Coaching SMEs on innovation from real challenges
The first stage of the Venice PID pathway has recently concluded with the public presentation of the projects developed by the eight companies involved. A final event that was not only a restitution, but the concrete testimony of a process that combined experimentation, method and collaboration.
Promoted by Unioncamere del Veneto with the support of the five regional Chambers of Commerce, the PID (Punto Impresa Digitale) project was created with the aim of guiding Veneto's SMEs in the digital and sustainable transition, providing concrete tools to address the challenges of the present. Upskill 4.0 is a partner in the initiative for the theme "Digital marketing for market relations."
At the heart of the six-session program was the consolidation of new cross-cutting skills and the acquisition of practical tools to support entrepreneurs in adopting a new mindset for innovation. We started with a real challenge, specific to each company, and tackled it with a structured approach using the Design Thinking methodology. Over the course of six days of training and mentoring, the companies tested and compared each other's context research tools, interviews, mapping and needs analysis, and brainstorming, culminating in the identification of a solution to be prototyped in the company. Each of these ideas was presented with a pitch during the final meeting.
The value of the project lies precisely in having moved from the problem to the identification of a feasible solution, not in an abstract way, but by working as a team, sharing insights and structuring them in concrete form with an implementation plan.
The result was a set of project ideas ready to be taken back to the company for development: from new customer relationship experiences to digital communication strategies and solutions for communicating the value of their product and their territory.
Behind every project lies the desire to step outside the operational comfort zone and reflect on the trajectories of change underway, thanks in part to discussions with other entrepreneurs. The method made all the difference: companies did not receive ready-made solutions, but tools for an innovation-oriented mindset.
PID was not just a training course, but a mindset workshop, where every company was able to experience that innovation is possible, collectively and with a shared method.
Companies involved in PID Venice
Among the leading companies: Arbos, Cimax, Connetia, Grigoris LaBakery, PVE, Rifugio Campogrosso, Righetto, and Salumificio Giovanni Fontana. These companies are very different from one another, but they share a desire to face the future with new tools.
Arbos: active for nearly 40 years in the production of innovative and sustainable stationery. It makes notebooks and objects from recycled paper and ecological materials, combining tradition and design. It is B Corp certified and recognized by the Veneto Region as a Master Craftsman.
Cimax: active for over thirty years in the production of electrical panels, wiring and assemblies for industrial plants. Through the use of technologically advanced machinery, it offers products and services of certified high quality, anticipating the needs of an ever-changing market.
Connetia is the digital service that integrates data, technology and managers to improve the way SMEs do business and make decisions. It is also developing a digital ecosystem that includes the Connetia, Sportello Digitale, easyIT and myRevelo (and Staples) websites, each targeting specific audiences.
Grigoris LaBakery: a laboratory and store in Zelarino specializing in bakery, pastry and pizza (also available in the morning in pan format, as well as in the evening), uses only high-quality Italian raw materials and is preparing to open a third store.
PVE: a Venetian company specializing in the production of high-end porcelain, owner of the historic brands Geminiano Cozzi Venezia 1765 and Manifattura di Venezia. In recent years it has invested in digitalization and e-commerce to strengthen its presence in the luxury market.
Rifugio Campogrosso: a cultural and naturalistic garrison in Recoaro Terme that combines hospitality, dining, an event space and outdoor activities.
Righetto: has been operating in the wood finishing sector for almost two decades, producing waxes, oils, impregnants and natural paints. The company stands out for its use of environmentally friendly raw materials and its focus on sustainability, offering products that respect the environment and the health of users.
Salumificio Giovanni Fontana: since 1941 has specialized in the artisanal production of typical Veneto cured meats, including Prosciutto Veneto DOP, salami, soppresse and cured coppe. The third generation of the Fontana family is currently involved in running the company, keeping tradition and attention to quality alive.
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Notes
The project is funded by the Veneto Region together with Unioncamere del Veneto and the chamber system: Padua Chamber of Commerce, Verona Chamber of Commerce, Venice Rovigo Chamber of Commerce, Treviso-Belluno Dolomites Chamber of Commerce, Vicenza Chamber of Commerce, and coordinated by:
- Ca' Foscari University Venice, with the PINK (Promotion of Innovation and Know-How) office and Venice School of Management,
- University of Padua, with the Department of Information Engineering (DEI) and the Department of Economics and Business Sciences
- University of Verona, with the Department of Management.