Adriana Bonfigli

When you were little what did you want to be when you grew up?

Well, um... (sighs) I have to tell you, paradoxically, I won't say I wanted to do this, but I've always been fascinated by the pharmaceutical environment. Perhaps because I grew up immersed in this world: my great-grandfather, my grandmother, my mother, my aunt, they're all pharmacists. Since I was a child, I used to frequent the family pharmacy, and this passion for medications has always stayed with me. I remember saying often: "When I grow up, I want to be the one who invents the names of drugs" (laughs, ndr). I didn't want to do pharmacy, I wanted to deal with the names, because they seemed so imaginative to me.

By the time I got to university, I already knew my destiny would be to work in the family pharmacy, which is why I enrolled in pharmacy, although I didn't actually do it due to moving to Milan. Before diving into that world, though, I decided to try to pass the admission exam for the specialization school in Ferrara, which was very difficult at the time. So, along with a colleague from Sassari, we took the exam, which we both ended up passing. We attended the school, and then, before me, she was the one who moved to Milan and started working here, always with Dr. Rigano. So, it was also through her that I had the opportunity to come here.

How did you end up at LabAnalysis?

My journey with LabAnalysis traces back to my experience during the specialization school in Ferrara in the 1990s, right after graduating. One of the professors at the specialization school was Dr. Rigano (CEO of Rigano Laboratories, before the arrival of LabAnalysis). Once I finished my specialization, I moved from Sardinia to Milan because of my husband.

At that point, I needed a laboratory to carry out my thesis in the cosmetic field, so I decided to ask Dr. Luigi Rigano, who found me a place in the testing area, and so I completed my thesis and specialized. Initially, I spent a short period working in a pharmacy, in line with my degree path. Then, when a position opened up at Dr. Rigano's, I was offered the opportunity to join the team, and I accepted, back in 1995. Since then, I've been working here!

Describe your typical day!

I usually arrive at work early because I benefit a lot from the quiet time before colleagues arrive. I start by reading and answering e-mails, paying particular attention to communications from our international customers, which often arrive overnight.

Around nine in the morning, we start welcoming the various volunteers for the tests. From that moment on, the day proceeds with the classic routine of test execution, report checks, and discussions on the results. Additionally, we work on scheduling future tests. These activities cycle throughout the day, forming the core of our daily operations.

How do you manage your team and what qualities do you look for in the people who make it up?

In managing my team, considering that we have been working together for several years, the approach is mainly based on flexibility and availability. From a skills perspective, my colleagues are truly excellent, at the highest level of professionalism, ability and experience. Although each has personal characteristics that are reflected in the work we do, in the end they are all able to tackle any task at the highest level.

As for the main characteristics I look for in the people in my team, there are two: professionalism and precision. This job requires great attention to detail and a certain mental order, and I immediately envy the people who possess these qualities and those who probably never will. As true as it is that all jobs can be learned, mindset is something you either have or you don't. So yes I would say, precision, availability and flexibility. Naturally, this presupposes that we all have a base of knowledge in our field of work! (laughs, ndr)

What are you most passionate about in your work?

What fascinates me the most is undoubtedly supporting companies in enhancing their products through a scientific approach, focused on test results. It's a kind of technical marketing, even though it's not exactly my primary role, but it's still a part of my job that focuses on customer support after testing.

Especially because before, being part of a smaller company, it was normal for me to directly handle more aspects such as client relations and follow-up after test result delivery. This also involved assisting the client in interpreting the results correctly. And it's precisely this aspect that I've always enjoyed the most; I've always seen in this task a combination of creativity and rigorous scientific method.

What has changed over time and how did you feel when you became part of the LabAnalysis family?

The most obvious difference was the transformation from a small entity to a large company, a change that brought numerous advantages in many aspects. First of all, the sense of security derived from belonging to a large, reliable and stable organization, a feeling that was initially lacking.

In terms of concrete changes, what has changed? I would say the cosmetics market! We started conducting tests when nobody else did them, whereas now they are legally required, leading to much more competition. In the past, the quality of work performed was the main point of differentiation. Today, however, it's no longer sufficient to guarantee good execution; there's a lot of emphasis on price, resulting in a leveling of the quality of services offered by all laboratories.

This trend of cost reduction is particularly widespread in Italy, where the lowest price is often prioritized over the quality of work. On the contrary, the foreign clients we have always collaborated with and continue to do so, adopt a more quality-oriented approach. They understand that investing is necessary to achieve satisfactory results, and they are willing to do so. In Italy, however, it seems that the prevailing value is the lowest price, regardless of the quality of the service. Although this is not a universal rule, it still represents a predominant trend in the current market.

Who has marked your growth journey here at LabAnalysis?

Dr. Rigano has undoubtedly been an inspirational figure for all of us. A person of immense knowledge across all fields, his expertise in the cosmetic industry was truly vast, and listening to him interact with clients was something unique. He was always engaging and well-informed, and the fact that he had participated in numerous conferences worldwide and was a member of various scientific committees further added to his authority. Undoubtedly, we can consider him an enlightened figure in the cosmetic field!

Who motivates you the most?

I would say my husband, but it also seems a bit cliché (laughs, ndr). Actually, I basically support myself. I find the strength within me to face and overcome obstacles. I try not to burden my husband too much with my work problems; I don't like to dump my issues on others. Of course, if it's a significant matter, I also talk to him about it, but I try to solve small everyday issues on my own.

At most, I can say Nicola Lionetti (cosmetic laboratory manager) has become our "lightning rod" for all the small daily controversies. So maybe, yes, Nicola could be considered a support. Poor guy, he's the only man among all of us women and has to put up with us! (laughs, ndr)

How do you see yourself in 5 years?

Retired! (laughs, ndr) It's a joke, but honestly, I do see myself retiring. I know that 5 years might seem too young an age for retirement, but considering my age then, it could be an optimistic prediction. I believe that work experience is crucial, but I also recognize the importance of the energy and freshness of young people. So, ultimately, I think at some point people should retire, even though it's a shame to lose all the accumulated experience over the years.

Looking at my youngest colleagues, under 25, with all their energy and freshness, I realize they approach work differently, with a unique perspective. That's why I say that maybe in 5 years, if I manage to catch up on the years spent in university, perhaps I could retire too. Even though I love my work, I'm not one of those people who say, "I'll never retire"; I want to enjoy my time in Sardinia. There are still many seaside places I want to visit. And then it would be the perfect opportunity to pursue all my hobbies! I love traveling, and I love everything about it, from planning to experiencing it.

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