Challenge of working at ETS COMPAORE P. ABEL

ETS COMPAORE P. ABEL 1

INTERNSHIP REPORT

(Non-Remunerative)

CHALLENGE OF WORKING WITHIN

ETS COMPAORE P. ABEL

BY

EDMOND TINDWENDE COMPAORE

SUPERVISED BY

AIME COMPAORE

FROM

20TH JULY, 2012

TO

20TH AUGUST, 2012


Preface

The main goals of this report are to explain what I did and learned during my internship

with ETS COMPOARE PIGA ABEL. As part of the University requirement before getting

any degree, the report highlights what it is to work in Africa, especially within the company

of a Burkinabe’ successful entrepreneur.

In fact, the report focuses mainly on the duties and assignments, the level of mentoring, the

work conditions, the success and some wrong doing that I did when handling the different

tasks that was assigned to me by my supervisor.

The report did make some recommendations out of this internship as goal of any internship is

not only to observe and learn, but also to give what can be done to make future internship

better if there is a need to do so. Indeed, at the end of the report, you will find some

observations and recommendation for improvement of the internship program.

.


Table of contents

PREFACE..................................................................................................................1

TABLE OF CONTENTS..........................................................................................2

I. INTRODUCTIONS................................................................................................3

1 Choice of the internship …………………………………………………….....4

2 Company profile ………………………………………………….………...5

3 Duties and Responsibilities………….................................................................6

II. COMMENTS ON ASSIGNMENT........................................................................7

1 Work Experiences...............................................................................................8

2 Expectations and the Impact of My Work..........................................................9

III. WORK ENVIRONMENT……………………………………………………..10

1 Typical work day……………………………………………………………..11

2 Level of mentoring………………………………………………………….. 12

3 The atmosphere……………………………………………………………... 13

4 The city……………………………………………………………………….14

5 The accommodation………………………………………………………….15

IV. OBSERVATIONS AND CONCLUSION.........................................................16

1 Observation and Recommendation...................................................................17

2 Conclusion........................................................................................................18

Special thanks............................................................................................................19


I. Introduction.

1 Choice of the internship

The reasons behind the choice of doing the internship in my country have been

deeply thought. Indeed, being in first year of Business management makes difficult the

obtaining of an internship in a big company as they favorised those with higher level. In

addition of that, in my country I had much more chance to get an internship in a big company

due to my large network. Also, my country has witnessed the settlement of lots foreign

companies and a rapid emerging of lots local businesses due to the attractive market. Another

reason was that I was going on holidays in my country. Thus, it was the wisest choice that I

could make.

2. Company Profile

ETS COMPAORE P. ABEL which has the name of its founder, has grown from a

sole- proprietorship to a family business; therefore a partnership whom the owner are all

members of the Mr. Compaore’s family. The company was founded twenty six (26) years

ago. Indeed, the company was created by Mr. Compaoré Piga Abel as a start-up and grows in

the long run as a big company. The company operated in diversified activities, but the main

activity is the distribution of products such as aluminum plate, what makes it one of the

leaders in this sector. The main business partners of the company are from China and Dubai.

Since 2000, the company has started investing in the housing sectors. Thus, the company

owns and rents more than fifty (60) houses and buildings within the country. Recently, ETS

COMPAORE P. ABEL has started operating in the field of catering and hotels.


3. Duties and Responsibilities

During my internship at ETS COMPAORE PIGA ABEL, I was assigned a multiple of

tasks. Indeed, firstly, I carried out mainly some beaureautic tasks where my know-how in

Microsoft word and excel were highly exploited. In fact, I was assigned to write some

admistrative papers and do some accounting tasks. I had the possibility from time to time to

play the role of a translator into French and the local language (Moore), as the business

partners of the company speak mainly English. I played the role of supervisor of the

disembarking of the goods in the warehouse of the company which is near from the

company’s offices. In addition to this task, I sometimes become a sales man.

II. Comments on assignments

1. Work experience

What a great experience! That was the statement that I stated when I ended my internship. At

the end of this internship, I have improved the level of my confidence and forged my

personality. During this internship at ETS COMPAORE P. ABEL, I had to deal with different

type of customers from very young persons to older ones etc. That obliged me to adapt my

communication according to the customer so as to make the customer comfortable and be able

to communicate easily.

The internship has enhanced my skills in several domains especially in sales and accounting.

Being challenged to maximize the sales was absolutely great. That permits me to know

toward which extend I can go when I am being challenged. Therefore, I know what it is to

work under lots of challenge and pressure.


2. Expectation and Impact of my work

Before coming at ETS COMPAORE P. ABEL, I wanted that at the end of the

internship, I would have improved my skills and forged my personality. I wanted challenging

tasks that would push me to excel. I wanted to work and a good environment and have a good

relation with my colleagues. I wanted to be able to share my ideas and that my ideas are taken

in account. I was not disappointed. I know that I really contribute to shape the way business is

doing at ETS COMPAORE P. ABEL.

I think I was really satisfied by my expectations.

