Internship at Chamber of Commerce Franco-Arab and course application

Relationship of Internship to Course Material

As discussed above, the Chamber of Commerce Franco-Arab acts a meeting platform for the French and Arab traders. The main aim of this organization is to promote trade association and relationship between French and Arab traders in a number of business sectors including service industries, manufacturing industries and agriculture.

This chamber holds business conferences, seminars and workshops that are headed by key speakers. In addition to that, it also develops policy papers and analyzes business environment in various areas. Apart from that, the chamber also performs a number of activities that are related to various areas of business in Arab and France.

I joined the Chamber of Commerce Franco-Arab as an intern in the Communication and Research department. I hold a degree of Masters of Art in Global Communication-Visual Track. My responsibility as an intern required me to work for 33 hours per week.

The total duration for this internship was 8 weeks and it awarded me with 8 credits. The role as an intern required me to apply the knowledge of visual theory that I acquired during the course of my degree. The Chamber of Commerce Franco-Arab provided me with a relevant platform in which I can put my academic knowledge into practice.

My job at Chamber of Commerce Franco-Arab majorly revolved around research and analysis. The major part of responsibility was to do a lot of internet-based research. I was also required to synthesize and analyze the collected data.

Apart from that, I had to do comparative analysis of the taxation system of various countries of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Moreover, I have to correspond with the potential clients through faxes, emails and telephone calls etcetera. Furthermore, video editing and the audit of the culture of Gulf Cooperation Council were also included in my job requirements.

My thoughts about the Organization

The Chamber of Commerce Franco-Arab was established in the year 1970. This organization plays an important role in developing a link between its members and the United States of America as well as the World Trade Organization.

In addition to that, it also helps its members in developing strong connection with the important ministers in affiliated countries. Moreover, this organization is also an initiative to enhance the productivity of the modern business world.

I felt that the industry in which the Chamber of Commerce Franco-Arab operates is not for the young people. This is because most of the clients, with whom I negotiated, were older in age. Here again I had to use the skills acquired in my academic life, through the knowledge of various communication theories, to ensure that the age gap between me and my clients did not hinder successful negotiations between us.

The knowledge acquired through various communication theories also helped me in being efficient and presentable in front of my supervisors. As an intern, most of the work that I performed had to be presented to my supervisors or the clients with whom I negotiated. The knowledge from academic life enabled me to extract correct information form the internet-based results and it also helped me in dealing with my clients and my supervisors.

Activities Performed

The internship at Chamber of Commerce Franco-Arab required me to perform a number of activities, some of these are listed below:

Meeting with the team leader in relation to the work assignments that were related to the preparation for the exposition in the CNIT in la Defense

Understanding the concept of the chamber de commerce Franco Arab.

Research on the rules and regulation of each country for foreign investments and/or business, while keeping in mind that the world economy is in a declining mode and foreign investors and organizations are looking for overseas investments especially in the gulf.

Working with my team, which consisted of me, another intern, one IT representative and one representative from the Chamber of Commerce Franco-Arab, on a project.

This project would enable the company to create a brochure or have detailed and appropriate information available on the website in relation to the 6 countries in the gulf, which are Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and the United Arab. The information provided may become obsolete in a rapid manner as the rules and regulations of these countries are always changing.

Performing internet-based research in relation to the gulf countries responsible for foreign investment, usually in Arabic or English. In addition to that, I was also required to perform research on the rules and regulation and understanding taxation in the gulf countries.

I was required to take photos of that give a promising and positive view of the gulf. In addition to that, these photos also highlighted the bright and attractive development opportunities that are associated with doing business in the Gulf countries.

Then With the help of I-movie, I developed a mini collage video that highlighted the ongoing growth in the gulf countries associated with cultural spots. I believe that the organization would use this video next year

On the Exposition day, I acted as one of the representatives to the Franco Arab ICC, hoping to give more information about the gulf since that's my specialty. I observed that, many French companies and French entrepreneurs had a vague understanding about the gulf. These companies and entrepreneurs, however, had appropriate knowledge about United Arab Emirates, specifically about the regions of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

I also had to perform ongoing research on lingerie shops in Saudi by looking at the existing market. This activity required me to perform extensive market research.

Meeting with the clients who are interested in opening a lingerie shop in Saudi Arabia, however they were targeting the royal. This I believed was an idea that contained or restricted their products to only the rich and wealthy. The expectation that by limiting your target market to a single class would make your business successful was not enough in my opinion.

