My internship experience at Natixis

February 7, 2025 by Yann-Ray KAMANOU TAWAMBA

In this article, Yann-Ray KAMANOU TAWAMBA (ESSEC Business School, Master in Strategy & Management of International Business (SMIB), 2024-2025) shares his experience as an intern in the Primary Market team within the Global Securities Settlement division at Natixis.

About the company

Natixis is a French corporate and investment bank that provides financial services to corporations, institutional investors, and financial institutions employing in total over 105,000 collaborators. It operates in various fields, including asset and wealth management, insurance, and corporate and investment banking. As of December 31, 2024, Groupe BPCE reported total assets amounting to €1.531 trillion. Within Natixis, the Global Securities Settlement division plays a crucial role in ensuring the proper execution of financial transactions. More specifically, the Primary Market team is responsible for overseeing bond issuances and ensuring smooth settlement processes across different markets.

Logo of Natixis.

Source: Natixis

My internship

As part of my internship, I joined the Primary Market team within the Global Securities Settlement division at Natixis. This experience allowed me to gain insight into the mechanisms of financial markets, particularly in bond issuance and post-trade processes. My role mainly involved monitoring Natixis’ bond issuances as well as third-party medium-to-long-term accounts, ensuring the correct execution of financial transactions, and liaising with internal and external stakeholders to resolve potential discrepancies. Working in such a dynamic environment provided me with a better understanding of how financial institutions operate and reinforced my ability to analyze complex financial transactions.

My missions

During my internship, I was entrusted with several responsibilities that allowed me to develop a thorough understanding of financial market operations. One of my primary tasks was to ensure the compliance of legal documentation related to bond issuances, ensuring that all required documents met regulatory standards. I was also involved in validating and confirming transactions within internal systems, ensuring accuracy before settlement. A key aspect of my role was monitoring the settlement and delivery of transactions across multiple financial markets, including Euroclear and domestic markets in Italy, Spain, and the United States. When discrepancies arose, I had to liaise with counterparties, depositories, and paying agents to identify the source of the issue and propose an appropriate resolution. Additionally, I was responsible for reporting any problems to the relevant teams, such as the middle office, front office, legal, and accounting departments, ensuring that any operational risks were promptly addressed. My daily tasks also included reconciling internal and external records to track settlement suspensions and following corporate actions that could impact securities. To ensure efficient reporting and decision-making, I contributed to the preparation of activity reports that summarized key transactions and market developments.

Required skills and knowledge

To succeed in this role, a solid foundation in financial markets and regulatory compliance was essential. Given the nature of the work, good analytical skills were required to identify and resolve settlement discrepancies efficiently. Attention to detail was crucial, as any error in transaction processing could have significant financial and operational consequences. Effective communication was also an important skill, as I frequently interacted with internal teams and external stakeholders to coordinate operations. Additionally, working in such a fast-paced environment required adaptability and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously. Technical proficiency in financial systems was also beneficial, as it allowed me to process transactions accurately and extract relevant data for reporting purposes.

What I learned

This internship at Natixis was an enriching experience that provided me with valuable insights into the functioning of financial markets and the post-trade environment. One of the key takeaways from this experience was the importance of precision in financial operations—any inaccuracy in trade processing could lead to costly settlement failures. I also became aware of the complexity of regulatory frameworks, as each financial market has its own set of rules that must be strictly followed. Moreover, I realized how essential collaboration is in a banking environment, as different departments must work together to ensure seamless transaction execution. Lastly, I learned that financial markets are constantly evolving, requiring professionals to stay up to date with new regulations and market trends.

Financial concepts related my internship

Liquidity management

This is especially relevant, as ensuring the timely and seamless settlement of transactions plays a vital role in maintaining market efficiency, preventing disruptions, and fostering overall financial stability.

Counterparty risk

It plays a crucial role in financial operations, as each transaction involves multiple parties whose creditworthiness and reliability must be carefully assessed to mitigate potential counterparty risk and ensure smooth market functioning.

Clearing and settlement mechanisms

It provided valuable insights into how financial transactions are finalized, highlighting the critical role of clearing and settlement mechanisms in reducing settlement risk and ensuring the smooth functioning of financial markets.

Why should I be interested in this post?

This post provides a first-hand look at the responsibilities and skills required for a role in securities settlement and bond issuance within a major investment bank. The internship at Natixis offers insight into key financial operations, such as trade settlement, regulatory compliance, and risk management—critical areas for careers in banking and capital markets. Additionally, the experience highlights the importance of analytical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration in a dynamic financial environment, all of which are essential for aspiring finance professionals looking to enter similar roles in global institutions.

Useful resources

Natixis

Natixis Key information for shareholders

Natixis Full-year 2024 and Q4-24 results of Groupe BPCE

About the author

The article was written in February 2025 by Yann-Ray KAMANOU TAWAMBA (ESSEC Business School, Master in Strategy & Management of International Business (SMIB), 2024-2025).

My internship experience at Forvia (Faurecia): A unique blend of corporate and start-up culture

January 28, 2025January 27, 2025 by Hongting LIU

In this article, Hongting LIU (ESSEC Business School, Master in Strategy & Management of International Business (SMIB), 2021-2022) shares her professional experience as a Business Development and Marketing Strategy Intern at Forvia (Faurecia), in the Sustainable Materials Division.

About the company

Forvia is the new corporate identity created after Faurecia acquired HELLA in 2022. It represents the combined entity of Faurecia + HELLA, forming the 7th largest global automotive supplier. It is renowned for its innovative solutions in seating, interiors, clean mobility, and electronics. Committed to sustainability, the company launched its Sustainable Materials Division to address the increasing demand for eco-friendly automotive solutions. This division, established as an independent entity within the corporate structure, embodies a start-up-like agility while benefiting from the parent company’s resources and expertise.

Logo of the Forvia.
Logo of Forvia
Source: the company.

The Sustainable Materials Division focuses on developing innovative materials for automotive parts while also marketing these solutions to external clients, fostering an entrepreneurial spirit within the organization.

My internship

During my six-month internship from April 2022 to November 2022, I worked in an environment that uniquely combined the structure of a global corporation with the flexibility and dynamism of a start-up. This experience provided me with a deeper understanding of sustainability in the automotive sector and enhanced my professional skills.

My missions

As a Business Development and Marketing Strategy Intern, I analyzed market trends using sales and supplier data, prepared communication materials (e.g., product presentations, portfolio books, and website content), and organized internal events to align stakeholders including clients, corporate team, and other divisions and departments of the company, with our division’s objectives. Additionally, I collaborated with engineering, business teams, and external partners to monitor the progress of various projects, ensuring timely execution and alignment with strategic goals.

Required skills and knowledge

The role required a range of soft skills, including project timeline management, creative marketing ideation, and building new products and strategies from the ground up. It also involved identifying and leveraging internal resources to coordinate efforts and achieve objectives, working independently without direct managerial oversight, and self-organizing teams to accomplish goals effectively. For some projects, you do not have previous examples and you need to start from 0 to 1. You also need to prove your idea/strategy by analysis to persuade your manager and other divisions of the company. It allows you to be responsible and follow up a project by yourself. You are required to set up the timeline and control the pace of the project. You need to communicate with different departments as well as other divisions to accomplish your project. Creativity and adaptability were also essential, as I worked on creating promotional materials from scratch and contributing to the division’s entrepreneurial efforts.

What I learned

This internship not only strengthened my understanding of how large organizations foster innovation but also highlighted the importance of balancing structure with flexibility in driving success. Faurecia provided the advantages of a large company, such as standardized workflows, abundant career opportunities, and a highly international environment. At the same time, the newly established division offered the benefits of a startup, including autonomy, the ability to build promotional materials from the ground up, and exposure to a rapidly developing sector. I appreciated the high level of efficiency and the immediate impact of my work, as well as the absence of the ‘cog in the machine’ experience common in larger firms. Moreover, working in the sustainable materials industry—a burgeoning field—equipped me with B2B (Business to Business) skills that have since been instrumental in launching my entrepreneurial journey after graduating. As it is an automobile company selling car parts (for our division, it is a division selling new material which can be applied to car parts), clients of this company are other car manufacturers which are companies. The marketing strategy for business-to-business market can be quite different from B2C (business to consumers) The experience of making marketing material and designing marketing strategy develop my skills in B2B marketing sectors.

Why should I be interested in this post?

For ESSEC students aiming to work in sustainability or innovative industries, this experience exemplifies how large corporations can offer opportunities that combine structure and creativity like start-ups. The insights I gained are particularly valuable for those seeking roles in business development or marketing within forward-thinking divisions.

Useful resources

Forvia – Official website

Gibson, C. (2004) Birkinshaw, J., & Building Ambidexterity Into an Organization

About the author

The article was written in January 2025 by Hongting LIU (ESSEC Business School, Master in Strategy & Management of International Business (SMIB), 2021-2022).

My internship experience at Shenwan Hongyuan Securities

January 27, 2025 by Hongting LIU

In this article, Hongting LIU (ESSEC Business School, Strategy Management and International Business Program , 2021-2022) shares her first internship experience during the Bachelor as a Key account manager Assistant at Shenwan Hongyuan Securities Underwriting Sponsor Co., Ltd., one of China’s leading financial institutions.

About the company

Shenwan Hongyuan Securities is one of China’s largest and most prestigious financial service providers, with a history spanning several decades. The company specializes in a wide range of financial services, including investment banking, securities trading, and wealth management. Its underwriting and sponsor division focuses on supporting corporate clients with Initial Public Offering s (IPOs, when a private company sells its shares to the public for the first time on a stock exchange to raise capital), bond issuances (selling of debt in financial markets), and other capital-raising activities in both domestic and international markets.

Logo of Shenwan Hongyuan Securities.

Source: Shenwan Hongyuan Securities.

As a key player in China’s financial ecosystem, the company’s underwriting sponsor division plays a vital role in connecting businesses with investors and facilitating the growth of the capital markets.

My internship

During my two-month internship as a Marketing Communication Assistant, I worked closely with the investment and marketing teams to manage client communications and support capital market activities. This experience provided me with a comprehensive understanding of financial marketing and client relationship management in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

My missions

As an intern, I supported my manager in providing financial advice to clients by assisting with research and analysis. I helped gather relevant financial news, market trends, and economic activities that could contribute to investment insights. I was involved in compiling and summarizing data on the performance of stocks. I also contributed to the creation of reports and presentations, helping to organize tables, charts, and visual aids to illustrate the performance of our portfolio. This involved tracking portfolio performance and comparing it to market benchmarks to provide a clearer picture for clients. Additionally, I assisted in preparing marketing materials for our financial products and services.

Required skills and knowledge

This role is an entry level internship for students studying in business schools. While it didn’t demand specialized financial expertise, the ability to quickly absorb and apply general financial knowledge from business school courses was essential. The position required strong analytical skills to interpret and synthesize market data into meaningful insights, and an understanding of the tools necessary for analysis, such as Python, PowerBI, and Excel, was also important. These tools were introduced through short training sessions, and I had to quickly get up to speed with them in order to support the team effectively. Effective communication and relationship management were important for maintaining trust with clients. It was essential to understand the different need of clients, think from the client’s perspective and anticipate their needs to ensure their satisfaction. Their needs can be achieve certain financial goals, take risky choices, take safer choices, prepare for the retirement, prepare for the study of children, etc. Additionally, the role required me to stay updated with financial news and market trends, often reading numerous articles and analyzing charts to gather relevant information. Overall, the position required a quick learning curve, adaptability to new tools, and an ability to keep a client-centric mindset while managing a high volume of information

What I learned

This internship was particularly meaningful as my first experience in the financial industry. It offered a general yet valuable introduction to the securities sector, making it an ideal starting point for anyone without an extensive financial background. The experience allowed me to build a foundational knowledge of capital markets and develop practical skills applicable to future roles in the industry. Additionally, I gained firsthand experience in building and maintaining professional relationships, a skill that is invaluable in any client-facing role.

Financial concepts related to my internship

Investment research

One of my key tasks involved analyzing market information and providing clients with investment insights. This required understanding market trends, stock valuations, and risk factors to guide client decisions.

Securities underwriting

Supporting the preparation of underwriting materials exposed me to the intricacies of the IPO process, including pricing strategies and regulatory compliance.

Risk management

Timely updates on market conditions and financial products emphasized the importance of risk assessment in investment decisions, a critical aspect of client advisory roles in this field.

Personal financial awareness

During my internship, I developed a deeper understanding of personal financial management, recognizing the importance of financial planning and investment strategies. This experience gave me a clearer direction for managing my own finances, from evaluating risk tolerance to exploring diversified investment opportunities, laying a foundation for long-term financial security.

Why should I be interested in this post?

