In December of 2005, both Emma Bird and Mario Berri were content with their careers. Emma was a freelance journalist for a number of international magazines and newspapers. Mario was working as a consultant for various successful corporations all over Italy. Although they had both settled well into the Italian business world, they realized it wasn't as easy for others, especially expats. Emma, in particular, was aware of the difficulties in moving successfully to the Bel Paese. One morning, after an article she wrote about her life in Sardinia was published, she opened up her email box to find hundreds of emails from readers wanting to know everything from how she made her move to how she found a job and what she did to become the success she was. It was at this point both Emma and Mario realized there was no place people could go to help make their move to Italy a smooth, successful transition. In fact, many gave up on their dreams of moving because of of troubles with bureaucracy, cultural barriers and unemployment rates. And every time Emma had changed careers in Italy she felt as if she was hitting a brick wall in coming up with relevant information. Both Emma and Mario wanted to change that, to create an inspirational environment where people could turn their dream of moving to Italy into a reality. So they did. That evening, HowToItaly was born.

Emma Bird is a published author, freelance journalist and mentor and works with clients all over the world. She listens. She cares. And she'll show you how to empower your Italy dreams whatever they may be. Whether you want to au-pair, work in the corporate sector, teach English or become a journalist, Emma has been there and done that and will teach you the tricks of the trade.

Mario Berri is temporary manager and published author. He has experience across a variety of industries and his portfolio of clients include those quoted on the Italian stock exchange. He knows what it feels like to be on the first rung of the career ladder in Italy and also what it's like to move to a foreign country for work. He is big-hearted, warm and generous and will do everything it takes to propel you on your journey to starting your career in Italy. He is motivational, knowledgeable and also an entrepreneur. He is an accountant and owns multiple businesses, too.

Laura Buonanno is an Italo-American marketing specialist in Louisville, Kentucky. She booked a consultation with HowToItaly in 2006 and shortly after began freelance marketing with the company. She is moving to Italy in September 2007.

Passion
We're passionate about life. Passionate about people. And passionate about you. We'll do everything we can to help you live a life you love in Italy.

Listening
We listen. Carefully. We listen to what you've done. What you are doing. And what you want to be doing in Italy in the future. Because we listen we help you come up with a custom-fit job. What that is depends on you. It may be teaching English. Running a B&B. Utilising your MBA. Or creating a whole new portable career.

Inspiration
We like being inspired and inspiring others. We're inspired by achievers. Ordinary people doing the extraordinary. Thoughtful people. And people who have the guts to carve out a new life in Italy. Inspire us and make our day.

Fun
We're serious about what we do: helping you live a life you love in Italy. But we're serious about having fun, too. Because if you're having fun, you're happy. To us, a happy, fun workplace is a productive, inspiring workplace. That's why our meetings often take place in the sunshine. At the beach. In a coastal bar. Or simply as we're walking through stunning countryside in Sardinia. Oh, and by the way, we never work on our birthdays. Not ever. Birthdays are for enjoying not working.

Knowledge
We're always buying books. Reading newspapers and magazines. And doing courses. It means we're clued up on living and working in Italy. So we can pass that knowledge onto you.

Click here to read our full philosophy:
http://howtoitaly.typepad.com/howtoitaly/2007/03/our_philosophy_.html

In order to maximise the benefits from this consultation, we advise you to first read our book Starting a Business in Italy: how to set up and run a successful business in the Bel Paese.

This is a 10 week, online course. We will discuss what type of business you would like to set up, your ideas, what place would fit you best and how to achieve your goal.

Click here for detailed info on Be your own boss consultation:

http://howtoitaly.typepad.com/howtoitaly/2007/03/howtoitaly_cons.html

Are you already a business owner in Italy? If you have technical queries or are struggling to get your business off the ground we will work with you to turn your situation around.

Emma will work with you on the marketing and PR and Mario will work on any financial, technical and organisational aspects.

This is a 7 week, online course. Click her for more detailed info on Making your business a success:

http://howtoitaly.typepad.com/howtoitaly/2007/03/consultation_ma.html

Sardinia is an enchanting place but unless you have visited all areas of the island it can be difficult to know the best place to settle. We know the island like the back of her hand. Before the 'relocating to Sardinia' consultation takes place you will fill in a questionnaire. You will be provided with maps, guides and networking connections to help you settle into your new life on this treasure island in the Med.

