Italy Chapter
Giorgio Di Giovanni, Chapter President
Valuing the Services of a Product
Given the success of the previous conferences held in December
2003, February 2005, and May 2006, the ASAP (After-Sales Advanced
Planning) Service Management Forum is holding the 4th ASAP Annual
Conference. Jointly organized with AFSM International’s Italy
Chapter, “From After Sales to Added-Value Services” will be held on
November 21, 2007, at the University of Bergamo (Dalmine - Italy).
The goals of the 4th ASAP Annual Conference are as follows:
- Represent the annual meeting event for the ASAP Service
Management community.
- Share with the participants the conclusions reached by the
Scientific Committee, with which AFSMI members are involved.
- Develop through four sessions the two prime motives of
service value and customer care, as viewed by different industry
sectors (durable consumer goods, inclusive of domestic
appliances, consumer electronics, automotive and motorbikes, and
capitalgoods, including tooling machines and industrial plants)
and the end user.
- Create and promote discussion opportunities on cross-sector
themes of after-sales service, such as:
- The service value, in terms of evaluating and emphasizing service
activities for durable goods companies--for example, direct and
indirect costs and benefits of service and service-driven effects
(differentiation, customer retention, brand building, product
improvement), service management, business, logistics, technical,
and communicative strategies.
- Customer care, in terms of strategic aims, customer relationship
management, call center, and technological substructure supporting
the customer relationship.
- Promoting the sharing of expertise, experiences, and
exigencies within different industrial spheres.
- In addition, the Scientific Committee will illustrate the main
outcomes reported in the book (Re)design the After-Sales
Service, written by the ASAP researchers.
Highlighted speakers at the event will be managing
directors of after-sales services units within renowned
national an international companies such as Sony, Canon,
BMW, FIAT, Indesit, and Electrolux. More than 160
participants representing industries including machinery,
consumer electronics, domestic appliances, and automotive,
as well as consulting and media companies, attended the 2006
conference, providing very positive feedback on both the
content and the organization. The Italy Chapter is looking
forward to an even more successful 2007 event.