Women Of Today: In A Position To Change The World w/ Claudia Persico

Whenever I see women getting inspired by some of the interviews we do in the Women Of Today series, my heart sings.?It shows how essential it is to have a female community that encourages you to follow your dreams and unlock your potential no matter what society says.

In today's episode of Women Of Today , I am hosting a powerful woman and a leader who undeniably believes in gentle leadership focused on people and highlighting their potential through many creative projects in her company.

She also won the GammaDonna Award of 2022, which she dedicated to her closest collaborators and the people she works with. It encouraged her she was on the right path with her gentle approach to leadership, and as she adds, "Capable of guiding the company through innovation in a world of change."

Meet Claudia Persico ,?CEO at?PERSICO GROUP.

Isabelle: What do you believe has influenced the choice of your career path the most? How did you end up doing what you do today?

Claudia: Persico Group was born in 1976 by my father as a modeling shop that produced wooden models. In about 40 years, we have become a well-regarded Italian multinational that manufactures tools, presses, lines, and equipment for Automotive, Rotomoulding, Marine, Aerospace, Medical, and other industries. I have always loved the marketing and sales fields. I graduated in marketing and business communication in Milan and had the opportunity to become part of our company’s staff by starting as a back office assistant: If you want to become a leader, you have to start with “easier jobs.”?

Having obtained the GammaDonna Award is like being on top of a mountain. It's a result that strengthens my belief in gentle leadership, capable of guiding the company through innovation in a world of change.

I: How would you describe your leadership style?

C: I strongly believe in gentle leadership, focused on people first: being a group and a team, at least since I joined a local basketball team as a young girl. I still remember the emotion of the first time on the pitch, even when staying on the bench. And how many things I learned from the older girls, game after game, simply by breathing their air on the pitch and in the locker rooms. And those values and those teachings, step by step, we are also adopting in the Company.

I believe in attention to people and, more particularly, to young people: The under 25 make up 10% of the Group's collaborators. And I consider them "small seeds" that we must take care of, watering them with example and knowledge to make them grow and emerge. We are working for them to start an internal Academy which, through training plans, enhances our Talents, highlighting their potential.?

At the same time, we are defining a People Review Project. The goal is to invest in all our collaborators and the most creative figures, eager to move and explore new realities. I believe this is the best we can do to ensure a balanced transition toward a future that will lead the Group to explore new horizons.

One of the greatest difficulties for a woman is work-life balance management. It is one of the female's highest qualities, but sometimes they have to give up a career to follow the family's needs.

If companies can grant more flexibility in terms of time to women, it will be easier for them to express their full potential both at work and at home.

I: You’ve recently won the GammaDonna 2022 Award for Innovative Entrepreneurship. What does this award represent to you?

C: Having obtained this Award is like being on top of a mountain. It's a result that strengthens my belief in gentle leadership, capable of guiding the company through innovation in a world of change. To my fellow entrepreneurs who have a vision, I hope they will soon "climb" their mountains. I dedicate this Award to my closest collaborators. In addition to all the other members of the Persian Team, 850 people spread across Europe, China, Mexico, and the United States. Thanks to each of them, I have had the privilege of receiving this important recognition.

I: How do you see leadership evolving in the years ahead of us? Do you see new trends coming that should be taken into consideration??

C: When I joined the company, I experienced many obstacles due to the preconceptions associated with new entrants and, specifically, the prejudices related to female figures.

In those years, the individualist spirit prevailed (to the detriment of the group); the senior figures hardly revealed the trade tricks because, from their point of view, everyone had to "sweat" to learn the knowledge.

To make it even more difficult was the predominantly technical and male context in which I entered. However, things are changing today and must continue in this direction: seniors are more predisposed to teaching, and young people listen differently. The difference is made by professional expertise. It is no longer question of gender. Corporate managerial roles must be covered by female figures, too.

I: I learned you inherited your dad's company founded in 1976 and it is now a multinational business having a great impact across the world. What was the greatest challenge for you in creating such success for your company and what is something you are deeply proud of?

C: My father came from a family of farmers and workers. They were not entrepreneurs. After 15 years as an employee, he decided to found the company "Modelleria di Persico." My father has always been far-sighted and ahead of his time. He has invested in new technologies and acquired other companies, which have allowed us to become experts in various sectors. My father has always been an example for me to follow. I am extremely proud of his ability to seize the right opportunities at the right time. Playing early allows you to win.

I: What do you believe we can do more to help women have equal opportunities in the workplace, especially in male-dominated roles?

C: Based on our company's current experience, male figures cover the high-level technical and sales profiles. Honestly, I've never interviewed a woman for these jobs: I think it's because the products we make appeal to the male gender more. But, as anticipated, some other corporate managerial roles are covered by female figures, like in the HR and Accounting departments.?

One of the greatest difficulties for a woman is work-life balance management. It is one of the female's highest qualities, but sometimes they have to give up a career to follow the family's needs. If companies can grant more flexibility in terms of time to women, it will be easier for them to express their full potential both at work and at home.

I: What women in your life inspire you the most?

C: Miriam Gualini: CEO at Gualini Lamiere International Spa & Ambassador GammaDonna. Miriam Gualini is from Bergamo, and here, precisely in Bolgare, she has been managing Gualini Lamiere International since 1994, the family business specializing in the processing of steel and metal materials in which she began working in 1981, fresh out of high school. Over the years, she has managed to establish herself in a purely male industrial sector, overcoming all prejudices, until she receives the 2020 GammaDonna Award as the best innovative entrepreneur in Italy. Miriam has a technical background and a master's degree in business administration and management. She wanted to combine these two aspects, which was great for her work.

Giovanna Recuperati: Entrepreneur with extensive experience in strategic business consulting, export, and marketing. She founded in 1994 and developed Multi-Consult, a reality with over 40 collaborators working with B2B and B2C companies internationally. Passionate about innovation and design, in 2017, she founded Multi-Design to develop a line of luxury fitness equipment made in Italy and distributed in 80 countries under the brand Ciclotte. She is committed to developing supply chains and the territory as Vice President of Confindustria Bergamo. She has been President of the Alumni Unibg association and a board member of the University of Bergamo. Giovanna graduated from Bergamo University and Harvard Business School.

Katia Bassi: Managing Director Silk-Faw. Silk FAW was born from the joint venture between Silk EV and FAW, where Katia Bassi is the managing director and member of the executive team. The manager's primary responsibilities are to define business strategies, drive global operations and create synergies in key markets for Silk FAW. In the previous four years, Bassi held the position of chief marketing & communication officer and was a member of the board of directors of Lamborghini. Previously, she held leadership positions at the National Basketball Association (NBA), FC Internazionale Milano, and Ferrari. Additionally, she was vice president of Aston Martin and managing director of AM Brands.

Bassi was recently named one of the 100 most successful Italian women by Forbes Italia. After graduating in Political Science from the University of Milan and Law from the University of Pavia, Bassi earned a specialization in Digital Marketing and Analytics at MIT in Boston. As managing director, Bassi's role at Silk FAW will also create a multicultural environment with a vision based on cutting-edge technologies.

I: A piece of advice for all the women out there wanting to achieve their goals??

C: Dear women, set yourself a goal and never give up! Always think of a plan B, which bypasses the obstacle, but takes you to your goal. In the marine world, you have a roadmap and must always keep a compass. Go around the storm, lengthen the route, but never lose sight of the final destination.

As they say in Bergamo, "MOLA MIA!" (NEVER GIVE UP!)