The second week starts off with the usual debrief by Peter Zemsky. Students discuss the lessons and difficulties experienced during the teamwork. The lesson of the day was on business strategy. This class is lead by no other than Peter, the Deputy Dean of INSEAD. The class objective is to give the students an insight into digital strategy in business. Previously, the students had received several documents concerning the creation and development of an impressive company: BlaBlaCar. Since there is a meeting organised on Wednesday with one of the founders of the firm, the class largely takes the latter as an example of a successful business strategy. It is extremely useful for the students since they can see how discussions on strategy are suitable for real-life problems.
After lunch, students get an even more precise insight into how BlaBlaCar became so successful, and also the general value created by this firm. Students seem particularly interested, perhaps because most of them said they would be very interested in working for a start-up in the next 15 years.
Later in the afternoon, students have the option to participate in various social activities. One of the counsellors takes a couple of students to the swimming. Two other counsellors take a somewhat larger group to the supermarket to fill up on snacks. A final group head over to the football pitch, and another huge game occurs. As usual the game competition increases with every goal, foul and pass, and whist the two counsellors spend their time trying to tackle one another, the man of the match reward most certainly goes to Vicci and Pauline. Indeed, the only two girls courageous enough show that whilst being half the size of the boys, their pace and skills are way too much to take on for their opponents. Most of all, this is all done with a huge smile on their faces, quite a contrast from most players on the pitch who, as typical football players, (even I must admit this), spend their time moaning and complaining.
These activities lead to a well-deserved dinner. However, the students do not yet realize that the evening will also be a tough one. Indeed, their YFCD programme is far from over, and the workload for tonight is particularly intense. Still, all students seem to rejoice in this activity, and face the new problems that arise in the company with an amount of composure and maturity that does not cease to amaze me. For once, the students have to extend the curfew a little in order to finish their task. As always, all groups do not only finish the work, but also make sure the piece they hand in is excellent. Somewhat representative of INSEAD I should say.
After lunch, students get an even more precise insight into how BlaBlaCar became so successful, and also the general value created by this firm. Students seem particularly interested, perhaps because most of them said they would be very interested in working for a start-up in the next 15 years.
Later in the afternoon, students have the option to participate in various social activities. One of the counsellors takes a couple of students to the swimming. Two other counsellors take a somewhat larger group to the supermarket to fill up on snacks. A final group head over to the football pitch, and another huge game occurs. As usual the game competition increases with every goal, foul and pass, and whist the two counsellors spend their time trying to tackle one another, the man of the match reward most certainly goes to Vicci and Pauline. Indeed, the only two girls courageous enough show that whilst being half the size of the boys, their pace and skills are way too much to take on for their opponents. Most of all, this is all done with a huge smile on their faces, quite a contrast from most players on the pitch who, as typical football players, (even I must admit this), spend their time moaning and complaining.
These activities lead to a well-deserved dinner. However, the students do not yet realize that the evening will also be a tough one. Indeed, their YFCD programme is far from over, and the workload for tonight is particularly intense. Still, all students seem to rejoice in this activity, and face the new problems that arise in the company with an amount of composure and maturity that does not cease to amaze me. For once, the students have to extend the curfew a little in order to finish their task. As always, all groups do not only finish the work, but also make sure the piece they hand in is excellent. Somewhat representative of INSEAD I should say.
Hugo Berthon
Counsellor at Summer@INSEAD