Executive Chats Bocconi University

In this period of complexity “we need to speed up the transition, especially with regards to digital and green,” says Elena Goitini, CEO of BNL and Head of BNP Paribas Group in Italy and a Bocconi alumna, in a conversation in the Executive Chats series with Rector Gianmario Verona.

“Speeding up this transition is paramount to address the two key challenges we face related to globalization and the new frontiers in terms of sustainability, she adds.

With regards to gender diversity “we need to work on the sense of belonging, so as to give women a voice at the table, not just a seat,” she underlines.

Goitini closes the conversation with some advice for NextGen: “be curious, follow your passion and do not be afraid of making mistakes.”

“The pandemic was a real accelerator for digital transformation in education, in so many ways,” highlights Lisa Gevelber, Chief Marketing Officer Americas Region at Google and Vice President of Grow with Google, in a conversation in the Executive Chats series with Rector Gianmario Verona. “And digital has also become such an important part, a lifeline, for businesses. We see that digitally advanced companies acquire customers at 20 times a higher rate.”

Talking of Grow with Google, she highlights that the aim was to “ensure opportunity for everyone and make the job market more inclusive. The Google Certificate Program aims to teach people the skills required by the job market - we are teaching exactly what employers are looking for.”

Regards the world of education, “we see an increasing emphasis on and investment in tech knowledge and career readiness, also with high school students. Training programs are vital to ensure high school graduates have a real set of career skills – but also at college and university level.”

“Today, diversity is a priority for the public sector and also for the ESG agendas of companies. But I feel that in Europe there is still a lot to be done,” underlines Veronica Diquattro, Chief Revenue Officer Europe at DAZN and alumna Bocconi, in a conversation in the Executive Chats series with Rector Gianmario Verona.

“I think there are two important aspects to progress on,” she states. “One is tackling the gender pay gap, which is a vital step to fight discrimination, and the other is promoting paternity leave, to ensure the equal share of childcare, and also guarantee the rights of fathers.”

Diquattro also highlights the importance innovation has played in her career path. “Innovation can be disruptive but also an evolution. And today new technologies are drivers of this innovation. In my career I have always looked for companies that impact and innovate the everyday life of people.”

Regarding DAZN, “our vision is to become a sports destination platform,” she says, “where viewing is not the only service but where we offer engaging and immersive experiences to sports fans.”

Business schools are undergoing, but also leading, change driven by trends such as digital transformation and sustainability, highlights John Byrne, CEO of Poets&Quants, in a conversation in the Executive Chats series with Rector Gianmario Verona.

“There have been positive changes as a result of the pandemic – such as the acceleration in distance learning. In the future we will see far more higher education delivered through technology,” he says. “And technology has also transformed the world of business and is reshaping the workforce – and business schools are preparing their students for this.”

Another important factor of change is the drive to sustainability. “Sustainability has become an important topic at business schools, in part because this generation demands in it. Business schools have the responsibility to teach people about the implications of their decisions on people, society and the environment,” he says. “And the demand and interest from young people for the topic of sustainability and social impact is there.”

And as “business schools put more and more resources into the area of entrepreneurship, we are also seeing more young people starting companies that have an impact on sustainability and the environment,” he adds.

An industry, automotive, that is rapidly changing and that needs to put the customer at the center to keep pace, explains Davide Grasso, CEO Maserati and Bocconi alumnus, in a conversation in the Executive Chats series with Rector Gianmario Verona.

“The automotive industry is revolutionizing. The taste and expectations of customers is changing, he says. “You have to put the customer at the centre and their expectations exceed simply providing ‘a computer on wheels’.”

“Today it’s about transforming the entire customer experience. And it’s not about creating loyalty in customers, but being a loyal brand.”

Regards leadership, he believes an important quality is to “have the humility and confidence to understand when to add value and when to step back and trust your team.” And in these difficult times, “as leaders we have the responsibility to drive and build the future. We have to continue with tenacity, resilience and confidence to build a better future.”

Innovation and inclusion are important drivers for companies today, highlights Alice Acciarri, General Manager eBay Italy and Bocconi alumna, in a conversation in the Executive Chats series with Rector Gianmario Verona.

“Today, eBay is a wide community,” she says. “It is a global marketplace whose purpose is to create inclusion and opportunity for everyone.”

Regards innovation, “It starts from our customers’ needs. Our approach to market is customer focused and we don’t simply copy and paste innovation across markets. We listen to and adopt to local markets.”

Looking at inclusion, “We have created ‘Women at Ebay’ that is a community of employees working to progress on gender balance – also looking at the wider community in which we operate. In Italy we have created a special project to support and mentor female students and entrepreneurs.”