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Tell us about yourself and your business. I am Silvia Mariani, the founder and CEO of Making Business Happen, a consulting firm with locations all over the world that supports the international expansion of small Italian firms. My goal in starting Making Business Happen was to assist Italian businesses in going global by assisting them as they developed their brand recognition in other regions. I came to see that Italy has a lot more potential than what is portrayed in the media on a global scale and that there are many craftsmen and very driven small business owners that need to be known around the globe. The majority of the Italian goods we see overseas are made by powerful corporations that control whole markets. Italy is so much more than that, and the majority of Italian goods now available on the market are extremely How have you handled success and failure over the course of your career? I am quite appreciative of the challenges and setbacks. They are, in my opinion, the finest instructors, and a blessing is almost always in store. Rather than asking yourself, "Why is this happening to me?" I used to ask myself, "What is this teaching me?," and I think this is the mindset a business owner needs to have in order to successfully navigate challenges. When you adopt a "half full" perspective, frustrations turn into inspiration and barriers into challenges. What strategies do you use to stay competitive in a changing market? In my opinion, tailoring your offer to the demands of your target market is the greatest way to remain competitive in such a fast-paced industry. Having a service or product that is closely related to demand is crucial. In fact, we provide our clients with customised solutions in an effort to meet their particular needs. The firm itself must also differentiate itself. As digital temporary export managers, we frequently enter areas with different business practises, other languages, and distinct cultural hurdles. A diverse staff is essential for being able to connect globally. What motivations drive you to keep pushing forward in the face of adversity? Working in such a volatile and uncertain climate is always incredibly challenging, but my strong confidence in my abilities and those of my colleagues keeps me going. In difficult circumstances, it's crucial to stick to the firm's goal and assess the environment to determine what is harming the organisation. Businesses seldom maintain the original organisational setup. Most of the time, they change, and difficult situations are the ideal opportunity to continue changing and developing. In reality, the knowledge that there is always something to learn from difficult circumstances and that we need to pick up the cues that will help construct a better and more resilient firm is what drives me to keep turning up. What advice would you give to someone just starting out in their chosen field? There is usually a sense of both exhilaration and terror at first. The amount of advance planning is what sets apart a great start from a decent one. The first step is to have a brilliant company concept, but preparation is essential and will probably make the difference between success and failure. Thus, before the big launch, take your time to study the dynamics of the entrepreneurial sector. To build a solid basis for the firm, a clear vision must be established. How have technological advances affected the way you conduct business or operate your venture? As we manage digital exports, technological advancements have benefited us since they have made it possible for us to forge relationships and collaborations throughout the globe. We appreciate all technical developments that make connections easier because relationships are the foundation of a large portion of our business. In what ways has customer feedback or response influenced how you prioritise goals or objectives for your business or venture? Without clients, a company, like any other, cannot exist. In fact, it is crucial to constantly be open and attentive to feedback since it reveals areas that want development. Customer reviews have also served as a source of inspiration for me, driving me to constantly strive for perfection and see potential for improvement. But I must be glad to state that practically all of our clients have expressed pleasure at the conclusion of the projects, and some have chosen to work with us again to begin a new relationship after a few years. What trends do you see emerging in your industry that are likely to shape its future growth and development? As there is typically little demand for new items in today's highly globalised society, exporting is a very difficult endeavour. Identifying the proper trends and following them by suggesting the ideal product at the ideal moment is actually a part of our work. The health trend is the most potent, still-present trend after COVID. This trend affects a wide range of industries, including fashion, food, and drinks. Taking advantage of this trend is Italy, which is renowned for its healthy lifestyle. As export managers, we are striving to promote and exhibit the appropriate items that are well suited for this situation. Are there any skills or areas of expertise that you think are essential for success in your field? The capacity to network is the most important talent needed for export managers to succeed. In order to effectively introduce our clients' products, social and connection skills are crucial, and a professional export manager cannot overlook these. Because markets are so unstable and constantly changing, effective problem solving is a crucial skill that will be required frequently. How has working remotely or online impacted your business or venture over the past year? Working remotely was challenging at first because we often worked as a team, just like in any firm. As we adjusted, we saw the incredible advantages of it, and we still have a team member that works remotely since it enables us to be in other locations and grow our network outside of the office more quickly and effectively. What tips would you like to offer to others who are in a similar position to you but looking to take their careers or businesses further? My recommendation is to carefully consider new investments that will provide various outcomes. A company that wishes to expand need additional inputs in order to generate larger outputs. These investments shouldn't simply be for financial reasons; in fact, I think that the finest investment is in the human element because people are the foundation of any company. The crucial component that will take the company to the next level is having a diversified and young workforce that is able to give various answers and ideas.

