A love for Namibia
Providing mentorship to individuals, communities
Gianluca 'Luca' Massalini believes change in a company begins by changing how people interact, think and perceive things.
Gianluca 'Luca' Massalini is the owner of Bush Culture Experience CC.
Bush Culture Experience offers African experience tours, team building and mentoring for corporations and individuals, and bushcraft courses.
The bushcraft courses are conducted in the wild, with local San community members guiding the courses.
More than 100 San have been employed by the company to date.
"We believe that by combining our conviction that in order to create and consolidate a winning team or to stimulate individual growth, it is necessary to go through new ways of training in which there is nothing so motivating and stimulating as nature," the company's website explains.
Promoting self-sustainability
Massalini is also involved in projects that are aimed at helping impoverished communities become self-sustainable.
"Donating money to communities without a long-term cause destroys them," he said. So instead of only providing donations, his projects are aimed at teaching communities to "support themselves in the long run."
Background
Massalini, an Italian national with Namibian citizenship for the past 17 years, has a master's degree in bioengineering and a doctorate in electronic engineering.
With over 15 years of managerial experience in various companies, including Bugatti Automobile, Massalini made the bold decision to transition from the management consulting industry and embark on an entrepreneurial journey.
In 1999, Massalini established his first consulting studio in Italy, and since then, he has mentored people from around the world, including professionals and Serie A coaches.
Time to explore
He has always loved Africa, he said, and has travelled to countries like Zambia, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique and South Africa.
"Namibia caught my attention. I love its diverse cultures, so I decided to take my sabbatical here."
He said spending time with San communities has allowed him to gain a better understanding of Namibian cultural issues.
"I also found love here in Namibia," he said.
Massalini has been living with his Namibian wife, Claudia, for more than 10 years and said this has helped him appreciate local culture better.
Mentoring model
Massalini believes changing a company starts with influencing people and changing how they interact, think and perceive things.
He prefers one-on-one sessions with his mentees, as he can better evaluate them and share experiences. This enables him to make use of his customised model, where he advises them on their specific needs and targets.
"I help them direct their energies in the right direction and make rational decisions about their professions and/or businesses. I am currently mentoring young entrepreneurs in Namibia," he said.
Fun facts:
1. Loves camping.
2. Diversity believer.
3. Loves sports.
4. Tracks down wildlife in free time.
5. Always focused on the good in things.
Bush Culture Experience offers African experience tours, team building and mentoring for corporations and individuals, and bushcraft courses.
The bushcraft courses are conducted in the wild, with local San community members guiding the courses.
More than 100 San have been employed by the company to date.
"We believe that by combining our conviction that in order to create and consolidate a winning team or to stimulate individual growth, it is necessary to go through new ways of training in which there is nothing so motivating and stimulating as nature," the company's website explains.
Promoting self-sustainability
Massalini is also involved in projects that are aimed at helping impoverished communities become self-sustainable.
"Donating money to communities without a long-term cause destroys them," he said. So instead of only providing donations, his projects are aimed at teaching communities to "support themselves in the long run."
Background
Massalini, an Italian national with Namibian citizenship for the past 17 years, has a master's degree in bioengineering and a doctorate in electronic engineering.
With over 15 years of managerial experience in various companies, including Bugatti Automobile, Massalini made the bold decision to transition from the management consulting industry and embark on an entrepreneurial journey.
In 1999, Massalini established his first consulting studio in Italy, and since then, he has mentored people from around the world, including professionals and Serie A coaches.
Time to explore
He has always loved Africa, he said, and has travelled to countries like Zambia, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique and South Africa.
"Namibia caught my attention. I love its diverse cultures, so I decided to take my sabbatical here."
He said spending time with San communities has allowed him to gain a better understanding of Namibian cultural issues.
"I also found love here in Namibia," he said.
Massalini has been living with his Namibian wife, Claudia, for more than 10 years and said this has helped him appreciate local culture better.
Mentoring model
Massalini believes changing a company starts with influencing people and changing how they interact, think and perceive things.
He prefers one-on-one sessions with his mentees, as he can better evaluate them and share experiences. This enables him to make use of his customised model, where he advises them on their specific needs and targets.
"I help them direct their energies in the right direction and make rational decisions about their professions and/or businesses. I am currently mentoring young entrepreneurs in Namibia," he said.
Fun facts:
1. Loves camping.
2. Diversity believer.
3. Loves sports.
4. Tracks down wildlife in free time.
5. Always focused on the good in things.
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Namibian Sun
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