“The Dynamics in Asia Encourage Entrepreneurship”
Nice Premium: Could you introduce us to the company you work for and your role within it?
Fabien Revol: I work for Sodexho, a French company with 330,000 employees across 80 countries. Sodexho provides three types of services to improve daily life quality for its clients: Catering, Facilities Management (technical maintenance, cleaning, reception, etc.), and Service Vouchers. Sodexho operates these services in various environments: businesses and industries, defense, healthcare, education, public organizations, correctional institutions, retirement homes, as well as certain tourist and prestigious locations. Sodexho has been present in China (mainland China and Hong Kong) for 11 years and employs 14,000 people. We are organized by type of activity (Business Units), and I am in charge of development for education (for 3 years)… Based in Hong Kong, I cover the whole of China. My job involves managing the entire commercial approach in a complex sales environment (long-term outsourcing contracts involving a large number of decision-makers). This includes establishing the commercial strategy, identifying targets, prospecting, lobbying, preparing tenders, negotiations, and transition.
NP: What have you done since you left school? What is your professional background?
FR: After Idrac and 6 months working in one of my family’s businesses (hotels), I completed a Franco-Chinese management master’s degree at the University of Nantes (with a part in China). I felt the need to specialize in a field. Following this, while in Shanghai, I reconnected with a person from Sodexho whom I met during a study trip (supervising a group of 12 first-year students at IDRAC for a month in China). I then joined Sodexho in Beijing in charge of a site. This role notably included the operational management of a 45-person team.
NP: Have you always wanted to work in this profession, or is it the result of opportunities?
FR: The job I currently have is more the result of a succession of opportunities, even though these were either provoked or facilitated by my family environment and the internships completed during my training at Idrac.
NP: What is your educational background, and what degree(s) have you obtained?
FR: Bac ES, Idrac Business School in 4 years including 1 year in Scotland (obtaining a BA in Economics & Management), Franco-Chinese Management Master IAE de Nantes,
NP: What is the perception of your former school’s students in the professional environment you work in?
FR: For now, there aren’t many Idracians in Asia! It’s difficult to have a perception…
NP: What advice would you give to students considering a career in your sector? Do you think it’s preferable to start with SMEs or large companies?
FR: I don’t think there’s a more preferable option than another. Especially in China, companies are looking for expertise. This expertise can very well be acquired in organizations of different sizes. However, it is true that multinationals offer more positions abroad and a more structured framework for expatriation. In terms of salaries in China, large companies do not necessarily pay more. Regarding access to service sectors like those that Sodexho provides, there’s no specific training, but rather an inclination towards services and being ready to work operationally on site. All professions are represented within Sodexho: marketing, finance, HR, sales, etc.
NP: Why did you choose to work internationally?
FR: Initially, because the grass seemed greener; later, because the responsibilities are greater than those offered in France. Finally, because the dynamics are engaging in a region like China. In the medium term, financial conditions will determine whether or not we return to France.
NP: What are your current prospects for advancement, your professional aspirations?
FR: I am working on evolving my position in other segments and/or the marketing part of our activities. The dynamics in Asia also encourage entrepreneurship, and on this subject, I am an active shareholder of a company distributing biometric products in Europe, (www.kozum.net).
NP: Would you like to add anything?
FR: An experience in a country like China is certainly very interesting. However, the structures (even large companies) are not as precise, organized, and structured as in Europe or the US. As a result, the follow-up of individuals and their training might be lacking. Subsequent to this, it can be challenging to sell oneself on the market with real expertise. Given the competition in the region, I would advise first gaining experience in a mature market and structured organization, working on English, getting familiar with an international environment, and then seeking an opportunity in Asia. This will help avoid being in direct competition with thousands of students from around the world who are as well-trained as the French (often with better language skills) and who fight just as hard for an Asian experience.
