Fabio and Mashfrog: from projects to business in a shared growth journey

At Mashfrog since 2016, Fabio Galiffa—now Sales & Account Director—has witnessed firsthand the evolution of Mashfrog Group, playing a key role in positioning it as a leading player in IT professional services and digital transformation. From consulting to business development, Fabio shares a journey of professional growth that has closely mirrored Mashfrog’s own path, marked by technological curiosity, team spirit, and a strong drive for innovation.

Tell us how you joined Mashfrog and how your role has evolved over the years

I joined Mashfrog in November 2016, so I'm now approaching my ten-year anniversary with the company. Before joining the Group, I already had about ten years of professional experience, particularly in digital transformation projects within the ERP space. I began my career in 2007 at a SAP consulting firm, then went on to work for two major publicly traded Italian companies—Prysmian Group and Amplifon. These experiences gave me a broad perspective on how technology can support and enhance business processes.

At Mashfrog, I started as a Project Manager working directly with Prysmian, focusing on finance and treasury flows. In the following years, I maintained a hands-on role, continuing to provide consulting support to the client, while also beginning to develop and manage relationships with Prysmian's decision-makers. It was a time of great momentum, especially within the SAP 1C Consolidation Program, where Mashfrog made a key contribution in terms of quality and scalability. Over time, my role became increasingly managerial—less technical and more focused on client relationships and business growth. Back then, Mashfrog didn’t yet have the solid and structured organization it has today, so each of us took on multiple roles and tried to contribute beyond the boundaries of our formal job descriptions.

It was during that period that I also began working in sales, focusing on new clients and business opportunities—particularly in Northern Italy—leveraging the experience I had gained. At the same time, I started expanding my technological skill set: in addition to SAP, I began working on Salesforce projects, one of the technologies our CEO was eager to introduce into our portfolio. This evolution allowed me to become increasingly versatile, both in terms of our service offerings and in engaging with various C-level executives.

In 2021, I also took on the role of Business Unit Director for the SAP area, which I led for about two years, guiding it through a period of significant change. Then, with the arrival of Milena Fabrizi, I handed over the baton to her and fully transitioned into the commercial side, becoming Sales & Account Director—a role I still hold today.

Currently, I’m responsible for sales and account management across multiple clients, working in a cross-industry and cross-technology capacity. The main areas I focus on are SAP, Salesforce, Digital, and Cybersecurity—which has become a strategic field in recent years. I'm also heavily involved in Artificial Intelligence, not just as a trend but as a true driver of innovation. Today, every technology has its own AI component, and my goal is to understand how to integrate it meaningfully into our solutions for clients. I like to describe myself as a “healthy carrier” of innovation: I strive to promote AI both within Mashfrog and in external environments to create real value.

What are the main rewards and challenges of your job?

Definitely the ability to work independently, thanks to my solid experience and the clear, shared goals I have with management. On top of that, in my role I’m fortunate to work across various technologies, engaging with clients from different industries and interacting with high-level decision-makers. This allows me to truly understand the market’s real needs and propose solutions that align with our service offerings.

One part of my job that I'm really passionate about is identifying new trends and technologies to introduce into our portfolio. Being in this role allows me to connect with many different organizations, and often these interactions spark ideas that I then bring into the company. It’s an aspect of my work that keeps me constantly up to date and serves as a continuous source of professional growth.

After so many years at Mashfrog, what motivates you to stay?

Definitely the sense of shared growth. When I joined in 2016, Mashfrog was still what we used to call a "garage company": we had important clients, but we lacked a solid organizational structure. Over time, I’ve watched the company transform—building increasingly stronger foundations and growing with ambition, but always with clear goals and defined strategies. Of course, there have been tough moments and difficult decisions along the way, but those challenges have also helped us mature. It’s during those critical turning points that you’re truly shaped—and that’s where a real sense of belonging is born.

What ties me to Mashfrog is exactly this shared journey—having gone through both phases of expansion and challenging times together, always managing to bounce back. It’s kind of like a rollercoaster effect: dynamic, stimulating, sometimes demanding, but in the end, it keeps you fully engaged and enthusiastic.

How has the company changed over the years?

The transformation has been tremendous. From a niche player, Mashfrog has grown into a well-recognized and trusted company in the market, capable of attracting clients across various industries and sizes. Today, Mashfrog enjoys a solid reputation—when we connect with new companies, it’s often them reaching out to us, because they already know who we are and what we can offer. This is the result of years of hard work and investment from all our teams—from recruiting to delivery, from sales to strategy—all of which have played a key role in strengthening the Group’s market position.

And outside of work, what are your passions? What helps you stay balanced and inspired?

I’m not sure I can say I’ve found a real work-life balance, since my role keeps me constantly on the move—I spend a lot of time with clients and out in the field. But over the years, I’ve learned to manage my time better and carve out space for myself.

I practice two very different sports: golf and squash. I usually play golf on weekends—it’s a sport that requires focus but is also relaxing and helps me disconnect from work stress. It’s also a great way to meet new people, often with interesting professional backgrounds that can spark useful insights for work.

Squash, on the other hand, is a completely different story—intense, fast-paced, and full of adrenaline. It demands quick reflexes and stamina. It’s my physical outlet, the one that helps me "reset" mentally after long, busy days.

And then there’s my son, who’s seven years old. He’s my daily source of energy. He’s curious and interested in what I do, and watching him grow while seeing me work from home is an added motivation. In the end, that’s a pretty important kind of training, too.

Finally, what are your goals for the future, both professionally and personally?

That’s always a tough question—especially for someone like me who has experienced so many different phases of the company. The goals I set for myself a few years ago have all been achieved, and now my focus is on continuing to help Mashfrog grow, further strengthening our presence both in Italy and abroad.

I’m already overseeing the markets in Dubai and the United States, where we have several opportunities. Looking ahead, I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of a professional experience abroad—perhaps at one of the Group’s international offices. It would be an exciting challenge, combining my drive for growth with the desire to experience something new on a personal level as well.