Behind Stefanini EMEA Success: Marco Stefanini and Farlei Kothe Provide In-Depth Perspectives

In a recent interview with Business Review, Marco Stefanini and Farlei Kothe shared their insights on digital transformation, starting a business at a young age, and their plans for Stefanini’s evolution. As the Global CEO and Founder of Stefanini Group, Marco Stefanini has been instrumental in driving the company’s growth and expansion into new markets. Farlei Kothe, Stefanini EMEA CEO, brings a wealth of experience in digital transformation and innovation to his role. Together, they offer valuable perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing businesses today.

Marco, can you tell us about Stefanini’s journey so far, and what do you believe has been the key factor behind the company’s success in EMEA?

In my perspective, we’ve always had three important pillars. The first is client satisfaction, which we’ve improved significantly through what we call NPS, the net promoter score. We’ve doubled this score in the last three years. The second pillar is employee engagement, vital for maintaining a motivated team. Managing people is not easy. The third pillar is innovation, introducing new methodologies and technology. We’ve been successful in this regard, and we’re proud of our ability to work harmoniously with different cultures, given the diversity in Europe. This cultural flexibility, I believe, contributes to our success, along with the other pillars I mentioned.

Farlei, as the CEO of Stefanini EMEA, could you share some insights into the specific accomplishments and milestones that have contributed to the company’s growth in this region?

Since I took over, we’ve focused on aligning EMEA with the other, faster-growing regions in the company. EMEA, being a mature market, required some support to keep up with the other regions. The main goal was to enhance our growth and the quality of our offerings. We needed to provide solid proposals to our demanding customers in this mature market. One of our main accomplishments has been creating a robust portfolio and improving the quality of our services. EMEA has traditionally lagged behind in growth, but in 2023, we’re on track for reasonable growth, which adds value to the group. This is a significant development.

Marco, as both the Global CEO and Founder, how has Stefanini adapted to stay at the forefront of innovation in the ever-evolving tech industry?

The key to staying at the forefront is our entrepreneurial mindset. We place a strong emphasis on being open to new technologies and giving our employees and collaborators the autonomy to explore and experiment with new approaches. This mindset is central to our strategy for continuous innovation.

Marco, could you elaborate on the recent acquisition of Solve.it in Italy and how it aligns with Stefanini’s vision for growth in EMEA and Romania?

We’re excited about the acquisition because it allows us to expand our business in Italy, a country with a robust industrial base. With a stronger local presence, we can grow significantly, and this is beneficial not just for Italy but also for Romania. We often use hybrid models for service delivery, with teams in both Italy and Eastern Europe, mainly in Romania. This approach benefits Italy, EMEA in general, and Romania.

Farlei, can you provide us with some details on the strategic importance of the Solve.it acquisition and how it will impact Stefanini’s presence in both EMEA and Romania?

This acquisition is strategically important as it allows us to have a local presence in key European countries. Local presence is crucial for winning new customers and opportunities. Italy, in particular, offers new opportunities, and Solve.it helps us establish a foothold there. Being local allows us to engage more closely with our customers. Many global headquarters are in Italy, and having local contact and language skills is essential.

It’s impressive to hear about the 35% growth this year. Marco, what factors do you attribute this remarkable growth to, and what are your expectations for the coming year?

Achieving remarkable growth involves various factors. Farlei and the European team have done an excellent job over the last few years. Change and improvement take time; you need to build a mature team. The team has been working hard for three or four years, and they are now achieving their targets. We anticipate another great year in the next year, although perhaps not at the same rate as 2023. We expect double-digit growth. The specifics remain to be seen, but we’re optimistic about significant growth.

Farlei, could you shed some light on Stefanini’s expansion plans in Romania and how these plans align with the company’s broader goals in the region?

Romania is already our main delivery center, and we have expanded our presence beyond Bucharest, with an office in Sibiu, strong presence in Targu Mures and people working remotely from all around the country, something we call “Stefanini everywhere”. Romania is an essential part of our strategy because of the talent pool. Romanians often speak multiple languages and have a strong educational background. They are prepared individuals who are sometimes seeking opportunities to work with a global company like ours. Romania is a crucial part of our strategy because it’s a place where we can find a well-balanced talent pool.

In terms of innovation, Marco, can you share some examples of how Stefanini is embracing new technologies and driving innovation in the tech services sector, particularly in EMEA?

I can give an example of the current AI research trend, featuring artificial intelligence. Firstly, it’s vital for our leadership to not only engage but also understand the need for AI. Our European leadership, including Farlei, is highly engaged and committed to integrating AI across our organization. This integration spans our core solutions, HR, and financial departments. Secondly, collaboration with other regions is a key aspect, too. It’s fascinating to see various AI initiatives originating here and in North America, for example. An excellent example is the shared AI library, which centralizes prompts for universal use. The third aspect, which I consider crucial, is the practical application of innovative solutions. It’s about delivering valuable results and solutions to clients, not innovation for innovation’s sake, but innovating to enhance the overall service quality.

Marco, Stefanini is often regarded as one of the most desirable employers in the tech industry. Can you share some insights into the company’s employee-centric approach and what makes Stefanini an attractive place to work in both EMEA and Romania?

We focus on simple yet essential aspects. We thrive in a diverse environment, not only in terms of gender but also with respect to different cultures. We maintain a lean organizational structure, placing great importance on our people. Our emphasis on career growth and internal promotions attracts individuals. We believe in promoting from within. This combination creates a friendly, respectful atmosphere and offers employees the opportunity to grow in their careers.

Farlei, as the CEO of Stefanini EMEA, could you elaborate on the talent pool and professional growth opportunities that Stefanini offers to employees in this region, and how it contributes to the company’s reputation as an employer of choice?

Our strategy revolves around providing high-level services to our customers and staying ahead of the market. We’re known for offering top-notch tools and technologies, which are attractive to young professionals. They look for an environment where they can work with high-performance tools and the latest technologies. Stefanini is always looking to be a step or two ahead of the market. We offer the right environment for talent. Employees see opportunities to apply their knowledge and find the next steps in their careers. Stefanini’s growth strategy allows us to continually promote our employees. Our focus on training ensures that they are always learning, which is crucial for attracting and retaining talent.

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