Leonardo Marra, APAC Area Manager, Istituto Marangoni
Roman at birth, Londoner following graduation, and Shanghainese since 2018. Sales management professional with a solid background in cross-functional and cross-cultural relationships. Currently managing the Asia Pacific region for Istituto Marangoni and Domus Academy, global education pillars for professional and creative learning in the Fashion, Art and Design fields.
Leonardo is also the founder and host of the International Business Podcast, a weekly show where he interviews professionals from around the globe. So if you work across time zones, cultures and borders, this is the show for you.
What is your favourite social media platform, and why?
LinkedIn. It is a good source of information and allows us to connect with like-minded professionals.
Tell us about you and your current role or area of interest.
I look after both B2B and B2C channels in the Asia Pacific region for two among the best Fashion and Design institutions in the world. Responsible for developing the yearly communication, marketing strategy and development plan.
The reference person for Headquarters manages the relationship with the agencies to verify that HQ guidelines in terms of communication and brand are aligned. One key element I like about this position is being a bridge between the East and the West, matching local demands and business processes with the DNA of the European company.
What do you like about your career or area of focus?
The international aspect. Every day I actively engage with at least 15 countries. No day is the same, and boredom does not exist. I love a dynamic business environment that pushes me to keep learning and thinking ahead.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
I was lucky enough to have two mentors at the beginning of my career. First, they taught me how to listen to others. Furthermore, they made me understand the (beautiful) complexities the global business landscape presents. Finally, they taught me to be curious and to refrain from assuming positions too quickly, but also about the importance of being assertive when necessary.
What inspires you, motivates you, or helps you to move forward?
I like seeing progress when managing complex situations. I love the journey more than the outcome.
What are you proud of in your life so far?
Keeping the answer related to business, I would say the creation of The International Business Podcast. The show was founded at the start of the pandemic here in Shanghai. I started connecting with previous employers, colleagues, and clients... now the show has listened in 120 countries, and I have the chance to engage with inspiring leaders from all sorts of industries.
This connects with the advice given by my two mentors. Keep learning and connect with others (possibly, more knowledgeable and experienced than me).
What is your preferred way to meet new people/network?
The pandemic taught us that it is possible to connect with others digitally. That's not easy, but if you understand which channel, which tone. The length (of the conversation) the other person is comfortable with makes it possible to create meaningful conversations. Of course, a 20 min conversation over an espresso would be perfect now and then.
What skills or qualities do you feel have helped you?
Consistency is the key. I like planning and then sticking to the plan.
What do you wish you had known when you started out?
Learning Chinese when I was in High School.
Who do you most admire in business, academic or creative circles and why?
Lex Friedman. The skills in having fantastic conversations with the best minds in the world.
Outside of your professional/work area, what hobbies or interests do you have or what other areas of your life are of real importance to you?
Music. A day never passes without listening (to extreme metal) on Spotify.
Has the pandemic had a positive or a negative effect on you and/or your business, and how have you managed it?
Indeed tough at the beginning, but I feel the change to digital activities was smooth. It pushed me to learn many things I never looked too much into beforehand. But now, I feel confident in managing digital marketing agencies, allocating budgets for a vast array of digital actions and hiring/managing remote team members.
Do you have a mentor, or have you ever mentored anyone?
I had the pleasure of having two great mentors early in my career. Both of them are vital to my own development. I am not sure I'd call myself a mentor for others, but I will indeed pass my insights to the new generation.
What advice would you have for someone looking to get into the same area of work or interests?
Connect with more experience people as early as possible and simply listen to their stories and learn how to ask better questions to those with power and knowledge.
What do you feel is the most common reason for people failing or giving up?
Lack of consistency. You have to look at your daily goals but also at your goals five years from now and beyond.
Is there a phrase, quote or a saying that you really like?
Failing to plan is like planning to fail.
What companies, brands, or institutions do you like or do you think are getting it right?
LinkedIn and HBR.
How do you define success, and what lessons have you learned so far that you could share with our audience/readership?
Learn something every day and improve (or at least try to) every day. Success does not happen overnight. Make sure to work towards it. Have a plan and measure results weekly, monthly, and yearly. Adjust, plan, and then do it again.