“True leadership is about understanding that the journey is not defined by the destination, but by the growth, transformation, and connections made along the way.”
What does it mean to be a visionary leader? For some, it’s about the ability to see what others can’t—the capacity to imagine a future that’s still beyond reach. But for Andrea Recupero, the Director of EMEA Smart Collaboration at Lenovo, visionary leadership is less about seeing into the distance and more about having the courage to bring people together in the present, shaping that future collaboratively, one step at a time.
When you speak to Andrea, it’s clear that his passion goes beyond technology; it’s about the people who use it. He believes that the true measure of leadership lies not in how much you can achieve on your own, but in how much you can inspire others to achieve together. His story isn’t just about leading a business—it’s about leading with intent, fostering collaboration, and building a legacy of inclusion and growth.
In a conversation that’s more reflective than business-focused, Andrea offers insights that challenge conventional wisdom and reframe what it means to lead in today’s world. For him, leadership is less about power and more about creating spaces where people feel empowered. It’s about guiding a team not by dictating the direction, but by illuminating the possibilities and letting them chart their course.
A Journey of Passion and Persistence
Andrea’s path to becoming a prominent leader in Unified Communications wasn’t marked by an overt desire for prestige, but by an inherent fascination with how technology can bring people closer. His academic journey began at the prestigious Politecnico of Milan University, where he earned a Master’s degree in Telecommunications Engineering. It was here that Andrea’s curiosity about the interconnectedness of people and technology took root—a curiosity that would fuel a career spanning over 15 years in the Unified Communications industry.
In 2019, Andrea joined Lenovo with a clear mission: to lead the Smart Collaboration business across EMEA and help organizations embrace digital workplace transformation. For Andrea, the role is not just about managing products or driving sales; it’s about crafting solutions that transcend the traditional boundaries of communication and collaboration.
“Working in collaboration and unified communication is inspiring because it fosters a sense of connection and teamwork,” Andrea reflects. “The ability to bring people together regardless of their physical location to work towards a common goal is incredibly motivating.”
Lenovo: A Global Leader with a Vision
At its core, Lenovo is a company that believes in the power of smarter technology for all. With operations spanning 180 markets and nearly 66,000 employees, the $57 billion company stands as a beacon of innovation in a digital-first world. Lenovo’s mission is more than just delivering cutting-edge devices—it’s about enabling a more inclusive, trustworthy, and sustainable digital society.
As the EMEA Director, Andrea has the unique opportunity to translate the needs of diverse customers into practical solutions. He works alongside teams at local, regional, and global levels, focusing on Lenovo’s ThinkSmart brand—a comprehensive suite of hardware, software, and services that empower organizations to embrace smarter collaboration. But Andrea’s role isn’t just about delivering products; it’s about providing answers to some of the most pressing challenges in today’s digital workspace.
The Challenges of Unified Communications
For all the opportunities that Unified Communications offers, there are significant challenges that can’t be ignored. One of the most prominent obstacles Andrea faces is integration. Many organizations rely on a myriad of communication tools, and merging these into a single, cohesive system is often complex and time-consuming.
“Our job as a trusted partner is to provide technology that can be easily integrated into existing workflows,” Andrea explains. “That’s the goal of Lenovo ThinkSmart.”
Yet, integration is only one part of the challenge. Employee adoption can be equally daunting, as users are often hesitant to change long-established routines and methods. Andrea emphasizes that success in this area hinges on comprehensive training and support—a commitment Lenovo upholds through its array of professional services.
Fostering Collaboration Across EMEA
One of Andrea’s greatest strengths lies in his ability to foster collaboration across diverse and geographically dispersed teams. In a region as varied as EMEA, where cultural and linguistic differences abound, this is no small feat. Andrea’s strategy is built on leveraging advanced technologies that make collaboration not just seamless but engaging.
But it’s not just about flashy technology. Andrea also leverages AI and edge computing to enable faster decision-making and more efficient collaboration. By integrating these innovations, Andrea ensures that diverse teams can work together effortlessly, regardless of their physical location.
Smart Collaboration: A Comprehensive Support System
While Lenovo’s ThinkSmart solutions are designed to enable seamless collaboration, their full potential can only be realized with the right support system in place. This is where Lenovo’s Smart Collaboration Professional Services come into play—a comprehensive suite of services designed to ensure organizations can effectively integrate, deploy, and manage their collaboration tools.