My group and I gave a small power point presentation that explained the Saudi lingerie market and how targeting the royals may not always work; knowing that there are upper class families that exist and also require and demand the best quality lingerie.

Doing internet-based research in order to gather relevant and appropriate information in relation to the rest of the Middle Eastern countries such as Tunisia and Algeria morocco. I also conducted research on the rules and regulations of other middle eastern countries such as, Somalia, Libya and the Comoros

Looking at the different Salon in the 22 countries of the Gulf and see the different events these saloons hold in different cities of these countries. For this purpose I had to perform extensive internet-based research. Mostly I noticed that the main events were held in the capital cities of each of the 22 countries.

So basically, in this regard, my responsibility was to gather basic information about the dates and location of the events that were held by various saloons. In addition to that I had to determine or identify the names of the organizers of Salons Foires. After the collection of appropriate information I had to post this information on the company website. The events posted on the website extended from those that were to be held on November 2013 to those that were to be held on April 2014.

The Nature of My Responsibilities

My main responsibilities circulated around gathering information, then organizing that information in a way which benefits the organization as most of the countries updated and changed their regulations yearly, therefore extensive and timely research was required to gather appropriate.

As I looked at the foreign investment laws and regulations of each of the member countries, I had to make sure that the gathered information addressed the following three points:

What are the existing legislations for foreigners if they existed?

What are the rules of investment in each country?

What are the process they must undergo in order to make investments?

The countries, that I researched and gathered information about, included various middle eastern countries that are in Africa such as Libya, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan. In addition to that, I also gathered information about a number of countries in Asia such as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq.

A lot of research was done from my part as I was expected to answer difficult questions about regulation. In addition to that, I also had to address the information needs of the clients in relation to the cultural facts. This is because the French clients, with whom I negotiated and worked, had very little or no knowledge about certain Gulf countries.

My responsibilities also included posting information on the company's website on certain events that were to be held in the 22 countries that the organization is in relation with. For this purpose again I had to perform extensive research to find out the date of occurrence and organizer information of a number of events.

Another responsibility was to meet some of the potential clients who were interested in initiating business in the Gulf. For this purpose I was required to create a presentation on the potential development opportunities that exist in Gulf countries.

In addition to that, this presentation also provided the clients with a better understanding of the Gulf countries. The information included in this presentation was majorly about the culture of the Gulf Countries. This is because most of the clients, whom I handled, were curious about the culture of the countries and had little knowledge about what its accepted culturally in the Gulf Countries.

Projects that you are working on, and how they relate to issues covered in your MA course material

One of the projects that I did, which I thought would be a better way to brand each country with the developmental project and famous architectural locations using visuals that loop in a video during the CNIT Expo in La defense.

As I learned the importance of visuals and how a picture can speak and reach the client faster, even though the company did not use my video, I explained to my supervisor the importance of having these visuals added to the ICC-Franco Arab Stand in the exposition.

Since we are promoting the gulf countries I think it is important and necessary to associate something that would grab the attention of the foreigners (the other). The theory of other, which was a major component of my studies was used in this regard.

In addition to that, since most countries in the gulf did not brand themselves other than a few cities in the United Arab Emirates such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, therefore, as mediators between clients and the Middle East and Gulf, the media department should have such media and work as branding agent for these countries, the organization used a number of efficient and effective branding tools.

The major theories that were put into practice were:

The theory of other

Communication theories and model,

Theory of visual communication

Information of business research tools and methods.

A number of theories that I studied and their connection with the information that I acquired in the course of my education are discussed in the following section.

Communication Theories and Models

The various communication theories and models that I came to know during the course of my academic life and their deployment in my job is discussed in the following section:

Shannon and Weaver Model of Communication

This is the simplest model of communication and it consists of a sender, a message, a channel through which the message travels, noise and other interferences and the receiver. This model, however, lacks an essential element of feedback which indicates that how effective the communication was. (Sorger 150-225)

With the help of this model I learned that most of the speakers blame the receivers for the inappropriate result of the communication process. It shall, however, be kept under consideration that the channel used, the encoding and decoding process and the structure of the message also have an influential impact on the communication process. As most of responsibilities were communication base, this model was used a number of times during my internship. (Sorger 150-225)

With the help of the information that I acquired through this model I was able to design and deliver my messages in a manner that effectively grabbed their attention. In addition to that, the deployment of this model also helped me in appropriately developing an effective communication between myself and my clients, who were the receivers in this case. Moreover, he model also helped me in understanding the needs and the situation of the clients and hence with the help of the information acquired through this model I was able to extract the intended response from the clients with whom I corresponded. (Hansen 25-75)

