Category: Internship

Description of the banking industry

The banking industry is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. The rationale behind this observation is that almost all other industries depend on the banking industry for financial facilitation. Banks are critical where it comes to the financing of development in the small-scale sectors, as well as the large-scale sectors of the economy. Not only do large businesses depend on the banking industry for financing their developments, but nowadays small and medium enterprises have also become critical customers in the banking industry. It can, therefore, be said that the demand for services in the banking industry keeps rising with the rise in the need for financial development to facilitate growth in different sectors of the economy. This has necessitated the expansion of banks as a way of enhancing the capacity to serve the increasing number of customers. Banks often expand by way of broadening the range of financial services and packages they offer to the customers. The financial needs of customers vary, and so is the need for the banks to structure their services in a way that they can be in a position to meet the diverse needs of the customers. Diversity in the financial services that are offered by banks reflects the diverse financial needs and capacities of the customers. Expansion of services and activities in the banking sector denotes the increase in the number of employees in the industry to help discharge services to the customers. The banking industry, therefore, also emerges as among the leading employers in the world.

Narrowing down to the banking industry in Bahrain, it is argued that the industry has played a critical role in making the country become one of the top financial centers in the region. The banking industry in Bahrain is divided into two: Islamic banks and conventional banks. Over 85 percent of financial assets in the financial sector of Bahrain are in the banking industry. The conventional banking segment is broader than the Islamic segment. The conventional segment is comprised of a total of 23 retail banks and 69 wholesale banks. The segment also has two specialized banks and 36 subsidiary banking offices for overseas banks. The Islamic banking segment is established on the basis that Bahrain is a Muslim country. Islamic banking offers products and services that are compliant with Sharia Law. The segment has 6 retail banks and 18 wholesale banks (Central Bank of Bahrain, n.d.).

The assets of the Bahrain banking industry are approximately 200 billion US dollars. This highly supersedes the average annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country. Several factors are attributed to the growth of the banking industry. Among these factors are the embrace of a market economy in the country, valuable fiscal and macro-economic policies, the internationalization of the regulatory environment in the country, and the presence of a highly qualified and effective workforce. The prevailing conditions in the Bahrain banking industry have attracted a substantial number of international banking institutions that are seeking to establish their operations in the country. The vast amount of revenue that is generated from the oil industry encourages money flow in the economy, thereby enhancing the role of the banking sector in the reinvestment of the money that comes from the oil industry (Central Bank of Bahrain, n.d.).

Company description

The Bahrain Development Bank is a government-owned enterprise that aims at triggering and fostering economic development. The bank commenced its operations in the year 1992 as part of the plans of the Bahrain government to promote the development landscape in the country through investment. Since then, the bank has grown through the diversification of its service platform. The bank has kept tailoring its services to aid in meeting the diverse demands of investment from its customers. The main aim of the bank is to help investors in the country initiate and develop new businesses and economic projects. The bank provides a vast number of financial services that are aimed at promoting the growth of small and medium businesses in the two main economic sectors in the country; industrial and services sectors. As part of the recognition of the value and importance of the small and medium enterprises to economic development, the Bahrain Development Bank is part of the initiatives of the Bahrain government to support the growth of small and medium enterprises in the country. As a public company, the bank complies with both conventional banking and Islamic banking regulations. This enables the bank to broaden its customer base in the country, which by extension helps the bank to serve a wide base of customers in the country (Almoayed Group, 2013).

The small and medium businesses are the main customers and beneficiaries of the operations of the Bahrain Development Bank. The bank operates on minimal profits because of the nature of its goals and objectives. It gives loans to small and medium business enterprises at interest rates that are highly competitive. This helps businesses to develop without straining to settle the loans. Besides offering loaning services to small and medium businesses, the bank goes an extra mile to offer training and counseling services to its customers. This is done through the Entrepreneurship Development and Enterprise Creation Program that was launched by the bank. The bank finances foreign companies that show the willingness and initiative to help the bank in meeting its objectives, like offering training and employment to the citizens of the country (Kingdom of Bahrain Ministry of Industry and Commerce, 2013).

Job Description

I worked as a human resource development officer during my internship with the Bahrain Development Bank. The bank has an expansive human resource department that deals with the elaborate role of ensuring that human resource practices in the organization are properly organized for the bank to fully meet its mandate in the Bahrain economy. Human resource development officers deal with the extensive role of ensuring that work practices in the organization are organized according to the knowledge and skills of the employees. My work as a human resource development officer was, therefore, to help the management to identify the training needs for the employees in the given sections of the company. This was critical in the alignment of the employees to the tasks that they could best discharge. My work involved sampling the qualifications of both the existing, as well as new employees in the company and helping the management determine the areas of skill upgrading that needed improvement. My job entailed linking the work practices of the organization and the dynamics in the banking industry by enlisting aspects of variation between the skills that are possessed by the employees and the changes in the external environment in which the bank operates. This was critical in the establishment of the training needs of the employees by the chief human resource officer of the bank. Training programs in the bank are developed based on the developments in the banking industry, and human resource development officers are critical in the analysis of the present skills and connecting them with the changes in the operational environment of the bank.

Benefits of the internship from a personal perspective

My internship with the Bahrain Development Bank benefited me a lot in many areas. First of all, the internship helped me in garnering a lot of knowledge about the operations of the banking industry in Bahrain. Comprehension of the operations of the banking industry amounts to the understanding of the micro and macro-economic environments of the country. To a business and economics students like me, understanding the modalities and trends in the banking industry is equated to the exploration of micro and macro-economic fundamentals in the country. With the internship, I got to understand the role of the financial sector in economic development through an exploration of the role that is being played by the Bahrain Development Bank in fostering investments in the country. Through the internship, I was able to establish the reality of theoretical economic concepts through observation of the practices in the bank and the industry at large.

The other critical importance of the attachment is that it helped me in establishing links and molding my experience in banking. As a human resource development officer during my internship, I managed to explore a vast amount of emergent issues in the banking industry. These issues were used to develop the training needs for the employees in the Bahrain Development Bank. This has given me the fundamental skills and experience about the factors that shape operations of the banking industry and the economy in general. I can, therefore, say that through the internship, I have garnered a set of experience and knowledge that are critical in the functioning of financial institutions in the contemporary economic environment. The establishment of contacts with a substantial number of managers has helped me broaden my work profile in the company, thereby making me more marketable in the job market. The internship also helped me in expanding my knowledge in human resource management in general and human resource practices in the banking environment.

Weekly Log off

The internship took a total of 12 weeks or a period of three months. Work in the department where I was attached was organized every week. The organization of work on this basis was desirable in the sense that it helped the bank to do a short-term assessment of work and the implementation of controls to realize the long term goals of the bank.

I managed to accomplish several activities for the organization during my internship with the human resource development department of the Bahrain Development Bank. The first week was an orientation week for me, where I was introduced to all the sub-departments under the human resource development of the week. It is vital to note that only the main activities are recorded in the table below. This denotes that other routine activities are not brought out in the log. It is also important to note that the works completed were based on individual work and do not necessarily match with the occurrences in the bank.

References

Almoayed Group. (2013). Bahrain Development Bank. Web.

Central Bank of Bahrain. (n.d.). Banking. Web.

Kingdom of Bahrain Ministry of Industry and Commerce. (2013). The Bahrain Development Bank. Web.

Introduction

Blue Steel Security Company is reputable security company that offers a variety of services that ranges from Security Training courses to Free Security Survey. The Company is located in Brooklyn, New York. One of the main objectives of this company is transforming lives of American citizens and the world beyond by through its services of security guard training and at the same time addressing the issues facing these guards by offering ultimate instructions to the students they are training. This company started at low levels and ascended to been a reputable security company in America (Blue Steel Security Inc, n.d)

For my intern program, I have managed to attain an intern position at Blue Steel Security Company at its headquarters in Brooklyn. The position I am attached to is file clerk working in a family oriented environment. The main incentive for working in the Blue Steel Security Company as an intern is the fact that there is a high chance of attaining an employment opportunity in the Company.

Job description

File clerks in the Blue Steel Security Company are regarded as the guardians of the company. This is because the main part of their job description entails handling important files and documents. The filing system of the company is part and parcel of the responsibility of Blue Steel Security Company’s file clerk. Responsibilities in the filing system entailed maintaining and organizing the company’s files.

In addition to this, collecting of documents and materials from the various companies’ departments, assessing and sorting it out and arranging the materials is also part of my internship responsibility as a clerk intern. The incorporation of modern technology by the company made my responsibility as a file clerk easier as files’ data and information is easily fed in to the computer electronically. This in turn eases the burden of retrieving the information when need arises.

The files are arranged alphabetically and numerically according to their years of storage. These files are also kept up to date. In the case of electronically stored files, scanners are used to convert the hard copy file into soft copy file. Counter checking the files for proper documentation is a regular practice. Working as a file clerk in Blue Steel Security Company incorporates handling the responsibilities of a receptionist.

This therefore indicates that the responsibility duties of a file clerk are vast. Working as a receptionist, the responsibilities include answering of clients’ phone calls, explaining the company’s services to potential clients and booking of appointment for the various clients. In addition to this, as a receptionist, part of my responsibilities is connecting the telephone calls between the various company’s departments and ensuring that all the mails addressed to the company land on the appropriate department’s desk.

Experience attained

Working in Blue Steel Security Company is an eye opening opportunity as the company deals with security matters, which happen to be a major issue in America’s public domain. As an intern in the file clerk department/receptionist department, I am attaining a lot of experience on how to relate with the various kinds of people. This is particularly evident while working as a receptionist where I tend to meet different kinds of people who have different attitudes. Working as a receptionist, it is the company’s policy to ensure the clients are served to their satisfaction. This ensures that the receptionist attains crucial qualities of attracting potential clients and hence increasing the market base of the company.

As file clerk, I am also attaining vast wealth of experience in the filing systems using both manually and electronically methods of filing. Collecting of the material from the different departments of the company that are meant to be file is also a new experience that am attaining as the process indicates the type of relationship that should exist between the various department of a company. Booking of appointments is a process that indicates the importance of time cautious while working in a business premise.

Hindrances

Despite the vast amount of experience that am attaining while working as an intern in the Blue Steel Security Company, a number of hindrances are also encountered in the course of my internship program. As a receptionist, not all clients are friendly especially those that have arrived late for their appointment only be told to reschedule for another appointment. In the file clerk section, hindrances crop up especially while trying to identify files’ information that is filed without electronically filing a similar copy. In this case, different files have to be perused in order to attain the intended file.

Conclusion

The whole internship program is a success in the making despite the few hindrances experienced while working as a file clerk/receptionist in the Blue Steel Security Company. A vast amount of experience is continually been attained as working in an intern capacity.

The experience that is been attained ranges from public relations to systematic record keeping. The vast amount of responsibilities undertaken by the file clerk is an indication of the importance of a file clerk in a company. On completion of my attachment, a vast amount of experience will be achieved. The only goal and objective left will be attaining the golden job opportunity, to work with one of the reputable security company, the Blue Steel Security Company.

References

Blue Steel Security Inc. (N.d). Blue Steel Security Inc website. NY. Web.

Introduction

The theoretical knowledge learned in class is crucial in understanding organizations. The concepts help us understand the actual organizational structures and modes of operation in the business world. The theoretical knowledge helps us describe the business models and the competitive strategies organizations use to adapt to the changing business environment. Although the theory is of utmost importance in learning, it cannot be useful without practical application opportunities. Internships allow students to apply theoretical knowledge in practice. Through an internship experience, a student can utilize what he or she has learned in class in real-life scenarios. Besides, an internship helps a student to develop a deep understanding of the concepts and theories learned in class.

In this paper, I describe my internship experience at The Lobby Sports Bar/Restaurant/Lounge located in St. Elizabeth, New Jersey. Since September 2014, I have been working as an assistant manager intern at the organization. As an intern, I work under the supervision of the restaurant manager (chief chef) and the heads of the housekeeping/event planning and marketing departments. My core responsibilities are:

• To assist with event planning in the restaurant, bar, and lounge.
• To help in the promotion of the organization’s products externally through discount schemes and online ads.
• To help with public relations management through online tools.

Through the internship experience, I have had an opportunity to apply the concepts and the learning outcomes of the marketing and management courses to enrich my understanding of the facility’s organizational structure and model of operation.

Description of the Organization

The Lobby offers restaurant/bar services in a serene atmosphere perfect for people who want to party or enjoy a “fabulous dinner or favorite sport” (“The Lobby: Sports Bar and Restaurant” Para. 1). It offers a broad array of menus ranging from steaks to paella. The physical address of the Lobby is 821 Spring, St. Elizabeth, New Jersey. Customers can book reservations by calling the front desk on the number 908-469-8088. Reservations can also be made online at the website www.thelobbynj.com.

The facility is placed in a strategic location St. Elizabeth. This popular brand is a full-service hotel that contains a large dining restaurant, banquet area, a spacious lounge that can accommodate up to 500 guests, and a sports area fitted with large screens for viewing live sporting events. The facility offers an ambient atmosphere suitable for family dinners and sports viewing.

