I was born in Florence, Tuscany, where I lived for twenty years, before moving to Emilia region, where I studied at the University of Bologna.

Before graduating, I had developed an interest in corporate organisation and, over a course of several years, I undertook managerial training with various training bodies, which culminated in becoming a trainer myself.

I spent the first twelve years of my professional life in quality management, and organisational systems and training, building up significant experience in different fields, such as:

• Strategic consultancy: Managerial support concentrating on company reorganisation for the implementation of significant change, e.g. innovation, transfer of business, the sale of company branches, etc.
• Company reorganisation: Ensuring conformity to international standards (e.g. ISO 9000, IFS, BRC, etc.) and obtaining certification of conformity by third parties (Certification Bodies).
• Design and implementation of company standards: Definition and application of protocols and procedures by which medium and large size companies harmonise the management of peripheral branches and offices.
• Certification of products: Definition of technical and qualitative requirements, editing of production regulations and procedures, assistance in the certification process by third parties.
• Organisational auditing: Inspection by third parties (such as those carried out by certification bodies), by second parties (when the organisation of suppliers is audited) and first parties (for internal corporate auditing).

Some years ago, a prestigious automobile brand invited me to join their British branch to design, implement and manage a project of standardisation of their business model, so that it could be reproduced throughout their other branches worldwide.

After a few months of working within that company as a consultant, I was asked to manage the human resources (HR) department, as well. Focusing on people, rather than the organisation, proved to be one of the most significant and influential experiences in my working life, up to that time. I recognized that by helping people to improve their personal lives, and not just their work experience, it highlighted an important aspect of my own nature and enriched my work experiences. ‘Person-Centred’ values, within the context of organizations, became an essential consideration for me when it came to utilizing my skills to achieve company agendas that were often not shared with all the involved staff.

At this stage, I felt that I had gained significant experience and a deeper understanding of people within the context of a working environment. However, I realized that I still did not have the tools and resources necessary to offer professional, practical skills as constructive support to those with whom I was working who might require such. This realization encouraged me to develop those skills.

I embarked upon a new phase of research and training in the specialized arena of Life/Business Coaching. This had a remarkable impact on both my personal and professional growth. I embarked upon a training in Neuro Linguistic Programming, (NLP), achieving the Master level. I studied Design Human Engineering, (DHE). I was trained personally by Richard Bandler, the creator of these models. This rich foundation has given me a thorough understanding of the techniques required to excel in my chosen vocational area of expertise. I have been working with these highly effective techniques ever since the completion of my extensive training.

The fundamental message of my training, specifically, that human existence and development unfold through a succession of experiences, where an infinite range of thoughts and emotions are responsible for what we perceive and define as the quality of life itself, now serves to underpin my own vocational ethos.

I have come to understand that through transforming our thoughts and emotions, we transform our lives; The ways to do so are infinite. I believe that ultimately the key to transformation is found transforming one’s own attitude, personal belief systems, habitual patterns and perception.

Many people face the most difficult of times alone. Others turn to external support and resources. When we manage to navigate ourselves through life’s challenges and dilemmas, we experience an inner transformation of significant proportions. This affords us the gift of clarity that leads us to life-serving choices and successful decision making.

Many years ago, I began the practice of meditation and I immediately experienced how beneficial it was for me. I realised that meditation allows for one’s attention to become focused on the internal, rather than the external, which most of us mistakenly perceive as reality.

We each enter this entirely natural state several times a day, rarely conscious of having done so. For example, when we are driving, sitting on a train, lost in our thoughts, or when sat gazing out of a café window or when staring into space. Such experiences are regular, spontaneous and natural occurrences. When we meditate consciously with an intent to ‘problem solve’, it becomes possible to achieve our objectives, find resolution and feel inner peace.

What I experienced as a result of my experiments with meditation was the realization that by entering into a meditative and relaxed state, perception is profoundly clarified, enabling us to bring about significant inner transformation. Meditation improves and alters our life experience dramatically. Whether we consciously or spontaneously enter into this natural state, or are guided into it by another, meditation greatly enhances our ability to accurately perceive and problem solve.

Through exploring the transformative effects of meditation and unifying this with the skills I had mastered, I began to witness incredible results, not only in my own life, but in the lives of those whom I work with. It is in the balancing of through the merging of these two distinct and powerful disciplines that I came to realize the key insights that form the foundations of my work.

My journey continues.