This internship experience is interesting for bachelor students who want to work in finance in the future. It is also a good opportunity for Master students who want to develop in finance but have few financial practical experiences. This experience highlights the importance of blending technical knowledge with client relationship skills. The internship also provides valuable exposure to the dynamic world of securities underwriting and investment advisory, making it an excellent steppingstone for a career in finance.

Useful resources

Shenwan Hongyuan Securities – Official Website

About the author

The article was written in January 2025 by Hongting LIU (ESSEC Business School, Strategy Management, and International Business, 2021-2022).

My Internship Experience in the Corporate & Investment Banking division of IMI – Intesa Sanpaolo

March 4, 2025December 27, 2024 by Andrea ALOSCARI

In this article, Andrea ALOSCARI (ESSEC Business School, Global Bachelor in Business Administration (GBBA) – 2024-2025) shares his professional experience as a Summer Intern in the Corporate & Investment Banking Division of IMI – Intesa Sanpaolo.

About IMI – Intesa Sanpaolo

IMI – Intesa Sanpaolo is one of the largest and known banking groups in Italy, standing at the forefront of the Italian financial system and among major international banking groups. Based on the creation by the merger of two historic Italian banks, IMI – Intesa Sanpaolo stands today for innovation and sustainability as a leader in financial services. It operates a variety of services ranging from retail to corporate and investment banking, serving a vast clientele of millions of individuals and companies worldwide. It is committed long-term to creating value for its clients through sustainable performance combined with social responsibility.

Market Hub is Intesa Sanpaolo Group’s specialized department within IMI Corporate & Investment Banking Division. It is a business unit covering advanced trading and investment solutions for institutional and corporate clients. The Market Hub, in this regard, combines capital markets services with advanced technology in the said business unit to offer financial solutions that are efficient, transparent, and reliable. Thus, Market Hub acts as one of the leaders in the capital market world, offering everything from advanced electronic trading platforms to custom-designed investment solutions. It is here that I got an opportunity to work as a summer intern and hence acquire so much insight into the world of modern financial markets, working alongside some of the brightest brains in the industry.

Logo of IMI – Intesa Sanpaolo.
Logo of IMI - Intesa Sanpaolo
Source: the company.

My internship at IMI – Intesa Sanpaolo

In the Market Hub team of Intesa Sanpaolo, I was assigned diverse responsibilities that gave me a wide view of capital markets. Among the main tasks I carried out each day, I prepared reports summarizing and analyzing the results of the activity of my team in the previous day on fixed income, derivatives, and bonds. These reports were crucial in providing the proper overview of how the market was performing, how the team was doing, and whether it was hitting its goals. These reports required me to distill complex financial data into clear, concise, actionable insights for internal stakeholders and more senior bankers. It was there that I learned to present findings to both senior and peer colleagues.

Another important responsibility was to analyze the performance of Market Hub on different platforms such as Bloomberg, Tradeweb, BondVision, and MarketAxess. This included analysis of trading data and platform-specific metrics for market trend analysis and efficiency of performance. In the process, I gained significant knowledge of how technology fits into financial operations and how different trading platforms are designed in today’s investment banking world.

Every day, I actively participated in morning calls, where I discussed the most relevant market news with Milan, New York and London branches teams, regarding the current trends and the Market Hub results. This role called for being informed on all current global financial events and sharing the most relevant information that could have an impact on the team’s activity. Furthermore, I supported the sales team with client contract preparation, making sure everything was accurate in the paperwork, and facilitating smooth coordination with both sales and trading teams.

Finally, I received theoretical and practical training from Bloomberg, both at Intesa Sanpaolo and at its Milan headquarters. These really helped to boost my knowledge of the Bloomberg Terminal, from a basic to upper-intermediate level and hence to navigate market data more effectively.

The fast-paced environment of a trading desk.

Source: StockCake.

My missions

My internship responsibilities were diverse and challenging, reflecting the dynamic nature of the Market Hub’s operations. My missions included:

Preparing Analytical Reports: I have collected and analyzed data in order to prepare reports on market trends, trading performance, and product evaluations. These reports were of utmost importance for internal strategy discussions and client presentations, requiring precision and a keen understanding of financial concepts. Producing these also helped me build a stronger command of data visualization techniques and financial storytelling.

Supporting Trading Desk Operations: I analyzed real-time market data to assist traders in making informed decisions. This entailed monitoring key indicators, assessing liquidity conditions, and identifying opportunities for optimizing trade execution strategies. The depth of analysis required for this role provided me with a strong foundation in market mechanics and trading dynamics.

Collaborating with the Sales Team: I worked with the sales team where I analyzed client needs, helped the sales to prepare tailored financial solutions, and ensured effective communication between the sales and trading teams. This experience has allowed me to learn how to manage client relationships and how product offers must be made, in order to meet clients’ expectations and consequently establish important partnerships.

Required skills and knowledge

The internship required technical expertise, analytical acumen, and interpersonal skills. From a technical point of view, it engaged my knowledge of financial instruments such as derivatives, bonds, and fixed-income products. Knowledge of data analysis and data visualization by tools such as Excel, Bloomberg and Power-BI has been fundamental in the execution of data analysis. Proficiency in Excel allowed me to go through big spreadsheets of data and extrapolate for the team important information. Similarly, Bloomberg Terminal was helpful to access market data, monitor trading activity, or conduct deep research on any financial security.

Another very useful aspect was the quantitative and statistical knowledge. My comprehension of the main concepts such as regression analysis and time series forecasting, also if not strictly necessary, enabled me to interpret complex datasets and support predictive analysis tasks on Power-BI.

Equally important were the soft skills that enabled me to thrive in a high-pressure environment. Effective communication was extremely important because it called for frequent presentation of the results, on quite a technical level, to the Heads of the team. Adaptability and problem-solving were other critical skills during my internship, especially in periods when the workload was heavy and there was the necessity to reorganize the priorities. Lastly, teamwork ability played a significant role when I was assigned collaborative tasks with other interns and analysts.

What I learned

My internship at Intesa Sanpaolo was really enriching and opened my eyes to the world of financial markets and the strategic relevance of technology in modern banking. One of the most important lessons learned during this experience, if not the most important, is surely the precision and attention to detail that every operation of a financial nature should have. Whether in the analysis of market data or in the preparation of presentations for clients, everything had to be extremely precise and had to respect high standard.

I also learned a lot about how trading and market analysis works. How customer behavior, market dynamics, and technology systems interact allowed me to gain a comprehensive understanding of the variables affecting trading results. The internship has also made clear the importance of teamwork and communication toward the success of an organization. The interpersonal skills developed in working closely with leaders of the sector will undoubtedly help me in the future.

The use of Bloomberg Terminal, a very important tool in researching market data, real-time financial news, and deep research into different asset classes, was another skill I was further refining. Bloomberg allowed me to find instantly relevant information and develop actionable insight, crucial both for the trading strategy and for client presentations. This not only helped me to improve my technical knowledge but also instilled in me the need to use the right tools to perform efficient analysis.

Perhaps, most importantly, this experience allowed me to dive into the transformative impact of technology on the financial industry: from automated trading systems to advanced analytics tools, integration of technology into financial processes changes how institutions operate. Overall, this experience encouraged me to go deeper into the area where finance and technology meet.

Bloomberg Terminal, an essential tool for market analysis and decision-making.

Source: Bloomberg.

Financial concepts related my internship

I present below three financial concepts that were particularly relevant to my internship experience: market liquidity, derivatives and bond pricing, and trade execution algorithms.

Market Liquidity

Market liquidity refers to the ease with which an asset can be bought or sold in the market without causing a significant change in its price. Trading volumes, bid-ask spreads, and other indicators are only a few aspects that must be analyzed in an attempt to assess the depth and stability of markets. I learned that various events in the market such as the decisions made by central banks or geopolitical events, have huge influences on liquidity. This knowledge also underlined timing in trading decisions for maximum efficiency and minimum risk exposure.

Derivatives and Bond Pricing

The internship gave me an opportunity to learn and understand some of the intricacies related to derivatives and bond pricing. I understood, also if not personally performed, the ways of pricing derivatives, options, and futures based on volatility, interest rates, and prices of the underlying assets. I mastered methodologies for bond pricing, including the time value of future cash flows and periodic coupon payments in addition to the face value at maturity. This is based on interest rate dynamics and credit spreads, which affect fixed-income valuation. Although I did not perform the valuations myself, this experience really improved my capabilities to interpret quantitative models and to read complex financial data.

Trade Execution Algorithms

These advanced trading tools are engineered to achieve the best possible outcome in trades at an extremely low market impact and with a low transaction cost. In an electronic trading environment, I was privileged to pick up some concepts on the design and application of these algorithms. Knowledge about how the algorithms were calibrated in a balance between speed, cost, and market conditions gave me valuable insight into technological changes shaping today’s practices of trading.

An example of market liquidity trends analysis.
Bloomberg Terminal, an essential tool for market analysis and decision-making IMI Intesa Sanpaolo
Source: ETFstream.

Why should I be interested in this post?

This article will be really helpful for all students who want to orient their careers in finance, investment banking, and trading. It underlines the importance of practical experience within such a prestigious institution as IMI – Intesa Sanpaolo and the knowledge and abilities necessary for such a career. Understanding how markets and technology interact, in fact, becomes key for every finance aspirant, and this internship is a great illustration of that.

Useful resources

IMI Intesa Sanpaolo – Corporate & Investment Banking Division

Market HUB Intesa Sanpaolo

About the author

The article was written in December 2024 by Andrea ALOSCARI (ESSEC Business School, Global Bachelor in Business Administration (GBBA) – 2024-2025).

My Internship Experience at SmartStream Technologies (Fintech)

December 27, 2024December 18, 2024 by Lara HADDAD

My Internship Experience at SmartStream Technologies (Fintech)

In this article, Lara HADDAD (ESSEC Business School, Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA), 2020-2024) shares her experience as a market analyst at SmartStream Technologies.

Presentation of SmartStream Technologies

SmartStream Technologies (often called SmartStream in short) is a global provider of financial transaction management software and managed services. Their flagship product, Transaction Lifecycle Management (TLM®), helps financial institutions streamline their post-trade processing, improve efficiency, and reduce operational risks. They also offer various services that primarily use AI as a tool to facilitate financial transactions and accounting.

Logo of SmartStream Technologies

Source: the company.

Presentation of my internship at SmartStream Technologies

During my internship as a Market Analyst in Dubai, I gained a deep understanding of SmartStream Technologies’ fintech products. My key contributions included developing a business plan for “SmartStream Air,” an AI-powered product, and implementing sales and marketing strategies to attract potential clients. I also played a pivotal role in preparing the budget for company events, conducting financial analyses to identify cost-saving opportunities and enhance campaign effectiveness. This experience provided valuable insights into the intersection of technology, finance, and marketing within the fintech industry.

Required skills and knowledge

This internship demanded a combination of technical and interpersonal skills. A strong understanding of financial markets and fintech products was crucial. Analytical skills were necessary for market research and business plan development, while financial modeling skills were used for budgeting and forecasting. Communication and presentation skills were essential for conveying ideas and strategies to stakeholders. Furthermore, problem-solving and critical thinking were vital for navigating the complexities of the fintech landscape and developing innovative solutions. Finally, adaptability and a proactive approach were important for thriving in a fast-paced, technology-driven environment.

What I learned

My internship at SmartStream Technologies provided a deep dive into the world of fintech. I gained practical experience in developing a business plan for a new AI-powered product, which involved market analysis, financial projections, and go-to-market strategy development. I also honed my budgeting and cost analysis skills while preparing for a major event. This experience highlighted the importance of data-driven decision-making and the increasing role of technology in the financial services industry.

Three Key Financial Concepts

I present below three key concepts that I used throughout my internship: budgeting and cost analysis, sales forecasting, and return on investment (ROI).

Budgeting and Cost Analysis

Preparing the event budget required careful planning, cost estimation, and analysis to ensure efficient resource allocation. This experience highlighted the importance of financial control and cost management in achieving project objectives.

Sales Forecasting

Developing sales strategies involved forecasting potential revenue based on market analysis and sales projections. This provided valuable insights into the financial planning process and the importance of accurate forecasting.

Return on Investment (ROI)

Analyzing the effectiveness of marketing campaigns required measuring the return on investment to assess the financial impact of marketing spend. This experience emphasized the importance of data-driven decision-making and performance measurement.

Why should I be interested in this post?

This post is highly relevant for ESSEC students interested in fintech, financial product management, or technology-driven finance roles. It demonstrates how financial skills can be combined with an understanding of technology to drive innovation and growth in the financial services sector. The experience of developing a business plan, implementing marketing strategies, and managing a budget provides valuable practical skills applicable to a wide range of finance-related careers. This type of internship can be a stepping stone to exciting opportunities in the rapidly evolving fintech landscape.

Useful Resources

smartstream air

About the author

The article was written in December 2024 by Lara HADDAD (ESSEC Business School, Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA), 2020-2024).

