Archives des Candidates - Page 2 of 13

23Jun

The future of fintech in Africa

The rise of digitalization on the African continent is one of the main factors behind the increase in financial inclusion.

Long perceived as the bank of the underprivileged, microfinance has historically targeted a large clientele excluded from traditional financing channels. Today, the reality of microfinance is that it is a mature market, conducive to the emergence of credible financial institutions alongside traditional players, particularly in Africa.

A sector in full transformation

The microfinance ecosystem today is very different from what it was in its early days and holds significant potential for growth and innovation. Indeed, the total outstanding amount of African Microfinance Institutes (MFIs) has grown by 56% since 2012 and a 46% increase in the number of borrowers over the same period in 2018 (Microfinance Barometer 2019, Convergences). In this context, MFIs are now at a key stage of their development, and find themselves facing the same issues as banking institutions: the need to optimize their business processes, find commercial differentiation strategies, meet the challenges of digitization of work methods… Like traditional banks, they are looking for continuous improvement of their productivity and face technological challenges. However, some of these challenges are unique to them. Indeed, the specific characteristics of microfinance, such as its alternative distribution networks, its clientele, etc. require technological solutions adapted to the reality of the field. The future of microfinance is based on a strategy of refocusing on the client and can only be built on the basis of innovative technological partnerships that enable a greater diversity of services to be offered while limiting risks and reinforcing the security of operations. For technology players, this is an area that promises to develop rapidly and promisingly.

Fintechs: opportunities to seize

The rise of digitalization on the African continent is one of the main factors behind the increase in financial inclusion. In sub-Saharan Africa, for example, 42.6% of the adult population had an account in 2017 compared to only 23.2% in 2011 (Source: Global Findex 2017). A trend observed over the past 10 years that continues and represents a unique opportunity. Yet, the microfinance sector is a fertile ground for experimentation. More flexible, pragmatic and often subject to lighter regulatory constraints, MFIs are generally more agile than the traditional banking sector. Their appetite for digital is a great opportunity for experimentation that will allow new solutions to emerge.

In fact, it is likely that the process of technological diffusion will be reversed in the future: MFIs will no longer be content to follow in the wake of banks, but will be the laboratories for technological advances and the creation of innovative solutions that will then benefit traditional banks. These are all issues that fintechs would benefit from taking on, especially since the technological maturity of microfinance is still in the “completion” phase, which has yet to develop. However, due to their history and implementation, fintechs have a place to take as true strategic partners to support the development of these institutions.

In Africa, microfinance has a strong potential for growth and development in terms of diversified digital solutions. Relying on MFIs would allow fintechs to consolidate their achievements in countries where they are already active, while reaching out to new customers. As microfinance is in essence a vector of positive values (social promotion, solidarity, economic development, etc.), it represents a differentiating factor for fintechs compared to the competition, while also providing a motivating environment for their employees.

Source : https://www.journaldunet.com/economie/finance/1502531-microfinance-et-l-avenir-des-fintechs-en-afrique/

27Jan

How do you defend your ideas in meetings?

Work meetings are privileged moments to demonstrate your skills and your mastery of your professional field. As a worker, you must then prepare them with great care. You should also know that just because you are creative and full of ideas does not mean that your team will necessarily accept your ideas. In order to arouse the curiosity and interest of your peers in meetings, it is imperative that you know how to make the most of your speaking skills. But how do you convince your colleagues and bosses of the validity of your ideas? There are a number of strategies to do this, which we provide here.

1. Capturing the attention of your colleagues

A good speaker is distinguished by his ability to capture the attention of his audience. In a business meeting, you can’t claim to convince your team if you can’t capture their attention. This is why, before you speak, do everything you can to make sure that those present listen to you. Don’t jump in until you do. There is a very effective technique for getting the silence you need to be heard. It involves taking a deep breath, waving lightly to get the attention or look for the eyes of others. This will allow you to let them know that you are about to speak. Your interlocutors will then turn to you. When you speak, put your voice down. Speak in a loud and clear voice, at a rate that is not too fast, and avoid language tics that can quickly distract your interlocutors from your speech.

