The president of Federmanager Valter Quercioli spoke to the microphones of the New York in the podcast Portraits, led by Claudio Brachino, to retrace the evolution of the association, between founding values, innovation and formation of the new generations of managers.
80 years are an important milestone. What identity did Federmanager build?
A solid and dual identity: industrial and socio-economic. Just think about Italy in 1945, reduced in rubble. It was the managers and managers of the time to defend the plants and the machinery, laying the foundations for industrial reconstruction. That courage has helped to make our country the second manufacturing of Europe and the fourth world exporter. Today, around 20,000 Italian industrial companies are managerial, and many of these are global excellence – from fashionable automotive, from biomedical to pharmaceutical. On the socio-economic front, Federmanager introduced innovative tools: Supplementary health and social security, well before national debates took place. Today, thanks to a high membership, we guarantee our members accessible care and more solid pensions.
How did the manager figure change?
The manager, historically, was the scrupulous administrator of non-his goods. A technician attentive to rules and details. That dimension still exists, but today it has evolved: the manager is also a charismatic leader, called to conquer markets, innovate products, manage complex organizations. In the future it will be more and more often a creative, able to find new solutions in complex markets. Obviously, without ever losing sight of ethics, which for us remains a central value.
Innovation, digitization, sustainability and artificial intelligence. Words often abused: what meaning do they have for you?
For over thirty years, innovation has been the engine for corporate change. A product, if it does not evolve, does not sell anymore. This is why the manager can no longer just manage: must constantly innovate. Digitalization and sustainability are two vertical declinations of this innovation. Sustainability, in particular, has brought new attention to external stakeholders: institutions, communities, environment. It is not easy, for example, to introduce sustainable technologies in sectors such as fashion or cosmetics, but it is necessary. When there is, the intervention of the State, through incentives, is fundamental. As for artificial intelligence, at first I was distrustful. Then I deepened the theme also with courses and master ad hoc. Today I am aware of its operation and I know how to use it consciously. But even in this case, it is essential to maintain an ethical compass. This is why as Federmanager we have activated training courses aimed at our members, on all these themes.
What relationship do you have with the institutions?
Federmanager constantly relates to the main ministries, we are present at the working tables, we bring our proposals, often accepted even at the normative level. There is a continuous and constructive dialogue, based on technical competence and a long-term vision.
How do you train future managers?
We noticed that many managers are focused on external performance, but neglect the development of their skills. With this goal we promote innovative training paths, with peer exchanges, to stimulate the comparison between managers of different companies on common challenges and our Federmanager Academy is engaged in innovative training actions that allow management to develop skills that are now most demanded by the labour market. Our goal is to intercept managers between 30 and 50 years, called to operate in the company to consolidate those skills that will then accompany them throughout the career.
Internationalization: what support do you offer to your managers?
Internationalization is not a briefcase and away. It is a technical and complex process with specific skills. The 44,000 Italian companies that export stably are all led by managers or entrepreneurs with solid management training. Federmanager, through CDI Manager, offers the support of Temporary Export Manager and Manager of Internationalization that support companies in the approach to foreign markets. Export and internationalization are not the same. The first is the sale abroad. The second involves a stable presence, with offices, offices or production facilities in the target country. Both must be approached by method.
Safety at work: what does Federmanager do?
We’re very busy. Three deaths a day are not compatible with a civil country. Management companies record much lower accidents, because there is attention and security culture. We are working with INAIL for a training and support protocol, also to spread best practices in less structured realities. Security is an ethical and social issue, even before management.
Is the manager also the guardian of the welfare of workers?
Yes. The end of profit itself is certainly not a sufficient objective. Modern governance involves social care, internal cohesion, welfare. A company where workers are well, produce better, is also a company that generates stronger margins. This is the new paradigm: well-being and profit walk together.
What are the next challenges for Federmanager?
We must be sentinels of change. To anticipate the signals coming from society, the economy, the technology. And above all, we must prepare our management class to face the challenges of modernity, which are renewed every day. This is our commitment.
Article Valter Quercioli: 80 years of Federmanager between past and future of Italian management comes from IlNewyorkese.
