Kira Steffens’ Post

As the new season of management trainee programs kicks off, I want to extend my congratulations to the fresh joiners at Mondelez, L'Oréal, and Philip Morris that I saw on LinkedIn. It brings back memories of my own journey at Reckitt two years ago, filled with so much excitement. Reflecting on my experience, there are a few lessons I wish I had known as a new joiner. I hope you all will not repeat the mistake. 1.Be Proactive: Take ownership of your role. Don’t wait for your manager to outline your tasks. Instead, take the initiative to seek guidance and regularly update them on your progress. Show your eagerness to learn and take charge of your development. 2. Don’t Underrestimate yourself. As management trainees, you hold the potential to make significant contributions, regardless of your age. I was negotiating trading terms, doing check out counters penetarion through the outlet level and listing of the SKUs that wasn't in the distributon list. There is no such thing that management trainee that is so fresh, new and young will not be able to achieve great thing. 3.Stay Humble Success will come with its share of challenges. Resilience is key to overcoming setbacks, and a humble attitude will encourage others to support you along the way. Wishing all the new management trainees and fresh graduates the best of luck as you embark on this exciting journey!

Mastering from Life as MT L’Oreal Ignite My L’Oreal Ignite Journey this month: September Top 3 Takeaways: Your Major Doesn’t Define Your Career Path: One of the most impactful insights was the realization that your university major does not necessarily dictate your career trajectory. Many management trainee at L'Oréal came from diverse academic backgrounds—ranging from the sciences to business. It encourages us to explore various opportunities and not limit ourselves based on our educational history. The Management Trainee (MT) Journey: The management trainee journey is a transformative experience that blends learning, mentorship, and hands-on projects. Participants shared how this program not only equips them with industry knowledge but also fosters leadership skills and a deeper understanding of the company’s values. It was inspiring to hear how these trainees navigate challenges, embrace feedback, and build relationships, all while contributing to meaningful projects within the organisation. Embrace a Growth Mindset: The management trainees have encouraged us to be ourselves and stay open-minded. Embracing a growth mindset means acknowledging that our abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication, effort, and learning from experiences. This perspective fosters resilience, allowing us to view challenges as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from such inspiring individuals and look forward to applying these lessons in my career journey. Thank you, L'Oréal, for a memorable experience! 💄✨ #loreallgnite #weareloreal #Lorealforyouth #empowered #beautytech #futureofbeauty #careergrowth #upskilling Eunice Lam Alan Lau (He/Him) Vicky Lau Jade Lui

Make sure to sign up for this live stream and get to know first-hand insights about our BEYOND BORDERS trainee program from our trainees Helga Hofmann and Guilherme Capinha Lopes 💙 💡

In 2001 I arrived fresh-faced and naive in my first ever “proper job” as a grad trainee at L'Oréal … It was a fairly intense and hierarchical culture back then and at points I found it hard… … I remember a “senior” manager (must have been all of 26 years old looking back but hey…) took me aside and said: “Listen - I’ve worked out it takes an average of 14 “no’s” before you get a “yes” around here. So …uh…don’t take it personally”. From then on I only started getting really excited once I’d got to “no” number 12… Call it stubbornness… Or call it resilience… But if you set your mind to something worthwhile it’s not going to get done without passing through a few “no gates” first. So whatever goal you’ve set for 2025… Keep going. Innovators don’t take no for an answer.💪👍 #resilience #corporateinnovation #productdevelopment #pinkpostit INNOVATION LEAP PS: I’m Warren and I post pink post-it provocations for corporate and start-up innovators weekly (or at least that’s my commitment for 2025). Repost if you find them useful!

