Introduction:
Host:
good evening everyone my name is Boris joining me today is Louis and it is my pleasure to welcome our guest Alessandro a seasoned professional with over 12 years of international experience Alessandro currently leads the European customer success team at Alibaba where he helps SMEs navigate global markets and embrace innovative solutions. He’s an alumnus of our University Bocconi and ESADE Business School and we’re very thrilled to have him today to share his insights with us.
Alessandro:
My pleasure, thank you
Q1)
Host:
Could you tell us more about you?
Alessandro:
Originally from Sardinia, Italy, I moved to Milan at 18 to study business administration at Bocconi. Seeking international exposure, I later moved to Barcelona for a marketing management degree and joined Sony’s European graduate program, working in B2C and B2B marketing across Barcelona and the UK. As e-commerce grew, I transitioned to a digital role at Amazon in Milan. Drawn to new challenges, I joined Alibaba’s Global Leadership Academy, relocating to China for two years before returning to Italy to develop the local market. Now, I lead the customer success function for Alibaba.com in Europe.
Q2)
Host:
You’ve mentioned working in different countries: Italy, China, Spain, the UK.
How has your international experience shaped your leadership style and just how you work in general?
Alessandro:
Living abroad broadened my perspective, revealing how even similar countries think differently. China’s rapid growth and unique leadership style contrasted with Europe, shaping me into a leader who listens, values diverse ideas, and empowers my team.
Q3)
Host:
What attracted you to the business field and has your view on the field shifted throughout the years?
Alessandro:
At five, my favorite cartoon was interrupted by Berlusconi’s speech, sparking my fascination with business. Though my interests evolved, I was always drawn to management. Discovering Bocconi in high school confirmed my path, and my passion never faded.
Q4)
Host:
Could you share with us some of the key challenges that you face along the way and how do you approach overcoming them?
Alessandro:
E-commerce and tech evolve fast, with AI and innovation constantly reshaping the landscape. At Alibaba, strategies can become obsolete in months. I’ve learned to embrace change, stay calm, and focus on driving it rather than just reacting.
Q5)
Host:
Was there a turning point that made you realize this fact , influencing your approach to obstacles?
Alessandro:
Unexpected challenges often made success seem impossible, yet I was surprised by what focus and effort could achieve. Repeated wins under pressure shaped my mindset—believing even the toughest goals can be reached with the right approach
Q6)
Host:
What activity outside of work do you pursue to maintain balance and stay focused particularly in this high pressure environment?
Alessandro:
Most of my time outside work is with my kids. I fit in gym sessions when possible and enjoy movies, now mostly kid-friendly. Traveling remains a passion, and I love exploring the world with my children.
Q7)
Host:
When does work-life balance become manageable in a professional career?
Alessandro:
You need to draw the line, but there’s no absolute right or wrong. At Alibaba, one core value is “live seriously, work happily,” meaning work should bring joy, while life demands seriousness.
The West sees work-life balance as a trade-off, but in China, work is just part of life. Early in my career, I worked long hours, especially abroad, where I had little else to do. As I got older and started a family, I set limits. My hours now fluctuate—some weeks demand more, others allow more family time. As long as I deliver, results matter more than rigid schedules.
Q8)
Host:
Can you tell us a little bit more about your current role at Alibaba?
Alessandro:
Alibaba Group spans e-commerce, logistics, media, and cloud services. Alibaba.com, its first business unit, is a global B2B marketplace. My team helps European sellers attract traffic, secure orders, and grow, ensuring long-term engagement on the platform.
Q9)
Host:
Is the trade just between European companies or is the trade with China as well?
Alessandro:
Global to global.
It’s one of the few marketplaces which doesn’t have a geographic bound. If we have other businesses in Alibaba such as Tmall, which is only selling to China.
So when you work with Tmall, even as an Italian company, you do so to export to China.
Alibaba.com is a global to global.
So you could export to China as well as to Germany, US or India.
It doesn’t really matter.
Q10)
Host:
What is your core responsibility as European Customer success manager?
Alessandro:
Our core responsibility is ensuring seller success, as they are our customers, not the end buyers. They invest in Alibaba’s services, and our job is to help them maximize their ROI, succeed, and continue using the platform.
Q11)
Host:
And what can you consider your biggest strength in this line of work?
Alessandro:
My strength is deep e-commerce expertise—I know the product well without being an engineer. Having worked across countries, I navigate international business and connect with diverse sellers. My leadership is hands-on; I’ve done my team’s work, so I set realistic goals and offer effective support.
