The third edition of the Marchesini Corporate MBA is now underway, reaffirming the commitment of Marchesini Group and Bologna Business School to training the next generation of managers and strengthening the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The goal? To share managerial skills and tools while fostering an open approach to innovation and collective growth.
Bologna Business School joins forces with industry leader Marchesini Group, a key player in the automatic machinery sector. From this partnership emerges a project that embodies the synergy between business and higher education. The third edition of the Corporate Master involves 33 participants in an 18-month journey structured into:
Within this structured program, a diverse Faculty of university professors, professionals, and top managers from various industries provides methodologies, strategies, and case studies, creating a learning environment that encourages the co-creation of ideas and solutions.
The journey began with a Warm-Up session in December, an initial meeting where participants engaged directly with the Master’s coordinators, discussing learning objectives and familiarizing themselves with the program’s vision and teaching approach. The official Kick-Off took place on January 24, 2025, at Villa Guastavillani, where Marchesini Group’s top management—represented by President Maurizio Marchesini, CEO Valerio Soli, and Valentina Marchesini, Director of Human Resources and Marketing & Communications—presented the vision and values behind the Corporate MBA, explaining how the program aligns with the company’s strategies for innovation and growth.
Max Bergami, Dean of Bologna Business School and Professor of Organization, outlined BBS’s mission and the crucial link between business and higher education, while Alessandro Grandi, Professor of Management Engineering and Director of the Master, provided an in-depth overview of the Marchesini Corporate MBA and its key learning areas. The event also featured Andrea Lipparini, Professor of Business Strategy and Associate Dean for MBA programs at BBS, who facilitated an insightful discussion on leadership, competitive strategies, and organizational identity.
The integrated approach of theory and practice, combined with networking opportunities and small-group discussions, immediately fostered a strong team spirit, encouraging the exchange of ideas and perspectives among participants, faculty, and managers.
On January 25, the Kick-Off continued at Teatro Testoni with an experiential learning session led by Massimiliano Ghini, Professor of Organizational Behavior and management consultant, who emphasized emotional intelligence and the science of collaboration. The centerpiece of the session was a theatrical workshop with actress, yoga instructor, and coach Margot Sikabonyi, where participants experienced firsthand how relational skills, active listening, and flexibility can become practical tools for teamwork. The event concluded with a final debriefing, providing key takeaways on how to integrate these insights into their professional environments—laying a solid foundation for the next steps of the Master and the final project work.
At the heart of the Master is the dual focus on business administration skills and people management and change management competencies, essential elements for navigating technological advancements and global market challenges.
Marchesini Group brings real-world industry expertise, offering insights into the manufacturing sector and the leadership capabilities required to drive innovation. Bologna Business School complements this perspective with an academic and business network that provides participants with an internationally oriented education.
The Marchesini Corporate MBA is not just a personal growth opportunity—it represents a strategic investment by the company in its human capital. The Master strengthens corporate culture, reinforces a sense of belonging, and develops a class of managers and professionals ready to tackle future market challenges with confidence.
“Investing in our employees and giving them the opportunity to grow is the best investment a company like ours can make for the future,” said Valentina Marchesini, HR & Marketing Director of Marchesini Group. “This Master, in collaboration with BBS, will equip our people with the tools to become visionary managers and professionals, eager to embrace change, engage in dialogue, and step out of their comfort zones. To us, this is what innovation is all about.”
For its part, Bologna Business School reaffirms its mission of bridging academia and business—demonstrating how the exchange between industry and education fosters an ecosystem rich with opportunities for the region. “At the core of this Master,” stated Professor Alessandro Grandi, “is the deep conviction that innovation is not an abstract concept, but a shared journey—a way to grow together as individuals and professionals.”