Wilbur Schramm's Model of Communication

This model indicated that the communication is what people make it. The basic idea underlining this model is that the delivered message contains no meaning except the one people put in it. This model indicates that in order understand human communication we have to understand the ways in which people relate to each other. (Ackoff 218 -- 234)

This model enabled me to understand the impacts of relationship on the communication process. In addition to that, it also enabled to come to know the impact of social environment, most specifically the frame of reference, on the communication process. Through the deployment of the information I was able to develop better relations with my client and I was also enable to utilize these relationships effectively to enhance the communication that took place between me and my clients. (Ackoff 218 -- 234)

In addition to that, the understanding of influence of social environment on the communication process enabled me to alter my ways of communication according to the frame of reference in which my communication occurred. For instance, I was able to effectively able to alter my communication process effectively on the exposition day. This is because due to my academic knowledge I was able to understand that the communication between me and my clients was taking place at a different frame of reference on that day. (Staff of Universal Accreditation Board 1-22)

Walter Lippmann's Barriers to Effective Communication

Walter Lippmann indicated five major barriers to effective communication. These barriers include: artificial censorship; gatekeepers in the media; shrinking news holes; limitation of social contact and meager time for paying attention etcetera. I used this model to ensure that the message that I intend to deliver is communicated effectively to my clients. The knowledge that I acquired through this model helped to me ensure that all the errors in relation to the communication. (Staff of Universal Accreditation Board 1-22) All of these errors are discussed below:

Development of artificial censorship or agreement between the sender and the receiver. With the help of the knowledge gained through this model I was able to ensure that the client is completely understanding my message and is agreeing with my point-of-view on the basis of his understanding and analysis and as a result I was able to avoid the development of artificial censorship between me and my clients. (Staff Of Universal Accreditation Board 1-7)

Limitations of social contact also act as a barrier to effective communication. This is because people who have limited social contact do not indulge easily in communication and hence it is very difficult to indulge with and attract with such people. As a result of this knowledge, I was able to analyze that whether the behavior of a client is reserved or restricted or not and then through the deployment of the knowledge about communication abilities I tried to have a better conversation with my clients. (Staff Of Universal Accreditation Board 1-7)

Meagre time available for paying attention is also one of the major barriers to communication and hence I ensured that my clients had appropriate time to understand my message and go through it so that they may make a decision that would benefit my organization and would contribute to the overall mission and goals of the organization. (Staff Of Universal Accreditation Board 1-7)

Distortion from external factors also hinders effective communication, one of such factors is noise. As a result of this information, I ensured that whenever I communicated with my clients I did it in a professional and appropriate environment so that my message may reach the client without any hurdles and hindrance. (Costa and Aparicio et al. 15 -- 19)

Appropriate and effective usage of vocabulary is also an important factor that might have an influential impact on the way in which the messages are received and interpreted, therefore, I ensured that my messages were clear, concise and easy to understand. (Costa and Aparicio et al. 15 -- 19)

All the above mentioned theories were deployed in my work as I had to have verbal and written communication with my clients during the course of internship. The information extracted from these theories enabled me to better understand the communication process. In addition to that, it also helped me in understanding the responsibilities of the sender in relation to effective acceptance and interpretation of the delivered messages. As a result, I was able to frame my messages in an appropriate manner, choose the effective channel of delivering messages and understand the needs and requirements of the receiver appropriately. Apart from that, the communication theories and models also enabled me to avoid the barriers and difficulties that may affect the communication process in a deteriorating manner. (Staff of Universal Accreditation Board 1-22)

Sensual and Perceptual Theories of Visual Communication

The sensual and perceptual theories of visual communication that I studied during my academic life helped me to design the presentations in a manner that attracted the clients the most. These theories enable me to use various concepts in relation to visual communication effectively and as a result my messages were easily understood by the clients and they gave me the intended response. These theories were deployed by me during the course of internship to better understand the characteristics of various tools of visual communication and as a result I was able to deploy them in a better manner. I used different theories of visual communication during the course of my internship. (Staff of Middle Tennessee State University 2-6) All of these theories are discussed in detail in the following section:

Gestalt Theory of Visual Communication

The gestalt theory of visual communication was given by Max Wertheimer in the year 1910. This theory indicates that 'the whole is different from the sum of its parts.' This theory indicates that the job of the eye is to take in all the visual stimuli and the brain then arranges all these sensations into a coherent whole or a complete image. (Staff of Middle Tennessee State University 2-6) This theory has the following four fundamental groupings or laws:

