Elena Guidi

How you come to work to LBN?

I graduated in Biotechnology and then continued with a MSc in Experimental and Applied Biology at the University of Pavia (Pavia, Italy). The course was not really oriented to the work I currently do in LabAnalysis, but provided me with the basis to easily develop new skills.

Before LabAnalysis I worked in other jobs lab-oriented. For a short time I also sold products for diagnostics and research, but without playing an active role in the assistance and technical support for the laboratory usage. It was more a commercial figure than a technical one, and it was not what I was expecting from that work experience. I felt that I was not playing my true role, that I would not be able to manage it at my best because I was not the right person to do that.

So, I decided to move on and I quitted and started looking for something else. In April 2010 I was contacted by LabAnalysis and I began my journey here. It was  truly an unique and unexpected opportunity! Although much of my previous work experience was lab-related, LabAnalysis at that time needed a figure who would take care of the reporting, in particular in the waste analysis field – a hot topic in which the company was investing a lot. Someone would have to prepare lots of technical evaluations and to stay up to date with the constantly evolving regulations. I started working in that Area and I’m still here today!

Other sectors have been implemented over the years, but the Waste Area, together with the Pharma one, remains at the forefront. I had the great opportunity to grow alongside Dr. Lorenzo Maggi (now CEO at ChemService and Waste Sector Manager of LabAnalysis Group) and Prof. Luigino Maggi (CEO at LabAnalysis), who supported me and let me develop my autonomy. I see in the family-run business model a strong feature of this company!

I love this world, always growing and never predictable. I constantly receive positive vibes, dealing with different cases that allow me to deepen my knowledge and increase my critical sense. We always want to provide some added value to our Customers!

A great and good vibe, in the last years, also comes from the addition of Laser Lab in the LabAnalysis Group family. We have established a very intense synergy, always aligning and coordinating ourselves.

What do you like about working at LabAnalysis?

I love what I do and the topics I deal with every day. I trust the people I work with. We confront and compare notes, we grow, we learn, we improve each other. This applies not only for my colleagues at Casanova Lonati (the headquarter in Pavia, Italy, ndr), but also for my colleagues throughout Italy.

Since your job is a big part of your life, I think it’s essential not only to have one, but to love it. And this is for me, I’m very satisfied!

How would you describe your role?

I am mainly responsible for processing analysis results which are performed by the labs on waste samples. The values are supported and confirmed through a validated instrumental process and the report is responsible for evaluating them in a definitive way. It is very important to identify any criticalities that emerge from the characterization profile of a waste, to know the production cycle that generated it, to interpret the results and – when required – to evaluate the waste management. Finally, conclusions are made explicit in a detailed document, for which I am responsible.

All of this requires the knowledge of different regulatory aspects, which are updated rapidly in changes and additions to the instructions that already exist. For this reason, is very important to stay up to date: to communicate the appropriate inputs to laboratory colleagues who must evaluate the analytical profiles to be applied and, above all, to support Customers in the interpretation of the reports.

My role is also to support the sales team in the preparation of the offers. Together we define which analytical determinations to propose to the Client, based on the available information.

Also, very important to my growth is the role of my colleagues responsibility working in the waste sector. They need my support and supervision in approaching assessments. Helping others becoming more self-reliant is a great personal enrichment. But teaching and supporting is not an one-way path: I always learn something from those who have less experience than me.

What characteristics do you look for in people who might be part of your team?

Love this question! First of all, I’m looking for spirit of cooperation. Everyone has his own character and his own way of being, but it’s extremely important the attitude to work together in a synergic way. It’s important to respect others and respect our roles, with the aim to enhance everyone’s abilities.

Our team is made up of people with a constructive attitude. We all have a strong sense of responsibility, as if LabAnalysis was ours. This makes us feel part of a greater system, which needs everyone’s contribution to work properly.

Those who trained us and helped us enter this world, also transfered some attitudes and mindsets which are reflected in our daily work. This is our strength!

Stay tuned with Elena's progress in LabAnalysis!
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