I think I did a really good job during my internship. My deep will to work hard and to do

always a good job had an important impact on my colleagues and my output. Indeed, I was

very dedicated and motivated for all tasks that I was doing. I think I contribute to make the

work environment much more comfortable and friendly while delivering an excellent job.

III. WORK ENVIRONMENT

1. The typical work day

At ETS COMPAORE PIGA ABEL, the work start at 8:00am but, many are the

employees who start their work at 7:30am and take their lunch at around 12:30am or a little

bit later. In fact, at ETS COMPAORE PIGA ABEL, if a task requires you to go beyond the

break time, you will go beyond. The place where the company is located is surrounded by lots

of restaurant, bars, what makes easier for the employees to eat their lunch with no need to

make a long distance or to go home for eating. In fact, employees usually bring either their

foods from the nearest restaurant or go there in group. I was an intern so, and as the proverb

stated” when in Rome, do as ROMs do”, I did the same and eat out with my colleagues.


Everyone returns to the working place after 2 hours and half. In the working place, employees

exchange their ideas and try to help each other to do better. Officially at, 5:00pm, every

employee has the right to go home, but, it appears that often employees will go home later if

they have got some tasks to finish before leaving the work place.

2. The level of mentoring

My boss did an outstanding mentoring from the beginning to my last days at ETS

COMPAORE PIGA ABEL. He did help me through the whole process of my internship. My

boss knew how to motivate me and keep me in the track by giving me challenging and

interesting tasks. This motivates me to excel in everything I was doing. We did have a work

relationship but also, a human relationship. Indeed, my boss liked to discuss about some

concerns and even some personal issues with me. That increased my level of confidence and

willing to hit the books to make my boss proud of my job. The relationship that we have,

permit me to share my ideas with my boss and get feedbacks quickly. It is true that my boss

was a great motivator for me but, my colleague also did a great job in the confidence that I

had by exchanging with me and helping me when I had a difficulty with a task.

3. The atmosphere

I think my days that spent at ETS COMPAORE PIGA ABEL were amazing. The

atmosphere was friendly. The way my boss and my colleagues behaved made me

comfortable. Every day in my work place was a great pleasure. In fact, most of Burkinabe

employees are opened mind and liked to talk about the headlines.

4. The city

Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso has seen its population doubled in almost

two years and this trend is still in the track. Ouagadougou is full of projects all around the


city. In this capital, you can find one bars next to the other and lots of restaurants serving

delicious dishes and meals. In the center of the town, you can find lots of restaurants serving

European foods. Ouagadougou is crowded with cyber where lots of young people come to

exchange and have fun at the same time. The favorite moment of the day of lots “ouagalais”

like everywhere is the night. Indeed, during the night, there are lots of “maquis”, lots of night

club where you can go to dance and have crazy times. If you come in Burkina Faso,

particularly in the capital, Ouagadougou, do not miss to visit the “Le PARC BANGRE

WEOGO” and Loumbila beach and others. You will not forget these moments in these places.

5. The accommodation

As the internship was in my country, I obviously was with my family, but for those

who wish to do their internship in Ouagadougou, there are lots places where to sleep. You can

rent an apartment, but if you want to have full freedom, you may rent a house. In fact, the

rental prices are very cheap starting from £50 monthly. With £150 monthly, you can live in a

luxious house with all the (meubles). In short the living conditions is very cheap in Burkina

Faso and especially in Ouagadougou.

IV. Observations and Conclusion

1. Observations

Despite my great experience that I had at ETS COMPAORE P. ABEL, I think it would

be incomplete if no observation is made. Indeed, at the end of this internship, I made a couple

of observation concerning the way the company can do to enhance their internship programs.

In fact, employees do lots of extra work hours non- remunerated. Employees feel like it has

almost become an obligation for them to do lots of extra hours because they do it very

frequently. Also, the program of internship was not enough structured and planned. When, I


arrived I feel this lack of organization in the level of the internship. But with me, I feel a big

effort that the company was doing to ensure that I did a good internship.

Therefore, I think the company should re-organize their internship program and offer an

excellent supervisor to all future interns. In addition, the company should look at closely the

problem of extra hours that is too much in regard of lots of employees.


Conclusion.

The choice of doing the internship at ETS COMPAORE P. ABEL was a great choice. I

have learnt a lot from this Burkinabe successful entrepreneur and the way business is operated

within his company. At ETS COMPARE P. ABEL, I have the possibility to put in practice


some skills that I acquired in the university. Doing internship at this company has challenged

and made me more that ever hurry up to be on my next internship.


Special Thanks

Mr Piga. Abel Compaore: Business Owner for making for granting a wonderful internship.

Mr Aime D. Compaore: Superviser for his great help and his friendship.

Mr Paul Nikiema: Employee for his friendship and his motivation.

Mr Saidou: Employee.

Mr Rasmane Nikiema: Employee

Mr Joany Balima: Employee

ALL those who contribute to make my internship an amazing one.


Name of Supervisor: Compaore D. Aime Name of Intern: Compaore T. Edmond

Signature : Signature :

Date : 22/08/2012 Date : 22/08/2012

Challenge of working at ETS COMPAORE P. ABEL

Business

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