Last October I wrote a story on my blog entitled "The Roadmap to Renaissance 2.0", in which I talked about the fact we are living in a period full of opportunities with an unmatched explosion of creativity just like it was during the Renaissance. I am sure that learning to live innovation as a cultural approach it will generate continuous and meaningful innovation: it was true in the 14th century and it can be a valuable roadmap to follow in the new Millennium. Little did I know at the time, that this past weekend I would be part of an extraordinary experience that is targeting the new Renaissance of business in Italy and worldwide.

Here is the story. Throughout history, Italy has been a hub producing world-changing ideas. Now, two renowned visionaries are putting together a world-first initiative to help Italian companies explore market intersections where trailblazing innovation happens. An exclusive group of companies will be invited to participate, under the name "Future Shapers". And I got to actively participate in hatching the idea.

The two visionaries themselves represent the power of intersections combining their very different, yet highly complementary expertise: Massimo Tammaro and Gabor George Burt.

From both personal and professional points of view the weekend meeting was a fantastic experience, in the presence of these two great visionaries. Just consider that I am a former Air Force officer and very passionate about the Frecce Tricolori. I have been using their image of excellence for many years now: on my website, on my posts and on my public presentations.

On top of that, I have always been a true Ferrari fan. I went many times to Maranello and I even have visited the Ferrari plant and the production of the Ferrari California.

Given the above, I guess you can imagine my feelings when I first met Massimo Tammaro, former commander of the Frecce Tricolori, who is currently Manager Consultant Ferrari. And don’t forget that nobody before Massimo has ever had a similar career path touching these two global excellences and to reinvent himself as a business leadership expert.

On the other hand, since I am also very passionate about innovation as the essential engine of business, in 2010 I decided to write posts and to create contents on my website about this topic. My work caught the attention of Gabor George Burt, global authority on re-imagining boundaries, international expert on strategy, creativity and innovation and author of the book "Slingshot". 

Gabor’s book opens in my native region, Tuscany, in Florence during the Renaissance, when Michelangelo created his masterpiece, "David". Over the past couple of years, I have been working directly with Gabor to bring Slingshot to Italy. My feelings I am sure are easy to guess.

Lastly, it is worth noting where our meeting took place. Massimo hosted Gabor and myself in his newly acquired Venetian villa near Varmo, in the North East of Italy. The beautiful Villa Bartolini is part of a Medieval village and was the house of the famous poet, writer, novelist, and playwright Elio Bartolini. Now, the villa is getting its Rennaissance by becoming the centre for the Future Shapers Group. Hosting programs lead by Gabor and Massimo, focused on exploring intersections and driving innovation among outstanding Italian businesses of diffierent industries. In the process giving birth to a new Renaissance to be spread across Italy and worldwide.

Stay tuned for media announcements about the official launch of the Future Shapers Group. If you would like your company to be considered for participation, please send us a note at Future Shapers.

The pictures bear witness that I wasn’t dreaming. I really was in the company of Massimo and Gabor at Villa Bartolini, helping to launch the Slingshot Group of Future Shapers.