Hello Benoit, to begin with, could you tell us about your KEDGE years and your first experiences in the professional world?

I joined KEDGE after a Bac ES in the Bachelor program on the Bordeaux campus. Thanks to the Bachelor program, I was able to join a number of companies for internships in France and abroad.

I did my first internship in London at one of Quiksilver's branches. I didn't have a precise idea of the sector I wanted to work in, but I knew what I was passionate about: sport, and more specifically extreme sports, in particular for the values they represent: surpassing oneself, taking risks, sharing experience, evolving in new environments and the "fun" they provide.

This first internship was a very enriching experience. Living abroad and proving myself at the age of 19 is confusing and not always easy, but I quickly realized that it was by stepping out of my comfort zone that I learned the most, and that the field of possibilities expanded exponentially. I then went on to do my final internship at O'Neill France in Bayonne, as assistant country manager.

Following my Bachelor's degree, I joined KEDGE's PGE program on the Bordeaux campus. During my gap year, I joined Sydney and Le Coq Sportif as assistant digital manager.

My first application was rejected, so I contacted the Director of Le Coq Sportif Oceania to let him know I'd be coming to Sydney to convince him. A week after my arrival, I met the director and offered to audit their digital situation. After several days' work, I presented my findings and suggestions to the management and their communications agency. I was recruited following this presentation.

During my second year of the Master's program, I had the option of looking for my first job in January or doing a final internship. As the compulsory internship had already been validated, I didn't think I'd choose this option, but following a Nike Europe conference on our campus, I applied for an internship. This experience at Nike in Amsterdam was a source of inspiration and intense learning.

Apart from the internships during those two years, I always had lots of projects. Being part of the Gynécologues volleyball team and winning the Challenge and Final VI were highlights of this period. As was my participation in the 4L Trophy as part of my proact.

When I left school, I signed my first permanent contract as an E-Merchandiser with Veepee Voyage in Paris. It was a very rewarding experience, but I soon wanted to move to an environment that suited me better. So, during the confinement period, I applied for a position at Red Bull's world headquarters in Salzburg, Austria. For me, this has always been the company of my dreams, for what it represents in the field of extreme sports, and for its distinctive personality.

In conclusion, I've always done my utmost to follow my dreams, and my career has been driven by my personal passions. I'm convinced that success comes when all these elements become one.

You're now an e-commerce specialist at Red Bull. What does your job involve?

My role is to ensure on a daily basis that the two sites: www.redbullshop.com and https://www.alphatauri.com/(a premium fashion brand designed in 2016 by Red Bull) are working properly and evolving in line with our strategies.

The first pillar of this role is the operational management of the two sites:

• Ensure that marketing content and products are online at key times;
• Manage coordination between product, marketing and supply chain teams;
• Manage coordination with all distribution channels (email, social networks, stores, press) to ensure our message is consistent.

The second pillar relates to all technological aspects:

• Project definition, technological improvement in the short, medium and long term;
• Transcribe business decisions into technical language so that our digital agencies can execute the resulting actions;
• Test & provide feedback to our agency on new functionalities;
• Identify bugs and problems our customers may encounter.

The third pillar is the strategic aspect:

• Analyze site performance (traffic, customer experience, CRM, etc.);
• Definition of short- and medium-term strategies;
• Monitor the market to identify the best agencies in line with our expectations.

This role evolves in a highly complex environment (distribution in over 170 countries, two sites with different tools and systems, two brands with opposing positioning and priorities).

A few months ago, I was promoted to Digital Improvement Manager. This means that I can work on a wider range of issues to improve our digital performance.

Red Bull offers many career opportunities for graduates and students of Business Schools like KEDGE. Can you tell us more?

Indeed, Red Bull offers a wide range of opportunities for students and graduates at its world headquarters and in the territories:

• Internships: Red Bull offers internships all year round in a wide variety of positions (Sales, Marketing, IT, Media, Human Resources, etc.) Students can apply directly via the following link: https://jobs.redbull.com/at-de/microsite/internships

INTERNSHIPS

• Graduate Program: This 18-month program enables students to join Red Bull at world headquarters and in certain territories. Graduates benefit from highly specialized supervision, with the aim of identifying their strengths and developing them through a number of projects. The company invests heavily in this program to immerse students in the brand environment, with the aim of offering a first job at the end of the 18 months. The program also offers the opportunity to rotate positions during this period, and to go abroad. For more information, click here: https: //jobs.redbull.com/at-de/microsite/graduate-program

GRADUATE PROGRAM

• Jobs: Students and graduates will also be able to find all the job opportunities offered worldwide by Red Bull: https: //jobs.redbull.com/

JOBS

Many thanks for your answers Benoit. Finally, ifyou had to give one piece of advice to graduates and students who'd like to do what you've done, what would it be?

Follow your dreams and passions. This is a chance to find out what you like to do in life. Use this opportunity to build your life around it. You won't regret doing what you love - your everyday life. The second piece of advice is surely the most important: dare to do things.

Dare to go abroad, dare to leave your comfort zone to learn new things, dare to make decisions, dare to apply even if you think you'll never be accepted. There's no such thing as the perfect moment. There will always be a factor preventing you from making a decision. Just dare to make it.

LINKEDIN : BENOIT MICHON