Getting Buy-in and Working for Brand Versus Consultancy
Michela Gioacchini is Head of Sustainability & Corporate Social Responsibility for Tod's Group.
We asked Michela about getting buy-in, career highlights, values guiding her and working for brand versus consulting.
What is your strategy for getting buy-in and prioritising initiatives in such an uncertain environment?
Sustainability should not be perceived as something on top of the company's daily business: its integration into the company's strategy is of outmost importance. Thus, my constant action is to keep internal stakeholders informed and involved, to link sustainability activities and projects to the needs and expectations of our Brands and Regions, and to maintain a solid and extensive network of relationships also with external stakeholders, such as Universities and relevant institutions in the fashion and luxury sector, actively participating in a positive dialogue with them, sharing knowledge and perspectives.
What has been the highlight of your career at Tod's so far?
The thing I enjoy the most is the journey from having an idea, to brainstorming on how it can be realised, then getting internal buy-in and start planning the work, then implementing it and finally observing and sharing internally the results. And this happens very often, since Sustainability is such a rich space to explore, where companies will never reach their full potential, there is always so much to do and to improve, and this can be challenging at times, but it motivates me endlessly.
What values are guiding you as you lead your organisation on its sustainability journey?
The core value that underlies everything I do is the honest interest in the fashion and luxury business, in how products are realised, what materials are and can be used, how Brands evolve together with their customers. Sustainability is a powerful tool to manage physical and transition risks, making the business more resilient and fit to thrive now and for the next hundred years. To work in this field, one needs a good balance between a very agile mindset - because everything changes very quickly, and decision making must be swift - and a solid moral compass, necessary to "keep the north" and stand your ground, even when it doesn't seem convenient in the short term.
You've worked in sustainability for both brand and consulting. What is your preference and why?
Both experiences are formative and transformative. I began my career in 2010 at a multinational fashion company, moved into consulting after 10 years, and returned to the corporate world two years ago. I feel more comfortable working for the brand, but both perspectives are interesting. Consulting is an excellent way to multiply your activities, learn to act and react quickly, manage complexity and expectations, and test your power of persuasion. The corporate world offers the opportunity to actually realise things, rather than recommending them to others. It may be more challenging, requiring more time and effort, but then the results are invaluable.
What advice do you have for someone trying to land their first senior role?
Believe in yourself and the many skills and knowledge you have acquired so far, never stop learning and expanding your areas of expertise, and work on team building, because no matter how good you are, you need a great team to achieve high-level results.
Submit your questions for Michela and we’ll arrange an AMA session.
