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New joiners 1st 100 days part 3

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This blog was compiled by Tim Antos

The new joiners to the Consulting Development Community (CDC, Capgemini’s Consulting’s two year graduate scheme) have now been with us for over 100 days. In the third of a series of 3 blogs we look back at what they had been up to since they joined.

Emily Marsh another of the CDC new joiners gave us a perspective of her first 100 days working in a Capgemini’s sustainability team:
I’ve been on the Capgemini sustainability team looking at making Capgemini an even  more environmentally friendly sustainable business.  It’s been a great opportunity to get to know Capgemini better before taking an external role. Being based in Wardour Street has also allowed me to get involved in other projects (the People Programme, Work Inspiration and Princes Trust events). I’ve really enjoyed being available to help out. My biggest challenge so far was getting through resourcing- I wanted to do all the roles I was tagged on! It’s been great to practise all the things we learnt in the induction and I’m really looking forward to the next challenge.”

 

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New joiners 1st 100 days part 2

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This blog was compiled by Tim Antos

The new joiners to the Consulting Development Community (CDC, Capgemini’s Consulting’s two year graduate scheme) have now been with us for over 100 days. In the second of a series of 3 blogs we look back at what they had been up to since they joined.

Robert Ord anther of the CDC new joiners gave his perspective of his 1^st 100 days at Capgemini:
Upon joining I worked on a Consulting bid, which some called ‘baptism by fire’!  It was an intense week where I learned about how things work at Capgemini.  Once the bid was submitted, I joined the global border management team where to date I have spent three days at the World Congress on Information Technology 2010 in Amsterdam, developed an awareness of border themes, supported bids and facilitated monthly meetings.  I am thoroughly enjoying the role and I am getting involved with the Prince’s Trust, preparing for a 100 mile challenge, establishing a group of graduates with an interest in the Energy, Utilities & Chemicals sector and, of course, enjoying the CDC social environment

Tim Antos another of the CDC new joiners started within our Accelerated Solutions Environment (ASE) which is Capgemini’s dedicated environment to help clients address their toughest challenges quickly and collaboratively. He gave his perspective of his 1^st 100 days at Capgemini:
My first role has been in the ASE where I’ve had fantastic exposure to some of the biggest challenges facing Capgemini and our clients. I have worked with Capgemini bid teams, local councils implementing shared services, health services addressing critical cost challenges, telcos reshaping the way they work and on internal projects developing Capgemini strategies to name a few! Outside the ASE I’ve been leading the utilisation focus of the CDC Internal Marketing, beating our French counterparts at rugby in Paris, fundraising and training for the Wild challenge 100 mile race and getting involved in Million Makers a charity challenge turning £1,500 into £10,000!

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New Joiners 1st 100 days

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Compiled by Tim Antos

The new joiners to the Consulting Development Community (CDC, Capgemini’s Consulting’s two year graduate scheme) have now been with us for over 100 days. In the first of a series of 3 blogs we look back at what they had been up to since they joined.

Deborah Hough the CDC manager and senior member of Capgemini Consulting gave us a perspective of what the new joiner’s 1^st 100 days looked like to the senior management:

“The CDC have been in very high demand across the business, indicating just how well the new joiners have integrated. Their experience has particularly helped our clients in the energy, utilities, financial services and consumer products sectors, each of which have provided exciting private sector projects for the new joiners. Some of them have also integrated into the specialist practices such as the supply chain team.

It’s not just about project work. There’s been a strong contribution to sustainability, and we have a cadre of new joiners boldly supporting this year’s Million Makers team (a charity challenge turning £1,500 into £10,000).

They are about to cement the learnings of the first 100 days with more training and will be able to bring to bear a whole new set of skills”

Laura Duggen one of the CDC new joiners gave us a perspective of her first 100 days working in a large UK utility:
I’ve had a positively challenging experience establishing the reporting and tracking systems for a large, complex utilities project. I’ve been creating, embedding and running various processes, and have also had the capacity to support some of the hot housing (intense strategic brainstorming to solve difficult client challenges) and other delivery activity, which has been a great learning opportunity. Additionally I’ve taken on a role as an organiser for the Prince’s Trust work, assisted with a workshop for the internal People Programme and walked 20 miles for the Mytobular Trust. I feel like my feet haven’t touched the ground, and I’m looking forward to the challenges that the next 100 days will bring!