My Internship Experience as a Market Analyst at L’Oréal

December 18, 2024 by Lara HADDAD

My Internship Experience as a Market Analyst at L’Oréal

In this article, Lara HADDAD (ESSEC Business School, Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA), 2020-2024) shares her experience as a Market Analyst intern with L’Oréal Group. My six-months internship, which was a part of my Global BBA program at ESSEC was a great opportunity to discover a new industry in a big company. The diversification of the missions and the focus on financial analyses of different brands motivated me to start this internship.

Presentation of the Company

L’Oréal, founded in 1909, reigns as the world’s largest cosmetics company. With a diverse portfolio encompassing hair color, skincare, sun protection, make-up, perfume, and hair care, L’Oréal’s success stems from a dual focus: developing innovative products and cultivating strong customer relationships. This approach necessitates a workforce adept at both scientific research and market analysis.

L’Oréal brands

Source: the website.

Presentation of my Internship

As a Market Analyst Intern at L’Oréal’s Global Headquarters in Paris, I delved into the intricacies of the MENA market. My missions included conducting sell-in and sell-out analyses, crafting customer-specific reports, analyzing channel performance and competition (including online and offline channels), and contributing to volume build-up reports and financial simulations, notably GM% modeling. I also worked on establishing the budget of next quarter based on the budget of last year and the performance of the different brands and how the expenses were divided.

These tasks demanded proficiency in data analysis, financial modeling, market research, and a keen understanding of regional market dynamics. I honed these skills while also developing a strong understanding of how financial data informs strategic decision-making within a global corporation.

I was able to develop various analytical, problem solving, financial skills as well as human soft skills thanks to the team work and constant communication I had with my teammates.

Required skills and knowledge

My role at L’Oréal required strong analytical skills to interpret market data, identify trends, and draw meaningful conclusions. Financial modeling and proficiency in Excel were essential for building forecasts and simulations. Presentation skills were vital for communicating findings to the team, while attention to detail ensured accuracy in reports and analyses. Collaboration and communication were key for working effectively within the team and with other departments. Finally, an understanding of the cosmetics industry and market dynamics was beneficial for contextualizing my analysis.

What I learned

I gained a comprehensive understanding of the cosmetics industry, particularly within the MENA market. I honed my analytical skills by working with real market data and learned how to translate complex information into actionable insights. Developing financial models and contributing to strategic decision-making provided practical experience relevant to corporate finance roles. Working within a global corporation like L’Oréal also gave me valuable insights into the complexities of international business and the importance of cross-cultural collaboration.

Three Key Financial Concepts

I present below three key concepts that I used throughout my internship: gross margin, financial modeling, and market analysis.

Gross Margin

Gross Margin Percentage (GM%) is a metric, central to my internship, which reveals the profitability of a product after deducting the cost of goods sold. Analyzing GM% allowed me to assess the financial health of different product lines and contribute to pricing strategies. My team was responsible of three main brands and we would do this monthly analysis on these brands to establish what is going on in the market and what can be fixed.

Financial Modeling

Building financial models based on market data and trends was crucial for forecasting future performance and informing investment decisions. This experience provided valuable insights into how companies use financial projections to guide their strategies.

Market Analysis

Understanding market dynamics, consumer behavior, and competitive landscapes is essential for financial success. My internship provided hands-on experience in analyzing these factors and their impact on financial performance.

Useful Resources

L’Oréal Finance

L’Oréal careers

About the author

The article was written in December 2024 by Lara HADDAD (ESSEC Business School, Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA), 2020-2024).

My Internship Experience at Safety Carb

December 24, 2024December 7, 2024 by Marine SELLI

My Internship Experience at Safety Carb

In this article, Marine SELLI (ESSEC Business School, Global Bachelor in Business Administration (GBBA), 2020-2024) shares her professional experience as a Strategic Financial Planner at Safety Carb Additifs.

About Safety Carb

My father founded Safety Carb Additifs as an entrepreneurial venture in 2015 to produce French industrial additives. It is a company focused on environmentally friendly additives while reducing their negative ecological impact. Over the years, Safety Carb has developed itself and reaffirmed its positioning earning eco-certifications that also allow its customers to benefit from eco-primes.

Logo of the company.
Logo of Safety Carb
Source: Safety Carb.

My internship at Safety Carb

Joining Safety Carb Additifs as a Strategic Financial Planner gave me the opportunity to contribute to an entrepreneurial venture which is a stimulating and ever evolving environment. My role encompassed many day-to-day recurring tasks such as inventory management, issuing invoices, it was mainly centered around developing a comprehensive business plan, which served as a foundation for the company’s strategic initiatives and future growth. Yet being in a small corporate setting, in rare moments I also had to bring support in other areas such as operational tasks.

In the end, this internship allowed me to delve into the company’s financial operations and understand the unique challenges faced by entrepreneurial ventures.

My missions

One of the main parts of my internship was the creation of a detailed business plan with the CFO ( Chief Financial Officer ). I had to do in-depth market research of this process in which I had to assess growth opportunities and identify the company’s competitive advantage. We looked to determine the possible market expansions and the need to incorporate the sustainability metrics into the plan. Safety Carb emphasized the use of its eco-friendly products to break new market segments in this business plan.

It also featured financial projections of the company’s growth potential and indicated the company’s ability to achieve profitability while conforming to his sustainability objectives, and used scenarios useful for external financing like investors.

I was also responsible for helping to synthesize accounting data and to create tools to monitor inventory so that the company’s operations could be kept efficiently and on track with its financial achievement.

Required skills and knowledge

Reflecting on it, my internship at Safety Carb Additifs required a combination of technical and analytical skills. Developing the business plan required me to acquire a comprehensive understanding of financial modeling and market analysis. Moreover, I needed a strategic mindset to balance the company’s entrepreneurial objectives with its operational constraints. For instance, while drafting the Business Plan, I had to consider the company’s limited financial and human resources, ensuring that proposed initiatives were feasible within budget and staffing constraints. Additionally, the production capacity of the company’s facilities imposed limits on how quickly new projects or expansions could be implemented.

What I learned during my internship at Safety Carb

This experience enhanced my understanding of how financing can support entrepreneurial ventures and fast-track its success. I also learned to develop business plan creation skills, from market analysis to financial projections, and gained an overview into how sustainability can drive growth in competitive industries in today’s environment. On a more personal note, working closely within an entrepreneurial team also gave me a deeper appreciation for the challenges and opportunities that come with running a family business.

Financial concepts related my internship

Business Plan Development

One of the key financial concepts I applied during my internship was business plan creation. This involved integrating various components into a cohesive Excel that reflected the company’s strategic direction.

Cost-Benefit Analysis

I also relied on cost-benefit analysis to evaluate the potential return on investment for market expansion initiatives and the need for a validation of other eco-certifications. By assessing the trade-offs between costs and expected benefits, I was able to provide actionable recommendations backed-up by several hypotheses.

Cash Flow Management

Cash flow management was another important concept. For any entrepreneurial venture, it’s necessary to understand how to project and monitor cash flows and ensure that the company’s operations were financially sustainable.

Why should I be interested in this post?

If you’re interested in an entrepreneurial venture, finance and sustainability, I think this post provides a great ground to demonstrate how finance can serve as a catalyst for both business growth and positive environmental impact.

Useful resources

Safety Carb

About the author

The article was written in December 2024 by Marine SELLI (ESSEC Business School, Global Bachelor in Business Administration (GBBA), 2020-2024).

My Internship Experience as a Brand Strategy Assistant at Accor

December 24, 2024December 7, 2024 by Marine SELLI

My Internship Experience as a Brand Strategy Assistant at Accor

In this article, Marine SELLI (ESSEC Business School, Global Bachelor in Business Administration (GBBA), 2020-2024) shares her professional experience as a Brand Strategy Assistant at Accor, focusing on brand strategic analysis for a global portfolio of midscale brands.

About Accor

As a global hospitality industry leader, Accor has over 5,300 hotels throughout 110 countries. Accor has a wide variety of brands from luxury to economy, catering to different segments of customers – leisure travelers to business professionals. The company is known for its focus on innovation and sustainability and is always looking for ways to maintain a competitive advantage in a changing market. Today, the focus is on “augmented hospitality”. The brand strategy team in Accor’s global operations is responsible for creating and executing actions to promote value, brand equity, market presence and operational efficiency. In close partnership with regional relays and individual hotels, the team is able to adapt strategies in order to work with the specific dynamics of each market. Accor recently has been in the process of a strategic transformation, moving away from being a hotel owner and towards franchising and contracted management. Accor increases operational flexibility and minimizes financial risk by selling its brand name rather than owning the hotels directly and brand strategy is a key element of its global success. This strategy allows the company to concentrate on specific and focused competencies such as brand management, customer experience, but also innovation while transferring the financial and operational responsibilities of property ownership to third parties. By adopting a franchising and contracted management model, Accor also mitigates the risks associated with real estate ownership such as market fluctuations, high CAPEX ( capital expenditures ), and asset depreciation. This asset-light approach also provides greater agility, as it enables Accor to expand more rapidly and adapt to changing market conditions.

Logo of Accor.

Source: Accor.

As of December 5, 2024, Accor’s stock price has reached €46.08, reflecting a 45% year-to-date growth from its 52-week low of €32.47 on August 5th. This significant recovery underlines the investor’s confidence in the company’s strategic shift towards this asset-light model and its operational resilience. Moreover, Accor’s reentry into the CAC40 in March 2024 highlighted its resurgence as a key player in the French economy. The stock is now showing strong momentum, peaking at a 52-week high of €46.12, with daily trading volumes of 492,713 and a market capitalization of €11.23 billion.

Accor’s Historical Stock Data.

Source: Euronext.

My internship

During six months, I worked as a Brand Strategy Assistant for Accor, supporting global initiatives for three brands: Belonging to Mercure, Grand Mercure and Handwritten Collection. In my role, I had to simultaneously apply analytical know-how and communication skills to ensure strategic priorities were consistent across regions and individual properties. Because of my position, I was able to interact with a diverse range of stakeholders, including hotel managers responsible for implementing strategies on-site, regional leaders overseeing multiple properties, and corporate executives shaping the brand’s strategic vision. My role was to identify and help to develop the most impacting actions to drive results at the hotel level, and communicate these to the regional teams and the hotel managers.

My missions

When I was interning, a large part of what I did was take I did was take comprehensive data sets detailing every hotel Accor owns, including each property’s specific features and performance metrics such as occupancy rates, average daily rates (ADR), revenue per available room (RevPAR), and marketing campaign performance. Then I would synthesize it into a clear, actionable report. To accomplish that, I had to create Powerpoints that would portray brand strategies and performance insights to the regional teams and hotels all around the world as well as to the stakeholders at all levels with key performance metrics being highlighted. A second important part of my work was determining the ROI of different actions.This was computed by analyzing the incremental revenue generated from specific initiatives relative to their associated costs, such as marketing spend, operational investments, or promotional discounts. Through an analysis of global hotel-level data, I was able to identify which initiatives were having the greatest impact and provide recommendations on how to best utilize resources for maximum impact.

Required skills and knowledge

In this role I needed high-level synthesis skills to make sense of large amounts of data and report into documents. There was a need for proficiency in Excel to curate the data, and PowerPoint to convey effectively the information. I also needed analytical skills as I worked with financial metrics such as ROI and KPIs to analyze the success of initiatives. In addition, the role required deep collaboration and strong communication skills. I regularly engaged with a wide range of stakeholders, including regional teams, hotels, and agencies. I also developed expertise in working across different markets, understanding their unique characteristics, and aligning recommendations with each region’s specific goals and challenges.

What I learned

I learned a lot through my internship about how global strategies are applied to the local market in a fast developing and competitive industry. I acquired advanced skills in data analysis and synthesis and learned how to communicate complex information clearly to diverse audiences. In addition, I learned about the process of using financial metrics like ROI and KPIs to evaluate and prioritize strategic actions. On top of that, I believe this experience helped me develop my ability to think critically about how brand strategies can drive tangible results across different markets.

Finally, managing a hotel portfolio of this size (+1000 hotels) and complexity highlighted the difficulty of ensuring that every hotel aligns with Accor’s vision and delivers on its brand promises even though it is now its main business model. I had gained firsthand experience in learning how to navigate this challenge, contributing to initiatives designed to reinforce operational implementation and efficiency which is a key driver in hospitality business.

Financial concepts related my internship

I explain below three financial concepts related to your internship: Return on Investment (ROI), Key Performance Indicators ( KPIs) and Budget Management

Return on Investment (ROI)

ROI was one of the key financial concepts I applied. I analyzed the ROI of many different initiatives to identify which action led to the highest ROI and so resources were directed towards actions which led to the best results for driving hotel performance.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Another concept was KPIs. The hotel industry has its own specific metrics such as occupancy rates, average daily rate, and revenue per available room. These are essential for evaluating the success of each project and determining where improvements could be made.

