In this article, we follow two Young IMPROVEN consultants at different stages of their development. Hella is at the start of her Finance programme and is discovering the field and the organisation step by step. Noah is nearing the end of the Business programme and has chosen to move into the Financial Management department. Their stories illustrate how consultants develop within Young IMPROVEN through a combination of challenging client assignments, training and personal guidance, whilst being given the freedom to find their own path within IMPROVEN.
Discover what really suits you
Noah joined IMPROVEN with an open mind and a desire to gain a variety of experiences. After completing a higher professional education degree in Business Economics, a stint in accountancy and a Master’s in Change Management, Noah discovered that he is energised by variety, collaboration and the bigger picture behind the figures. Noah came into contact with IMPROVEN via LinkedIn. He deliberately chose the Business programme because he wanted to develop his skills across a broad spectrum and explore different areas.
“The combination of on-the-job learning and specialist training gave my learning curve within the Young IMPROVEN Programme a huge boost.”
In his first week, Noah immediately began a financial audit for a client. That assignment introduced him to Planning & Control, a field in which he learnt a great deal about the financial management of organisations. In the assignments that followed, he also worked at the intersection of finance and process improvement. It is precisely this combination that seems to suit him well.
At a major player in the leisure sector, Noah worked on improving financial processes. Over time, his role evolved into a position in which he manages several teams and works on strategic improvements within the finance organisation.
“The faster and more accurately we deliver our figures, the better the rest of the organisation can manage its operations.”
Noah has also made great strides on a personal level. He is quicker to make decisions, takes more ownership and is increasingly confident in his own choices. At the same time, he has always been adept at bringing people together. This combination of decisiveness and collaboration helps him to get teams moving and achieve results together.
According to Noah, a significant part of his growth stems from the freedom he is given at IMPROVEN. By gaining experience across a range of projects and organisations, he has come to understand more and more clearly where his talents lie and what energises him. This helps him to make informed choices about his development and specialisation within Financial Management.
Learning by doing from day one
Whilst Noah now knows which direction he wants to take, Hella is still at the very start of that journey of discovery. During her Master’s in Banking & Finance, she already knew she wanted to develop her skills further within finance, but in an environment where learning and working go hand in hand.
“After finishing my degree, I didn’t want to settle into one specific role straight away. It was precisely the opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at various organisations and tackle a range of different issues that appealed to me.”
She found that opportunity in the Young IMPROVEN development programme. Since October, as part of the Finance track, she has been combining challenging assignments with training in both professional and personal development. It is precisely this combination of learning and doing that makes all the difference to her. She is able to apply new insights directly in practice, whilst at the same time being given a great deal of responsibility and working independently.
The variety of assignments also plays an important role in her development. In a short space of time, Hella has worked on a wide range of issues within various public sector organisations. This has given her greater insight into budgetary and accountability processes; she has helped to redefine the mission and vision of a new department; and she is currently working on policy relating to strategic partnerships.
“It’s the variety that I really enjoy. You’re constantly working on different issues, getting to know new organisations and discovering what suits you best.”
Over the coming period, Hella wants to explore further which area of finance suits her best and, at the same time, build greater confidence in her own knowledge and skills, so that she can take the initiative more often and play a more active role in projects.
From discovery to choice
Although Noah and Hella are at different stages of their development, they both benefit from the same aspect of the development programme: the freedom to chart their own course. Hella uses her assignments to explore different aspects of the finance profession. Noah, meanwhile, demonstrates where that journey can lead: by taking on a wide range of assignments, he has gained a clearer understanding of where his strengths lie and what energises him.
Noah also has a tip for new consultants like Hella:
“Take ownership of your own development. Seize opportunities, try out different things and, above all, focus on the work that energises you. That’s precisely where you can develop the most and make the biggest difference.”
Has the story of Noah and Hella and the Young IMPROVEN development programme sparked your curiosity too? If so, have a look at the website.
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