Elia’s networking days for Executives

I am on my return flight from Catania to Milan and I am thinking about the last three days of Elia ND Focus for Executives, a unique event aimed at senior language service company executives. It was my first event of the kind, and I cannot but get home with positive thoughts.

The event was organized in two tracks:

• "Translation Industry: does one size fits all?" was moderated by Kimon Fountoukidis of Argos Multilingual and Dominque Hourant of Transperfect.
• "Financial strategies: the golden quest" was moderated by Gráinne Maycock (Amplexor) and Roberto Ganzerli (who defined himself as unemployed ??)

 Although both tracks would have been invaluable for where Creative Words is now, I decided to follow the first track, which had the explicit goal of answering the question: "where do you want to be in 3-5 years from now?" However, the discussions stimulated by Kimon and Dominique went well beyond this "simple" question, touching hot topics such as the business model, price pressure, technology, the need to stand out in a rapidly and steadily growing industry, organic growth vs. M&As.

In two days of interactive sessions we tackled such a number of topics that it wouldn't be fair to list part of them only, but I'm back home with some great takeaways and a plethora of ideas that I'm committed to implementing right away in my company.

We also had the opportunity to hear some success stories and some (self-declared) non-success stories, which has added a lot of value to sessions that were per se already invaluable.

Thanks to Jean, Wolfgang, Mikhal, Yelena, Michael for sharing their stories, strategies and suggestions.

 Here are my 3 key takeaways:

•          Technology continues to play a key role in our industry and will continue to do so, whether we like it or not
•          Every company has its own story, and there is no single way to success. Also, success is not precluded to anyone
•          Dimensions don't (always) matter

Talking about less serious topics, the location chosen for the networking dinner, Castello Camemi, is a wonderful place, literally in the middle of nowhere. I think it was worth the time it took to get here, and my only regret is we could not reach it before sunset to enjoy what must undoubtedly have been an enchanting view.

And now I would like to say a few words of greetings and thanks in a random order, because it is the people who make these kind of event a success, and in this case success was undeniable.

First, my sincere thanks to the event committee, formed by Clio, Iris, Spyros and Claudio.

Thanks to the moderators, whom I have already mentioned.

Thanks to all members of Elia board, Fran?oise, Clio, Steve, Gordana, Susana and Manuele for their great work.

Thanks to Dimitra (congrats on your first event!), John, Dorotha and Deppi: good luck for your future endeavours, you’ll do great!

Thanks to my new friend Matteo, for making to make me feel less dependent on desserts, and to Tanya as well. I don't think I managed to convince her these events are boring so we'll meet again I think??

Thanks to Fran?oise and Patrick for the dancing performance and for trying to convince us all to join you!

Thanks to Anu for the long chat on the way back from Camemi Castle. I really appreciate you patiently answering my questions and sharing your insights. I hope to be able to continue the conversation soon.

Thanks to Klaus for sharing his opinion whenever he had the opportunity to do so. And I owe you a beer. ??

Thanks to Asta for all nice conversations. I can't wait to seeing all of your pics, I'm sure you've taken more than the official photographer!

Thanks to Roberto, it was a pleasure to get to know you and hear your story. I hope to see you again soon.

Thanks to Vicenta for sending Neil back to the UK and allowing us to enjoy a little sunshine on Friday. ????

Thanks to Borut for pursuing you "Don't think, just translate?" cause. I look forward to seeing the website and doing my part in sharing the initiative.

Thanks to Iris and Gregor for sharing the buyer's point of view on many topics.

Paola, it was a pleasure to meet you, we'll soon be in touch.

It was nice to meet fellow colleague I had met at other events, including Filippo, Jesper, Alina, Angelica, Juan, Susanne, Elena, Wafaa, Raymund, Lukasz, Lucia and all those I'm forgetting to mention. Seeing you and hearing your stories is extremely stimulating.

Glad to have met a long list of new friends, including Oana, Arben, Mikhla, Sisi, Ali, Nuri, Omer, Yelena, Dilek, Olga (great to meet you in person after so many years), Joaquim. I'm sure I'm forgetting someone, but I hope to see you all soon.

A special greeting to the group of Italians , particularly nourished compared to the other events I have recently been to, guess I know why: Martina, Elena, Federico, Tiziana, and all those I have already mentioned.

 As I said already, it is people who make the difference for this kind of events. As it was the case for the other Elia event I had the chance to attend in Prague, the relaxed atmosphere and the feeling of friendship and cooperation have contributed to make Elia’s networking days for Executives a success! ????

If you'd like to take a look at some official pics, have a look here.