Due parole con ... Giorgio Soffiato

Caterina Rulfin Consulente del Lavoro

17 Apr 202005:09

Summary

TLDRIn this video transcript, the speaker, presumably an entrepreneur, discusses the impact of the pandemic on their digital business. They have successfully leveraged digital advantages, transitioning to full remote work without disrupting employee workflow. The main challenges have been client-related, with some industries like gelato shops suffering more than supermarkets and banks. The company has adapted by reducing in-person meetings to emails, thus streamlining communication. The speaker believes that remote work will be a long-term necessity, and companies must embrace a new relationship with employees based on trust and shared responsibility, rather than control.

Takeaways

😀 The speaker, presumably an entrepreneur, discusses the impact of the pandemic on their business and how they have adapted to remote work.
🏢 The company has fully embraced remote working, extending it to five days a week, which was already a practice before the pandemic with 'soft walking' or 'remote working'.
🛍️ There has been an impact on clients, especially those in the ice cream industry, which has been affected differently compared to supermarkets and banks.
🤝 The company's structure was already prepared for remote work, and they have leveraged the advantages of digital technology to continue operations.
🔑 The key to success has been the preparation of employees over the past 18 months, ensuring they are ready for this new way of working.
👥 The speaker believes that in the medium to long term, companies will need to establish a work environment with team responsibility and accountability without direct control.
👀 There is a shift in the approach to work, focusing more on trust and results rather than direct supervision.
📧 The pandemic has revealed that many meetings can be replaced with emails, suggesting a potential reduction in the need for physical meetings.
💼 Workers are generally ready to adapt to this new way of working, and the speaker suggests that people are prepared to work harder in this new environment.
🔄 There is an opportunity for a new type of relationship between employees and employers, one that is based on shared responsibility and project collaboration.
🌟 Despite the critical situation, there are positive aspects to be found, and the company aims to find opportunities for growth and improvement.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the discussion in the script?
-The main topic of the discussion is the impact of the pandemic on businesses, particularly a digital company, and how they have adapted to remote working and the challenges it brings.
Who are the speakers in the script?
-The speakers are Soffiato, the CEO of Marketing Arena, Giorgio Marchetti, and Carina, who seems to be discussing the company's response to the pandemic and its effects on their operations.
How has the company adapted to the pandemic?
-The company has adapted by extending remote working to 100% of its workforce, leveraging digital advantages, and minimizing the impact on employees' work.
What was the company's pre-existing setup before the pandemic?
-The company was already set up for remote working on Fridays, which they referred to as 'smart working' or 'soft walking', and they have extended this to five days a week during the pandemic.
How has the pandemic affected the company's clients?
-The pandemic has had varying effects on the company's clients, with some, like those working with gelateries, being negatively impacted, while others, like supermarkets and banks, have fared better.
What is the speaker's view on the future of remote working?
-The speaker believes that remote working is a medium to long-term modality that companies will have to adapt to, focusing on responsibility and trust rather than control.
What challenges does the speaker foresee in managing remote workers?
-The speaker mentions that it's difficult to control remote workers and that the focus should be on the quality of work rather than constant supervision.
How has the company prepared its employees for remote working?
-The company has been preparing its employees for 18 months, ensuring they are ready for this new way of working and have the necessary tools and mindset.
What changes has the company observed in its operations due to remote working?
-The company has found that many meetings can be replaced with emails, and there is a potential reduction in the number of in-person meetings, making them more valuable when they do occur.
What opportunities does the speaker see in the current situation?
-The speaker sees opportunities in redefining the relationship between employees and employers, focusing on shared project goals and reducing dependency on physical presence.
What is the speaker's advice for businesses in this situation?
-The speaker advises businesses to find the positive aspects in the situation, adapt their organizational structure, and prepare for a new type of relationship with their employees.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Digital Adaptation and Workforce Challenges

The speaker, presumably an entrepreneur named Giorgio Marchetti, discusses the impact of the pandemic on his business and the shift to remote work. He emphasizes the digital advantage his company has leveraged, transitioning to full-time remote work without significant disruptions. The company's focus has been to minimize the impact on employees while adapting to changes in customer behavior. The speaker also reflects on the potential long-term shift towards remote work and the need for businesses to establish a new sense of responsibility and trust among employees. He concludes by highlighting the positive aspects of this change, such as the realization that many meetings can be replaced with emails, and the opportunity to redefine the relationship between employers and employees.