Organizational Structure

The Lobby sports bar/restaurant/lounge has a simple organizational structure. Its chief chef is a chief executive officer who is charged with implementing organizational strategy, initiating new projects, and managing employees. An event planner organizes reservations and oversees the company budget. The Lobby’s public relations officer is involved with media press and stakeholder engagement.

On the other hand, a marketing manager organizes promotional events and conducts market research. The company offers internship opportunities for students studying various disciplines, including public relations and marketing. The interns participate in various tasks and activities, including those not directly related to one’s line of study. This approach, in my view, helps interns acquire experience in multiple areas.

My Internship Experience

Since I started my internship, I have had close interactions with clients and staff. During my first day at the Lobby, we went through an orientation program to help us adapt to our respective positions. Armstrong states that orientation is an important HR role that prepares new employees for the responsibilities and demands that come with the position (17). It boosts employee confidence and facilitates communication between new staff and the management, which translates into a reduced turnover and higher productivity rates. Before the orientation, we filled employment forms indicating that we accept the Lobby’s employment policies and conditions, including the pay rate. Each intern also had to submit his or her tax information and contact details.

The position of an assistant manager intern has taught me important job skills that I had not learned in class. First, I have acquired people skills since I began to work in the Lobby. I have had an opportunity to interact daily with the staff and the clients visiting the Lobby to dine, hold meetings, or watch sport. People skills entail the “ability to listen, communicate, and relate well to others on a professional or personal level” (Hersey, Blanchard, and Johnson 32).

People skills are vital in advertising and public relations roles. Since I joined the Lobby as an intern, I have learned how to report to my supervisor and uphold professional standards in the office. The Lobby’s manager often delegates roles to supervisors, as he cannot supervise all the departments and employees alone. I have learned the importance of role delegation, whereby the restaurant manager instructs department heads to supervise teams and make minor decisions relating to customer service.

The Lobby has a unique approach for communicating internally and externally. It uses team meetings wherein supervisors communicate updates to staff members. I find the meetings insightful concerning the challenges facing the hospitality industry. The Lobby’s management is eager to use promotional events to improve its brand image and market share. Besides meetings, the company uses emails, social media, telephone, and fax to communicate with staff and customers. Internal communication normally originates from the event planner, the PR manager, and the marketing manager.

The Lobby’s management model relates to various views and theories on how firms should be managed. One such theory is the general management theory, which holds that, ideally, the management should cover six specific areas, namely, “business/staff control, bookkeeping, finance, self-protection, commerce, and technical aspects” (Dam and Marcus 76). The Lobby utilizes this management approach in its day-to-day activities. When planning for an event, the planner consults the supervisors and managers in the marketing and finance department as well as the restaurant manager.

The other concept applicable to the Lobby is the organizational structuring theory. It holds that a firm must develop a clear vision statement and a simplified strategic plan that can be easily implemented (Dam and Marcus 81). The Lobby’s organizational structure is clear and simple. Its long-term vision is to provide a “decadent fusion of restaurant and lounge services” to customers in an ambient atmosphere (“The Lobby: Sports Bar and Restaurant” Para. 4).

It offers a range of menus and services that suit diverse client needs. It also adheres to business management principles of value orientation, customer relationship development, and employee engagement and growth (“The Lobby: Sports Bar and Restaurant” Para. 3). New employees and interns undergo an orientation program to prepare them for the job. The facility also encourages customers who visit the restaurant, bar, or lounge to review their services and products. This generates crucial data for service improvement and strategic planning.

In my view, Lobby is an organization with a clear structure and reporting lines. It is a small firm with the founder as the executive chef. Moreover, due to its small size, direct supervision of staff is possible. Besides, coordination of activities is easily achieved through internal communication channels. Thus, the general management theory applies to this organization because the firm’s management involves key areas such as event planning, marketing, finance, and public relations.

Tasks and Activities

As an intern at the Lobby, I have participated in various activities and events. The activities involve routine tasks that I perform daily in the facility. These include office tasks and event planning activities. The office tasks I perform daily include preparing event schedules, updating sponsors about upcoming events, introducing new updates on the company website, promoting and posting content about a function on social media, and budget preparation. My tasks fall into four categories, namely, event planning, public relations, marketing and communication, and finance.

The Lobby offers restaurant/lounge services to business professionals, sports fans, and families. In this view, event planning is an important aspect of its services. I have been exposed to event planning at the Lobby. It involves making reservations for clients often comprising of professionals who want to hold meetings. Such business meetings often take place in the lounge during live sporting events.

I have learned networking skills by participating in the Lobby’s event planning process. Networking skills are important in public relations and customer relationship management. As a promotional tactic, I upload new information daily into the company website and customer contacts into Google docs to maintain an up-to-date record of regular customers. I also upload event photos and videos into the website as well as links to customer reviews.

Market research is crucial in strategic planning. At the facility, research entails searching for client information and requests. I spend time researching information about the package that can meet a client’s needs and preferences cost-effectively. I also research the various suppliers who can provide quality raw materials at competitive prices. My research also covers entertainment products (music and sports) that can be used during a particular event or function. After the research, the suppliers and entertainers must be contacted before the actual event. This may involve visiting the suppliers to check the suppliers and raw materials and ensure that everything goes according to plan.

Concerning marketing and promotion, my tasks include developing a marketing plan to reach certain market segments. Target marketing entails identifying customers or market segments, which a firm should direct its services or products (Kotler 131). I regularly upload information on social media, such as Twitter and Facebook, and popular blogs to reach out to young professionals and sports lovers who form our target market.

Other social media platforms that I have used to promote the Lobby’s products and events include LinkedIn, Word Press, YouTube, and google docs. I also remind customers planning to visit the facility to view a live sporting event. The promotion also entails posting a list of upcoming events and offers on the company website. The main dishes are also listed on the website along with pictures of the menus. We also analyze traffic on the company websites and social media likes, views, and tweets and use the data for strategic planning reasons.

The Lobby also invests in public relations as a way of promoting its image and brands. We often use online tools such as blogs to promote the facility’s products and services. Word Press is the blogging tool we often use to disseminate information about the Lobby’s products and events. In the blog articles, we include the available food, drinks, and entertainment offered in the facility. The menus and dishes are accompanied by photos and videos to appeal to potential clients. Links to other pages are provided in the blog articles to allow readers to obtain more information about the events or dishes. One advantage of using blogs in public relations management is that they facilitate interaction between the blogger and the viewer. Thus, they are a powerful tool for promoting new products or upcoming events.

I have also been involved in budgeting. I help in researching costs related to travel (flight), taxi services, and off-site events to estimate the average expenditure of a client. I also assist in sending confirmation letters via email to potential clients before the arrival date. The goal is to help clients plan their expenditures appropriately to avoid inconveniences during the actual visit.

Conclusion

The Lobby, as an organization, offers a great opportunity for interns to apply the skills and knowledge learned in class. The internship experience I have gained from this organization will help me grow and develop my career. Since September, I have been involved in marketing communication, promotion, financial/event planning, and PR. The experience gained in these areas has enriched my understanding of organizational structuring and strategic planning process.

Works Cited

Armstrong, Michael. Strategic human resource management: An action guide. Philadelphia, PA: Kogan Page, 2006. Print.

Dam, Nick and Jos Marcus. Organization and Management: An international Approach. New York: Routledge, 2007. Print.

Hersey, Paul, Kenneth Blanchard, and Dewey Johnson. (2012). Management of organizational Behavior. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 2012. Print.

Kotler, Philip. Marketing Management. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 2001. Print.

The Lobby: Sports Bar and Restaurant. Web.

Introduction

This report summarises my internship experience over the past six months. The internship was entirely held at Electra Dubai L.L.C, United Arab Emirates electrical systems manufacturer based in Dubai, established since 1965. I worked with the human resource department under my supervisor/general manager, Mr. Nabil Dalle. Mr. Nabil briefed me on my professional responsibilities that included Electra Dubai staff management, arrangement of meetings with suppliers and manufacturers and interaction with the clients in order to get feedback concerning provided services. This report consists of a description of the work performed and experience gathered during the internship, a self-assessment and a subjective impression of the company and ends with some conclusive remarks.

Narrative

I joined my internship at Electra Dubai LLC on July 21, 2019. At the beginning of my internship, I was acquainted with Electra Dubai showroom, its storage and stock, design and principles of product allocation. That has subsequently contributed to my deeper comprehension of the company’s marketing strategy and to a more flexible and conscious approach to dealing with the clients. Besides, I was familiarised with the working team of the accounting, cashiering and sales departments working within showroom and provided with a detailed list of human resources. As a result, I have been more effective in performing tasks regarding the management of Electra Dubai employees. Mr. Nabil then provided me with a “standard of procedures” for dealing with the clients of the company.

Being part of the human resource department, I worked directly with Mr. Nabil, who gave me specific assignments related to assistance to the Electra Dubai staff, organisation of meetings with suppliers and manufacturers and interaction with the company’s customers. I collected workflow information from employees and analysed their feedback, coordinated their meetings and working activities and carried out the initial processing of their requests.

I also did an interim assessment of staff performance and corporate management structure. I prepared a draft presentation on strategies to improve cooperation in the team and principles of the corporate culture. Several workers have contacted me with individual inquiries and I have referred them to an employee who can resolve it. I also performed a preliminary analysis of published CVs on vacancies related to Electra Dubai activities.

I assisted Mr. Nabil in arranging business meetings with the clients for their business purposes and put forward proposals for further time management. My responsibility was also to organise and maintain business meetings and conferences with suppliers and manufacturers conducted by Mr. Nabil. I participated in the initial negotiations with partners, found out their primary request and also supported the drafting of documents and presentations that were later used during meetings.

It was also my duty to be present in the showroom and to communicate with clients in order to get feedback and evaluation from them regarding the services provided by Electra Dubai sales and the cashiering staff. I did the initial analysis of the data collected from the customers and prepared a report for Mr. Nabil. This report contained a qualitative description of the characteristics of the services provided by clients, as well as their quantitative assessment. I also prepared a preliminary action plan regarding the improvement of service delivery approaches that could potentially lead to enhanced customer satisfaction.

I assisted Mr. Nabil in reviewing the website and the accessibility of Electra Abu Dhabi. Subsequently, I carried out a comparative analysis of marketing approaches of Electra Abu Dhabi and Electra Dubai branches. Electra Abu Dhabi bases its activities on expanding and broadening strong customer base, providing information about the company, its history and values and developing marketing tactics to strengthen the brand image. In the meantime, Electra Dubai deals with loyal and regular customers who rely on the highest quality standards of products and services provided by the company.

Self-Judgment

Through the internship, I gained valuable work experience, necessary knowledge and skills as well as an understanding of business processes in this sector. As part of the human resource department, I was able to improve my knowledge and performance of HR representative functions. I managed to develop teamwork and communication skills, the ability to comply with subordinate management relationships and to conduct research on the company’s internal cooperation. My skills in document and presentation drafting have improved markedly due to work performed during the internship. I also gained experience in analytical and management work concerning the company’s employees, customers, suppliers and manufacturers.

While working in Electra Dubai, I came in contact with several companies, local manufacturers and other business representatives. It was valuable for me to obtain a deeper comprehension of the internal structure of the human resource department and an experienced view of labour force processes. I made a multitude of contacts with experts and business representatives from Dubai as well as an overview of business processes that I can apply and use in Kazakhstan.

Thoughts on the Firm

The internship at Electra Dubai LLC was a unique opportunity and a worthwhile experience. Through various activities that I had to perform in the company, I have acquired numerous competences. For instance, I have learned how to find flexible approaches to clients from different cultures and to improve communication with them. My impression is that the corporate culture and policy of Electra Dubai are aimed at maintaining the highest standards of products and services provided and at taking care of its staff, clients and partners.

Mr. Nabil has carefully and conscientiously helped me to integrate into the company’s inner relationships and has introduced me to the work processes and the range of my objectives and responsibilities. The motivating and informative feedback of Mr. Nabil gave me the opportunity to reflectively review activities that I performed and to understand which aspects can be improved. In my judgment, the management system in Electra Dubai is appropriately designed to be convenient for both managers and other employees. I worked extensively with the human resource department that allowed me to gain necessary business experience, network and make useful contacts for my father’s business in Kazakhstan.

Conclusion

At the beginning of the internship, Mr. Nabil provided me with all information I needed to perform my duties and also introduced me to the team. I have managed to participate in various assignments related to the human resources department and several other activities of the company. I would like to emphasise that I gained essential experience in communicating with clients, managing and assisting staff, preparing documentation, conducting analysis and organising business meetings. Mr. Nabil and his team gave me the opportunity to learn and apply essential management skills. Through the internship in Electra Dubai, I received a chance to work in a team, communicate with the company’s clients and partners and perform the functions of the HR representative in the field of highly professional business.

Introduction

Seeing that the International Development Management studies require a twenty-week internship, a report encompassing the experience at Ateneo Institute of Sustainability (AIS) was produced. The goal of the report is to provide an overview of the organization, its approach toward managing safety issues, the individual assignment I that its business continuity plan (BCP) required, and the effects that the specified experience has had on my professional growth.

