Today we sit and have a chat with Luca Cervato, our new Business Unit Director. Leading the organization from Zola Predosa headquarters, Luca has disclosed a bit of his background, views, and expectations for the (HUB-green) future. Read on! [ Italian version here ]
You've been working for the FAAC Group for a few years now, right? Tell us your story.
Yes, a few years now...I landed here back in 2008, to support Operations face a challenging season of growth, both in terms of volumes and product type. over time, we have moved from an organization that managed a single distribution market to an organization that manages multiple distribution markets, production to order, up to the installation of entire systems and the relevant maintenance. Quite a significant change in terms of challenges and skills.
Before FAAC, which other industries have you experienced?
That was a long and varied, playful journey coming to FAAC! I started off as a trainer in the electronics industry, then went through design, production, planning and logistics, technical sales support and even responsibilities for optimizing business processes. Within these industries: automotive, biomedical, engineering, communication services and data management. Never a dull moment, one might say ;)
What drew you to HUB Parking?
I've always been fascinated by challenges. Today, HUB is the Business Unit with the highest rate of complex challenges, and projects. It has an undoubtedly great potential for growth, it is in a market that is undergoing massive changes, there are phenomena of fast aggregation...if you want to boost your adrenaline, there's nothing better than this!
What is your first impression of the organization?
very good, interesting mix of young and senior people with great skills in the field, plus quite a high level of energy. In short, everything you need to do well.
What is your routine to hit the working day? What do you start with?
Quite original indeed...jokes aside, I check the to-do list for the day, and filter by "lengthy to solve" and "quick to fix". I approach and solve the quick tasks immediately, so as to dedicate more time to the most complicated ones, with the relief that only ticking tasks off the list can grant.
PaSsion is one of HUB's values: when was the last time you got passionate about something new, and what was it?
Actually, it's the continuous challenge that keeps me passionate. Facing new situations and being ready to learn and question yourself - that's the trigger I look for every day. The very last time? Professionally, I have to say that learning to know what HUB is, has definitely excited my curiosity. Off duty, I am intrigued by everything that evolves in the field of sciences, and try to stay up to speed with the news.
A leader is undoubtedly under great pressure. What are your rituals or secrets (if you can tell!) for getting away from stress: small breaks during the day, or in the weekend?
No special rituals, though I think I'm lucky and can disconnect very well by just retreating into the family, and recharge my batteries spending quality time off. If the stress is too high, then I add on a nice walk, or a bike ride to pump up the endorphins.
Name a mentor who has always inspired you!
My father, who has passed onto me the values of respect for others, commitment and hard work.
What do you think are the qualities of a good leader, and not just a "boss"?
A tough one! If we look at the leaders in history, we cannot identify just one or two common traits. Everyone had their own way. If we might venture an opinion, I would say that a leader is one who knows how to conceive a dream, make it become the dream of his/her team, and manages to motivate the group to make the dream come true.
Throwback to your childhood: who did you want to be at 6 years old?
This will make you smile. It was a little before the age of six, and I was getting ready for the start of the first grade. I was asked the classic question "What do you want to do when you grow up?" and I wasn't prepared, thus just blurted out "I want to be an engineer!". They all burst out laughing, and I didn't take it very well "just wait and see, I'll show you!". i don't know if it was good or bad, but since that day my goal was to graduate in engineering and...here I am!
The first business trip as BU Director: are you leaving for...?
I'll be going to the USA very soon, to meet the colleagues in Warrendale, PA and follow up on a scheduled activity of great impact to the NA organization. I will figure a way to meet all colleagues working for HUB around the world - this is not 100% planned yet, but definitely high on the to-do list.
A book for the desk, and a book for the bedside table: give us your advice!
On the office desk, "The Machine that Changed the World" (J.P. Womak, D.T. Jones, D. Roos) that invites the reader to reflect on how a complex business challenge can be looked at with new eyes, and streamlined. On the bedside table, "One Hundred Years of Solitude" (Cien años de soledad, by Gabriel Garcia Marquez) that has in fact something in common with the previous one: a fascinating tale where complexity is something that accompanies life altogether.
Whatever your favorite color was, you know it's HUB green now. Agree?
It's obviously so! Right after the blue of the sea, green is the most present color of the daily landscapes we look at, in and out of the company and the Group. Our aim is to reverse this proportion: HUB green everywhere! Am I dreaming too big?
About HUB Parking Technology
HUB Parking Technology is the FAAC Group Business Unit that develops, manufactures, installs and provides after-sales services for Parking Revenue Control Systems branded ZEAG, DATAPARK, and FAAC. Through its local Group companies and distributors, it is represented in all five continents and more specifically in North & South America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia.
For more information about HUB Parking Technology, visit: www.hubparking.com