05:00

🎶 Easter Greetings

This paragraph contains a simple Easter greeting, accompanied by music. It serves as a festive interjection in the script, possibly marking a transition or a moment of celebration within the video content.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Remote Working

Remote working refers to a work arrangement where employees perform their work outside of a traditional office setting, often from home or another location of their choosing. In the video's context, the company has transitioned to fully remote operations to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on their workforce. The script mentions, '...we have extended this activity to 100% remote working,' illustrating the company's adaptation to the new normal.

💡Digital Advantage

The digital advantage refers to the benefits a company gains from utilizing digital technologies and platforms. The video discusses leveraging this advantage during the pandemic, as it allowed the company to continue operations seamlessly. The speaker notes, '...we have exploited the advantage of digital,' indicating the importance of digital infrastructure in maintaining business continuity.

💡Pandemic

A pandemic is an outbreak of a disease that occurs over a wide geographic area and affects an exceptionally high proportion of the population. The video's theme revolves around the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on business operations. The script refers to the 'epidemic' to highlight the challenges faced by the company and the industry.

💡Business Continuity

Business continuity is the ability of an organization to continue its operations during and after a disruptive event. The video discusses how the company managed to maintain operations by shifting to remote work, as stated, '...we have tried to leverage the digital advantage to not impact the work of people.'

💡Employee Preparedness

Employee preparedness refers to the readiness and ability of employees to adapt to changes in the workplace, such as transitioning to remote work. The speaker in the video mentions that they have been preparing their employees for this situation for 18 months, indicating a proactive approach to change management.

💡Work-life Balance

Work-life balance is the equilibrium between work and personal life, which is crucial for employee well-being and productivity. The video discusses the shift in work-life dynamics due to remote work, with the speaker noting that the theme is no longer about control but about life, suggesting a focus on a healthier balance.

💡Telecommuting

Telecommuting is a form of remote working where employees work from home or another location using telecommunications technology. The script uses the term 'soft walking' or 'remote working,' which is an Italian term similar to telecommuting, to describe the company's pre-existing work arrangement that was extended to full-time remote work during the pandemic.

💡Client Impact

Client impact refers to the effects of business decisions or external events on a company's clients. The video mentions that some clients, particularly those working with gelaterias (ice cream shops), have been negatively impacted compared to supermarkets and banks, indicating the varying degrees of impact across different sectors.

💡Organizational Adaptation

Organizational adaptation is the process by which a company changes its structure, processes, or culture to better fit its environment. The video discusses the need for companies to adapt to new ways of working, with the speaker stating, '...we will have to get used to structuring ourselves in a different way,' highlighting the importance of flexibility and innovation.

💡Workforce Responsibility

Workforce responsibility is the accountability and reliability of employees in performing their duties, especially in a remote work setting. The video emphasizes the shift from control to trust, as the speaker mentions, '...the theme is no longer about control but about life,' suggesting that employees are expected to take on more responsibility for their work.

💡Meetings to Emails

The transition from in-person meetings to emails is a strategy to reduce the number of physical gatherings, which can be more efficient in a remote work context. The video reveals that half of the meetings could be replaced by emails, indicating a reevaluation of communication methods and a potential increase in written correspondence.

Highlights

The company has leveraged digital advantages to minimize the impact of the pandemic on employees' work.

The company was already practicing remote work on Fridays before the pandemic, which has now been extended to full-time remote work.

The pandemic has affected clients differently, with ice cream shops being hit harder than supermarkets and banks.

The company's structure was already prepared for remote work, making the transition smoother.

The company's founder believes that the shift to remote work is a long-term change that businesses will have to adapt to.

The company has been preparing its employees for this change for 18 months, ensuring they are ready for the new work model.

The company has found that many meetings can be replaced with emails, indicating a potential reduction in the need for in-person meetings.

The company is exploring a new type of relationship between employees and the company, focusing on shared responsibility and project collaboration.

The pandemic has revealed opportunities for businesses to reassess and potentially improve their operations.

The company's founder emphasizes the importance of trust and preparation in managing the shift to remote work successfully.

The company is adapting its organizational structure to better suit remote work and the new responsibilities of its employees.

The company's founder suggests that remote work may lead to a more prestigious and serious approach to in-person meetings when they do occur.

The pandemic has highlighted the need for businesses to be flexible and innovative in their approach to work.

The company's founder believes that employees are generally ready for the challenges of remote work and the new responsibilities it entails.

The company is focusing on the positive aspects of the situation, such as the opportunity to improve communication and collaboration.

The company's founder expresses gratitude for the opportunity to discuss these changes and wishes everyone a happy Easter.