The Italian culture and way of doing business is different from what we’re used to in the Netherlands. You could see that even during the introductions: everyone took their time introducing themselves. The atmosphere was relaxed, there was a lot of small talk and we felt very welcome. Incidentally, we did everything online; COVID-19 meant we couldn’t visit the company.
Deep down I’ve always wanted to do something with leadership and guiding people in a certain direction. Just learning from books is not for me. I’m very hands-on and want to experience what my impact can be. The teamwork wasn’t always easy; people had different ambitions and priorities. But it’s when you’re placed in challenging situations that you learn and grow.
What’s it like to conduct an SDG Scan in practice?
Before we delivered the workshop for the company, we researched them online. We mapped out the company's values and examined the challenges they face. The company indicated that communication was a particular challenge during the corona crisis. Giving safety instructions for large machines and production equipment is not easy at the best of times—what’s the best way to do that online? In the feedback session, we made a number of recommendations. One was that the company could start an app where employees can talk to each other about wellbeing, and where exercises can be shared that they can do at home to relax. That way there’d be a place for people to share how they feel. Another thing I noticed is that the company really liked having young people involved: students with a fresh perspective, especially students not from Italy. It’s the different culture that means you give different advice. Sustainability was really on this company's radar, they wanted to take a step in that direction, and they took it very seriously. With the SDG Scan, we assessed their current sustainability profile and helped them identify other opportunities they could take up in the future. It was very valuable to them.
Last year you were a student, now you’re teaching. Was that a conscious decision?
When the opportunity arose, I jumped at the chance. I believe change is possible if we change the way people look at the world and their businesses. In the course, students follow an eight-week programme with two lectures and a tutorial each week. This is in addition to their normal study programme, so it's quite a lot. They have to do research, write reports, and prepare for and evaluate the workshop with the company. Meanwhile, they’re working in a team and learning about group processes. Yes, I really love my job.