Similarity: this states that when people are provided with a choice then they select the options or shapes that are the easiest to concentrate on. These shapes may include circles, squares and triangles. (Staff Of Middle Tennessee State University 2-6)

Proximity: this grouping states that there is a high probability that the brain will closely associate those two objects that have a smaller distance between them instead of closely associating the objects that are far apart from each other. (Staff Of Middle Tennessee State University 2-6)

Continuation: it states that the human brain does not prefer sudden and unexpected movements in a line. In addition to that, if a visual message consists of a number of fast and rapid movements then the human brain may find it difficult to interpret the message appropriately. It also states that in order for the message to be interpreted appropriately, it must consists of linear, predictable and continuous movements. (Staff Of Florida International University 1-32)

Common Fate: this law states that for the visual message to be interpreted appropriately, all the components if the message must point in the same direction. If the components of the visual message will point in varying directions then it would be very difficult for the human brain to appropriately interpret the delivered message. (Staff Of Florida International University 1-32)

Theory of Constructivism

This theory indicates that a visual message is interpreted and constructed by the receivers on the basis of the short lived fixations of the eye which are then converted by the brain into a concentrated whole. It has been indicated by a number of researchers that the way in which the viewers interpret the message conveyed by the newspaper depends on the content, size and placement of the photos rather than the fact that whether the images are printed in color or in black and white. (Lester 150-175)

Theory of Semiotics

This theory is also referred to as the science or study of science. A sign can be defined as anything that represents something else or that stands for something else. Almost all the actions, objects and images have a meaning for someone somewhere. For an action, object or image to be a sign it is necessary for it to be understood by the viewers. There are three times of signs namely, Iconic, Indexical and Symbolic. (Lester 150-175) All of these types are discussed below:

Iconic: iconic signs must have strong resemblance with the things that they intend to represent. Photographs and motion pictures can be regarded as the most common examples of the iconic signs. This is because these are the true representation of the things that they represent. (Staff Of Florida International University 1-32)

Indexical: the indexical pictures have a connection based in logic or commonsense with the thing or idea that they intend to represent. Unlike the iconic pictures, indexical pictures may not bear any resemblance to the idea or thing that they represent. (Staff Of Florida International University 1-32)

Symbolic: these are the signs that do not have any logical connection with the things that they intend to represent. (Staff Of Florida International University 1-32)

The knowledge acquired from the above mentioned theories helped me in contemplating and designing by presentations in a better manner. These enabled be control the flow of movement in the presentation. This flow was designed in a manner that helped the viewers to effectively interpret the message that was to be conveyed by the visual tools and objects. In addition to that, the sensual and perceptual theories of visual communication also enabled me to effectively use the signs, videos and symbols in my visual communication process. As a result of this knowledge, I was able to grab the maximum level of attraction from the clients. The information about visual communication tricks helped me to persuade the clients, who in this case were the viewers, in the course of visual communication and as a result the communication process was able to create more effective and appropriate results. (Baldwin and Roberts 15-45)

Business Research Methods

During my academic course I studied a number of concepts in relation to research methods and tools. This information was utilized by me to carry out effective research activities during the course of my internship. As mentioned above, I had to carry out extensive and continuous research about the Gulf and other affiliated countries of Chamber of Commerce Franco-Arab. In addition to that, I also had to carry out tremendous research about the rules and regulations that existed in these countries in relation to taxation and other factors related to business and investment. I, therefore, made heavy use of the information extracted from this academic course. The section below discusses various concepts that I studied in the research methods course that I took:

Research Paradigms

According to a research of Burrell and Morgan, which was cited in the work of Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill, as quoted in the research of Kumar (2011), there are four major paradigms of research out of which business research is a single paradigm. (Kumar 295-315) All of these four research paradigms are discussed below:

Functionalist Paradigm: this research paradigm can be defined as a rational and problem solving approach that is generally deployed by the organizations. (Kumar 295-315)

Interpretive Paradigm: this research paradigm indicates that the organizations use the opinion of others in relation to their operations and management as a major part of their research. (Kumar 295-315)

Radical Humanist: this research paradigm is used by the organization that are social agents. These organizations generally use this paradigm to change themselves. (Kumar 295-315)

Radical Structuralist: this research paradigm is used by the organizations that are a result of structural power relations and inheret a number of conflicts and contradictions. (Kumar 295-315)

Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research:

During the course of my education I gathered relevant amount of information about the difference that exists between qualitative and quantitative form of research. In addition to that, I also gained a lot of information about the scenarios and situations in which each of these research methods shall be used. This information enabled me select and deploy appropriate method of research while conducting desk research. As most of the data collected by me was qualitative and secondary in nature, therefore, I generally conducted qualitative research during my internship. Qualitative research, here, can be defined as the research that aims at finding out the meanings that underlie the response of the clients and the gathered data. This research, unlike, the qualitative research is not interested in the frequency of occurrence of the data or response. (Cooper and Schindler 515-600)

Reliability

Reliability can be defined as the degree of consistency or repeatability that exists in the collected data over a given period of time. The research shall be conducted in an auditable manner that is it must be transparent and must be easy for the reader to understand. In addition to that, it should be descriptive so that the readers may deploy the same methods to get the similar results. The methods used in the research shall be represented in a manner that instill a degree of confidence in the reader in relation to the results of the research. (Zikmund 400-450)

Validity

There are three mains ways of ensuring that the research in valid in nature. These methods include face validity, construct validity and internal validity. (Zikmund 400-450) Each of this form of validity is discussed below:

Face Validity: the no- researcher or lay person shall be able to identify that the deployed research method is effective in nature. (Zikmund 400-450)

Construct: the deployed method should actually measure what it intends to measure. (Zikmund 400-450)

Internal Validity: it is related to causality and requires that the relations or casualties used in the research are valid in nature. (Zikmund 400-450)

I used all of the above mentioned information while conducting internet-based research, which was an important part of my responsibilities. The deployment of above mentioned knowledge enabled me to conduct research that was effective, efficient, valid and reliable in nature. (Cooper and Schindler 515-600)

Conclusion

I did my internship in the Chamber of Commerce Franco-Arab, which provides a platform for interaction between the French and Arab traders and business men. This organization was established in the year 1970. It was established under the Law of Association of 1901. The membership of Chamber of Commerce Franco-Arab is held by a number of organizations including chambers of commerce, professionals, banking institutions, commercial and industrial firms. The roots of this chamber this spread over 22 league countries of the Gulf and in a number of areas of France.

The main activities of the Chamber of Commerce Franco-Arab included conducting meetings, giving advice and support to potential business men, investors and clients, providing international trade support, training employees to carry on appropriate activities and communications with the clients and traders. The organization aims at facilitating the relations that exist between the traders of Gulf countries and the traders of the French areas. This organization has enabled a number of small and medium enterprises from the Gulf countries to take advantage of the amazing and prosperous development opportunities that exist in the productive environment of France.

The organization has a number of strengths including, extensive history of effective performance and services, vibrant reputation, strong and mixed chamber, strong and unique role in promoting Islamic banking, effective role in providing corporate training, a widely spread and extensive network, effective diffusion of information and provision of appropriate conciliation & arbitration services

Despite the above mentioned strengths, the organization has various weaknesses as well. These weaknesses include the development of inappropriate training and development programs. Even though the Chamber of Commerce Franco-Arab develops a number of training programs and activities but these programs are not efficient enough in enhancing the abilities of their targeted individuals.

In addition to that, a large number of members of the Chamber of Commerce Franco-Arab are large enterprises and the small and medium enterprises, on the other hand, do not have enough representation in the organization. As one of the major objectives of the organizations is to provide the SMEs with a platform that nay enable them to enhance their abilities and to prosper in their field of businesses then the lack of membership and representation of SMEs can be regarded as the weakness of the organization.

I was hired in the Communication and Research department of the organization and served the organization for 8 weeks. The major activities that I performed included giving presentations, doing internet-based research, developing videos, gathering photographs, posting relevant information on the company website and conducting verbal, written and visual communication with my clients. All of these responsibilities heavily deployed the information that I gathered through my academic course. This internship gave me a good insight to the industry and assisted me to develop my future goals.

After the completion of my internship I identified a number of goals that I would like to pursue in the future. I identified that I would like to do promote the ICC-Franco Arab on social media and would try to charge the website visitors about 1 euro for downloading every copy of the newsletter of the organization. I, however, am looking for companies that would help me in making this newsletter more fun and playful for the viewers. This is because if the newsletter would be very dry then the people would not spend their money on it. To conclude, I found this project to be interesting as I contacted some Arab embassies and cultural missions in Paris such as the Qatar in embassy and Saudi as well and gathered some information in relation to their expectations from this newsletter.