target won’t be achieved within 2 years, but it is important to keep working on it and to make structural changes in a company. We have to give the same opportunities to women in the technology world. Which do you think are the pros and cons of public services digitization? Which is the likelihood of human jobs being cut ? The technology revolution will not stop, we either have to embrace it and try to get the best out of it or we will lose. For sure a lot of jobs will change, if you go to the cities like Tokyo and Shanghai you can see more and more robots alongside citizens. There are already machines diagnosing cancer, artificial intelligence lawyers and artificial intelligence journalists in USA. Digitalization will hit the  banking sector in Italy, today there is no need to go to the banks like we did 10-15 years ago, we can do it online, a lot of branches will be closing, there will be a real estate revolution and a lot of people will be relocated. The digital revolution is here; in 10 years almost a half of current jobs will not exist anymore and there will be new jobs which will require a new set of skills. We need lead the revolution and seize the opportunities coming from it. Taking into account the Genesys voice platform implemented for Fastweb and the central role played by customer satisfaction, could you tell us its relevance in the whole global NTT strategy and which actions have been undertaken? Customer satisfaction is the most important aspect of every single company. Look at any emerging companies like Amazon, Airbnb, Uber etc. if there is one thing impressing me is the user experience. In the future companies will have to make sure they can satisfy customers; if the company does not have the right customer experience it will be a matter of few years till they close down their business. Which resources and distinctive capabilities should a company hold to gain a sustainable competitive advantage in the IT service and solution field? Picking the right technology and the right trend, for us it is absolutely the key. Of course you need to have the right people around you, you need people who are willing to experience new things and to bring passion to the company. It is also very important to have the right focus on innovation. How is the European market of digital technologies similar or different from an Asian market? One of the main differences is of course the data using. Another incredible thing is that the quality focus is different. The western mentality is to do good enough, but for the Japanese the quality is a number one issue. Finally, the dedication and the sense of belonging. When I was working in the American Cyber company I asked my colleagues for how long they’ve been working in the company and I got the answers ''3, 2, 4, 5 years''. When I entered the NTT Data, the first time I asked few people the same question and after the fifth person told me ''since university'' - I stopped asking. In Japan the company you choose to work for is for life. The sense of belonging, the way you are treated by the company is totally different. As Italians we should take   Italian creativity and flexibility and combine it with Japanese dedication, long-term execution and teamwork, then you will get the most you can possibly  imagine. It is worth mentioning that it is interesting to realize how simple and genuine a successful and great people are. How easily they share there own experience and give you a life changing advices . These were 2 fantastic  hours where all the LUISS students  who attended this meeting  learnt a lot of useful information and certainly are going to apply it in real life. Our main goal is not only to become a leader, but to create leaders around us and be the change we want to see in this world. (Article by Katrina Ustyuzhanina, student of the Master in Tourism Management) Gallery 08/11/2016    16/11/2016

03 October 2016

The LUISS MBA Alumnus Alessandro Belli is the Head of Tourism Real Estate at CDP Cassa Depositi e Prestiti Investimenti SGR

Starting from September 2016, our LUISS MBA Alumnus Alessandro Belli is the Head of Tourism Real Estate at CDP Cassa Depositi e Prestiti Investimenti SGR. CDP is a joint-stock company under public control, promoting Italian economy and, in particular, its industrial sector through state-guaranteed postal savings products and the issuance of bonds. Alessandro’s main task within the organisation is managing the its start-up business unit of tourism investments. With a degree in Civil Engineering he got the Master in Business Administration in 2001. Alessandro is an Adjunct Professor in real estate finance at LUISS Business School, Faculty Member of the Master in Real Estate programme, RICS Member. He is also board member and co-founder of the LUISS Business School Alumni Association. After initial technical roles in engineering companies, he joined Grandi Stazioni SpA in 2001, dealing with investment evaluation and finance. In 2005, he worked for Cushman & Wakefield as Senior Consultant, then for Torre SGR (Fortress group) as Acquisition Manager. In 2007, he joined Pirelli RE SpA as Head of Acquisitions Tourism and later as Director of Highstreet Management Services BV (Amsterdam), in 2009 he became Head of Management team of Fabrica SGR, and later Head of Investments. In Fabrica he finalised investments for €1.55B (€430M in real estate asset acquisitions and €1,120M in asset contributions), managing the start-up of funds for institutional investors (pension funds). He was also involved in structuring a commercial partnership with CBRE Global Investors and in developing new products. In 2015, he worked as Group Head of Real Estate in Mittel Group, an Italian listed company operating in private equity and real estate. He was CEO of MII srl, holding of the group’s real estate investments, and Member of the Board of Castello Sgr (Mittel shareholder 22%). 29/09/2016