CurlyIam Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 Please don't make fun, alright? As you know, I'm working my arse off to bet an internship. I've had a pretty good interview with Bosch -the division that's making power tools. That's yukky. However, they are working with the biggest distribution chains, which gives my internship the commercial touch I like (I'll be assistant brand manager of the range of products distributed in big surface stores). The good part is that I'm paid big bucks. And it's for an year. Mostly operational stuff. Ok, tonight I just got a call from Barry - Callebaud, who are Swiss, the biggest cocoa producer and chocolate maker in the world - they're very specialised and selling their stuff to patisseries and chocolate houses. Good part: I'm gonna work on a French brand but that's sold in the English speaking part of Europe. I love working at the international, however, I am practically paid peanuts. And they are located quite far away. And they want me for 6 months. What am I gonna do? Whom am I to chose? I am sick and tired to have my parents paying for me. I think I can continue trying to teach English during the week ends. I'm so sad... Why did Barry had to call? I was perfectly happy before... actually I wasn't... aaarrgggghhhhhhhhhhh P.S. I bet I'm gonna have at least 2 more calls tomorrow, because I'm so asking for it! Plus, I didn't actually get any of those internship - Bosch will tell me Friday or Monday, and Barry told me to call them if I'm interested in the position so that I talk to the Brand Manager. I'm gonna be 25 and have no internship ! Link to post Share on other sites
moimeme Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 Callebaud Oooohhhh it's gotta be Callebaut, no? He's Belgian, started his shops, won prizes - and then he moved to Calgary and lives next door to one of my friends LOL. Still runs the whole empire, though. But ooooohhh chocolate! You know which one I'd pick LOL Link to post Share on other sites
ReluctantRomeo Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 Originally posted by CurlyIam Please don't make fun, alright? Of course not. Well let's look at some of the factors underlying a decision - Bosch are paying more, you already have it and it's for a year rather than 6 months. So they have the advantage there. The questions remaining are: - Why don't you like their offer (and would you prefer Callebaud?) - Which would teach you more and look better on your CV? - Which location do you prefer? But ooooohhh chocolate! You know which one I'd pick LOL Disregard Moi's advice - she's gone temporarily insane at the thought of being surrounded by all that chocolate Link to post Share on other sites
Author CurlyIam Posted June 9, 2005 Author Share Posted June 9, 2005 Callebaud is more marketing oriented, I may have the oportunity to launch new products on foreign markets, make market analysis, it's like I said, more brand oriented. They are working on a B to B basis, whereas Bosch is working B to C, even though they are being distributed to the big surface stores. Bosch is interesting because I get a chance to work with the sales force and have a more commercial approach. The powertool market is highly competitive in France and I've got a few ideas about how to inhance the competitive advatage. So Bosch in intself isn't that much of a disservice, because I'll have the "chef de produit dans les GMS" tag name. Enterprises like Lactalis won't even look at you unless you have interacted with the GMS (grand et moyenne surfaces = big surface stores). But yeah, probably Callebaud would look better on my resume. Where I'd be learning more? Bosch will learn me about interacting with the GMS, Callebaud will learn me on how to launch a new product. Again, different. Which lovation I prefer? They're both quite far from where I live actually, but I kinda hate the Bosch' place... it doesn't look very enterprise like... The thing is, marketing is on of the key posts at Callebaud. They need a glossy image to survive. Bosch's key posts are engineers, the research and development team, those inventing new products. Of course, they need to know how to communicate with the market and have a great sales strategy... I know it soulds silly, but I like sales and the fact that I'm in such a non feminine industry is one apealing challenge... That's why it's so hard to make up my mind... and then it's the money . Well, Friday I'll get the answer from Bosch. Maybe they don't want to have me after all and I won't have to make any decision at all, LOL!! Link to post Share on other sites
ReluctantRomeo Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 Originally posted by CurlyIam Well, Friday I'll get the answer from Bosch. Maybe they don't want to have me after all and I won't have to make any decision at all, LOL!! Well, that's one way of making the decision Both of them sound pretty good to me. From what you say, Bosch has the edge over Callebaud on the majority of points, but C is still a good contender and in some ways seems to have your heart. I guess you should let your mind work on an informal ranking, in case both of them offer you an internship. Otherwise, I'd be tempted to go with the one that offers you something solid. Link to post Share on other sites