AIS is located in the Philippines. To assess the performance of AIS, the Organizational Analysis Model will be used. The identified framework is characterized by its ability to embrace a variety of factors related to a company’s structure, processes, culture, the technology that it uses, the system that it builds, the strategy that it deploys, and how it manages its human resources (see Figure 2).

Located in the Philippines, AIS addresses the issue of environmental sustainability and education opportunities as two core issues that need to be explored. Because of the increasingly large number of education-related issues and the absence of a uniform management technique in most Philippine organizations, there is a necessity to introduce a set of tools and strategies that will help enhance the efficacy of education and manage environmental issues in the Philippines. Furthermore, the problem needs to be researched on a global scale as well (Fernandez 2018).

This report will include a brief overview of the organization’s core values and mission. Afterward, its performance will be evaluated with the help of the existing performance analysis tools (e.g., SWOT). Afterward, recommendations concerning possible improvements in managing organizational operations will be made. Finally, my assignments at AIS will be showed and explained.

Background Information

The main objective of the internship was to explore how the organization carried out its business and economic operations. In an environment that can be described as extremely competitive and requires a consistently innovative approach, AIS managed to not only survive but thrive. The success streak that the company has been experiencing needs to be studied to derive the guidelines to be used for other companies in the future. The key task that was assigned included managing company information and planning minor events such as daily meetings. Thus, keeping the corporate processes running without interruption became a possibility. Although the specified responsibility might seem minor, it contributed to the enhancement of corporate operations and, thus, helped identify minor hindrances and remove them successfully.

At present, the placement of the company can be deemed as rather successful. Despite the challenges that AIS has been experiencing, it plays a very important role in the economy of the Philippines (Hartley, Thompson & Pahl 2015). That being said, it would be an understatement to say that AIS has been experiencing difficulties adjusting to the ever-changing environment of the global economy. As a result, the organization may have to adders some of its current issues before focusing on the enhancement of its research.

Mission and vision

With a long history and its unique traditions, AIS sees the promotion of “critical thinking, creative pursuits, and reflective practice” (Ateneo Institute of Sustainability 2018) as its primary mission. Therefore, the academic institution is aimed at encouraging learners to develop the ability to analyze information objectively and produce the results that can be used to handle a particular problem. The mission of the organization is, in turn, to foster the development of creativity, the ability to produce and articulate innovative ideas, and be creative in its learners (Ateneo Institute of Sustainability 2018).

Activities

AIS provides extensive academic opportunities for its students, including options for scholarships, research, and professional skills training (Ateneo Institute of Sustainability 2018). Furthermore, the organization has expanded into the Ateneo Center for English Language Teaching (ACELT), the Ateneo Institute of Literary Arts and Practices (AILAP), and the Ateneo Language Learning Center (ALLC), which offer extensive help for learners of the English language (Ateneo Institute of Sustainability 2018).

Seeing that AIS is a rather homogenous organization with uniform values and missions across its departments, its structure can be defined as functional (Ashkenas et al. 2015). The use of the functional structure allows AIS to keep the process of information management consistent and retain the quality of its services at the required high level. Furthermore, the application of the said structure creates premises for reducing the threat of misunderstandings and misconceptions that may occur in the context of AIS.

Aiming at reaching financial sustainability, AIS has adopted the approach that will make it thrive even in the context of a comparatively competitive market. The head of AIS and its financial department have been exploring the opportunities for funding over the past few years. At present, the organization is the largest conglomerate in The Philippines, hence the connection with the community, local businesses, and organizations that support AIS (Pursuing Profitable Sustainability 2018). However, AIS has also been exploring opportunities in addressing the Millennium Financial Goals to improve its profitability and increase the number of its financial assets (United Nations 2015). The financial issues are managed by the Board of Trustees (BOT).

AIS has been deploying the principles of sustainability to enhance the efficacy of education and keep the process of knowledge acquisition among learners consistent. Furthermore, AIS has been focusing on building a resilient environment in which learners from all backgrounds could enjoy a wide range of academic opportunities. Finally, AIS places a very strong emphasis on the significance of offering learners a chance to focus on research. Scholarship opportunities are numerous and accessible to all learners (Ateneo di Manila University 2014).

AIS places a very heavy emphasis on the importance of promoting the Philippines ‘ national and cultural values. Although the organization does not foist them on learners, AIS makes it evident that giving credit to one’s cultural legacy is essential. Furthermore, key principles of ethics are viewed as crucial to the organization’s performance (Cuyegkeng 2014). Specifically, AIS values its staff members and focuses on addressing the needs of all stakeholders involved, including its staff, community members, partners, etc.

Integrated Organizational Model

The adoption of the Integrated Organizational Model (IOM) should be viewed as a necessity in the specified case. The framework implies managing organizational issues by taking the factors from several major domains into account (i.e., economic, technical, political, and sociocultural ones). The specified tool helps set an organization’s priorities in line based on their urgency and the effect that they have on other aspects of its performance (see Fig. 1).

Internal Components

When considering the influence that each of the stakeholders has on the further development of AIS, one will have to adopt the Integrated Organizational Model (IOM). By definition, the specified framework allows exploring the elements of a company as parts of a single entity. In other words, the links between the components of the AIS system will become evident (The Integrated Organisation Model n.d.).

From the IOM perspective, AIS has a well-developed, fully integrated system that contributes to the organization’s rapid growth and encourages its fast development. The mission and vision of AIS imply that it takes the needs of its students and community members into account.

External Components

The actions that AIS takes to attain its goals, in turn, align with the specified statement since AIS strives to improve the environmental resilience of the Philippines community. However, the lack of concern for diverse members of the community may disrupt the process of managing the environmental and research-related concerns. Indeed, the unwillingness to focus on the issue of diversity may inhibit the process of research and management. Thus, the OIM framework demands that AIS should focus on the needs of local minorities.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths

Among the strengths of the organization, one must mention its propensity toward research and development. In addition, the ability of AIS to embrace a wide range of environmental issues that need to be handled when introducing innovative solutions is impressive. Therefore, AIS must be credited for its focus on not only introducing innovations required for sustainability but also encouraging people to educate themselves and gain the skills and knowledge needed to improve the modern world.

Weaknesses

Unfortunately, AIS also has several weaknesses. For example, the organization could use a better approach toward managing its information, It I essential to ensure that every bit of the available data should be included in the analysis. However, AIS needs to develop a system within which it will be able to deal with such a huge amount of data.

Market Environment

Political Environment

AIS operates in the public sector, which implies that it is controlled by the Philippines government depends massively on the choices made by the state authorities. However, AIS is also closely linked to a range of sectors in the community. Particularly, AIS has contributed to the development of the sectors of education, research, policymaking, service (community outreach), etc.

Economic Environment

When assessing AIS’s performance in the realm of the Philippine economic setting, one must keep in mind that the organization is currently not on the list of the most financially successful industries, nor does it have any connection with them. Indeed, according to a recent report, the areas of hospitality, manufacturing, retail, leisure, business outsourcing, and real estate are presently deemed to be some of the most important fields that affect the economy of The Philippines (Mourdoukoutas 2017). The lack of connection between AIS and the identified industries is understandable since they operate in different industries, yet it also means that the organization will have to make a conscious effort to renew the realm of education and introduce the products and services that will add to the levels of AIS’s competitiveness

Social Environment

Even though the issue of environmentalism might be familiar to Philippine residents, it is necessary to build awareness about the means of promoting it. Thus, the social environment can be considered as favorable for AIS’s operations. In addition, the organization will have to encourage people to get a proper education.

Technological Environment

The vast range of areas in which AIS operates makes the organization an important part of the Philippine technological environment. AIS influences the state’s progress to a considerable extent by reinforcing academic progress and, therefore, creating chances for a steep rise in the state economy. Indeed, the enhancement of education quality leads to the creation of additional business opportunities and the rise in the Philippine business. As a result, the state GDP is likely to grow consistently. Similarly, the focus on research and development will lead to the introduction of innovative approaches to managing a range of business processes. Therefore, AIS has been building the environment in which the state business can thrive, and where unemployment levels are likely to shrink as the number of qualified experts will rise.

Ecological Environment

The possibility of natural disasters occurring in the area, as well as the threat of deforestation, can be regarded as some of the contemporary ecological concerns within the state (Gera 2016). Therefore, it is important to ensure that the strategies aimed at maintaining safety and encouraging sustainability are promoted in the context of the Philippine environment. Thus, AIS needs to encourage change.

Cultural Environment

It could be argued that the multicultural outreach services offered by AIS could become the foundation for the organization’s success in the Philippine cultural environment. However, for this purpose, the organization will have to endeavor to make a breakthrough in its research and deliver the services that will be unparalleled to the offers made by other organizations operating in the specified fields. Therefore, the focus on research and the search for sustainable solutions to some of the current economic, environmental, and technological concerns must become a priority for AIS.

Opportunities and Threats

Opportunities

By focusing on encouraging academic excellence and building the environment of research, AIS will be able to encourage a faster resolution of the problem associated with the threats to its students’ academic excellence. At present, AIS seems to be developing a rather impressive strategy that is bound to lead to a massive improvement in the quality of learning (‘Ateneo Sustainability Report’ 2014). The frameworks are geared toward embracing diversity and creating opportunities for learners from all backgrounds to participate in classroom activities and research (Conole 2016).

The environmental issue, in turn, can be handled by improving the current programs and introducing new ones. For example, the disaster management framework that the AIS presently promotes is rather profound, yet it needs additional guidelines to make the process better coordinated. Furthermore, a framework for building awareness in a community will have to be incorporated into the set of tools used by AIS. At present, the specified issue remains one of the primary loopholes in an overall strong strategy utilized by AIS.

The disaster management framework will require utilizing the available information management resources to identify every possible threat and transfer crucial data immediately to all stakeholders involved. In addition, required resources for preventing natural and manmade disasters will have to be designed. For this purpose, the creation of a coherent plan that will attempt at predicting any possible outcome and provide a set of instructions for managing it will have to be provided. The specified framework is bound to serve as the basis for enhancing security and promoting the safety of the organization’s members.

The key tools include concise instructions concerning the course of actions to be taken in case of an emergency. Training will also have to be conducted to ensure that all staff members are aware of the requirements and can follow the provided guidelines.

Threats

At present, AIS’s position in the Philippine market can be regarded as rather stable, yet innovative solutions for sustainable use of resources provided by other companies may throw AIS out of balance. Being actively invested in the sustainable development of the community, AIS has been experiencing significant challenges in the company’s attempt to explore both the means of improving sustainability and the tools for encouraging education and research.

Therefore, the issues with which AIS must deal are twofold. On the one hand, there is an urgent need in handling the challenges that the increase in diversity levels has caused, i.e., the necessity to meet the needs of learners from different backgrounds. On the other hand, the issues associated with sustainability and environmental concerns must be dissected to provide viable solutions and, thus, require taking immediate actions.

Seeing that the problem of sustainable development can be regarded as one of the primary focus areas for AIS, there is no surprise that the specified field currently incorporates the greatest number of challenges for the company and its members. The fact that universities play a crucial role in preparing graduates that will, later on, become part and parcel of the state’s economic environment and ostensibly contribute to the economic growth thereof. Thus, exploring new opportunities for training students successfully, encouraging them to engage in lifelong learning, and teaching them to think both critically and innovatively should be regarded as some of the most challenging issues that AIS will have to face.

The focus on community support should also be regarded as one of the essential changes that the identified field has experienced over the past few years. The recent shift toward the study of innovations and their effect in the promotion of enhanced and improved solutions to the environmental agenda can also be regarded as one of the essential discussion points that are worth addressing when talking about tendencies in sustainability research (Kordestani, Peighambari & Foster 2015).

Finally, the issue of data management needs to be addressed as one of the reasons for concern. Because of rapidly changing and improving technologies, organizations such as AIS, which holds a significant amount of personal information belonging to its students, are exposed to the threat of a cyberattack and subsequent data theft. Therefore, reinforcing the existing strategy for managing safety must be deemed essential.

SWOT analysis

Strengths

The focus on the opportunities for connecting the members of the community and involving them in a sustainability-related dialogue should be deemed as one of the essential strengths of AIS. Much to its credit, the organization is capable of uniting the community and addressing it to shed light on some of the most urgent issues. As a result, a profound analysis of the problem and its further efficient management becomes a possibility.

The ability to incorporate innovative technologies to bring communities together can also be regarded as the essential advantage of AIS at present. The ability to incorporate the tight focus on culture and community and the propensity toward research and environmentalism is one of the key assets of AIS. Therefore, the identified characteristic is what the organization must use to produce impressive results and attract the attention of the general audience

Weaknesses

The current approach to innovation could use a significant improvement since the phenomenon is not incorporated into the nature of the organization. As a result, to produce an innovative solution, AIS needs to alter its decision-making framework, which implies extra expenses. The specified aspect of AIS’s operations cannot be defined as rational and, thus, needs an urgent change. Speaking of the areas that can be regarded as rather unprofitable and likely to cause AIS certain expenses, one must also address the issue of the organization’s rigid policy regarding the local culture and its promotion. Even though the identified strategy allows strengthening the bond between the members of local communities, it creates tangible obstacles for the rest of potential participants to enter AIS and influence its further progress positively.

