CEO Today Management Consulting Awards 2021

HONG KONG

CEO TODAY MANAGEMENT CONSULTING AWARDS 2021

AN INTERVIEWWITH ETTORE MINORE

International Trade Market celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. What have been the companyʼs biggest achievements during this time?What are you most proud of? In 2021 ITM Ltd celebrates 15 years of activity and in these 15 years, we have expanded our services, diversifying into different sectors and studying future projects to always achieve new goals. National and international markets, in continuous evolution, propose new challenges that will be judged by the impact they will have on the community and the environment. We are ready to face these changes and to follow customers and partners with increasing competence and professionalism. What makes me most proud? Having overcome three world crises, starting with the one in 2008, then in 2011 and recently the one linked to the COVID-19 Pandemic, makes us very proud. It is a sign that the foundations on which ITMLtd has been built are solid and have even deeper roots. For the future, in addition to consolidating ourselves in the international market and being ambassadors of Made in Italy, we are considering investing in the professional sports sector - especially in football. This is to achieve two objectives: the first is the circulation of our brand through sports marketing. This way, the activities of ITM Ltd could be expanded in those countries where they are not yet reached by our goods or interests. The second reason is closely linked to the development of the football industry and its rights, whether they are media or social media, image, merchandising or others. We are currently in negotiations for the acquisition of a professional football team in Italy, specifically in the South of Italy. What else do you hope to accomplish with the company in the future?

As for ITM, the impact of the pandemic has been contained mainly for a reason. For some years we have had a sector that has been working on the import and export of PPE (FFP2 and surgical masks, gloves, gowns, etc.) which has allowed us to maintain an optimal turnover trend. States have been surprised by this pandemic and, for the most part, have not been able to react in time both from a health and an economic point of view. Those countries, like China, which have reacted ina strong andorganisedwayare alsostronger economically. European countries, with the exception of the United Kingdom, reacted late and consequently from an economic point of view, 2022 will not be enough to bridge the gap with other industrialised countries. Having said that, it must be noted that some sectors have registered increases in international trade. Think of the healthcare sector and its devices, the maritime merchant sector, logistics, the latter sectors which have registered considerable increases taking advantage of the pandemic period. The quotations of the sea freight of containers have reached considerable figures, but on the other hand, there are many international trade activities that have experienced a sharp slowdown. Think of the luxury and tourism sectors, as well as exports to the East of Made in Italy or Made in Europe products, causing unprecedented GDP losses in their respective countries. Finally, I add that in order to have a forecast on when international trade will be brought back to the times before COVID, it will be necessary to see the economic recovery and restart plans that the governments of each country will devise. In my opinion, projects must be based on targeted development investments, financing for businesses, training, innovation, which will enable an efficient systemthat will guarantee the average citizen safe and dignified profits. In this system, international trade will have, I would say, strategic importance. The word “Globalisation” must not be replaced by “Globalism”, it must return to being a positive concept, the one that has allowed the knowledge of people and their businesses to thrive over the centuries. I think the keywords of my success are: Competence, Transparency, Knowledge and teamwork. No CEO can be successful without a team that understands and executes their strategies. A team that has an opinion and analyses everything to arrive at a shared goal is the best sort of team. This can be seen when brainstorming or in the meetings I have with my managers; it is normal that it is up to the CEO to decide, but sharing a project is still good for the final decision. Competence, you need to know what to do, how to do it and how to overcome any problems. What are the key things you attribute your success to?

In what ways has the pandemic affected International Trade Market?

2020 and 2021 will undoubtedly be two years that we will hardly forget. A thought goes to the millions of people who are no longer there.

“No CEO can be successful without a team that understands and executes their strategies.”

One part that I believe is important to my success is knowledge. Always, before approaching a new market or a new business, I

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