Tell us about yourself and your business. I have over two decades of experience in the education sector, specialising in strategy development, international liaison, student recruitment, and career counselling. I was awarded the 'Entrepreneur of the Year Award' for three consecutive years. I have worked as an entrepreneur in India and as the Director of International Liaison at the University of Toronto. I was instrumental in initiating partnership agreements between the University of Toronto and public schools, creating unique programmes for international students coming to Canada, and creating articulation agreements with community colleges across Canada. This experience has given me a unique perspective. The speaker was part of former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's delegation to India in November 2012. They have been working closely with FICCI for the past 5 years and were the keynote speakers at the 8th FICCI Higher Education Summit in November 2012. The Summit brought together stakeholders, including policymakers, educators, and industry representatives, for deliberations and knowledge sharing. Futures Abroad is a boutique career and university counselling business that has offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, New Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai. It has helped over 20,000 students attend their dream university with scholarships. The founder of ‘The Next New’ is a student club that helps students gain experience as interns, pursue research, and develop an understanding of the career they are planning to pursue. She completed a certification from Yale University in Psychology and Cognitive Science in 2000 to understand student psychology, how the teenage brain works, and attention theories. Her main aim is to help students understand their aptitude and choose the right university, and to work with universities on promoting programmes and helping them find the right fit. She is a certified member of ICEF, the Canadian Business Council, and the Dubai Business Women’s Council. What were your biggest challenges when starting your business? The biggest challenge in starting Futures Abroad was stepping foot in a competitive market. I knew my business and was confident in my skills and knowledge, but I wanted to get my strategy right to be able to launch a successful brand and beat competitors who had been well established in the region for several years. How have you handled success and failure over the course of your career? I have handled success and failure in my career. The failures did not bring me down. They have helped me learn, innovate, and pick myself up with better learning to run for more. It set the stage for me to reach my goals. What strategies do you use to stay competitive in a changing market? My experience working at one of the top universities in Canada has been my biggest asset and has helped me shape my career. I have always believed that education is the business of learning. I invest in keeping my learning up to date by visiting universities regularly, attending conferences, and innovating my business. What motivations drive you to keep pushing forward in the face of adversity? I believe that the human mind is powerful, and you can choose how you want to train your brain. I maintain a healthy work life balance and encourage my staff to do the same. I invest in training for my staff on a regular basis, which helps them stay positive and motivated along with me. What advice would you give to someone just starting out in their chosen field? I would advise them to venture outside their comfort zone. One must network and treat every person as a door that may lead to a new opportunity. Never stop learning. One of the most important things to advance in your career or in any circumstance, for that matter, is knowledge. How have technological advances affected the way you conduct business or operate your venture? Technological advances have had a positive impact on my business. It has helped me connect with students and parents across the globe with great ease, and I have been able to impact students’ lives thanks to technology. In what ways has customer feedback or response influenced how you prioritise goals or objectives for your business or venture? Customer feedback is very important to me. It has helped me change my company's policies and how we work with students. I am constantly changing my company policies based on my clients feedback. What trends do you see emerging in your industry that are likely to shape its future growth and development? I see education in high schools and universities changing based on the advancement of technology and how Gen Z is expecting to learn. I see more value-based, focused learning taking shape in the next ten years. What have been the most rewarding and difficult aspects of your chosen career or business path? The most rewarding has been to see the enthusiasm in students to strive for the best and focus on their goals more so than ever since COVID. It’s great to see how COVID shaped their thinking, keeping them in sync with their careers and industry focused. Are there any skills or areas of expertise that you think are essential for success in your field? Real time experience of working with universities and understanding the admissions and scholarship processes is key to my business. This business involves working with students and advising them about their careers. How has working remotely or online impacted your business or venture over the past year? It has impacted my business in a positive way, and I have been able to reach students virtually, which I wasn’t able to do earlier. What tips would you like to offer to others who are in a similar position to you but looking to take their careers or businesses further? My advice would be to stay positive and keep working towards your goals.