Our ever-expanding growth includes not only different projects in different cities but also – different people. One of them is Valentino Basile, our Sales Manager. Valentino has over 2 decades of experience working in different European markets. He is intrigued by the dynamics between the working culture and the unique approach adopted by Staticus, which proudly embraces Scandinavian work principles.
Diving into the complexities of intercultural expectations in the field of work, our colleague shares firsthand experiences, shedding light on the diverse perspectives that shape our collaborative environment. We caught up with him to learn more about the facade sector in Italy and what Staticus can bring to the table.
What can potential team members expect from working at Staticus?
Well, I tend to describe Staticus using three terms: humanity, sensitivity, and collaboration.
Humanity, because this is a people-first company. From my experience, sometimes in a company, it can feel like you’re only a number. At Staticus, it’s different. There is a different management style and you’re treated as a person.
Sensitivity, because you’re included in the company’s life, its future plans and direction. When I joined, I felt very welcomed and immediately like I was part of the company. And this is the same for every new team member. You will get managers, even the CEO and C-level managers, taking time to make a personal connection, and this really elevates the job and makes it more personal.
And collaboration, because if you want to be part of the broader decision-making process, you’re welcome to. And what’s more, your co-workers won’t look at you any differently if you choose to make your voice heard. In fact, they’ll encourage it.
How is Staticus’ work culture different from that of other companies?
In terms of work culture, Staticus might as well be a Scandinavian company. And this means there are quite a few differences between us and other companies.
In my previous experience working in Italy, work and pleasure simply don’t mix, at least for the most part. At Staticus there is more sharing. As an ordinary employee, you’re typically well-informed about the work carried out by other departments, and how much effort this or that team has been putting into a given project. In my experience, other companies can be more compartmentalised, with managers and teams protecting their own “territories.”
More generally, Staticus values a sense of togetherness: “We stand together, we fall together”. There’s no Chinese Wall between management and the rest of the company. Managers try to share as much information with their teams as possible and make people feel seen, included, and valued.
How is Staticus perceived in the Italian market?
Well, when I talk to people in Italy about Staticus, people sometimes think that I’m in my honeymoon phase of the job. In reality, I’ve been working at Staticus for almost two years now and my opinion hasn’t changed at all.
Like any company entering a new country, it will take time for people in the local market to understand who we are and what we represent, and there may be some scepticism at first. It is our job to show that we are a strong international company with a style of management that values personal initiative and treats employees as people.
What kind of conditions can the team expect in Italy?
Staticus offers flexible working principles. So as a team, we will be able to work remotely, together with plenty of flexibility and excellent coffee (essential for any Italian team). There will be opportunities to get together outside of work as well, and of course to meet other members of Staticus’ international team during company events.
What makes Staticus a unique place to work?
Working at Staticus means that you’ll be learning and growing continuously. It’s a great place to build a career, especially considering that we make a serious effort not just to hire new talent, but also to retain the employees we already have. Needless to say, this removes a good deal of the uncertainty people often feel when it comes to employment. Plus, with our very strong pipeline of projects and continued development into new markets, our team can feel confident and secure.
Last but not least, I have gained a new experience here of how internal communication can be a game-changer for a company. Here we have bi-weekly meetings, town halls, and stand-up meetings, which we hold on a regular basis to let everybody know what’s going on in the company at large, and what plans we might be considering for the future. During these meetings, all employees have the opportunity to be included in forging the company’s business strategy. And they also get a transparent view of how the company is progressing so they know where they stand.
What excites you the most about the future?
I would just say that Staticus’ approach and culture is not an experiment, or something we are trying on for a season then we might abandon it.
We have been developing this way of working over many years and through many strategic cycles. We have no intention of abandoning it going forward and, I think, its value will continue to show in the eyes of clients and employees alike. Staticus is, after all, strongly focused on long-term commitment, which includes listening to both client and employee feedback and charting our course on that firm basis. With this kind of mindset, we will grow not only into new markets in Europe but also into new continents.