Alisa-Arifa AGALI ABDOU TOURÉ

Excel Dashboards in HR and Finance: Visualizing Data for Smarter Decision-Making

by
Snehasish CHINARA

In this article, Alisa-Arifa AGALI ABDOU TOURÉ (ESSEC Business School, Global Bachelor of Business Administration – Exchange student from Germany, 2024-2025) describes the benefits of using Excel dashboards in human resources (HR) and financial management.

Also, how Excel dashboards help to accurately evaluate, clearly display and efficiently analyze important key figures such as fluctuation, absences, turnover or cash flow.

What is an Excel dashboard (for example in the HR or finance department)?

Excel dashboard in HR management or finance department is a visual analysis tool that provides a clear overview of important key figures in a company. These include, for example: key personnel figures, employee absences, fluctuation and more. It helps the HR department in the company to quickly evaluate data and ensure that everything is accurate, helping them to make the right decisions. With the help of tables or diagrams and the right formatting, important information can be captured, and anomalies are quickly visible. Dashboards save time, increase transparency and support data-based personnel management.

Advantage

How can Excel dashboards be an advantage in finance?

Excel dashboards offer a number of advantages in finance, for example, the ability to filter and update data at any time, providing a clear and transparent overview of the various financial developments. The use of Excel dashboards in a company promotes transparency in areas such as income, expenses, budgets and forecasts, which is very important for the controlling and HR departments. Another important reason why Excel dashboards are beneficial in a company is that dashboards can play a major role in important decisions, as they clearly show important key figures such as cash flow, profit margins or ROI. Dashboards also save a company an enormous amount of time when processing data.

Key components and application areas of financial dashboards in Excel

A financial dashboard shows all relevant key figures to present the financial situation of a company as simply and comprehensibly as possible. Among other things, a financial dashboard shows the development of turnover over various periods of time and also provides a detailed cost analysis, breaking down into fixed and variable costs. Other important components that a financial dashboard shows are the profit and loss statement, cash flow overviews and key financial figures such as ROI or liquidity ratios. Excel dashboards are used in numerous areas such as controlling, financial planning, capital budgeting and reporting. They support employees in the respective departments in their analyses and strategic decisions through the acquired data they find there.

Efficient data processing and analysis with Excel tools and functions

Excel provides a variety of tools and functions that simplify the processing of data and provide a clear overview. The useful tools and functions include, for example, tables and charts, which enable flexible and dynamic data analysis in companies, slicers and timeline filters facilitate control. Formulas and functions such as “IF” or “INDEX” can be used to perform calculations and automatically adapt to changes. Another important point regarding the efficient use of Excel dashboards is the help of Power Query and Power Pivot, which allows large amounts of data to be easily and efficiently evaluated, adjusted, imported or modalized.

To summarize

It is a great advantage for companies to introduce Excel dashboards into their departments, especially in departments such as HR and financial management. They help to work more efficiently and simplify processes, create a clear and transparent overview of data processing and visualize important key figures such as employee turnover, absenteeism, sales or cash flow.

Thanks to the elements and functions such as filters, charts, pivot tables, Power Query and Power Pivot offered by Excel Dashboards, the large and unclear amount of data can be filtered, analyzed and updated in a targeted manner so that the data is as up to date as possible.

Excel dashboards also promote strategic planning and save valuable time when creating reports. They support data-based management, are flexible and cost-effective for the company and save time.

Why should I be interested in this post?

As an ESSEC student, this article may be of interest because it shows how Excel dashboards in HR and finance can contribute to data-based decision-making and the important role they play in a company. Tools such as Excel dashboards are an important component in today’s world and a skill that is in great demand both in studies and in the professional world, as Excel dashboards help to analyze processes efficiently and present important key figures in an understandable way.

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   ▶ Alisa-Arifa AGALI ABDOU TOURÉ My Experience at DHL- Bremen in the HR department

About the author

The article was written in August 2025 by Alisa-Arifa AGALI ABDOU TOURÉ (ESSEC Business School, Global Bachelor of Business Administration – Exchange student from Germany, 2024-2025).

My Experience at DHL- Bremen in the HR department

by
Snehasish CHINARA

In this article, Alisa-Arifa AGALI ABDOU TOURÉ (ESSEC Business School, Global Bachelor of Business Administration – Exchange student from Germany, 2024-2025) shares her professional experience as an intern at DHL.