Due to the challenges of finding work in Sardinia, we strongly suggest that this package is booked and takes place at least three months prior to a move to the island.

This can also be an online course.

Click here to find out more info on Relocating to Sardinia:

http://howtoitaly.typepad.com/howtoitaly/2007/03/consultation_lo.html

This consultation is aimed at university and college students and anyone who graduated 18 months ago or less. Mario will help you understand how to stand out from the crowd, coach you on interview techniques and help you come up with a strategy for climbing the career ladder in Italy. Emma will guide you on expat issues and what to take into account when you move to Italy as a young professional.

This is a one-hour phone conference. Beforehand we will send you a questionnaire about what exactly you are looking for so we can give you the maximum amount of advice needed.

Click here for more info on Climbing the career ladder in Italy:

http://howtoitaly.typepad.com/howtoitaly/2007/03/consultation_cl.html

In this consultation, Emma will help you create a strategy plan for your move to Italy. Prior to the consultation, you will fill in a detailed questionnaire about your expectations, worries, qualifications, lifestyle and past experience of living in Italy. Depending on what you write in the questionnaire, Mario will also be on hand to answer your questions on working in Italy.

This is a one-hour phone conference.

Click here for more info on Preparing a move-to-Italy strategy plan:

http://howtoitaly.typepad.com/howtoitaly/2007/03/consultation_pr.html

Why not come to us in beautiful, sunny Sardinia?
You will get to work hands on with Emma and Mario.

In an intensive session, we will work with you on all aspects identified in the questionnaire and will help you come up with your business plan. You will have taken giant leaps forward in starting a business in Italy. We also include 4 weeks follow up email support.

For more info on One-day individual session in Sardinia, click here:

http://howtoitaly.typepad.com/howtoitaly/2007/03/consultation_on.html

Italy is not the easiest place in the world to find a job. Competition is high so you need to make yourself stand out from the rest. You can't just expect to wing it or to be hired from abroad. It just doesn't work like that. To have success, you need to make sure you know all there is to know about business etiquettte, cvs/resumes and covering letters. And you need to know how to impress a future boss in an interview.

This course gets rid of the frills and deals with the nitty gritty. It will get you focussed on what really matters when it comes to finding a job in Italy. Week by week you will build the skills you need to compete and win in the job marketplace, identifying opportunities, planning your strategy and giving yourself the best possible chance of landing the prize.

This is a 5 week on-line course.

Click here for more info on Landing a job in Italy:

http://howtoitaly.typepad.com/howtoitaly/2007/03/online_course_l.html

Internships can only take you so far- that's why we've combined certain aspects of an internship experience along with an intensive weeklong mentoring session with an Italian manager to fully prepare you for your move to Italy.

This course can also help you if you are already planning an internship abroad- you'll have spent a week with an Italian business manager who will mentor and mold you into the perfect candidate for any Italian company.

This is a week-long all-inclusive course that takes place in Sardinia, Italy. You must be accepted by HowToItaly to take part in this course. For more detailed information on the HowToItaly Mentorship, click here:

http://howtoitaly.typepad.com/howtoitaly/2007/07/mentorship-2008.html

You will be spending a week with Mario Berri and learning the ins and outs of the businesss world.
You will not only learn how to climb the Italian career ladder from a Business Manager who has done it himself, but you will be immersed in authentic business life in Italy as you tackle problems in a variety of Italian companies.

By the time you leave, you will have mapped out a personal plan with Emma on how to achieve your dreams of living, working and settling down in the Bel Paese. You will have networked with Italian professionals and come away with an unforgettable experience, as well as a priceless reference.

Click here for more information on Personal Internships:

http://www.squidoo.com/personalinternship

HowToItaly also offers catered holidays to those who wish to travel to Sardina.

Holidays are supposed to be relaxing, but sometimes planning alone can be stresful. Let us take care of it. Once we talk to you we will set you up in a hotel according to your budget and give you a list of daily activities you can choose from depending on what you are looking for: from horseback riding on the beach to massages and facials, there's nothing you can't do here. And what better way to relax than spending time on the emerald beaches of north Sardinia?

This winter we are also offering a 5-day getaway NewYear's Retreat, for those who wish to move to Italy and combine it with a vacation as well. You will not only get away from it all, you will have a strategy planned for your move, all the while eating fresh pizza, drinking crisp wine at local restaurants, and spending time with those who share the same dreams as you.

For more information, please email us at: events@howtoitaly.com