Opportunities

AIS is currently facing a unique opportunity at applying some of the most innovative tools for enhancing the focus on research and the promotion of sustainability within the community (Co et al. 2016). With the recent breakthrough made by the Ateneo Java Wireless Competency Center (AJWCC) in e-learning, extra options for improving the quality of education, research, and the promotion of environmentally-friendly strategies have emerged.

Threats

The excessive expenses that the social change and the process of transforming the current sustainability research may entail can become an obstacle in implementing the plans that AIS has for its further operations in the Philippine market. Furthermore, the issue of leadership and control might require reconsideration. Although it helps establish rigid control over essential processes to AIS, thus, making its performance better, it also serves to the detriment of the organization since it implies that essential choices may be made with a significant lack of diversity in mind. As a result, a large number of potential participants may be dismissed or unwilling to participate.

Table 1. SWOT Analysis.

PESTEC

Political

When considering the political factors affecting the operations of AIS in the target environment, one must keep in mind that the Philippines have been facing a continuous political conflict. Culminating with the Battle of Marawi, the confrontation between the Philippine government and the ISIL resulted in the victory of the former, yet the aftermath of the conflict still has a tangible effect on the state and the organizations operating in it. The lack of opportunities for financial and economic support is currently rather troubling, yet the fact that ISIL has been vanquished from the Philippines shows that the existence of AIS and the safety of its employees are no longer jeopardized.

Economic

Because of long conflicts in the environment of The Philippines, the economic prospects of AIS in the specified setting are rather uncertain. Without proper funding and the chances for consistent growth, OIS will be unable to function in the Philippine market. For this reason, searching for alternative funding strategies along with approaches toward a more efficient waste management framework needs to be listed among the primary areas of concern for AIS.

Sociocultural

The absence of awareness regarding environmental issues among most of the Philippine citizens should be considered as one of the key factors that shape AIS’s choices in the specified setting and define the challenges that the organization has to fight. Although the local perception of education has improved over the past few decades, AIS is also struggling to enhance the process of learning among its target demographics. Therefore, the organization may have to reconsider its current promotion tools. The fact that AIS’s strategies are rooted so deeply in the Philippine culture can be considered as both an advantage and a disadvantage of the organization. On the one hand, it leads to the enhancement of community bonds. On the other hand, it does not allow outsiders to join the organization and integrate into it immediately. Thus, the process of alienation is launched.

Technological

Much to its credit, AIS uses the latest technological innovations to its advantage. The adoption of social networks as the foundation for building a tighter connection with the community can be seen as one of the most important steps made by the organization. Furthermore, the use of the specified tools is likely to lead to a

Environmental

At present, there are quite a few reasons to be concerned about sustainability in The Philippines (Gera 2016). The threat of natural disasters is the primary source of threats to the well-being of residents of The Philippines. While deforestation can be contained with tighter control over the industrial use of wood, the problems of water pollution, soil contamination, the greenhouse effect, etc., are much more difficult to address (Horigue et al. 2015). Therefore, deploying the tools that will help reduce the negative impact on the Philippine environment is essential.

Culture

AIS currently faces the necessity to meet the environmentalism standards that are promoted in contemporary society. Therefore, the focus on sustainability and the necessity to introduce innovations into the environment of social, economic, and political life can be seen as an important motivating factor. Although the recent Freedom of Information (FOI) regulation places a significant restriction on the data that journalists can bring to public attention, people are willing to see progress (Tandoc 2017).

Table 2. PESTEC Analysis.

Recommendations

At present, the focus on improving the diversity issue should be regarded as one of the essential priorities for AIS. Even though the suggested model allows embracing the needs of most of the residents of local communities, the program aimed at raising awareness is targeted primarily at the Philippine population. The members of diverse communities, in turn, seem to be disregarded, which is a major flaw of the designed policy.

Consequently, it is strongly recommended that AIS should alter its current framework for addressing the needs of its stakeholders. The organization needs to recognize the significance of the impact that every single Philippines citizen makes on the sociocultural, environmental, technological, economic, and political development of the state. As a result, chances for influencing the current situation regarding the environmental crisis in The Philippines will be provided. Furthermore, motivation levels among target demographics are bound to grow along with the levels of involvement.

Similarly, the process of academic growth requires certain changes that will contribute to a rise in diversity levels. The identified alteration is bound to lead to a surge in the number of solutions to the current environmental crisis. In addition, it will provide the foundation for building an awareness program that will help reach out to diverse members of the Philippine community.

The outcomes of AIS’s performance have shown that handling environmental concerns is possible as long as the needs of all stakeholders are met appropriately. Much to its credit, AIS has been deploying a very efficient model of organizational management, with a tight focus on the core values and traditions based on which local communities operate. Furthermore, the incorporation of technological advances has created a range of opportunities for improving the connection to the said communities. Therefore, the identified alteration offers additional chances for building awareness and inviting people to educate themselves and contribute to the improvement of the environment.

At present, it is highly recommended for AIS to reconsider its policy toward diverse members of the Philippine community. As a result, the levels of involvement in environmental issues are bound to rise significantly. Similarly, the education process will be spurred to a considerable extent once the needs of minorities are recognized. Particularly, tools for assisting target demographics in learning and developing the skills and knowledge required to manage the specified concerns will increase.

Moreover, the focus on diversity will also encourage a gradual rise in the number of innovative solutions for handling environmental concerns.

About the latter, one must also consider the idea of incorporating the notion of innovation into the very nature of the organization. Once innovations become the foundation for the value system of AIS, the active promotion of innovative thinking and the incorporation of strategies for innovative thinking will become a possibility. As a result, AIS will be significantly more efficient in its research, environmental activities, and the promotion of independence among Philippine citizens.

When considering the factors that affect the present situation in The Philippines, one must admit that the lack of emphasis on the needs of diverse populations coupled with the necessity to create a sustainable approach toward managing disasters and the focus on quality education are the primary issues that the AIS needs to face. Although the identified concerns are linked directly to each other and, therefore, have a reciprocal effect on each other, altering them and introducing improvements to the realms of education and research are going to be a rather challenging task. The need to redesign the current approach toward resource management, as well as the rigid state policies that are rather difficult to alter, represent the key roadblocks on AIS’s way of handling the problem. Furthermore, it is essential to introduce powerful tools for motivating citizens.

The lack of cohesion between the operations at AIS, in turn, can also be viewed as an important aspect on which the company may need to focus. Even though the information management process is arranged efficiently at AIS, it is strongly recommended to introduce the elements that will lead to a steep rise in motivation levels among the staff. The identified change will require alterations of the corporate values and vision, particularly, the incorporation of a set of principles aimed at a greater level of diversity and the enhancement of independence among both AIS employees and the members of local communities will be a welcome change.

Furthermore, at present, it is highly recommended for AIS to reconsider its policy toward diverse members of the Philippine community. As a result, the levels of involvement in environmental issues are bound to rise significantly. Similarly, the education process will be spurred to a considerable extent once the needs of minorities are recognized. Particularly, tools for assisting target demographics in learning and developing the skills and knowledge required to manage the specified concerns will increase.

Moreover, the focus on diversity will also encourage a gradual rise in the number of innovative solutions for handling environmental concerns.

About the latter, one must also consider the idea of incorporating the notion of innovation into the very nature of the organization. Once innovations become the foundation for the value system of AIS, the active promotion of innovative thinking and the incorporation of strategies for innovative thinking will become a possibility. As a result, AIS will be significantly more efficient in its research, environmental activities, and the promotion of independence among Philippine citizens.

Individual Assignment – Report on BCP

Report on Business Continuity Planning for Small and Micro-Scale Enterprises in the Philippines

Introduction

As with many organizations in the Philippines, small- and micro-scale enterprises experience a good amount of risk resulting from extreme weather events. However, unlike bigger corporations, their coping capacity would depend on how much they invest in disaster readiness and business continuity. It is thus of interest to profile this aspect of small- and micro-scale enterprises and possibly design tools to assist them in developing a Business Continuity Plan.

The economy of the Philippines is growing at a steady rate despite slow global growth, and the gross domestic product (GDP) is forecast to grow 6% through 2018. At the same time, the workforce has increased by 22% in the past decade and now totals 44 million workers. Workers are moving away from agriculture and shifting into the service sector, which employed 52% of workers in 2010, up 28% since 1995 (The World Bank, 2016). If the Philippines can hold its relatively high economic growth, most likely it will continue its poverty reduction.

A large part of the Philippine economy consists out of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). These businesses have a very important role in developing the Philippine economy. They help reduce poverty by creating jobs for the country’s growing labor force. They serve as valuable partners to large enterprises as suppliers and providers of support services. They serve as a breeding ground for new entrepreneurs and large corporations (Camposano 2014). A vibrant MSME sector is thus an indication of a thriving and growing economy.

The Philippines are more normative than pragmatic. People in such societies have a strong concern with establishing the absolute Truth; they are normative in their thinking. They exhibit great respect for traditions, a relatively small propensity to save for the future, and have a focus on achieving quick results. People work very hard and innovation is not necessarily seen as threatening. Since 2001, the Philippine government has also constantly stressed the importance of being prepared to deal with the increasing uncertainty linked with recent weather and global climate change (Bankoff & Christensen 2016). However, this urge for achieving quick results is directly linked to a lack of long-term goals. When there are no plans and a disaster hits, this can be catastrophic for the business owner and its family.

This report will focus on Small and Micro-businesses of the Philippines and will touch upon one of these constraints that prevent the full growth of these businesses; being resilient against disasters.

Objectives

The objectives to be achieved by this project are:

To profile the extent of disaster readiness and business continuity planning of Philippine small/micro-scale enterprises.

To develop and test a Business Impact Analysis (BIA) template for Philippine small/micro-scale enterprises.

To develop a template for Business Continuity Planning (BCP) of Philippine small/micro-scale enterprises.

These objectives will be discussed one by one in the given order.

Profiling of the Extent of Disaster Readiness and Business Continuity Planning of Philippine Small/Micro-Scale Enterprises

Methodology

Before the project had started, it was first to see how far the small and micro-businesses already are in being and feeling prepared. To do this first profiling a focus group discussion was set up. With this FDG the first version of the survey was tested. This survey would eventually help in setting up the Business Impact Analysis.

After this first run, the survey was adjusted and run on the target group: 100 small and micro-businesses in Loyola Heights, Quezon City. Members of the Office of Social Concern and Involvement (OSCI) assisted in running the survey. They helped in speaking the local language which helped in making the participants of the survey feel more comfortable.

Results

At the first FGD, it became clear that there is still a remarkable difference between small and micro-businesses. Therefore the possible answers that the participant could thick on the survey, were later on divided into more and clearer answers.

Three results from the survey are discussed in this report.

The answers that came out of the survey show that businesses are most affected by two disasters: typhoons and fire. This is shown in Figure 1. Typhoons are appearing regularly in the Philippines. Whereas fire is a common disaster due to the houses that are located very near to each other. When a fire has started, it easily spreads towards other houses.

Another result that came out of the survey was on the subject of experience of the businesses. The outcome hereby was that it is very clear to see that many of the small and micro businesses do not receive assistance from NGOs or local governments, shown in Figure 2.

Many business owners mentioned that they were more on their own, at least that is how they experience it. They receive more help from their community.

When it comes to the readiness of the small and micro businesses, it is remarkable to notice that these businesses feel sufficiently prepared, figure 3. The majority of the businesses mention that they have a backup copy of important documents and that they have plans in Emergency Management, Business Resumption, and Crisis Prevention (it must be noted that on first-hand many participants did not know these terms). However, at the same time, the majority of the businesses noted that their employees are not trained in responding to and the prevention of various types of emergencies or in helping in the resumption of business operations.

Overall the survey was received positively. The survey was to get an overview of how far small and micro businesses in Loyola Heights, Quezon City are in preparing for possible disasters. The participants were aware of this intention of the survey and realized that this survey can help them in feeling more secure.

The overall concern that came out of the survey is that many small and micro businesses feel prepared, but are not familiar with the possible ways to be even more prepared. An example that showed this, was that the majority of the businesses are not familiar with certain technical terms.

The results that came out of the survey were used in setting up the Business Impact Analysis (BIA) and Business Continuity Planning (BCP) templates. The results showed on which disasters the main focus should be (typhoon, fire, earthquake) and that the business owners are willing to improve their readiness but have a lack in knowledge.

Developing Business Impact Analysis (BIA) and Business Continuity Planning (BCP) Templates

Literature Review

The Asia Pacific region is prone to natural disasters that have been host to more than half of the world’s intense natural disasters during the past four decades. This area also goes by the name Pacific Ring of Fire (ICSU, 2008). Exposure to these natural hazards, particularly in the Philippines, incurs heavy human casualties, population displacement, and economic disruption. Why in particular the Philippines? Because the Philippines is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to disaster and climate change. With over 7,000 islands and over 36,000 kilometers of coastline, nearly everyone – 74 percent of the population – and everywhere – 80 percent of the land area – are vulnerable to disaster, with the capital of Manila considered at “extreme risk” (UNISDR 2015).