2. Make sure your speech is well structured …

The more structured your message is, the better it will be understood. A well-structured idea is, indeed, much easier to get across. It is therefore imperative that you avoid making a fuss. You will then gain by preparing the structure of your message in a meticulous way. To do this, take the time to announce your main idea first. Then mention the number of points you will develop. Example: “I think we should develop a new product: the training offer. This will benefit the company on three levels. “If you are afraid of losing track, take note of some very succinct keywords as a lifeline.

3. Prove your motivation to galvanize your colleagues

When the person who comes up with an idea shows some motivation, it contaminates its audience, which will be galvanized. If you yourself are completely enthusiastic, you have a better chance of convincing your audience. So, to get your colleagues to buy into your ideas, you need to must be sincere and passionate. Your non-verbal language should not be outdone either. Smile, use positive verbs and speak in “we” rather than “I”. Forget speeches that are too technical and formal to bring a real emotional dimension.

4. Illustrate your ideas

The simplicity of an explanation is one of its most beautiful qualities. So, if you feel that the content of your explanation is technical or complex, make sure you keep it simple. You can, for example, prepare a visual support. A PowerPoint is not a bad idea. For simplicity, you can simply stand up and draw a diagram or write down key words on a board. This will also be effective in making your ideas understood by your colleagues.

5. Do not interfere with others

It is well known that a long speech is very likely to put an audience to sleep. This is why, in order not to make your colleagues tired or angry, do not keep speaking for too long. Under no circumstances should you monopolize the floor. Try to keep it concise. If your speech is very long, interrupt it with moments of interaction with your peers to wake them up and get them involved in your project.

12Nov

Is the letter of reference really useful ?

The requirement for a letter of recommendation is more common among students who want to enter a university or college. However, this letter is not excluded from the recruitment process. It is true that in terms of recruitment, resumes and cover letters are the most requested, but there is nothing to prevent you from including a letter of recommendation with your application. Many job seekers don’t think about it, and yet, they have everything to gain by doing so…

1. The letter of recommendation: an effective way to reassure the recruiter

As a job seeker, if you can reassure your recruiter, you will have done the hardest part. As headhunter Virginie Granier points out, “a recruiter needs to be reassured.” Therefore, a letter of recommendation can be a great idea if it comes from someone who has worked with you in a professional setting. If such a person bears a positive testimonial about you, your chances of reassuring your recruiter and getting your job will only increase. “A letter of recommendation written by a professor after successful studies, by an employer after a summer job or a successful internship, can highlight your personality, your soft kills. It’s a differentiating factor that should not be overlooked,” says Virginie Granier.

2. A letter of recommendation highlights you

If your former employers agree to write a cover letter for you, it means that your skills can be predicted. A letter of recommendation thus puts you in the spotlight. It confirms your skills and experience. Often there are many statements and mentions on your CV and during the interview. Without a letter of recommendation, the recruiter may doubt it because he has never practiced you. This letter, even if you are not asked, is then a real asset. Moreover, at the end of an interview, do not hesitate to inform your recruiter that you have a letter of recommendation at his disposal. Offer to give it to him/her. Likewise, in each of your motivational emails, do not hesitate to provide a letter of recommendation.

3. Mark your difference by submitting a letter of recommendation

Contrary to what many people think, a letter of recommendation can indeed influence the choice of recruiters. Virginie Granier sees it above all as an additional tool in the final decision-making process, just like a personality test, for example. This seemingly innocuous document allows the candidate to stand out from the crowd by having something more. It can thus make the difference in a shortlist. However, it should be specified that it cannot replace the CV which remains the determining element in an application. Moreover, a letter of recommendation also represents proof of motivation, since not everyone dares to ask their former employer for a letter of recommendation. It is not necessarily easy to obtain, as the interviewer may not have enough time to write it. He or she will need to be reminded, etc. “It shows the candidate’s determined character,” says the headhunter. Finally, it is important to note that a letter of recommendation can increase your chances of getting a job. It would be a shame not to take advantage of it…

05Nov

What jobs to become rich at 35?

