I’ve worked in tech for over 20 years. These 2 career regrets haunt me the most.

Cristiano Belluci/Carito Photography, Anna Kim/Getty, Tyler Le/BI

Cristiano Bellucci is a technology vision lead at Fujitsu and runs a coaching business in Munich.Bellucci’s career spans roles at Lycos, Sony, and Fujitsu, focusing on tech innovation.He regrets not pursuing a startup and moving to the US because he values risk and innovation.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Cristiano Bellucci, a 48-year-old technology vision lead in Munich. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I’m the technology vision lead at Fujitsu and the owner of DigitIdeas, a business coaching company. I was born in Rome and now work in Munich.

I started working as a tech consultant in Rome at the end of 2002. I was fascinated by international tech companies, so in 2008, I moved from Italy to Germany to join Lycos, one of the first search engines founded before the Google era.

From 2011 until 2015, I worked as a project manager at Sony, developing Smart TVs. Since 2016, I’ve worked at Fujitsu.

The best part of working at these companies is having colleagues from all over the world. I’ve created a big group of international friends and traveled, knowing we could count on one local guide wherever we went. It was so enjoyable that this is how I eventually met my Scottish wife.

I balance my career at Fujitsu with running a coaching business

I start my day working at Fujitsu on our technology vision. I collaborate with our R&D department to create innovative AI, biotech, and security prototypes. For example, one of our latest projects involves using AI to help people identify diseases such as cancer or rare illnesses early. This gives patients the possibility of curing the problem sooner and living better lives.

I work from home and don’t have commute time, so I work from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

After that, I work on my coaching business helping small business owners grow their reach by incorporating innovation and technology into their business strategy. DigitIdeas started at the end of 2023 to support a few expats, including my wife. Overall, I earn six figures a year.

Combining the two jobs can be stressful. I find it rewarding to help people, either regarding their health or with their business. My wife is a coach and understands my hours. I always find time for her and my son during the weekends.

I have regrets about not pursuing my dream of funding a startup

Fujitsu has an internal program, the Innovation Circuit, to develop its employees into intraprenuers, the company’s entrepreneurs. Last year, I presented a new idea to the Innovation Circuit with a colleague in Brazil.

We wanted to apply the quantum computer to logistics. We did our market research, created a business plan, and discussed the idea with some potential clients who showed a strong interest. After a few innovation cycles, the investors prioritized ideas that didn’t use Fujitsu technology. I could understand the business logic behind the choice but was completely crushed.

I was motivated to take the idea and create a startup. I had a colleague who was an expert in sales with some promising contacts, and I knew ecosystems to get the initial funding.

I spent several weeks looking for experts to develop the software using the quantum computer. However, my colleague decided he preferred to stay in a secure job, and due to timing, I missed out on a round of funding. Despite many discussions, I couldn’t find a good developer to create an initial software demo.

I had to decide between being able to support my family steadily and taking the risk of creating a startup on my own. My logical and conservative side won, and I stayed at Fujitsu. It seemed like the right decision, but I couldn’t help feeling deeply disappointed that I hadn’t run with the idea and created a startup.

A few months later, I read a press release announcing that a new contract had been signed to build my idea.

Not moving to America is another career regret I have

I moved from Italy to Germany at the beginning of my career to explore an international environment.

While I was working at Sony in 2014, a reorganization hit us. Many colleagues moved from Germany to America to work closely on product development.

Despite getting a promotion and the chance to take care of our European customers, I thought a lot about moving to our headquarters in San Francisco. There, the entrepreneurial mentality and attitude toward risk and chances are higher and more welcomed.

I decided I didn’t want to depend on an employer that could terminate my contract within a few days and send me back to Europe. I like to have options, and I felt restricted in my choices. Looking back, after a few years, I believe my career could’ve been boosted and more fulfilling in the US.

If I ever take my business full-time, I could see myself moving to the US. The US is probably the best place for entrepreneurs and innovation.

I’ve learned that innovation helps businesses, but it needn’t be a massive breakthrough

Even a small innovation in a product, process, packaging, or place to sell can give a competitive advantage and create a successful business.

It all comes down to the risk you’re willing to accept. Define the risk you can afford, think of the worst-case scenarios you’re willing to face, and enjoy the roller coaster.

I don’t plan to leave Fujitsu. I’m curious to develop my business and help more people, but I’m open to what may come.

My advice to others to avoid career regrets is to be lighter, take the risk, and try it with a smile. If it doesn’t work, you’ll find something else.

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