Q12)
Host:
Could you tell us a recent project that you really enjoy working on and if there was any challenges in it?
Alessandro:
We’ve worked for years with ICE, Italy’s Trade Association, supporting local SMEs in digitalization and export. Helping these businesses navigate global markets and make a real impact on their approach has been especially rewarding.
Q13)
Host:
Was there any challenge that you encountered specifically?
Alessandro:
Helping companies new to e-commerce means starting from scratch. Many SMEs lack digital experience, making accessibility key. I enjoy empowering them to compete and thrive in a global market, despite limited budgets or expertise.
Q14)
Host:
When you’re given a new project to work on, what would you say is your main approach to it?
Alessandro:
I start by thoroughly understanding the project—its goals, past implementations, and market specifics. Are targets realistic? Once in action, I ensure a solid plan but stay flexible, adapting as conditions change to avoid setbacks.
Q15)
Host:
How have you adapted to the cultural and professional differences when transitioning from working in Hanzhou, when you first started working at Alibaba,
to later go in Europe and have very different people and cultures?
Alessandro:
The biggest difference between working for Alibaba in China and in Europe is its presence and impact. In China, Alibaba is deeply embedded in daily life—its campus in Hangzhou is massive, with thousands of employees, and the company is central to the city’s identity. Everyone uses Taobao, Tmall, and Alipay, making Alibaba a household name. In contrast, in Europe, people recognize Alibaba as a Chinese company, sometimes comparing it to Amazon, but they often lack a clear understanding of its full scope. This shift required a different approach, with more emphasis on explaining and introducing Alibaba’s role.
Q16)
Host:
How do you maintain a balance between Alibaba’s global vision and the specific needs of European markets?
Alessandro:
My role bridges global strategy with local realities. Leadership sees the big picture, but not market specifics. I gather insights from the ground, ensuring decision-makers understand local challenges and needs to drive effective strategies.
Q17)
Host:
How did you adapt to life in China?
Alessandro:
Adapting to China varies by city—Shanghai is expat-friendly, while Hangzhou required deeper cultural immersion. I embraced local life, using public transport and learning “survival Chinese” for basics like food and directions. I enjoyed Chinese cuisine, though after six months, I did crave a pizza!
Q18)
Host
You said you love to travel. Would you take your family to visit China?
Alessandro:
My wife is second-generation Chinese, raised in Italy, so our family is mixed. My kids are half Chinese, and it’s important they explore that part of their heritage. Even beyond that, traveling outside Europe is a valuable experience for any child.
Q19)
Host:
So what advice would you give someone that’s interested in pursuing a career in e-commerce,
B2B?
Alessandro:
Start hands-on, even with a small e-commerce project, to grasp traffic, product positioning, and design basics—skills valuable beyond tech roles. In your 20s, prioritize experience over salary; choosing growth over pay prevents career regret later. Success comes from being proactive—asking questions, engaging teams, and broadening your skill set to become more valuable in any role.
Q20)
Host:
Are there any resources or professional networks that you recommend to someone that maybe is watching that wants to work in in e-commerce or have career path similar to yours?
Alessandro:
Networking is key, especially with Bocconi’s strong alumni presence in e-commerce. Connecting through events and mutual contacts opens doors. Staying informed on industry trends and gaining hands-on experience—like running a small online store—provides a real edge over theory alone.
Q21)
Host:
How do you see the future of Alibaba or this industry evolving over the next few years?
Alessandro:
Predicting the future is tough, but AI is already reshaping e-commerce, much like mobile shopping did. Rapid innovation means unexpected shifts ahead, and companies that adapt fast will thrive. It’ll be interesting to see how platforms like Alibaba evolve.
Greetings
Host:
okay I think that’s it. Thank you so much Alessandro for sharing your time and valuable insights with us today, it’s been an incredible opportunity to learn about your journey and gain inspiration from your experiences we can complete we’re confident that your advice will resonate with many of the listeners here that want to maybe pursue a similar career path such as yours.
Thank you for also Radio Bocconi as well for providing this facility for tonight’s conversation.
We truly appreciate your support in making this event possible. To the audience, thank you very much for tuning in.
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Alessandro Marcello
Radio Bocconi
Board BCSA: Angelo Hu, Lucia Wu, Isabel Fraioli, Lina Ye
Advisor: Yao Tong
Business team : Giacomo Vavassori, Boris Gueorguiev, Louis Hu, Riccardo Lora
Marketing team : Lina Yingying Zhang , Paolo Xia
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