EDHEC Entrepreneurs mentoring scheme: we hear from mentor & mentee
Olivier de MENDEZ (EDHEC Master’s in marketing, 1992) signed up as a mentor for the EDHEC Entrepreneurs Incubator. This team leader, who specialises in the retail experience, has overseen the digital transformation of brands in complex multi-channel environments both in France and abroad. Now he’s using his professional experience to support start-up Fairbird.
Fairbird is a French brand of eco-friendly packaging designed for catering and hotel professionals. The company was set up by two friends, Adrien PAGES (MSc EDHEC 2020) & Sami CHALAL (Master ISC PARIS 2020), intent on shaking things up. Both of them are profoundly driven by their respect for the planet and the environment and the need to preserve our ecosystems.
Joint interview
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO SIGN UP FOR THIS MENTORING SCHEME?
Olivier: I wanted to ensure young entrepreneurs from EDHEC could benefit from the experience I had gained to help them boost their development and growth.
WHAT WERE YOU EXPECTING FROM YOUR FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH START-UP FAIRBIRD?
Olivier: I wanted to make sure we would get on well, that I would be able to meet their expectations in terms of mentoring and that we shared the same values.
AND HOW DID YOUR FIRST MEETING GO?
Olivier: We met up for a coffee at a Starbucks. We very quickly got down to business and I really appreciated their commitment and the passion that shone through the discussion.
WHAT IS YOUR VIEW OF FAIRBIRD, ITS PATH SO FAR AND THE TEAM?
Olivier: When Justine Soudier, director of the EDHEC Entrepreneurs incubator, first introduced me to Fairbird, I immediately wanted to support them. They’ve got a timely project that immediately resonated with me and has truly great potential for development. They’ve already accomplished a lot of wonderful things, but there is huge scope for more, so it’s very promising. The team are fantastic in terms of their commitment and desire. They want to have a positive impact on the world around them and sincerely believe in their project and the values they convey.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO OFFER FAIRBIRD, AND IN PARTICULAR TO THE TEAM (ADRIEN AND SAMI)?
Olivier: I hope to help Fairbird avoid some of the traps that are out there when launching a new project, let them benefit from my experience in marketing and the F&B (food & beverage) sector, and help them step back to get some perspective when they come up against obstacles so I can contribute to the vast potential of Fairbird.
The public health crisis has meant we’ve only been able to see each other once (although that first encounter is definitely the most important to do in person). We hold a weekly videoconference and I can be contacted if needed. We also sometimes use email, but most of our discussions take place during our weekly meeting.
TELL US HOW YOU WORK TOGETHER.
Adrien: The first meeting was decisive both for Olivier and for us. First of all, we had to make sure that we enjoyed talking to each other and that, without necessarily having the same opinion on all issues, we could agree on a solid work foundation. That first interview, which by the way was the only one we were able to hold in person, went very well and even lasted longer than planned. I think that was a very good sign!
Then, more objectively, we had to determine to what extent Olivier could help us, based on his experience, expertise and knowledge.
Lastly, we also had to demonstrate the appeal and coherency of our project both from an economic point of view as well as socially and ecologically. I guess it would have been harder for Olivier to give us his attention and time if our project lacked credibility or if he didn’t share our values.
We set up a weekly videoconference lasting about an hour. This allows us to catch up, ask any questions we might have and set out or tweak the next stages. And if ever any of us has a question or urgently needs something, we can send a message via our WhatsApp group.
WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM YOUR MENTOR?
Adrien: I think the role of a mentor is probably to give the entrepreneur what he does not yet have, i.e. experience, perspective and a network. Especially if the entrepreneur is young!
But you mustn’t think that the mentor is there to solve everything or do your work for you.
For the reasons mentioned above, Olivier has really met our expectations! And with the current crisis, his perspective and assistance are invaluable to us.
WHAT IS YOUR VIEW OF YOUR MENTOR’S CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE?
Adrien: I don’t think we would have had confidence in someone whose career we didn’t admire.
HOW CAN THIS RELATIONSHIP BRING YOU MUTUAL ENRICHMENT??
Olivier: This relationship is a way for me to share my experience, which I feel from a human point of view is very important; it involves learning about the mindset and appetite of young entrepreneurs, which is very refreshing, and discovering the world of entrepreneurship, which I had no knowledge of as someone who has always worked for well-established companies.
Adrien: I think mentoring is above all about meeting someone you would have been unlikely to get to know in another context. And so it’s actually very enriching. Through Olivier, we have discovered a different career, environment, individual and perspective.
What’s more, for the reasons explained earlier, Olivier’s advice and objective opinions about Fairbird allowed us to take a step back from our business and have a broader vision, as well as boosting our motivation in challenging times. Given the current public health crisis, that’s a big help!
I would like to think that this relationship is as enriching for Olivier as it is for me and my associate!
MORE INFO:
Fairbird:
www.fairbird.fr
Page facebook
Page LinkedIn
Olivier de Mendez :
2006–2010: Director of global communication and marketing – Marionnaud
2011–2018: Managing Director France – Starbucks
2018–2019: CEO of Optical Discount – Afflelou (France and abroad)
2019–2021: President Europe Middle East & Africa – Goldiva Chocolatier
Also: Publicis, Havas Group, Microsoft,…
Read his LinkedIn profile
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