The choice of a profession is motivated by several factors. Passion is often cited at the top of the list among the latter. However, money is still a key factor in choosing a professional career. If you are one of those who want to become rich at 35 years old, by betting on their You don’t have to opt for just any field of activity. But all in all, what sector and which profession to choose to become rich? We reviewed the new study from Robert Walters’ compensation package, which allows us to tell you where to work for the good of the company. earn your living without necessarily waiting to be a senior.

The real estate sector…

This is an area that is on the rise among many young people who want to make a lot of money. of money. Better still, experts predict an even faster salary progression in 2020 in this area. For example, executives who work in wealth management real estate seem to be able to easily reach important salaries. Real estate is in addition a sector where it is not very difficult to move forward. In any case, it is easier to climb the ladder, compared to other sectors. For example, after 6 years of experience, it is possible to become CFO and earn even more money. The vast majority of real estate wealth shows salaries far exceeding the other sectors, with key positions accessible in 10 years of experience.

Consulting, finance and business law, sectors that pay…

If you are looking for a job that will bring you a lot of money, you will not regret opting for the profession of strategy consultant. This is a field that pays very well. With an average seniority level of 8 to 12 years in the sector, consultants with a title of “principal” can claim a very interesting salary. Similarly, with more than 12 years of experience, a “partner” also earns a lot of money. In consulting, management and organization, the salaries are a little less interesting. However, senior managers (10-12 years of experience) earn a lot. In the financial sector in general, employees enjoy very high salaries. Thus, with more than 10 years of experience, an M&A manager can expect a very ambitious salary. An investment manager with between 6 and 12 years of experience can earn a lot of money. Finally, as for business lawyers, they have nothing to envy from their colleagues in consulting and finance. As an illustration, a senior partner with 7 years of experience can earn a lot of money.

Construction, IT and digital: profitable domains …

It is true that the construction sector is booming, but it must be said that it is still You must have more than 12 years of experience and hold a position of very high responsibility in order to be able to claim a very high salary. A general manager in project management, for example, earns more than of 120,000 euros. At the same time, “in a context of accelerating digitalization of the companies, the trend of strong search for IT and digital profiles continues”, says Coralie Redemption. From then on, join the IT departments with an experience of 10 to 15 years in 100,000 threshold,” she says.

22Oct

4 preconceived ideas about the profession of accountant

There are a lot of clichés and misconceptions about almost all trades. But clichés have life is hard, they say. The profession of chartered accountant is no exception to this rule. The received ideas on this the unfortunate consequence of discouraging many young people who are nevertheless seduced by this profession. The work of a chartered accountant and dream of excelling in this field. It is the important to to dismantle a number of preconceived notions about this profession so that aspiring individuals can to this branch may have the courage to take the plunge … Through this article, we have listed some of these so-called truths about the profession of chartered accountant …

1. You have to be a math whiz to become a CPA.

This thought is anything but true. You don’t have to be good at math to become an expert-accountant. In fact, it is very common to come across professionals in this field who have done literary studies. However, it is still true that you have to like to manipulate numbers, the cross-check, interpret them to be a good accountant. This should not, however, lead to young people who want to become chartered accountants to believe the exaggerations that would want this profession can only be practiced by the aces of mathematics. You will need neither geometry or algebra. You will simply need logic and analytical skills analysis above all.

2. It takes eight years of study to practice the trade.

This is another misconception about the profession of chartered accountant. You don’t have need to have a baccalaureate plus 8 to become a chartered accountant. In truth, you need to follow 5 years after the baccalaureate and complete a three-year internship in a firm or company, before obtain the famous Diploma of Chartered Accountancy (DEC). These three years of internships are very rewarding in knowledge in the field of public accounting.

