Women in Communication: interview with Federica Beneventi from Veepee (vente-privee Group)

Coming of age is certainly an important milestone, both for a person and for a brand and, in this very particular case, for ours.
As the female turns 18, we have decided to start a Women Empowerment project that focuses on women who work in the field of communication.
Federica Beneventi, Marketing & Communication Manager Italy of Veepee, the new unique brand born very recently and evolution of the di vente-privee Group, answered 5 significant questions for us, telling us about the importance of enhancing talents regardless of gender.

1. What is "being a woman" like in the world of work?

For me, being a woman in the world of work is a great fortune. I really like working in female environments but, to be honest, even more so in mixed ones. Among other things, I am fortunate to work in Veepee, which in Italy includes Privalia and vente-privee, which makes diversity a great value. What I find peculiar in being a woman in the working environment is having real and skills, which are above all linked to empathy, time management and problem solving. Differences that must be valued, in a positive sense and in mixed environments. I strongly believe in the talent of people regardless of gender. The empowerment movement is certainly important to enhance those who have talent and it is clear that there are situations in which this is not the case, difficult situations in which the woman is in the minority. I am very proud of the professional choice I made in "going to find a" company in which these problems are not there.

See also

Women in communication: interview with Hotwire's Beatrice Agostinacchio

Women in communication: interview with Eleonora Rocca founder of Digital Innovatio

2. What was "women empowerment" at 18 for you?

At 18 I hadn't taken this concept into consideration, or at least I hadn't formalized it, but I certainly lived it, because I gave space to my inclinations. Freedom of choice was already part of me, which also means freedom to change my mind , fueled by a great curiosity that I have always had, which I try not to give up even today. At 18 I was already very oriented to the path of professional development, although I did not have clear ideas, which in reality was an advantage that allowed me then to change my mind by finding my way. I had started with a much more "square" path but then I realized that it was not my way and I put into play the courage, to change my mind. But I was also lucky enough to be able to to do, and in this the family that supported me immediately, before I understood it, plays a fundamental role.

3. Three words you associate today with "women empowerment"

The first is "networking" because networking is fundamental and serves to have a comparison, a different point of view, and to find models, people to refer to. I strongly believe in mentorship, of all kinds, on which I myself have leveraged over the years to fill situations in which I was not yet ready. Professionals in whom to identify aspirational values ​​and with whom to cultivate productive relationships. The second word, on the other hand, is "awareness", which serves to abandon the imposed models, at the female level but also at the level of "female extremism". I am for equal opportunities and for the enhancement of talent. And third "optimism", learning to take things positively even when they are not, in a "perspective of growth and development. We never stop learning, we must also be ready to fail and tolerate our mistakes, so how to value successes. Even when you work in a team, in my team for example, if there are difficult situations you become a team, when there is success we celebrate it.

4. What would you recommend to the 18-year-old you?

The advice that I could give myself and that I would give to today's 18-year-olds is not to be afraid of making mistakes, because that's how you grow up. At that age we are full of a sense of perfection, a sense of perfectionism, which perhaps we should learn to gradually abandon in order to feel freer. We have to tolerate our weaknesses and the possibility of making mistakes. We live in a narrated world, through all the tools we have at our disposal, and in which everything you show is perfect. Instead perfection does not exist, you have to love yourself also for your own weaknesses and choices. value their talents and their successes. This is because sometimes women sin a little too much humility, we always feel a little "this veiled sense of guilt in which" if you do well, you could have done better ". in a positive way in a world where there is a mixed contribution. Not only to focus on the theme of women empowerment, but to learn how to enhance talent regardless of gender.

5. How much need is there today to talk about women empowerment and what should be done?

Surely there is a need and you have centered the topic. This is because there are contexts in which there is still a strong inequality. What can be done? Educate, bring a new culture, regardless of gender: that of valuing oneself and cultivating one's inclinations. Abandoning feelings of guilt and not creating a distance from men, with a view to inclusion and collaboration. Maybe you have some peculiarities for which a woman does better than things, but the same is true for men. And I believe this is an added value because together we become a force. It is essential that this value is taught from an early age, indifferently to girls and toddlers. It would be nice to stimulate networking from high school, giving positive role models and teaching children to develop equally positive relationships, acting where the family cannot or is unable to do so.