How time flies… Already 1 year at AB InBev🎉 The past year was for sure one, which was pivotal in my life. Starting my frist “real” job and this with an industry leader changed my life quite a lot. In the last 12 months, I not only completed my Trainee Program, but also moved 3 times, and got the chance to take over responsibilities, I never thought I would have so early in my career. Now, as Returnable Packaging Analyst being able to shape our return bottle operations and drive change to ensure our production runs smoothly, is something I never expected. Taking resume after 1 year, I wanted to share my 3 key learnings with you: ✨Keep calm: No matter what obstacles life throws at you, take a step back, evaluate and then decide. Don’t panic when things go wrong! ✨Take actions: Especially early in your career, I believe it is key to be proactive and not wait for someone to come around to tell you what to do. Drive what you think is important and find creative solutions. ✨Be humble: Don’t think that you need to show off what you did and how great you are. No one likes a show off. Do you work good and people will realize. Opportunities will come your way, you just need to be ready to catch them. I am so grateful to everyone, who supported me on this way and to all my fellow trainees at AB InBev! #dreamBig #futurewithmorecheers #career #firstjob #ABinBev

*Getting a Glimpse of Life as a Management Trainee at L'Oréal My First Month in the L'Oréal Ignite Program* I’ve just wrapped up the first session of the L'Oréal Ignite program, and it was all about understanding what life is like as a Management Trainee at L'Oréal. Here are a few things that really stood out to me: Learning by Doing: The trainees shared how they were thrown right into real projects from day one, and it’s clear that L'Oréal’s approach is all about hands-on experience. It’s fast-paced, but it sounds like the best way to learn! Staying Adaptable: Hearing their stories about managing teams and tackling unexpected challenges showed me how important it is to be flexible and ready for anything. The environment pushes you to think on your feet. Mentorship Matters: What I loved hearing most was how much support they get from their mentors. Whether it’s guidance or feedback, it’s all about helping you grow and get better every step of the way. This session gave me a real sense of how L'Oréal invests in its people, helping them grow into future leaders. It also got me thinking about my own career aspirations, and I’m excited to see where this journey takes me. I can’t wait for the next session and to continue learning from such passionate people! #lorealIgnite #weareloreal #lorealforyouth #empowered #beautytech #careergrowth #upskilling #futureofbeauty Vicky Lau Jade Lui Eunice Lam Alan Lau (He/Him)

My L'Oréal Ignite Journey: Life as a Management Trainee💡 This Monday, I had the incredible opportunity to join the first online session of L'Oréal Ignite 2024. It was a truly fulfilling experience connecting virtually with the management trainees from L’Oréal as we explored what it’s like to work at L’Oréal and the mindset needed to thrive within this vibrant team.  Here are some key takeaways from the webinar! 🔑 ⭐️ No Job is Useless   Every task, no matter how small, plays a role in our growth and learning. Each experience is valuable and can lead to rewarding outcomes, so it's important to approach every responsibility with an open mind and a willingness to learn. 🤍 Show your passion  Alex’s journey in the beauty space reminded me that passion is the ultimate driver of success. Jimmy’s mantra, “Love what you do, do what you love,” really resonated with me. Passion transforms a job into a purpose! When you are genuinely passionate about your work, it not only improves your performance but also inspires those around you. 📚 Your major doesn’t define your career path The trainees highlighted L’Oréal’s commitment to diversity, showcasing a team composed of employees from various backgrounds. I found Chak Wang Nicholas Ng's story particularly inspiring; as a Management Trainee with a degree in Earth Sciences, he may seem an unlikely fit for the FMCG industry. However, with his scientific background, he’s now applying his skills to enhance skin care education at SkinCeuticals! A heartfelt thank you to the L'Oréal TA Team — Jade Lui, Alan Lau (He/Him) Eunice Lam, and Vicky Lau —for organizing this insightful session, and to all the MTs for sharing their valuable experiences and tips with us. I can’t wait for what’s next and learn more on the #FutureOfBeauty! 🎉 #lorealIgnite #weareloreal #lorealforyouth #empowered #beautytech #futureofbeauty #careergrowth #upskilling