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Consulting Development Community induction process

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This blog was written by David Brady. David is an Associate Consultant who joined Capgemini in March 2010.

The CDC induction process lasts about 3 weeks which is split between the university in France and an induction by other graduates in London. During the university week we went through the basic skills that are needed for a consultant. The course is full of a wide range of people ranging from new recruits to potentially VP’s from all over the world. Every consultant that joins Capgemini has to go on CSW so it’s an eclectic mix.  It was great to work with such a variety of people from all over the world and grades. The whole week was a brilliant learning curve and one of the key skills that I learned was the ability to give and receive feedback, something which is invaluable in your time as a consultant. The curriculum is built around a case study and after each module you will present back the tools you used around the case study. The moderators do give you curve balls and challenges but it’s very good fun.

The induction is a more specific on the Consultant Development Community (CDC, get used to that acronym) in the UK. We received presentations from the CEO of UK consulting, Head of HR, Operations & IS to name just a few. We really did get the impression that we were immensely valued within Capgemini and that we were there to make a difference from the very start.

During the whole 3 weeks of induction you are fully prepared for your first day on project. No matter how much you are prepared though nothing prepares you for your new found fame! The internal marketing stream do a really good job or promoting you to the rest of the business even before you join so be prepared for meeting colleagues in the lift that know your name and a short life story!

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Focusing on People Development

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This blog was written by James Simpson. James is an Associate Consultant who joined Capgemini in March 2009.

Although client delivery work is very much the primary focus for all CDCers during their time on the graduate programme and beyond for the rest of their careers at Capgemini; a focus on “People Development” will also play a large part in the lives and development of CDCers. Examples of People Development activities CDCers will regularly be involved in could include supporting graduate recruitment by being a campus champion, presenting at graduate fairs /insight days /induction or hosting an assessment centre; being a buddy to a new joiner to the CDC; or supporting training activities for a Capability Unit with Capgemini Consulting. In addition, there is also a chance to become involved with a number of charities and not-for-profit organisations that Capgemini have a relationship with.

For myself, I have been involved in facilitating a young enterprise event at a school in the South East of England; walking twenty miles to support the Myotubular Trust, as well as organising a fundraising event for the One to One Africa. In the future, I hope to be involved in this year’s Million Maker’s challenge for the Prince’s Trust, and some of my colleagues in the CDC will be taking part in the Prince's Trust Wild Challenge. Other examples of People Development work other graduates have been involved in, include helping to set up a new charity, and doing pro-bono work for charity organisations.

The opportunity to get involved in People Development activities proves an enriching experience for many CDCers throughout their time on the programme. It presents the chance to support some fantastic causes, learn new skills, have fun and meet other consultants across the business.

 

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“So what do Management Consultants do exactly?”

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The variety of opportunities makes consulting a great option for graduates

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Recruitment fairs

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We’re in a grand old hall, packed out with firms. I’m here, as a member of the CDC, to give a perspective on life in Capgemini’s management consulting graduate scheme. I find Capgemini’s area and being the first there try my creative hand with our stand. There’s a good atmosphere around and people seem excited about the day. Not long since I was here as a student, I think about my time in the company so far and what grand wisdom I can impart…

 

Since March I’ve built up a much clearer picture of our clients and the different kinds of work we do in management consulting. This has come through a variety of client and internal work, presentations and training, as well as catching up with colleagues in the office more informally – people are very approachable. I’m also with colleagues from our technology and outsourcing areas of the business who can talk about their experiences in their respective graduate schemes.

 

The fair opens and it gets busy really quickly.  Lots of people are venturing towards our stand, clearly drawn in by the attractive display – which I notice our recruitment manager has totally changed round.

 

Some people know a little, curious about what consulting is – as a profession it is often not as well understood as, say law and accountancy. I talk about how we with work with clients on a wide range of business problems from understanding their market and what products to make, to how to make them efficiently, and how sell them, along with functions that support the business like HR. 

 

Others know more and are interested in how Capgemini stands out, plus whether we do more than IT…  On the former I talk, for instance, about the Accelerated Solutions Environment (ASE), on the later – we’re often known as a technology consulting business though there’s a lot more to us than that (see Matthew Ford’s blog entry). Our CDC manager, Deborah Hough, is also at the fair and is able to give a perspective of someone with lots of experience in consulting.

