Innovation and strategy: Paduan SMEs discuss the future

A concrete comparison, with feet firmly planted inside a model company like Pava Resine Srl and an eye on the future. This is what was held in San Martino di Lupari, home of the seminar “Long-term strategies: digital innovation and new business models”, the last appointment of the cycle “Governing uncertainty", promoted by Confapi Padova. Preceding the meeting, the Board of Directors of Unimatica Confapi Padova, which represents IT companies and innovative categories, called to elect the new members who will work alongside President Giovanni Manta.

In a context still marked by continuous changes on a global scale, the meeting offered entrepreneurs and professionals an opportunity to reflect on the role of technology, artificial intelligence and strategic vision as fundamental levers to ensure competitiveness and sustainability for SMEs. The host was the president of Confapi Padova Marco Trevisan, who, during the meeting moderated by director Davide D'Onofrio, underlined the importance for companies not to undergo changes, but to anticipate them: "Innovating is not just a choice, it is a necessity for those who want to remain relevant over time. It seemed right to close this cycle in this way, which wanted to offer concrete tools, essential regulatory updates and targeted operational strategies, to help companies transform current challenges into opportunities for growth and innovation".

Among the macro-themes addressed during the afternoon, the rethinking of business models in a constantly evolving context, the adoption of agile and resilient organizational structures, the implementation of enabling technologies (including IoT, artificial intelligence and additive manufacturing). Matteo Quagini, author of the book "The 4Ps of Change Management" (Franco Angeli editore), illustrated an operational model to accompany companies in the digital transformation process: «Often changes (especially technological, AI, Robotic Process Automation, ERP) start with the best auspices and then get stuck among resistance and various obstacles. The human aspect of change has become a central theme, perhaps more important than the technological aspect. This is why it is necessary to manage digital transformation projects without incurring costly failures through a simple path: clarify the purpose of the transition (Purpose), define a shared path with the analysis of strategic processes (Processes), train and prepare theoretically and psychologically the individuals "impacted" by the change (Preparation) and, finally, avoid the return to bad consolidated habits (Performance) in all the transformation paths of companies and organizations of all kinds».

Roberto Santolamazza, director of T2i - the main agency in the Veneto region for technology transfer and innovation, participated by the Veneto chamber of commerce - was very stimulating. He focused on the experience of the innovation ecosystem and the importance of collaboration between companies and research centers: "Our first goal is to support companies, especially medium-small ones, in the challenging path of innovation by making them aware of new possible business models, acquiring the necessary skills and selecting the best technologies. In this sense, AI will represent a huge support for all human activities. We should consider it as a co-pilot, a subject capable of enormously supporting human activities and companies and of opening up perspectives that only a few years ago would have seemed unthinkable". It is no coincidence that his speech ended with a suggestive quote by Henry Ford: "If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said: a faster horse". The factory tour, led by entrepreneurs Luca Bernardi and Emanuele Lemesin, in the Pava Resine plants, a leading company in the production and technical assistance for the application of industrial and residential resins, was highly appreciated. The visit allowed participants to see first-hand a concrete example of industrial evolution and application of new organizational models. A jewel of the territory, after the previous stages had turned the spotlight on Holmac Srl, Futurlab Srl and Silikomart Srl.

An afternoon packed with content and exchanges, which demonstrated how the desire to build the future, in SMEs, is still strong. As mentioned, the Unimatica Board of Directors opened it, which is part of the renewal process of the top management of the Association of small and medium-sized industries in the area. Here is the team that will work alongside President Giovanni Manta (Geolander.it), former deputy vice-president of Confapi Padova and member of the National Council of the category: two vice-presidents, Henry Voltolina (Hv Technology Srl) and Nicola Zingirian (Click & Find Srl); with them Massimo Businaro (E Project Srl), Marco Dalla Dea (Say Agency Spa), Michele Nocera (Gemmlab Srl), Sonia Saccon (Spritz Matter Srl), Fiorella Toffano (Ipsofactory Srl), Paolo Moro (Business Research Srl) and Matteo Pozzi (Vibes Srl). "It is a team that unites the experiences of multiple companies in the sector, embracing all the streams of the world of IT", underlines Manta. «Cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital transformation are just some of the fields that concern us today and that will increasingly become crucial for companies: they will be at the center of our program».