Ready, go: "We have about thirty entrepreneurs and companies in the classroom, I'd say it's a great success in a period of macroeconomic uncertainty like the one we're experiencing. Seeing so many investing in training is a positive sign." Marina Puricelli has always navigated the boundless sea of Italian small and medium-sized businesses: "They are the protagonists of an original development model that has led us to become the seventh largest economy in the world," explains the SDA Bocconi professor, who yesterday launched the first series of lessons for the US Program, L'Unione Sarda's project for entrepreneurial, managerial, and professional growth.
The Courses – The Milan School of Business Management's top-notch training program is coming to Cagliari—in the publishing group's multipurpose hall—and that's just the beginning: the program includes eight days spread between October and January, with topics selected for an audience comprised of numerous Sardinian companies, nearly all of which are leaders in their markets. The course program covers all the topics inherent in running a business. "We'll cover strategic planning, business organization, and personnel management. And then there's administration and management control. We'll study the balance sheet, with an entrepreneurial approach, looking at the company's numbers to determine where to improve them. We'll teach how to adjust production processes, select clients, and identify the least profitable ones," explains the instructor.
Focus – On the first day of the course, managers and entrepreneurs analyzed real-world business development cases, belonging to the system of small and often micro-businesses (with fewer than ten employees), "which should not be interpreted as a limitation, but rather as a model to be enhanced." During the lessons, taught by SDA Bocconi, the topic of generational transition will also be discussed. "The hypothesis we will be putting forward," explains Marina Puricelli, "is that graduate children, often with a higher educational background than the company founder, must first fully understand their senior's business model. Only then, if necessary, can they change it. But we don't want the young person, just because they're young or have a master's degree, to impose stereotypical models that risk doing more harm than good, or to do so at the wrong time and in the wrong way."
The Calendar – Programma US's training program isn't limited to the partnership with SDA Bocconi: in the coming months, classes will also begin at the Polytechnic University of Milan and seminars at the University of Cagliari. "There's always time to register because new courses on e-commerce and many other topics important to Sardinian companies will be starting soon," explained Lia Serreli, General Manager of the L'Unione Sarda group. "Interested individuals can find information at Unionesarda.it. Our consultants are available to provide detailed information on the project we've proudly presented to the Sardinian market."
Michael Ruffi