Budget Management

Finally, my manager and I worked extensively on both budget management and budget allocation, which were critical aspects of my role. For budget allocation, we collaborated to distribute a strict and defined budget across different brands and within various global initiatives, such as brand campaigns, regional activations, and strategic projects aimed at strengthening Accor’s global market presence. I contributed by carefully evaluating the expected ROI of each initiative, analyzing key performance metrics like brand visibility, customer engagement, and revenue contributions. Together, we ensured that resources were allocated strategically to maximize the impact on a global scale. In terms of budget management, we worked closely to monitor spending across these global initiatives, ensuring compliance with the allocated budget. I actively tracked expenditures, flagged any deviations, and supported the development of adjustments to keep financial goals on track.

Why should I be interested in this post?

If you’re interested in exploring a mix of finance, strategy and marketing within a global organization, my experience at Accor demonstrates how financial metrics are used to drive impactful decisions in several business’ segments. It also highlights the importance of ensuring that global strategies translate into local success, offering valuable insights for those aspiring to work in corporate strategy, hospitality, or brand management.

Useful resources

Accor

About the author

The article was written in December 2024 by Marine SELLI (ESSEC Business School, (ESSEC Business School, Global Bachelor in Business Administration (GBBA), 2020-2024).

Bridging Technology and Finance: Insights from a Marketing Internship in Public Bidding

December 1, 2024December 1, 2024 by Ziqing QIN

Bridging Technology and Finance: Insights from a Marketing Internship in Public Bidding

In this article, Ziqing QIN (ESSEC Business School, Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), 2022-2026) shares her professional experience at VideoPower Technology as a Marketing Intern in public bidding.

About the company

VideoPower Technology Co., Ltd., founded in 2012 and headquartered in Beijing, China, is a leading provider of technological solutions for government procurement and public bidding. The company’s innovative tools and platforms enable government agencies to procure goods and services transparently and efficiently while empowering businesses to compete fairly in the marketplace.

VideoPower specializes in advanced analytics, compliance management, and bidding process automation. For example, its flagship platform “BidMaster” has been used in over 300 government projects, helping businesses win contracts totaling more than 50 million RMB. One notable success story involved assisting a logistics company in securing a provincial transportation contract worth 10 million RMB by optimizing their bidding strategy using BidMaster’s analytics.

I worked in the Marketing and Business Development team, which was pivotal in identifying market opportunities and crafting strategies to position the company as an industry leader. During my internship, I contributed to the development of campaigns targeting public procurement opportunities and collaborated with Finance and Operations to prepare competitive bids. A key achievement was securing a regional government IT infrastructure project valued at 3 million RMB, a testament to the team’s strategic alignment and execution capabilities.

Logo of VideoPower Technology.

Source: the company.

My internship

As a marketing intern at VideoPower Technology Co., Ltd., I had the opportunity to work directly on public bidding projects that shaped my understanding of the procurement process. One of the most impactful experiences was contributing to a successful bid for a regional government’s information technology (IT) infrastructure project valued at 3 million RMB. This hands-on involvement taught me how to collaborate with multiple departments, such as finance and operations, to ensure that our proposals were both competitive and aligned with strategic objectives.

My missions

Throughout my internship, I was responsible for a variety of key tasks that directly supported the company’s bidding efforts:

Performed in-depth market research on over 50 government procurement projects, identifying opportunities in sectors such as IT and construction.
Played a pivotal role in crafting proposals, including a winning bid for an 8 million RMB service contract that secured a 5-year partnership with a municipal government.
Evaluated competitors’ pricing and strategies, which led to a reduction in bid preparation time and increased success rates.
Worked closely with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance with government regulations, achieving a 95% approval rate for submitted proposals.

Required skills and knowledge

My role required both technical and interpersonal skills. I leveraged analytical tools such as Excel to create detailed cost models, ensuring proposals were competitive and profitable. Proficiency in project management software, such as Trello and Microsoft Project, allowed me to prioritize tasks and meet tight deadlines. Soft skills, including communication and teamwork, were vital for presenting market insights to senior management and fostering collaboration with other departments. Additionally, my understanding of government procurement regulations enabled me to identify compliance risks and avoid potential setbacks.

What I learned

This internship was a crash course in the complexities of public procurement and how to navigate them effectively. By working on large-scale projects, I gained a solid understanding of cost analysis, competitive pricing, and risk mitigation. For example, I analyzed historical bid data to anticipate competitor pricing, which directly influenced our proposal strategies. I also learned how to balance profitability with client requirements, an essential skill for roles in finance and consulting. Beyond the technical aspects, this experience deepened my appreciation for cross-departmental collaboration and the importance of clear communication in achieving shared goals.

Financial concepts related to my internship

During my internship, I applied several financial concepts that were essential to the bidding process. These included cost estimation and budgeting, pricing strategies, and risk assessment.

Cost Estimation and Budgeting

Cost estimation and budgeting were fundamental aspects of my role. I learned how to break down project costs into direct and indirect categories, ensuring that every expense was accounted for. By accurately estimating costs, the company could prepare bids that were both competitive and realistic. This process involved analyzing historical data, consulting with project teams, and forecasting potential risks that might impact the budget.

Pricing Strategies

Developing effective pricing strategies was crucial to winning bids while maintaining profitability. I analyzed competitors’ pricing models and market trends to determine optimal pricing for our proposals. This involved striking a balance between offering an attractive price to government clients and ensuring that the company’s financial goals were met. By leveraging market intelligence, I contributed to crafting proposals that highlighted the company’s value proposition.

Risk Assessment

Risk assessment played a significant role in preparing bids. I worked on identifying potential risks, such as fluctuating material costs, project delays, and regulatory challenges, and developed strategies to mitigate these risks. By addressing these uncertainties in advance, the company was able to submit bids with confidence, minimizing the likelihood of unforeseen challenges during project execution.

Why should I be interested in this post?

This post highlights how an internship in public bidding applies essential financial concepts like cost estimation, pricing strategies, and risk assessment. These skills are highly relevant for ESSEC students pursuing careers in finance, consulting, or corporate strategy.

It also shows how practical experiences complement academic learning, preparing students for roles in investment banking, business development, and beyond.

Useful resources

Below are some valuable resources related to public procurement, market analysis, and project management that were relevant to my internship experience:

Government Procurement Platforms

PLACE – Plateforme des Achats de l’État: The official French government procurement platform, providing information on public tenders and bidding processes.

Market Analysis Tools

Statista: A leading platform for market statistics and industry insights.

Google Tag Manager: A free tool for managing and analyzing website tags, helpful for digital marketing analysis.

Business and Investment Resources

Business France: A national agency that supports the international development of French businesses and promotes investments in France.

Project Management Tools

Microsoft Project: A comprehensive tool for planning, executing, and tracking projects.

Trello: A flexible project management tool that helps organize tasks using a Kanban board approach.

About the author

The article was written in December 2024 by Ziqing QIN (ESSEC Business School, Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), 2022-2026).

November 2024: Top Posts of the SimTrade Blog about Professional Experiences

January 10, 2025November 30, 2024 by Prof. François LONGIN

November 2024: Top Posts of the SimTrade Blog about Professional Experiences

I have selected very interesting posts about a very interesting topic: professional experiences from alumni of the SimTrade course.

Most Read Posts

Please find below the most read posts from the SimTrade blog about professional experiences:

Learn about the professional experience of a management controller at CarFuel. A practical insight into the role and its challenges in the field of financial management!

▶ Medine ACAR Mon expérience professionnelle en tant que contrôleuse de gestion chez Carfuel

Explore the professional experience of a credit analyst at Targobank. Gain a better understanding of the role and its responsibilities in the banking sector!

▶ Matthieu MENAGER My professional experience as a credit analyst at Targobank

Discover the professional experience of a quantitative analyst intern at FinDoc Financial Services.

▶ Praduman AGRAWAL My Professional Experience as a Quantitative Analyst Intern at Findoc Financial Services

Learn about the professional experience of a Global Development and Learning Intern at Danone. Get insights into the key responsibilities and skills needed for this role in a global company!

Jayna MELWANI My Professional Experience as a Quantitative Analyst Intern at Findoc Financial Services

Explore the professional experience of an Associate Auditor at PwC’s Digital Data Hub. Discover the role’s key tasks and the skills required in a leading auditing firm!

▶ Federico MARTINETTO My professional experience as a PwC Associate Auditor in the Digital Data Hub

Professional experiences are invaluable for understanding the practical applications of finance theory and gaining insights into the industry. By learning from others, you can anticipate challenges, discover new job opportunities, refine your career strategy. The November 2024 top posts on the SimTrade blog are designed to inspire and guide you on your professional journey. Do not hesitate to contact the contributors to ask them questions about their internship and get their contacts in the firms they work for.

SimTrade choice

Have a look on the post below!

Learn about the internship experience of a Structured Finance Analyst at Société Générale. Discover the tasks and skills involved in this dynamic role in corporate finance!

▶ Mickael RUFFIN My Internship Experience as a Structured Finance Analyst at Société Générale

My internship experience at Talent Carriage

December 26, 2024November 20, 2024 by Vardaan CHAWLA

My internship experience at Talent Carriage

In this article, Vardaan CHAWLA (ESSEC Business School, Master in Strategy and Management of International Business (SMIB), 2020-2023) shares his experience as a Business Development intern at Talent Carriage a human resource shared services startup in New Delhi, India.

About Talent Carriage

Talent Carriage is a New Delhi-based startup that brings innovation to Human Resources by specializing in Human Resource Shared Services (HRSS). It was launched with the vision of simplifying HR processes for small and medium organizations, they offer a unique solution for businesses seeking efficiency in their human resource process and cost reduction.

Logo of the company.
Logo of Talent Carriage
Source: the company.

What is shared services: Talent Carriage was established with a focus on the evolving needs of modern workforces and companies, Talent Carriage leads the shared services model for HR for medium and small-scale companies in India. This model centralizes all common HR tasks, such as administration, payroll, benefits, and recruitment processing, into a centralized unit. Centralization of all common tasks helps free the organization’s HR professionals and allows them to focus on more strategic and big-picture tasks like the growth and development of their employees.

Benefits for Businesses of All Sizes: Even though Talent Carriage’s services are well suited for organizations of all sizes their core offerings are inclined towards startups and growing businesses. They prioritize streamlining processes and the use of flexible technology which can help organizations reduce costs.

This shared services has three great benefits:

Increased Efficiency: In order to improve efficiency and eliminate redundancies for the client. Talent Carriage helps the client to centralize their HR processes like payroll and benefits. With such redundant work out of the way, the HR personnel have the time and capacity to lead strategic initiatives that help in the company’s success.
Standardization and Consistency: The shared services model also leads to consistent HR practices across an organization. Businesses with multiple locations and/or departments derive great benefits from HRSS.
Enhanced Employee Experience: The employees have a single point of contact for all their HR inquiries. This centralized approach leads to a smoother and more efficient experience.

Three-Step Engagement Model: Talent Carriage implements its HRSS solutions in an organized manner. Their three-phase approach of interaction includes:

Suggest: Consulting with the customer to ascertain their unique HR needs and objectives constitutes the first step. Then they analyse the organization’s current HR processes and recommend a suitable shared services model for them.
Implement: After a plan is finalized by both the client and talent carriage. It is Implemented and Talent Carriage trains staff on the new processes and help with a smooth transition.
Maintain: They also offer continuous support to the client organization. Talent carriage’s work goes far beyond initial implementation to ensure the success of their HRSS model within the organization. They also provide technical assistance and monitor for ongoing problems and optimization opportunities.

By leveraging Talent Carriage’s expertise in HRSS, businesses can achieve significant improvements in efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and employee experience.

My Internship at Talent Carriage

In the summer of 2023, I did my internship at Talent Carriage. There I had the opportunity to explore the exciting world of HRSS and business development (BD). Talent Carriage is a dynamic startup in New Delhi, India. It is the leader of how small and medium organizations manage their HR and I was excited to be a part of its journey. My Internship was in the Business Development and Sales department of the company where I had the opportunity to hone my skills in identifying new business opportunities and displaying the value proposition of Talent Carriage’s HRSS model to as many organizations in India as I could.

My Missions

As a BD intern, I was on the hunt for new markets and organizations to spread the word about talent carriage and the benefit of HRSS. My job was to conduct market research and competitive analysis which helped me build a 20% bigger database of potential client databse. In order to complete this process, I had to research market trends, pinpoint businesses in need of HR process optimization, and assess the competitive environment. Following this, I also carried out surveys to learn more about the HR requirements of various Indian companies. I was able to create buyer personas and comprehensive profiles of our prospective customers thanks to the survey. Together with the sales team, these personas assisted me in developing BD strategy and practical insights. In addition, we were able to customize our strategy for various clientele groups, which improved the focus and efficacy of our sales pitches.