The impacts of natural disasters can be devastating to business operations and viability.

Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) suffer the most as they are relatively resource-constrained and less resilient. Recent studies show that MSMEs in the

The Philippines, while relatively flexible, have limited access to a broader set of coping strategies and are generally not prepared for nature-related disasters. MSMEs had often relied on overseas worker remittances and loans from family and informal money lenders to fund post-disaster recovery, but the least resilient enterprises eventually stop business operations. Most MSMEs in developing countries are also characterized by informality and noncompliance with industry norms and regulations, limiting their capacity to adopt risk management tools and expand customer and supply base. The situation is further aggravated as governments focus more on relief, search and rescue operations, and social services (Ballesteros & Domingo 2015).

These concerns merit attention given that 99.6 percent of all enterprises in the country are MSMEs employing about 63 percent of the labor force. Their products and services are especially critical in facilitating recovery and normalizing the situation in disaster-affected communities (Ballesteros & Domingo 2015).

The present national DRRM policy framework in the Philippines is designed to adhere to the principles of proactivity and active response. Increased awareness and understanding among the various stakeholders are viewed as key in increasing resilience and decreasing vulnerabilities to disaster events. However, there is an apparent lack of disaggregation or sectoral focus on the policy framework that drives DRRM among the different stakeholders in the country, particularly between households and businesses (Preventionweb, 2011).

Several legislative provisions relate to economic activities during disaster events with

Republic Act No. 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk reduction Act (2010) providing an overarching legal basis for DRRM. The law acknowledges the need to adopt a disaster risk reduction and management approach that is holistic, comprehensive, integrated, and proactive among all sectors and all stakeholders concerned, at all levels, especially the local community. The law is complemented by R.A. 9729 or the Climate Change Act

(2009) as amended by RA 10174 or the Peoples Survival Fund (2011), which also espoused cooperation with the global community in the resolution of climate change issues, including disaster risk reduction (Ballesteros & Domingo 2015).

For the past six years, economists and business leaders around the world have described the Philippine economy as Asia’s rising tiger. Its economic growth is one of the fastest in the world. In the first quarter of 2016, the Philippine economy grew at a staggering 6.9 percent, faster than China’s 6.7 percent and Vietnam’s 5.7 percent (CNN Philippines, 2016).

Though despite the country’s impressive economic growth, local business leaders and, most especially, foreign direct investors still have been cautious with pouring more investments. They are concerned with the country’s ability to adapt to the new realities of climate change. The Philippines is in the top 10 most vulnerable countries to climate change (UNISDR 2015). In the long run, the sustainability of the city and its ability to adapt rests in proper city planning and architecture. Institutions should integrate their plans to create a master plan for the entire city so that proper elements will be put into place, and there will be synergy and order.

Disaster resilience, however, is not just a government concern. Private individuals and companies need to be creative in addressing potential issues arising from natural and man-made calamities beyond business continuity. Adaptive architecture, like building structures on stilts or connecting buildings with elevated walkways, can be done to ensure that life goes on even if there is flooding or other obstructions on the ground level. Even small steps like implementing regular fire drills, providing emergency kits to employees, training them to conduct first-aid, and many other precautionary measures, could help the businesses and their families.

Given the Philippine tendency to look on the bright side, many businesses are prone to not having a large focus on “disaster recovery”. Business Continuity Planning suggests a more comprehensive approach to making sure that businesses can keep making money, not only after a natural calamity but also in the event of smaller disruptions including illness or departure of key staffers, supply chain partner problems, or other challenges that businesses face from time to time.

A Business Continuity Planning (BCP) is a plan that allows a business to plan what it needs to do to ensure that its key products and services continue to be delivered in case of a disaster. A BCP tells your business the steps to be taken to continue its key product and services. Part of the BCP is the Business Impact Analysis (BIA). A BIA will research were most likely the impact of a disruption to the business will hit in terms of loss of business, effects on the reputation, loss of staff. During the BIA the business will determine the precise effects of disaster on the business. The BIA seeks to categorize and prioritize business activities for recovery, identify all internal and external dependencies associated with critical activities, determine the amount of time required to resume critical activities, and estimate the resources that each critical activity will require for resumption of business (Cerullo & Cerullo 2004).

Having a BCP enhances the business its image with employees, shareholders, and customers by demonstrating a proactive attitude. Additional benefits include improvement in the overall organizational efficiency and identifying the relationship of assets (value chain) and human and financial resources to critical services and deliverables.

Business Impact Analysis

In the BIA the business owner identifies its most important functions by writing down their value chain. After the value chain has been identified, the owner will analyze which business activity will be affected the most when a disaster would hit. Different disasters have different effects on the activities. After identifying the vulnerable factors in the business, the business owner will be asked to identify the amount of time that will be necessary to recover from a disaster. The business owner must visualize this aspect so that it is possible to set up a more precise BCP.

However, the original BIA design had to be adjusted based on the outcomes and observations of the survey. For example, small and micro businesses are closely linked with personal/family life. This made it difficult for them to answer the first BIA design. They have a different perspective.

Business Continuity Planning

The BCP consists of activities done during a disaster and in the preparation and recovery phase. However for small and micro businesses the scale is different in financial and human resources.

Another difference is in their approach to risk management. For example, small and micro businesses save their money differently. The needs of the family and the businesses are closely linked. They tend to save the money that is left. In the BCP they are taught to set aside money given the impending emergency, instead of saving as an afterthought.

Testing the Templates

The majority of the small and micro business owners are not familiar with most of the technical business and disaster recovery terms. Therefore the templates had to be translated into a language that they would more easily understand.

A workshop was executed on December 14, 2016. The first activity in the given workshop, was for the business owner to understand their value chain and the impact of disasters on their value chain. They listed their activities on individual Meta-cards. They had to put these cards in the order they run their business. Out of this value chain, they prioritized their activities. This activity is shown in column 1 of worksheet 1 (Figure 3).

The business owner will mark, by using a color system, which activity of the business will be the most affected by the different disasters (Figure 3 – column 2 of worksheet 1). As a result, the business owner will have a clear overview of which business activity is most at risk. In the last column of worksheet 1, the business owner can indicate the impact of the disasters on different business aspects.

With activity 2 of the workshop (Figure 4) there was looked at the time that is needed by the business to keep running; critical time to recovery. Because family and business are closely linked in many small and micro businesses, there is also looked at their reactions to crises in different given situations. The workshop includes the question of how helpless the business owner would feel. After this they will indicate how many days they think their business needs to recover from these situations.

The third and final activity of the workshop is to make a physical business continuity plan with the business owner by looking at managing the disaster risk of the business (Figure 5). In this activity, the owner first looked at the possibilities on how to prepare for a disaster; which activities can be executed, and which materials are needed to do these activities (activity 3a). In the next step in this activity, activity 3b, the business owner looked at how to make a Recovery Plan. The difference between activity 3a and 3b is that in the first one the business owner looked at how to be prepared as well as possible and therefore to be resilient as much as possible. In the second one, activity 3b, the business owner looking at how to come back as strong as possible out of the disaster.

Outcomes

The workshop gave some positive results. The business owners showed a positive attitude which resulted in a high contribution. After their value chain was discussed there was a presentation given that afforded the business owners extra knowledge about value chains. A very positive reaction to this presentation was that the business owners were very interested in receiving this presentation to share with their community. A result which can cause more awareness in running a business.

The business owners explained during the workshop that they are not comfortable approaching banks for a loan. Instead, they start a loan with a Bombay ¹. These Bombays come personally to the business owners, the business owners themselves do not have to go to them which makes it an easy loan to access. However, these loans come with high rent. The fact that the Bombays come to the location of the business owners, makes microfinance a less attractive option for them. The participants admitted they know about microfinance but explain that it seems like a less attractive option. They have the feeling it takes too much effort to start a microfinance loan.

Another challenging point for the business owners when it comes to money is the thin line between their finance for the business and their family. Micro-scale enterprises are closely linked with the family of the owner. In many cases, the business is attached to the family house. Money is easily spent on family uses and there is not a clear overview of what the business is earning and what its profit is. Having their household money mixed with their business income also results in not having savings. Most of these businesses do not have savings and therefore do not have a backup or safety net for when a disaster hits the business. This is also why many businesses have loans and debts.

As a physical outcome of the workshop, the participants received a booklet with their Business Continuity Planning. These were made and given to them in Tagalog, the local language.

The overall reaction to this workshop was positive from both sides. The high contribution gave extra motivation to the creators of the workshop to share their knowledge. The workshop showed that business owners are eager to learn about how to manage their business and they are open to hearing about other options

Recommendations

For future workshops, it is recommended to keep them small with approximately 10-15 participants. This way the interactivity will stay high and as explained by the outcomes, this resulted in positive results for both parties. To give the participants of the business owners an extra push, more mini-lectures can be held. This workshop provided only one lecture (on value chains). By giving more mini-lectures, the participation can become higher by giving a higher awareness on managing a business. This will result in higher resilience against disasters.

To provide the necessary knowledge with this workshop, difficult terms were avoided. Many technical and business terms are not (yet) well-known among small and micro-enterprises. Important is to create this slightly informal setting for the participants. This way the business owners will not be scared off by all the new terms and instead, they will feel more comfortable therefore participate more.

This workshop was executed in Quezon City, Loyola Heights. When this project will be expanded, it is interesting to look at the small and micro-scale businesses on food courts. Food courts are an upcoming phenomenon in Manila and it can be therefore interesting to look at these businesses. Are the owners following a hype without really looking at their business plan?

When approaching small and micro-scale businesses for the survey, which helped to design this workshop, it was noticed that businesses were more willing to answer when the survey came with an endorsement of the Barangay ². Before this endorsement was given, many businesses rejected the survey because they were possibly suspicious of the intentions. Therefore it is recommended, when starting a new (larger) survey, to have the endorsement and this way collect more respondents.

This project focuses on both small and micro-scale enterprises. It is however recognized that these businesses still have some differences which give different results. Micro-scale enterprises are deeply linked with the household of the business owner. This results in a complete other finance situation than when the business’ finance is more separate from private uses. This is the main difference between small and micro-scale enterprises.

When future projects will elaborate more on this project and will go more into detail, the distinguishing between small and micro-scale enterprises can give more value to the results.

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Footnotes

1. An informal moneylender for micro-enterprises. The name comes from the fact that these moneylenders are often Indian men.
2. Barangay is the native Filipino term for village. It is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines.

Museum Improvement

The goal in this section focuses on the improvement of the museum based on the set budgetary allocations. It is important to note that a number of areas may need to be addressed. However, that must be done within the set budget guidelines. It means that one must focus on areas that need urgent attention because of their relevance and the level of the need. One of the areas that cannot be ignored is the audiovisual setup. The following goal will be important in the improvement project:

• To set up audiovisual and lighting requirements for the first three months of screening within the budgeted cost of AED 48,000

In the budget estimates, photography and videography have been allocated AED 4000 per night. The audiovisuals fall in this category of the budget. It is also explained that there will be one screening per week for three months. It means that per week, the cost will be AED 4000, which translates to AED 16,000 per month, and AED 48,000 within the three months. It is important to note that within that budget, all the photography and videography needs must be met.

ELCC Standard Element Relevant to the Goal

The goal set above seeks to ensure that the museum is subjected to continuous improvement by providing the necessary facilities needed for it to function appropriately. The ELCC standards focus on numerous areas of continual improvement and it is necessary to select the one, which is most relevant to the goal. Standard Element 1.3 has been selected as the most appropriate for this goal, and it states as follows:

• Candidates understand and can promote continual and sustainable school improvement

This standard emphasizes the need to promote continual and sustainable improvement. Maintaining continuous improvement is not enough, as stated in the above standard. One must ensure that it is sustainable. In the goal set above, a budget has been allocated within which the improvement requirement must be met and must be within a given duration. In this context, it means that the expenses incurred in the improvement within the three months must be recovered from the operations of the museum within the same period.

The museum must be capable of funding its internal activities and improvement programs without relying on external funding. Such self-sustenance is critical for the goal to be achieved sustainably. The ability to achieve the goal set above defines the student’s capacity to meet the ELCC standard element 1.3.

Learning Activities to Address Internship Goal

To achieve the set goal, it will be important to look at a number of learning activities. The activities must make it possible to set up audiovisuals and lighting requirements for the first three months of screening within the budgeted cost of AED 48,000. The following are the important learning activities that can help in achieving the internship goal.

Looking for programs to improve the visitor experience in the museum

It is expected that when visitors come to this museum, their experience will define their ability to revisit the facility in the future. It is also possible that their experience will influence their ability to convince their family and friends to visit this museum. By ensuring that the audiovisuals are improved effectively within the set budget, it will be possible to improve the experience of these visitors every time they visit the museum.

The quality of images and sounds will be as per or beyond their expectations. This particular program of continual improvement of the audiovisuals and lighting requirements is expected to increase the number of visitors coming to this museum. As mentioned in the ELCC standard above, the programs must be sustainable. In this context, the best way of achieving sustainability is to ensure that the activities of the museum can generate enough revenue to support the activities. If the number of visitors to the museum increases because of the improved audiovisuals and lighting requirements, the museum will generate revenues that it can use to sustain its developmental requirements.

