So I’m in Bologna, not far away from my hometown, to take an exam (MBA) and attend a seminar about the Open-Source world. It’s funny how sometimes you find yourself studying things you really like. I know it should always be like that, but how could it always be?
The first thing they teach you in a business school is to look for SMART goals: SIMPLE, MEASURABLE, ACHIEVABLE, REALISTIC and TIME BOUND goals. Is it realistic to expect to do only what you like? I don’t think so. Marco, a colleague of mine who just left our department (how sad!), used to repeat me (laughing) what a very unpopular Italian dictator used to say “Volete Voi forse la vita comoda?” meaning exactly the same: “you know you do not have to look for an easy living”. Maybe the only right thing that dictator said. In my opinion it is much more realistic to expect to give a lot before start gaining, but it will only work if all we give is focused on a SMART goal. While now in Italy, what it is really missing is a common, widely shared view on the existing situation and on future opportunities.
“Would you trade cold comfort for change?” asked Pink Floyd? Didn’t we do it already? How sad.
