BEATRICE LENTATI
Member Profile: BEATRICE LENTATI
may 2004
Name: BEATRICE LENTATI
Position: Managing Partner
Company: LENTATI & PARTNERS
e-mail: beatrice.lentati(at)lentati.com
Web: http://www.lentati.com
FACT FILE | |
Main business areas: full range of non-profit strategy and consulting services - from start-ups to legacies | Date business started: 1981 |
Number of consultancy staff: 3 | Countries of operation: Italy |
THE BUSINESS
What range of clients do you serve?
We work with a wide range of charities - eg those supporting the needs of children and the handicapped - and with religious groups, medical research organisations and we also do some work with universities. .
How has your business evolved since it was started?
In 1981 I started business on my own. Actually, I decided to become a non-profit consultant before the market was really ready in Italy, so my first clients were purely international organisations who needed help in establishing operations in Italy. In 1984 I started working for my first Italian client - Lega del Filo d'Oro, who are involved in helping deaf and blind people. The business initially concentrated on direct marketing, but has broadened out considerably over the years, so that Lentati & Partners can now offer a full range of consultancy services. In addition, I have set up La Scuola di Fundraising di Beatrice Lentati offering a wide variety of training courses to NPOs.
Where will your consultancy be in a few years time?
We are very pleased with how the business has developed so far, but our dream is for Lentati & Partners to become the biggest and best organisation in the field of nonprofit consultancy in Italy. We want to make sure that our high standards are maintained as we expand and develop.
Which opportunities and threats do you see for your work in the sector and for the development of NPOs?
There are certainly opportunities for expansion as professionalism within the sector grows. Charities are increasingly wanting to become more efficient and are looking more closely at their management structures, which is a good thing.
A threat does exist, however, because there are many new charities in Italy that are not charities at all - the risk is that some organisations that are not serious could be the cause of major scandals, which means that the general public will lose faith in the field.
Which sources of information do you find most useful in your business?
Trade magazines: International Journal of Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Marketing - Henry Stewart Publications (more... )
EUCONSULT MEMBERSHIP
Why did you join EUConsult?
Mainly because we didn't have a fundraising association in Italy at the time and there wasn't an ethical code available. We feel that it is very important to work according to the EUConsult Code of Ethics. Another motivation to join the Association was to develop close relationships with individuals and organisations outside of Italy. It really is very helpful to be able to exchange information and ideas - to learn from the experience of others and to share one's own experience.
With which other EUConsult members have you found the opportunity to cooperate on projects?
So far we have looked at the exchange of information with other members and there have also been a couple of client referrals.
BACKGROUND INFO
Where and what did you study?
University of Milan - Political Science.
How did you first get involved in NPO consultancy?
I worked for the biggest direct marketing agency in Europe - at the London office of Wundermann International Direct Marketing. After seeing how direct marketing could be applied to fundraising, I set up an agency in Italy. I was very much involved in setting up and establishing the Italian Association of Cancer Research.
What interests you most about staying in the field?
I love this work - there is always the opportunity to learn something new. I also deal with wonderful people and wouldn't consider moving to work outside of the nonprofit sector.
What do you do to relax and forget your consultancy work?
Many things - but I particularly enjoy photography and getting away to the countryside or the coast.
