Lenovo, Director, Consumer Business: Mr. Dinesh Nair Interview

Mr. Dinesh Nair is the Director, Consumer Business at Lenovo Edtech for India region. He has been a part of Lenovo for over 11 years and has held various leadership roles. He started his career in communications and later moved to sales. He handles category management roles for the Home and Small business segment. He also set up two businesses such as LFR and Etai RTMS for the organization. He has over 20 years of experience in the Consumer market and has handled varied roles and responsibilities which have helped him become adept at P&L or category management, negotiating business partnerships, managing large customer relationships & cross-functional teams.

What features about Lenovo EdTech Solutions stand apart from others? 

“Smart Learning Solutions and Online education are available for students”

We focus on our vision to widen smart technology across the country and invested $13 million to develop solutions by collaborating with other institutes. Our campus supports teacher training by merging with a non-profit Meghshala Trust. In addition, we partnered with the Agastya International Foundation for the progress of more than 6000 underprivileged students. A Smart Learning Solutions launched by us during the pandemic period with new benefits such as Break Reminder, Attention Function, and Posture control Reminder. 

How is your journey with Lenovo in the last 12 years?

“Manage various responsibilities in field sales, trade retail, category management and more aspects in these years by me”

My journey began in 2010 in Lenovo and I had taken various responsibilities in field sales, trade retail, category management and eCommerce. One of the main heart of Lenovo’s strategy is product innovation. Our services and devices are upgraded each year. We decide to focus on our future with hybrid work models and technology. 

How has the market changed with the pandemic?

“Change in consumer usage patterns, growth of gaming and work from home phenomena of individuals”

The PC market became the center during the pandemic period. We can see various changes in consumer usage patterns and expectations for devices. One of the challenges is that the supply chain did not pace with market expansion. On the other hand, it demands improvised features in products. Working from home has become a new phenomenon and parents adjust to a normal life. Most people spend much more time on gaming and it also led to growth from a market standpoint. 

What are the different solutions offered by Lenovo Edtech for students and educational institutes?

“Provide Lenovo Aware Software and product portfolio for online engagement for children”

We are committed to education due to software solutions and smart technology. The remote learning infrastructure rose widely during the pandemic. We built Lenovo Aware Software to increase the online engagement of children and productivity in class. On the other side, Lenovo’s product portfolio focuses on Chromebook, Tablets, Yoga, and IdeaPad for online education. It assists in boosting a new model of education in a technical way. 

What are your views on the hybrid learning model for education? 

“To upskill teachers, new education policy, learning, and build innovative devices for the campus”

We improve digital platforms for students in the learning process. Our campus offers new learning models such as a New Education Policy, technology development and upskills faculties. The institution collaborates with Microsoft, Google, AMD and Intel for smarter technology. A learning platform is available for us through content creators and software developers. 

How did Lenovo Edtech deal with the pandemic?

“Invest in offline stores, connect with customers and upgrade ICT infrastructure”

Most companies and industries have joined hands with technology over the past two years. We provide our support by giving several technological services and infrastructure solutions. Laptop is a necessary thing in pandemic time and we invested in various offline stores. The investment in several brands widen our relationship with customers. We see the latest upgrades in ICT infrastructure, smart devices and applications in the pandemic. 

What is your vision for the Lenovo Edtech for the upcoming years? Any plans on launching new verticals?

“To rethink campus operations, implement communication tools and more automated systems on campus”

A real time feedback and out of classroom learning focus with the transformation to 5G. We decide to focus on multifaceted communication tools and more automated systems in institutions. Another focus is to impart cashless payments for donations, fees and interest to see changes in the education market. We provide equal opportunities along with smart technology for pupils. It leads to the growth of the Ed-tech industry.

What do you see as the greatest strengths of Lenovo Edtech?

“To attain good results and focus on customers in the market”

Our simplicity allows us to achieve vast opportunities for the future. One of the strengths is to satisfy the customers in the market. We combine the right strategic direction results in global performance. Customers are happy with our right solution and services. 

Any suggestions would you like to give to the current youth?

“Learn from your past and perform well”

My suggestion for youth is to work hard and perform well from the beginning. It is necessary to never look back and learn everything from the past. Mistakes are normal. Make sure to not repeat the errors. One should always learn from their past and succeed in the future.