Required Skills and Knowledge

In order to succeed in this challenging role. I needed several skills including Research and analytical abilities which were very important in understanding and analyzing market trends. After this, I also improved my communication skills in this role both written and verbal. While conducting surveys and sending cold emails and sales pitches I honed my skill of communication by effectively communicating the benefits of Talent Carriage’s service. Building rapport and effectively presenting our solutions were key aspects of the role, requiring strong interpersonal and presentation skills.

What I Learned at Talent Carriage

This amazing summer internship helped me learn and hone various skills and pushed me beyond my comfort Zone. To begin with I gained a deep understanding of HR and how transformative HR-shared services can be for all organisations. The fast-paced and challenging environment also helped me hone my research and analytical capabilities. The most important skill I learned was clear and concise communication. This skill was crucial to creating good sales pitches and cold emails. Identifying the needs of organizations and tailor-making a sales pitch and presenting it compellingly.

Financial concepts related to my internship

Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC)

I found that knowing CAC was essential to the Business Development position at Talent Carriage. The average cost of gaining a new client is referred to as CAC. For BD teams to evaluate the effectiveness of their sales activities, this statistic is crucial. Talent Carriage calculates the cost per lead generated and, eventually, the cost of obtaining a new client who signs up for their HRSS services by examining our research and outreach efforts. An effective sales approach is shown by a low CAC in comparison to the revenue a client generates. Our understanding of CAC, helped us adjust our outreach strategies to focus on the most economical market groups and improve the overall sales strategy.

Return on Investment (ROI)

While CAC focuses on the cost of acquiring a client, ROI analyzes the return on investment generated by a client. ROI would be determined by comparing the revenue from Talent Carriage’s HRSS services against the costs associated with acquiring and retaining those clients. We were able to evaluate the effectiveness of Talent Carriage’s business model and identify areas that required improvement thanks to our understanding of ROI. When sales presentations emphasize the financial benefits for potential customers and demonstrate the favorable return on investment (ROI) that the HRSS model produces for clients, they become more appealing.

What I learned during my internship

The three main things I learnt during my internship at Talent Carriage are as follows: I gained information about the structure and working environment at Talent Carriage. I learnt about digital transformation, particularly HRSS Proccess. I acquired an insight about the soft and hard skills required to work as an Business development Intern.

Useful resources

Talent Carriage

Bhavna Deuglo What is HRSS and How Can It Benefit Your Business?

About the author

The article was written in November 2024 by Vardaan CHAWLA (ESSEC Business School, Master in Strategy and Management of International Business (SMIB), 2020-2023).

My Internship Experience as a Strategy Consultant at Devlhon Consulting

December 27, 2024August 5, 2024 by Mickael RUFFIN

My Internship Experience as a Strategy Consultant at Devlhon Consulting

In this article, Mickael RUFFIN (ESSEC Business School, Master in Strategy and Management of International Business (SMIB), 2023-2024) shares his professional experience as a Strategy Intern Consultant at Devlhon Consulting.

My Internship

My six-month internship in 2021 at Devlhon Consulting as a Strategy Consultant was a period filled with learning opportunities and stimulating challenges. From the onset, I was involved in high-value projects, for example, the reorganization of an north Africa ban’s branch network, allowing me to apply my strategic analysis skills and enhance company performance.

Logo of Devlhon Consulting.

Source: the company.

The Department

Devlhon Consulting’s Strategy Department focuses on providing strategic advisory services to improve client profitability and operational efficiency. The department handles a diverse range of projects, including market analysis, business restructuring, and financial performance improvement for various industries (for example, AXA, BNPP, Attijariwafa Bank,Dioul

My Missions

One of the most significant projects I undertook was conducting a strategic due diligence to enhance the profitability of a North African bank. This project allowed me to understand the nuances of African financial markets and develop actionable recommendations for improving the bank’s financial performance. Another key assignment was analyzing a Net-Zero banking tool for a French bank as part of its long-term strategic planning, which involved sustainability and green finance considerations. The tool was a software to be tested, allowing the bank to evaluate the carbon impact of the projects it was financing, with the aim of finding a balance between pollution and depollution.

Required Skills and Knowledge

The internship required a blend of technical and interpersonal skills. Technical skills included strategic analysis, financial modeling, and proficiency in data analysis tools (Power BI or Power Pivot and Dax). Interpersonal skills involved effective communication, teamwork, and the ability to present complex information clearly to clients and stakeholders.

What I Learned

I also contributed to the overhaul of a Cameroonian fintech’s business plan, similar to Lydia. By proposing practical adaptations, I helped the company strengthen its business model to better meet local market needs. These experiences enriched my professional journey, providing me with a global and strategic view of banking and financial operations, while developing essential skills in analysis and project management.

Financial Concepts Related to My Internship

Three financial concepts that were closely related to my internship at Devlhon Consulting include strategic due diligence, business model analysis, and sustainability in finance.

Strategic Due Diligence

Strategic due diligence was crucial for assessing the financial health and growth potential of the North African bank. This involved evaluating financial statements, market conditions, and competitive positioning to make informed recommendations. My role required meticulous analysis and strategic thinking to identify opportunities for profitability improvement.

Business Model Analysis

Analyzing the business model of the Cameroonian fintech required a deep understanding of financial structures, revenue streams, and market dynamics. I developed a comprehensive business plan that included financial projections and strategic initiatives to enhance the company’s competitive edge and market responsiveness.

Sustainability in Finance

The analysis of the Net-Zero banking tool involved integrating sustainability principles into financial planning. This concept focused on aligning banking practices with environmental goals, such as reducing carbon footprints and promoting green investments. My work contributed to developing strategies that balanced financial performance with sustainability objectives.

Why should I be interested in this post?

This position provides an overview of the various professions and actors in the finance sector, especially in FIG (Financial Institutions Group). It is a good first internship to discover a wide range of careers.

Useful resources

Company Website

Recruitment Platform

About the author

The article was written in August 2024 by Mickael RUFFIN (ESSEC Business School, Master in Strategy and Management of International Business (SMIB), 2023-2024) .

My Internship Experience as a Structured Finance Analyst at Société Générale

December 4, 2024August 5, 2024 by Mickael RUFFIN

My Internship Experience as a Structured Finance Analyst at Société Générale

My Internship

During my one-year apprenticeship at Société Générale CIB, I had the opportunity to work as a Structured Finance Analyst within the S&E (Sanction & Embargo) team. This experience was a crucial step in my career, providing me with an in-depth understanding of the complex dynamics of finance within the context of international sanctions and economic embargoes.

Logo of Société Générale CIB.

Source: the company.

The Department

The S&E team at Société Générale is responsible for managing the bank’s activities in regions affected (Sanction Country.png) by international sanctions and embargoes. This includes ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, assessing the risks associated with operating in these areas, and structuring financial solutions that adhere to these constraints.

Sanction Country.

Source: GAO.

My Missions

My primary role involved assisting with the financial structuring for French firms operating in sanctioned and embargoed regions. I quickly grasped the importance of meticulous risk assessment and financial modeling to ensure the success of projects in these restrictive environments. One of my significant achievements was modeling joint-venture finance in the oil and gas sector, a project that required a precise understanding of investment risks and international sanction regulations.

Required Skills and Knowledge

This internship required a combination of soft and hard skills. On the technical side, I needed strong financial modeling capabilities, an understanding of international sanctions law, and proficiency in data analysis tools. Soft skills included effective communication, especially when presenting complex financial models to the executive committee, and strong problem-solving abilities to navigate the challenges posed by operating in high-risk regions.

What I Learned

One of the most rewarding aspects of this internship was leading comprehensive due diligence processes for significant capital investments. For example, I conducted a thorough due diligence for a $300 million capital expenditure acquisition for a defense entity operating in an embargoed region. This project enhanced my data analysis skills and regulatory compliance knowledge. Presenting these models and projects to the executive committee for strategic review enriched my ability to communicate complex financial information clearly and persuasively.

Financial Concepts Related to My Internship

Three financial concepts were particularly relevant during my internship: risk assessment, financial structuring, and due diligence.

Risk Assessment

Risk assessment was crucial in evaluating the feasibility of financial projects in sanctioned regions. This involved analyzing political and economic conditions, understanding legal constraints, and forecasting potential financial impacts. My role required me to develop comprehensive risk assessment models that informed strategic decision-making.

Financial Structuring

Financial structuring involved designing financial solutions that complied with international sanctions while meeting the needs of our clients. This required a deep understanding of financial instruments and regulatory frameworks. I was responsible for creating financial models that balanced risk and return, ensuring compliance and profitability.

Due Diligence

Due diligence was a critical part of my responsibilities, involving thorough investigations into potential investments to ensure they met all regulatory and financial criteria. This process included financial analysis, risk evaluation, and legal compliance checks. My experience in conducting due diligence for large-scale acquisitions honed my analytical skills and attention to detail.

Why should I be interested in this post?

This experience can be very interesting if you want to work either in investment banking or at the Ministry of Finance or Economy. This position combines financial technicality and the importance of understanding geopolitical issues related to the strategies of major French companies.

Useful resources

SG CIB Website

About the author

The article was written in August 2024 by Mickael RUFFIN (ESSEC Business School, Master in Strategy and Management of International Business (SMIB), 2023-2024) .

My Intern Experience in Tencent Strategy Department

June 22, 2024 by Liner SHI

My Intern Experience in Tencent Strategy Department

In this article, Liner SHI (ESSEC Business School, Global Bachelor of Business Administration (GBBA) – Exchange Student, 2024-2025) shares her professional experience as an intern in Tencent Strategy Department.

About the company

Tencent is a leading technology company founded in 1998 with its headquarters located in Shenzhen, China. Tencent Group engages in a wide range of activities, offering both B2C and B2B services.

B2C: Tencent has released numerous globally popular video games and other high-quality digital content, providing rich interactive entertainment experiences for over 1 billion users worldwide by 2023.Here are specific B2C services that Tencent offers : famous games like Honor of Kings and Arena of Valor, popular social media apps like Wechat and QQ, other apps like QQ Music . Tencent has a wide user base in Asia, North America, and Europe.
B2B: Tencent offers a range of enterprise services including cloud computing, advertising, and financial technology, supporting partners in achieving digital transformation and facilitating business development.

Tencent has been listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong since 2004. Tencent’s revenue in 2023 was $83.97 billion, representing a 10% increase compared to the previous year.

Logo of Tencent.

Source: Tencent.

Introduction to WeCom Business

WeCom, also known as WeChat Work, is an enterprise communication and office collaboration tool developed by Tencent. Tencent created WeCom to provide businesses with a platform that integrates seamlessly with WeChat, allowing for efficient internal communication, project management, and customer engagement.

Logo of WeCom.

Source: KRDS.

Currently, WeCom primarily features are:

Support for various communication methods between enterprises and customers, such as messaging, group chat, announcements, and short videos.
Collaboration tools and lightweight internal management solutions including online documents, enterprise cloud storage, calendar management, and attendance approval.
Lightweight customer management and upstream/downstream collaboration tools including personal profiles, mass messaging, customer moments, lead tracking, upstream/downstream contact lists, and application sharing.

My internship

I collaborated with my mentor on the 2023 China SaaS (Software as a Service) Dynamics Report. This report covered policy interpretations, listings and financing updates, AI(Artificial Intelligence) integration, and overseas expansion.Initially, I wasn’t clear about the relationship between WeCom and other domestic SaaS companies, which led to a lack of focus in my first report. After discussing with my mentor, I realized our research had two main goals: to provide market insights for WeCom’s development and to find suitable ecosystem partners. With this clarity, my analysis improved significantly. This taught me the importance of aligning business objectives with strategic research. Also in the process, I collected data from various platforms like Easy Disclosure and Wind Consulting and realized the significance of comparing information across channels.

Also, I participated in interviews and summarized customer retention issues WeCom faced after commercialization.In 2023, WeCom began charging customers for using its platform for the first time. Some customers may churn or reduce their demand for Wecom due to charges. Therefore, it is crucial to collect the attitudes of key customers towards the pricing model of WeCom. My responsibility was to organize and analyze the interview results, identify the most valued commercial needs and pain points of customers.

I summarized the research on major comparable companies (such as Lark and DingTalk) My mentor focused on their strategies regarding revenue, organizational dynamics, target markets, and business expansion. This experience honed my skills in concise summarization and provided valuable insights.

Financial concepts related my internship

There are three key concepts related to my work in WeCom. Since WeCom is a collaborative office and customer management application, there are key metrics of SaaS companies that we should pay attention to. These metrics include Net Promoter Score (NPS), Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR), and Automatic Delivery Rate (ADR).

Net Promoter Score (NPS)

NPS measures customer satisfaction and loyalty by asking about the likelihood of recommending a product or service. In SaaS companies, NPS is crucial because they often operate on a subscription model. A high NPS indicates that customers are likely to continue using and renewing services. NPS reflects the appeal of SaaS products for sustained customer use. We also track customer retention rate and contract renewal rate.

Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR)

ARR is the total revenue generated from subscription services within a year. It is a key metric for SaaS companies to measure subscription income, calculated by summing up subscription fees from each customer.

Automatic Delivery Rate (ADR)

The automatic delivery rate reflects the level of automation in services or products provided by SaaS companies. High automatic delivery rates enable SaaS companies to offer more convenient, efficient, and stable services, reducing customer using costs and risks. It’s an important metric for measuring operational efficiency and service quality in SaaS companies.

Why should I be interested in this post?

This article offers an opportunity to delve deeper into the intricacies of Tencent’s WeCom business and analogous SaaS products, providing a comprehensive understanding of their operational frameworks. Plus, I hope that by sharing my own experience, you’ll get a better feel for what it’s like to work as a strategic intern and what you should focus on in the role.

Useful resources

Tencent 2023 Annual Report

Tencent 2023 fourth quarter and annual results presentation

About the author

The article was written in June 2024 by Liner SHI (ESSEC Business School, Global Bachelor of Business Administration (GBBA) – Exchange Student, 2024-2025).

My experience as a Quantitative Investment Intern in Fortune Sg Fund Management

December 22, 2024May 29, 2024 by Ziqian ZONG

My experience as a Quantitative Investment Intern in Fortune Sg Fund Management

In this article, Ziqian ZONG (ESSEC Business School, Global BBA exchange, 2024) shares her professional experience as a Quantitative Investment Intern in Fortune Sg Fund Management.

About the company

Fortune Sg Fund Management is a leading mutual fund management company with over 300 billion RMB in assets under management as of 2023. The company was founded in 2003 as a joint venture between Baosteel Group and Société Générale and has since grown to become a significant player in the Chinese market.

Fortune Sg leverages the capital markets to provide comprehensive asset management solutions for a wide range of domestic and international investors through professional operations. The company upholds the principle of prioritizing client interests, striving to be a responsible and trustworthy firm worthy of long-term commitment from all parties involved.

Logo of Fortune Sg

Source: Fortune Sg.

My internship

I joined the Quantitative Investment Department as an intern. This department primarily employs a multi-factor approach to select high-quality stocks in the Chinese stock market. The main products offered by this department are fundamental quantitative fund and quantitative hedging fund.

My missions

During my internship, I assisted the team with various programming and data analysis tasks. Furthermore, I undertook independent research project, including tracking the latest global trends in active quantitative funds and factor models, as well as developing a factor rotation-based index enhancement strategy.

Required skills and knowledge

The role requires advanced programming skills, primarily using Python and SQL. Proficiency in these languages is essential for improving work efficiency. Additionally, due to the rapid development of quantitative finance, it is necessary to read the literature to stay updated on the latest trends and investment methods. Sometimes, programming and searching for effective alpha (the excess return on an investment relative to the return of a benchmark index) can be tedious tasks that require persistent patience and confidence.

What I learned

During my internship, I gained extensive knowledge about factor investing and practical investment strategies. The integration of fundamental analysis with quantitative investment methods significantly enhanced the efficiency of traditional research. My research on factor timing allowed me to combine macroeconomic factors with market style shifts, using data to generate insights.

Financial concepts related my internship

Factor Investing

Factor investing is an investment strategy that utilizes certain quantifiable characteristics or attributes, known as “factors,” to explain and predict the risk and return performance of assets. These factors help investors better understand the behavior of the market and individual assets, leading to the construction of more effective investment portfolios.

The basic principle of factor investing is that certain factors have historically demonstrated a strong ability to explain and predict asset returns. By identifying and exploiting these factors, investors can achieve excess returns (known as “alpha”).

Common factors include:

Value Factor: Selecting stocks with low valuations, such as low price-to-earnings (P/E) or price-to-book (P/B) ratios.
Momentum Factor: Selecting stocks that have recently exhibited strong performance, under the assumption that this performance will continue.
Size Factor : Selecting small-cap stocks, which historically have outperformed large-cap stocks.
Quality Factor: Selecting stocks with strong financial health and high profitability.
Minimum Volatility Factor: Selecting stocks with lower volatility, which tend to perform better during periods of market uncertainty.
Growth Factor: Selecting stocks with high growth potential, such as companies with rapidly growing revenues and earnings.

Factor timing

Factor timing is an investment strategy that involves adjusting the exposure to different factors in a portfolio based on changing market conditions and macroeconomic cycles. The idea is to dynamically allocate capital to factors that are expected to perform well in the current or upcoming economic environment while reducing exposure to factors that are likely to underperform.

Here is how I do factor timing:

Economic and Market Analysis: Investors analyze macroeconomic indicators, market trends, and other relevant data to understand the current and projected state of the economy. This analysis helps in identifying which factors are likely to perform well in different economic conditions.
Factor Selection and Weighting: Based on the economic and market analysis, select which factors to emphasize in their portfolio. During Economic Expansion: Momentum and growth factors perform well because companies with strong recent performance and high growth potential are likely to continue thriving. During Economic Contraction: Quality and low volatility factors may be favored because companies with strong financial health and stable earnings are more resilient in downturns.
Dynamic Adjustment: Continually monitor economic indicators and market conditions to adjust the portfolio’s factor exposures.

Why should I be interested in this post?

With the advancement of computer technology and the increase in alternative data, quantitative finance is occupying an increasingly larger share in investments. Understanding related content can provide valuable advantages and aid in making informed decisions when purchasing quantitative-related products.

Useful resources

Fortune SG fund management

The most classic factor model: Fama French factor model

About the author

The article was written in May 2024 by Ziqian ZONG (ESSEC Business School, Global BBA exchange, 2024).

My Professional Experience as a Quantitative Analyst Intern at Findoc Financial Services

December 4, 2024May 24, 2024 by Praduman Agrawal

My Professional Experience as a Quantitative Analyst Intern at Findoc Financial Services

In this article, Praduman AGRAWAL (ESSEC Business School, Visiting Scholar, Summer 2024) shares his professional experience as a Quantitative Analyst Intern at Findoc Financial Services.

About the Company

Findoc Group offers both institutional and retail clients quality products and services that cover equity trading, derivative trading, commodity trading, currency trading, IPOs, and mutual fund investments. Findoc Group also offers depository services through NSDL to create a seamless transaction platform. Trades executed through the Findoc Group companies are settled through the Findoc Group Depository Participant. Findoc Group is also involved in business through Findoc Finvest Private Limited (NBFC) for activities such as loan against shares, loan against property, and loan against gold, among other loan services.

Findoc team focuses on providing long-term value addition to its clients while maintaining the highest standards of excellence and professionalism. With a vision to earn a name that represents trust, growth, and passion, Findoc Group practices transparent business operations and prioritizes client satisfaction. Their professional approach emphasizes long-term relationships with clients, constantly generating value-added features without passing the cost burden to the clients.

Logo of the company.
Logo of Findoc Financial Services
Source: Findoc Financial Services

About the Department

At Findoc Financial Services, I was part of the Quantitative Analysis department, specifically within the quantitative desk. Our team was dedicated to developing and implementing trading strategies focused on the Forex pair. My role involved designing a portfolio of trading strategies for USDINR aimed at reducing unsystematic risk through diversification. Using Easy Language on TradeStation, I coded these strategies incorporating a range of indicators such as Bollinger Bands, MACD, VWAP, and RSI, which I customized to fit our specific needs. In addition to the technical aspects, my work also delved into economic analysis and trading psychology, ensuring a comprehensive approach to strategy development. Utilizing 20 years of historical data, I meticulously conducted backtesting and forward testing, rigorously evaluating the effectiveness of our strategies and refining them for optimal performance.

My Internship

During my internship at Findoc Financial Services, I was entrusted with the development and implementation of trading strategies for the Forex market, specifically focusing on the USDINR currency pair. My primary responsibilities included coding trading strategies using Easy Language on TradeStation, backtesting these strategies using historical data, and performing forward testing to validate their effectiveness in real-time market conditions.

My Missions

My main mission was to develop a diversified portfolio of trading strategies aimed at reducing non-systematic risk. This involved extensive coding, data analysis, and testing to ensure the strategies were robust and effective. I also conducted economic analysis and considered trading psychology to enhance the strategies further.

Required Skills and Knowledge

During my internship, I honed a blend of soft and hard skills essential for success in quantitative analysis and trading strategy development. Effective communication was crucial for collaboration and presenting findings to stakeholders. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills were indispensable when encountering challenges in data analysis or strategy development. Adaptability was key as market conditions and requirements often changed, requiring flexibility in approach and strategy. Attention to detail was essential for ensuring accuracy in data analysis and coding of trading algorithms.

On the hard skills front, proficiency in programming languages such as Easy Language for TradeStation was fundamental for coding and testing trading strategies. A strong understanding of statistical methods and financial mathematics was necessary for designing robust strategies and interpreting results accurately. Expertise in data analysis tools and techniques facilitated thorough backtesting and forward testing of strategies. Additionally, a deep understanding of financial markets, including factors influencing currency movements, was essential for developing effective trading strategies.

What I Learned

Throughout my internship, I gained a deeper understanding of trading strategies and the technical and economic factors influencing currency markets. I learned the importance of rigorous testing and validation of strategies to ensure their effectiveness in real-time trading. Additionally, I developed valuable skills in programming, data analysis, and financial market analysis, which are crucial for a career in quantitative finance.

Financial Concepts Related to My Internship

Diversification

Diversification is the practice of spreading investments across different assets to reduce risk. In my role, I developed a portfolio of trading strategies for the USDINR currency pair. Each strategy had its unique approach and risk profile. By employing multiple strategies simultaneously, we aimed to diversify the risk associated with any single strategy. This concept directly links to my job as I focused on building a diversified portfolio of trading strategies to mitigate unsystematic risk.

Technical Indicators

Technical indicators are mathematical calculations based on historical price, volume, or open interest data. These indicators are used by traders to predict future price movements. In my role, I utilized various technical indicators such as Bollinger Bands, MACD, VWAP, and RSI to develop trading strategies for the USDINR pair. These indicators provided insights into market trends, momentum, volatility, and overbought/oversold conditions, which informed our trading decisions. Understanding and effectively using these indicators was crucial for building successful trading strategies.

Backtesting and Forward Testing

Backtesting involves testing a trading strategy using historical data to assess its performance. Forward testing, on the other hand, involves testing the strategy in real-time with live market data. In my role, I conducted both backtesting and forward testing of the trading strategies I developed. By analyzing past market data spanning 20 years, I assessed how well the strategies would have performed historically. Forward testing then allowed me to validate the strategies in real-time market conditions before implementation. The ability to conduct rigorous backtesting and forward testing was essential for evaluating the viability and effectiveness of our trading strategies.

Why Should I Be Interested in This Post?

If you love mathematics and finance, then a role as a Quantitative Analyst is a great fit for you. It broadens your horizon by offering different perspectives on financial markets. You will learn how small events can lead to significant changes in stock prices and how gap-up and gap-down movements can impact trading strategies. You will also gain skills in coding strategies (Algo-trading) that can be applied in various areas.

Useful Resources

Findoc Group

AlgoTrading with Kavin Davey

About the Author

The article was written in May 2024 by Praduman AGRAWAL (ESSEC Business School, Visiting Scholar, Summer 2024).

My experience as an Asset Management Sales Assistant for Amplegest

June 4, 2024February 12, 2024 by Chloé ANIFRANI

My experience as an Asset Management Sales Assistant for Amplegest

In this article, Chloé ANIFRANI (ESSEC Business School, Global Bachelor in Business Administration (GBBA), 2019-2024) shares her professional experience as Asset Management Development Assistant for Amplegest.

About the company

Amplegest was established in 2007 and operates across three main business segments: Private Wealth Management, Family Office, and Asset Management.

Private Wealth Management

Wealth Engineering: A team of wealth engineers provides personalized advice to clients, addressing evolving issues related to wealth, taxation, and family matters over time.

Discretionary Portfolio Management: The firm offers the market expertise of its fund managers, developed through extensive experience in banks or asset management firms. Amplegest actively seeks new investment opportunities across all asset classes and geographical regions, employing a short and collaborative decision-making process for responsiveness.

Profiled Portfolio Management: The firm offers specific profiled portfolios to retail investors, who manage their own clients’ portfolios.

Family Office

Amplegest serves high-net-worth individuals in France and internationally through a dedicated department, Canopée FO, offering fully customized services.

Asset Management

Amplegest’s Asset Management division offers three expertise:

Equity: with 5 funds, the firm covers many thematics (such as technological innovation, pricing power), capitalizations (large, mid and small caps) and regions (global, US and Eurozone),
Diversified portfolios: with its Latitude range, the firm offers diversified funds with precise return objectives and risk allocation, with an offer for each profile of investor,
Fixed Income: the firm distributes Octo AM’s funds, a company specialized in bonds funds, with a Value management style.

