ESCP Europe Alumni Magazine - n°132 - Septembre 2010 - 25

Business
D.R.

to stabilize their economy. The industry can directly benefit from those packages, potentially accelerating some projects and leading to additional investments in new rolling stock or replacement of aging fleets. The stimulus packages have however increased the governments’ public debt. As this debt is paid back, some government programs will be reduced and rail transportation could suffer. In the near future, governments remain committed to their stimulus plans, and are aware that a premature exit would have significant negative implications on the economy. Some investments have already been hauled or stretched in time. Therefore, besides the freight business, the financial crisis may still hit the industry further, just shifted in time compared to other sectors. As a result, the industry is confronted with fierced competition and increased cost pressure which can only be faced with a focus on innovation to increase the economics and customer requirements such as environmental friendliness or economical efficiency.

gram preparing passionate individuals for a future leadership role within Bombardier Transportation. It offers each individual a truly global experience through three 6 month assignments in different countries, divisions and functions as well as great opportunities to take on responsibility at an early stage. Between 2008 and 2010, nine ESCP Europe alumni from different campus have joined the Global Graduate Program. Over and above those aspects, the company requires motivated graduates with a high level of business acumen and analytical skills. On top, as Bombardier is still to a large extend a family-owned company, entrepreneurship is high on the agenda. People are requested to be innovative and creative. New ideas are needed and outstanding business skills are important to compete in an industry dominated by just three players.

A good choice!

Why to work in this company?

The core

values of ESCP Europe students: mobility, language skills and the willingness to work in international teams.

There are many motivations for an ESCP Europe absolvent to work in this industry and for Bombardier Transportation in particular. Indeed, it’s an engineering driven company. Therefore, it is a valid question how a graduate from ESCP Europe can enter this world successfully and make a difference. The fact that more than 15 graduates from the school have joined Bombardier Transportation in the last 8 years is a proof, that the ESCP Europe values match the searched parameters for new employees in the company. The most evident common criteria is the international set-up of the industry in general as well as the company in particular. Projects are awarded internationally, local markets exist only for a project (the next one is likely to be in a completely different geographical environment). This aspect attracts three of the core values of ESCP Europe students: mobility, language skills and the willingness to work in international teams. The everyday job includes a high number of travels, including ongoing discussions and problem solving needs with people from foreign cultures. The basic educational set-up of ESCP Europe sets a perfect background to succeed in this environment. These mentioned ESCP Europe values are also reflected in the Global Graduate Program, a fast-track general management pro-

My own career can be taken as an example of the above. After completing the EMIM program, I have been hired to work in the Strategic Initiatives team of Bombardier Transportation in Berlin. I have joined Bombardier for its impressive international set-up and the challenges this brings along. Traveling, different cultures and international teams build a fascinating daily working environment. After 1½ years of Marketing, Competition and Strategy experience, I have moved to the corporate procurement department to develop buying strategies for specific material categories and to coordinate a project management office aiming at significant cost reductions across all product related material categories. Following a sabbatical to complete a PhD thesis, I re-joined Bombardier Transportation’s procurement function. Ever since, I have worked for and headed the non-product-related procurement section (indirect sourcing). The latest endeavor is now the leadership of all procurement activities for a business region covering Asia and the Americas in the division for Propulsion technology. The different positions have taken place in very international environments. Although based in Berlin, the German culture is not over represented in the daily work. Global teams are working jointly on global challenges without national resentments. This diversity makes it interesting to work in the company while the exciting city of Berlin sets the perfect scenario for a well-adjusted work-life balance. l

ESCP Europe Magazine N° 132 - Septembre 2010

Table des matières de la publication ESCP Europe Alumni Magazine - n°132 - Septembre 2010

Couverture
Zapping
Sommaire
Editorial
Personnalité du mois - Britt ECKELMANN
Focus - La symphonie allemande
Itinéraires
Entretiens
Vie du réseau
Évolution professionnelle
Voyages - Le rallye des gazelles
A lire
École - Meet ESCP Europe Entrepreneurs
Fondation
Vie étudiante

ESCP Europe Alumni Magazine - n°132 - Septembre 2010