It’s been a while since we launched Above Trends, Beyond Insights. What started as an experiment in rethinking our editorial voice has now become a steady practice: every issue, we scan the signals that matter and translate them into business insight. Our commitment remains the same (less noise, more signal), with an even stronger focus on what executives need to navigate uncertainty: timely context, curated trends, and practical guidance.

When work becomes observable: digital surveillance, GDPR and the limits of control

Across Europe, the use of digital tools to monitor employees is quietly expanding, accelerated by hybrid work, productivity analytics and AI-driven management systems. What was once limited to time tracking or security logging is increasingly extending to behavioural data, performance metrics and continuous observation.

European regulators are responding with growing attention. Data protection authorities and labour watchdogs are reiterating that workplace monitoring sits at the intersection of GDPR, employment law and fundamental rights, where proportionality, transparency and purpose limitation are not optional safeguards but legal requirements.

The regulatory message is becoming clearer: efficiency gains cannot justify blanket surveillance, opaque algorithms or the normalisation of constant observation. For organisations, this raises governance questions about trust, accountability and the kind of organisational culture companies are actively designing through technology.

TREND TRACKER

Deep tech and emerging technologies: Europe’s strategic convergence moment

Europe is entering a decisive phase in its relationship with deep tech and emerging technologies. Recent analyses from European institutions highlight a broad constellation of innovations, ranging from advanced AI and quantum technologies to new materials, semiconductors and biotech, that are converging into a systemic transformation rather than isolated breakthroughs.

What makes this moment distinctive is the alignment between technological development, industrial policy and regulatory ambition. Public investment programmes, innovation funding and strategic roadmaps are increasingly framed around technological sovereignty, resilience and long-term competitiveness. For businesses, this shift signals that deep tech is becoming a structural factor shaping supply chains, infrastructure choices and strategic positioning across sectors.

Want to learn more?

• The Joint Research Centre: EU Science Hub - 221 emerging technologies that could shape Europe’s future

• Walden Catalyst - 2025 European Deep Tech Report. A Blueprint for Europe’s Technological Future

• IDC - Emerging Technologies in Europe

QUICK INSIGHT

Making innovation sustainable inside the organisation

Innovation rarely fails because of a lack of ideas or technologies. It more often stalls due to organisational friction, unclear ownership and the absence of shared practices that allow experimentation to coexist with operational discipline. Building a culture of continuous innovation requires deliberate choices, not slogans. In practical terms, this means:

• defining clear decision boundaries, so teams understand where experimentation is encouraged and where standardisation is required;

• allocating time and resources for learning and iteration, instead of treating innovation as an extracurricular activity;

• embedding feedback loops that connect pilots and experiments to strategic priorities, rather than leaving them isolated;

• ensuring leadership actively models curiosity, accountability and openness to evidence, especially when results challenge assumptions.

When innovation becomes a repeatable organisational capability rather than a sporadic initiative, it strengthens resilience, adaptability and long-term strategic clarity.

WHO IS BABINI MAZZARI

Our Value Proposition

Babini Mazzari is the strategic IT partner for European companies looking to navigate digital transformation in a structured, pragmatic, and sustainable way.
We don’t just deliver technical solutions - we work as an extension of your internal team, helping you integrate systems, optimize processes, and lead change with clarity and competence.

Our approach is built on listening, transparency, and a strong results-driven culture. Whether you're scaling, modernizing, or rethinking your operating model, we support every client with the right tools, clear methodology, and long-term vision.
Above Technology. Beyond Solutions.

📎 [Our services]
📎 [Our Manifesto]