3. The profession is rather boring …

All professions have their own realities that oscillate between difficulty and passion. This is also the case of the profession of chartered accountant. Forget the image of the type with glasses crumbling under the numbers and the paperwork. This is not the everyday reality of the accountant. The accountant works for structures of very different sizes and sectors of activity: SME, VSE, ETI, startup, association, craftsman, trader, farmer… He carries out various missions where contact is of prime importance. It is a an exciting job that allows you to be in contact with different types of companies and fields various activities.

4. The ideal is to be at the head of one’s own practice.

This perception is far from reality because, not all accountants are interested in entrepreneurship. Many of them become teachers or work as salaried employees in
a company. Within companies, they generally act as controllers of management, financial analysts, CFOs, auditors, managers… According to Françoise Savès, president of the Board of Directors, the of the association Femmes Experts-Comptables, two thirds of the women graduates in this field choose this path. They graduate from DEC at the age when they want to be mothers. They prefer so she joined a company to better reconcile work and family life,” she says.

08Oct

How to overcome your dismissal ?

Like a love break-up, a dismissal is a painful event that is very often badly experienced. When this happens, the dismissed person’s morale is naturally at half mast. They are demoralized, even demotivated. They lose the desire to undertake new things, preferring to spend their days in bed. Some employees even reach the point of depression. But it’s not the end of the world. You have to take control of your life to move forward. It’s not easy, but it’s quite possible. Here we offer solutions to help you get back on your feet after a layoff…

1. Take your time

Like any painful event, dismissal is a difficult thing. It takes time to digest it and change course. You have to be realistic because this kind of situation is not something that can be forgotten in a snap of the fingers or in a few days. No one will blame you for feeling bad because you’ve lost your comfort zone, your colleagues and your bearings. One of the attitudes to adopt in this case is to take the time to “grieve” and not to rush into anything. Take your time and then move on. Life goes on …

2. Talk about it around yo

Confidentiality drowns out pain, as they say. Nothing could be further from the truth… After a layoff, there is no point in brooding over your anger and despair alone in your corner. You have to go out and talk about your grief to the people around you. This will greatly reduce your pain and take your mind off it. You can also share your feelings with a specialist coach or simply confide in your friends and family. They are the best remedy in your recovery process. Listening to them is an invaluable gift that will comfort you.

3. Don’t be too hard on yourself…

In case of dismissal, you don’t have to be very hard on yourself by blaming yourself. Experiencing a series of negative feelings is certainly understandable, but try to regulate them so that you don’t get depressed. Rather than being too hard on yourself, accept your situation while telling yourself that it is normal. It doesn’t make sense to spend hours thinking about how and why you got to this point. Move forward and think about your future and your future career ambitions.

4. What Doesn’t Kill Makes You Stronger

To something bad is good, as the saying goes. Tell yourself that there is an opportunity to seize in your situation of despair and that not everything is negative. You didn’t like your dismissal, but still try to see the positive side of things. As difficult as it may seem, try to see the opportunities in this unpleasant situation. Will the career change you’ve always dreamed of happen now? Will it be an opportunity to retrain? Develop new projects. You can only recover from such an experience, and you may be ready to get the job of your dreams!

01Oct

10 trades that did not exist 10 years ago

There are jobs that seem obvious to the younger generation, but they are not, did not exist ten years ago. It is a natural cycle that gives birth to new jobs while making others disappear. Thus, while some professions tend to disappear, others, on the contrary, have emerged in the last ten years, thanks in part to the development of the new technologies. According to the American forecasting organization Institute for the Future (IFTF), 85% of the professions that will be exercised in 2030 have not yet been created. Here are 10 trades that are appeared in the last decade…

1. The Big Data business

Big data architect, data scientist, chief data officer… The database market is at the origin of a large number of professions, which are highly sought-after today in start-ups and large companies. companies. Yet, in recent times, they were not on the agenda.

2. Chief happiness officer

Understand responsible for happiness in the company! It ensures the well-being of employees, their productivity and performance. It looks for solutions to make workers feel more fulfilled in their workplace.

3. Mobile Application Developer

The smartphone has become an indispensable tool, and thousands of applications are created every day. year to make our lives easier or distract us. IFAPME even offers a training course of developer of mobile applications for a two-year period.