About the company

DHL was founded in San Francisco in 1969 by Adrian Dalsey, Larry Hillblom and Robert Lynn. The company’s global headquarters are located in Bonn, Germany. In 1998, Deutsche Post AG began the takeover and fully integrated DHL into the Group in 2002, which today operates under the name DHL Group.

HR DHL
Logo of DHL
Source: the company.

My internship

During my time in the HR department at DHL Bremen, I was able to gain valuable insights, for example, I was able to see and understand the HR processes. The department is responsible for several aspects such as recruiting & onboarding, employee support, payroll accounting and supporting personnel development. In a company as large as DHL, the HR team ensures smooth communication between management and employees within the company.

My Mission

My internship involved a range of responsibilities, including employer branding & engagement, administrative support for employees, and the recruiting process.

  • Employer Branding & Engagement: Participation in employee events, surveys and employee retention initiatives
  • Administrative support for employees: planning, maintaining sick notes and absences, master data management
  • Recruiting process: This includes determining requirements, creating job advertisements and organizing structured onboarding for the successful integration of new employees.

What have I learned

During my time at DHL in Bremen, I was able to get to know important processes that I had already learned theoretically during my studies, but was able to apply practically in my job in the HR department. I was able to get to know processes such as how recruiting, onboarding and personnel administration are developed. I learned how important it is to plan vacation and absence management as accurately as possible and how important it is for the company that everything happens as smoothly as possible. I was also able to expand my knowledge in the areas of personnel budget planning, fluctuation rates and remuneration models. The close cooperation with different departments and employees was particularly valuable for me. I was able to learn a lot of new things and apply and expand my existing skills and knowledge.

Required skills

The position requires communication and organizational skills. To be able to plan and organize employee events as accurately as possible, this requires precise analysis, coordination of surveys to meet the expectations and wishes of the employees. It also requires knowledge in the administration of personnel planning, such as vacation planning, sick leave and absence control. Another important skill for this position is working together as a team to determine requirements, create job descriptions and organize a structured onboarding process. Teamwork and empathy are also very important.

Business concepts related to my internship

Personnel budget planning

An important financial concept in HR activities is personnel budget planning, HR key figures, salary structures and remuneration models. Personnel budget planning is an important component of strategic HR work. Personnel budget planning shows exactly what budget is available to the company in relation to personnel costs. Costs such as salaries, social security contributions, recruiting costs and others are planned and allocated for the year. It is important to plan this as accurately as possible in order to avoid staff shortages and act as efficiently as possible. The HR department works very closely with the Controlling department, the planning of the budget is an important point for an efficient and sustainable personnel strategy.

HR key figures

HR KPIs include the analysis of key figures such as turnover rate. The turnover rate describes the number of employees who voluntarily or involuntarily leave the company in a year. It is also an important aspect, as it reflects the stability and satisfaction of employees. In addition, the turnover rate must always be kept in mind, as a high fluctuation rate can indicate structural problems in the company. If you have this well under control, you can avoid additional costs in the company.

Salary structures and remuneration models

Remuneration must be planned as accurately and appropriately as possible. Salary structures and remuneration models lead to fair remuneration management in the company. The salary structures and remuneration models determine how the employees’ salaries are composed, including aspects such as the employee’s position and function, experience and qualifications. The Salary structures and remuneration model also incorporates active plus points such as awards and bonuses. This serves to increase the motivation of existing employees and to attract new employees for various positions.

Why should I be interested in this post?

As an ESSEC Business School student, the position at DHL can be very interesting, as the company shows you how theoretical knowledge from the areas of HR, controlling and organization is applied in practice in the company. In the company, you gain valuable insights into various areas such as recruiting, personnel budget planning and employer branding, giving you valuable insights into strategic HR work in an international group.

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   ▶ All posts about Professional experiences

Useful resources

careers.dhl.com/global/en/job/

About the author

The article was written in August 2025 by Alisa-Arifa AGALI ABDOU TOURÉ (ESSEC Business School, Global Bachelor of Business Administration – Exchange student from Germany, 2024-2025).

My internship at the law firm Maître Abouba Aly Maiga et Associés

by
Snehasish CHINARA

In this article, Alisa-Arifa AGALI ABDOU TOURÉ (ESSEC Business School, Global Bachelor of Business Administration – Exchange student from Germany, 2024-2025) shares her professional experience as an intern at the law firm Maître Abouba Aly Maiga et Associés in Mali.