Key Facts and Figures

Assets under Management (AuM): 3bn€
A large product range of more than 13 funds
Diverse clientele: institutional, retail, funds selectors…
All activities of Amplegest are approved by the AMF (Autorité des Marchés Financiers).

Logo of the company.
Logo of Amplegest
Source: Amplegest.

My internship

My internship was in the sales department of Amplegest Asset Management. With a team of five sellers, I learned about the different distribution channels of funds in a B2B model (the team I was in did not work with final clients). The focus of the team is on institutional and retail clients. In 2023, we mainly worked on distributing Octo AM’s bonds funds, which have met a great success following the interest rates’ raises. The firm’s fixed income’s AuM went from €350m in 2022 to €800m in 2023.

My missions

Over the course of six months, I supported the team with customer relationship management and enhancing our understanding of the firm’s competitive landscape.

One of my primary responsibilities involved diligently preparing for client appointments. This entailed creating comprehensive briefs on Amplegest funds and conducting in-depth analyses of their competitive environments. Whether addressing global competition or specific funds selected by clients, my aim was to highlight the differentiating aspects of our offerings.

In addition to client-focused tasks, I took charge of producing documents containing technical information about the funds, ensuring compliance with our customers’ regulatory requirements such as “étude de transparisation”, KYC, and Due Diligence. Monthly, I managed the dispatching of these documents, tailoring the frequency to the individual needs of each client.

Collaborating closely with both the Asset Management and Marketing teams, I actively contributed to the planning and execution of numerous B2B events. This encompassed the coordination of trade fairs such as Patrimonia, organizing large-scale professional lunches and presentations, facilitating webinars, and orchestrating engaging professional afterwork events.

Furthermore, I dedicated efforts to augment the firm’s understanding of its funds’ positions in the market. Collaborating with dedicated tools designed to gather real-time information on competitors’ performance and track records, I systematically compared these metrics against our own. This included the creation of specific peer groups tailored to each fund, providing valuable insights into their relative standing within the market.

Required skills and knowledge

In Asset Management firms, the role of Sales Assistants requires a multifaceted skill set that encompasses technical expertise and strong interpersonal skills. B2B clients expect sales professionals to possess an in-depth understanding of the market and its dynamics, coupled with the ability to articulate a fund’s management process, recent market movements, and current values with the same proficiency as a portfolio manager.

Upon assuming the role, I prioritized enhancing my knowledge of current events, particularly those related to the stock market and global financial trends. Each day commenced with a thorough review of newsletters, and I highly recommend daily publications by Bloomberg for comprehensive insights. This proactive approach allowed me to respond swiftly when clients sought information about the prevailing market conditions and how they correlated with Amplegest’s product offerings.

A good knowledge of the regulatory environment of Asset Management firms is also essential. The rules that govern this profession are numerous and constantly updated. This means that a great interest for current events (suits and convictions in other firms, general recommendations…) will be beneficial, as well as a good understanding of the guidelines provided by the Compliance department.

A proficiency in Excel is paramount, serving as a vital tool for data analysis, reporting, and decision-making within the asset management landscape. Additionally, financial analysis skills are crucial for interpreting complex financial data and providing comprehensive insights to clients.

In terms of soft skills, effective communication is fundamental—both verbal and written—enabling the clear and concise articulation of complex financial concepts. Strong client relationship management skills are essential for building and maintaining long-term partnerships, understanding client needs, and providing excellent customer service.

Adaptability is key in navigating evolving market conditions, client preferences, and organizational changes. Problem-solving skills come into play in identifying challenges and proposing effective solutions to address client inquiries and concerns.

Negotiation skills are valuable in securing mutually beneficial agreements with clients, while team collaboration is essential for working effectively with colleagues across different departments, fostering a cooperative and supportive work environment. Effective organization and multitasking are necessary for managing multiple tasks and projects simultaneously, while analytical thinking is crucial for making data-driven decisions and providing valuable insights to clients.

Furthermore, networking skills contribute to building a professional network within the industry, attending relevant events, and staying informed about industry trends. Finally, strong time management ensures efficient task prioritization, meeting deadlines, and delivering results in a fast-paced environment. Together, these skills collectively contribute to the effectiveness of an Asset Management Sales Assistant in navigating the complexities of the financial industry and delivering value to clients and the organization.

What I learned

In terms of knowledge, I learned a lot about the organization of an Asset Management firm, and its funds. In this internship, I gained practical knowledge of the regulatory landscape governing the financial sector. I also learned about fund organization and shares, exploring the nuances of fund structures, issuance of shares, and compliance with legal frameworks. Moreover, I developed a perspective on the distinctions between the back, middle, and front office specific functions within an asset management firm. This exposure allowed me to appreciate the integral roles each department plays in the overall operational efficiency and success of the organization.

In this role, I was also able to use skills developed in previous internships. Time management was one of them, which, as explained earlier, revealed itself to be a crucial component to a good experience in this field. Indeed, some requests from clients and coworkers needed to be tended to in a matter of minutes or may make the firm lose millions (a bit extreme, but sometimes realistic). Therefore, my other missions needed to be done as soon as possible, to allow time for the more pressing ones. I learned to organize my work to optimize my efficiency on this matter.

In terms of technical skills, I learned funds analysis, with the ability to evaluate their performance, risk profiles and underlying strategies thanks it their allocation and communications. This involved a systematic examination of the firm’s competitive market and its key players and trends.

Thanks to this in-depth benchmark, a sales team is able to prepare clients’ briefs, but also to offer new strategies and product offerings to their managers, identifying market opportunities and specific needs for the clients.

This experience has not only enhanced my analytical capabilities but also deepened my understanding of the intricate dynamics within the financial markets.

As a Sales Assistant, I also developed my VBA skills, and learned the power of this tool, especially used in finance firms. Excel VBA helped me to automate and streamline numerous tasks related to data analysis, reporting, and client communication, thereby significantly enhancing my efficiency and productivity. By developing proficiency in Excel VBA, I could create customized macros and scripts tailored to the specific needs of our team, automating repetitive processes and allowing me to focus more on strategic aspects of sales and client relationship management.

Overall, this experience not only broadened my knowledge and skills base but also equipped me with practical insights crucial for navigating the complex and highly regulated landscape of asset management.

Financial concepts related my internship

Fixed income

As explained earlier, 2023 was the year of fixed income. Because of this, understanding the inner workings of a bond funds was essential, as those funds are more complex than equity funds.

In order to give the clients the information they required and work adequately with the provided documents, this knowledge was a real necessity.

Diversified Asset Allocation

In preparing briefings for clients and partners, I often had to summarize the recent movements made on the firm’s diversified funds. Those funds invest in ETFs, bonds, monetary funds structured products in order achieve their expected annual return and respect their risk budget. Therefore, this type of product is, once again, more complex than equity funds, and require a deep understanding of active asset allocation and market movements.

Return on Investment

In order to have more insight on Amplegest’s clients’ satisfaction, I had to compute their total RoI, taking into account every movement they made over the course of their investment in the firm (subscription/redemption), in different funds at different times and with different net asset value of the shares they bought. This required a good understanding of Return on Investment.

Why should I be interested in this post?

As ESSEC students, we often think of working in Asset Management firms as working as a portfolio manager. However, there are many other functions in this field, and sales is one of them. If you are looking to expend your knowledge on the field and your potential future job inquiries, this post will teach you more about a very exciting position!

Useful resources

Asset management markets in Europe size & share analysis – growth trends & forecast

Amplegest

About the author

The article was written in February 2024 by Chloé ANIFRANI (ESSEC Business School, Global Bachelor in Business Administration (GBBA), 2019-2024).

My professional experience as a property manager assistant at Urban Premium

February 10, 2024February 10, 2024 by Lilian BALLOIS

My professional experience as a property manager assistant at Urban Premium

In this article, Lilian BALLOIS (ESSEC Business School, Bachelor in Business Administration Program, 2019-2023) shares his professional experience as a property manager assistant at Urban Premium.

About the company

Founded in 2010, Urban Premium specializes in the structuring and management of real estate investment trusts (REITs). The company specializes in the management of residential and commercial SCPIs (Société Civile de Placement Immobilier). A SCPI is a collective investment undertaking in the form of a company that is not listed on the stock exchange. SCPIs collect money from many investors with the sole aim of acquiring and managing a property portfolio for rental. Urban Premium specializes in inner-city real estate investment, incorporating attractive tax incentives like “Pinel/Denormandie”, “Malraux” and “Déficit Foncier”.

The Pinel and Denormandie instruments offer tax reductions for the construction or renovation of real estate in specific areas of France, based on the duration of the lease.

The Malraux Law promotes investment in high-quality real estate, often in city centres and protected areas, offering an income tax reduction.

The Déficit Foncier allows for reducing tax pressure by generating a deficit through investments in properties requiring renovations, deductible from rental income.

Logo of Urban Premium.

Source: Urban Premium

As a property manager assistant, I was able to work alongside the front office managers. It was the central unit within the company, and it was responsible for implementing the investment strategy in line with tax incentives (Pinel/Denormandie, Malraux, and Déficit foncier). The front office was made up of one Managing Director, 5 managers and me.

In addition to these responsibilities, our department played a crucial role in managing funds and making strategic decisions. This involved overseeing the allocation of resources across various investment channels, ensuring optimal utilization of available funds while adhering to risk management protocols. Furthermore, our team engaged in market research and trend analysis to identify opportunities.

My internship

I had a 6-month internship at Urban Premium as an assistant property manager.

My missions

During my 6-month internship from September 2022 to February 2023, I engaged with multiple investment opportunities and projects. I took on the responsibility of analysing and crafting pitch-books for weekly meetings with managers when investment opportunity booklets were received. In addition to this, I had to monitor the accounting sheets of the real estate funds, analyzing, and providing insightful comments on their performance. While also overseeing fundraising to a lesser extent, my internship enabled me to understand the complexities of regulatory compliance concerning tax incentives for real estate finance and portfolio management within my company.

Required skills and knowledge

To be able to work in a real estate investment fund, it is necessary to have certain key skills:

Financial analysis to assess the profitability and viability of real estate investments.
A certain degree in accounting knowledge to understand and manage financial sheets. Particularly, you need a good knowledge of property valuation and lease accounting.
The ability to implement and analyse benchmarks to evaluate investment performance relative to the market.
Some background knowledge of the mechanisms of real estate markets and investment strategies.
Excellent communication skills to collaborate effectively with team members, partners, and investors.
Mastery of IT Tools, notably Excel.
Especially for the fund in which I was employed, knowing the principles of the different tax systems (Pinel, Malraux and Déficit Foncier).

What I learned

During my internship at Urban Premium, I learned new concepts and solidified the knowledge I already had. The hands-on experience provided through my internship gave me understanding of the management of real estate investment portfolios. Other important aspects of my internship were analyzing and contributing to the assessment of investment opportunities, navigating the complexities of project financing, and honing my skills in financial analysis.

Financial concepts related my internship

(Real estate) Financial analysis

Real estate financial analysis is the process of evaluating the financial aspects of property investments. It involves a comprehensive examination of various financial metrics and considerations to determine the profitability and feasibility of a real estate venture. This analysis encompasses factors such as property values, rental income, operating expenses, financing costs, and potential returns on investment.

Investment opportunity evaluation

Evaluation of an investment opportunity is the process of assessing the viability and potential returns of a specific investment. It involves an analysis of financial data, market trends, risks, and potential rewards. This evaluation aims to provide decision-makers with an understanding of the investment’s feasibility and align it with the overall goals and strategies of the investor or organization.

Portfolio Management

Portfolio management is the strategic and systematic process of overseeing and optimizing a collection of financial assets (real estate in this case), known as a portfolio, to achieve specific investment goals.

Why should I be interested in this post?

This post provides insights into the professional experience of working as a property manager assistant at a real estate investment trust (REITs) and managing residential and commercial SCPIs. It delves into real estate finance, including French tax incentives such as “Pinel/Denormandie”, “Malraux”, and “Déficit Foncier”. Additionally, the post outlines the responsibilities and skills required for working REITs, making it a must-read for anyone interested in pursuing a career in this field or seeking to enhance their knowledge.

Useful resources

Urban Premium

About the author

The article was written in February 2024 by Lilian BALLOIS (ESSEC Business School, Bachelor in Business Administration Program, 2019-2023).

My experience as an EMEA Regional Treasurer intern at Sanofi

June 2, 2023 by Isaac ALLIALI

My experience as an EMEA Regional Treasurer intern

In this article, Isaac ALLIALI (ESSEC Business School, Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA), 2019-2023) shares his professional experience an EMEA Regional Treasurer intern at Sanofi.