Andrea emphasizes that successful digital transformation requires more than just the right technology; it requires a tailored approach that addresses the unique needs of each organization. Lenovo’s Smart Collaboration Professional Services offer end-to-end support that covers every aspect of the collaboration journey. From room assessments that identify the ideal configuration for specific spaces to detailed deployment plans that ensure smooth implementation, these services are integral to helping businesses maximize their investment in collaboration technology.
“Our Professional Services are designed to take the burden off IT departments,” Andrea explains. “We provide everything from hardware and software deployment to ongoing training and support, so our customers can focus on what matters most; achieving their business goals.”
This holistic approach doesn’t stop at deployment. Lenovo’s services extend to continuous monitoring, troubleshooting, and optimization, ensuring that collaboration systems remain efficient and up to date. By offering solutions that are tailored to each customer’s unique workflow, Lenovo simplifies the complex process of integrating Unified Communication tools, making it easier for businesses to adopt and scale new technologies.
Ultimately, Lenovo’s Smart Collaboration Professional Services are more than just technical support; they are a strategic partner in helping organizations navigate the ever-changing digital landscape. For Andrea, providing this level of personalized service is not just a differentiator—it’s a core part of Lenovo’s commitment to empowering customers and enabling smarter, more connected workplaces.
Staying Ahead of the Curve
Andrea is acutely aware that the tools and practices that work today may not be enough to meet the demands of tomorrow. For Lenovo, this means delivering smart collaboration solutions that are hyper-flexible, universally accessible, and always reliable.
“Smart collaboration must work everywhere, for everyone, every time,” Andrea asserts.
Lenovo’s solutions are designed to cater to the varied needs of a modern workforce. Whether employees are in the office, working remotely, or in hybrid setups, Lenovo’s ThinkSmart offerings are built to be adaptable.
For instance, the ThinkSmart Core—a versatile compute solution that can be tailored to small, medium, or large rooms. Similarly, the ThinkSmart View Plus, a standalone display running Microsoft Teams, offers premium audio, video, and whiteboarding features, making it ideal for hot desking and home office setups.
Beyond flexibility, Lenovo focuses on inclusivity. Andrea points out that in hybrid meetings, equal participation is crucial. One in five participants worry about not being heard, and nearly 50% remain silent. To address this, Lenovo’s AI-driven features—like automated focus and framing, intelligent audio experiences, and enhanced whiteboarding capabilities—ensure that everyone has a voice, whether they’re in the room or joining remotely.
Data security and privacy are also at the forefront of Lenovo’s strategy. As collaboration tools become more integrated into critical business processes, safeguarding data is essential. Lenovo’s ThinkSmart devices are equipped with proactive security features from ThinkShield, ensuring protection at every level—from the supply chain to firmware and self-healing BIOS.
Measuring Excellence
For Andrea, the effectiveness of collaboration efforts cannot be measured in abstract metrics alone; it must translate into tangible business outcomes. The journey begins by setting clear objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs) that align with the organization’s broader goals. Metrics like the number of collaborative projects completed, the quality of outcomes, employee engagement levels, and the speed of decision-making are just some of the indicators Andrea and his team track.
But numbers only tell part of the story. Andrea emphasizes the importance of qualitative feedback, which provides valuable insights that data alone might miss. Regular surveys, performance reviews, and in-depth analysis of collaboration software analytics help paint a fuller picture. This holistic approach allows Andrea to continuously refine Lenovo’s collaboration strategies, ensuring that they remain effective and aligned with business objectives.
“Evaluating collaboration isn’t just about metrics; it’s about linking those metrics to broader organizational goals,” Andrea explains. “For instance, improved collaboration might lead to faster product development cycles, higher customer satisfaction, or increased innovation.”
Building a Culture of Innovation
For Andrea, diversity and inclusion are not just buzzwords; they are critical components of creating a thriving, innovative workplace. “Encouraging diversity and inclusion in the workplace while fostering an innovative culture involves several strategic approaches,” he shares. Andrea has embedded diversity, equity and inclusion into the very fabric of his organizational culture.
