How to Thrive in a Changing Environment

Fabio De' Longhi is the CEO of a family company (De' Longhi) that has changed a lot since its establishment in 1902. It first produced stoves, then moved to kitchenware and later to portable air conditioners (a sector in which it is still leader) and now half its revenues come from coffee makers.

As the CEO of an export-oriented company, Mr De' Longhi, in a conversation of the Executive Chats series with Rector Gianmario Verona, says he can only tackle the issue of the emerging trade wars by hiring «great, fast, agile people», able to thrive in an ever-changing environment.

According to Mr De' Longhi, digital transformation affects both companies and consumers, creating new modes of interaction. «We have a team in charge of digital transformation», he says, «but the whole leadership team must share a new mindset. In the same way, we face the sustainability issue both with governance solutions – committees – and vesting 50 corporate ambassadors with the role of engaging colleagues in the topic».

He concludes encouraging students to consider mid-sized consumer goods companies, such as the one he leads, in their job market searches. «Consumer goods is a fast and exciting industry and in a mid-sized company people can make the difference».