Film program with Cinema Akil

Cinema Akil has a comprehensive plan to ensure that it distributes its products across its target market locations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Initiating a film program with Cinema Akil will make it enable the student to achieve the internship goal. Cinema Akil has developed systems and structures in the market that can enable it to reach a considerable audience within Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It has a brand that has achieved some level of market penetration in these two major cities in the United Arab Emirates. It offers the best platform through which customers can be reached with various programs that meet their needs. It will improve the sustainability of the program set in the goal.

Looking at workshops that go along with the museum exhibits

It will also be appropriate to engage in workshops that go along with the museum exhibits. The budgetary goal states that it is a requirement that at least one screening must be done per night, once a week for three months. It may not be advisable to rely wholly on Cinema Akil to reach out to the targeted audiences. Sometimes it may be necessary to take advantage of the workshops that go along with the museum exhibits to increase the audience. Such workshops can also help in promoting the museum.

Working with the current family book activities that can be provided to all families that come to the museum

Working closely with the current family book activities is another important activity that can increase the number of visitors to the museum. By reaching out to the individual families, it will be possible to convince them to visit the museum when they have time to do so. Families form an attractive market segment because when one person is convinced to visit the museum, he or she is likely to come with others.

Analyzing Data and a Current Action Plan

The internship goal in this section focuses on budgeting in line with the current action plan. The goal should help provide an action plan that will in the data analysis and defining the path that can be taken to ensure that the entire process is a success. The following goal will be relevant in this section.

• To undertake effective marketing and public relation activities in the next three months using the allocated budget of AED 13,800

This goal sets an action plan that must be undertaken to ensure that the museum is successful in its operations. For the museum to attract visitors, it must be effectively advertised to inform the target audience of its existence and the products it offers.

ELCC Standard Element Relevant to the Goal

The goal in this section seeks to promote awareness of the existence of the museum through marketing and public relations campaigns. The standard selected must be in line with this goal, and the most appropriate one is ELCC Standard Element 4.1. It states as follows:

• Candidates understand and can collaborate with faculty and community members by collecting and analyzing information pertinent to the improvement of the school’s educational environment.

This standard focuses on data analysis and implementation of an action plan to achieve the desired goal. To undertake an effective marketing activity, one needs to collect and analyze information focusing on the demographics of the target audience. Public relations programs require collaboration with relevant people to know the concerns of the target audience and respond to them effectively. As the standard states, one must be capable of working closely with relevant individuals to achieve a common goal. In this case, it is necessary to promote awareness about the museum and ensure that there is a positive relationship between the public and the entity. That can be achieved by having the right information, collected and properly analyzed, and working closely with others as a community that seeks to achieve a common goal.

Learning Activities to Address Internship Goal

Public relations and marketing require a deep understanding of the needs of the customers and commitment towards meeting them in the best way possible. To achieve the set goal, one of the most important activities that should be emphasized is the need to ensure that those who visit are offered the best service. The following activities will help in achieving that goal.

Looking at the humidity and temperature of the temporary gallery

When people visit the museum, one of the main concerns that cannot be ignored is their comfort. Sometimes the number of visitors may be high, especially if marketing and public relations activities are conducted effectively. In such cases, the humidity and temperature of the temporary gallery may be high, especially if the ventilation is poor. It will be important to monitor the temperature and humidity levels at all times. Some of these visitors are sensitive when it comes to issues relating to their health and when they realize that ventilations are not properly taken care of, they may not come back. The comfort and safety of the visitors should not be compromised in any way.

Looking at the visitor’s number that comes to the museum (students, VIP, public)

After assuring the visitors of their comfort and safety, the next concern will be to monitor the number of visitors who come to the museum. At this stage, the assumption will be that all the major needs of the clients are met and the focus will be to determine the outcome of the initiatives made. Classification of the visitors may be necessary. The classes may be students, the public, and VIPs. The reason for the classification is to understand the category of people who are making frequent visits. It may take time to monitor and classify the audiences, but it is important for planning for future activities at the firm.

Looking at methods of collecting data for temporary exhibits in the museum

Looking at methods of collecting data for temporary exhibits in the museum is another critical activity. One of the most important goals that should be achieved in this project is to ensure that there is continual improvement in the services offered by the museum. That can be achieved, in part, by collecting data regularly to know what is expected of the museum. For instance, after classifying the visitors into the three groups above, one can tell the most attractive segment of the market. If students from the most attractive market segment, then the focus will be to come up with more products that target them.

Data can be collected by directly engaging the audience in face-to-face or online interviews. They can be asked about their experiences at the museum to determine if their expectations were met. They can be requested to state areas of improvement they want to see next time they visit the facility. The management of the cinema can also come up with suggestion boxes. As visitors leave the gallery, they will be requested to state their level of satisfaction and briefly explain their choices. Their views can then be analyzed to identify areas of strength and weakness.

Shadowing a Museum Director

In this section, the focus will be to achieve budgetary goals in line with the need to shadow a museum director. The director plays a critical role in ensuring that the museum runs in line with the set strategic goals. However, he or she will need the close support of the subordinates to achieve the vision of the museum. The following internship goal needs to be achieved:

• To promote learning and participatory programs for the tour operators, as part of logistics and operations programs, for the next three months using the assigned budget of AED 16,000

The best way of being of assistance to the museum director is to engage actively in the operational and logistics activities and to learn about the activities that must be conducted to achieve the desired success. Through such initiatives, it will be possible for the subordinate to run the museum even in the absence of the director.

ELCC Standard Element Relevant to the Goal

The above goal must be achieved based on specific standards. The focus in this section is to empower the tour operators so that they can be of help to the museum directors whenever it is necessary. The ELCC Standard Element 2.1 is the most appropriate one and it states as follows:

• Candidates understand and can sustain a school culture and instructional program conducive to student learning through collaboration, trust, and a personalized learning environment with high expectations for students.

To achieve the goal, it will be important to create a culture of learning and collaboration. The tour operators must work closely with the museum director to know what needs to be done, the manner in which a given activity should be undertaken, and teams that need to be involved among other issues. As stated in the standard, it is important to build trust based on very high expectations. The museum director must be comfortable delegating some responsibilities to the tour operators, knowing that the right thing will be done as per the expectations. The high expectations set high standards that must be met for a tour operator to have skills that can enable him or her to act in the capacity of a museum director.

Learning Activities to Address Internship Goal

Building leadership skills among students are critical because it molds them into dynamic individuals who can work with teams and embrace change whenever it is necessary. Students should understand what is expected of them when they become leaders in various institutions after college. They must also understand that learning is a continuous process that does not end after college. In the workplace environment, it is important to develop learning and participatory programs that can help in improving the skills of the employees. The following learning activities will help in achieving the set goal.

Attending talks that are held by the museum director for tour operators

Shadowing a museum director requires one to learn from a person in such a position. It is common for museum directors to organize talks for tour operators with the view of improving their skills. In such talks, the museum directors often talk about the challenges they face in their work and how such challenges can be overcome. They also talk about expectations that they have towards the tour operators. In such forums, the tour operators will get to learn the skills needed of a museum director. They will learn how such directors would guide and assign responsibilities to junior employees. They will learn tasks, which can be delegated, and those, which cannot be delegated.

Going to an opening of the stamp exhibition and preparing the PowerPoint for the director to lead the discussion

One of the most important learning activities is attending the opening of stamp exhibitions with or on behalf of the director. The tour operator may also consider preparing PowerPoint slides that the director can use in leading the discussion. Such responsibilities create leadership mentalities in the tour guides. When preparing such slides, the tour operator must assume that he or she is the director.

The message that is presented must capture issues that the director often deals with and wants to share with the audience. At first, it is possible to make mistakes as one continues to learn. The director will make the changes before the presentation and it helps the tour operators to identify areas of weaknesses. The more such slides are prepared, the more such an operator will gain skills to become a museum director. In some cases, the operator may directly engage the museum director when preparing the PowerPoint slides when issues are unclear. Such cases offer a perfect learning environment for the operators.

Observing curation of the stamp and exhibition catalog

When one plans to become a museum director, one of the most important learning areas is the curation of stamps and exhibition catalogs. One can learn how such activities are done through books and other online materials. However, the best way of gaining such knowledge is through observing the actual processes as conducted by the professionals. The tour operators should create time when they can take part in such curation processes. At first, they will take a passive role, just observing what is done. As they get to learn how it is done, they can start being active participants. It is expected that they can make mistakes during the learning stage. However, the most important thing is to learn from such mistakes and to perfect their skills in such activities.

Executive Summary

This report presents the results of an internship in the Accounting Department of Aal Mir Group of Companies. Four specific learning objectives were determined for the internship: to study general accounting principles applied in the company; to learn accounting methods of analyzing financial data; to practice in preparing financial statements, and to learn how to use personal judgment regarding the application of accounting principles. Aal Mir Group is a leader among distributing companies in the United Arab Emirates, and it specializes in importing and exporting confectionery products. The company has several associates and many partners. In the organizational structure, the Accounting Department holds one of the key positions.

During the internship, I worked under the supervision of the Junior Accountants’ leader. I was responsible for studying accounting principles, guidelines, and techniques, as well as reorganizing databases and entering financial data. I also helped junior accountants in preparing regular financial reports and payment records, and I participated in preparing the company’s financial statements. As a result of the internship, I have improved my knowledge regarding working with financial statements, data analysis, and preparation of accounting records. I have enhanced my skills in working with databases and accounting software, as well as in applying accounting frameworks and theories in practice. Areas that need improvement include my knowledge regarding the auditing process and the application of advanced formulas. Suggestions for the company are related to the necessity of improving the list of objectives and tasks that students can complete during their internship.

Introduction

Accounting theory should be actively applied to practice. In order to develop practical skills in using accounting principles and methods of financial analysis while preparing reports and statements, it is necessary to create specific conditions for learners. An internship can be viewed as an effective opportunity to enhance professional capacities in the sphere of accounting. Therefore, the main motivation to participate in an internship project is based on the intent to apply the individual’s theoretical knowledge and learn specifics of using studied accounting methods and techniques in practice. This report provides details regarding the results of my internship in the Accounting Department of Aal Mir Group of Companies in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The focus of the report is on presenting my learning objectives, describing the company’s profile and its organizational structure, discussing the work setting and job details, analyzing the work experience and achievements, and providing suggestions and conclusions.

Objectives

Before starting the internship, I chose to identify some areas of interest on which I planned to focus during my practice. These areas included general accounting principles, the application of accounting theory to practice, and the professional use of financial analysis methods and techniques. Four main learning objectives were identified for my internship, according to the university’s requirements. I formulated the objectives as follows:

1. During the internship period, I will study the general accounting principles that are applied in the company.
2. During the internship period, I will learn accounting methods for analyzing financial data with a focus on differences in these methods.
3. During the internship period, I will improve my practical skills in preparing financial statements, including income statements, cash flows, and balance sheets, in accordance with accounting principles.
4. By the end of the internship period, I will be able to use my judgment regarding the application of accounting principles and rules with regard to tasks, circumstances, and policies adopted in the company.

Therefore, during my internship, I was focused on completing the stated objectives and achieving general practical goals. They included the improvement of my knowledge and experience regarding the use of accounting principles and methods, the application of financial analysis techniques, and improvement in decision making based on accounting theory and practice.

Company Profile

Aal Mir Group of Companies was founded by Mr. Motalleb Vakhshouri in the 1980s. The company became one of the most successful corporations in Dubai, the UAE. In the 1980s-1990s, Aal Mir Group grew in the field of trading and distributing confectionery products (“About Us: Who We Are”). However, changes in the market caused the company’s leaders to focus on importing a variety of products and food lines, not only in the UAE but also in Oman (“About Us: Who We Are”). Currently, Aal Mir Group has many brands, and it is one of the leading marketing companies in the UAE in particular and the Middle Eastern region in general.

It is important to note that Aal Mir Group’s vision is based on the company’s intention to address quality standards and meet customers’ expectations and requirements. As a result, the company is focused on continuous improvement to contribute to the progress of its employees, as well as to add to the development of the community and environment. The company’s mission is to distribute high-quality products to address the needs of the supply chain and consumers (“About Us: Who We Are”). Thus, the focus is on improving the company’s accountability, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency. Furthermore, Aal Mir Group’s mission is also aimed at reducing any negative impact on the environment and toward developing investment opportunities (“Core Business Activities”). The company has also been successful in developing strong management and marketing policies with a focus on addressing consumers’ needs in the Middle Eastern region along with the Gulf Cooperation Council countries’ market (“Core Business Activities”). Much attention is paid to guaranteeing environment-friendly operations, beneficial relationships with suppliers, and on-time deliveries to partners and consumers.

