Nine years and counting: Stefano's playful journey 🥳
He may have been with us for nearly a decade but, for Stefano, time flies when you're having fun. As one of our Tech Programme Managers, it’s his job to make sure our awesome brand retail stores run smoothly. So, if you find your favourite LEGO® store is open (or a new one opens near you), it’s probably thanks to him and the team he works in.
“At first glance, you might think supporting LEGO stores is simple. But it's actually way more complex than you'd imagine. We're talking about stores all over the world here. Each of them is packed with tech – from computers and routers to Wi-Fi antennas and iPads. My mom used to run a small shop back in Italy, and all she had was a cash register and some speakers. Our stores are a whole different ball game."
If it’s in a store and it’s tech-related, the buck stops with Stefano.
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“It is pretty much everything. From keeping stores hooked up to the internet to making sure colleagues can print labels and clock in for their shifts. We even have a cool new mobile payment system that lets you pay wherever you are on the shop floor It's all about making the shopping experience as seamless as possible."
“I started my LEGO journey nine years ago as a customer service advisor, answering calls and emails. I worked my way up through different roles, from handling payments and deliveries, to supporting and improving consumer services IT systems, to supporting the launch of LEGO.com in new countries.”
“One of the most memorable projects I worked on was rolling out laptops for our customer service advisors back in 2018. Again, it might sound like a small thing. But it turned out to be a game-changer when COVID hit, allowing everyone to work from home seamlessly."
“Another big project was the overhaul of our customer service systems. This was massive and involved collaboration across multiple teams. It was challenging but also incredibly rewarding to see it all come together.”
Play is in the DNA of the business and that spirit is definitely reflected in day-to-day company culture.
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“Even in my current role, which is more business-focused, we make time for fun. We have team-building activities, build LEGO sets together, and even have a monthly "Fab Lab" where we can work on whatever creative tech projects we want.”
“Beyond that, we set a lot of store by colleagues stepping up, speaking out and being brave. Everyone’s ideas are genuinely welcomed and listened to. We can all give feedback, it’s not just up to colleagues in a leadership position. This openness to new ideas is what drives innovation and keeps things fresh.”
Stefano feels he’s very much free to build his own path, career-wise. But he certainly never walks it alone.
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“I've been lucky to have supportive people leaders and mentors throughout my journey. They've encouraged me to explore my interests and develop my skills. That's how I went from customer service to tech program management, and who knows what's next!”
“I'm still figuring out my long-term goals, but for now, I'm focused on mastering my current role and learning new things. I even want to pick up another language (I currently speak 3) – maybe French or Danish.”
In case he hasn’t made it plain enough already, Stefano wants to leave nobody in any doubt about one thing:
“I want people to know that this is a place that truly cares about its people. They invest in your growth and encourage you to be your best self.”
“I stumbled upon this opportunity by chance, and I never imagined I'd stay for nine years. But the opportunities for growth, the supportive culture, and the playful spirit have kept me here. If you're looking for a company that values its employees and encourages you to dream big, the LEGO Group might just be the perfect fit for you.”
Just imagine your LEGO® career.