In any thriving company culture, it’s essential to create spaces where people can share thoughts, passions, and interests. Encouraging employees to nurture their passions enhancing well-being and fostering deeper connections among colleagues. At Fincons Group, we believe that creativity plays a fundamental role in shaping a workplace that is productive and also joyful, human, and vibrant.
One of the many ways we bring this philosophy to life is through the Fincons Book Club, a physical and digital space dedicated to our love for books and storytelling.
The Book Club's digital space is developed through a community called “Fincons Book Club” active on our internal social platform, Viva Engage. Here, readers share reviews, recommendations, thoughts, and inspiration so that reading becomes a collective experience, even across different cities and teams.
In parallel, in our offices, colleagues can bring, share and borrow physical books freely through libraries active in Bari, Vimercate, and Trento. These become spaces for meeting and inspiration, where stories pass from hand to hand.
The Book Club gives voice to what excites us, creating opportunities to share ideas, emotion and perspectives going beyond work. It is precisely this freedom of expression that enriches and humanizes the way we work together.
A recent example of this was the Literary Evening held recently on the terrace of the Fincons Future Gateway in Bari, where colleagues suggested new titles to add to the “libraries” - and discussed ideas inspired by literature in a relaxed and informal gathering. The evening also hosted a round table – moderated by Beatrice Gianotti, Brand Identity & Communication Senior Specialist at Fincons – with Giacomo Nicolella, Solution Architect at Fincons and author of the novel "L'Alba Dentro Ai Tuoi Occhi" ("The Dawn Within Your Eyes"), and Tiziana Loporchio, Talent Acquisition Director and University Relations Group Director at Fincons, as well as Brand Ambassador for the Bari office.
Giacomo and Tiziana spoke about their love of reading and the importance of initiatives like the Book Club in strengthening people’s sense of belonging, getting to know colleagues better, and sharing interests beyond work.
Through their words, it became clear how powerful culture and sharing can be in building genuine relationships and nurturing an open, inclusive, and inspiring work environment. A book can become the starting point for a conversation, a debate, or simply an opportunity to discover new sides of the people we work with every day.
We asked Giacomo how his passion for writing serves as a valuable channel to express the connection between creativity and daily work. “I’ve been at Fincons for 8 years and I work in the Bari office. I began my journey through the Fincons Academy and I’m now a Solution Architect. At first glance, a technical role doesn’t seem to have much in common with writing novels, but I believe creativity is something to be nurtured. In both software development and storytelling, creativity is essential. Whether I'm designing a solution or writing a narrative, it’s about creating something that connects, moves, and resonates with people."
Giacomo continues: "I've always been a bit of a romantic. I was that kid who wrote long letters to his first crush - and still do, even at 33!"
His debut novel was born out of this lifelong love for expression and reflection.
"The Dawn Within Your Eyes" – A story of inner growth
Set in post-pandemic Puglia, the novel follows Santiago, a 31-year-old software engineer caught in a life of routines and questions about love, authenticity, and happiness. His world is turned upside down by Iris, a new colleague trapped in a toxic relationship. Their encounter is not just the start of a love story; it’s a catalyst for deep personal transformation. “It’s not just about love between two people, but about love in all its forms—love for oneself, for family, for life. It’s a journey through fears, doubts, and the search for real happiness.”
Giacomo shares that the story is largely autobiographical: “There is a bit of Santiago in me, and a bit of Iris in my actual girlfriend. Writing this book was emotionally challenging as it forced me to revisit fears and moments of personal vulnerability. But I wanted others to see themselves in this journey, to reflect on their own stories.”
Creativity builds more than just stories
Interestingly, the discipline and planning skills he honed in software engineering played a big role in creating the routine necessary to completing the book. The connection between creative work and tech innovation is clear: “Every line of code matters, just like every word in a novel. Both need structure, detail, and vision. My job helped me structure the book -and writing helped me become more empathetic and reflective in my work.”
Books, conversations, and growth
When asked about the Fincons Book Club, Giacomo says it’s an initiative that goes far beyond promoting reading: “It’s extraordinary. Books let us see the world differently. They open our minds. When a company invests in something like this, it’s investing in its people.” Like Fincons, he too believes book clubs encourage both personal and professional growth: “Reading improves communication, empathy, and the ability to explain ideas clearly. And the most important part? The conversations. Discussing books with colleagues builds connection and helps everyone grow - as individuals and as a team. I am now preparing to work on my second novel.”
Creativity, in all its forms -coding, writing, or reading -has the power to humanize the workplace. It nurtures empathy, fuels passion, and encourages meaningful connections. At Fincons, we’re proud to be cultivating a culture where stories, whether written in code or on paper, are shared, celebrated, and lived.