 

I talk to a lot of different people over the day and it’s interesting to see the variety in backgrounds and why they’re interested in consulting.  From history and biochemical engineering students, literature and languages to economics and business, through undergraduate level, masters to PhD. There’s a surgeon interested in our health sector team, a theatre director wanting a change in direction, plus MBA students who’ve done a huge range of things.  This kind of variety is reflected within Capgemini – on my current project I’m working with some whose previous field was computer modelling of the brain!

 

The fair comes a close and time’s flown by. It’s been a good day, though I do note with anguish the unused tea and cake vouchers – clearly plenty still to learn – and I head to a café before jumping on the train back to London. 

 

Nick Seeley is an Associate Consultant who joined Capgemini in March 2009.

 

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“10 ways to tell you are becoming a management consultant”

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Even though I have been with Capgemini for only 6 months, I am beginning to see my own transformation from a student into a fledgling consultant. The following are the signs to look out for:

 

1. PowerPoint becomes your baby – You will quickly learn that a consultant’s number one weapon has been laying low on your laptop for years. Your expertise will rocket as you begin to create presentations, displays and reports.
2. Upgrading your suitcase – Working away from home is a key part of the consultant’s lifestyle. I have spent 2 out of 6 months travelling across the UK, usually from Monday to Thursday. The upside is that you get a chance to socialise with your team and see new places.
3. Brown paper will be a mystery no more! – As a graduate, you will be involved in preparing and running workshops. You will quickly learn how to create presentations using large rolls of brown paper, used as a tangible means of working through client problems.
4. You become more insightful into Global business – As you work on roles across private and public sector clients, your knowledge of business and current market issues will broaden. For me, working for a large retail client at the height of the downturn gave me an insight into how our economy is making an impact.
5. You can remember the train timetable – You will spend more time on trains and tubes than ever before. Try and think of something to pass the time – I like to either watch a video on my laptop or have a browse of the Metro.
6. More points please! - Seeing as you stay in hotels, it’s always a good idea to get the points and air miles too. I chose to build up my air miles and within 6 months have enough for a return flight to Spain, Ole!
7. Aiming high – You will be working with like minded individuals who are constantly searching for the next adventure. Whether this involves trekking across South America to running mini entrepreneurial projects, you will feel inspired to get more out of life.
8. Out of the box business – At Capgemini, we pride ourselves on our charity work. We currently have teams involved with the Prince’s Trust getting ready to traverse Borneo. Someone even set up a charity, the Naandi Foundation which supports Indian girls education.
9. Get a new watch – When at university, wearing a watch was never the top priority. As a consultant you will learn and master time management, being on the ball and meeting deadlines on a daily basis.
10. A second tongue – Consultants are renowned for using business jargon like ‘blue sky thinking’ and ‘Al Desco’ (lunch at your desk). However, over time you will pick up a fluency in the more common everyday vocabulary used across businesses.

 

Michael is an Associate Consultant who joined Capgemini Consulting in September 2008. He is currently working in the Department for children, schools and families.

 

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But I didn't do business at uni...

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…nor did the other four graduates at my assessment day. Most of my intake didn’t either. So what is it that makes us Capgemini material? To me, it isn’t the grades and qualifications that set us apart, but the fact that my colleagues’ pasts range from caring for cheetahs in Africa to performing at the Royal Albert Hall.

Don’t get me wrong, rearing wild animals does not quite bear resemblance to my day to day life in the CDC. What I mean is that the people I have met here share the ability to embrace a challenge. Be it flying around the world hosting workshops for a month to racing through London dressed as Superman as part of the CDC Induction, everyone here can step out of their comfort zone and welcome new experiences.

And you won’t have to play the trumpet in front of a thousand strangers either; it just helps to be passionate about what you do and what you can achieve. One colleague created her own role within Capgemini’s Corporate Social Responsibility stream, introducing a new charity into the company to help educate young girls in India.  

 

So what does make you Capgemini material? The answer is as simple as there is no stereotypically perfect consultant here; Capgemini material is having the personality to make your mark within the company.

 

Megan is an Associate Consultant who joined Capgemini Consulting in September 2008.  She is currently undertaking a Transformation role for an intranet project in London.

 

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