Sanofi

During my internship at Sanofi, a leading global pharmaceutical company headquartered in Paris, I had the privilege of working in the Treasury Department. Sanofi is renowned for its extensive research, development, manufacturing, and marketing of pharmaceutical products across various therapeutic areas. With a steadfast commitment to improving global health, Sanofi’s portfolio includes treatments for diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, vaccines, and rare diseases. As a key player in the pharmaceutical industry, Sanofi holds a significant share of the prescription market.

Logo of Sanofi.
Logo of
Source: the company.

Financial accounts

Income statement of Sanofi.
Logo of
Source: the company.

Strategy

Strategy of Sanofi.
Logo of
Source: the company.

My internship

As a Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Regional Treasurer intern at Sanofi, my internship involved two main aspects. Firstly, I was responsible for reporting on the performance of the company’s subsidiaries on a monthly basis, focusing on key financial metrics such as Days Sales Outstanding (DSO), Days Payable Outstanding (DPO), Days Inventory Outstanding (DIO), and cash flows. This required analyzing financial data, preparing comprehensive reports, and providing insights into the subsidiaries’ financial health. I developed a deep understanding of financial ratios and gained proficiency in financial analysis and reporting.

Additionally, on a day-to-day basis, I played a vital role in implementing alternative banking channels to ensure the sustainability of cash receipts from high-risk countries. This involved close collaboration with banks and local teams to establish robust procedures and systems. To ensure accurate cash receipts matching with product sales, I diligently contacted banks and the local teams on a daily basis. This rigorous process involved verifying and validating each transaction, ensuring the precise quantity of products sold aligned with the corresponding justifying claims. By maintaining meticulous attention to detail, I ensured that every transaction was accurately registered and properly accounted for.

This aspect of my internship demanded strong communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage complex transactions efficiently. It provided firsthand exposure to the challenges and intricacies of international banking operations, risk management, and compliance in high-risk countries.

During my internship as an EMEA Regional Treasurer at Sanofi, I had the additional responsibility of consolidating the representative offices’ register, which included all the bank accounts and power of attorneys (legal documents allowing appointed employees to make decisions on behalf of Sanofi).

This task required me to meticulously reconcile and align the information from various regions before the audit control. To ensure accuracy and completeness, I actively communicated with every regional treasurer, collaborating closely to verify the documentation and address any discrepancies. This process of effective communication and coordination with the regional treasurers was crucial in achieving a thorough and successful consolidation. By ensuring that everything was in order, I contributed to the smooth audit control process and maintained the integrity of the company’s financial records.

My missions

My internship involved two main aspects. Firstly, I was responsible for reporting on the performance of the company’s subsidiaries on a monthly basis, focusing on key financial metrics such as Days Sales Outstanding (DSO), Days Payable Outstanding (DPO), Days Inventory Outstanding (DIO), and cash flows. This required analyzing financial data, preparing comprehensive reports, and providing insights into the subsidiaries’ financial health. I developed a deep understanding of financial ratios and gained proficiency in financial analysis and reporting.

During my internship,I had the additional responsibility of consolidating the representative offices’ register, which included all the bank accounts and power of attorneys (legal documents allowing appointed employees to make decisions on behalf of Sanofi).

Required skills and knowledge

The EMEA Regional Treasurer role at Sanofi requires a combination of knowledge and skills. Here are key areas of expertise and proficiencies relevant to the position:

Financial Analysis: A strong foundation in financial analysis is essential for evaluating subsidiary performance, assessing financial health, and providing meaningful insights. Proficiency in financial ratios, financial modeling, and data analysis enables you to make informed decisions and recommendations.

Treasury Operations: Familiarity with treasury operations, including cash flow management, liquidity management, risk management, and financial reporting, is crucial. Understanding financial instruments, banking relationships, and compliance procedures ensures effective treasury operations and supports decision-making.

Communication and Collaboration: Effective communication skills are vital to engage and collaborate with internal stakeholders, such as regional financial management and local teams. Clear and concise communication fosters productive relationships and ensures the smooth execution of financial processes.

Attention to Detail and Compliance: Meticulous attention to detail is necessary when reporting on subsidiary performances and implementing alternative banking channels. Compliance with internal control procedures, risk mitigation protocols, and financial regulations ensures accuracy, transparency, and integrity in financial operations.

Analytical Thinking: Strong analytical skills are critical for analyzing financial data, identifying trends, and making data-driven decisions. The ability to evaluate risks, identify opportunities, and propose solutions contributes to effective financial management.

Adaptability and Problem-Solving: The dynamic nature of the role requires adaptability, as well as the ability to think critically and solve problems in a fast-paced environment. Resilience, flexibility, and a proactive approach enable you to navigate challenges and drive continuous improvement.

Financial concepts related my internship

Days Sales Outstanding (DSO)

DSO is a financial metric that measures the average number of days it takes for a company to collect payment after a sale is made. Monitoring DSO is crucial for assessing a company’s liquidity position and efficiency in collecting accounts receivable. During my internship, I actively analyzed and reported on DSO, gaining a practical understanding of its significance in cash flow management.

Days Payable Outstanding (DPO)

DPO is a financial metric that measures the average number of days it takes for a company to pay its suppliers after receiving an invoice. Managing DPO effectively is essential for optimizing working capital and maintaining strong supplier relationships. In my reporting responsibilities, I monitored and analyzed DPO, contributing to a comprehensive assessment of the company’s financial performance.

Cash Receipts and Compliance

Ensuring the accurate and timely recording of cash receipts is vital for financial integrity. Implementing alternative banking channels and verifying transactions from high-risk countries required a keen eye for detail and compliance with internal control procedures. This experience emphasized the importance of maintaining rigorous standards to mitigate risk and ensure accurate financial reporting.

Why should I be interested in this post?

The role of EMEA Regional Treasurer at Sanofi offers a compelling opportunity for individuals interested in finance, treasury operations, or the pharmaceutical industry. Here are a few reasons why you should be interested in this post:

Industry Leadership: Sanofi is a global leader in the pharmaceutical industry, renowned for its innovative research and development. Joining the Treasury Department of such a prominent company provides exposure to the complexities of finance within a multinational pharmaceutical corporation, offering a unique and valuable experience.

Financial Responsibility: As an EMEA Regional Treasurer, you would have a significant role in managing the financial assets of Sanofi across the EMEA region. This level of responsibility allows you to make strategic financial decisions, analyze financial performance, and contribute to the company’s financial health.

International Exposure: Working within the EMEA region exposes you to diverse markets, cultures, and business practices. It presents an opportunity to develop a global mindset, adaptability, and cross-cultural communication skills, which are increasingly valuable in today’s interconnected business world.

Learning Opportunities: The Treasury Department at Sanofi offers a dynamic and challenging environment where you can continually enhance your financial knowledge and skills. You will gain exposure to various aspects of treasury operations, financial risk management, liquidity management, and financial reporting.

Impactful Contributions: By actively participating in the implementation of alternative banking channels, you will contribute to ensuring the sustainability of cash receipts from high-risk countries. This responsibility allows you to make a tangible impact on the company’s financial operations and play a vital role in managing financial risks.

Useful resources

Sanofi

Careers at Sanofi

About the author

The article was written in June 2023 by Isaac ALLIALI (ESSEC Business School, Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA), 2019-2023).

My professional experience as B2B Project assistant manager at Dance

May 29, 2023 by Theo SCHWERTLE

My professional experience as B2B Project assistant manager at Dance

In this article, Theo SCHWERTLE (Maastricht University, School of Business and Economics, Bachelor in International Business, 2023) shares his experience as a B2B Project assistant manager at Dance which is a start-up in urban mobility.

About the company

Dance is a progressive company that is reshaping urban mobility by providing an electric mobility subscription service. The company offers members the freedom to explore their city with an electric bike or moped, with maintenance and repairs included in the membership. Founded by the creators of SoundCloud and Jimdo, Dance is currently operating in Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Vienna, and Paris, with a focus on making urban commuting more connected, convenient, and environmentally friendly.

Logo of the company.
Logo of Dance
Source: Dance.

My internship

As part of the Dance for Business department, I was privileged to contribute to various crucial aspects of the business, including the development and standardization of Business-to-Business (B2B) playbooks for client outreach, engagement, and account management. I also had the opportunity to manage the company pipeline using our Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool, conduct competitive market research, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to execute lead generation strategies and client retention initiatives.

My missions

My mission at Dance was multifaceted, encompassing both client relationship management and sales strategy. I was responsible for creating and developing B2B pitch decks, preparing and supporting pitch meetings with new clients, and building long-term relationships with our clients to provide the best service possible. Serve as the first point of contact for all B2B clients, but also to find new strategies to acquire more customers. Furthermore, we were making Partnership deals with other service providers to spread the word about the mobility solution that Dance offers.

Required skills and knowledge

This role required strong interpersonal skills for building and maintaining client relationships, as well as proficiency in using CRM tools to manage the company pipeline. It also called for a solid understanding of sales strategies and market research methodologies. Since we were only a small team, communication and constant prioritization of tasks was paramount. Interpersonal skills have strongly increased during that time since I was constantly pitching to the management of firms like AboutYou or Inditex while also taking care of our current clients.

What I learned

Project Management: In preparing B2B pitch decks and supporting pitch meetings, you would have honed your project management and organization skills.

Communication: Being the first point of contact for all B2B clients and building long-term relationships with them would have strengthened your communication and interpersonal skills.

Strategic Thinking: Conducting competitive market research and collaborating on lead generation strategies likely helped develop your strategic thinking and market analysis abilities.

Problem Solving: Proposing solutions in line with business objectives and incorporating new initiatives shows your problem-solving capabilities.

Financial concepts related my internship

Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC)

Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) refers to the total expenses a company incurs to convince a potential customer to purchase its product or service. It includes costs related to marketing and sales efforts and is a key metric for determining the return on investment for acquisition strategies.

Contribution Margin

Contribution Margin is a financial metric that calculates the profitability for individual items sold by a company. It is determined by subtracting the variable costs (costs that change with the amount of goods or services produced) associated with a product from the revenue generated by that product.

Customer Lifetime Value

Customer Lifetime Value (LTV) is a projection of the total net profit a company expects to earn from a customer throughout the business relationship. It takes into account the revenue a customer would generate, the costs of acquiring and serving the customer, and the duration of the relationship with the customer.

Why should I be interested in this post?

If you’re looking to gain insights into the world of business operations or contemplating a career in a similar industry, this post should be of high interest to you. The financial concepts discussed here form the backbone of many successful businesses. Understanding these concepts can help you view business operations from a new perspective, providing you with a solid base for making informed decisions.

Furthermore, sharing my experience at Dance provides an insider’s perspective into how the start-up operates and how different roles contribute to its success.

My experience at Dance was nothing short of enriching. With the right blend of motivation, attention to detail, and focus on business objectives, I was able to contribute effectively to the company’s success. I hope my insights will inspire and guide those looking to embark on a similar professional journey.

Useful resources

Dance

About the author

The article was written in May 2023 by Theo SCHWERTLE (Maastricht University, School of Business and Economics, Bachelor in International Business, 2018-2023).

About the company

My internship

My missions

Required skills and knowledge

What I learned

Financial concepts related my internship

Liquidity management

Counterparty risk

Clearing and settlement mechanisms

Why should I be interested in this post?

Related posts on the SimTrade blog

Useful resources

About the author

About the company

My internship

My missions

Required skills and knowledge

What I learned

Why should I be interested in this post?

Related posts on the SimTrade blog

Useful resources

About the author

About the company

My internship

My missions

Required skills and knowledge

What I learned

Financial concepts related to my internship

Investment research

Securities underwriting

Risk management

Personal financial awareness

Why should I be interested in this post?

Related posts on the SimTrade blog

Useful resources

About the author

About IMI – Intesa Sanpaolo

My internship at IMI – Intesa Sanpaolo

My missions

Required skills and knowledge

What I learned

Financial concepts related my internship

Market Liquidity

Derivatives and Bond Pricing

Trade Execution Algorithms

Why should I be interested in this post?

Related posts on the SimTrade blog

Professional experiences in finance

Trading

Useful resources

About the author

My Internship Experience at SmartStream Technologies (Fintech)

Presentation of SmartStream Technologies

Presentation of my internship at SmartStream Technologies

Required skills and knowledge

What I learned

Three Key Financial Concepts

Budgeting and Cost Analysis

Sales Forecasting

Return on Investment (ROI)

Why should I be interested in this post?

Related posts on the SimTrade blog

Useful Resources

About the author

My Internship Experience as a Market Analyst at L’Oréal

Presentation of the Company

Presentation of my Internship

Required skills and knowledge

What I learned

Three Key Financial Concepts

Gross Margin

Financial Modeling

Market Analysis

Related posts on the SimTrade blog

Useful Resources

About the author

My Internship Experience at Safety Carb

About Safety Carb

My internship at Safety Carb

My missions