Organizational Hierarchy

Aal Mir Group of Companies is a large distributor in Dubai, with several associates and subsidiaries that focus on promoting different brands. The company is headed by Mr. Mir Motalleb Vakhshouri, the president. The other executives who organize and monitor the strategic development of the company include two vice presidents and the Managing Director. The legal advisor, the secretary, the internal auditor, and the head of the IT Department directly report to the Managing Director and vice presidents (“Aal Mir Group of Companies Management Chart”). The key departments in Aal Mir Group are the Sales and Marketing Department, the Logistics Department, the Accounting Department, and the Commercial Department. Aal Mir Group’s organizational chart that demonstrates the structure of the company is presented in Figure 1.

The Commercial Department controls the Group’s trading and non-trading activities. Commercial executives report to the Group Commercial Director. Group managers in this department control several branches of import and export activities. The Group Manager is responsible for the Group’s export sales reports to the Group Commercial Director. This department has direct contacts with the Sales and Marketing Department that is divided into Van Sales, Showroom Sales, and Outdoor units (“Aal Mir Group of Companies Management Chart”). The work of these units depends on the activities of the unit managers and their teams including high-class specialists in their areas. The Logistics Department is headed by the Group Manager in Logistics, and it is divided into Warehouse and Maintenance units headed by managers who work as team leaders. The Accounting Department operates in connection with the Human Resources (HR) Management Department because leaders of these units report to the company’s Finance Manager (“Aal Mir Group of Companies Management Chart”). Specialists within the Accounting Department collect data that is related to the operations of all units in Aal Mir Group.

Work Setting

The Accounting Department in Aal Mir Group is headed by the Chief Accountant, who reports to the Finance Manager. In his turn, the Finance Manager controls the financial activities of the company and reports to vice presidents and the Managing Director. The main positions in the Accounting Department are as follows: Senior Accountants and Junior Accountants. Teams of senior and junior accountants are led by supervisors (“Aal Mir Group of Companies Management Chart”). Senior and junior accountants are responsible for the continuous analysis of financial documents related to the company’s operations, including its subsidiaries and associates. Accounting records, reports, financial documentation, and results of financial analysis or forecasting are usually approved by the Chief Accountant and reported to the Finance Manager in order to inform the executives’ decision-making.

Therefore, to receive detailed financial data regarding the company’s operations, those specialists who work in the Accounting Department have direct contacts with representatives of the Sales and Marketing Department, the Logistics Department, and the Commercial Department (“Aal Mir Group of Companies Management Chart”). The reason for this is the necessity to receive detailed financial information regarding operations and to collect background data to complete reports and prepare balance sheets. I should state that during my internship, I mostly interacted with the leader of the Junior Accountants group, who was assigned as a supervisor to coordinate my work in the Accounting Department. As a result, I was able to study how junior accountants complete their regular tasks while learning the principles of the Accounting Department’s work.

Job Description and Project Details

My job responsibilities during the internship were determined by the supervisor, who asked me to cooperate with the group of junior accountants. Thus, I was assigned different tasks depending on the time frame working as an intern, and my responsibilities were associated with performing the following activities:

1. Week 1. I was to develop working relationships with junior accountants, review the documentation and guidelines used, study accounting principles and techniques, and help in reorganizing databases.
2. Week 2. I was responsible for assisting junior accountants in reorganizing electronic databases and entering financial data into the computerized system. My responsibilities also included the preparation of regular financial reports and payment records.
3. Week 3. I was responsible for assisting in developing financial statements, including income statements, cash flows, and balance sheets. My responsibilities also involved working with the accounting software to enter data.
4. Weeks 4–6. I was responsible for working as an assistant for the supervisor and junior accountants. Moreover, I was responsible for entering financial data, processing information with the help of accounting software, preparing spreadsheets, and using functions and formulas.

Work Experience

In order to describe my work experience in detail, it is important to explain my interactions and activities, which were associated with a list of the responsibilities that I had in the Accounting Department of Aal Mir Group. During the first week of my internship, I communicated with my supervisor and worked with the documentation that was used in the department. My task was to study accounting principles as applied in the company, examine non-confidential financial documents for the years 2014–2016, and complete assigned tasks regarding the reorganization of documents. I was asked to help junior accountants systematize files and enter data into the company’s computerized system. I was able to examine the information provided in the company’s accounting guidelines. Moreover, I communicated with the junior accountants, and we worked together to organize the schedule for my internship and assistance in the Accounting Department.

During the second week of my work as an intern, I assisted a group of junior accountants in entering and storing financial data. I was responsible for organizing the company’s folders and databases in an electronic form. This experience was oriented to help me apply in practical use my theoretical knowledge regarding accounting documents and records. I was also responsible for preparing daily reports and records for sharing in the Accounting Department. Thus, I improved my skills in using Excel. The supervisor also asked me to help in preparing payment records. In so doing, I needed to coordinate with representatives of other departments, as well as suppliers and partners, to resolve some issues. The results of my work were monitored by the supervisor.

During the third week, I had a task to assist the leader of Junior Accountants in preparing financial statements, including income statements, cash flows, and balance sheets. I was asked to learn how to use the accounting software and apply accounting principles and methods as well as financial analysis techniques. I was responsible for preparing the primary data for further analysis by accountants. I was also responsible for entering the data into the accounting program under the supervision of the team leader in order to generate financial statements. It is also important to state that during the third week, I interacted with the supervisor and some junior accountants to obtain advice on how to work with the specific accounting program.

After receiving the full orientation regarding the work with financial documents and statements during the first three weeks of my internship, I was assigned to assist the junior accountants in their routine work on a regular basis. My responsibilities included entering financial data, working with the accounting software and computerized spreadsheets, and the application of functions and formulas under the supervision of junior accountants. As a result, I was able to learn the key principles of creating financial statements and making judgments regarding observed trends. It is important to note that I was also responsible for helping junior accountants in preparing supporting documents and providing justification for reports depending on cases, circumstances, and policies. It was valuable to work as a part of the team to provide junior accountants with the required assistance. During the last week of the internship, I was focused on getting feedback from the supervisor regarding my achievements with an eye to identifying gaps in my theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

Achievements

It is possible to analyze my personal and professional achievements associated with working in the Aal Mir Group with reference to the learning objectives that were set for my internship. First, I needed to study general accounting principles as applied in Aal Mir Group of Companies. I completed this objective during the first and second weeks of the internship when I reviewed general documents and guidelines applied in the company. I can state that I have coped with this task successfully because I was able to study principles declared in the company’s documents in the context of accounting theories, guidelines, and standards learned during my studies. As a result, I now understand the difference between various accounting standards, realize the principles of their application, and differentiate situations for using this or that technique. Therefore, I can note that I have also achieved the second goal of my internship. I received complete information regarding the practical application of different accounting methods and frameworks to financial data.

Much attention was paid to completing the third objective, according to which I was to practice in preparing different types of financial statements while applying specific accounting principles and techniques. This task can be described as challenging, and I am satisfied with my results in developing my skills in this area. Thus, I have improved my knowledge and capacities related to entering and storing financial data, applying formulas and functions, using spreadsheets, and preparing income statements, cash flows, and balance sheets. It was important to learn how to work with the accounting software used in the company and what types of data and formulas should be entered to generate reports. I can state that now I can be described as an advanced user of the accounting program applied in Aal Mir Group. To achieve high results, I had to communicate a great deal with the supervisor and junior accountants in order to receive the required consultation and advice. This type of experience is important for me because I was able to work with different examples of reports and financial records during my internship.

I have also completed my last objective, associated with using judgment while applying accounting principles and rules with reference to certain tasks, circumstances, and policies adopted in Aal Mir Group. When I helped junior accountants to process different types of data and generate reports and statements, I was able to observe how team leaders and experienced accountants justified their use of various formulas, functions, and algorithms. When I did not understand the principle of this or that decision, I had an opportunity to ask for clarification and receive comments regarding the issue. Therefore, it is possible to state that I have improved my skills in making judgments and forming justification to support certain decisions. Furthermore, during the internship, I developed my communication and cooperation skills because I was able to work as a member of a team to achieve collective results.

Suggestions

Although my experience associated with my internship in Aal Mir Group was positive, it is possible to propose some recommendations to advance internship programs used in the company and the university. To improve the experience of interns and guarantee their involvement in a working process, it is necessary to provide the management of companies where interns plan to work with lists of tasks that can be assigned to young specialists. Therefore, it is important to determine, for all interns, a list of objectives that are expected to be completed during the internship. These objectives should be correlated with the list of activities and responsibilities that can be performed by interns in different types of organizations.

Such lists with general objectives are proposed within the university, but it is important to expand upon and improve them in order to provide interns with more options to choose from. Furthermore, it is necessary to note that each organization has specific requirements regarding interns’ performance, and it is essential to state what specific tasks can be performed by interns in concrete working environments in order to adjust their lists of objectives to these requirements as well as employers’ expectations. In addition, it is important to systematize the university’s requirements regarding the improvement of interns’ skills in such fields as communication, ethics, and leadership in order to guarantee higher results.

Conclusion

While evaluating the internship experience, I can state that I was able to develop my understanding of accounting principles and apply my knowledge to practice. However, it is necessary to focus on some specific conclusions that are important to take into account while assessing my internship. There are four main conclusions to mention:

1. The internship has helped me improve my knowledge in such areas as the creation of financial statements, analysis of data, and preparation of accounting reports and records.
2. As a result of the internship, I have enhanced my skills in working with databases and specific accounting software. I recognize all the main processes associated with preparing financial statements, and I can perform tasks required to complete financial analysis at basic and advanced levels.
3. The internship has helped me demonstrate and improve my abilities in applying accounting frameworks and theories, processing financial data, and making judgments and conclusions under different circumstances.
4. As a result of my work in Aal Mir Group, I can identify some personal and professional areas that need improvement in relation to my practical skills: working with auditing standards, risk analysis, and the application of advanced formulas, functions, and algorithms to conduct financial analysis according to cost accounting methods.

The conclusions are important in developing my practical skills as a qualified accountant. In spite of the fact that the internship has helped me develop my capacities and professional skills, there are still areas that need further improvement. I should state that the reason is in the fact that an auditing process was not covered as a part of my internship, and I was not able to apply complex formulas to financial analysis. However, I have received a good opportunity to work as an accountant in a large organization.

Bibliography

“Aal Mir Group of Companies Management Chart.” AalMir. 2013, Web.

“About Us: Who We Are.” AalMir. 2013, Web.

“Core Business Activities.” AalMir. 2013, Web.

Summary

MJH company is one of Australia’s top-rated and reputable Chartered Accountants and Chartered Tax Advisers. It was founded in 2011 by Mark Hall, a seasoned chartered accountant and chartered tax adviser. MJH provides efficient, reliable, and effective dynamic services to local and international companies and organizations using modern technology and strategic planning for your business’s future. MJH is a financial and management advisory to over twenty local and international companies ranging from real estate, construction, transportation, and manufacturing. It is also a fund manager for many global organizations and foundations that engage in social welfare activities. MJH is a vast global growing company due to its transparency, reliability, and effectiveness; its brand has gained undoubted trust from its clients.

Besides financial accounting, MJH’s responsibility is to manage investments on behalf of its client companies and organization by making financial decisions and securing their future endeavors. MJH is trusted to play a critical role in ensuring its clients experience exponential growth and profitable ventures. The company’s focus is to establish long-term strategies that will enable its client companies and organization to remain operational and have the potential for further growth. MJH team is governed by competence, integrity, and reliance principles.

Strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities of MJH

MJH, like any other business entity, is subject to the evaluation of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT Analysis). This will enable it to intensify on strengths, strategize on weaknesses, explore opportunities, and counter threats are posing to its success.

• Strengths: The company has a team with diversified skills and uses up-to-date technology that enhances its competency. It also has a global presence that gives it a broad client base.
• Weakness: MJH has one operational office serving its widespread clients; this makes it lack close customer contact.
• Opportunities: The company’s good reputation gives it the best ratings and recommendations and the potential to expand its client base.
• Threats: Geographical and political activities in the clients’ respective locations may alter or halt the company’s operations.

Learning Objectives

• To learn investment management roles in a financial advisory and management institution.
• To gain insight into financial management and the government’s investment regulations.
• To get exposure to different tools and programs used in financial management and, consequently, decision-making.
• To develop communication and interpersonal skills when working as a team.
• To acquire relevant experience and business etiquette in the management sector.
• To learn about the emerging trends in the job market.

Critical assessment of whether learning objectives were met

• During my internship at MJH, I learned the different roles that investment management plays in a company.
• I gained insightful knowledge of finance and, more importantly, management regarding different government policies and regulations.
• As an intern at MJH, I got the privilege to access and use different tools and programs used in the industry to enhance decision-making. This enormously perfected the skills I had learned in class.
• As an intern, I perfected my professionalism in communication and interpersonal skills.
• The internship allowed me to enhance the experience required to work in the management field. I also learned business etiquette, which is another critical aspect of professionalism.
• I learned about the emerging trends regarding job opportunities, employers’ expectations, and new technologies.

Reference

Karunaratne, K., & Perera, N. (2019). Students’ perception of the effectiveness of industrial internship programme. Education Quarterly Reviews, 2(4).

