Alumni spotlight Fabrizio Ferri, CEO at Fincantieri China Hult Blog

Fabrizio Ferri is a Hult MBA alum. He graduated in Boston in 2008, and had the opportunity to rotate to the Shanghai campus during his studies. Fabrizio has experience in different sectors such as Automotive, Industrial, Oil and Gas, and Shipbuilding, and has worked and lived in the U.S., Europe, and China. Fabrizio is currently the CEO of Fincantieri China based in Shanghai. Fincantieri is one of the world’s largest shipbuilding groups and is number one in diversification and innovation. It is leading in cruise ship design and construction, and is the only shipbuilders who can conceive design and construct all types of complex ships, from high-complexity special vessels to mega-yachts and high-tech offshore units. We spoke to Fabrizio to find out more about his experience. Tell us about your career at Fincantieri? I decided to join Fincantieri in 2012 because there was a clear plan for the company to grow internationally. I had full confidence in the top management, so my choice was based more on the future prospects and my complete trust in Fincantieri’s leaders, than the shipbuilding sector itself. My entry role was Head of the Strategic Marketing department of the Cruise Business Unit in Trieste, Italy. From the beginning, one of my primary tasks in the new role was to define our strategy to enter China, thanks to my previous experience in the country, where I spent 3 years from 2009 to 2012 with Redaelli of Severstal Group What do you consider to be your most notable achievements in your career so far? I was very lucky to have a visionary CEO, Mr. Giuseppe Bono, who believed in our plan to develop Fincantieri in China. With this strong commitment, I began work on a deal in 2013 that eventually concluded in 2016. This was a joint venture between Fincantieri and China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) to build the first cruise ship in China dedicated to the Chinese market. In February 2017 in Beijing, in the presence of the President of China, Mr. Xi Jinping, and the President of Italy, Mr. Sergio Mattarella, our CEO Mr. Bono signed the agreement for the construction of 2 ships, with an option of 4 more, with the CEO of CSSC, Mr. Wu Qiang, and the CEO of Costa Group, Mr. Michael Thamm. This was a memorable moment for our company, a milestone for the cooperation between Italy and China, and a great professional success for me personally. Lately everyone has been talking a lot about innovations in tech what is hot in the shipbuilding industry at the moment? The cruise business historically has been based on the â€Å"baby boomers† generation. Today, in order to attract the â€Å"millennials,† it is necessary to have a â€Å"smart ship† where the services are digitalized and the passenger experience reaches the next level. It’s a challenge that we are facing together with our customers, the cruise operators. How did you come to the decision of moving to Shanghai and developing your career in China? The first time I came to China was in 2006 for a trade fair in Shanghai. At that time, I was working in the Automotive sector. I was shocked at the speed and dynamism of the city, and I immediately decided that my career had to have an exposure to China. When I was looking for business schools for my MBA, the fact that Hult was offering the opportunity to rotate to a campus in Shanghai matched perfectly with my needs. The time I spent in Shanghai during my MBA was crucial for my final decision to continue my career in China. How is doing business in China different from Italy and Europe? In my career, I had the opportunity to live and work in the USA, Europe and China. I still believe that the two basic principles for doing business mutual respect and trust are key everywhere. In China, I had to quickly learn to be less direct with my interactions and feedback. Additionally, during the long negotiation for our joint venture, I was shown how the Chinese can master time management and their emotions under pressure. This was a lifelong lesson for me. You have been a very active Hult alum and specifically worked a lot with current students on the Business Challenge projects. How did you find this experience, and why did you take part in the first place? When I was a student in Boston, I did my action project with OSRAM. At that time, we had to study innovative products and new business models in the lighting industry. During my first experience in China with Severstal in 2012, Professor Patel asked me to be a mentor for the students of the action projects in Shanghai. The challenge was to help Samsung Cheil, the fashion business of Samsung, to redirect their strategy in China. I think the concept to have 5 teams of business school students to work on a real challenge for 6 weeks is a great idea it can bring added value, especially if you want to have some out of the box thinking from a very diverse and international mix of people. When I was working in Fincantieri in Trieste as Head of Strategic Marketing, we hired Hult for an action project we did together with our supplier 3M. The task was to study the future â€Å"cruise ship cabin† and how to digitalize the ship. The outcome was very interesting and useful, and we were satisfied with the work of the students. Once I was back in Shanghai in 2016 with Fincantieri, Hult asked me to be a mentor for another action project, this time the objective was to support Boschs strategy for a Chinese 5-year plan. I believe I am the only alum out there who has experienced the action project as a student, mentor and customer. In this process I learned a lot from the students and from the companies we worked with. What are your key learnings from Hult that helped lead you to where you are today? Hult was a truly international experience for me. I learned the importance of managing issues related to cultural diversity, and the need to develop the relevant soft skills in order to work globally in todays world. Additionally, I understood that in order to build a solid network of people it is not only crucial to develop your own career, but it can also be fun if approached with the right spirit. To find out more about Hult’s programs  download a brochure.   Written by Olga Ivanova, Hult BBA Class of 2010 alum and Latvian national. Olga has been working for Hult since 2012 in various roles and, most recently, has taken over Alumni Relations. Olga has lived and worked in the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the UK. Aside from the inspiring Hult life, she is always up for a new adventure, like flying a glider, sailing across the English Channel, or climbing a mountain. Hult offers a range of highly skills-focused and employability-driven business school programs including a range of MBA options and a comprehensive one year Masters in International Business. To find out more, take a look at our blog 7 steps to working out what you want and how to get it. Download a brochure or get in touch today to find out how Hult can help you to learn about the business world, the future, and yourself. Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021 Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021"> During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . Happy New Year, Hultians! . Happy New Year, Hultians! .