4. VTC driver

Uber, Heetch, Kapten… “chauffeur-driven passenger cars” have almost supplanted cabs. traditional. The first applications were born in 2011 and have since been successful. increasing. The professions to which this new innovation has given rise have emerged recently.

5. Bicycle delivery man

Gone are the days of phone orders or drive passes: today, a single click on his smartphone or computer and your meal is delivered to your door in a few minutes. minutes.

6. Juicer

Just like delivery men, electric scooters have also been swarming in our cities for several years now. months. The juicer’s mission is to geolocate and recharge them.

7. Community manager

A true expert in social networks, he answers the questions of Internet users, creates spaces of exchanges and promotes the company and its products on the web. Most companies in have today.

8. Youtubeur

The 2000 generation knows them well and is very enthusiastic about them: Youtubeers are now a real craze. These content creators are now earning a living from videos, advertising and product placement.

9. Influencer

Solicited by brands for its notoriety, content or status, it influences the consumption habits of its community by promoting products via various platforms: Instagram, YouTube or Snapchat.

10. Web ergonomics

A little-known profession, but it is nevertheless the one in charge of optimizing the use of a website on a computer, tablet or mobile, by making its interface as easy to use and as pleasant as possible.

03Sep

Advantages of having lunch with your colleagues

The company where you work is not only your place of work, it is also somewhere where social relationships and friendships happen. For that matter, many managers are looking into promoting solidarity and a good working environment within their team because they are confident that it will have an impact on the productivity of the company. That is the reason why “eating together” with colleagues is something that companies really wish for. It has become something normal that generates lots of benefits. If you’re one of those people who eat alone in front of your desk, think about going to the cafeteria from time to time to take lunch with your colleagues. Having lunch, sharing a good meal with your colleagues seated around a table, is the perfect opportunity to talk about work and what we have done during the weekend. It provides exchanges and good spirit. According to the 2016 survey from Cornell University, it also stimulates teamwork.

This study revealed that most of the time, employees who eat together are more likely to work together than those who eat alone. Teamwork is not the only advantage that comes out of sharing lunch with colleagues: it is a good alternative to team building which is “ very costly, but mostly it requires a lot of employees to do activities with their colleagues during their free time” explains Kevin Kniffin, a behavioral researcher. With that in mind, many companies set up cafeterias inside their buildings to uplift that friendly practice and encourage employees to go there and sit at a table around colleagues.

However, you can’t force relationships among people because it could be counter productive. So, even though eating with colleagues has plenty of benefits, we shouldn’t force things to happen. It should come naturally… Actually just because you share a lunch with colleagues doesn’t mean that teamwork and harmony will get better and that workers will like each other better or work better together.

Quite to the contrary, eating by yourself could also be a good thing. Everybody is not always ready to handle conversations about each and others during lunch, which also represents a relaxing moment where you find yourself again. From this study from the University of Toronto, it is especially important to let people choose what they want to do. You can’t force anybody to be with others. Anyway, it is up to you to choose who you want to eat with. You can also choose both options and go back and forth as you want it, by eating alone once a week for example.

Whatever the case is, it is recommended not to be seen as someone who always mess up the mood and the atmosphere within colleagues. Be even in terms of choices. Your manager will always appreciate you being someone who come together.

20Aug

Top 7 jobs of the future that do not yet exist

A few years ago, many of the jobs that exist today had not yet been created. If you think that this dynamic of the birth of new trades will stop, you may be disappointed. Between robots, artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles, the trades of the future are knocking at our doors. Observers have finished convincing us that millions of jobs will be replaced by machines. At the same time, we will witness the birth of professions that will seem to come straight out of a science fiction movie. We are taking stock with you on some of the jobs of the future that do not yet exist.

1. Space travel guide

This is a profession that will emerge in the future as space tourism takes off. It’s not a bad idea to consider a career as a space tour guide. You’ll be responsible for accompanying wealthy visitors throughout their flight and designing the most exciting itineraries using your knowledge of the aircraft used in orbit.