Inside Our Beiersdorf BEYOND BORDERS Trainee Assessment Day: What to Expect! Last week, we held our virtual Trainee Selection Day for Finance & Controlling, and as always, it was a fantastic experience! 🎉 This is how an assessment day for the program looks like: 1. Interviews: You will participate in one-on-one interviews that allow you to share your stories and aspirations, helping us get to know you better. 🤝 2. Case Study: You will work independently on case studies related to your specific track, which you will then present to the observers. This exercise will highlight your analytical skills and industry knowledge. 📊 3. Role-Play Scenario: You will engage in a role-play exercise that simulate real-life situations you might encounter in the workplace. This will allow you to demonstrate your people skills & conflict management in an interactive way. 🎭 4. Networking: The day offers multiple networking opportunities, giving you a chance to connect with current trainees. 🌐 Tips for Future Candidates: ✨ Be Yourself: Authenticity matters! 🌟 Show Enthusiasm: Let your passion shine through. Tell us something about yourself that helps us get to know the person beyond your CV. 🔄 See It as a Two-Way Street: Remember, this is also your chance to determine if Beiersdorf is the right fit for you as a future employer. We’re excited about the talent we met and can’t wait to welcome new trainees to our BEYOND BORDERS community! 🙌 Thank you to our great observer team Caroline Kastner, Lydia van Klaveren-Kappers, Vera Scharowsky & Denis Prokofyev! 👏 #BeyondBorders #TraineeSelection #CareerOpportunities #CareerDevelopment

Here's why my Postgraduate Diploma in Management is more than just a piece of paper – it's my secret weapon as a trainee at L'Oréal. I always knew I wanted a career in management, but it wasn't until I started my management traineeship at L'Oréal that I truly grasped the day-to-day realities. Recently, I faced a challenging situation involving conflicting priorities within a project. My Postgraduate Diploma in Management from NWU Business School provided me with the problem-solving and decision-making frameworks to navigate situations effectively. Two key takeaways from the program have been invaluable: the focus on strategic thinking, which has helped me see the bigger picture in my daily tasks, and the emphasis on effective communication, crucial for navigating complex team dynamics. These real-world applications of my studies are constantly reinforcing the value of my education. If you're looking to elevate your career in management, I highly recommend checking out the program: https://lnkd.in/dWdE-_iC NWU Business School #management #careerjourney #reflection #Loreal #trainee #problemsolving #decisionmaking #strategicthinking #communication #NWUBusinessSchool #PostgraduateDiploma

L’Oréal Ignite Webinar, Growth Booster: From Brandstorm to Life L'Oréal 🚀 I recently had the opportunity to attend the "Growth Booster: From Brandstorm to Life L'Oréal webinar, part of the L'Oréal Ignite program. Listening to Roderic Wong, Cinless Tsang, and Rosaline Chan —2021 Brandstorm Hong Kong finalists and now 2023 Management Trainees—was incredibly inspiring. Their insights illustrated how the Brandstorm competition can serve as a powerful stepping stone for a career at L'Oréal. L’Oréal Brandstorm is a global innovation competition designed to help participants tap into their creativity, gain industry insights, and launch their careers within the company. Here are my three key takeaways: 📘1. Catalyst for Career Growth: The speakers shared how their involvement in Brandstorm refined their critical skills such as creative problem-solving and strategic thinking. The competition not only opened pathways to internships and Management Trainee roles but also demonstrated how Brandstorm connects to real-world career prospects at L'Oréal. 📝2. Collaboration Drives Innovation: A crucial lesson emphasized was the value of working in diverse teams. Their success was largely due to the ability to brainstorm innovative solutions and adapt quickly, leveraging different perspectives throughout the process. 🔗3. Growth Through Challenge: Each speaker recounted how Brandstorm encouraged them to push beyond their comfort zones—whether it was pitching ideas or tackling new challenges under pressure. These experiences equipped them to thrive in L'Oréal’s fast-paced environment. A heartfelt thank you to Roderic, Cinless, and Rosaline for sharing their journeys. Their stories have enhanced my understanding of Brandstorm and the incredible growth opportunities L'Oréal has to offer! 💖 Jade Lui Eunice Lam Alan Lau (He/Him) Vicky Lau #lorealignite #weareloreal #lorealforyouth #empowered #beautytech #futureofbeauty #careergrowth #upskiling #innovation #managment #digitalmarketing #technology #careers