greenhorn Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 I would anytime prefer B to C over B to B. The real marketing dynamics lies in B to C IMO. In B to B a typical marketing intern will be doing paper work and not real ground work. Marketing anaylsis is not more exciting than real marketing. Moreover increasing the brand equity is much more challenging than launching a brand. Money is an important factor and the fact that you are being asked to be with Bosch for one year will add more value than two 6 months internships. Link to post Share on other sites
moimeme Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 Disregard Moi's advice - she's gone temporarily insane at the thought of being surrounded by all that chocolate Le pant le drool... chooooocoooolaaaaaaaatttttteeee oooo ooooooo ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Link to post Share on other sites
dgiirl Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 hmmmm chocolate... hehe if you like chocolate, it might not be a good thing to work there. With all the freebies, you'll get sick and wont touch it anymore Have you seen the work environments of both places? That might be a deciding factor. Link to post Share on other sites
ReluctantRomeo Posted June 10, 2005 Share Posted June 10, 2005 Originally posted by moimeme Le pant le drool... chooooocoooolaaaaaaaatttttteeee oooo ooooooo ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Link to post Share on other sites
Author CurlyIam Posted June 10, 2005 Author Share Posted June 10, 2005 I'll go at Barry Callebaut Monday - I've had 2 phone interviews. They're huge, they master all chocolate chain, have a 73% market share in Europe and make 500.000 t of that product per year !!! They have 5 super brands - among the rest of them products, and I think I'll be working on one of the best... They're selling their products not only to patisseries, but to Nestlé, Kellogs and Unilever. IT's a bit more marketing than Bosch... And I can start looking for a job immediately after the 6 months, as this is only an internship. At Bosch I'll be working around promotional plans and interacting with lots of other departments, at Barry Callebaut I'll be interacting with advertising companies and making those campaigns happen... I think I'll have to trust my instinct over this - I'll see their place on Monday and see the feeling that I get after meeting the marketing team. It's stressing, I wish the people from Bosch don't give me a positive answer so that I know what to do ... It' my birthday today and I still have nothing certain. I hate it!!! Link to post Share on other sites
Author CurlyIam Posted June 15, 2005 Author Share Posted June 15, 2005 Both companies accepted me. It's a happy day - on June, 15-th, in the middle of the year, go figure!! Link to post Share on other sites
ReluctantRomeo Posted June 16, 2005 Share Posted June 16, 2005 Originally posted by CurlyIam Both companies accepted me. Congratulations!!! I knew you'd do well So which will you choose? Link to post Share on other sites
Author CurlyIam Posted June 16, 2005 Author Share Posted June 16, 2005 As you all know, my heart went to the chocolate company. The only thing that were bothering me were the money and their being far away. The small detail that no one bothered to tell me is that the train taking me to their offices - near the plant, was coming once every 30-40 minutes. Meaning more than 4 hours in the public transportation. Which meant that I could not give English classes dring the week... hence not being able to make up for the really small remuneration - a third of Bosch's. My job at Barry would have been to help them reposition and reinforce their brands - it's a funny situation, they're the leaders on their market by far, but aren't seen as the leaders. My mission wasn't very clear to the marketing director - I mean I could simply have helped creating a data base with info about the market - they don't have them centralize. Riiight! Bosch, on the other hand, have this programme called "Graduate - something", allowing their recent employees to go and work on different missions in different countries. Which sounds like an oportunity. Adding the fact that I know exactly what I'd be doing, which responsabilities and the real chance of getting involved in implementing the market strategy with the consequent budget and freedom. I chose the latter company because after talking to both managers, I had a better input of my assignament from the power tools people. So I guess this is what I'm gonna do. It'll give me a chance to also put some money on aside and finally, finally attend some expensive specialisation courses at a Business School, here in Paris... and my parents are gonna chip in also, so on and all, I'm happy. Link to post Share on other sites
ReluctantRomeo Posted June 16, 2005 Share Posted June 16, 2005 Congratulations Curly, this sounds really good. And a great start to a promising career. Remember us when you're rich and famous In the meantime, I shall drink a glass of champagne in your honour this evening Link to post Share on other sites
Stone Posted June 16, 2005 Share Posted June 16, 2005 I am so happy for you Bosh seemed like the better deal anyway, longer term more money, plus you will learn how to use all those power tools witch will always come in handy Link to post Share on other sites
ReluctantRomeo Posted June 16, 2005 Share Posted June 16, 2005 Originally posted by Stone plus you will learn how to use all those power tools witch will always come in handy Yes, she's already pretty experienced in the uses of chocolate Link to post Share on other sites
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