Introduction

Marriott is an international operator of hotels and other lodging services. It was founded in the year1927 by J.Willard Marriott who was a missionary in the order of Mormons. He conceived the idea of starting Marriott after his missionary experiences in Washington D.C during the summers. He figured out that the city lacked a place where the residents could have a drink while cooling down from the warm weather. The novel idea grew into a worldwide chain of hotels and restaurants. Their main investment is the Key Bridge Marriott hotel in Virginia. Marriott owns approximately 34,000 hotel and lodging facilities in the United States and other parts of the world.

Internship /management training program

As an industry leader in the hotel business, Marriott offers internship opportunities to interested college and university students at their hotels. These internship programs equip the students with the necessary work experience to be able to offer quality leadership in the professional fields of the hospitality sector. The internships focus on specific professional areas such that the internee gains experience in one area of specialization. Marriott offers internships in the following areas: Human Resources and Housekeeping, Catering and Food Preparation, Restaurants and Front Office. They also offer opportunities in their Accounting, Finance, and Sales departments. Most of these opportunities are offered in their hotel and lodging facilities in different parts of the world but some are offered at their corporate offices. Internship opportunities are available throughout the year and with their diverse portfolio in different locations, anyone’s preferences can be easily accommodated.

Accommodation during the internship period is provided to the internet in some locations. Where it is not available, the internet is required to make personal arrangements. The internship period ranges from three to six months during the winter, summer, or spring seasons. Most prefer the six months period because the skills and experience acquired are more than those acquired from the three months. In most cases, the period is determined by the management of the facility where the opportunity is offered. Marriott also offers internship opportunities at their corporate offices from time to time in such fields as Construction, Information Technology, and Architecture and Revenue Management. These internships involve practical work in the field of specialization coupled with assignments. Before commencing internship, an internee is first introduced to Marriott’s values and ethics in the workplace and its corporate responsibility culture.

Opportunities at Marriott are available to anyone with a desire for knowledge, willingness to serve, and a passion for exploring new ideas in certain professional fields. Marriott advises students to get acquainted with their brands before starting their internship or management training program. This helps the student plan his or her professional career well. As a result of its high professionalism, Marriott gives the available opportunities to bright and motivated students.

The management training program is offered to new college and university graduates who choose to advance their careers at Marriott. The positions help the graduates and interns plan and advance their careers as well as the future of the Marriott business. Both internships and management training opportunities are available every year. Marriotts recruitment staff go round colleges and universities looking for bright students willing to join them and advance their careers in their different departments.

Career opportunities and benefits

At Marriott both management and non-management career opportunities are available. They vary from place to place depending on the field of specialization. Corporate career positions deal mostly with the strategies put in place to grow their brands while those based on property deal with their management and provision of services to the guests that use them. Career opportunities are available in the following fields and departments at Mariott: Finance and Accounting, Administration, Construction and Architecture, Culinary, Human Resources, Information Technology, Events Management, Revenue Management, Sales and Marketing, and Recreational Services.

Working for Marriott has several benefits. Their operations are based on their culture of putting people first before other things. This means that the customers and employees are their priority. The employees are rewarded for exhibiting determination and hard work in their job. There is also special recognition for long service and dedication. Other benefits include accommodation and food discounts at all Marriott destinations as well as training opportunities for career advancement. For example, employees who have served Marriott for over 25 years are provided with free accommodation at all Marriott hotels worldwide. Managers and non-management staff are also awarded for good leadership and quality service to their guests respectively.

Conclusion

Lastly, Marriotts’ philosophy of taking good care of its guests allows the employees to exploit their potential to great heights. This motivates them to be fully committed to their work by putting in their best effort. By valuing their employees, Marriott empowers them to give services of great value and quality to their customers. These benefits and rewards separate Marriott from other businesses in the hospitality industry. Also, their good services put them in the lead and improve the quality of their different brands.

Introduction

• The need to merge theory with practice prompted me to seek an internship position at Landmark Group;
• My objective was to benefit from the prolific work culture of Landmark Group, one of the biggest companies in the region;
• In my eight weeks as an internship at Landmark, I did assignments that were related mostly to the marketing sector.

I joined the Landmark group as an intern. Most of my internship experience was spent in the marketing department. Being in a workplace setting for the first time, and working with a multicultural workforce, excited me. This report is a course requirement that describes my eight weeks as an intern at Landmark Group.

Internship Objectives

• Understanding the work environment of a corporate organization;
• Understanding the work principles of a professional environment;
• Deciding whether marketing meets my career expectations, or not;
• Utilizing my expertise in marketing;
• Analyzing my proficiency in the professional environment and seeking new areas for improvement;
• Enhancing my communication skills;
• Getting experience in organizing a project.

My objectives as an intern aimed to improve my professional skills through career development and planning. Landmark Group gave me the opportunity to pursue these objectives.

My Expectations

• I knew that an internship program at Landmark Group would help me to achieve my career goals and improve my expertise in marketing;
• I wanted to participate in developing making strategies, organizing projects, and doing research in product and service promotion;
• Through this internship program, I wanted to learn to be effective (professionally), improve my communication skills and become a knowledgeable organizer and strategist;
• I also wanted to improve my communication in English, through this internship.

I had high expectations before joining the internship program at Landmark Group. I knew this internship program would help me to achieve my career goals and improve my marketing expertise. I wanted to follow an internship in the marketing field because of my interest in this area. My interest lay in promoting brands, products and services through media and advertisement and sometimes through meeting companies’ responsibilities.

Introduction to the Organization

• The Landmark Group is a Bahrain-based company, founded in 1973;
• Landmark Group specializes in retail marketing and hospitality across many countries in the world. It is among one of the top leading companies in India and the MENA region;
• The company offers various products, including apparel, cosmetics, interior decoration products, footwear, baby products and consumer electronics;
• Landmark is also the major non-food importer into Jebel Ali Free Zone. It delivers around 63,000 containers in this area every year.

Micky Jagtiani started the Landmark Group with one store called “Mothercare” in Bahrain. Since then, the group has excelled in the retail sector, for almost 40 years. It has developed as one of the most prolific and gigantic retail organizations in the Middle East region and India. The company offers various products, including apparel, cosmetics and beauty products, interior decoration products, footwear, baby products and consumer electronics.

Corporate Values of the Group

• The core values of Landmark Group include a passion for excellence, business integrity, human capability improvement, and meeting changing customer needs and demands.
• Creating exceptional values for its customers.
• The company’s philosophy revolves around listening, adapting, and delivering exceptional values.
• Pursuing a strong and adaptive entrepreneurship culture.

The corporate values of Landmark Group tap into the hard work of the company’s employees. The company also strives to improve the lives of its customers and employees, most of who come from humble backgrounds.

Landmark’s Business Segments

• The Landmark Group has 25 owned brands and over 40 internationally franchised brands;
• The company has around 1,800 outlets across the world;
• The Landmark Group operates its business through big and expanded retail setups, with anchor stores in big and popular malls;
• The Bahrain-based company operates through three main business sectors around the region.

The Landmark Group has been working in the field of retail business for about 40 years. It has around 1,800 outlets across the world. The company operates its business through big and expanded retail setups with anchor stores in big and popular malls. The company also operates through three main business sectors around the region.

Landmark Retail

• Center Point;
• Baby shop;
• Splash;
• Shoe Mart;
• Lifestyle;
• ICONIC;
• Sports one;
• Emax.

Established in 2005, Center-point is the umbrella brand of the Landmark Group. Baby Shop was an earlier entity established in 1973. It offers “baby” products. Other brands in the Landmark retail segment include Splash, Shoe Mart, Lifestyle, ICONIC, Sports one and Emax.

• Home Centre;
• Home Box;
• Max;
• Shoexpress;
• Landmark shops.

Landmark Group also runs its retail business through a wide range of clothing and footwear franchises, such as Landmark International, New Look Koton, Reiss, Funkyfish, Lipsy, Shoe Mart International Footwear Division, Ecco, Kurt Giger, stride rite, FABI, and Vaiencia. Other segments in its retail platform include Homecenter, Homebox, Max, Shoexpress, and Landmark shops.

Landmark Hospitality

• The Landmark Group operates the landmark Hospitality through its franchises and parent company;
• Landmark Hospitality offers fine and informal dining, centers for family relaxation and entertainment, health clubs and beauty salon and health spa;
• The company also offers medical centers and budget hotels through its parent company and its franchised brands.

Landmark Hospitality concentrates more on services like hotels and gyms. Furthermore, this segment offers fine and informal dining, centers for family relaxation and entertainment, health clubs, and beauty salons.

Landmark India

• The Landmark Group started its retail venture in India in 1999 after establishing new Lifestyle Stores in the country;
• Most of its Indian Subsidiaries are in lifestyle stores.

Besides the Middle East, India is the only other market that has accommodated many Landmark stores.

SWOT Analysis

Strengths

• The four pillars that provide strength to the Landmark Group are its strategically planned businesses, efficient operations, effective logistics planning, and committed employees.
• The Landmark Group has a centralized strong IT system.
• Diverse employees.

Landmark has many strengths. For example, the ‘ Key Man’ policy has supported the growth and success of the group over the past 40 years. Moreover, the association of the Landmark Group with its people plays a significant role in the strategic success of the business. A strong IT system and an efficient logistic planning have also supported the business’s growth.

Weaknesses

• Restricted market knowledge;
• Increased competition restricts market growth.

Opportunities

• Product Diversification;
• Global brand expansion.

Threats

• Increased consumer choices;
• Demanding Quality Standards.

Despite being a strong retailing the brand, Landmark Group has a restricted market knowledge that mainly centers in the Middle East region (and the Indian Subcontinent). Intense competition from other international brands also restricts its market share growth. However, product diversification and global brand expansion pose numerous opportunities for the company.

To sustain growth amongst the tough competition in the international market, the brand can diversify its retail business into other categories like food and real estate. To make the brand popular in the international market, the group can focus more on the global expansion of its brand.

Lastly, ample choices before the consumers in the retail market pose great threat to the popularity of the brand. FDI in retail sector could enforce quality standards.

My Internship Activities at Landmark

• I joined the landmark Group as an Intern;
• I spent eight weeks working in the marketing department;
• My duties spanned across different departments;
• My job description included undertaking marketing and advertising activities and social media planning.

I joined the retail and hospitality sector of the Landmark Group as an intern. I only worked for two months and performed various duties related to marketing and other departments. These activities complimented my goals and expectations from the internship program.

Social Media Initiative

• Helping the marketing department in social media engagement;
• Drafting and editing programs for social media channels;
• Monitoring social media web analytics;
• To present reports for departmental growth;
• Preparing marketing plans;
• Linking social media tools to the websites.

My responsibility was to assist the marketing department with social media engagement. Moreover, I was also involved in drafting and editing social media programs . I also had the responsibility of monitoring social media web analytics, weekly. I prepared a marketing plan for the sale promotions of the brand products. I used the social media strategy for developing the marketing plan progressively. My activities included linking social media tools to the websites. The objective was to encourage customers to visit the websites. We also tracked social media tools for obtaining feedback for our efforts and asked for suggestions to improve our services.

Marketing and Advertising Activities

• Create innovative marketing strategies;
• Prepare marketing reports;
• Collect data and maintaining records;
• Marketing Strategy Formulation;
• Product promotion;
• Research product reviews.

The marketing team of the Landmark Group has diversified roles and responsibilities. Different departments of the company have explicit rules for different consumers. I engaged with the marketing teams constantly to suggest fresh and innovative ideas for marketing and social media campaigns.

Human Resources

• I started my internship at the HR department before moving to the marketing department;
• I learned interviewing techniques;
• I understood important presentation techniques;
• I gained knowledge regarding the importance of proper verbal communication.

I started my internship at the HR department before switching to the marketing department. I did many interviews with job applicants, corrected their language responses, and sometimes called them to complete their application forms. Being in this department made me understand that confidence and motivation are important principles in the workplace environment. Recruiters concentrate on this point by focusing on body language. The company did not accept applications of applicants who had poor verbal communication skills. Indeed, good verbal communication, especially in English, was needed to get into a multinational company like Landmark. Some people applied without knowing the company’s business model. They did not get the job.

Reflections

• I learned the strengths and weaknesses of Landmark’s business operations;
• I identified the company’s opportunities for growth;
• People-focus is Landmark’s strongest asset;
• My internship experience developed my personality and increased my confidence to pursue marketing, as a career.

The Landmark Group has consistently performed well in every market situation. It has also demonstrated great significance for its customers, all over the world. Working with a dynamic employee group gave me an insight into the strengths and weaknesses of its business and operations. I further tried to identify certain opportunities and threats that can inhibit or support its growth. The idea of considering people as Landmark’s strongest asset is the key contributor to its success. However, it needs to focus on promoting its brand, globally.

Internship Positives

• My internship experience helped me to develop my communication and computer skills;
• I realized the importance of team-work;
• I discovered my personal strengths;
• I learned how to be passionate;
• By gaining a strong professional experience, I developed a strong confidence in my career;
• I understood the value of real work experience and how it contributed to my problem-solving skills.

Through my internship, I developed my communication skills and learned some new computer skills. I also realized the importance of team-work in this regard. Since I worked in a multinational company, being open-minded was essential to my success.