This commitment goes beyond hiring a diverse workforce—it’s about ensuring that every employee feels valued and included. Andrea has been instrumental in implementing comprehensive anti-discrimination policies and providing regular bias training, helping to mitigate unconscious biases and foster a more equitable environment. “It’s essential that all employees feel they belong and that their perspectives are heard and valued,” he adds.
In line with Lenovo’s core values, Andrea promotes a culture of open communication, where team members are encouraged to share their perspectives. This diversity of thought is a powerful driver of creativity and innovation, leading to more effective problem-solving and groundbreaking ideas. By creating an environment that supports risk-taking and experimentation, Andrea empowers his team to think outside the box, driving Lenovo’s success in a competitive market.
Preparing for Progress
Looking ahead, Andrea sees AI as the biggest game-changer in Smart Collaboration. The future of collaboration isn’t just about enabling better communication during meetings; it’s about leveraging data to drive more informed decisions. From capturing meeting metrics like attendance and room usage to automatically generating summaries and action items, AI is set to revolutionize how organizations collaborate.
“The market is moving from simply focusing on meeting effectiveness to also capturing and mining meeting data,” Andrea observes. “We’re working closely with partners like Microsoft to develop solutions that harness this data in meaningful ways.”
By embracing this shift, Andrea ensures that Lenovo stays ahead of industry trends, offering solutions that are not only cutting-edge but also tailored to meet the evolving needs of customers.
The Next Big Goals
For the near future, in Andrea’s view is that the big opportunity is to drive AI integration and adoption in the IT/AV landscape. “AI integration in the IT/AV world is a key goal,” he says, emphasizing the importance of supporting customers and partners in their hybrid collaboration journeys. As technology evolves, Andrea is committed to providing the right tools to enhance employee experience and manageability, ensuring that Lenovo’s solutions remain at the forefront of the industry.
Central to this strategy is Lenovo’s One Lenovo approach—a vision to offer comprehensive solutions that cater to every aspect of the digital workplace transition. By consolidating Lenovo’s vast array of products and services into a unified offering, Andrea aims to position Lenovo as the go-to partner for organizations navigating the complexities of digital transformation. “One Lenovo is pivotal in helping our customers and partners make Lenovo their ‘one-stop shop,’” Andrea explains.
This ambitious goal will require overcoming significant challenges, from aligning diverse business units to ensuring consistent quality across Lenovo’s global operations. However, Andrea is confident that with the right strategy and leadership, Lenovo can achieve its vision of being the trusted partner for organizations worldwide.
The ThinkShield Advantage
As organizations increasingly rely on digital collaboration tools, data security and privacy have become critical concerns. Andrea recognizes that no matter how innovative a collaboration tool might be, it cannot compromise security.
To address these concerns, Lenovo ThinkSmart compute products are built with proactive security features, leveraging ThinkShield – Lenovo’s robust portfolio of cybersecurity solutions. By integrating these security measures into every stage of product development, Lenovo ensures that its collaboration tools are not only effective but also secure, giving customers peace of mind in an increasingly complex digital landscape.
A Visionary Leader’s Mantra
When asked about the philosophy that guides his leadership approach, Andrea offers a simple yet profound mantra: “We’re stronger when we connect, collaborate, and communicate.” This belief lies at the heart of everything he does—from fostering inclusive teams to driving innovation at scale.
For Andrea, leadership is not about commanding from the top; it’s about connecting with people, understanding their needs, and empowering them to reach their full potential. Whether he’s leading a global team through a complex digital transformation or mentoring future leaders within Lenovo, Andrea remains focused on creating an environment where everyone feels valued, heard, and motivated to contribute.
Shaping the Future
Andrea Recupero’s journey is a testament to the power of visionary leadership grounded in empathy, innovation, and inclusivity. From his early days exploring the potential of telecommunications to leading Lenovo’s Smart Collaboration business across EMEA, Andrea has consistently demonstrated a commitment to bringing people together through technology. His ability to navigate the challenges of a rapidly evolving digital landscape, while staying true to his core values, makes him a leader worth admiring.
As the world continues to embrace hybrid work models and digital transformation, Andrea’s insights and leadership will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of collaboration. Fostering diverse and inclusive teams and delivering solutions that are both innovative and secure, Andrea is leading the Lenovo EMEA Smart Collaboration Team toward a brighter, more connected future where technology truly brings people closer, regardless of where they are.