2. Asteroid Miner

Digging asteroids to find certain minerals is an option for the future. This will address the scarcity of resources on the planet by exploiting those in space. This high-risk drilling will generally be undertaken by self-contained machinery, but in some cases, human miners will be called in as backup to ensure smooth operations.

3. Brain Content Manager

Science is dynamic and continually surpasses itself. In the future, it is envisioned that we will find ways to access your thoughts and memories through implants that link your brain to a computer. This new medical possibility will open the door to paid services to improve memory and even revise your dreams. Brain content managers will also be able to help a person sort through their memories and make a movie of their life for those around them.

4. Technology Ethics Counsellor

The role of robots and artificial intelligence has been widely debated. All the same, it is imperative to reflect on ethical rules so that the use of these new technologies does not come at the expense of human beings. In addition to teaching machines to decode the subtleties of our language, experts will have to confirm to the public that the necessary safety beacons have been put in place. The birth of the profession of technology ethics counsellor is then highly conceivable.

5. UAV manager

Companies like Amazon are planning to acquire fleets of thousands of drones to speed up their delivery service. Managers specialized in the purchase, programming, maintenance and supervision of these motorized swarms will therefore be in high demand on the job market.

6. Privacy manager

As smart devices become the target of an increasing number of cyber attacks, solutions are needed to protect private information. Online privacy advisors will be in demand. This expertise will also be valued by businesses and governments.

7. End-of-life coach

After the life coach, get ready for the end of life coach! The population is aging and this large cohort will need sensitive and empathetic counsellors. They will guide them in their choice of medical treatments and explore with them how to live their last days to the fullest.

30Jul

Africa: Industrialization is essential for job creation

In Africa, job creation is essential for sustainable development and inclusive growth in the continent. Vulnerable groups such as women and youth are disproportionately affected by the scarcity of decent work opportunities in Africa. Yet they are important links in the African population without whom development is not possible. Almost all observers maintain, and rightly so, that only industrialisation will make it possible to create the skilled jobs needed by young Africans. Thus, according to United Nations projections, Africa will experience unprecedented population growth and should account for nearly 40% of the world’s population by 2100 (i.e. as much as China and India combined) as against nearly 17% today.

Industrialization is becoming a response to the urgent need to create ten to twelve million jobs a year just to absorb new entrants to the labour market. It must, however, be an industrialization thought out and adapted to the African context.

Indeed, each country having its own characteristics, it is essential that each government envisage industrialization by taking into account in particular the natural resources at its disposal and the potentialities with which the country is endowed. Industrialization must be based on the creation of a favourable economic and social environment. According to Jonathan Le Henry, a consultant with PWC, African countries would benefit from “a common and integrated approach to industrial policy.

And the latter to specify that several levers must be activated to win the challenge of industrialization in Africa. It will be a question of capitalizing on natural resources to create new activities with higher added value, to rely on strategic partnerships to promote value sharing and technology transfer, to rely on the technologies of the industrial revolution 4.0 to achieve productivity gains, improve the level of competitiveness and better integrate into the value chain. Finally, the aim will be to create the necessary conditions for improving the business climate by offering an attractive environment for foreign investors and minimizing the burden of bureaucracy.

Such an approach could enable African populations to benefit from massive job creation. In the long term, the development of the African continent could be sustainable and beneficial to every African citizen.

At present, African industry generates only US$700 of GDP per capita on average, three times less than in Latin America (US$2,500) and five times less than in East Asia (US$3,400). And its exports consist of low-technology manufactured goods and unprocessed natural resources – which account for more than 80 per cent of the exports of Algeria, Angola and Nigeria, for example.

Africa, like Europe in the nineteenth century and Asia in the twentieth century, must therefore embark resolutely on the path of industrialization in the twenty-first century. To this end, the President of the African Development Bank Group, the Director-General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) have agreed to work together to help Africa design its industrialization agenda. Other initiatives are also emerging to bring the dark continent out of the shadows.

1 2 3 4 … 13