Foreword
As part of a Master's program, students are increasingly encouraged to engage in hands-on projects. This approach allows them to apply their knowledge, develop professional skills, and face the real challenges of their field. In line with the LEA ALPI Master's program, the Quito Project embodies this dynamic.
Indeed, students from the 15th ALPI cohort worked on this project, taking responsibility for the necessary steps and tasks to achieve the set objectives and meet the expectations of Ecuadorian cocoa producers. This article includes their testimonies about their experiences with the project.
The students in charge of this project were:
Lorena DE ALMEIDA PIMENTA
Bruna SOARES FERREIRA
Limounaoirati SAID
Cecilia CACHAGO AMADENO
Sandrine TEIXEIRA GONCALVES
To Set the Context
The Quito Project was carried out in collaboration with the France-Ecuador Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIFEC). The Chamber of Commerce and Industry supports businesses in all areas relevant to their operations: development, informational resources, partnerships, and more. What makes the CCIFEC unique is its role in connecting France and Ecuador, placing it firmly within the realm of international trade.
The CCIFEC team based in Quito, Ecuador's capital, was approached by 13 different cocoa and chocolate producers, each with their unique profiles and characteristics. They all shared a common goal: to promote trade between Ecuador and France, aiming to establish connections with French companies to market their products.
Simultaneously, the Salon du Chocolat was scheduled to take place in Paris at the end of October through early November 2024. This event presented a perfect opportunity to forge these connections, as it brings together various industry players and attracts a diverse range of participants.
What Were the Goals and Purpose of This Project?
For the Quito Project, the primary objective was focused on prospecting potential French clients who might be interested in purchasing Ecuadorian cocoa and/or chocolate (research, outreach, follow-up). The aim was to convince these clients to attend the Paris trade show while promoting the profiles of Ecuadorian producers for potential collaborations. This effort sought to expand the network of these producers and enhance the sales of their products in France.
A secondary objective involved conducting research. In collaboration with the CCIFEC, the students worked on drafting a report detailing the characteristics of the cocoa market in France. This project was treated as a voluntary internship experience.
How Did the Team Organize Themselves?
Here, the students in charge of the project share how they organized their work while keeping in line with the project's constraints:
"Time was a significant and challenging factor because it was quite limited. In reality, we spent the first two weeks organizing initial meetings to understand the project and establish a solid foundation. After that, the team had about three to four weeks to complete all the tasks.
Our initial approach was primarily focused on creating a timeline to organize what we planned to accomplish in the coming weeks. We absolutely needed a certain level of organization to successfully juggle the project and our Master’s coursework. Some tasks were prioritized over others based on how 'achievable' they were within the time frame."
Teamwork was the cornerstone of the project. The team consisted of five students, each with a unique personality, working style, strengths, and weaknesses. One person's strengths often compensated for another's weaknesses. Mutual understanding and communication were essential for a balanced division of labor.
What Were the Tasks?
Initially, the CCIFEC provided the team with a list of clients to contact via email and phone. The students were also encouraged to conduct their own research to identify additional prospects, which they did. These prospects included companies not only from France but also from other European countries, such as Spain.
"Before making the calls, we had to prepare a 'plan' to approach the prospects. We needed to know what to say and how to say it, how to guide the conversation, and convey the right message. Phone prospecting is quite a challenging task; it’s both intimidating and something that improves with experience. We followed a similar process for drafting email templates, which were written in both Spanish and English."
The next phase involved outreach and prospecting.
"Clients don’t necessarily need you—it’s you who need them. You have to convince them, approach them, and capture their attention. In addition to remote prospecting, some of us also conducted in-person prospecting by visiting chocolatiers in Paris and Rennes."
As the project evolved, additional tasks were assigned, and the group adapted to the CCIFEC's needs. Weekly reports were required to facilitate communication with the entire team. Additionally, the group was tasked with identifying a chocolate factory that could host a visit for Ecuadorian producers during their trip to France.
The students also prepared a report on the cocoa market in France, which was developed in collaboration with stakeholders present at the Salon du Chocolat in Paris.
The Results of This Project
"Our participation in the Salon du Chocolat was brief but highly interesting. It’s a significant and large-scale event, featuring numerous booths and hundreds of participants. During the day, we primarily visited stands and conducted on-site prospecting. The Salon du Chocolat is an excellent opportunity to discover the best the industry has to offer.
Afterward, we received generally positive feedback; some meetings were arranged. Overall, a considerable number of clients seemed interested in Ecuadorian products, and their numbers are promising. The market shows potential. It’s clear that prospecting is a crucial element in developing business activities. For the Quito Project, the time constraint proved to be a real challenge."
"I believe there’s a lot of potential to do more and to establish stronger relationships between Ecuadorian producers and French entrepreneurs" added Lorena.
The Group's Impressions
"It was a very enriching and educational project, full of challenges. But ultimately, that’s the essence of being in a Master’s program and participating in this type of initiative: the best lessons are learned through difficulties. Being part of the Quito team allowed us to develop skills that we may not have exercised before in our careers. This project taught us a lot about the importance of teamwork, respecting others, and understanding cultural nuances. Despite the challenges, we feel we successfully adapted and accomplished what was asked of us. Additionally, the CCIFEC team was warm and welcoming—they are true experts in the field."
Some team members shared highlights from their interactions with producers during the Salon. These exchanges deeply moved them, as they learned about cocoa production techniques unique to each producer and the distinctive qualities of their products. This hands-on experience gave them a closer understanding of the industry.
"We were also pleasantly surprised by the responses from many clients, who seemed very enthusiastic and absolutely loved the Ecuadorian chocolates showcased at the Salon."
In Conclusion
To summarize, the Quito Project became a significant milestone in the academic and professional journey of the students involved, laying a strong foundation for their future endeavors.
This project added value for all stakeholders. For the group, it provided the opportunity to explore a field that, for some, was unfamiliar. It also allowed them to develop key skills in management, planning, and organization, which are transferable across various domains. Specific competencies such as decision-making, coordination, collaboration within the team, and interactions with professionals were honed. Equally important was learning to manage and share workloads effectively, including efficient time management and prioritization.
Professional communication was employed in all its forms and across various tools, including phone prospecting, email outreach, and face-to-face interactions. Most notably, in addition to being a valuable addition to their résumés, this project enabled the students to connect with the professional world by directly contributing to the goals of organizations and industry players. Working within a multicultural context further enhanced their credibility and visibility. Building a professional network through this experience also opened potential opportunities for the future.
"We are all very proud and grateful for this experience. Reflecting on it, we have a better understanding of certain aspects of the project and how we would approach it differently if we had to do it again. This experience will help us anticipate challenges, craft stronger arguments, and communicate more effectively. Moreover, while adapting our approach to the situation, we've learned the importance of persistence and the value of taking initiative. In the end, there’s nothing to lose but everything to gain."
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