About the company

The law firm was founded in 1990 by Mr. Maître Abouba Aly Maiga. Since then, the firm has provided services in a wide range of legal fields. The areas of law offered by Maître Abouba Aly Maiga and Associes are commercial law, business law, national and international criminal law, administrative law, matrimonial law, labor law and international law. One of the reasons for the firm’s success is that it offers its clients services in various areas of law.

Logo of the law firm Abouba Aly Maiga et Associés.
Logo of Maître Abouba Aly Maiga et Associés
Source: the company.

The firm represents not only civilians but also, for example, ministers, soldiers and large companies and deals with international relations and litigation. Maître Abouba Aly Maiga began his career in Bamako, Mali. In addition to the firm, he is the first Vice President and President Africa of the International Bar Association and Vice President of the A.E.A. (European Bar Association), he is also a former member of the Council of the Order.

My internship

My 6 months of my internship abroad at the law firm was an extremely valuable experience for me and gave me a deep insight into a law firm. During my time there, I was able to take part in many exciting and enriching tasks that not only helped me professionally, but also personally. In particular, the work in the field of corporate law and international law as well as the participation in court proceedings and hearings have shaped me a lot and broadened my view of legal practice.

My missions

During my internship at the law firm, I had a variety of tasks that gave me a deep insight into the day-to-day work of a law firm and showed me what the process in a law firm is like. My tasks included, for example, taking part in client meetings and helping lawyers to develop individual legal solutions. Another important insight was to see how professional client communication works.

Another task I was allowed to take on during my internship at the law firm was to read case files and follow legal processes, especially in the areas of corporate and international law. I regularly attended court hearings, where I was able to experience the lawyers’ argumentation strategies first-hand. Furthermore, I was able to learn the practical handling of complex cases. In addition, I prepared the team meetings and created presentations, took minutes and thus contributed to the internal communication of the law firm.

Required skills and knowledge

Certain skills and knowledge were particularly important for my internship at the Law firm Maître Abouba Aly Maiga. These included basic knowledge of international and corporate law, and a good understanding of legal structures and procedures. Another important point is strong communication skills and intercultural competence to work successfully with colleagues and clients from different backgrounds.

Language skills, especially in French, were also very helpful in order to be able to actively participate in discussions and court hearings. In addition, strategic thinking, initiative, confidentiality in dealing with sensitive information and confident use of digital tools were also important skills.

What I learned

During my internship, I was able to gain valuable insights, such as the internal processes of an international law firm, and I was able to apply my theoretical knowledge from my studies in practice. Especially the work in the area of international and corporate law helped me to better understand the processes. I was also able to improve my French language skills through daily exchanges with colleagues and clients. Overall, I learned to act more confidently in a new environment and to adapt flexibly to different professional and cultural situations.

Financial concepts related to my internship

I present below three financial concepts related to my internship: invoicing and cost management, SWOT analysis for strategic planning, and client retention through advertising and pricing.

Invoicing and Cost Management

During my internship, I was made aware of the importance of structured invoicing for a law firm’s cash flow. Accurate documentation of services rendered, and timely invoicing are crucial to ensure regular income for the law firm. Efficient cost management was a key issue at the law firm, as the firm constantly strives to control and document its expenditure, for example on personnel, technology and office infrastructure. A good cost structure has a direct impact on the profit margin and competitiveness in the market.

Strategic Planning using SWOT Analysis

Another important point is the SWOT analysis. Through the SWOT analysis, I quickly understood how financial opportunities and risks are identified and integrated into strategic planning. Aspects such as investing in technology or recognizing threats from cheaper online law firms play an important role.

Client Retention through Advertising and Pricing

Targeted advertising campaigns and appropriate prices are effective ways of retaining customers in the long term and ensuring financial stability. It was particularly important to adapt the price structure to the target groups’ willingness to pay in order to ensure financial stability.

Why should I be interested in this post?

As an exchange student ESSEC Business School student, I am interested in the position at Maître Abouba Aly Maiga et Associés because it offers a combination of international business law and strategic thinking. The internship at the law firm offers a very deep insight into the areas of legal work and business aspects such as SWOT analyses or cost management. It is particularly interesting to work on real cases, attend court hearings and carry out financial and legal analyses relevant to the firm and make decisions. The internship is ideal for students who are interested in business law or who want to work at the interface of law and business.

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   ▶ All posts about Professional experiences

Useful resources

Cabinet Abouba Aly Maiga et Associés

About the author

The article was written in August 2025 by Alisa-Arifa AGALI ABDOU TOURÉ (ESSEC Business School, Global Bachelor of Business Administration – Exchange student from Germany, 2024-2025).