Snaitech’s steep learning curve
FABIO SCHIAVOLIN: SHOWING RESILIENCE IN A TIME OF ADVERSITY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF SNAITECH spoke to SBC about
the challenges that he has faced as a leader during the pandemic, and how Snaitech plans to continue on its path to becoming a leading operator both in Italy and also further afield
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n discussion with SBC’s Managing Director Andrew McCarron, Schiavolin reflected on his ascent through the industry, speaking about how his experience of different roles in the betting industry - both within Snaitech and elsewhere has formed the foundations for his response to the global pandemic. “My experience with Snaitech has helped me every day during this ongoing crisis,” he said. “With the situation that we’re in now, we have to stay cool to avoid being nervous. We were among the first to close our shops, and the last to reopen in June –
6 SBC LEADERS • DECEMBER 2020
but judging from the current trends in infections, we’re going to experience another lockdown. It’s a tough job for our industry, and it’s been tough to manage.” The focus soon turned towards the steep learning curve that Snaitech has faced over the last few months as it adapted from being an operator with a historical retail focus to a leader in the online space, primarily looking at how Schiavolin has had to adapt his leadership style. “In a way, COVID has taught us to think flexibly, react quickly using all
the possible tools in a creative way,” he said. “Of course, all of that is just considering our offering. We’ve had to be realistic on the cost side of things. We accessed all of the government support available, state aid and financial aid to keep on track and help our network of partners.” When it comes to being a leader during a global pandemic, Schiavolin reflected on his own identity as an Italian, pointing out that resiliency is something which has been ingrained in him since he was a child. He noted that this lesson has been integral to navigating the numerous obstacles that he, and Snaitech, have faced in the last few months: “Resiliency is one particular aspect which we, as Italians, learn as little kids. We’re in a beautiful country with lots of amazing things but it has an economic situation that is constantly changing. “This is also what is happening in
