Fabrizia Castracane

How did you get connected to LabAnalysis?

I graduated in 1983, when I was only eighteen, as an accountant programmer. I immediately found a job in an accounting firm. In 1990 I was involved in a project for the development of female entrepreneurship. It came to life in 1994 under the name of Laser Lab.

In those four years we dedicated ourselves to the project drafting and I am proud to say that I literally typed - at the time the computer was still a futuristic object - the entire documentation to be submitted to Invitalia. In fact, it was a national call for proposals with non-repayable grants, with the ultimate goal of developing activities to support women entrepreneurs.

From that day on I was in charge of the accounting aspects of the company and I can say undoubtedly that there is no document that has not passed through my hands. I’m very proud of that! Laser Lab is literally my home and my story!

Do you have a team now? What do you do specifically?

Absolutely! I coordinate the purchasing area, the invoicing area and the debt collection area. I'm in charge of collecting all the company's accounting documentation and registering it, according to the civil and accounting regulations in force, including the balance sheet entries. The issue of regulatory updates is the biggest hurdle to overcome: it is constantly changing, both in the tax and fiscal areas.

Fortunately though, in the last period I have been joined by another person who does the strictly operational work. This way I have more time to follow up on the rest and stay current.

How have you experienced the advent of technology? Has it helped or challenged you? What about electronic invoicing?

The advent of technology has put an end to the issue of accounting squaring in the double-entry system, eliminating errors and greatly reducing working time.

I can say that I have lived through all the phases! From accounting journals written by hand, to accounting with magnetic cards and the first computers with so-called pizzas, to electronic invoicing, which was a big change for the better. It helped solve the classic problem of paper invoices arriving by mail, with the risk of not registering them in time. Today, however, retrieving a document is quite easy: just a click!

I'm happy to consider myself really tech-friendly. The class of '83 was the last in an experimental school curriculum for programmer-accountants: since I was a child I was fascinated by the idea of working with computers. Eventually technology, in one way or another, have become part of my profession today.

What about the arrival of LabAnalysis Group? Has it brought changes?

For me, it was the realization of a dream, both from a personal and business perspective.

When I met the Maggi’s family in 2014, a great relationship of trust and esteem was immediately established. I felt appreciated, since they gave the right value to the work done in Laser Lab during those 20 years. I went from being the simple data entry accountant to having the role of Administrative Manager.

More broadly, I saw the introduction of an important meritocratic and expertise recognition system.

ompany wise, I identify the biggest changes in the organizational area. There has been a shift from a centralized management to a more balanced one. They took the path of delegation and accountability, with benefits for both individuals and the whole company.

I’m having a flashback: an episode from when LabAnalysis was still in its infancy.

During a training course, we were asked to wonder about the future of the company. I remember answering, "I was there when she was born, I want to be there when she's number one!". Here, I think that, with the arrival of LabAnalysis Group, this dream is now reality.

What do you see in the next five years?

As far as the company is concerned, I see a brilliant expansion. Maggi's are a family of entrepreneurs who look to the future in a big way.

It will be so. It deserves to be.

As for me, in five years I will have reached the requirements that will introduce me into the world of retirement. It's no coincidence that here at Laser Lab I'm known as "La Nonna", both because of my long experience in the company and because I really am a grandmother!

That's why I plan to devote myself to my new and exciting passion: my three-years-old granddaughter Gioia and her little brother on the way.

What characteristics do you look for in who will take your place?

In my job you have to be extremely precise and organized. Your rhythm is given by the pace of deadlines. You also need a good propensity for solving problems and, finally, you need to be honest – a quality I believe to be the basis of every relationship, both personal and professional.

You have to have a passion for this job, for numbers and for order. It's not something everyone enjoys, partly because the stress levels are high.

What have been your role models? Who has influenced you the most along your path?

On a personal level, my extraordinary mother: a great example of honesty and dedication to family and work. I am who I am because I had her as a model. And then my husband Michele, who has supported me and "borne me" for over forty years! It is thanks to his unfailing support that I have always managed to reconcile my passion for my work with all the challenges that life has bestowed us.

On a professional level, however, I want to thank all the people I have met along the way. For better or for worse, they are the ones who have enriched my knowledge. They have allowed me to have positive experiences and learn from the negative ones.

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