Silvia Colombo

How did you get into LabAnalysis?

I started my career as an accountant, perhaps also a bit because of my father's job. In fifth grade, however, I realized that banking was not my vocation, so I decided to pursue a university career as a food technologist. I graduated in 2000 and spent a year as a researcher at the University of Milan. Initially, I intended to continue in academia, but I soon realized that university opportunities were limited without the right support. My supervisor therefore steered me towards a former ChemService (now LabAnalysis Life Science) employee in the food industry. Subsequently, I did a short internship in large retail, but I soon realised that the office environment was not for me.

When the opportunity arose to develop the microbiology department at ChemService, I was placed in the quality department at the suggestion of the consultant. In that role, I was in charge of writing procedures and managing methods. In 2002, after an inspection for accreditation of the microbiology area, which was not well structured at the time, I was offered a permanent position with the aim of organising it. There I started as a technician together with my two colleagues, Olimpia and Monica, who still work with me today.

The following year, we obtained accreditation and from that moment on, the microbiology escalation started. From a single laboratory with three people, it gradually grew into a larger facility, also in terms of physical space.  In the meantime, I also took over responsibility for the AQA part of microbiology and became a Study Director.

What has changed with the arrival of the new management?

Mainly I would say that the perspective has changed, both that of professional and personal growth, and that of having the opportunity to do something different as well. The style is also profoundly different, much younger and more dynamic.

Personally, I am very satisfied; in the end, you know that you can't do it alone when you have very big competitors: either you are a magician or you can't do it. Transitioning to a dynamic where characters possess robust personalities was indeed quite an intriguing challenge. When you've been working in a certain way for several years, where you are used to making decisions on your own, with a boss who enters into the merits of things from a distance, I don't deny that it took a moment of adjustment to suddenly find yourself with a boss who is present, who is often involved in even the smallest things.

But I have to say I am happy a relationship of mutual trust has flourished. I’ve come to place my trust in him, because he’s someone who keeps his word. They're an incredibly resourceful family, even the professor (Luigino Maggi, owner of LabAnalysis), whom I must say is nothing short of fantastic, is a true icon in their own right.

If I were to complete the sentence: "The arrival of LabAnalysis Group brought?"

Innovation and freshness, in the sense that, when operating as an autonomous laboratory, there's a tendency to focus solely within one's own walls. It's challenging to open up to other laboratories because they often aren't inclined to share their experiences. This made me feel isolated in the field of microbiology, especially since the majority of my colleagues were chemists.

Fortunately, with the arrival of my colleague, Maria Chiara Neri, and other biologists, we've brought a new perspective to the group. Despite criticisms toward biologists, comparison with other microbiological locations, even with the inevitable character difficulties, was constructive.

Yes, it has been and continues to be constructive. Each site faces its own challenges but with a different work approach. Perhaps less tied to the Lombard mentality, but equally effective nonetheless. It was interesting to approach the issues and workloads with a different perspective, trying to see the positive side of the challenges we encounter.

What is the biggest lesson you have learnt from managing your team? 

Listen and observe. Each person is a unique individual, and with each one you have to talk and relate in a different way. Sometimes you have to read between the lines, but sometimes people talk even too much. When I worked in the lab, before I moved to the office, I used to observe people's behaviour carefully from an outside perspective. This allowed me to catch details and identify possible improvements, especially from a logistical point of view.

Another thing I learnt, thanks to my husband, is that if I say one thing, that's it. Never go back on your word, I may regret saying it, but that remains. My husband always said to try to listen without trying to finish the speaker's sentence. Because he starts a sentence, I can only imagine what he wants to tell me and I answer him with my thought, but in reality he is asking or telling me something else.

When it comes to directing or organizing, it is important to understand, listen and communicate clearly. Although my natural approach has not always been to listen carefully, I have learnt how crucial this is for the success and well-being of the organization.

Who are the people who have influenced you the most, both professionally and personally?

So, if I think, from the beginning, it is definitely Lucia Chiappetta who was in charge of quality and the laboratory. Lucia helped me to have a vision on the work approach. In the sense that, coming out of university, you have a logic that has nothing to do with work. And I think everyone says that, but the way of approaching work is given to you by someone who is already working, an acquisition by observation I would say.

On the personal sphere I have to make a clarification, if I look at work ethics then certainly my dad. His ethics, his way of working, he always passed that on to me. Whereas if I look at the approach/attitude at work it's my spouse. My husband is a school manager in a high school, so he has to deal with teenage boys (and their parents), as well as a host of teachers and related staff, and has to approach the most diverse situations. It is from him that I learnt the way to behave. There are many people who have not taught me the job, but they have taught me how to work, which is perhaps a little different.

How do you see the future transfer to the new headquarters in Origgio?

The new location has always been a desire and a need that we have been pursuing for some time. It is definitely a challenge, the start of something new. One of the first things I told the new management, when they took over the previous company, was the need to always have something new. Because I get bored always doing the same things, after a while I need stimulation. And this is still reflected today in the roles I play. I love change and so yes, Origgio for me is absolutely a change for the better!

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